Excellent read for those who wish to explore Perspectivism and ...
596848
Excellent read for those who wish to explore Perspectivism and his theory on "Will to power" and  social morality
2296451
In this work, Dr. Pirocacos gives us an excellent introduction to the topic of ethics.  With philosophical terms clearly defined and replete with edifying examples of the presented concepts, it is an enjoyable thought provoking read that is accessible to a wide audience.  The book also contains an excellent bibliography for those wishing to delve deeper into the ideas presented.  Highly recommended!
1598317
I'm all too ready to be open-minded regarding matters of conciousness - it is absolutely fascinating. In fact, I found many (not all) of the authors' insights regarding our human propensity to proclaim we know more scientifically about the universe than may be humanly possible. However, in the last 3-4 chapters of the book, I had a strange case of deja vu. Many of the central themes (minus the death defying, immortality claim) were outlined more than 45-60 years ago by eastern/western philosopher Alan W. Watts (who died in 1973). There is a treasure trove of Watt's lectures available free on youtube. Go see for yourself. E.g., Watts often spoke of the human nature to be "prickly" (analytical, fact-oriented, hardcore material rationalists) or "goo" types (flexible, open-minded, out-of-the-box albeit skeptical thinkers). In the biocentrism theory work-up, the authors use the terms "rough" and "smooth" for these same personality types (lol). There are numerous, uncanny similarities like this example among the themes explored by both parties. I have no problem with authors invoking the ideas of earlier thinkers (Aristotle anybody) as long as credit is given where credit is due. It's amazing how many contemporarty philosophers pilfer Watt's ideas without mentioning his name. It was also strange that the authors chastise the scientific community (particularly physicists) for making grandiose, unsupported truth claims while themselves making a similarly unfounded, grandiose, truth claim (biocentrism - idea that the act of concious observation creates our subjective reality - whereas in the absense of concious observation, reality as we understand it does not exist). This is probably the most significant departure between Watts and the authors.  Watts, I believe, envisioned a natural reality beyond concious observation. However, like the present authors, Watts viewed all material things rather as transient forms which are forever changing and interacting transactionally with everything else. That is to say, it is the universal transformation of material and energy operating at a grand scale of informational evolution. Consequently, Universe is all and all is Universe - one in the same.
I did feel the book was well-written. Certainly some of the better expository writing I have seen in a while. The book is a good read and I would recommend it for the "goo" or "smooth" types while perhaps a little out there for the "prickles" (aka "rough") types.
3628451
This text is an excellent read for anyone seeking to further their knowledge in this direction. It clearly addresses preconceived notions that exist regarding the organization as well as societal misconceptions of the institution's intentions.

Reading this text allows one to understand the importance and necessity for this organization to exist and how it has been benefiting humankind. One begins to understand how and why society is structured as it is and that things are the way they are to either make life easier or to push individuals to strengthen themselves to a higher state of being and human potential.

By the end of the text, one can gain an understanding of what direction society is going in. It is not dark nor is it bleak but quite the contrary. It is an encouraging, uplifting read that opens your perspective on yourself and the world around you.

For me, as a person, I find comfort in knowing that the organization has the knowledge and capacity to move people's lives forward in their professional, personal and spiritual endeavors while working to ensure the safety of the inhabitants of this planet. One may find this to be somewhat difficult to comprehend off-the-bat, but this is the benefit of reading this book. It is factual, clear and truly inspiring.

Happy studying.
4704545
An excellent read. Challenges your perspectives and may pinch your beliefs. You will end up chewing on some of the concepts and thoughts persuasively laid out in the book. In the end, you will smile and continue to think long after reading this book.
1175264
Interesting subject, well handled.  Haven't completed this book yet, but based on what I've read so far would definitely recommend it to anyone pondering one of the deeper questions of life.  Joe Puckett demonstrates a masterful ability to take the inquisitive reader to a deeper and different level of understanding.  Look forward to completing it and updating this review.  At this stage - definitely worth the time to read this book.
2490107
Great read if you're interested in self-awareness. This book presents concepts and perspectives that are crucial for understanding cultural differences. It was thought provoking and it definitely caused a shift in my way of seeing and experiencing myself in relation to others. I enjoyed the stories and the overall way in which the book delivered the information. Despite the relatively small size of the book the author was able to touch on so many topics, while showing their interrelatedness and keeping things marching with the main concept of the book, which for me was a better understanding of myself, within the context of my own culture and how my assimilation affects my own perception. There's a wealth of knowledge here for those seeking deeper understanding of themselves and others.
4456053
Wonderful book! This book reminds me of Julian Jaynes' origins of
consciousness theory as voices in our head between our two brain
hemispheres. Basically, it hypothesizes that we are two intellectual
persons, which he calls System 1 and System 2. System 2, the deductive
system, is prisoner of System 1, the sense-making system. System 2 can
only act on what System 1 presents. What's wonderful about this book
is that it is a philosophical theory of a life-long research on
decision-making that the author conducted with Amos Tversky. The two
systems explain why we are not completely rational in our judgment and
how our biases lead us astray. Moreover, System 1 looks for patterns
where there might be none and System 2 has no choice but to follow. I
also liked the distinction between the experiencing self and the
remembering self. We do (or don't do) things taking into account the
remembering self. The remembering self is our own police.

I actually bought the book from Amazon after reading it from my library.
It's that good!
3274238
Excellent read for anyone interested in psychology and biology.

The frequent citations of studies made this book my favorite kind of non-fiction; where the writer tends to allow the research to speak for itself.  The only slight issue I had with the book was the imperfect nature of 'evolutionary psychology.' It's far too easy for researchers to guess at why certain behaviors were successful for a species to retain, but I'd prefer a harder scientific approach.

As a person who enjoys online science journals, I found myself often looking up some of the studies Raine mentions for further information or follow-up research. I think this book can be enjoyed by a lay person, such as myself, with an interest in following the continual development of cognitive neuropsychology.
60061
If you are very interested, mildly curious,or even have heard of the idea of Enlightenment, this book is excellent reading. Unlike many - fictionalized, or not - stories about a spiritual journey, this book is straightforward and honest as it deals with a man facing his feelings, his past and present decisions and following his instincts toward a greater existence. The writing is sharp and fast-paced, with some lovely use of language.
3208308
This book opened my mind by forcing me to wrestle with concepts that I possibly never would have considered otherwise, and so for that I am appreciative of this book and its author. The author also has excellent control of the language, probably partially because she is forced to search for words that describe or capture her extra-physical experiences, which otherwise have no specific assigned words to describe. This disconnect with language is probably what caused the one negative review on this site. Despite Ms. Maxeys best (and commendable) efforts with the language, the person simply was not able to see BEHIND or THROUGH the language to the real meaning behind the words.

Throughout this book I came to points where I simply got aggravated with it, and basically threw it down. Coming from a conservative Christian church background, I had considerable roadblocks to get past. But when I stepped back and thought through the concepts I had just read, considering new angles or meanings to the words, slowly I would come to grips with what Ms. Maxey was trying to communicate. It is not an easy read, but are the truly-valuable books EVER easy? Probably not.

The one qualm I have with this book is that I cannot decipher any *logical* point, and so I think those who approach it from this angle will be disappointed. It is not a how-to book as some reviewers have alluded to. It is simply a day-by-day record of one persons spiritual experiences, mixed with her struggles in the physical world, and her inner-most reflections on all of this. Throughout this process, you can glean valuable insights and be forced to look at things differently, but to a person who comes at the book from a background of reading hard-outlined non-fiction, it will probably be a difficult read.

Nonetheless, I have to say I am glad I read it. This was the first book I have read straight through from cover to cover in a long time. And it was an excellent *kick down the door* way to move me from the musty, decaying halls of dead religion out into the bright light of a new world of true spiritual religion. So thanks for that, Liberty.

-Josiah Redding
The Redding Brothers
<a data-hook="product-link-linked" class="a-link-normal" href="/The-Physics-of-Immortality/dp/B000QRHXKW/ref=cm_cr_arp_d_rvw_txt?ie=UTF8">The Physics of Immortality</a>
9050
Mr. Calder has done an outstanding job writing a book about relativity that non-physicists can read and enjoy. Mr. Calder writes with such clarity, such tangible descriptions, and such succinct summaries of the theory that the reader can begin to incorporate the implications of the theory into one's own worldview.
For instance, the author devotes much time and energy describing the possibilities of the universe being either open or closed (essentially, will the universe expand indefinitely, or will it eventually contract). By the time Mr. Calder begins to describe the metaphysical implications of these possibilities, the conscientious reader is already prepared to explore them on his own.
This ability to communicate science with such clarity as to allow a lay reader, whom I certainly am in physics, to be able to consider the implications of science, is a great complement to the author. Unfortunately, I am a hostage to much of what I read in science, so often having to rely on the author to describe the science as well as its implications.
In addition to summarizing and communicating extremely difficult material very well, Mr. Calder also writes with a great deal of energy and excitement. The author clearly shares his excitement about the subject matter to the reader.
This is an excellent read for anyone interested in the history of science and its implications.
4704216
Excellent book if you like to ponder.  Richard does such a good job of shaping the question at hand, offering different points of view, and then asking you to address the question as well.  Not for the person who likes everything either black or white.
1643871
A fascinating read.  Highly recommended.  The  glimpses  into the the personal feelings and prejudices of these great men (heroes of my youth), make them no less towering personalities and the sublime intellects of the last century and a half.  It is hard to overestimate the influence and impact that these few personalities have had on our lives.

The author distills the science and mathematics that are central to  'our' current 'understanding' of the universe, and which is  central to the this narrative, while  still making it  understandable to a laymen like me.  The parallels to ancient thoughts and belief systems are striking.

[My rating system:  Amazon ratings are almost always highly inflated.  I never base a purchase decision on a '5' rating. So for a '4' rating from me is high personal praise].
2454931
Deeply spiritual and thought provoking, excellent read.
4217837
So easy for us to judge others' shortcomings, my recommendation is to read with an open mind. I think people connect to this book in their own personal way - conflict at home, restlessness or the idealism of youth or simply a desire to challenge nature. Krakauer has managed to tell Chris' story in the most heartfelt and at the same time objective manner. Going off what little he had in the form of Chris' journal, family and encounters with people along the way, the author reconstructed a realistic story and a compelling narrative intermingled with tales of other adventure seekers. A great read - the complex mind of Chris McCandless and beautiful writing of Krakauer.
3072888
As a science buff I found it to be an exceptionally clear and unemotional review of the current state of science and its implications for the true nature of reality.  I found the discussion of mind versus brain to be especially intriguing and recently read it for a second time.  However, as I believe Kant once said, at the end of the discussion we still leave by the door and not through the wall.  Its terrific but I'm wondering how to incorporate this view of reality into practical thought and actions.