Idries Shah

  • 80

    Catalog books

  • 41

    Works

  • 1977 to 2022

    Strongest span

Who This Author Is

Idries Shah’s books gather practical Sufi teaching, stories, and reflections aimed at sharpening perception and self-knowledge. From collections of teaching tales like The Pleasantries of the Incredible Mulla Nasrudin to handbooks and anthologies, his writing emphasizes accessible practice over abstract theory.

Across titles such as Seeker After Truth, Knowing How to Know, and Learning How to Learn, Shah presents short exercises, parables and essays designed to reframe ordinary thinking. His work blends wit, narrative craft, and instructional clarity to guide readers toward clearer observation and everyday insight.

Best Place To Start

Learning How to Learn

ISF Publishing|Isf Publishing • 2020 • longer commitment

It helps anchor a specific period of this author’s publishing run instead of blending into the undated shelf clutter.

Author At A Glance

Best known for: Introducing Sufi ideas to Western readers • Practical teaching stories and aphorisms • Guides to inner knowing and learning

Genres and themes: Sufism and spiritual practice • Teaching stories and parables • Practical philosophy and self-knowledge

Who this author is best for: For readers seeking concise, practice-oriented spiritual teaching delivered through stories, exercises, and clear explanation.

Begin with a short collection of stories like The Pleasantries of the Incredible Mulla Nasrudin, then move to practical handbooks such as Seeker after Truth or Knowing How to Know.

Top Books To Start With

  1. Learning How to Learn

    ISF Publishing|Isf Publishing • 2020 • longer commitment

    UPB note: year signal: 2020 • 376 pages.

  2. The Silly Chicken / El Pollo Bobo

    Hoopoe Books • 2005 • quick commitment

    It stands out because it asks for less time than many of the longer volumes on this page.

  3. Knowing How to Know : A Practical Philosophy in the Sufi Tradition

    Ishk Book Service • 2000 • longer commitment

    UPB note: year signal: 2000 • 343 pages.

  4. The Sufis

    OCTAGON PRESS LTD • 1999 • longer commitment

    UPB note: year signal: 1999 • 416 pages.

  5. The Commanding Self

    Ishk Book Service • 1997 • standard commitment

    UPB note: year signal: 1997 • 332 pages.

  6. Tales of the Dervishes

    Penguin Group USA • 1993 • standard commitment

    UPB note: year signal: 1993 • 221 pages.

  7. The Pleasantries of the Incredible Mullah Nasrudin

    Penguin Group USA • 1993 • standard commitment

    UPB note: year signal: 1993 • 218 pages.

  8. The Hundred Tales of Wisdom: Life, Teachings and Miracles of Jalaludin Rumi from Aflaki's Munaqib

    Ishk Book Service • 1992 • quick commitment

    UPB note: year signal: 1992 • 160 pages.

  9. Seeker after Truth : A Handbook

    Ishk Book Service • 1991 • standard commitment

    UPB note: year signal: 1991 • 214 pages.

  10. The Magic Monastery

    Ishk Book Service • 1991 • standard commitment

    UPB note: year signal: 1991 • 208 pages.

How The Picks Compare

  • The Silly Chicken / El Pollo Bobo is the easier short commitment, while Learning How to Learn asks for more reading time up front.
  • The Silly Chicken / El Pollo Bobo gives you an earlier look at this author’s shelf, while Learning How to Learn leans later in the catalog.
  • Knowing How to Know : A Practical Philosophy in the Sufi Tradition is also useful if you want a different publishing lane from Learning How to Learn.

More Books By Idries Shah

Browse Next