Penguins and Golden Calves: Icons and Idols in Antarctica and Other Unexpected Places

Now in paperback! With delightful language, insightful metaphor, and personal stories, Madeleine L'Engle’s book brings readers to a deeper understanding of themselves, their faith, and the presence of God in their daily lives.

Despite protests and warnings from friends and family, author Madeleine L'Engle, at the age of seventy-four, embarked on a rafting trip to Antarctica. Her journey through the startling beauty of the continent led her to write Penguins and Golden Calves, a captivating discussion of how opening oneself up to icons, or everyday windows to God, leads to the development of a rich and deeply spiritual faith.

Here, L'Engle explains how ordinary things such as family, words, the Bible, heaven, and even penguins can become such windows. She also shows how a window becomes an idol–a penguin becomes a golden calf –when we see it as a reflection of itself instead of God.