Book Description

"Death is a funny thing. It brings out the best and worst in people. It casts light on the truth and makes life blindingly clear."

Her visions have helped solve crimes; her instincts have helped find missing people; she can predict future events and sense your thoughts.

These are some of the extraordinary gifts that define the remarkable Allison DuBois, the real-life medium, wife, and mother whose life is the inspiration for the hit NBC television series Medium.

When she was six years old, Allison's deceased great-grandfather came to her with a message for her mother: "I am okay, I am still with you. Tell your mom there's no more pain." Allison shared his comforting words with her mother and thus began a lifetime of creating connections between loved ones and those they have lost. The purpose of her gifts became clearer when Allison worked as an intern in the homicide bureau of the district attorney's office and found that she visualized the crime as she handled the evidence. Allison now works as a profiler on criminal investigations.

In this stunning book, Allison shares fascinating stories of her encounters with people who have passed and her adventures as a profiler for various law enforcement organizations. With wit and compassion, Allison shows us what it is like to live with these special gifts and talents and alsotells about her struggle to live a normal life as a devoted wife and mother. She shows how learning to accept her own gifts has helped her accept the unique gifts of others and how her compelling desire to relieve the pain of others has helped define her own life, a life committed to the search for ultimate truth.

If you have ever questioned whether there is an afterlife, this book will help you see that there is a living energy beyond death. ... Read more

Reviews (25)

Little substance and worse writing, don't waste your money
This book presents the experiences of the author.While some of the experiences are insightful and interesting, overall little is gained from reading this book.Moreover, the author is a poor writer.The book is written practically as a stream of consciousness, with little attention to structure or grammar.Don't waste your money.

Audio book review
I'm never sure why people who don't believe in psychic phenomenon read books about it and then trash those books simply because they are about psychic phenomenon.I'm NOT phychic and I can see THAT train coming.

I am not trashing this book because of the nature of the content.I hope I am not really trashing it at all.Some of the content is very interesting, and some of it isn't.I don't find it particularly well organized; and there is a lot of focus on how to parent a child with these abilities.While I have a child who may have some psychic ability and found some of it helpful, it was a bit too much for me.

As you can tell, many people really enjoyed reading the book, and I may have as well if I had read it.However I listened to it, read by Allison DuBois. Sometimes I find listening to books read by the author a more enriching experience.We are all aware that part of communication is "tone of voice." When an author reads his or her own book, the listener has the benefit of hearing the author's tone of voice. I can't imagine that I would have enjoyed reading "Father Joe" by Tony Hendra as much as I did listening to Tony Hendra tell the story. However, I did not really enjoy listening to Allison DuBois.I'm sure she is a lovely woman and she has a very compelling story. However when reading this book aloud, her voice is rather flat and expressionless. It became monotonous very quickly and ultimately I did not enjoy listening to the book at all.

I recommend that if this topic interests you, or you are intrigued by Allison DuBois, as I am, don't allow comments about the content or style of writing to keep you from reading it.However, I do not recommend listening to it.

Intro to Paranormal Experiences 101
If there is a course named this, this would be a good book for course reading.I've always thought it interesting that the gift Allison has is spoken of as paraNORMAL, considering as a society as a whole we view it anything but normal.

The book is about someone just like us yet different because she discovers she has an unusual ability to see.Although many "gifts" of children are celebrated (like the child who makes college at 11)...this gift of seeing is not. One of the most helpful parts of the book is the part about helping to parent a child with these gifts.

Since there are so many phonies out there one begins to wonder if any of it is "real".I'm reminded of the times of potions and fortunes being told in dark rooms.Allison is not dark, you feel her light and truth and love in what she writes.

One of the interesting components of this book to me was feeling faith in it.Most faiths denounce any kind of psychic event or experience as being from God, yet I myself have always questioned why God would stop sending prophets to warn us or help us.Allison confirms that there is right and wrong, good and evil.She knows you reap what you sow.You'll find yourself smiling at her human honesty.

It is clear that Allison knows it's a gift given her by someone much greater than her and she knows to use it for good.

The book is a very quick read, informative, funny and it is a biography that is engaging.I too hope that Allison will continue to write her thoughts and experiences and we can grow to understand and appreciate a world that we cannot see.

WELL DONE!!
This is a great read for those who have grieved over the loss of a loved one or wondered about the continued existence of consciousness after death.I found some of her understanding of spiritual experiences here enlightening- for example that people who radiate very positive energy attract like a beacon- those spirits who are not loving and wish to do us harm.She offers sound practical advice that has clearly been earned though her challenging personal journey.Thank you Allison for sharing this.

More than what most think
I personally went to the booksigning for this book, and met Allison (and Joe) in person. At the book signing she answered alot of questions and gave alot of info on how her book came to be. Another reviewer on here suggested the book was rushed because of the tv show airing. Not true. The book was written prior to the tv show even coming into existance. It just was not published until now.

Those who find the book confusing I think are missing the beauty of the book. Sure, it may not be the polished work that you are used to seeing from authors. This is because I do not believe her book went through much editing. How could you possibly edit it? It is a 1st hand experience written in a warm and person way. Too much editing would have ruined this. So instead of being "polished" it is personable and real. Personally, when dealing with subject matters such as these, I would much rather get a 1st hand account that is not watered down by an editor who doesn't have a clue about the subject.

For those of you about to buy this, let me give you a laydown of the basic formula of the book. In case you do not know, it is almost a collection of stories as there are several different ones in the book. #1 She tells her story #2 She summarizes her story and speaks of the lessons she has learned from the story #3 Then she gives suggestions as to how the story could apply to you and what to do with that knowledge or lesson.

This book is real, and touching. Allison was a fantastic down to earth person when I met her. A must have for fans of the show, anyone interested in psychic phenomena, and anyone who has lost a loved one. ... Read more

Book Description

Internationally acclaimed psychic medium John Edward takes his talents to new levels and new countries in his fourth book, AFTER LIFE: Answers from the Other Side.

Join John and a documentary crew "Down Under" in Australia and across the United States, where he demonstrates once again that grief, healing, and hope are eternally intertwined and universal. John answers your most often-asked questions about how the mediumship process works on the "other side," while taking you on the inside of his own personal life as a husband and new father. He shares what he’s learned through his own recent, personal losses and demonstrates that you’re never too late to forgive—and never too far away to love.

In After Life, as he does on his highly rated hit show, Crossing Over with John Edward, John will also connect you with celebrities both here and on the other side—because, as John happily notes, there are no red-velvet ropes or VIP sections over there! ... Read more

Reviews (45)

Ye of so little faith...
I totally enjoyed the book, but gave it 4 stars just because some might find it "more of the same" (I've read all his books). I enjoy any bits of info I can get from John about his gift and the fact that he's human, too. As for the cynics, I say "how sad!" I can see how somebody who has watched his show "a couple of times" might think that he just doing "cold readings", but you need to look a little closer or watch longer. How can you write off a phone reading as a "cold reading"? I first saw John on a local morning show, promoting his first book (before he had his own tv show), and watched it only so I could make fun of the "phony psychic"--boy, he blew me away! He was so specific and detailed that the hosts and audience were truly freaked out. I made a note to myself to remember his name and buy his book. Well, I didn't get around to it, but heard about his tv show and tuned in to see that it was, indeed, that amazing guy I saw earlier. I've been watching & reading ever since. And I still consider myself a skeptic, but John Edward has proved to me that he's the real deal--and what a great person to be given such a gift. I think he handles it well and is not some kind of con artist making money off idiots! For those who don't believe, I say, "how sad to have lost a connection to your own soul!"

Putting faith in After Life
I have read each and every review on this book and took everyone's words into consideration. I just finished the book myself and have to say I truly enjoyed it. Some of the reviews on this site attack Mr. Edward as a medium and as a person and it is clear that those reviews are by people who have not picked up the book (although they claim to have read the book in one sitting). This book took me through the process and helped me have a little more faith in people, life and the after life. After Life has something for everyone from the reading with Aaliyah's mother (which is an amazing chapter in my opinion as I was and still am a huge Aaliyah fan) to personal stories of Mr. Edward's family. I have been to seminars, watched the show, seen t.v. specials, gone to his offical website and read articles about Mr. Edward and his work but nothing brings you closer to his gift then this book! Everyone has an opinion and the right to voice it but my advise to those who sit here and bash Mr. Edward and his line of work...DON'T HOLD SUCH STRONG OPINIONS ABOUT THINGS YOU DON'T UNDERSTAND! Everyone in this world should be able to put thier faith into something or someone and after reading AFTER LIFE I know where my faith is placed. Love Mr. Edward or hate him, After Life is a wonderful book and can help anyone through the healing process...all you need is a little faith and an open mind.

Same Old Same Old
I totally agree with the spotlight reviewers review above. I have read ALL of Mr. Edward's books. When they first came out they were exciting. But this one is a REPEAT of all the others. I guess since they canceled his series he needed to make a buck fast.

Not as good as other books by John Edward...
While I did enjoy this book, it was not as interesting as his earlier books. His book One Last Time left me with things that I still remember. However, this book does not seem to have the same lasting impact. Regardless, if you are a fan of John's, you will likely find something worthwhile in this book, and it is a fast read.

Edward Is Outstanding
Another outstanding work by John Edward!. An avid reader of the afterlife I can not praise this work enough. I have read works by Sylvia Browne and many others including the Book of Thomas mentioned in an earlier post written by an unknown Author and a Medium Co-Author which frankly made no sense. John's book defines the truth about the afterlife, whereas many others seem to be fiction. I give John much praise, keep it up!
Derek, NY ... Read more

Book Description

Most people live one life; Jack Dreyfus has had two. The first was filled with remarkable accomplishments as he founded the highly successful Dreyfus Fund. The author’s second life began in 1963 when, in the midst of a severe depression, he did an unheard-of thing: he asked his physician for a medicine not traditionally used to treat his symptoms and returned to good health almost overnight. When he saw six others have similar results, he realized he had an obligation to investigate further.

Jack Dreyfus retired from two highly successful businesses and established the Dreyfus Medical Foundation. Through the Foundation, the author has worked tirelessly, with no financial interest, to show how this medicine—phenytoin—has been reported useful in thousands of medical journals for more than 80 symptoms and disorders, ranging from thought, mood and behavior disorders to cardiovascular, neuromuscular and pain ailments. The Foundation now has programs in dozens of countries around the world, providing assistance to millions of people suffering from psychological and physical difficulties. However, in spite of the overwhelming evidence, this medicine, patented in the United States, is still overlooked in this country because of a tragic flaw in our system of bringing medicines to the public.

At once inspiring and provocative, richly informative and full of warmth and wit, The Story of a Remarkable Medicine is an extraordinary account of how one remarkable man has dedicated nearly half his life to bringing a prescription for hope to millions. ... Read more

Reviews (32)

BRILLIANT & PROVOCATIVE
So many threads come together in this well-written book that it's all a bit overwhelming at first. His style is witty, honest, compelling and addictive and subjects range from mysteries & magick to self-improvement and life extension. I enjoyed the many similarities in style & subject matter with some of my other favourite authors like Stuart Wilde, U. S. Andersen and Colin Wilson. It has also a kindled an interest in many other authors mentioned in the text, especially Timothy Leary who I thought was just a 60s cult figure but whose later work I will definitely investigate now. Cosmic Trigger I is definitely amongst my Top 10 books of all time. People who enjoyed this book will love Affirmations by Stuart Wilde, The Greatest Power In The Universe by U. S. Andersen and From Atlantis To The Sphinx by Colin Wilson.

MEANT to be "a well-intentioned mess"
First, let me say that this book is thoroughly engaging, thought-provoking, multi-layered, and completely worthy of all the praise that it's been given. Why am I giving "Cosmic Trigger" only 4 stars? Because not everybody will be ready for it. And even those who are will need to read it more than once for the full effect. Like James Joyce, who RAW seems extremely fond of quoting and whose "Ulysses" I suspect he seeks to emulate, Wilson has written a book that you just can't take in all at once.

One of the deeper "surface" lessons, the one Wilson shouts the loudest and at the same time refuses to do any more than tease you with, is that you have to decide for yourself what to believe -- but that deciding to believe anything limits what you will be able to observe in the world around you. This is heavy stuff, and ground-breaking to the average reader. As such, I've walked away from reading sessions alternately convinced that:

* Wilson is completely serious about all and sundry, straining to persuade you to approach the world with a more open mind; and

* Wilson is shoveling good-sounding but meaningless drivel on his readers for the sole purpose of a good belly laugh.

But even in this he's got a multi-layered agenda. Interpreting the book in line with one of the theories above -- as an earlier reviewer has done, with the former -- goes completely against the point of the book. WILSON IS NOT TRYING TO MAKE YOU BELIEVE. He presents no evidence nor standards of evidence (which the earlier reviewer did correctly note), EXACTLY BECAUSE his entire "surface" thesis is that one must constantly question THEIR OWN beliefs, within their own frameworks and based on their own observations (which the earlier reviewer seems to have missed).

Wilson's like that. Labyrinthine but consistent. Except he isn't, really. He ... Oh, just read the book.

In conclusion, this is a work that has earned a place on my bookshelf ... although I might have to wait a while to re-read it. "Cosmic Trigger" is a great foil to dogma of all stripes, but going through it too many times in succession makes it a piece of dogma itself, and the message gets lost.

The Ultimate Pseudoscience
Having read this and another book (Quantum Psychology) by this author, I can vouch for a complete lack of logic or reason within the pages of this book. Moreover, of all the authors I have ever read, this one seems the biggest kook of all. If your into unfounded, if not outright ludicrous, scientific conclusions reached through mystic-minded, drug-induced idiocy (as in the idea the human race was seeded by aliens or dancing little green men) in a form lacking utterly in any manner of logical order, then this is the literature for you. Frankly, this guy's so far out in left field he can't see home plate. There's a word for people who create their own reality in this manner: nuts. Save your money. Better yet, spend it on Carl Sagan's "The Demon-Haunted World" for some really intelligent reading. Personally, I'm actually ashamed to admit I read Wilson's books. I only did so at the bequest of a friend whose grounding in reality I am now surely questioning.

Interesting, and pretty wacked out!

This book is a rambling account by R.A.W. that winds together accounts of the author's life in the 70's and his association with other 60s-70s drug and occult counter-culture figures (especially Timothy Leary) - to put forth a strange theory about aliens seeding life here on Earth and guiding our evolution (in consciousness) so that ultimately we can join them as immortal space beings.

In the process of spinning this "theory" Wilson touches on everything from the Illuminati, mythology, religion, psychology, physics, the occult, etc.

This is my first exposure to Wilson and in this book he comes across as highly intelligent and well read, but also very ego-centric and paranoid.

Also, - he makes the excellent point about how our sensory perception is intricately associated with our specific chemical biology - thus hallucinagenic drugs (chemicals) alter our perceptive ability and open us up to perceiving reality in a whole new way. And it's hard not to agree with that up to a point because we, as physical beings, are awash in a cosmic sea of signals, and are only consciously aware of a tiny, tiny percent of all of that information that is around us. However, Wilson, at least in this book, never seems to question the validity of the extra information that is processed when you wack your brain out on drugs and every conceivable occult activity. Nor does he seem to question very seriously the bizarre conclusions he reaches based on this information received. And while acknowledging Leary's ideas regarding the dose, set and setting as having a strong effect on one's experience with psychedelics Wilson didn't seem to catch on that this whole UFO-alien scheme could simply have been the result of a bunch of overworked imaginations and wacked out perceptive abilities operating in a very free-thinking, government hating, ego-centric, paranoid "set and setting".

This myopic approach also is evident to the reader in that Wilson seems to raise every coincidence in his life to the spiritually significant level of "syncronicity". For example, several times during the book he mentions that it is a meaningful coincidence of great import that his daughter's first menstrual cycle came on the same day that Timothy Leary was arrested in Afghanistan?! But he never mentions WHY this coincidence is meaningful. Similarly, he is convinced that "23" is an important number in his life so any day, date, book, time, place, story, picture, conversation, etc. that includes the number 23 in any way, shape or form is taken to have some special "meaning". And because 2 + 3 = 5, the number 5 is treated likewise - as are the numbers 33,333, 666 and others. A plethera of symbols are also given meaningful status (birds of prey, etc.) So it's not hard to see why Wilson can find sychronicities wherever he looks.

It's also interesting to note that the book is packed with wild assertions about where science would be at the turn of the century (year 2000) such as people living hundreds of years, commuicating routinely via telepathy, and regular space travel via spaceships to other planets. These things, obviously having not occurred could be forgiven as overly optimistic imagining, but to the extent that they are all part and parcel of his alien theory they cast doubt on the validity of much of what he says.

Wilson struck me as an intelligent, well-read, thinker with interesting perspectives on the meaning of life. His emotional state throughout the book seemed to oscillate between loving optimism and paranoia. And while I found his ideas a good springboard to thought, it was hard ultimately to take his conclusiond very seriously. And it was clear that, while writing this book, he was so wrapped up in his own conspiracy theories and wacky ideas that he couldn't properly step outside of that box in order to objectively evaluate them, which was strange given his obvious intelligence.

Overall it's worth reading to get a strange perspective on things and I'll probably read some related material (Timothy Leary)

Third-eye opening, divulge and divine
Consider this text as the beginning, not the end, of the reading list for mind-expansion and deprogramming, and, as such, it belongs on the reading list of every college freshman, every CEO (whether already corrupted or not), everyone doing domestic surveillance of his or her fellow citizens, each and every minister (especially the Primitive Baptists, and yes, I know that is a tautology and those who practice mind and money control in megachuches), and everyone else except those who are not living Westerners on this plane of existence.

Others have written remarks about what this book is about and what it means/meant to them. But to see down the longest, straightest vector and to see even the sounds of wind chimes will take longer.

Study the koans and practice breathing. Trust no one unless he or she merits this trust.

And, yes, the whole business with the number 23 is very seriously as real as the weather.

And one more "and": Tyrone Breadloaf (further down the reviewer list) may be correct in his assessment when the stars and planets align in certain patterns. ... Read more

Amazon.com

Adventures of a Psychic might not be the next Indiana Jones sequel, but the "adventures" in the title is appropriate, since Sylvia Browne never stops amazing us with her channeling, psychic visions, healing, and even ghost stories. Coauthor Antoinette May's biographical talents are first rate, however her third person point of view tends to distance the reader from Browne's story. May compensates for this minor shortcoming by expertly weaving Browne's psychic talents with her personal life, from childhood to grandmotherhood, and grounding the supernatural parts of Adventures of a Psychic in the same sort of mundane problems we are all prone to run into. While reading this book, you may stare with an open mouth at glimpses of a world beyond death, and at the same time discover that we all possess a limitless potential, even if we are not gifted with psychic ability. --Brian Patterson ... Read more

Reviews (140)

Even skeptics will love this
I was so sad when I finished this book, thank goodness Sylvia has written more!! What an amazing life and when you read what Sylvia has to reveal about past lives and the other side you will never feel the same about life or death again. Even if you are a skeptic you can't deny a lot of what Sylvia explains(she even has pictures of a ghost she spoke with). Everything she says rings true and makes sense. After you finish this you'll be back at the bookstore for her next book, The Other Side And Back, which is just as facinating. Don't miss this experience, you'll feel a peace and understanding that will change your life. Thank you Sylvia!!!

A skeptic in Arizona, however.......
First let me say that I am very skeptical of all religions, especially the organized ones that only seem to want your money and I've been this way since I was a child. Also this last year has been the worst year of my life what with losing 4 family members including my husband and 4 close friends and my job, which was sent to India. So that's my background and mental state when I started reading this book.

I liked the way Sylvia was bluntly honest in her describing herself and her life. She didn't make herself look completely wonderful or all-knowing. She seemed very down to earth. I was impressed by the fact that she provides a lot of free help to people. Yes, her personal readings are expensive, way out of my price range especially since I'm still unemployed, but her books are very reasonably priced.

This book gave me a lot to think about and more than that, things to hope for. I tend to look at things from a very logical perspective and I've never found a religion that does that. Sylvia gave some very logical explanations that makes me feel somewhat better or at least more understanding of what has happened in my life in the past year. I think I'm able to look to the future with a more positive outlook than before reading this book.

I'm still skeptical about religion but maybe not as skeptical about spirituality. But beware, reading this book could be exspensive. I just purchased three more of her books. :-)

Thanks, Sylvia
One of the reasons I enjoy most of Sylvia Browne's books, as I did this one, is that she is very forthcoming about where she has been and that she conveys just how difficult it really is to be spiritually intuitive. To improve their credibility and keep their egos in check, it would be well that others in the New Age/New Thought circles would follow Sylvia's example in this regard.

One of her most famous truisms, one that I appreciate greatly, is that a psychic is rarely able to predict what will happen in their own life...a bit humbling to come to that realization, but if we all (including highly spiritually intuitive people) come here to grow, then this limitation would seem a given.

However, there is an aspect of her personality that comes through in the blunt assertions she makes about the reality of our progression through spiritual and physical existences. My own sense is that, while very sincere, she may actually be oversimplifying and even exaggerating the process.

Three things she appears to assert that I am not convinced of:
(1) All the "evil" people and most suicides don't get to go to her version of heaven because they take an almost immediate u-turn after death and come back into another life, which would seem guaranteed to make for yet another unfortunate and miserable existence on earth, not only for themselves, but (even worse) for many others.
(2) After death, everyone essentially goes to the same place to deliberately plan their next existence on earth. While this may eventually happen for many souls, I would tend to believe that a great many folks just go to a reality that fits their most recent earth experience and that they stay there indefinitely until their spirit has a yearning to grow and seeks out an understanding that will lead to another opportunity to facilitate that growth.
(3) Spiritual beings cannot read our minds unless we consciously allow them to. If psychic people here on earth are able to do this (and I have experienced it myself), then why is it that spiritual beings cannot do it? My own sense is that while some information is profoundly personal and off limits to others, we spiritually project our intentions here on earth and in the spiritual realm to facilitate the work we are intended to do.

I am also not sold on her notion that the spirit world is a squeaky clean place and, except for the suicides and "bad guys" who are sent right back to earth after they die, we all essentially go to the same wonderful and resplendent location after our physical death. Based on the NDEs described by folks like Betty Eadie and Dannion Brinkley, I am inclined to believe that the afterlife location she describes in her books may very well exist, but, as Jesus said, "my Father's house has many rooms". From personal experiences and readings of other authors' works (P.M.H. Atwater, Howard Storm, Bruce Moen, Robert Monroe, among others) my belief is that the spirit realm is actually a very complicated set of realities, with many layers and many shades of light and dark within those layers. I think our world here on earth is a reflection of that complexity.

It would be interesting if some day we could see some of the well known spiritual intuitives and serious researchers of reincarnation and paranormal events come together to have a discussion on some of the more controversial aspects (i.e. where they do not always agree) regarding what they assert about:
(a) Life after death
(b) The nature of good and evil
(c) The power that we possess individually and collectively to create our realities.

Such a gathering might contribute to a better understand of the source or basis of some of their more controversial and intriguing ideas. As it is, the more I read books like Sylvia's, more questions are generated than answered.

Great read
This book gives us tons of insight of the life of Sylvia Browne. If you are a Sylvia fan and avid reader of her books, this might bore you a bit. I had to skip about 4 seconds because they were literally the same words as in other books. If you've never picked up a Sylvia Browne book, then you will be enlightened.

Bit overhyped
For well-known psychics, business is big money. While I don't decry that anyone ought to be able to make a living at something, charging $750 per reading (as I understand she does now) is a bit much. Shouldn't the most neediest of people, the people who perhaps might most benefit from the reading be charged less? Gee, for $750, I'll tutor you for 3 or four days in physical science and one 100% percent of it will be accurate!

My main quarrel with the book is its presentation of heaven. Greek architecture, a constant 78 deg F "climate," no bugs--just "friendly" animals, councils running the show (committees), and research places where scientists do the research for scientists on Earth. Maybe this is Ms. Browne's vision of heaven, but not mine, nor I suspect that of millions of others.

The one thing that Ms. Browne is probably correct about, is that heaven exists in a higher set of dimensions with considerably higher frequencies. And it's also likely that as a consequence, a different set of physics probably applies. After that, your vision is probably as good as mine. I'm willing to bet to some extent, what any soul arriving in heaven experiences is going to be somewhat dependent on his or her knowledge and beliefs.

Technology (and many other of mankind's activities) continues to wreck the earth despite the goodies it provides for us. The thought that there are people up there in "scientific institutions" busily inventing plasma TVs, the next version of Windows XP (hey, you didn't get the last version right), and better insecticides scares the bejesus out of me. Aren't they teaching enough ecology and themodynamics to you guys up there? (Heck, I'll teach you the basics for free--just "visit" me in the evening when a new episode of West Wing or CSI isn't on.)

I do think that some of Ms. Browne's spirituality is appropriate; it just gets carried away some times.

In case I'm totally wrong about this, it'll be a relief to know there won't be any roaches or spiders crawling around up there. :) ... Read more

Book Description

This, the long-awaited third volume of the Cosmic Trigger series, includes Wilson's witty and humorous observations about the widely spread (and, happily, premature) announcement of his demise. And, of course, what Wilson masterpiece would be complete without synchronicities, religious fanatics, UFOs, crop circles, paranoia, pompous scientists, secret societies, high tech, black magic, quantum physics, hoaxes (real and fake), Orson Welles, James Joyce, Carl Sagan, Madonna and The Vagina of Nuit. ... Read more

Reviews (9)

Wilsonian Romp
There really is not much for me to say on this one. It's just a fun ride. The kind you come to expect with Wilson. It is book you can read without having read the Cosmic Trigger books, but it helps.

What a conclusion
How many books can begin with their author dieing? Well, it seems that nothing is impossible to Robert Anton Wilson. Finding out about his death on the internet, Wilson takes us along another journey of self discovery and an examination of belief systems.

The story takes us to Ireland and unveils a host of new story lines to help you question the way you look at the world and help you to expand your mind. While this book comes close to the second book in the series, it falls just short of being equally as excellent. Wilson again attacks his topic through the intertwining of several story lines and does not disappoint. For anyone new to Wilson, you may wish to start with the second book in the series. If you have read the first two books, this one is definitely an excellent ending to the series.

OK, HERE'S THE DEAL....
I feel that Wilson might be a genius. He seems to me to be smart enough to realize that his opinion isn't necessarily the best one. He's careful to state that his opinions are just that, OPINIONS. This colors everything he does. {People looking for answers should run screaming the other way.)

This is a set of essays, strung together in a manner that will make you think. His style as an essayist is engaging. In fact, I enjoy his essays more than his novels. Even when I disagree with Wilson (which might very well happen if you read with an open mind), I still find something to think about and consider.

I think that his books are designed to be mind-openers, not mind closers...I actually met a RAW-Dogmatic guy once, and after I finished laughing, tried to show him that (in my opinion) he missed the message.

This seems to me to be a fantastic book. I hope you enjoy it, too.

Brilliant "mid-wing" essays.
I think it's impossible for Robert Anton Wilson to write a non-interesting book. (Unfortunately he's gone into virtual retirement since the death of this wife.) While "Trigger III" has very little to do with the first book, (actually none of them have any connection other than title ) it's just a spellbinding read. To me, only RAW can write about what would be considered incidental and trival to most people and just make one gasp at the taken-for-granted mysteries and subtleties of existence. Such as, why IS the Mona Lisa cannonized as a masterpiece while works of equal of vast superioriority not? Here(as in all his books)he absolutely blasts away both materialistic dogma (Carl sagan, CISCOP, politicans)and religious dogma ( all of 'em ).

Wilson is a philosopher who can see the beauty AND the B.S. of life. He intelligently explains having mystical expericences as a STARTING point to exploration, not a new dogma to shove down people's throats. In my opinion, no other writer is better in explaining and exposeing how the world is with more honesty, knowledge and HUMOR. ( This applies to litterally ALL his books, not just CT III)

To my knowledge this is the last book Wilson has released. I sure hope he writes another before he "moves on". His works have literally transfromed me into, I think, a far wiser person. Hopefully for you as well.

This Book is a Fake
Robert Anton Wilson's final part of his Cosmic Trigger Series proves that from the beginning its all a conspiracy. Even his own death was just a hoax. Can you prove normalcy beyond a shadow of a doubt? Although I found this part one of the best, I would still say to read part 1, then part 2, in that order. Wilson argues Evolution and Creationism, political correctness, Carl Sagan and of course, conspiracies. Well thought out with the reading that doubles upon itself, you will find how information adds up into another line of thinking. Certainly a classic RAW book! Highly reccomended! ... Read more

Book Description

Aleister Crowley, born in Victorian England to a life of financial privilege and religious bigotry, rebelled against his upbringing in every way possible. He became a mountaineer, a bohemian, a writer of sensuous poetry, and a practitioner of what detractors called "the black arts." In reality, he was an uninhibited explorer of global spiritual traditions combining ritual magic with spiritual ecstasy. His winding path intersected ceremonial magic, Buddhism, Hinduism, Kabbalah, sex, drugs, poetry and music. And what he offered mankind was a manifesto for a new age: "Do what thou wilt shall be the whole of the Law." For the first time, the life of one of the most remarkable men of the 20th century is illuminated by a writer who is both an academic researcher and a lifetime practitioner. ... Read more

Reviews (3)

great book lots of info
very interesting indeed.man of such talent so obscure.what a pity.greatest poets ,mountain climber,i think he was seeking to much to soon..im sure no expert ashram

The most complete biography ever done
This book is absolutely wonderful. I am reading it a second time and will read it again. Other biography's are either slanted toward or against Crowley. This one is different. It gives the reader all of the information, in a linear fashion, which enables the reader to come to their own conclusion. It also helps the reader understand many of the works writen by Crowley (i.e. his libers). A must for anyone who wants to study Crowley's work. Very well done, Dr. Kaczynski.

Magnificent!!!
Perdurabo is truly a majestic work. Taking the reader on a comprehensive and insightful tour de force, we are given delightful, exciting substance not found in other biographies. The author elegantly and solidly paints a vivid picture of the astounding life of Crowley, his varied - and often bizarre - interests and influences, and the multiple directions his life took.

What is unique about this work is the revealing nature of its chapters which offer detailed accounts of letters, "magickal" practices and previously unexplored facets to this extraordinary life. The author seems to want to give you all the goods, which I like.

Two other wonderful works about this fascinating subject - 'Astrology, Aleister, and Aeon,' and 'Do What Thou Wilt' - when taken in consideration with this one, provide a delightful trilogy that vouchsafes the most relevant and probing ideas surrounding their subject. When all three are read, one captures a thorough picture of Crowley, for better or worse.

Crowley, the highly controversial mountaineer, magician and writer, is rendered powerful and frail, alluring and repulsive: many lives wrapped up into one. Intriguing, to say the least.

An extensive Notes and References section that pushes this magnificent work close to 600 pages makes the price an absolute bargain. Not to mention the glorious cover art that really must be held to appreciate.

I have no real complaints about this excellent book! I give it my highest recommendation. ... Read more

Reviews (68)

Touching, Open-Minded and Eloquently Written
Dr. Judith Orloff's Second Sight is an incredibly helpful book for those of us trying to get in touch with our most spiritual selves. I found this book enlightening and very helpful in following my spiritual path. It is so refreshing to read a book by someone so educated, yet has continued to keep their mind open to all aspects of living. Her ability to express her views without saying one should live life a certain way is inspiring. Thank you Dr. Orloff for writing this book and I look forward to reading more from you in the future.

Integrating Psychic and Analytical Abilities
In Second Sight, Judith Orloff, using her own experience, describes so well what it's like to come to terms with innate psychic abilities when we live in a predominately analytical, scientific world. The relief and freedom that comes with acceptance of a hidden part of our nature, and finding that this part of us is useful, opens up a new world in which we feel so much more alive. Even though I've written my own book on this topic, I still feel relief and comfort when I read about others who are healing this left-brain, right-brain split and integrating the capacities of each into their lives. If you are struggling with this issue, you'll find Dr. Orloff's book inspiring.

Positive Energy, Second Sight
To all of us, wondering about intuition, healing, energy and not fully touched by the "Academia" yet....A gifted elocuent, intelligent, honest, whimsical, clear to the senses, tender and loving. A light, guiding us away from the cavernous darkness of ignorance, iluminating joyously our own gifts, the uniqueness of our spirit. "Second Sight Positive Energy" a must to all of us wishing to enjoy fully our potential! Judith Orloff MD what a courageous and elegant soul.
Tip toeing through the doors that she opened for us.
Lili Guefen, H.B.V.

Review of Second Sight
The openness and truth of Dr. Judith Orloff's deeply personal account of her intuitive growth and development moves me and touches my soul. Second Sight is written with love, grace, and generosity of spirit. In Second Sight Dr. Orloff shares herself with the reader, thus elevating the reader spiritually and energetically. It is a fun read! Dr. Orloff shares her gifts in a humble manner, yet her experiences are profound. Read it and read it again!

Evolving Medicine
There are many reasons to read "Second Sight". First of all, it's delightful! It's informative, heartfelt, and honest. By the end I had fallen in love with Judith Orloff. Prepare to do the same. She is wonderfully sensuous and incredibly open. Her writing is revealing and vulnerable. I feel as if I know her.

There are at least two even more important reasons to read this book; First, if you are currently in, or about to enter the field of health care, and the second, if you've ever wondered how intuition might fit more into your career, relationships and life. Both reasons are true for me.

After spending over 20 years in the technical arena, and then a short but non-satisfying jaunt to a graduate degree in management, I am now in school pursuing my dream to become a Physical Therapist. "Second Sight" has been very encouraging. It has helped inspire me to combine both my interests and my new-found abilities in these areas. I want my future patients to have the benefit of all I have to offer, including my education AND my intuition. Judith is totally in alignment with that idea, and for validating and supporting that vision I will remain eternally grateful.

The medical profession is evolving, albeit slowly. Judith's writing and seminars are helping health care providers become more "human" and less mechanical, a long needed improvement. "Second Sight" and "Intuitive Healing" (her second book) are powerful personal and professional tools to aid this revolution. I highly recommend them! ... Read more

Book Description

Reviews (1)

an amazing story
This book is a window into a Vietnamese culture that is almost an alternative reality. Quang's extraordinary journey is a chronicle of war, folk medicine, encounters with spirits and ghosts, narrow escapes, mentorship with his healer-father, and tutelage under martial artists, sorcerors, and cave hermits. The report is so persuasive and lucidly written, I needed to frequently check the validity of my own (Western) version of the objective world as I read the book.
Quang learns Chinese medicine and pulse diagnosis from his father, and spells, charms and incantations from other teachers. The magic Quang learns or witnesses with those teachers is fascinating. The magic proves to be an effective manipulation of the physical world, altering events, demonstrating uncanny powers, and curing or creating illness. I realized our Western science is just another kind of magic, a magic that has been codified and generalized. This is reflected in our version of the objective world.
The wonder of this book is the humble and gentle way, through Quang's story of growing up in Vietnam, it presents us with an opening into seeing the world as truly a more varied and mysterious place than we had previously imagined. ... Read more

Book Description

A Six Feet Under-style story of a family of psychics by one of America's most trusted clairvoyants.

Most weekends in the 1950s, the Iacuzzo house in Buffalo, New York, was filled with adults and children from around the neighborhood. If Mary Iacuzzo wasn't yelling at the women to stop hanging on to cheating husbands, then the neighborhood kids were screaming and running from the messages daughter Rosemary was delivering from dead relatives. Son Frank recounted his dreams-which often came true-as he prepared his younger sisters for school each morning. Terry, the youngest, obsessively began counting tiles and tracing patterns in an attempt to cope with the mass of information about other people's lives that flooded her tiny being. And from behind the bar of his restaurant, their father doled out predictions on everything from horse races to politics.

This is the ordinary and extraordinary Sicilian family out of which sprang one of the country's most prominent psychics, Terry Iacuzzo, who has such a high-powered client list that it will remain a secret till her dying day. It's the story of the spiritual underground of 1960s and 1970s New York City. It's the story of the birth of a great seer. As Marisa Tomei has said, Terry Iacuzzo's "life has to be a movie." ... Read more

Book Description

Chris Dufresne tells of growing up in an uncommon household with a psychic for a mom, with spirit guides, psychic readings and more. ... Read more

Reviews (17)

My Life with Sylvia Browne
I enjoyed this book so much I could not put it down.I think Chris did a wonderful job of showing Sylvia as a mother,(and a good one at that.}I could relate very well to all the situations and trials of their lives. The love he shows for his family just surrounds you as you read. GOOD JOB CHRIS,I look forward to reading another book by you. This one lifted my spirits and let my soul soar.

Very enoyable - if taken for what it really is
I must admit that I was slightly put off when I began reading this book. I could see that the book really didn't contain any psychic insight, no earth-shattering predictions of the future, or give any "dirt" on the lives of Sylvia Browne or any other famous people. Fortunately, before disappointment hit me, I realized that I was reading exactly what the title offered. It is a book written very simply by a first-time author; a true man's man who grew up (and currently lives) in a very unique situation. Like all of us, he has tried his best to make the most of it, with a great deal of love and humility. I highly recommend this book to any fan of Sylvia Browne who has grown to love her and admire her. I have felt very close to this amazing woman even without knowing her, and Chris Dufresne has made me feel like part of their wonderful family while giving me insight on my own. Take this book for what it is: loving words from a real person, sharing his life with a wonderful mother and relating the lessons he has learned throughout. This is the kind of book that any one of us can write, and it is definitely just as special.

not that good
I think this book was okay. There were some funny parts, and I have to say that I did grow to like and admire Chris. But all in all, I was dissapointed. It was boring and I am one of those reviewers that didn't like the style he wrote it in. He was repeatative, like when he mentioned a million times about his and his moms tempure. I would love to have a reading with him and would never question his abilities, but it just wasn't a really good book.

This is a wonderful work.
This book is by Sylvia Browne's son christopher dufresne and it's such a wonderful work! I love this book because it touches on everything from his mother to his daughter to his wife and everything in between. It's such a wonderful work and I hope christopher writes more, if your looking for a really good book then pick this one up you won't be dissapointed!!

Wasn't what I had expected
If you are looking for a good book about Sylvia Browne- this is not the one for you! I guess I was hoping for a few more stories from his childhood. I understand that Chris is a first time author- but I found his writing hard to read bouncing from subject to subject. I also felt that he told a lot of the same stories that I have read in some of his mother's books. If you want some good reading stick with Sylvia. ... Read more

Book Description

In the depth of every human being, there is a profound need for answers to the fundamental questions of existence. Is there a God? What is Truth? What is Reality? "The Knee of Listening" has transformed the lives of thousands of secular and religious seekers since it was first published in 1972, because it answers all of these questions.This autobiography shows, with incomparable wisdom and clarity, a life moved by the Divine, and a being of such unheard-of greatness that many readers are left amazed and touched by this book. Adi Da’s spiritual autobiography tells the miraculous story of his unique Incarnation and Revelation in the West for the sake of liberating all beings. To read it is to find the Very Heart of Reality--tangibly felt in your own heart as the Deepest Truth of Existence. It is the great mystery that you are invited to discover. This newly expanded edition includes an expanded description of Adi Da's early-life, leading up to his Divine Re-Awakening in 1970 and the secrets of his "Pre-History" before his birth in 1939. It also has new revelations about the Spiritual Work of the great Realizers in his lineage, and his unique Demonstration of the Seventh Stage of Life. The profound events of "Yogic death" (in 1986, 1999, and 2000) that occurred after his Divine Re-Awakening--events that completed his process of Incarnating the Divine Conscious Light are new as well.Adapted from the introduction: From time to time, there is a book that challenges, and eventually changes, the entire perspective of a civilization. "The Knee Of Listening" is such an epoch-making book. Appearing at the beginning of the third millennium of the common era, it carries a Revelation that has the potential to transform all future time. "The Knee Of Listening" is about Reality Itself, the Reality within which this earth and its cosmic locale arise--the Blissful, Effulgent, Conscious Force of Being which is always so, and which can be located and enjoyed under every possible condition, and in every dimension of space-time.

There are many worlds within the book--from simple narrative to ecstatic poetry to complex argument and sublime revelatory discourse. But there is one single Voice. "The Knee Of Listening" is a autobiography. It is the first-person account of the life of an unparalleled Spiritual Genius--alive today--whose appearance can be only be rightly understood by referring to the tradition of the avatar, or the incarnations of the Divine.

Adi Da Samraj, the author of "The Knee Of Listening", took birth on Long Island, New York, in November 1939. He was born in the most ordinary of circumstances. He was born in a state of unconditional radiant awareness, which he called the "Bright".

Nine months before the birth of Adi Da Samraj, the great Indian Realizer Upasani Baba made a remarkable utterance. Speaking in February 1939 to the head of one of the most important Hindu monastic orders (the Shankaracharya of Jyotir Math), Upasani prophesied that an Avatar would "soon be born in a European", or a Western, rather than Eastern, "country". "He will be all-powerful", Upasani declared, "and bear down everything before him. And he will see to it that the Vedic Dharma", meaning the pure and original Teaching of Truth, "is firmly reestablished...". He was foretelling the appearance of One who would bring a unique clarification and completeness to all the Dharmas of the past. "The Knee Of Listening" is about the making of a Wisdom-Teaching of precisely that magnitude. ... Read more

Reviews (9)

EXCELLENT
This book was amazing, it changed how I looked at transplants. What the patients go thru, and there are times that the Doctors want to only think CLINICALLY, but there are times and instances that you have to look beyond, and believe what you don't see and trust in that.

Food for thought
After reading "The Heart's Code" by Paul Pearsall and now this book I am convinced we are just beginning to scratch the surface of the science of transplant information and details about the heart and how it controls personality.

It is a proven fact that heart patients who are ill have a sudden change in temperment and also proven that transplant patients take on some characteristics of the donor.

There was a case of a nun who received the heart of a prostitute (absolutely true story) and many more in Paul's book and this book seems to focus on one true story of one woman.

You have to be careful though, if you've had open heart surgery or are waiting on a transplant it can get a bit emotionally heavy as you related to her having to face death. Watch the dark tones and you'll be fine as you read the info. The object is to come away having learned some secrets of what to expect and those are very very interesting.

There was also a case of a transplant recipient who began using vocabulary words from the donor and then later when the patient met the donor's family and used those rare words randomly they were floored. Good read.

Personal experience
I've known Claire Silva for many years. I knew her well before her body started to fail. This book is her reality. It unfolded just as she states. If her story seems amazing, consider how it must have felt to her, miraculous, beyond belief. She is ever so rapidly dying, then a chance to receive a heart and lung, (the first in New England, "experimental surgery") suddenly, out-of-the-blue. Friends rush her to Yale, New Haven, CT. she receieves a new life. New heart, new lung, more than that. New cells, old memories. The dreams begin. She has incorporated new celllular tissue, new DNA residue and the doctors have warned her that the tissue could be rejected. Incredibly,the memories of a dead young man begin to flood her dreams, her senses. I met Claire after the surgery. We spent quite a bit of time together. A change of person and heart had taken place. Read this book and trust that there are some things that science and medicine may never unravel. Draw from your own knowledge, intuition and experience. Your reality is within you. Claire chose to share this experience. Her experience is something that will cause you to think about how you live your own life. It will cause you to realize how special and extra-ordinary you are as a result of your own unique genetic, societal, physical and psychological composition. It may cause you to dream and wonder and question the courage you fail to exhibit to the world for fear of being ridiculed. Finally, this is a book about a woman with the courage and the desire to live and the willpower and curiosity to explore and investigate her changed life and her changed reality. 143

Highly Recommended
Claire Sylvia's Change of Heart is a great book because it makes you think about things you never thought would possibly happen. It's like "The Others" (the Other Side) or "The X-files" but in real - but not in a way that you don't believe it. I really believe that she feel that he - the teenaged boy who died in a motorcycle accident -is apart of her. Read this special book if you want a new view of your life!

Not so bad
I bought this book because i ever believe in the soul. But i never imagine the kind of things that Claire Sylvia said's. In my opinion is a good book, with incredible moments, things that make you think about the death and the life. A good work by William Novak, who help people like Nancy Reagan, and Magic Johnson to make their biographies before. The history of woman, who needs a new heart. the history of a woman, who star a new life. ... Read more

Book Description

This powerful memoir of an American who was adopted by a shaman and allowed to study the secrets of a Tzutujil Mayan village in deepest Guatemala "offers readers a privileged and rare glimpse into [the village's] complex and spiritually rich life." (Rocky Mountain News)

Twenty-five years ago, a young musician and painter named Mart'n Prechtel wandered through the brilliant landscapes of Mexico and Guatemala. Arriving at Santiago Atitlan, a Tzutujil Mayan village on the breathtaking shores of Lake Atitlan, Prechtel met Nicolas Chiviliu Tacaxoy--perhaps the most famous shaman in Tzutujil history--who believed Prechtel was the new student he had asked the gods to provide. For the next thirteen years, Prechtel studied the ancient Tzutujil culture and became a village chief and a famous shaman in his own right.

In Secrets of the Talking Jaguar, Prechtel brings to vivid life the sights, sounds, scents, and colors of Santiago Atitlan: its magical personalities, its beauty, its material poverty and spiritual richness, its eight-hundred-year-old rituals juxtaposed with quintessential small-town gossip. The story of his education is a tale filled with enchantment, danger, passion, and hope.

"The picture [Prechtel] creates of idyllic Indian life is so beautifully drawn that his delight in their culture becomes contagious, as does his grief when civil war creates havoc in their village." --Publishers Weekly ... Read more

Reviews (11)

one of the best books I've ever read
Anyone with an interest in indigenous people as well as a lust for fascinating accounts of wayward travellers will find this impossible to put down. Humorous, yet poetic at times, the writer has a gift to share, and he does so with incredible dexterity. The insights into how the Maya lived within nature, their social heirarchy, inside jokes, love of life, and slow victimization by 20th (and 21st) century power-mongers make this account a valuable resource for all human beings.

Interestingly, the Mayan calendar, put forth centuries ago, ends within this decade, fodder for Armegeddon-theorists in the last half century. Prechtel's book helps to explain how this happened before his eyes and the role he has come to play in keeping the soul of the Maya alive.

This should be a must-read for anthropologists, linguists, spiritualists, environmentalists, economists, missionaries of all faiths, travellers, and policy makers. And yet with such a broad base, it remains a fascinating narrative as well. This was unquestionably one of the best books I have ever read.

wonderful
This is one of the most enjoyable books I've ever read. I've always been interested in the Mayas and read lots of books on them, but I must say that I never felt this level of awareness before. Not only is this great ethnology at it's best, but its a very intimate sharing of the world view of these people through the magic-realism of Martin Prechtel. He is a wonderful storyteller who can impart a vision without telling all - there are no shaman secrets revealed here. One of those rare books where the prose matches the content - both thoroughly enjoyable!

Fiction at its worst
The author would have better served his readership by admitting the entire tale is a work is fiction. Poorly researched fiction at that. Riddled with factual, geographic and cultural inaccuracies, he does a great disservice to native people he claims to respect and serve. I have been a student of the Maya for almost thirty years and spent much of that time in the areas the author claims to have inhabited. A casual tourist to the markets in the area could come away with a more accurate description. Many of the incidents he describes would be abhorent to the local Maya population. While the final chapter describing the genocide of the last 25 years is fact,the rituals and social structures he describes are nonexistant. The H'men would certainly not include a drunken, lazy, fat gringo in any meaningful discussion of closely held lineage practices much less "initiate" him and allow him to marry into a local clan only to abandon his "family". This is yet another example of cultural prostitution to sell a book. The Maya of the area have suffered much at the hands of latino politicians, protestant missionaries, and the hordes of international tourists. The author only adds to the indignities with his misguided fictional tale. Judging by the other reviews included in this list, he had filled a niche for the idealistic and gullible hoping to escape modern life. Unfortunately, the society he describes never existed.

How he found the words...
I'm almost done with this book. It's fantastic! He writes very lyrically without over doing it. It's not too flowery or hokey.

13 working parts to the heart
I've seen too many drunk, passed-out, "Maya" in Guatemala, laying belly-up on the side of the road, the asphalt ribbon some strange skimmer in a waterless aquarium of patchwork land plots, to really romanticize the "beauty" in drunken public rituals and feasts. Yet, Prechtel makes a really solid case for Beauty breaking the Glass Ceiling to the Gods: Beauty in the ornate ancient eloquence of their speech (often expressed in food terms of deliciousness and "cooking"); Beauty in their many layers of opulent, intricate clothing; and yes, Beauty in being drunk out of their gourds from having made themselves irresistibly delicious to the Gods during an income-leveling, life-renewing, inner-twin calling, Desire-Fest with the Gods.

Other than having to walk two miles with no shoes to fill a tank with water before going to school, it makes me Wanna Be Maya. I guess I have to start with my Bundle: objects, previously unknown to me, exactly like one seen in a dream. "One's power would then have an actual physical place to sit...The spirits must have a home, or they become sad orphans or renegades. A person whose spirit has no home becomes depressed or a criminal". Maybe if I could have a dream about mousetraps or blossoming avocado seeds, I would be spared the ignomy of 21st century affluent society. Then I too could divine that Holy Boy has his hand near Mountain Goddess's cucaracha and avoid getting lice in my eyebrows. Or at least have enough breakfast cereal to fill my molars.

The real message here is, don't send missionaries, Peace-Corp volunteers and aid (lawyers, guns and money), it ain't going to change something that was never really broke. Or if it is broke, it wasn't meant to last that long anyway, and just gets fixed the time-honored way of remembering the Gods with feeding Them deliberately and ritually. Try telling that to a Psych major Peace Corp volunteer, and watch them beat themselves with a solar oven brick. Chiviliu is laughing all the way to the buried cigar box. ... Read more

Amazon.com

Right around the turn of the 20th century, G.I. Gurdjieff initiated agroup of spiritual adventurers called the "Seekers of Truth." These intrepid intellectuals of every stripe crisscrossed Africa and Asia in search of the hidden mysteries of antiquity. In Meetings with Remarkable Men, Gurdjieff narrates their exploits while drawing portraits of these extraordinary figures (including one woman and a dog). Half travel journal, half autobiography, Meetings with Remarkable Men begins with Gurdieff's childhood, when he finds his book learning at odds with paranormal events that were self-evident but inexplicable through modern science. Later he discovers a map of "pre-sands Egypt" and evidence of the Sarmound Brotherhood, alleged keepers of ancient wisdom dating back four and a half millennia. He climbs the Himalayas, follows the Nile, and is led blindfolded to a mysterious monastery. In his encounters with dervishes, monks, and fakirs, Gurdjieff recovers the wisdom he seeks; by comparison, European understanding, he says, is backwards and barbaric. A controversial figure in his time, Gurdjieff inspired deep love and loyalty in his pupils and ridicule from skeptics. At the bookends of Meetings with Remarkable Men, Gurdjieff suggests the value of blurring the line between allegory and straight reporting. But then what exactly is Meetings with Remarkable Men? You be the judge. --Brian Bruya ... Read more

Reviews (17)

Second book of triology introducing The Work
Georges Gurdjieff called himself a teacher of dancing. In the 1920's in England and Paris and New York, he was the "guru" of the era. But more than a guru, Gurdjieff searched the East and Middle East for "the meaning of life". Meatings With Remarkable Men is the Second Book in his triology. It serves as an autobiography, but more importantly, it serves as Gurdjieff's perscription for psycological evolution. Later made into a film, this is a must read for anyone interested in the man many consider the only teacher of the Twentieth Century.

This book is a modern tragedy
Meetings with Remarkable Men is an eclectic mixture of art, philosophy, and religion. Gurdjieff uses his early-life adventures to illustrate the difficulties inherent in living a life with a constant goal. The meaning of life isn't so much the goal, but more the experience of life. In this respect Gurdjieff can be compared to Jack Kerouac. Both were pioneers who wandered the country-side. Both had a goal in mind that intricately mutated as their life experience shaped their thoughts. Both are timeless writers. Gurdjieff is also a timeless philosopher.

journey to pursue truth
This is the story of Gurdjiefffs journey to pursue truth. His life itself looks like the journey to the truth. He is the mysterious thinker in the twentieth century. But his and his friendsf motivation to pursue something is fundamental interest of human nature and really pure. Mysterious incidents slip into daily life. Most people ignore them or doubt their eyes. But some people stick on and investigate them. They went anywhere to find even just a clue to the mystery. It is like seeking treasury. For them treasury is neither jewel nor money. In the trip they run across various kinds of remarkable people. It is true that gbirds of a feather flock together.h You can enjoy this journey with Gurdjieff deep in Orient and mystery of human being and accumulated wisdom.

There is a lot that can be learned from Gurdjieff
Gurdieff is one of those men, who are hard to understand. They are hard to understand because they are different, they shun the very beliefs that are a part of our everyday living.
While there were many instances where I thought "what is he talking about?", this book was a good read.

If you are to read this book, I suggest that you read it like a fantasy travel journal.

Decide for yourself
Does G.I. Gurdjieff has anything to offer you? Consider the following quote (which is not atypical) from p. 210 of Meetings with Remarkable Men:

"In my opinion in employing contemporary maps it would be ideally useful to put into practice the sense of a judicious saying which declares, 'If you wish to succeed in anything then ask a woman for advice and do the opposite'." ... Read more