The Noble Eightfold Path: Way to the End of Suffering

I can't quite recommend this book as a Beginner's Book, for one who has no knowledge of Buddhism. But this is highly recommended for an intermediate student of Buddhism, and even a good review for the advanced student. I have read a couple dozen books on Buddhism as well as many articles and mp3 lectures and so on - and this is one of the best. This is the most clear and concise explanation of Buddhism I have seen yet. And the last couple of chapters on Mindfulness and Concentration - the 7th and 8th Paths of the Eightfold Path - are a very helpful description of signposts along the path of meditation, what one can expect to encounter as one embarks on this journey. I recommend that ANYone with a serious interest in Buddhism read this book! And here's a clue: if you poke around on the net you can find a pdf version of the book for free. However, for the small price, this book IS worth buying and owning especially if you like to underline, mark pages, etc...

If you are looking for commentary on the 8-fold path,Bikkhu Bodhi's book is worth checking out.

Bodhi is a scholar of the highest caliber. His explanations of Buddha's teachings are well defined, clear, and accessible to beginner and a gift to the long term practitioner. Anyone interested in the foundations of Buddhism will no doubt benefit from his work.

This book was incredibly helpful to me. I would recommend it as the most beautiful exposition of the Eightfold Noble Path that I'm aware of. It has informed my readings of other Sutra's and my practice tremendously. My deepest gratitude to the author.

This book really took me to the next level of my understanding of the Buddhist eightfold path. Which is: Right View (understanding) Right Intention (Thought) Right Speech Right Action Right Livelihood Right Effort Right Mindfulness Right Concentration It really explains what Buddhists mean by each of these stages based on the original language the Buddhist scriptures were written in. I also like the authors translation of the first two into view and intention, a lot of times they are translated as understanding and thought. These words brought me to a much better understanding. The author also touched on the wisdom of dispensing with the false ego and understanding how the five aggregates are what we really are feelings,perceptions,consciousness,material form, and mind formations. This book will probably be a little advanced for first time readers of Buddhist philosophy but if you have an understanding of the 4 noble truths and have read the Dhammapada and are ready for the next level, you can't get better than this condensed wisdom in 120 pages. I am different now from having read it.