" Enjoyable and deeply interesting. . . . Very rewarding." - "San Francisco Chronicle"
" A story about becoming human, being recognized, finally recognizing oneself. . . . It fills the reader with hope." - "The Washington Post Book World"
" Riveting. . . . It's a pleasure to read simply because it's honest and hopeful. . . . Armstrong is such an evocative writer." - "Newsday"
" I loved this powerful and moving account, and read it nonstop." - Elaine Pagels, author of Beyond Belief
" In . . . Armstrong's memoir there lurks wisdom about the making and remaking of a life . . . from which all of us could learn." - "The New York Times Book Review"
" A powerful memoir. . . . Buoyed by keen intelligence and unflinching self-awareness and honesty. . . . Armstrong is an engaging, energetic writer." - "The Christian Science Monitor"
" A minor masterpiece." - "Elle
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" Exceptionally impressive. . . . Karen Armstrong's account of her spiralling journey provokes thought and inspires respect." - "Daily Telegraph"
" The story of the making of a writer. . . . It manages to dramatize the writer's process of intellectual development and to find in it genuine interest, and, indeed, suspense. . . . As an account of the intellectual journey of an intelligent and unique individual, the book is often gripping." - "San Francisco Chronicle
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" Candid and compelling, and the sentences are flawless." - "The Dallas Morning News
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" Unputdownable- absorbing, moving." - "Daily Mail"
" Remarkable. . . . Unflinching. . . . This candid memoir will clarify thinking about the search for the sacred." - "Booklist"
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"" Gripping. . . . Uplifting. . . . Utterly compelling." - "The Edmonton Journal
"" Armstrong writes with sensitivity and wisdom. . . . She employs a breadth of learning that reflects the scintillating, shifting light and shade of human experience." - "The Times "(London)
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"" Absorbing. . . . Profoundly inspiring and engaging." - "Tallahassee" "Democrat"
" An honest and affecting book." - "The Independent
"" "The Spiral Staircase" . . . is great. Armstrong is a marvelous writer and her subject matter is meaty. Her subject is the meaning of life." - "Deseret Morning News"
" Open and accessible, Armstrong manages to put into words something that most of us cannot express." - "New Statesman"
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"" Moving, insightful. . . . Compulsively readable." - "Library Journal"
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"" A subtle and funny memoir." - "Sunday Telegraph"

Karen Armstrong is the author of numerous other books on religious affairs, including A History of God," "The Battle for God," "Through the Narrow Gate," " Holy War," " Islam," " and Buddha. Her work has been translated into forty languages. She is also the author of three television documentaries and took part in Bill Moyers s television series "Genesis." Since September 11, 2001, she has been a frequent contributor to conferences, panels, newspapers, periodicals, and throughout the media on both sides of the Atlantic on the subject of Islam. She lives in London."