A couple of years ago on retreat I asked a nun from Plum Village what her favorite Thich Nhat Hahn title would be. She named this hefty tome which I purchased but did not read for quite awhile, assuming that it would be tedious and difficult going. (I have no idea why, none of Thay's books are anything but lovely and engaging...) What a wonderful surprise I received as I started reading vignette after vignette from the Buddha's life. In breathtakingly beautiful prose, Thay brings this great historical figure to life in a way that just makes you wish you had been there. The stories also explain and illustrate some of the more esoteric teachings in ways that are simple and easy to grasp, especially for those of us not raised in this tradition. Don't be put off by the size of the book as I was. Keep it on your bedstand and read a few stories a night. You'll be sorry when you are done!

Thich Nhat Hanh is arguably the best author of Buddhist literature. In Old Path, White Clouds he tells the life story of Lord Buddha. Old Path, White Clouds doesn't distract readers with a lot of the mythology or mysticism. Instead Thich Nhat Hanh focuses on the life and teachings of Lord Buddha. What makes this work is Thich Nhat Han's writing style. He really draws you into the story and makes you feel like you were actually there. Although the book is almost 600 pages long, it is a very easy read and it may leave you wishing for more. I know that was the case for me. If you are only going to get one book on Buddhism, this is the one to get.