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.
Rating:
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.
Rating:
Summary: Book of Life
Review: "Illusions: The Adventures of a Reluctant Messiah", is most definitely the only book I have read in my life that has had an impact on my ways of viewing things. When I first began to read, I wasn't sure where the story was going. It was discussing planes and pilots and I was sitting there thinking to myself, "What does this have to do with anything?" As I continued to read I realized that planes and pilots had nothing to do with the overall message that the book was trying to get across to its readers.
This book did a great job at allowing people to see how powerful a messiah can be, and how much of a positive effect they can have on life. When Shimoda was giving airplane rides and a man came who was in a wheelchair, who clearly couldn't walk and hadn't been able to in 11 years, Shimoda did something to him. He gave the man in the wheelchair something that no one else could give to him. The book never came right out and said what that "something" was, but it is obvious that whatever it was allowed the man to walk again and had a positive effect on the rest of his life.
Shimoda opened up Richard's eyes to a new way of viewing life. shimoda opened up my eyes as well. There was a passage towards the end of the story that I really liked: "Even if the rule was changed to 'Do unto others as they want to be done to', we can't know how anybody but ourselves wants to be done to. What the Rule means, and how we apply it honestly, is this-'Do unto others as you truly feel like doing unto others'." (Pg. 157) What I liked so much about that passage was the fact at how bluntly true it was. No one knows how we want to be done to, only we ourselves know how we want to be done. So how is it possible that we are supposed to do unto others as we do unto ourselves? What someone else wants done may not be what we want done, so it doesn't really work out too well, as Shimoda pointed out.
Shimoda said that we can make anything out of anything. If we need some food, imagine food, and you have it. If you need a wrench, imagine the wrench, and it comes floating to you, as he showed us in the story. I'll admit that after reading that part about the floating wrench I actually tried to make my book float. I'm sure all of you can guess the outcome of that one! But it never hurts to try, right? Although it may not be possible to make things float in mid-air, I do believe it is possible to imagine things that you don't have, and eventually it will be as if you have them. If you want it enough, you can have them. That is the overall message I got from Shimoda. In life you can have anything you want to. I feel that life is like a book with blank pages. You can write it however you'd like, rip out pages here and there, go back and erase, you name it and you can do it. It is your life. And as Shimoda made me realize, what you see in life is not always what you get. There are universes upon universes out there with much more to offer than just what this universe can offer to us. The trouble is that many people only see what they want to see, and refuse to see anything beyond their own universe. I'm sure that now I will see more in life than I ever, ever imagined; in this universe as well as others.
Rating:
Summary: This novel is a true handbook to an advanced soul!
Review: Illusions: The Adventures of a Reluctant Messiah is a book I could easily read ten times through and still have more to understand and learn from. The book can be interpreted in infinite ways. But one aspect is for sure, Donald Shimoda is a reluctant messiah. He possesses divine knowledge and power, which unfortunately for his character, people have come to recognize. They flock to him for advice they don't believe they are capable of giving themselves. Shimoda does not, and perhaps cannot, desire to be a glorious messiah. His solution: simply pass his job to another . . . Richard Bach. What he chooses could easily be viewed as the most cowardly decision, but seems to lead him to happiness, as quoted from the novel, ". . .he went his way through the crowds and left them, and he returned to the everyday world of men and machines." Illusions is an excellent book, laced with advice and wisdom. Advice including, "You teach best what you most need to learn." and "Argue with your limitations and sure enough they're yours.", both which stem from a handbook, given to messiahs to cultivate an advanced soul. This novel is truely a handbook not only to the messiah, but to all who read it. Although at times, Illusions was difficult for me to fully grasp, it opens up a new world of ideas to me; the tip of the iceberg, so to speak. The writing itself, though not complicated, I sometimes was forced to read over in order to understand. However, Mr. Bach does connect the reader with the characters and incorporates enough emotion so that they become real, and thus the characters are more easy to relate to. I recommend Illusions to anyone from the casual reader searching for a good read to someone searching for a new outlook on life.
Rating:
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.
Rating:
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.
Rating:
Summary: Shallow Towards Deep - A good step!
Review: I was given the book when in high school by an older male friend. He had purchased the book three times because each copy he lent out, never found it's way back to him. I did the same thing and at this moment, I think my daughter, now 18, has my latest copy. I continue to buy new copies as I lend them out too, not because I cannot live without it, (one can read it once and then perhaps in ten years if you are forgetful), but to 'pass on' - it feels almost as if it were, to me anyway, meant to pass along. I noticed also that my friend and I are not the only ones here to pass along and repurchased the book. There is at least one other review that mentions the give out/buy another cycle with her experience. I wonder, hmmm. It's also nice to just "have around" and in the library here, to me, it feels good to have it around! If you or someone you know is not too terribly deep, or perhaps still a teen or young adult living an active but hardly reflective life, it's a great book to give them Not to change them into deep by any means, but to help them see that in life, there are options, perspectives and various ways to think about your own life and your own journey and place in it. I read it at age 17, or so, and after I finished, I felt strongly moved. I did not care much about reading, and this book was gripping in a way, (very creative), and at that time, it was short enough to not feel defeated or negative from the start. I felt reading was for school, living was not books. But then again, we all our on our own journey... and as long as one is growing and not stopped in one place of not growth and just "waiting" for life to move on, one is successful. The book changed me, no matter how corny or flowery I see it now or how important I felt it was then. It was the first book I felt I read for pure pleasure. I read it in one sitting, not too difficult to do as it is not that long. I used the quotes in the book almost like a study guide. I was moved enough to re-read them, (easy to find) and try to apply meaning as compared to who and what I was then. This was a first look at 'me' ... a first look into a world of possibilities and one in which e there may be some wild stuff in life we may never ever see, as we speed though living our lives, we may miss our own adventures with a
Messiah some place out there when we least expect it. Teens are often looking for books to read for school and book reports. I think this one will tickle them as far as the length and dirty pages, but more importantly, it will not be a quickie report that they scribble out and rush though. It will be fast to read, but slower to explain or report. and although it may sound a bit sneaky on my part (or your part as a parent), it's good to have opportunities to slip in "little extra" thinking games when your children) don't know it! (hey, my daughter was an A student and a high B in college now... slip that stuff it!) It's just beyond basics in self thinking, and a bonus for the hurried, it's short too! All and all I would recommend that you read it. It's not a huge investment, especially the used sales ops you get here.... it's an investment that is small for a book that may have you finding a new personal perspective to "think on" for months to come after you have finished. If you are not impressed with it as a whole, maybe you are reading too critically or are too advance a soul and scholar to read this, but I doubt it, it's rare. (and I don't think such an advanced soul & scholar would be here on this page in this place.... prob. more so out there saving the world from democrats or other such evils.. And since the investment can be a dollar or two used,
you are not in for a huge loss if you do not like it!
And hey, it is a very pass-able pass on book, that's for certain!!
Rating:
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.
Rating:
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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