Going Buddhist: Panic and Emptiness, the Buddha and Me

Among all the books I've read on Buddhism/meditation, etc. I found this one refreshingly "straight." The author tests his coming to Buddhism against and with his friend Iris Murdoch's witty, wise philosophy; he sets the journey into a lively Western perspective; and he is immensely helpful to the seeker who feels a bit awed and maybe even timid at the ideas of the Buddhist way. He draws in fine references to history and literature, too. And has some practical advice.