Rating: 
Summary: Disappointing
Review: I read Mr. Legge's review below before purchasing this, but decided he was probably just a Christian offended at Ladinsky taking liberties with some of the great poets/writers from this tradition. Unfortunately, I wish I would have listened to him.I have trouble believing that these poems, or even something similar, were written by the sources credited. They all come off sounding a bit like Hafiz, (or at least, as I'm beginning to suspect, Daniel Ladinsky's version of Hafiz), but not nearly as good as the Hafiz translations in Ladinsky's other volumes.
Something about the "translations" just seemed a little smart-alecky to me and not very deep. I don't think for instance, that Kabir really said "a fish in the water that's thirsty needs professional help." Buy at your own risk.
Rating: 
Summary: Profound theology, and poems that enchant...
Review: I was drawn to this book after having read a review about it in a periodical I trust, that called Daniel Ladinsky, "An audacious talent with a gigantic heart and a keen sense of humor." Indeed Ladinsky's remarkable work in this book, and the majority of pages in it, reflect a great artist's love. There is a poem in this book by Thomas Aquinas called, "The Christ Said." In this poem only the first few words are those of Aquinas, the rest are all attributed to Jesus, actually they are presented as a verbatim quote?? The astonishing wonder and potential significance of these words (no matter a scholarly origin) should be deeply studied by any religious student for they are sublime, profound theology. And after reading them in amazement - several times - I could not help but to keep flipping back to the opening sentence in a short essay in the front of this book, titled: The Genesis of These Poems. That first sentence presented an intrigue to me, and it seemed a bit of spiritual (metaphysical if you will) genius. That sentence was a quote by the 14th century Persian poet Hafiz, who apparently is Ladinsky's main man in that Ladinsky has translated three other books of Hafiz. That first sentence in the essay goes: "No one could ever paint a too wonderful picture of my heart or God." I can believe that about God. But the fascination becomes: is this book an aspect of that PICTURE that has somehow reached us? The most discerning regions of me say this: few books I have held may benefit our world as much. And enchantment - yes. Often in these pages I felt I was seated before a living Teacher. A penetrating thought from this volume by Meister Eckhart made clear some of my own thoughts, spoke for me as it were when Eckhart said, "How long will grown men and women in this world keep drawing in their coloring books an image of God that makes them sad?" p. 117. Indeed, for do not our lives reflect (and in some cases ARE) our heart's image of God. And I don't think it is possible to look into this book and not see our Beloved's soul more clearly. Bravo Daniel Ladinsky, bravo!
Rating:
Summary: TOO NEW AGEY AND A HUGE MISREPRESENTATION OF POETRY
Review: I was very disappointed with these poems. The chapter about Turkam felt very disrespectful in my eyes. Ladinsky should have sold this book as one of his own writing's, instead of the writings of the saints he has chose. Even though I know for a fact none of these are authentic, Ladinsky in the most part is a good poet. But a horrible translator. Buy at your own risk.
Rating:
Summary: Love Poems, Whispers from God
Review: If you want to own a book that you can open up and hear God whispering to your heart, LOVE POEMS FROM GOD is that book. Within it's pages, Ladinsky brings gifts from twelve powerful sages - six from the East and six from the West. In this unique collection, one can experience the wisdom of the West and the East as a seamless tapestry. Here many colors are woven together with one overarching purpose: to offer us the warmth and comfort of the Creator of All. I am a therapist and a spiritual director. I wholeheartedly recommend Ladinsky's work to those who long to hear love poems from God.
Rating:
Summary: Only the glorious duties of light ...
Review: It might be tempting to give in to enthusiasm, to say: "Ladinsky has done it again!" But the truth is: he hasn't done it again - this time he carries us thoroughly past his previous endeavors, inviting us all to dance in the "glorious duties of light." (St. John of the Cross) Through these 12 saints and mystics, he throws open the doors to ectasy and drenches the reader in a sort of spiritual sensuality that our souls must hunger for across the ages.
With the broad range of poets he's chosen, the reader gets a lesson in cross-cultural ecstatic passion. "...Don't forget love; it will bring all the madness you need to unfurl yourself across the universe" (Mira) and "...Every cell in us worships God. Every arrow in the bow of desire has rushed out in hope of nearing Him" (St. Thomas Aquinas)
Immerse yourself in these shimmering drops of passion and ignite the longing that is God's only gift. Take your civilized clothes off and dive in ... ecstasy awaits!
Rating:
Summary: Third Eye Opener
Review: Ladinsky grows increasingly delightful with each publication. In his free and playful style Ladinsky's muse lifts us into the realm of 12 great mystics, regenerating the essence of their wisdom. Memorable images, laughter, and great lines abound. Joyous in their messages, soothing in their profundity, these poems have that rare quality that makes one feel with awe the limitlessness of one's own being. Winetasters unite!
Rating:
Summary: A feast for the heart
Review: Ladinsky's 'Love Poems from God' is a feast for the heart and a timeless comfort for the soul.
It has been said that "God is in the details". How else could one of Ladinsky's latest gems find its way to an episode of ....
'The Osbournes' !
Leave your mind at the Tavern door and savor these divine delicacies. Drink deep of this fine Wine. There is a little something for everyone
on this incredible menu. It is indeed a five star experience.
You won't be disappointed.
Rating: 
Summary: Twelve great voices reduced to one
Review: Ladinsky's choice of poets for this volume is inspired. All twelve write with clarity of image and meaning that works across time and religious divides. All speak at some time from a experiential place of ecstatic love. So why do I give only one star? Read translations then compare to these adaptations. What Ladinsky gives us is one voice - his. The differences in place and time and religion of the originals have been flattened into an English-speaking present. The stark clarity of image in the originals have been muddled into blurred images of modern interpretation. While it is true that the ecstatic experience of love is common across culturals, the language in which the experience is described is always the unique voice of a particular individual's experience of the divine. It is that particularity that was lost in these adaptations. Rather than this volume, seek out translations of the originals.
Rating:
Summary: Twelve great voices reduced to one
Review: Ladinsky's choice of poets for this volume is inspired. All twelve write with clarity of image and meaning that works across time and religious divides. All speak at some time from a experiential place of ecstatic love. So why do I give only one star? Read translations then compare to these adaptations. What Ladinsky gives us is one voice - his. The differences in place and time and religion of the originals have been flattened into an English-speaking present. The stark clarity of image in the originals have been muddled into blurred images of modern interpretation. While it is true that the ecstatic experience of love is common across culturals, the language in which the experience is described is always the unique voice of a particular individual's experience of the divine. It is that particularity that was lost in these adaptations. Rather than this volume, seek out translations of the originals.
Rating:
Summary: Inspired renderings lighten the load
Review: Ladinsky's poems give great service. In his modern, witty, tender and uplifting style that has been so well-received in previous volumes of Hafiz renderings, Ladinsky offers us an inspired mixed-company symphony of twelve of God's greatest lovers. I take no issue with the "voice" that Ladinsky uses to present these holy ones to us. Nor have I ever been offended by the choice that Dali made in his depiction of the Last Supper, of Michelango's decision in determing the exquisite placement of Christ's body in Mary's arms, nor of any artist who is truly inspired to gift to us an interpretation of divine love. Quoting from the preface of book.Ladinsky states, "Any
liberties I have taken with these poems was an act, I hope, void
of self-interest and done with the sole intention of trying to
help emancipate our wings..........most of what is in this book
would be said to be an avant-garde portrait of these remarkable historic figures. I have used and mixed whichever colors I felt
were the most capable of bringing the reader into the extraordinary experience of these great souls. For their
experience of God foretells our own." In a poem rendered from St. Teresa of Avila is the verse,
"He led me to a place where only Light existed.
Only in us is God so lost that He asks questions" Lessons of Light,lightness,and true beauty exist in each offering in this book. You can't help but read it and make some of the attributes of God's best beloveds your own.
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