Phil Cousineau In Search of the Soul of the World
Wordcatcher was honored as a “Top Book of 2010” on PBS by independent booksellers.
From Wordcatching to Storytelling
“The Oldest Story in the World”
This book is a brooding, daring, idiosyncratic exploration of the secret strength of storytelling, in which Phil Cousineau addresses the central theme which runs through all of his work, the transportive power of words. Written as a mosaic of meditations, this lyrical book ranges from a twelve-thousand-year-old Aboriginal tale, to a mystical Viking story, a venerable myth from the Seneca, and a modern parable from contemporary world of house painters in San Francisco. Wrapped around the marvels he has collected from around the world are Phil’s own edgy ruminations, which illuminate the irrepressible impulse for storytelling.
Having trouble telling your own story?
“Stoking the Creative Fires: 9 Ways to Rekindle Passion and Imagination”
Readers are given the tools they need to alleviate burnout and rekindle creative passion in their lives. Based on many years of teaching, Cousineau offers a multitude of stories, ideas, and exercises drawn from historical and contemporary figures, artists of all kinds, and from his own experience, to inspire readers on ways to live a passionate and creative life.
Named one of the “Best Spiritual Books of 2008,” -Spirituality and Practice Book Awards
Can’t get your fill of Phil? Here are a few more books of interest:
“Once and Future Myths: The Power of Ancient Stories in Modern Times”, and “The Art of Pilgrimage: The Seeker’s Guide to Making Travel Sacred”, both appeared on several bestsellers’ lists.
“The Soul Aflame: A Modern Book of Hours”, and “The Book of Roads”, a volume of Cousineau’s travel stories and reflections, are also acclaimed titles.
Other works include “A Seat at the Table: Huston Smith in Conversation with Native Americans on Religious Freedom”, “The Way Things Are: Conversations with Huston Smith on the Spiritual Life”, and “The Olympic Odyssey”, an original book about rekindling the fire that sparked the ancient Olympic Games.
Phil’s Latest Book: “The Painted Word: A Treasure Chest of Remarkable Words and Their Origins”
“I grew up in a house filled with books and dictionaries with prints of the world’s great art on every wall in the house. So I was destined to bring together the two worlds of writing and painting into one work, which was Wordcatcher (2010), a marvelous collaboration with artist Gregg Chadwick. Two years later, the adrenaline was still flowing so we have teamed up once again and daubed a book for the walls of every bookstore, The Painted Word.”
—Phil Cousineau By exploring the delightful back stories of the 250 words in The Painted Word, readers will be lured in by a wide variety of information – from the luminous to the numinous. Phil Cousineau takes us on a tour into the obscure territory of word origins with great erudition and endearing curiosity.
