A very stimulating read
936108
A well-researched, well-argued assessment of a complex topic  a must read for anyone interested in hypnosis and psi research.
402823
lehrer's compelling prose conjoined to a fascinating subject matter
makes reading his book a pleasure at so many levels:
it's impossible to overstate
how astonishingly stimulating and informative this book is.

which is why i am baffled by those one-star reviews.
they might have read it with their peevish-lens on.
but pay them no mind: reading it sends one's brain and heart soaring.

every page is packed with awe-inducing insights.
thus i began rereading it as soon as i finished it.
1260961
I very much enjoyed reading this book. I liked the way the story bounced back and forth between he narrators life and that
of the client. I wasn't too surprised out the outcome in the end, but, it certainly was thought provoking and educational on
many levels and a satisfying read. I was surprised to realize the author is a woman.
3336774
This book deserves all of the acclaim it's earned, and more. I found it interesting, accessible, knowledgeable, and very thought provoking. It's also creative, stimulating, and a great read on all counts.
3016885
Transgression is captivating and intelligent, a real pleasure to read. It is truly a surprise to find such engaging characters, historical insights, and well reasoned theoretical physics all combined in one work. To find all  of these in a first novel should send up flags - bookmark this author!  Randy Ingermanson's characters ring true. Not only are they intelligent,  but they just feel real. The Israeli dialog, from both modern and first  century periods, is very authentic, and naturally scented with Hebrew  words. The compelling plot, intertwining with another plot straight from  the bible, make this an exceptional page turner. An excellent read, and a  wonderful gift for readers.
4037199
I really enjoyed reading this book.  Intense curiosity on the subject matter, with thoughtful comments and how scientific advances can get us into trouble.  I would definitely read this author again.
2931568
I have not read a book quite as fast-paced and exciting as this one in quite a while. Focussing on the professional life of E.O. Lawrence, the inventor of the cyclotron, and on the establishment of and work at the Berkeley Radiation Laboratory, the author recounts the birth and early development of Big Science during the twentieth century. By Big Science the author means essentially science as done by large groups of scientists working as teams using large and expensive equipment to tease out natures secrets  this as opposed to the lone scientist of the past pushing back the scientific frontiers all by him/herself or perhaps with a partner. Most of the Big Science projects discussed in this book pertain to the building of ever bigger and more expensive particle accelerators. However, the Manhattan Project and Lawrences contributions to it are also well described.

I found this book to be very well-written, clear, quite lively, accessible and immensely engaging. The science involved is, in my opinion, very well described such that any interested reader would have no problem understanding it. However, I suspect that science enthusiasts like me are likely to be those who would relish this book the most, especially those with a penchant for the early years/decades of nuclear and particle physics.
1693007
As a thoughtful adult and a Christian, after I got through the initial opening pages of this short read, I was very engaged at its contents and could not put it down. I have attempted to read the Narnia classic, but having not grown up with it and now an adult, I find that I quickly lose interest and never finish the first in the series. This book was different than what I expected. I enjoyed his creative descriptions of the worlds found in this book, but what excelled for me was the very thoughtful discourse that transpired in the different encounters between the visitors of heaven and its inhabitants. I found new insights into the nature of man and the thought patterns of different types of people and what inhibits them from embracing their creator. Having been an atheist up through college, I find it very refreshing to read thoughtful works from intellectual Christians.
388836
Reading this book is an experience of thoughtfulness.  Worrell uses this medium to express his personal  visions and beliefs as well as his own life journey.  It is thought provoking and involving . . . plus a lot of fun to read.

I strongly recommend this book for an individual who is interested in exploring the intellectual and emotional growth of another personage  and who is eager to and not afraid to . . . be more deeply involved in their own though processes. You may be challenged with  some issues expressed but you will discover that negative views are not communicated here . . . just wonderment, honesty and integrity..

If you desire a fun, stimulating and inspiring read . . . this is a good one.  I highly recommend it.

Bilm

Life is a journey for each of us
3498781
As a long time science fiction book reader, I can tell you that Efrain's first book will have you traveling to far away star clusters and constellations as you are accustomed to. While I was reading, I found it very easy to imagine the scenes, actions and characters as i progressed through the book. This book should be made into a movie!

There is a compelling depiction and description of the highest good in a struggle with the lowest bad that is threaded through the story. A very enjoyable and provocative read. I highly recommend this book.
4243712
I really enjoyed reading this book. Harman provides a vivid, exciting and stimulating discussion as he presents the problem of altruism and evolution. Furthermore, George Price's life story is truly unbelievable!
2744849
This was a thrilling read, but in addition to the excitement, this book offers a solidly insightful foray into the human condition.

The characters were fully fleshed out, which makes for such a satisfying book.  Too many authors today sacrifice character development, and those who don't, tend to allow the plot to suffer.  This author took the time to create an exciting world, with characters we get to know.

I enjoyed it tremendously, and look forward to reading more from this writer.
1005053
For me, this was the old cliche, "I couldn't put it down."  A really fun and stimulating book to read.  The guy knows his science.  This is science fiction that stands up to the rigors of science fact.  Perhaps there were more incidents that were life threatening that more than one person could survive, but all explained well.  The math and physics are explained in layman's terms and they work.  The movie is coming on on October 2nd.  I can't wait.  This is a thrill ride and if they do a good job with it, it should become a blockbuster.
679660
In my humble opinion, it is a very challenging book, starting from the elaborate language through the peculiar use of pronouns (I will not reveal the rule so as not to spoil the fun) and finishing with a complex setting built up from myriads of different worlds and their successes or failures at attempts to maintain unity. The reader will encounter a huge number of scenes depicting or at leat suggesting sexual intercourses hetero, hemo and (for the lack of better words) interespecies. Yes, sex is very important in the novel. Yet it is neither vile nor cheap, and the narrator manages to stir things up and finish the scene with a blackout just before the reader would be forced to proceed through physiological details.
It is challenges the ideas of gender (yet it does it in a very surprising and intelligent way), it makes you realise how carnal pleasure is important and vital to you (and how beautiful experience it may bring once you accept who you are), it depicts a universe made up of six thousand worlds!
It is a beautiful piece of art. I draw pleasure not only from ingenuine ideas about the way the world could be but also (or even mostly|) from the fabulous language Mr Delany emplyed to depict his wonderful yet unsettling world.
2077899
Here is another fascinating book from an author I came to enjoy so much. You know you are reading a great book when it sounds less like fiction and more like hypothetical truth. This is one such book. The author is either very perceptive of the world around us, or downright visionary. To me, the action in this book sounds rather like a not too distant future. Not necessarily a future dominated by women but a future in which man finally succeeds in destroying everything that was once beautiful around him. I will not go into further detail as I do not want to spoil the thrill. I highly recommend this formidable book!
4446538
This was a refreshing read. This was a well written and descriptive imagining of a world that was built on different ideals from our own. It has become a world of acceptance and harmony with others, rather than the insistence of establishing dominance and a pattern of superiority and nationalism. However, it did not feel like a preaching book, but an exploration of the world. It was surprisingly fascinating.

The plot of the book is light, as the writing focuses on the prose, descriptions of the world; its culture and architecture, and the unfolding of characters and their relationships. I was surprised, I did not expect to enjoy this as much as I did. There is no action, as it is driven by contemplation and exploration. But it was so well written, that I felt pulled in by the writing, and the world it presented. I especially enjoyed the ending segments, as the history and evolution of the world's culture came into light. It was a fascinating read, and I would definitely recommend it.
412300
This book is a fantastic blend of science, anthropology, religion, fiction and science fiction.  To those readers that enjoy an intelligent read, this is a great book for you.  The story line and characters fluidly entangle you into the quest to make first contact with a foreign planet.  For those with a short attention span, don't worry, the story progresses quickly without losing you in endless character development.
I don't know about you, but when I read a book, I like to not only be entertained, but to learn or discover something new.  Russell does an excellent job of weaving in a stimulating discussion of religion and culture throughout the book.  There are also thought provoking comments about anthropology and parallels to our own society that makes the book even more to digest.  All of this and a great story too.  What more can you ask for?  I found this book to be a great read.
Oh, and when you have read the last page that leaves you wanting for more...do not despair!  The sequel is already out so you can continue the journey with Children of God.
From someone in thier twenties, I thought it was a great book.  Read on!