Rating: 
Summary: All time favorite book, ever
Review: This book literally changed my life. My father gave it to me when I was 14 and it completely transformed the way I look at the world. I have read it so many times, I could probably quote from it on my deathbed.I've noticed that a few readers have said that the things Bach talks about in this book are blindingly obvious, or totally false. It must be wonderful to be so enlightened, and I can only hope that someday I too will be so wise that I can be smug about it. Luckily, the messiah in this book is not so smug, or he wouldn't be readable. In fact, the nice thing about this book is that Bach *doesn't* claim to give you all the answers, and even allows that what he's said might be wrong. This forces you to evaluate ideas - things you may never have considered before, especially if you're young, or had a sheltered life - instead of accepting or rejecting them wholesale. I can understand why this would be upsetting to a reader who wishes to be spoon-fed in the manner of many popular self-help books, or a person who is afraid to examine long-held beliefs for fear that they won't stand up to scrutiny. I have read most of Bach's other books, but Illusions is still my favorite. It's straightforward and efficient. It presents some ideas for you to consider, gives some illustrative anecdotes and arguments for you to ponder or disprove, and lets you take them or leave them as you see fit. With all the fix-your-life books out there that tell you exactly what to think, feel, and do, Illusions is a refreshing alternative.
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Summary: Still extraordinary after 15 years!
Review: Richard Bach's classic is one of the very first self-development/spiritual books I ever read, and 15 years later it still compares very favourably with the best of the rest. There is profound truth and subtle humour on nearly every page, and I strongly recommend this beautifully written book to anyone who has not come across it yet. The author meets stranger and fellow pilot Donald Shimoda and the story unfolds. About a third of the way through Richard starts reading the "Messiah's Handbook" which is quoted liberally from then on. It contains various pearls of wisdom.... "You teach best what you most need to learn", "Argue for your limitations, and sure enough, they're yours" and (one of my favourites) "You are never given a wish without also being given the power to make it true. You may have to work for it however". The chapter where Shimoda and Richard visit the cinema to discover the meaning of life is a high point and the twist at the end of the book is absolutely brilliant. Enlightenment!
Rating: 
Summary: Insightful, but a bit dated...
Review:
The Plot In this story, "Richard" a biplane pilot, encounters a fellow barnstormer, "Donald", who happens to be a spiritual master and retired "Messiah". As they strike up a friendship Donald teaches Richard the lessons a Messiah must learn. The Background This book came out in the 70s when the hippie generation had figured out that drugs and free love hadn't filled the spiritual void that was created when they deep-sixed their parents' religious values. Against that backdrop, this book is sort of a first stab at creating a "New-Age" doctrine. The Message By mixing spiritual blurbs ("You seek problems because you need their gifts") with events in the story meant to convey a particular lesson, Bach attempts to explain our own nature and the nature of what we call "God". The picture of "God" here, is essentially that which mystics of all spiritual paths (including Christian mystics) seem to arrive at, ie.an all-encompassing consciousness that is beyond description and can't be anthropomorphized in the way that we love to do. Donald refers to this God as the "Is". This particular idea is addressed in passing several times but not harped on (what purpose is there in trying to describe something that can't be described). The picture of humanity is the main focus and Donald tells us that we are all our own Messiahs, that we are all gods but have just forgotten that fact. Thus, our spiritual challenge is to transcend the illusion of our current physical situation and reclaim our true spiritual identities. Analysis (Note: I'm a Christian, but believe that when you move beyond a literal interpretation of Christ's words and see the symbolic message in them, it's not too different from what's in this book. But that's a big leap for most Christians and this book will probably make their blood boil). Two points of philosophical contention for me were: 1) Bach suggests that we are unconnected with others and have absolutely zero moral obligation toward them. More recent philosophical teachings incorporated ideas concerning the interconnectedness of all things which lends a note of compassion that this story simply doesn't have. 2) In the story Donald can defy the laws of nature - i.e. walk on water, levitate, etc. The idea here is that our physical reality is an illusion, nothing more than a lucid dream that we can manipulate to our liking if we will just wake up to the illusory nature of our situation. Unfortunately, this concept is presented in a way that unwittingly replaces the "guilt" of our parents' religion with a feeling of ineptitude. Before, I was a moral reprobate because I lusted over women, but now I'm spiritual moron because I can't levitate a wrench. What's missing here is the fact that we're all on a spiritual journey - some farther along than others and that it's okay to be where we're at - ie. we're not idiots just because we haven't solved the puzzle yet. Summary Overall, the story is average and the philosophy warm and fuzzy. More recent books convey similar concepts more completely. Nevertheless, this book was a stepping stone in the ever-evolving American spiritual psyche, and is worth reading for that reason. Recommendations "The Alchemist" by Paulo Coelho - a simple story rich in symbolic meaning for all spiritual seekers. "A New Kind of Christian" by Brian McLaren - A wonderful, open-minded view of how Christian thought is evolving - for Christians who sense that standard Christian doctrine just doesn't quite add up. "The Ragamuffin Gospel" by Brennan Manning - A wonderful discussion of the magnatude of God's love - for Christians who have problems or addictions, or feel like spiritual failures, or have been beat up by life. "Putting on the Mind of Christ" by Jim Marion - for Christians particularly impervious to heresy and willing to read a more involved, serious, and thought-provoking treatment of the symbolic, mystical message of Christ. You won't agree with all of it but it will definitely change the way you think about your own spiritual journey.
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Summary: A good book perhaps... but not life changing.
Review: After perusing twenty or so reviews of this book I've noticed a trend or two... 1. This is the best book ever
2. This book changed my life But having recently finished reading this book (that yes, I will admit was compelling) I am going to have to say two things of my own... 1. This was NOT the best book ever I don't mean to make this a negative review, (f you have time and are interested in self-improvement then go ahead and read this) but this book was lacking in plot and character development. I mean one minute we're flying around with Mr. wanderlust himself, Richard, and the next he's a full-blown messiah with the ability to swim in the earth? His ease and acceptance of the entire situation bothered me. I find it hard to swallow I guess. AND 2. This book did NOT change my life I guess maybe this could be due in part to the fact that I was already living my life the way I wanted to... or that I have no doubt in my mind that the true "secret to a full life" or any other mumbo jumbo is simply to do as one pleases. Richard Bach simply reinforced my own convictions; he didn't open my eyes to them. Maybe I am just tired of EVERY review for nearly EVERY book trying to convince me that in reading this my entire life perspective will be changed. I'm just sick of the disappointments. (Perhaps I should get into the habit of reading a book without glancing at the propaganda on the back cover or reading 1000 reviews about its life shattering implications... no expectations - no disappointments.) It just makes me think (and I'm sorry) that people who proclaim this book as the definitive literature in their life only pick up a book once or twice a year or are in serious need of "spiritual" guidance.
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Summary: Illusions The Adventures Af A Reluctant Messiah
Review: This book is an esential paert of a library for a person wnating to fully appreciate what life is really about. Such insights as "perspective us eit or loose it ....." This book is the equivalent of myold testament , without the religios guilt trips. Get You won't regret. i hav emost likely given 200 copies away in my life.
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Summary: Some Things Never Change
Review: I read this book more than 20 years ago, and while I realize that is it old and dated, I believe it still has merit. I still have to credit this book as being instrumental in starting me on a journey that is still in progress. The story may be quaint, but the message is still the same. If you are looking for cut and dried answers or fill-in-the blank processes, don't come here...this book doesn't provide them. If you are looking for more questions to further your own exploration of life, the universe and everything, then I recommend this book as a quick read that serves that purpose on an entertaining yet introspective level.
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Summary: Illusions: The Adventures of a Reluctant Messiah
Review: I have purchased so many copies of this masterpiece. I regularly give them to friends AND strangers who I believe need the 'life-altering' concepts that are expressed in this book. If ever there was a book that changed my life, this was it.
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Summary: Jonathan Livingston Seagull Stuttered
Review: I can't help but get the vague feeling that Bach wrote this book because not enough people "got" the ideas behind Jonathan Livingston Seagull, to which Illusions has often been called the sequel. I believe "repetition" might be a better word for it. Repeat the same basic lessons and subtext of that book, but add into that stickier and overly complex explanations of the exact same ideas and club people to death with the meaning. If you're bright enough to understand the lessons in the aforementioned book, you're much off better with it. "Illusions" is more or less just pummeling to death with new-age philosophy, and not even philosophy without significant holes. I can't say that it's altogether poorly thought out, or wholly uninteresting, but the resulting sticky, sugary mess of text is just a bit much to stomach.
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Summary: Wonderful!
Review: I thought that this is a masterful story with a very deep message about life! It made me understand how I have created the world I live in and I have the power to recreate it if I want. Just like the terrific and inspiring book called "The Ever-Transcending Spirit" by Toru Sato, it reminded me that the mind is a wonderful tool but can also be a terrible obstacle to our happiness. With the kind or awareness that these books help us cultivate, we begin having the choice to use the mind in either of these ways. This is the beauty of this book as well as many wonderful others on this topic. Hope you enjoy these wonders!
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Summary: My GOD!
Review: To be honest when I first got this book in the mail, I was quite reluctant to read it. But after reading through the first chapter I fell deeply in love. Though I've only read it once, I've been given a totally different outlook on life. This book really gave me something to think about.
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