The Kingdom of God is Within You
 | Average Customer Rating: Recommend It’s a unique book on the contradictory theories of life. Tolstoy being a social reformer and peace, has explored the Christ’s preaching of non-resistance against violence. The book is worth-read as it leads to spiritual awakening. This EasyRead Large Bold Edition has been optimized for readers with reduced vision who prefer a bold print that stands out and facilitates reading. Product details and pricing info |
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35 Customer Reviews Posted
- A Classic of Christian Pacifism
- Tolstoy is of course a classic writer, and this text would be worthwhile reading merely because of its author. It offers more than just a prestigious name, however, this book offers Tolstoy's sustained argument that Christianity must be nonviolent, and that not only must Christians not wage war they must not murder or kill at all. While I am not a pacifist, and have not been persuaded wholly by the pacifist tradition, I have to commend Tolstoy's work as a very thorough and intricate attempt to argue for the case of Christian pacifism. He illustrates how the acceptance of violence in society is used to protect the presence of injustice and inequality, and that justifications are cleverly manufactured to convince otherwise innocent (but deceived) people that Christianity is okay with the "Just War" tradition. Tolstoy, of course, believes that Christianity is incompatible with violence, the use of force, and hence the support of the State. It is a radical philosophy if religion, and while I prefer a more "realist" tradition than Tolstoy's (he seems to be under the impression also that moral progress is inexorable, given the revealed truth of Christianity, in his own mind), his work should be regarded as a classic argument for Christian Pacifism and against any Christian use of violence.
- 2008-09-02, 0 of 0 people found this review helpful, Rated:
- If Only
- A very good book, if only to see how Tolstoy handles the subject.
His writing is as fine as ever, and in demolishing the edifice of church/state, he is in fine form.
However, when it comes time to build...to construct...to form his own, edifice, the train goes completly off the rails. It is a majestic horror. The blindness, is simply astounding. But well written.
Mr. Tolstoy makes the same pathetic appeal that every originator of a lame philosophy does..."if only people would do thus and such". But they don't, do they!!
To give him credit, he does raise the issue...but never answers it! Because no answer is possible.
This book is an informative glimpse into the window of the asylum door, whilst the madman scribbles on the wall. He writes a philosophy that must be lived up to, even to the death of yourself, your family, everyone you know. It is insane.
A great writer, yes. But for any philosophy to work, it must be based on the real world. It must come down to man, not beckon from the heights.
My conclusion upon reading this book, was only wishing Tolstoy was alive today, so he could correct all the many obvious errors, and make a stronger, more modern, argument for his cause. I doubt he would even try, however. - 2008-07-16, 2 of 3 people found this review helpful, Rated:
- Insightful
- I recommend reading Tolstoy's "What I Believe" before you read this work.
Both books establish, better than any other book I've read, the corruption of the apparent task of all organized religion by its assimiluation into civil government.
This book, written seven years after "What I Believe" is Tolstoy's appologic for his first work. I believe the five reasons Tolstoy listed, which showed how his thoughts were rejected, proved to me the weakness of Tolstoy's argument. His argument in What I Believe was based on scripture. He was saying my interpretation of scripture is better than the churchs' interpretation (and application).
It is because there is no resolution to finite mankind attempting to define and interpret an infinite "god" is why we have more than 2,800 religious organizations. It is circuitous logic to think a finite book can be elevated to prove the existence of an infinite god. It is also why the leaders of organized religion, in their pride, elevate their beliefs about an infinite god to be a fact of life. By the corruption of the religions' supposed purpose with civil government, which enables them to use force to impose their will on others, the peoples of the world live in strife.
I have a blog at "[...]" under the name lawrenceindestin where my essay attempts to develop this topic further. - 2008-03-28, 0 of 2 people found this review helpful, Rated:
- The Kingdom of God is Within You
- Tolstoy lived in an era when words were used to show pictures, and being succint was unheard of. Though I have enjoyed other of Tolstoy's writings, this one is an extremely laborious read! I am not sure where Ghandi got his inspiration from it. Good luck!
- 2008-03-09, 0 of 10 people found this review helpful, Rated:
- Dover edition is supreme
- Of the several printed editions of this work I've run into, the Dover paperback version, with the Kramskoi portrait on the cover, must surely be favorite. In addition to the handsome appearance and overall intelligently-handled, easily-managed design, the printing is immensely competent -- I found one error in 350 pages, as opposed to, to take one example, the Kessinger edition, which contained about an error per paragaph, to say nothing of its unwieldy design, its cost -- twice that of the Dover edition -- and its frankly ugly yellow-and-white cover. (Tolstoy admittedly wouldn't have cared much what his book looked like, as long as people read it.) Also: the Dover edition includes an introduction which helps place the work in context, drawing on recollections from Tolstoy's son, Ilya. The Dover edition seems to be somewhat hidden on the site; if there is no 'This review is from' tag at the top of this review, hopefully it can be found here: The Kingdom of God Is Within You (Dover Value Editions), but, if that doesn't work, and nothing I do ever does, a search for the title and author with 'Dover' appended should do the trick.
The translation is from 1894, by Constance Garnett. I am not aware of any other English translations in existence; in any case, this one is perfectly adequate.
As for the text itself, it is of course great beyond my poor power to add or detract. Perhaps it is possible to have a legitimate claim to being a real human without having read this book, but I don't see how. You and everyone you know should read it immediately. - 2008-01-29, 0 of 0 people found this review helpful, Rated:
