Theos-Talk Archives (August 2002 Message tt00151)

>From time to time on the various online Theosophical discussion 
lists, there are requests for suggestions to introductory material on 
Theosophy and Madame Blavatsky's writings. At Blavatsky Archives, I 
get several emails a day asking for such recommendations.

I've compiled a web page that gives 10 recommended titles. See:

http://www.blavatskyarchives.com/introductory.htm

Six of these titles are by Madame Blavatsky; the rest are by students 
of her teachings. These ten titles constitute an overview of Madame 
Blavatsky's writings and teachings. They are, in effect, a core 
library of titles. A new student and inquirer who wants to study 
HPB's writings will find much food for thought in these 10 books. In 
fact, a comprehensive study class could be started using these 10 
books. 

One might supplement the above titles with two biographical titles 
about HPB:

(1) H.P.B.: The Extraordinary Life and Influence of Helena Blavatsky
by Sylvia Cranston
http://www.theosociety.org/pasadena/ts/hpbbio.htm

(2) Esoteric World of Madame Blavatsky 
collected by Daniel Caldwell
http://www.blavatskyarchives.com/esotericworldam.htm

Of course, for those who want to read the unabridged versions as well 
as other writings of HPB, most of those are now available on the 
WWW. See the following web page for a comprehensive listing of 
sources:

http://www.blavatskyarchives.com/hpbwritings.htm

I hope the above suggestions may be useful to some readers of this 
posting.

Daniel H. Caldwell
BLAVATSKY ARCHIVES
http://blavatskyarchives.com/introduction.htm
"...Contrast alone can enable us to appreciate things at
their right value; and unless a judge compares notes and
hears both sides he can hardly come to a correct decision."
H.P. Blavatsky. The Theosophist, July, 1881, p. 218.