not my favorite, but on thinking
595692
Written in an historical documentary style, not my favorite, but on thinking, probably couldn't have been written any other way without going toward fiction.
4142263
I'm still coming to terms with the ideas presented in this book. I'm not sure I agree that attaining a selfless state thru meditation is really a desirable thing to do.
4521284
I'm not quite sure how I feel about this book. There were parts that I found
Informative and  enjoyed reading and researching the topic further,  there were parts that I found frustrating, and there were parts that I found difficult to believe. I enjoyed the book enough to finish it. I didn't like the religious undertones of "creator source" and king James quasi quotes, or the political metaphors.

  I believe that something unidentified in origin is out there. What that is and should be called...I have no idea. I found the author to be too sure of himself and his conclusions at times. Read with an open mind and you will probably enjoy it. 3.7 out of 5
3043255
I found much of the book interesting and am thinking hard about some of my own lifestyle choices. Some of Dr. Chutkan's recommendations just don't seem doable. At least not for me.
2667281
In spite of the awkward style of writing I found this book thought provoking and find I think about the interrelationships expressed and denial of death quite often.
1354993
I thought it was a great book yet it has certain mysterious characters and symbols that make you wonder and think about what they meant. However, it. Is not my favorite book.
4949137
A different side of Zombie, more introspective, not my favorite of his work but I can appreciate the creative thought process.
1284383
I love reading Chuck Klosterman, but this one wasn't my favorite.  Did not seem as witty.  More introspective.  Philosophical.  But not particularly insightful.
1322008
To be really honest, this book is RATHER relaxing- until you think about it a little more clearly, which isn't hard to do because despite the search for God, there isn't really that much depth. Gilbert comes across as self-absorbed, whiny, and way too male-dependent. I thought this would be about an empowered women finding God and realizing that men aren't really that important. Instead, Gilbert refuses to let the subject of couple-love go, even as she sits in an ashram in India searching for that higher power. Obviously, being self-absorbed is,at times, an entitlement- it is my firm opinion, however, that Gilbert takes it just a little too far. She does bring in other characters at times, but it would have been so much more interesting if she had tried to explore THEIR journeys through the mysteries of their minds. Instead, she continues probing her mind for answers to her extremely broad questions about life. At one point, it just seems as though she should relax. Even while sitting in a restaurant in Italy eating the most delicious food on earth, she can't calm her mind for a few minutes. Yes, she does bring interesting insights at other times, but overall, she has written a book about her extremely annoying thoughts and self-absorption.
2030089
Interesting ideas, but I'm still thinking about them.  Some of them seem a little beyond me and my concept of reality.  But I do find myself asking these questions as I go about my day and become aware of my thoughts.
977043
I can see that the author is very wise, and many people think he is a fine teacher, but I'm just not swept away by this one.  The sense that I got is that Almaas is subtly making a Doing out of Being.
4171983
The nonsense is not my favorite, I do admire the creativity. Some parts made me laugh, and its a fun quick read, its just not my favorite style of book.
4899134
As someone most familiar with the mainstream view of things from an academic education, a morbid sense of curiosity and iconoclasm, I'm always interested in well argued challenges to the establishment. This made Taleb's work seem a rather fitting read.

Given the many excellent existing reviews here, it would be repetitive to run through well worn ground again. The short take is that there are some interesting ideas mixed in with a health dose of narcissism, and examples meant more to than convey a point than historical accuracy. A decent enough effort, at 3 stars at best in that context.

Rather, the point of this bit is to share an brief experience with the author himself. I ran into a small online community he runs, and with the curiosity getting the better part of me, I was motivated enough to read and then write some well thought out short critiques of ideas he was sharing for his new book. To be more specific, they were more of a suggestion to think about an issue of "dependence" from the viewpoint of dependents as beneficiaries in the relationship instead of only as subjects. The same curiosity also led me to check the day after to see if there was perhaps any reply.

Now, I'm not one with enough vanity to expect a response as an equal, but I didn't expect well worded suggestions to be deleted and my ability to ask for the reason to be rescinded. From this it wouldn't be unreasonable to conclude that Mr. Taleb is more interested in surrounding himself in yes-men to prepare his ego for his next work rather than allow any flexibility in his thought process, and I believe this should be relevant to his many fans who take his seeming sense of inerrancy seriously.
1207044
I have mixed feelings about this book.  I originally stumbled upon Brennan Manning because I grew up listening to Rich Mullins (and, if I'm being honest, I still do), so I went in with pretty high expectations.  I agree that God's grace covers over all of our brokenness and our failed attempts.  I can agree that God fathers us and loves us passionately.  I struggle, though, with the presentation of grace without a call for it to bring about radical life change.  I think the Gospel leads us to repentance; not that we will ever be perfect this side of eternity, but that the Holy Spirit within us is continually making us new and shaping our hearts to be like his.  I appreciate that Brennan Manning openly shared ways that he had stumbled along the way, and used his understanding of grace to bring about forgiveness and healing in his view of his childhood.  I am also not claiming that he doesn't love Jesus or that he is not saved.  I just struggle that this book was not about taking our eyes of our sin and pointing them to the cross, it was about accepting ourselves and others for the sake of acceptance because Jesus accepts us.  But Peter fell because he took his eyes off of the cross and put them on to himself, and I think any understanding of grace other that pointing our focus away from ourselves and completely on Christ is not complete.  I honestly am still wrestling through my opinion; I do not quite know how I feel about saying that all is grace.  I definitely think it is a good read, though, of an honest struggle through life with honest shortcomings.
616807
While it was entertaining in parts, this book definitely is not one I would read again.  It seems introspective and thoughtful if you care to see things through the eyes of a totally self absorbed person.  It saddened me to think this is where evolution is taking us... I could not identify with it.
4899983
The readings of thoughts sound kind of stern to me, not as story friendly as I would of liked.  Joyce Meyer more uplifting usually even when having strong point of views.
2403818
Listened to this on my commute and was disappointed when I arrived at my destination, often lingering a bit longer in the car just to hear the end of an idea that was being presented. I have thought of it often since listening to it, and been to the author's website for additional resources.