Dalai Lama’s Book Links Ethics and Spirituality to Inner, World Peace

In nothing less than a call for an ethical revolution, the Dalai Lama has taken a message we have heard before and retold it, albeit somewhat forcefully, in his latest book, “Ethics for the New Millennium.” (Simon & Schuster Audio; abridged nonfiction; three hours; two cassettes; $18; read by B.D. Wong.)

As the Western pursuit of materialism spreads throughout the world, so does isolation and violence. The Dalai Lama says that learning ethical practices, such as compassion and sharing, are the tools needed to provide inner serenity and worldwide peace. He says that these are tools that may ensure the survival of the human race and are not religious but spiritual.

His plan for massive disarmament may be revolutionary but is not without precedent. The Dalai Lama cites already existing demilitarized zones and points out the existence of such global authorities as the International Court at the Hague and the International Monetary Fund.

He builds up to such grand schemes with a simple message of empathy and compassion. There are no rules or catchy anagrams as in most self-help books. He simply tells us to share, think of others first, have some discipline and get rid of negativity. The inter-connectedness of all human beings is always the basis of a message devoid of religious trappings.

As the phraseology is a bit awkward in spots, this sometimes sounds a little denser than is the case. While none of what the Dalai Lama has to say is inaccessible, he does give the listener much food for thought. You may find that this works best if you take the time to digest what you have heard before moving on. As the printed material is a slim volume, not much has been lost to abridgment. In fact, the audio is a bit more muscular for being condensed.

Wong has never been a favorite narrator for fictional material, but he proves to be more than adequate for nonfiction. His manner is soft and his pronunciation of Tibetan words perfect. He occasionally emotes a bit, sounding a tad too sincere in spots and just the teeniest bit singsong. However, this is not exciting material, so the most we can ask of a narrator is not to sound dull, which Wong does not.

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The Dalai Lama is looking forward into the next century with his words of peace. Looking back into the last century is Simon Winchester’s compelling tale of madness and mutilation, of eccentricity, devotion and wordsmiths. He quite surprises us by transforming the story of a dictionary into thrilling listening with “The Professor and the Madman.” (Harper Audio; unabridged nonfiction; six hours and 30 minutes; six cassettes; $29.95; read by the author. Also available abridged; two cassettes; three hours; $18; read by Simon Jones.)

When the editors of the Oxford English Dictionary asked publicly for “men of letters” to aid them in research, one of those pleas reached Dr. W.C. Minor, who provided thousands of entries. What the editors did not know is that he was an American expatriate confined to an English lunatic asylum. To their amazement, Minor was a convicted murderer who killed an innocent British brewery worker while experiencing a paranoid delusion.

Intertwined with Minor’s sad tale of mental illness is that of the Oxford dictionary’s devoted chief editor, James Murray, who was united with Minor in his love for lexicography. Winchester provides a compact lesson on the English language that is told with energy and style. He writes with humor and does not bother to tone down his opinions, though he does balance those pronouncements with compassion. There is a bit of repetition to his tale, however, that the book’s editor should have excised.

Winchester is quite surprising as a narrator, proving to be as capable in the studio as any actor. He has a clear and even style, crisp diction and a cutting sense of humor. Though he does not attempt to alter his voice for different speakers, he does conjure up a convincing Scottish burr and a decent American accent.

This unabridged recording includes an exclusive interview with the author and the current editor of the Oxford English Dictionary. It also includes all of Winchester’s lengthy acknowledgments. While one is pleased to hear a book released in its entirety, his list is just dull enough to merit fast-forwarding through.

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Rochelle O’Gorman reviews audio books every other week. Next week: Margo Kaufman on mystery books.