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Summary: The Case of Reincarnation
Review: Let's face it: there is not a "proof" or reincarnation. Neither is there a "counter-proof". So if you're looking for proof, you won't get it here, or elsewhere. It's not a matter of believing, either. Do you think that you can believe in something because you decide so? Anthony Robbins has said that a belief is better measured by how useful it is, rather than by its objective accordance to reality. Well, this argument can be satisfying to many, and very practical indeed. But to the more philosophical and sincere seeker this may not be enough.Most of us are afraid to die. And we would love to have assurance of an ever-lasting life. This cannot be proved nor disproved by Science or Philosophy. Not either by Religion because it has nothing to do with proves, but what religious people call faith. Philosophy is a very intricate matter and has philosophers constantly trashing away each other. So philosophical proves are very hard to obtain, if not impossible. Philosophy is a constant movement, ever approaching to Reality but never getting even close on specific matters. Philosophy is more profound, and more ambitious than Science, and consequently, more prone to errors and divergence in opinions. And what about Science? Science is also a constant movement, although it is more uniform because its validity can be measured through observation. To this day, the posture of Science in general is that you are the body, so when this body decomposes, you're gone. Forever. No second chances, no regrets, nothing. You're gone. Period. Some scientists have recently begin to question this view, but the general scientific community has the former opinion (regardless of the spiritual orientation of a scientist, he/she can only declare as a scientist what she/he knows through observation and experimentation). Evidently, if human race persists, Science and Philosophy will be far more developed in, say, the year 10,000 they are than now. And many, probably most of our current assumptions will be considered childish. So maybe reincarnation is childish, or maybe the idea of being just a body is childish. Who knows? There is, though, another type of approach to this subject. If there really is such a thing as reincarnation, you should be able to find out for yourself. Because the concept implies that the memories of past lives are somehow within you: it's a matter of recalling the information. If you are able to recall vivid, clear memories of another life, then you will know. Now, some ill-intentioned being can say that even if you remember, that is not proof; it can be extrasensorial perception, the collective unconscious or just plain high-quality imagination. But it doesn't matter, because, anyway, you can't prove even that you lived yesterday. Can you? Ask a bunch of philosophers to discuss this with you! Then you will have an idea of what I'm talking about. But we'll leave that interesting discussion for another day... So by now, you may be saying: "And what about the review? You were supposed to review a book, not to say all this relative wording!". You're right. But I had to say that because otherwise I cannot make a point about the book. Well now, to the point. The material gives one the impression of being authentic, given the reputation and the apparent sincerity of the author. However, it has some inconsistencies, as other reviewers have pointed out. But I think that, in the end, they are not tremendously relevant. If you want, you can write a novel with far more accuracy and appeal and say it's real. And there won't be so many people telling you that you're inconsistent. All you have to do is be careful and do your research. I find the book interesting and fascinating. Its very topic makes one almost shake with the possibilities. Apart from being an enjoyable reading, it may wake up your interest to find out for yourself. If you think that the topic is too fascinating to leave out, then you owe it to yourself to investigate it, to give it a try. There are many books on the market that try to explain how to do it, or you may simply sink in yourself and do what feels right. Or maybe, as you grow as a person, the answer will unfold naturally as your wisdom expands... All I can say is: Good luck to you.
Rating: 
Summary: Compelling, fact-based, evidence of reincarnation
Review: This book was impossible to put down. Being a skeptic, I didn't think I would like it. I was wrong. I truly believe that Brian Weiss' account is accurate and credible. I have read some other books on reincarnation, but was not convinced that the individuals were accurately recounting their experiences. I think the credentials of Dr. Weiss are partially the reason I found his philosophy so easy to accept. I think his concept of life's purpose is clearly defined. Dr. Weiss has reported the facts and sequence of events in a way that lends great credibility to his philosophy. One of the rare books that changes your outlook on life.
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Summary: Hollywood next....
Review: The writer says he is very scientific and well educated, still he has a very sure knowledge of what a assistant in a hospital can know. He thinks she is non poetic, non thinking, has no knowledge about history etc, just because he can't get her to admit that she has read any books or had any education about history in her life. He constantly claims him self to be open still his driving all sessions to where he think he will gain personal advantage, i.e. his so called messages from the masters. THIS IS : an atempt to write a hollywood screen play for people who is desperatly looking for easy existenstial answers. (i wonder if Julia Roberts and Harrisson ford will accept the leading parts?)
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Summary: I read it in spite of myself
Review: Picture this: a middle-aged, Ivy-League-trained psychiatrist hypnotizes an astonishingly gorgeous 28-year-old woman and ends up learning about her past lives. Lots of past lives. Right. So why couldn't I put the book down till I'd finished the whole thing? Well, I liked the idea that souls can travel through many lives together and get to make karmic choices in the process. I liked the idea that the point we're supposed to learn from all these experiences is the essential nature of "charity, hope, faith, love" (p. 85). I didn't like the prospect of lots more incarnations, though (this one I'm in now is exhausting enough).
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Summary: Intriguing
Review: Extremely captivating. Read the book in about one and a half days, would have read it faster but other things (people) kept me from doing so. From the moment I picked it up, I read the first 10 chapters without putting it down for one second. Chicago
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Summary: EXTRAORDINARY
Review: This book was reccomended to me by a friend. It is one of those type of books you can't put down and if you have an open mind, you will be able to understand how a past existence can alter a very being today. I am not 100% convinced of reincarnation but, this would certainly explain alot of uncertainties that are occuring in this lifetime! Kudos Dr. Weiss.
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Summary: Knowing your path & consolidating your journey
Review: This book is a must read to anyone out there who thinks they are somewhat different.It basically lets you know that what you are doing to help others is definatley the way to go.Physicians and doctors of the world are rushed to the point that they seldom know the person they are caring for until it becomes accute, so people like myself who practice metaphysical I now beleive can make the difference. It has been proven there are more people than ever on medication for depression, with an even larger number speeding up the track.This book tells us to genuinely care for our fellow man and just listen to him, and hear what he is saying, one doesn't have to solve the problem only help in sharing the problem.Often the problem when told out loud has a very logical answer. So this book basically said to me I'm on the right track and just keep on appearing to be mad or off with the fairies as it is our type of people that can take people to the light,and truely make the difference
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Summary: Who knew what "BC" meant in 1875 BC?
Review: I read Many Lives Many Masters because of a comment made by John Steinbeck in his "Travels with Charlie" 35 years ago. He said something to the effect that if God would renew every leaf and blade of grass every year, why would he waste a human soul. I felt I was really going to enjoy Many Lives Many Masters and looked for validation of Steinbeck's remark. Then the author/psychiatrist takes the woman back in time and asks what year it is, and her response is "1875 BC." I would have believed perhaps "3334 year of the dog" or something like that. I can only assume that in the abridgement of the book for the tape, a definition of the time was simply converted to "1875 BC." The author lost all credibility for me with that one remark. I finished the tape but couldn't get past that. Plus I think if the author isn't an actor himself, he should hire one for the reading. It was very flat.
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Summary: Should have been published in a tabloid
Review: For a man who claims he "distrusted anything that could not be proved by scientific methods", his book noticeably lacks hard evidence. His narration of Catherine's past lives quickly becomes repititous and downright boring. Despite being an extremely quick read, this book was a waste of time.
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Summary: Disempowering Psychiatric Witch Craft
Review: I am a Ph.D. Psychologist. I have been a professional hypnotherapist & past-life regressionist for over thirty years and have worked with many thousands of clients. Although this book is interesting, the author's approach to his client as described in this book is amateurish at best. His approach is that of a typical MD psychiatrist. By not letting his client remember her sessions and by not teaching her how to access the wisdom of her unconscious mind on her own, he did her a great dis-service. After a full year of therapy basically all she became was a more well-adjusted zombie rather than a truly empowered being. Certainly the practice of past-life regression is quite interesting but Brian Weiss's techniques and insights are Kindergarten.
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