In Search of Sacred Places: Looking for Wisdom on Celtic Holy Islands

by Daniel Taylor

A spiritual travel memoir with a palatable dose of Christian history, interlacing an account of a trip to three small islands with the history of Celtic Christianity in those places, all in service of an ongoing meditation about the human yearning for meaning.

Genres: Nonfiction, Spirituality, Religion

160 pages, Hardcover

First published February 25, 2005

About the author

Daniel Taylor (Ph.D., Emory University) is the author of eighteen books, including The Myth of Certainty, Letters to My Children, Tell Me A Story: The Life-Shaping Power of Our Stories, Creating a Spiritual Legacy, The Skeptical Believer: Telling Stories to Your Inner Atheist, Believing Again: Stories of Leaving and Returning to Faith, and a four novel mystery series, beginning with Death Comes for the Decontructionist and ending with The Mystery of Iniquity. His most recent novel, The Prodigal of Leningrad, is set in that city during the Nazi siege of World War II. He has also worked on a number of Bible translations. He speaks frequently at conferences, colleges, retreats, and churches on a variety of topics. Dr. Taylor is also co-founder of The Legacy Center, an organization devoted to helping individuals and organizations identify and preserve the values and stories that have shaped their lives. He was a contributing editor for Books and Culture. Dr. Taylor is married and the father of four adult children. Website: www.WordTaylor.com

Reviews

[Timothy Hoiland · Rating 4 out of 5]

“The journey to a sacred place is as important as the place itself. Traveling is an action—of the body and of the will—in the direction of a desired destination. The act of going is itself a vote for the possibility of meaning. It accepts risk—the risk of coming to harm, of being a fool, of wasting time and money and energy—for the mere possibility of a highly intangible reward.”

[Clara Biesel · Rating 5 out of 5]

I think it is difficult to exaggerate the impact of this book on my life. When I read it for the first time I was in undergrad, a small Christian liberal arts school where I struggled to figure out my place in this world. Taylor's writing, humorously self-deprecating, both kind and frank was a balm and a challenge as I negotiated the home of the spiritual in our brick and mortar lives. Rereading it seven years later I find it better than I remembered, and realize that there are other authors whose works I like primarily because their best parts sometimes remind me of the grace of Dan Taylor's words.

[Lisa Uotinen · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a very thoughtful, well-written book. It has a searching sort of feel to it, with allusions to pilgrimage and journeys, as the author explores the world of Celtic Christians. Parts of the book are just beautiful.

[David Ryan · Rating 4 out of 5]

very thoughtful writing, and captured many good aspects of pilgrimage.

[Pat Loughery · Rating 4 out of 5]

An excellent look at Celtic pilgrimage in the sections on Iona, Skellig Michael and the conclusion in pilgrimage takeaways. The pieces in the middle on Lindisfarne and illustrated gospels aren't nearly as strong, and the more specifically travel memoir parts are too light and goofy compared to the first and last chunks.

[Carrie · Rating 4 out of 5]

I love DT!!

This book made me long to go on a real pilgrimage.

Also, enjoy this quote from St. Brigid, a tenth century Irish saint.

"I should like a great lake of ale
For the King of kings;
I should like the family of Heaven
To be drinking it through time eternal."

[Jill Rathburn · Rating 5 out of 5]

LOVE all of Daniel Taylor's books!

[Abigail · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is special to me because a dear friend shared it with me and we read it together. I'll have to reread for more specific review comments.

[Julie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another soul-mate! Daniel Taylor! Love this book!