The Quaker Reader

This is an excellent book, and I think anybody with a serious interest in Quakerism should find a copy. The early coverage is very good, and the excerpts from George Fox's journals are excellent; there is also a really stunning excerpt from the journal of a Quaker who visited John Brown.I confess I am a little disappointed by the coverage of the 20th century, which is a little light, and does not, to me, fully address contemporary spiritual concerns from a Quaker perspective. In other words, West has done a wonderful job, but there is still a pressing need for a compilation of 20th century Quaker writing.

It isn't easy to find information telling you what Friends believe. Our history is traced primarily through the words of George Fox and John Woolman. Later, here in the US, there were splits dividing believers into liberal and conservative groups. This book does a very good job of giving the reader an understanding of the Quaker faith by offering the reader essays and journal bits from William Penn (a well-known Pennsylvania Friend!) and others, both inside the faith and out. For those interested in the Religious Society of Friends (Quakers), those newly convinced, or for those who just like to read about the beginnings and progress of Quakers, The Quaker Reader is a basic for their library. For other books about Quakers, be sure to read Robert L. Smith's A Quaker Book of Wisdom; and The Quakers by Jean Kinney Williams

This book provides a fairly thorough history of the Quaker faith and its evolution over time. While some of the essays are by external observers, the book is mostly writings by Quakers, often in the form of journal excerpts. Pithy and insightful commentary by the editor introduces each writer, the time in which they lived and the issues facing the Religious Society of Friends during that era.I loved this book. It led me to my first Quaker meeting and a faith that is right for me. However, even if you do not find stories or concepts in this book that resonate with your own experience of God, it is worth reading. William Penn (who was a Quaker) and many others less well-known played a far more significant role in the history of the United States than their numbers would suggest.

This books contains a variety of short essays on Quaker theology and conduct. It also contains important excerpts from the Journal of George Fox.The book specifically and fairly acknowledges the scarcity of Friends' "theology" as an historical matter. However, this is amply supplanted by readings from the works of William Penn and others who were in a position to speak about the conduct of the Quakers and their effect on those around them. This 'third-person' perspective provides a unique insight into the lives of those known as the 'Quiet Rebels' in early American history and provides for a stimulating and educational reading experience. The editor should be credited with her fine selection of Quaker readings.In short, the book is an excellent survey of Quaker thoughts and actions throughout history. By the time one reaches the end of this book, the reader should find themselves in the rather enjoyable position of feeling as though they know a 'Quaker'.