BOOK REVIEWS
Reviews of The Soul of Higher Education
"In many ways, The Soul of Higher Education: Contemplative Pedagogy, Research, and Institutional Life for the Twenty-First Century is most remarkable for the scale of its aspirations. As the subtitle and series title suggest, the collection explores contemplative approaches not just to teaching, but to research and workplace structures as well. Further, the book aims not just to study higher education, but to help change it—as co-editor Bo Karen Lee writes, to 'increase compassion and kindness in our institutions, and to promote healing in the academy and beyond....' It makes a sound contribution to the growing literature on contemplative pedagogy. It’s also no small achievement that each essay is well written: clear, engaging, and—not least importantly—earnest, with a refreshing lack of academic snark. In the end, then, the collection goes far toward meeting the admirable goal of creating a compassionate space, a space that can serve as a model for future conversations about higher education."
- Spiritus: A Journal of Christian Spirituality. Review by Anita Houck. 20 (2). Fall 2020.
Bearings Online. Collegeville Institute, September 2019.
"In many ways, The Soul of Higher Education: Contemplative Pedagogy, Research, and Institutional Life for the Twenty-First Century is most remarkable for the scale of its aspirations. As the subtitle and series title suggest, the collection explores contemplative approaches not just to teaching, but to research and workplace structures as well. Further, the book aims not just to study higher education, but to help change it—as co-editor Bo Karen Lee writes, to 'increase compassion and kindness in our institutions, and to promote healing in the academy and beyond....' It makes a sound contribution to the growing literature on contemplative pedagogy. It’s also no small achievement that each essay is well written: clear, engaging, and—not least importantly—earnest, with a refreshing lack of academic snark. In the end, then, the collection goes far toward meeting the admirable goal of creating a compassionate space, a space that can serve as a model for future conversations about higher education."
- Spiritus: A Journal of Christian Spirituality. Review by Anita Houck. 20 (2). Fall 2020.
Bearings Online. Collegeville Institute, September 2019.
Reviews of The Soul of a Leader
"According to Benefiel, theology teacher and CEO of ExecutiveSoul.com, the Western ideal of leadership demands that modern leaders adopt a Lone Ranger mentality; emphasizes the bottom line; and rewards drive, decisiveness, productivity and long work hours—while paying scant attention to inner and spiritual development. Benefiel outlines her principles of soul formation for leaders through true-life stories, such as those of Tom and Kate Chappell of Tom's of Maine, and the U2 guitarist The Edge, who worked with musicians in post-Katrina New Orleans. Benefiel also writes about lesser-known leaders who have concentrated in the development of their moral grounding as well as their account books. Speaking both to individual and organizational spiritual transformation, she highlights the importance of following one's heart and daring to dream through a program of practicing gratitude, perseverance and seeking out spiritual guidance. The author's inspiring message and endorsement from Desmond Tutu will likely earn her book a receptive audience...."
–Publishers Weekly, July 14, 2008.
Ladies of Charity of the United States of America Servicette. Review by Margaret Hanson. 53 (3).
Journal of Management, Spirituality, and Religion. Review by John G. Cullen. 7 (3).
Presence. Review by Karen Erlichman. 15 (1).
The Daily Saint. Review by Mike St. Pierre.
Reviews of Soul at Work
Barclay Press. Review by Curt Ankeny.
Blackwell Synergy. Review by Christy Lohr. 13 (1).
The Daily Saint. Review by Michael St. Pierre.
Midwest Book Review. 4 (12).
Presence. Review by Gordon Self. 11 (3).
CatholicIreland.net.
@U2.net. Review by Angela Pancella.
Barclay Press. Review by Curt Ankeny.
Blackwell Synergy. Review by Christy Lohr. 13 (1).
The Daily Saint. Review by Michael St. Pierre.
Midwest Book Review. 4 (12).
Presence. Review by Gordon Self. 11 (3).
CatholicIreland.net.
@U2.net. Review by Angela Pancella.