NANCY WILSON ROSS (1901-1986)was a novelist, social historian, and longtime student of Asian life and thought. Her novels include The Left Hand Is the Dreamer; I, My Ancestor; and The Return of Lady Brace. Her nonfiction works include The World of Zen and Three Ways of Asian Wisdom- Hinduism, Buddhism, Zen.
No better, no more clear and attractive guide to an understanding of the simple yet penetrating principles of the great Indian teacher's philosophy could be imagined than this work of Nancy Wilson Ross. -- Harrison Salisbury The lucid and graceful ease with which Nancy Wilson Ross reviews the history and elucidates the methods of the great schools of Buddhism is unmatched -- as far as I know -- in the literature of the subject. Buddhism: A Way of Life and Thought will be for scholars as delightful a refreshment of their interest and learning as it will be an enlightening and fascinating introduction for readers only now discovering this first and greatest of the world religions. -- Joseph Campbell A clear, exhilarating exposition of the Buddhist way, well understood, well made, fun to read, and simple in the very best sense of the word -- just as it should be! -- Peter Matthiessen