A sparky and erudite book, packed with information and written with passion

A book full of delights, anecdotes, observations; it exhibits a wealth of scholarship, and a passion and charm which are hard to resist

Haskins' analysis of the Magdalen myth is a rich and scholarly detective story, an unveiling which is at the same time a revelation. This is an intelligent book, which blends a sensitive and critical knowledge of art with theology and history. It is written with style and a delightful mocking wit, and is mercifully free of tediously inconclusive arguments about sex and gender

The strengths of Mary Magdalen are real and obvious. It has a bold sweep. It takes an icon of faith and sexuality and trails it through ideas and hypocrisies, through travesties and beautiful representations on canvas and in bronze

A subtle, quick, complex and extraordinarily intelligent man who brings three qualities to a spiritual discourse - gentleness, clarity and laughter

Lucid and thought-provoking . . . deserves to be widely read

For the reader who seeks to understand happiness, my advice is: Begin with Haidt

Thich Nhat Hanh's words are like water. Simple, pure, transparent, and absolutely indispensable for life

John Gray, the counter-prophet who scorns all claims that humans can transcend the human condition ... You don't have to agree with Gray to enjoy the fireworks

Elegant ... He is on to something important regarding the delusion that science consists of indefinite progress

Gray is an engaging writer, an entertaining historian and a controversialist whose opinions can never be taken for granted