The Wisdom of Merlin: 7 Magical Words for a Meaningful … (2024)

It is a wonderful little book. A short, quick read that deserves to be read a second time. And a third time. Actually, it should be read once a week for a lifetime. It won't take long. You will find yourself happy to return to The Wisdom of Merlin every time you open the book. The first time I read the book I found myself asking the question, Is this book for children or for adults. The answer is simple: YES. I like to put myself in the category of adult, with the soul of a child. Kids may be attracted to the descriptions of Merlin. I am not yet that friendly with Merlin in his cave, so I tend to skip over those sections to read the pithy, quotable sections that discuss the 7 magical words. Chances are that Merlin and I will become closer friends over time. About the magical words. The list (which is actually 8 words long) is firmly embedded in my brain. I am confident I will turn to each of those words at least once each day to help me make good decisions about how I want to live the next few minutes. Yes, they are magical. I could quickly write them down for you. But knowing the words will not make them yours. You need the support of Merlin (and T.A. Barron, his amanuensis) to provide some context, which will point you toward ownership. Have I intrigued you enough t read it? Use the library if you wish, but I believe you will eventually have to have your own copy. Enjoy. Richard

This is a lovely little gem of a book. It’s only 76 pages long, but it’s a beautiful guide for life for young people. Fans of T.A. Barron’s Merlin series will love the wisdom and advice he (Merlin) shares in it. It provides a positive, hopeful approach to living life. It also encourages kids to be their best selves and to love everyone. It doesn’t go into tons of detail, but each section, or “word” focuses on a different aspect that can make a life better and have more meaning. This would be great for kids that have read the Merlin series or are looking to add some positivity to their lives.

Super cute book!

Written from Merlin's perspective, The Wisdom of Merlin is an inspiring book. It's a shorter book, but full of the little words of wisdom we could always read again. I love the concept of Merlin writing it as if he has been alive through our history as well as the little bits of humor.

It would be fantastic for any fantasy lover!

A fabulous little read that will make you think, bring inspiration, and I think a hope. A light in the darkness this serves as a reminder of the things we all too often forget in the humdrum every day routines of life.

Absolutely magical. It's really simple and to the point, but I think these are really words that we should all keep in mind. Whenever I pick up this book for a short read, it never fails to inspire me. Best of all, well, it's short. There's no reason not to read it.

A very sweet and inspiring book. I enjoy the narrative thread that was woven into it, too.

i felt very enlighten

This is advice from Merlin on seven words to live by: gratitude, courage, knowledge, belief, wonder, generosity, hope..and one bonus word: love. It is a very fast read.

Short and sweet, but a good boost for self esteem.

This is an exceptional book… Full of inspiring words to apply on your daily life… its not to late to apply the things that you have learn here 🤩

What a wonderful book from T.A. Barron using the 7 magical words for a meaningful life. Going through these 7 words gives a great way to learn the meaning of life and how to enter act with them. If you think of the magic that Merlin has always been associated with you get to see all the true meaning in words and where they come from. This book is about the meaning of life and how we all are able choose what type of life we will have. As we venture into the world, we able to try all different things and some we will be successful with and others we won't. Knowing what is out there and just trying, whether we might fail, is what helps to make us better as people. We are able to show gratitude for what we have, courage to venture out to try many things, knowledge to know what is working for us or is right. Once we've chosen a path, we must believe that we will be successful and that we are on the right path. The great wonder of what we can make of our lives, generosity to help share all we learn and even what we have with others, is one way to really make an impact on the world we live in and make it better. Hope is one of the most important words, because without it none of us will be able to see the beauty in our future. It requires great courage to maintain a hopeful spirit, but the word love is what really ties everything together. Love means many things to many different people and once you open yourself up to it, you are drawn into a very perilous journey; because if you are truly in love you can be hurt severely. The most important thought of love comes in the realization that God in not in our heart but that we are in the heart of God. Great words to live by and exam all these 7 magical words in our life.

Merlin welcomes all into his Crystal Cave. But he discerns that readers have two important questions: What is the meaning of life and how can I possibly find it? From his centuries of experience, Merlin has discovered that the answer to these cosmic questions are seven simple words: gratitude, courage, knowledge, belief, wonder, generosity, hope, and love. But these are not just ordinary words. To Merlin, these words carry magically transformative power that can change the world.

There are many motivational books in the publishing world, but few are as poetic, caring, and thoughtful as Barron's The Wisdom of Merlin. Like Seuss's Oh, The Places You'll Go!, Barron uses a character and world he has lovingly created to set up an inspiring conversation between readers and the all-knowing, mythical wizard. Readers learn how they can make a difference by understanding the meaning behind each of Merlin's magical terms. An enriching, wonderful book great for fantasy fans, high school or college graduates, or for the reader who needs a loving pick-me-up.

(Found on Children's Compass Chronicle: childrenscompasschronicle.blogspot.com)

Barron lightly and cleverly covers 7, plus one, important qualities to have for a magical, successful life. This was a quick read (less than a half an hour), but it delivers a large amount of wisdom in that short time. In the busy, often disposable world that we live in today, it is nice to find a book that reminds us of what is truly meaningful. Though these traits (gratitude, wonder, etc.) should be taught to elementary students as well as grown ups, the language and delivery of the message is really best for junior high students and up. This would make a nice graduation gift.

Based on a graduation address the author gave at Oxford University, Barron uses Merlin as his muse of guidance for young people. In addition, Merlin makes reference to other well-known people of the distant as well as near past and their visions. This is definitely more of a gift book than a library offering though there is certainly nothing wrong with adding to a high school or public library for high-school age readers. Even adults might learn something from the simple wisdom

Yes another self help book, this time supposedly from the perspective of that old sage Merlin. I suppose if it had been written in old English I might have actually enjoyed it more but ... I didn't. It was ok. It wasn't great. I did read the whole thing in 10 minutes. But I certainly would not buy it.

Love it! It's a short read but every single word counts in this book. The author gives very wise advice and it is written in such a way that one can go back and re-read it at any time to refresh their memory regarding the contents without having to dig through too much dialogue for the information. Highly recommended!

I read T.A. Barron's Merlin series when I was younger, which I had completely forgotten about until I saw this book. This is a great book for someone starting out on a new chapter of their life and seeing what the world has to offer.

Definitely falls into the "gift book" category. Based on his address given at Oxford U in 2013. Intended to be inspirational, motivating, and affirming. Yes, it was all that, but in a "flatfooted" sort of way. Plodding. Maladroit.

A lovely little book you can read in about 20 minutes. It's Merlin's 7 magical words for the meaning of life. Based on a 2013 Oxford University graduation speech for students going out in the world to remember what's important.

I received this book as a gift from a friend at just the right time, when these seven words brought with them the most meaning. This is a great book for a burst of inspiration, hope, wonder and all the rest. A quick read but a deep one.

A very, very short book about life and a good way to live it. I guess meant as a graduation address, or for anyone starting a new chapter in their life, it considers 7 "magical words." Gratitude, courage, knowledge, belief, wonder, generosity, hope and then add love.

This book is great! It's short and can be read in one sitting, but the messages in this book are for any age. The 7 magical words, plus one, are great words to live by at any point in anyone's lives and will make life so much more enjoyable.

A cute book for a graduation gift, but not very unique.

Nice little book about 7 words we all should/could live by.

A great book about 7 powerful words that should bring meaning to everyone's life.

"Here is the parting wish - I wish you a life inspired by the seven most magical words -- and by all the love that flows through them."

This is not your typical story book. It contains magical words for everyone. It is truly magical. If you guys are looking for something new for your life, maybe you should look into this one.

A lovely book with wise words about life Would also make a lovely gift