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Summary: Jesus the mechanic begns the New Age movement superficial
Review: Richard Bach's main trick when he was writing was to confuse Jesus with Buddha and vice versa. That way Jonathan Livingston Seagull can return from the dead to teach and let people make up their own minds - as opposed to Jesus who returned from the dead in order to convince people to worship him.This offering has less pictures than Bach's more popular work, but just as much superficiality. The plot concerns a guy who meets a Christ-figure that spouts Buddhist hippie philosophy. One particular instance has the Christ-figure character espousing that Christ was telling people to be creative. Of course, couldn't that just have been written in the Gospels instead of that stuff about sin atonement? Follow me or burn? If you don't know that I am the Messiah, then that just proves your ignorance? The book carries on in that vein until a bunch of people get together to kill this guy. It isn't really clear why he's getting killed but since he's a Christ figure that's kind of expected. What Richard Bach fails to realize is that there is more to spirituality, enlightenment, or religion than a bunch of neat sayings for college kids. Bach's Christ-figure says a few nice thing but conscientiously avoids all the more "disturbing" elements of Christ. This is a nice book. A harmless book, a tame book. It is a book for people who have decided that their old spirituality that once satisfied no longer satisfies. But it's certainly not a deep book or a book that is going to change your life, and you should run away from anyone who tells you that Richard Bach is deep.
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Summary: More provocative than you might think
Review: Lots of people seem to be talking about "The Alchemist" as a top-notch fable for finding yourself and your dream, but this is the book I feel is more effective in illustrating the theme. This is beautifully-written, with poetry interspersed with prose, as well as a neat look into hot-air balloons. Is altruism an important trait in a person (might you let a vampire/wompire bite you, so he could live)? Do you need another person to show you the way, or just to ask the right questions of you? What does it mean to be lonely? So many thoughts in so few pages of this excellent book!
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Summary: A great outlook on life
Review: I am not much of a reader but I really found this book very entertaining. As a matter of fact I've read it a number of times. I think this is a great book to read if you are in low spirits or just need a pick me up. This book pretty much gets to the basics of life and gives you another way of looking at any situation you are faced. Every time I read this book, I learn a little bit more of the message behind it. In alot of ways, it sorta is like the bible. What I mean by that is you can get a different interpertation totally diferent from anothers and you both would be right. It's just a fantastic book and I don't know what more I can say about it. So what are you waiting for people....grab a copy and read on. As a matter of fact I think I am going to read it again.
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Summary: The best afternoon of my life !
Review: This is absolutely essential reading for anyone who understands life, or wants to. I think that attempting to break down, analyse, take apart or catagorise this book is just disrespectful... No review would be able to do justice to it. I'm afraid you'll just have to read the book to see why...
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Summary: very enlightening
Review: shows how we need a change of values, life goes on even after this one...
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Summary: Flight of the Soul
Review: The author of this wonderful story has mastered the teaching methods of old. Throughout time, man has shared stories, myths and parables in an effort to convey a message to others. 'Illusions' does just that, and even takes things one step further, by allowing (no... encouraging) the reader to interact with the story. The author has placed himself in the parable itself, in a position that would be simple for the reader to assume. Often pondering the endless possibilities and powers of the mind and soul, the inspiration received from this reading is a welcome boost to those walking along the spiritual path. The simplicity of this title is overwhelming, yet crucially left to your own interpretation. One man, one Messiah, some old planes, a grass field and a captive audience are all the ingredients used to cook up this instant classic. To those about to embark on this flight, the truths embedded within these mere 191 pages promise a delightful adventure; a journey that one wants to take, again and again.
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Summary: Illusions : A philosophy on LIFE
Review: Hey all you web goers out there! Have I got a book for you. Illusions, by Richard Book. This is a moving story about a pilot who encounters a Messiah. The Messiah's name is Donald Shimoda. Donald tells Richard, the pilot, that he has the potential to be a great messiah. Richard is very unsure about what Donald is saying to him, so Donald gives him the Messiah's Handbook. This is the best part of the entire book. Inside the Messiah's handbook are different sayings and philosophies. And whenever Richard has a question on life he just opens the book, and it tells him what he needs to know. These words and phrases are so incredibly powerful, they move me inside. The story is not only great, but all the philosophies are great ways of looking at LIFE.
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Summary: Simple and Beautiful
Review: You may find in this simple and beautiful book, some wonderful blocks of idea to reflect on at length and revisit again and again. That has been my experience. Protegonist Donald Shimoda opens his pupil, Richard's eyes to the idea that "each of us is our own messiah..and..the river delights to lift us free, if only we dare let go". Richard listens, alternatively facinated and frightened by Donald's view of the world, and struggles to let go of his own perceived limitations. This struggle has been a timeless one for me. You, reader, may find the same as you go through your own life, continually reinventing yourself, stretching and maybe even casting off your own perceived limitations. Thanks, Richard for this rich, wonderous tale.
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Summary: There is a reason you are here
Review: It's no accident that you have arrived here at this review. This book, although a short and easy read, has had the most profound effect on the person I've come to be. I've bought at least 10 copies and passed onto friends, many of whom have laughed at the idea of a reluctant messiah from Indiana and buried the book in the back of their closets. Sometime later, at a moment when they most need it, they happen upon it and are hooked. A fantastic book, truly a must read, especially for those seekers among us.
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Summary: One of "those" books that stay with you always
Review: Although this book was published in 1977, it didn't find its way to me until the mid 80's. "When the student is ready, the teacher will appear." No truer words were ever spoken, at least not in my life. I've read this book over 30 times in the last 15 years, and I never fail to find something new to learn from it. I've given countless copies away to friends who then give copies to their friends. When "Jonathan Livingston Seagull" was first published, an elderly relative told me Bach was the devil incarnate. Imagine what she'd say about THIS one! I've not had the good fortune to run across a Donald Shimoda-like character, but I think I'd be ready to hear what he said. Two quotes from Shimoda's 'The Messiah's Handbook and Reminders for the Advanced Soul' are worth repeating: Your friends will know you better in the first minute you meet them than your acquaintences will know you in a thousand years. and The bond that links your true family is not one of blood, but of respect and joy in each other's life....Rarely do members of one family grow up under the same roof. This book has been a great gift to me and I'm thankful it found me! Enjoy!
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