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| Journeys in Islamic Countries | 
 enlarge | Author: John G. Bennett
Publisher: Bennett Books
Category: Book
List Price: $24.00
Buy New: $16.84
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Avg. Customer Rating:  (3 reviews)
Sales Rank: 1991172
Languages: English (Unknown), English (Original Language), English (Published)
Media: Paperback
Edition: 1st Bennet
Pages: 244
Shipping Weight (lbs): 0.8
Dimensions (in): 9 x 6.1 x 0.6
ISBN: 1881408124
Dewey Decimal Number: 915.6044
EAN: 9781881408123
ASIN: 1881408124
Publication Date: February 2001
Availability: Usually ships in 1-2 business days
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| Customer Reviews:
 Literary portmanteau March 28, 2008
Reading this book, it is a source of astonishment that it was literally written as a travel diary, kept up in all manner of unlikely places, even the steel floor of a railroad goods truck in the Iraqi desert. Unlike some of Bennett's other diaries, this was written to be read by others, including his ailing wife, Polly, and other members of his group back in England. The book is a combination of extraordinary insights, research field notes, dialogues with unusually gifted Sufis, and observations on the social and political affairs of the Middle East in 1953. His comments on the history of what is now Iraq, including the statement that "all will give way to greed, cruelty and arrogance" are uncannily prophetic.
It is interesting that Bennett truncates this detailed narrative into a few short pages in his autobiography "Witness - The Story of a Search" and also noteworthy in the different way that he reveals himself to the retrospective account published first seven years later and again twenty-one years later.
In 1953, the world still reeled from the aftermath of the Holocaust, the massive economic depradation of WWII and the nuclear attacks on Japan, and Bennett's discussion with the Naqshbandi sheikh Emin Chikhou reveal that both men already accepted the certainty of a coming new world order. The difference was that while Chikhou saw this in traditionally Koranic and apocalyptic terms, Bennett's view was Gurdjieffian and essentially practical, constructive and optimistic.
Lastly - sadly - like all of Bennett Books publications, the proof-reading is deficient. I counted maybe 50 printing errors in the first reading of this book, but I guess this goes hand-in-hand with shoestring publishing.
Like all books of J.G.Bennett a wondeful insight! March 7, 2003
3 out of 4 found this review helpful
Nobody was more able to write so clearly about the Gurdjieff work and about spiritual work in general than Bennett! In this book he really shows, how he took on the task to apply the "Work"
and he shows a very interesting insight into the islamic world.
 A middle eastern tour December 14, 2001
5 out of 5 found this review helpful
Taken from the diaries of John Godolphin Bennett, a former student of Gurdjieff's. Documenting his travels through the middle east in the 50s. Visiting holy sites and searching for genuine dervish teachers. Bennett doesn't reach the quality and depth of writing evident in his autobiography 'Witness'. However there are some interesting comments on Islam and it's role in 50s society. Bennett does find a genuine dervish, in the form of Emin Chikhou; who evidences undoubted spiritual qualities, fixed within an orthodox islamic worldview. The way in which Bennett comes to terms with the dichotomy of Chikhou's sometimes inflexible religious beliefs eg. his belief that Islam, Christianity and Judaism are the only true religions, with Islam the superior of the three and his genuine selflessness form the core of the book.
The descriptions of the people and places of the middle east are competently described and hold the readers interest. Also Chikhou's teaching stories, which he relates to Bennett are interesting, reminiscent of Idries shah's storytelling.
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