The Power of Silence: Against the Dictatorship of Noise

Very good book from Cardinal Sarah. Great topic for our time, truly loved it. Planning on reading it again soon. Was great for meditation as well.

So much powerful, thought-provoking words in this book that it takes time to process and take in. I sit with a pen and underline particular points - which is something I don't usually do - as I really want to remember it. Having read several books on silence I think this is my favourite so far - and I live with a lot of silence out of choice - but I think the ideas here will take me deeper into it.

Cardinal Sarah has a very unique style of teaching that is absolutely uncompromising, yet full of charity and love and patience. I think his patience really shines through in this book and his other book, "God or Nothing". I find this very refreshing, that he does not in any way compromise on the solid dogmas of the Christian faith, and yet he teaches in a way that is gentle and kind at the same time: a mix that is incredibly difficult to achieve. Because most often in the effort to "be kind" it is so easy to sugar-coat so much of Christ's clear teachings. SO easy to do that! And yet the good Cardinal does this seemingly without effort, his teaching is so natural and real and practical. May God reward Cardinal Sarah for taking the time out from his incredibly busy life to share with us his wisdom!

Beautifully written and inspiring book which awakens in the soul that which is fundamental to the relationship with God and with life. This book gives peace but also is firm In demanding discipline from those who would follow God. I couldn't put it down, except to practice silence.

Brilliant, as expected. I only ticked 4 stars, as I think the dialogue style is a bit peculiar given the subject matter. It made more sense for his biographical material, but this subject could've done with a monograph rather than an interview.

From the very beginning I found this book utterly absorbing. Cardinal Sarah has penned it based on his own experience of the power of Silence. I felt the urge to take myself away and spend some time in the silence of monastic life. Although I have not yet got down the doing that this urge has not yet gone away. The power of silence comes from within one's very own self and speaks with an eloquence which cannot be obtained in any other way. I highly recommend this book.

Excellent book and so relevent in the current noisy world we live in. We do not allow ourselves to reflect silently pray nearly as much as we should, if at all. Thank you Cardinal Sarah

Cardinal Sarah's book is a timely reminder of the primacy of the apostolate of prayer. It should be read by all who are trying to take their Christian life seriously amidst the confrontations of the present age. It's an easy read, but a hard message. The wisdom contained therein is enough to sustain you for a year!

Silence is a masterpiece of Cistercian and Cathusian spirituality, offering a deep well from which all can draw graces with which to water the arid wasteland of contemporary culture. Cardinal Sarah is a engaging writer who reveals the beauty of his own soul, disciplined by a lifetime of prayer, fasting and silence, as he sifts through two millennia of the greatest Catholic thinkers to bring us the Chruch’s best reflections on silence. I do have one problem with Sarah’s reasoning, however. He contends that Heaven will be silent, that people will communicate noiselessly. I find that hard to accept given the mention in Revelation that there would be silence in Heaven for half an hour. That implies that silence is the exception rather than the rule. Furthermore, the Liturgy of St. John Chrysostom speaks of the “singing, shouting, crying out” of the triumphal hymn with the angels, hardly a quiet setting. Finally, one must consider frequent mention of choirs of angels and their music. It seems to me that Christ aims to divinize all aspects of human life. Why would human speech be an exception? At any rate, this remains a five star book by a most admirable, learned, charming and holy writer. I found it well worth reading, though I wish the cardinal would address the points I raised in some later work of his.

I have not finished reading it all yet. But what I have read is exactly what I was looking for! I am studying the value of silence, contemplation and the eremitic life. The benefits of all the above are overwhelming and inspirational

Very important book! How to listen to good, its not enough to be quiet, but Silence is the key. A great great book. Cardinal Sarah would make a great pope

Livro muito interessante.

What an amazing book from one of the most passionate Catholics -Robert Cardinal Sarah.. A must buy for a Catholic.