Kate McNally's book A Simple Faith in a Complicated World is a pleasure to read and also provides a useful clarification of Quakerism versus overly formalized and hierarchical Christianity. It conveys the author's experience in a simple and sincere way. I would love to translate it into Russian. In a turbulent and insecure world, this book can become a good friend and adviser. A thoughtful, unhurried conversation, where I not only read, but also answer internally, in my own heart. ~ Natasha Zhuravenkova, Russian Friend, translator, religious scholar

“Kate Mcnally's A Simple Faith in a Complicated World is a very useful book for those wondering about Quakerism. First, it provides both a brief but clear description of where Quakerism has come from and what it is now. Secondly, it provides a sharing of her thoughts on matters that are important to Quakers. Especially, it discusses the ways in which Quakers take their worship out into the world, how they ‘let their lives speak’." ~ David Cadman - Harmony Professor of Practice at the University of Wales Trinity St David

Harvey Gillman The Friend Jan 12, 2023 I underlined several profound sentences on which I felt I needed to meditate: ‘For me, Quakerism isn’t so much about religion as about relationship with God.’ Kate goes on to talk about a trinity of relationships: with ourselves, with other people, and with God. For Kate, God is ‘a greater good-ness, something more powerful than me, something that was about justice and goodness and fairness’. God is a ‘life force’. I had heard of the idea that God might be a verb, but Kate offers the word ‘Quaker’ itself as a verb. Worship thus is opening to relationship by waiting and listening. I loved how aspects of Quaker life are described in one chapter as practices to deepen spirituality, and then in another as ways to overcome conflict. Her comments on prayer were useful and practical, and made me realise that Friends in Britain today do not write much about prayer. When I think about it, we are not very good at exploring with newcomers ways that might help them settle into worship. Two further sentences give a sense of the wisdom Kate imparts: ‘We can remember that the love that comes from us is finite. The love that comes through us is infinite.’ Then ‘God lives in sacred actions’. A book to read and to share. ~ Harvey Gillman, The Friend 12 January 2023

Really enjoyed this book. Delighted that so much Quaker wisdom could be packed into such a short book. I keep it with me, in order to dip into its simple yet very profound and original thoughts. A real gem. ~ Miriam Ryan, Quaker in Ireland , Barnes and Noble

This is an excellent introduction to the way of Quakers. Inclusive and thought-provoking, backed by practical life experience. It really spoke to me ~ Jane Huber-Davies, Switzerland, Barnes and Noble

I keep this book by my bed. It would be an easy read-in-a-day book to gorge on, but I chose to read it a little bit at a time. That allowed me to gradually absorb the beautiful profundity of its words. ~ Helen Minnis, Scotland, Barnes and Noble

I'm so glad that Kate McNally put her hard-won wisdom down on paper. I'm not a Quaker. My spiritual path lies elsewhere, but reading about the turns in her journey helped me reflect on mine and where I have more to learn (and will always have more to learn ...). My doubts were once legion, and the road to a faith that works is one well taken, no matter how bruised and battered I might be due to my resistnce along the way. Thank you, Kate, for sharing your lessons as you continue on your path ~ Laura Steensma, Spain, Barnes and Noble

I read this book in one sitting - not because it is an 'easy' read but because it was so compelling. Simple and deep ways to live your faith in the world ~ Tracey Martin, Belgium, Barnes and Noble

Easy to read and interesting read by Kate McNally. Her style is informative and like others I appreciate the way Kate writes from personal experience. Recommended! ~ Michael Eccles, Britain, Barnes and Noble

I've heard people say Quakers speak from their experience, and this book helped me understand what that means. The books has helped me to understand what it means to be a seeker, and what it really means to connect to God, how I can better understand myself and how to cherish my relationships with other people. I have followed the authors writing in print and in her blog, but I am so happy that she has finally published a book on spirituality. I hope it is the first of many. ~ Andrew Lane, Britain, Amazon.co.uk

A clear and practical introduction to the Quaker Way which draws on Kate's personal experiences to show how these practices can help us navigate the complexities of life. ~ Rhiannon Grant, Britain, Amazon.co.uk

This is a great book to help you find out more about Quakerism and whether it might be for you. Like Quakerism itself, it is simple and straightforward and speaks from experience about the deep things that matter. ~ Paul Hodgkin, Britain, Amazon.co.uk

I read this in a day! I'm an ex-bookseller and ex-literature student, and can be quite picky with books, but adored this. As someone new to Quakerism, I have read a number of books on my journey to understanding the key values of what it means to be a Quaker. This engaging book was awe-inspiring and would be a great read for non-Quakers alike, for its inspirational notes on how to live and how to be. It has just the right balance of personal insight and lived experience, Quaker history and contemporary Quaker practise. I loved it. ~ anonymous, Amazon.com

Kate has done an excellent job of imparting her softness to a writing many will cherish. Whether you are familiar with the Quaker faith or totally new, her explanations make sense and offer food for thought and more importantly, food for action. ~ Pam Peters, US, Amazon.com

Kate McNally takes us on a clear and cogent deep dive into her Quaker experience, with thoughtful descriptions of Quaker ways of working and being in the world. In contrast to her early church experience, Kate dares to describe a close and personal relationship with God that gives us permission to embrace who we are and the courage to let our lives speak. An engaging read, which I will likely offer to other seekers. ~ Gretchen Castle, Dean of Earlham School of Religion and former General Secretary of the Friends World Committee for Consultation

If you want to be told what you should believe don't read this book! Kate McNally, after discarding the strict dogmatic religion her childhood, takes us on her journey of discovery as she explores "the faith OF Jesus rather than the faith ABOUT Jesus". Like many of us, from her first experience of a Quaker Meeting, she knew she had come home. For non-Quakers she explains Quakerism simply and clearly. "In the end, Quakerism for me is not so much a religion but a relationship with God, with myself and with others". The heart of her faith and her life is that we just love one another "It's that simple and that difficult". She explores what the word "God" means to her, but says if that does't speak to you, don't worry. She sees perfection as an illusion and asks "what if we could hold the belief that we are good enough just as we are"? In accepting our own incompleteness and weaknesses we can take "the short step to accepting and valuing the imperfections of others". This book has much food for thought and is a joy to read. ~ Diana Lampen, Peace educator in Ulster, Belarus and Ukraine

In this exploration of Quaker Faith, Kate McNally weaves together personal experience and reflection. She shows how times of doubt and the development of new insights have both supported her faith, and explains in plain and accessible terms some of the things which have helped her -- from the Quaker tradition and beyond. This book is of interest to anyone on a spiritual path, and will be useful to many seekers. ~ Rhiannon Grant, author of Quakers do What! Why?, Telling the Truth about God and Hearing the Light