Rating: 
Summary: The book of choice for an organized intro to buddhism
Review: This book is probably the single best book for those interested in learning the fundamentals of buddhism, as well as for those looking for a guidebook to refine and contemplate their buddhist views. Thich Nhat Hanh is living testimony that Buddhist practice can transform a life of suffering and despair into one of peace and joy. His books were the start of my path and this book is almost like a handbook to the four noble truths and the eightfold path, as well as other fundamental thoughts of buddhists. The language does get somewhat abstract and spiritual and may require some re-reading by some, especially those with no previous exposure to buddhism. Otherwise, the best book covering fundamental buddhism I've ever read.
Rating:
Summary: Intelligent layman's introduction
Review: This book is the cure to all those [] self-help type introductions to Buddhism you see these days. This is far from a scholalry book, only suited for dry academics, but at the same time, it doesn't pidgeon hole all of the Buddha's teachings into a few maxims for the Busy American to absorb on the way to the gym or work. I can't gaurantee that you'll become a Buddhist after reading this, or even have much desire to (I know I didn't), but I simply do not see how you can walk away from it without some insight into how you live your life. At the very least, this book will cause you to locate your own self-deprecating actions and stop them (without being new age-y, or full of [] pop psychology). At best, this will cause you to start your life along the middle path. More likely than not, though, you'll end up some where in the middle, like I did. I read this at a very hard point in my life, and I can tell you that it was one of the main reasons I was pulled out of that funk. It helped me to understand why we suffer, and how to escape the cycle of pain and humiliation. Highly Recommended.
Rating:
Summary: a true synopsis of Buddhism
Review: This book reflects the particular views that T.N.H. teaches Westerners about Buddhism. It is a synergistic product of all his previous books. I keep it beside my bed to read periodically in spurts. Each reading sheds new or brighter light on T.N.H.'s Mindfullness Training, the 5 Precepts, the 3 Jewels, the 4 Nobel Truths, the Eightfold Path, etc.I highly recomment it to anyone who is at least slightly familiar with T.N.H. and his view of Mahayana Buddhism.
Rating:
Summary: Interconnected!
Review: This book requires the reader to explore the interelatedness of all the Buddhist doctrines. I read this at the same time as Bhante Gunaratana's *Eight Mindful Steps to Happiness* and found that it provided a depth and meaning that Gunaratana's simpler exposition did not. That's not to say that I was not confused at various points! But Thich Nhat Hanh's warmth and loving-kindness reaches right off the page to express the inner meaning of the Buddha's teaching in daily life. Well worth digging into.
Rating: 
Summary: A Good Second Level or Buddhism 102
Review: This is a good book - I'm torn between 3 and 4 stars - and 3 and a half is not available - as I write this I'm still not sure if it's getting 3 or 4 stars. Before I bought this book I (like you) wanted to read the reviews of others who have read the book. Trinity's review for some reason caught my attention and kept popping into my head as I read the book. Really just one theme - "Buddhism For A Generation Weaned On Mr. Rogers" specifically Trinity's view of the language. There were times where the language was too flowery. I know I'm reading about and am in the space of Buddhism and that this type of criticism goes against my preconceived notions of Buddhism, but it just bugged me here or there and I got distracted. My Wondering Monkey Brain aside I thought this book was a good next step. A good exploration into Buddhism that goes beyond the introductory level. That's what I was looking for - a next step onto the eightfold path or Buddhism 102. There are some very good things in this book. Very good detail into other avenues of Buddhism that I was not aware of. See the table of content. Part 1 and 2 I found excellent and familiar. Parts 3 and 4 were new and hard to follow, but all in all contained very good detail and specific areas and information. Again - this is a good 2nd step. If you're looking for a little more than you're used to or a little more in-depth view into Buddhism this is a good book. Good - not great. I'm still torn between giving a 3 or 4 star rating. Reluctantly I'm giving it a 3. Thich Nhat Hanh sounds like a fantastic man and you could feel his goodness and love coming through each chapter.
Rating:
Summary: A gentle, humanist and revisionist introduction.
Review: This is a wonderful introduction to some of the complicated and not-so-complicated tenets of Buddhism. But in some ways I agree with "Watch your step!", one of the reviewers below. Hanh's is a very personal interpretation, and one with which not all Buddhists will agree. Specifically, he takes a somewhat revisionist view of the nature of suffering and its relation to the Buddha's teaching. He writes, for example, after putting his own views across in a gentle and persuasive way, "I hope scholars and practioners will begin to accept the teaching the all things are marked by impermanence, non-self and nirvana." His substitution of "nirvana" for "suffering" there may strike some as overly revisionist. He is arguing against a long-standing interpretation, and I am persuaded by his view. Some of those thinking of buying this book, however, may not want such an individual perspective, and instead may be looking for a less critical summation of standard Buddhist teachings. That being said, this should be the standard reference on the basics of Buddhism in English. "What are you doing?"
Rating: 
Summary: A Scholarly and Well-Organized Dissertation
Review: This is been the most concise and well-organized analysis of a this complex and difficult subject I've ever read. The book is laid out with subjects grouped sensibly so that you can follow a natural progression from one area to another, and it's possible to navigate the book to pick out those areas of particular interest to the reader. In addition, it's more than just dry analysis: There's passion and warmth to Hanh's writing, and his spirituality comes through even in the most academic areas of discussion. As an agnostic, I'm seldom drawn to religious practice, but after having read this book, I am more sympathetic to Buddhism than to any of the Western faiths I've been exposed to. A wonderful introduction to a beautiful world view.
Rating:
Summary: Buddhism For A Generation Weaned On Mr. Rogers
Review: This is not a bad book, it explains in detail everything you need to know that's important in Buddhism, emphasizing, as the title suggests, the heart of the Buddha's teachings. Any one who reads this book and puts its teachings into practice in his daily life will surely be a better person. However, I must confess that I am often distracted from the teachings by the teacher's choice of language. We all know that Buddhism is suppose to make us happier, more gentle, content, people, so we expect writers on the subject to of course write in a spirit that reflects these qualities; but Thich Nhat Hanh takes this to an extreme level, in my opinion, making me think of him as the Mr. Rogers of modern Buddhist teachers. I'm sure that in real life he is a sincere, kind, loving Buddhist, but when I read his books I can't help but think that he's catering to middle-aged women who frequent New Age stores. Maybe I'm just showing my own mean-mindedness, a lack of feeling, but, to put it frankly, I just get "turned-off" sometimes by all his talk of flowers, clouds, blue skies, dewdrops, and smiling children. As just one example of what I'm talking about, in one chapter he says, "When was the last time you looked into the eyes of your beloved and asked, 'Who are you, my darling?'" and tells us not to be satisfied by a superficial answer. That's fine, I have no problem with that, but among the questions that follow to find out the "true" nature of your beloved, is this one: "My love, why aren't you a dewdrop, a butterfly, a bird?", which he says you should ask with your whole being. I'm sorry, but who talks like this in real life? The book is overflowing with this kind of talk from the "heart", with the result that my mind rebels and wants to read something written by an adult for adults---not some PBS programming for kids. So I give the book three stars for good intentions and explaining Buddhist essentials in detail, but take off two stars for all the superfluous flowery language I had to sift through for those details. I agree with one of the other reviewers here in recommending
"What the Buddha Taught" by Walpola Rahula as a better introduction to Buddhism for the beginner. It manages to be inspiring and no non-sense at the same time.
Rating:
Summary: The book for all people
Review: This is truly a beautiful offering to the mind and the soul. I lend this book to others only to have then weep with joy upon returning it. Many have remarked that "this is the book that should be in all hotel rooms!"
Rating:
Summary: Excellent introduction to Buddhism
Review: Together with "For A Future to be Possible," this book is an excellent introduction to Buddhism. Thich Nhat Hanh explains Buddha's teaching in simple terms and in his usual beautiful down-to-earth manner. This is one book I treasure very much and go back to when I am unclear about Buddhist concepts.
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