Reading like a divine book of poetry, The Flowering of the Soul is an unprecedented selection of prayers from women of all denominations, ages, and cultures and a lasting tribute to feminine spiritual wisdom. Lucinda Vardey collected nearly a thousand prayers from renowned writers as well as anonymous sages, including Mother Teresa, Simone Weil, Annie Dillard, Elizabeth Barrett Browning, Marge Piercy, and Hildegarde of Bingen. Women will find it validating to see the common feminine values that define worship in the Eastern and Western traditions, including a passion for relationship, nature, and community. Contemporary feminists may be alarmed by the occasional prayerful vows of self-sacrifice and obedience. However, Vardey does address the historical and religious contexts for these ancient devotionals, which makes it easier to appreciate the sentiments of love and surrender behind some of these politically volatile words. --Gail Hudson