Biography Books

Ron Chernow has written another well detailed and well researched biography of a man who is indeed not as well known in the formation of the government of the United States.
It seems Chernow's writings lean toward people who are often misunderstood. Such is the case on his biography of John D. Rockefeller.
Although Mr. Chernow is not an academic historian, he does the due diligence of an historian. As stated in Janet Mislin's New York Times Book Review, Mr. Chernow actually visited the jail cell in St. Croix where Hamilton's mother was imprisoned for adultery.
Also in Chernow's prologue of this book, we find out that Elizabeth Schuyler Hamilton, the widow of Alexander Hamilton was still alive into the 1850's. The last of a generation who was at the birth of the United States.
The author goes into the remarkable career of a bastard child who later became a man so crucial in the formation of our government. His exploits as a young officer during the Revolutionary War serving George Washington are well detailed by Chernow. His prominence as a key figure in the writings of the Federalist Papers which help to debate and form the Constitution of the United States is indeed apparent in Chernow's prose. Later Hamilton was responsible for the lasting effects of the formation of the U.S. Treasury. His plan of Assumption of the States debts and the formation of the Bank of the United States are the result of Hamilton's work.
Hamilton was opinionated and very aggressive in all his dealings. He indeed was a thorn in the side of Thomas Jefferson and also fellow Federalist John Adams. He was brilliant and verbose. He was indeed an agitator.
His hubris and beliefs led him to the plains of Weehawken where he was shot by Aaron Burr, the Vice President of the United States, and subsequently died.
That ended that! At the age of 49 Alexander Hamilton died of wounds suffered in a duel with Mr. Burr on July 12, 1804. Thirty-one hours later Mr. Hamilton passed away in New York City.
Chernow's book is excellent. Bully for him. Five Stars!!! If I could give six stars I would!!!!

Takes forever to read (or listen to as I did) but by the end, the reader has not only a fantastic understading of the subject, but for the entire maelstrom from which this country sprang.

This is the first full-length biography about Alexander Hamilton that I have read. My only exposure to him has been in general history books, short biographical sketches and references to him in biographies of the other founding fathers. I had just finished watching the John Adams miniseries from HBO and had read his biography by David McCullough. In it Hamilton was depicted as quite fanatic. I wanted to get a broader picture of his life and had heard good reviews of this book. It was available in audio book format and I grabbed a copy to listen to on my commute. It turned out to be a fascinating listening experience.

The narrator was Scott Brick and his voice was perfect for a biography of this type. He has a clear and pleasant voice, and the time listening went by quickly.

I knew that Hamilton had contributed a lot to our countries early history, but had no idea how much he had contributed. I wasn't aware of how he was such a key part of George Washington's career as general and president. I didn't know that Hamilton was the key author of Washington's farewell address, considered one of his greatest speeches. I also didn't know his role in the federalist papers was so key. He was clearly a visionary and was way ahead of his time. It was interesting to get another perspective on the other founding fathers, especially Jefferson, Madison, and Monroe.

Hamilton also had plenty of weaknesses and Chernow points those out freely. There is a lot for us to learn from him. It's tragic that Hamilton's life was cut short. It would have been interesting to see what else he would have accomplished if he had lived longer.

I highly recommend this book for all to read. The subject is fascinating and well written. It caused me to reflect on the importance of looking at both sides of a story and realize that even people with flaws can accomplish great things.

I find tremendous inspiration in these stories of "dead white guys"(and I probably should read the bio of Frederick Douglass and others to round it out) who spent every minute of their adult life, up to their death, providing for their families AND building a country out of nothing. In addition, because of the lack of modern communication(phone/email_ as well as the lack of leisure time they journaled every thought and action they experienced in order that we may learn from them. Their idea of a fun event was maybe being at an inn while working and someone playing a fiddle as the hummed along. We need to get inside thier heads and find out what combination of mental, physical, and spiritual energy they experienced to undertake this monumental task when just staying alive and providing for a family took every waking moment of everyone's life.

Clearly the author grew to respect the role Hamilton played and felt that maybe the average reader may have been unaware(as I was) as to the various debates going on between Federalists and Republicans re: city v. country, farm v. industrialization, support of Britain v. France, etc.and Hamilton's influence (through Washington) on these events. He tried to capture the sense of adventure the young Hamilton experienced(in Nevis, then NYC, the catupulted into Washington's inner circle), the conflict between his family life(with Eliza who comes across very well here), and finally the events that drove his descent into a fatal resignation and eventually death.

All in all a LONG read (took me 3 weeks at 1-2 hours a day) but a worthwhile read.

Long, but an easy interesting read for anyone interested in the founding fathers and seeing our current problems of today were the same ones they strugled with.

Overall, a great adaptation of a wonderful book. It provides a slighly different perspective on the USA's history, while gently highlighting patterns and trends, both positive and negative.

This book presents a biased and inaccurate history of the US. In Zinn's eyes America is the source of evil in the world. This is historical revisionism and political correctness at its worst. Instead of this, I would recommend "A Patriot's History of the United States" by Schweikart.

Love or hate it, this book is historically accurate and presents a viewpoint and perspective which is missing even from advanced college level American History courses. For that reason alone, Mr. Zinn must be given credit. Ultimately, politics is simply a matter of opinion -there is no right or wrong and this book (like all history books) is purely political.

Mr. Zinn's politics just happen to be skewed to the left, but there is plenty to learn from him nonetheless. Most importantly is that a citizen or resident of this country should understand that our tremendous standard of living and civil liberties (relative to other societies) we enjoy came about as a result of mixed laizez faire/central economic planning and empirialistic/oppressive actions of a global scale. There could not have been a U.S. absent the systemic annilihatiion of "native" americans (who themselves were imigrants) or various imperial battles and wars which ultimately left the U.S. as the world's only superpower (which status is currently being challenged by the economic emergence of China).

All empires end and history shows us that the formation of these empires tends to be much more benign and bloodless than when they fall apart. I for one do not wish me or my children to be alive when American empire disintigrates (as it most certainly will if action is not taken and which to a certain extent is happening presently).

This is a brilliant book for simply setting out the facts of American empirialism in an easy to read format (which necessarily leaves out alot of stuff). For those who are interested in a much more in depth view I highly recommend his full length novels (ironically one reviewer criticized this effort for lack of criticism of the Clinton administration - well butthead, he has a whole chapter on Clinton in his book and he's no less critical of Clinton than he is of Bush.)

Hopefully the conclusion you will come to (and a conclusion which probably requires a reading of his full length book) is that depending on your socio-economic status (and there are only two true classes in American society - the super wealthy (which includes most politicians as they must pander to this crowd in order to finance their campaigns) and everyone else) American empire either REALLY works for you or it simply works for you (i.e., you're in the top 1% of wage and income earners or you're not and since the standard of living of people at the lowest rung of American empire still have a standard far above similarly situated people anywhere else on the planet, generally speaking you're better off).

Ruling minority elites (both Democrats and Republicans) share power (and keep you under control) by creating class conflicts within the majority sub-class (i.e. anyone without true wealth) and pit those people against one another (i.e., the upper middle class against the lower middle or lower class) e.g. families making $50k/yr against those making $200k/yr in order to distract YOU from the fact that 1% of the population controls (and will continue to control) 40% of the resources. Historically when that didn't work, that societal energy is chanelled into policital "reforms" (by allowing minor changes in class structure and wealth distribution such as that brought about by the labor movement of the 30's or the civil rights movement of the 60's) or even better, into foreign wars where a common "enemy" is identified for everyone to be more concerned about (whether it be Indians, Mexicans, Germans, Communists or "Terrorists") while at the same time expanding U.S. empire and influence.

Democrat elites maintain power by pandering to their constituency as to how the need to raise taxes on their "wealthy" neighbors. Republican elites do it by pandering in the reverse: your middle class "wealth" will be further reduced if you let the Democrats in - i.e, Republican's are the only people who can keep the flood to a trickle and vice versa, Democrats are the only way the lower class can get resources and assistance - which is complete b.s. Of course, neither party addresses or wants to advocate serious corporate and true wealth taxation and redistribution or comprehensive immigration reform, because that would be inconsistent with the agendas of those who keep them in power and donate to their campaigns and ultimately Zinn's teachings show us is that American emperialism has basically benefitted this minority class of society (anybody can join this class btw - you just have to be either really lucky, really smart, really talented or have parents that were - usually it's a combination of the four).

Once you come to this understanding (and you probably cannot without the benefit of Zinn's teachings which also requires the reading of his full length book) you realize Zinn's ultimate conclusion (which, for whatever reason he keeps veiled - I think it's because he wants you to reach it yourself) which is that current American "Democracy" $%&$&$ sucks and is only truly benefitting a privileged few. He's basically advocating for the Democratic restructing of our society to wrest power and resources away from 1% of the population and distribute it more equally (which btw you have the power to do under our current system).

I think he's correct, because under the current state of affairs if the forced polarization of America (i.e., the falsely created class conflict of interest between middle and lower class) continues (which only benefits the corporate and political elites) it will end in a fairly messy way (as all societys and empire's that collapse do.) Let's begin the discussion and end it in an orderly fashion - getting an accurate understanding of the world you live in is the first step - Buy this book!

This is a great book by Howard Zinn - some things you may already know, others you probably don't and show some of the events that our nation should not be proud of - and, unfortunately, are still pertinent. To demonstrate a reason why an unregulated free market is not a good idea is during the Spanish-American War. In Cuba, according to Zinn, 5,462 soldiers and officers died during the war, but only 379 died as a result of being in battle. The remaining 5000+ died from rotting canned beef from Armour, the same company that makes the hot dogs that kids like to bite. With that in mind, think how many people have died because of substandard work supporting our troops in Iraq. Electrocutions from poor connections in shower areas, water that is not safe for consumption, people being smuggled into Iraq from other nations to serve food.

YES, this is a People's History for those with short attention span, but who doesn't have a short attention span these days? A fast and entertaining read. It's interesting, even if you have read Zinn's original Magnum Opus and/or its spawn.

Adding Howard Zinn's personal experience to the tie the stories together really works well, and gives the book a personal element.

This is definitely a PG comic....as in requiring Parental Guidance. I think this would be a great way to introduce alternative history to your children, when they are ready (like studying the same stuff at school), but this book can be quite graphic. It at least warrants discussion.

This book given to my brother, a history buff, who did not like it. He raved about 1776 by the same author.

I NEVER RECIEVED THIS BOOK. It was returned to sender as undeliverable. The reason is the address was to my winter residence for which I have a mail transfer through the post office with mail going to my summer address and the post office would not transfer anything except fist class mail and I didn't know that when I placed the order. I will have to order it again after October first.

Overall, not bad with some entertainment and it got better in the second half. Won't read it again though..

I thought I knew much about Theodore Roosevelt before I read this book, but learned even more about him and find that he is an inspiration, the way he got over all the troubles that he had as a young child.
A very good book. Entertaining and informative.

One of McCullough's early books, 'Mornings on Horseback' may surprise readers more accustomed to the author's definitive treatments of Harry Truman or John Adams. The intentions of 'Mornings on Horseback' are slightly more modest than either of those books: it documents only Theodore Roosevelt's early life and does not attempt to be the last word as a biography of this great American president. And yet, it is no less a book for that. McCullough deftly traces the young TRs transformation from a sickly, introverted child of a wealthy New York family to a robust, confident adult ready to tackle the vast promise of America. Using family letters and diaries--and drawing on his incomparable knowledge of American history and culture--McCullough brings TR to life as a vivid, compelling, and surprisingly poignant figure. A great read....One only wishes that McCullough had gone on to do a full multi-volume TR opus. (Perhaps there's still time.) Anyway, if you like McCullough, you'll love this book. Read it!

Although not a perfect book, this was one of the best Bible-based books I've read! Bad Girls of the Bible takes a look at ten amazing women who inspire me and encourage. At the beginning of each chapter Liz starts with a short story of each woman if she were in present-day, making it easier to relate with each woman... Liz also separates each verse in the story and shows what may really be inside each woman's heart. I couldn't put this book down! It reminded me of what small things can make us sin.. and what can bring us back to God. Entertaining, amazing, inspiring book! I encourage it for all readers!

This book tells a real world story similar to the story of each of the "Bad Girls" of the Bible, then tells the actual biblical story for each. This is followed by though-provoking questions for modern-day women to think about how we can apply this to our lives.

For women who wish to stay in a walk with God, and sometimes feel weak in today's world, this book shows that we are not abnormal, but can learn from mistakes that women made in the Bible.

I would recommend that all Godly women read this book. It will touch your life in some way. I'm sure there will be many women delivered from this book.

I actually liked this book better than I liked Slightly Bad Girls...I feel as if the Biblical characters were easier to identify with than the ones in SBD. Unfortunately, I still do not enjoy Ms. Higgs writing style--I feel as if she over simplifies too many things and the whole "girlfriend talk" just isn't my cup of tea anyway. That said, I would recommend this book to someone looking for a light devotional read.

this book is misleading in its title and anti-woman. I purchased it for use at a women's church retreat I was leading. Upon opening it I was dismayed to find it was chock full of fundamentalist mysogenist dogma meant to show how women need to remain in their "place" by exemplifying the "sinful behavior" of these women. I promptly returned the book. Buyer beware before purchasing these books.

This is a well written book. I was surprised to find myself propelled forward throughout as it is a combination of the details of an historical event and yet is a mystery. I thought that the writer captured the life of the people and the beliefs of the time very well.
This is a good read

Using a sensational murder case as a magnifying glass, the author elegantly explores links between literature and society. The subtitle ought however, to be the making of the great detective genre. The case was certainly unthinkable: one summer night i 1860 a small boy is lifted from his bed, his throat slit, and his body dumped in the servants' privy. All the evidence suggests the murderer is a member of the household. The Kent family was what we would call blended, children of two marriages living w/ the father and his second wife. But this blend was clearly lethal. The Kent murder was the O. J. Simpson murder of its day, and the case reverberated throughout Victorian society. The author tells a compelling tale, using the mystery-genre's techniques of judicially parcelling out information. As w/ many mysteries, the middle of the book sags, but her conjectures at the end, supporting Detective Whicher's initial conclusions, are undeniably convincing. This is a broad and imaginative book, well told. If nothing else, the photograph of the old lady who lived to be 100 will keep you going through the pages.

I only made it through the first half of this yawner. Given the subject matter and the author's unquestionable dedication to her research, there is a good deal of potential in this book. Unfortunately, author's proclivity for extraneous details and commentary makes the book darn near inpenetrable.

After slogging through many random and unrelated "nuggets", I finally put down the book in frustration after growing tired of the author's habit of inserting quotes from famous ficticious detectives as if they were real authorities on the subject, and providing these "insights" without much in the way of comment to make a point.

As a fan of books about similar subjects and the same era (The Alienist, The Angel of Darkness, Devil in the White City, Thunderstruck) I was hoping this would be another good read. As other reviewers have said, it is a good story let down by poor editing. I would recommend Caleb Carr or Erik Larson as better alternatives to Ms. Summerscale.

This book reads with the pace and thrill of a murder mystery, but every detail is real. A little boy, nearly four, had his throat slit and his body was tossed into the cistern of an outhouse on the grounds of his upscale family's home in 1860. There are 12 people in the country manor at the time, some family members and others servants. Other hired hands live on the grounds, and everyone falls under suspicion eventually. To help you follow the clues, Summerscale gives a cast of characters, photos, a family tree, maps, diagrams, engravings, courtroom sketches, and so on. Enter Jack Whicher, one of Scotland Yard's first eight detectives. After about five years as a constable in uniform on the beat, he now donned plain clothes and sometimes worked undercover. He had a great intuition about criminals and a marvelously meticulous method of investigating a crime, but such a detective was suspect in the England of his day. The upper classes considered him little more than the "hired help," quite beneath their station, and he was to be resented for the fact that his position allowed him to part the veil on personal affairs in that hush-hush era--even though they might greatly need his help, as in this case.

Jack was a real Sherlock Holmes, 27 years before the latter became known. But a few detective stories had been published by the time of the Road House murder, and the public expected a quick and brilliant discovery of the culprit. Yet crime scene investigation was very primitive in those days, and Whicher was not called into the case until two weeks after the murder. He did a masterful job of his investigation, developing a reasonable theory of the case, but he could not collect enough hard evidence to advance toward a conviction. Perhaps the author's best feat in writing this book was that she was able to move beyond the whodunit and its characters, although both are skillfully portrayed, to give us a detailed feeling of that era. Who knew, for example, that an accused person was not allowed to speak at his or her own trial? Or that questions of modesty and propriety would muffle courtroom questioning to the point of making it useless? Summerscale skillfully blends such shocking revelations with quotidian detail, so that we get the full flavor of the times.

When the case went cold, Whicher retreated to London in disgrace. Because the Kent murder had such notoriety, his supposed "failure" went widely published in the newspapers. Less than four years after his debacle, he retired from the police force but lived on to see the murderer (in a surprise move) confess to the crime. Even after that denouement, Summerscale carries her book on further, letting us know what happened to all the major players in the end. This is a full meal, from start to finish. Her writing and research are superb, and the story is compelling. Who could ask for anything more?

Like the mystery surrounding the kidnapping of the Lindbergh baby or the death of Jon Benet Ramsey, the only way the guilty will every be known is if the confess. This murder in 1860 was like a locked room mystery. There was no way that an intruder could have gotten in without the help of some one inside. Even then it would have had to have been some one who knew the habits of the family and the layout of the building.

The murder of a four year old boy by one of his siblings or half-siblings or parent or servant was the only choice. Who among the fourteen people in the house that night could have done the deed? What makes this story so intriguing is that there are children of two marriages living in one house. The second wife was the governess for the children of the first wife. Was there duplicity between the siblings to one of the second wife's child?

With the use of information from both Scotland Yard, newspaper stories written at the time just after the murder, and books by some of those involved, there are a plethora of theories as to the perpertrator(s). That there was a confession, trial and convictions doesn't end the story. Lots of fun for the closet detective.

Zeb Kantrowitz

The cover of this book caught my eye. I was not familiar with Amy Cohen, but I am glad to know of her after reading The Late Bloomer's Revolution. I enjoyed this book to a certain degree. I know it is biographical for her, but it just never seemed to keep my attention too long. It was well written and very humorous, but I had a hard time staying focused after a chapter or 2. It was also very sad in some parts..and having lost my mom at a young age, I could relate, but part of me just wanted her to "get" happy and move on with life. I would recommed this to anyone who likes to read about being single and dating. If you are looking for an upbeat lite read, this is not it.

The whole book you can help but woner will she ever find him? I totally felt compassion for the author and her story.

Hats & Eyeglasses: A Family Love Affair with Gambling
What a story Amy Cohen tells in this delightful memoir. A good girl who is waiting for her life to happen, Cohen keeps getting it right even when she thinks she doesn't. Loser boyfriends? check. Low self esteem? check. Fabulous writer? check, check, check.

I absolutely loved this book;the authors writing is be both insightful and funny, a marvelous combination. I listened to the book at work and found myself cackling aloud almost one time a page. I would recommend this book to anyone who loves the character of Liz Lemon in 30 Rock, Woody Allen, or Sex and the City.

Sorry this review isn't very good but I am not a review writer. I am a prolific reader but never, even if I loved it, feel moved to write a review but I want to add my vote to all the other people saying "Read this book!"

I love this book. I very much identify with Amy's struggles, her triumphs and her challenges in this book. I laughed (at times, quite loudly, and repeatedly) and cried with her, nodded my head and said, "So true!" a few times as well. I was skeptical when I purchased it, because from reading the back cover, I thought that it would be the promise of yet another insightful book that failed to deliver; that the author claimed to know all about the "Late Bloomers", and actually knew nothing. This book knocks it out of the park. If you're a "Late Bloomer", buy it. Now. Then, go back and buy copies for your friends who AREN'T "Late Bloomers" so that they can "get it".

Jen Lancaster says out loud what you think, but don't say. She's mean, and tells it like it is, and you've gotta love her for it! This book will make you laugh out loud as any woman can find bits of herself in this book.

I very much enjoy reading Jen Lancaster's books, she is witty and doesn't hold anything back. I often find myself laughing out loud on train and wishing my commute was longer just so I can read more. I did enjoy this book but I have to say that I enjoyed Bitter is the new black just a little bit more. Needless to say, I will be recommending these books to my friends.

I though this was a great second book for Jen - it was hilarious. I just want to be her friend...she writes just like I believe she would talk. A great read, hard to put down! Just what I needed.

If you're easily offended, skip this book. But if you love to listen to someone who is not afraid to express their opinions, no matter how crass and politically-incorrect, oh my gosh, Jen will make you laugh like nobody's business. You have to be in the mood for her. I recommend her after a dose of "Ugly Betty" or after you've picked up "People" Magazine at the dentist. I wish I had her guts! And Fletch, my love, you're my hero to be married to a strong, black (okay, sorority blonde) woman. : )

I thought this was going to be a very funny book, but I struggled to get through it. Lancaster is incredibly self-absorbed and annoying. Who calls their husband to ask if it's okay to eat Lucky Charms for three meals? She does. And it's not funny, it's annoying and irritating. A serious waste of money.

Excellent book! The section which dissected the "Lord's Prayer" is powerful. Highly recommended for believers to strengthen their faith and for non-believers to get a bright insight.

There has been a great deal written on the "real" Jesus in recent years. We have had the "Jesus Project" in which a team of scholars has edited the Gospels, to throw out the parts they consider not "real" Jesus. We have had a wide variety of other scholars use various methods of modern scholarly research to cut through what they consider to be the fog of the centuries, to show us who the person Jesus really was. Interestingly, they pretty much all conclude that Jesus was really a modern thinker, whose conclusions pretty much agreed with those of the writer. In other words, we have seen many writers try to take advantage of the prestige of Jesus' name to advance their own modern agendas.

In this book, Joseph Ratzinger tries to give us back the real Jesus. Ratzinger is, of course, one of the world's foremost scholars and theologians. He is very familiar with, and respectful of, modern scholarship. He is also, of course, the current Pope, although he makes it clear that this book is not written as an act of papal authority, but as a personal search for the truth.

His basic conclusion is that the Gospels present Jesus accurately, and that Jesus was the Son of God and the savior of the world. This bald conclusion makes him sound like a fundamentalist, which he is not. He is a man of deep faith, which, of course, one would expect from the Pope.

So, it is not news that the Pope is an ardent believer in Jesus. What is news is the very passionate, simple yet dense way that Ratzinger expounds his case. He does not just tell us that Jesus is the Son of God. He tells us why he says that, how Jesus and His mission are founded in the entire Bible, and what it means to say that he is Son of God. Ratzinger does not simply affirm the faith, he explains it. He makes it a living thing.

Ratzinger's prior big book, of a generation ago, was Introduction to Christianity. It remains a wonderful book. I feel that it is somewhat mis-titled, however. It is not so much an introduction to the religion of Jesus, as it is a sustained argument, to a predominantly secular world, why it should take the idea of God seriously. I feel it is less a specifically Christian book, and more a general case for religion.

This book is a very specifically Christian book. It does not express hostility to other religions, which, of course, we know that the Pope does not feel. It simply is not very concerned about other religions, except for Judiasm, which is discussed at length because it is the religion from which Jesus emerged. This book is totally focused on the Christian view. If you want a one-volume introduction to, and summary of, what Catholics believe, and why they believe it, this is the book you want. It is absolutely magnificent.

Benedict XVI is a great theologian. Those who had the honor and happiness to approach also know he is a man of great goodness. What wealth Benedict XVI us with this book so clear, deep, humble knowledge on the topic of Christianity in the person of Jesus Christ, Son of God.

As a passionate in religious readings, I was conquered by scientific rigor used by Cardinal Ratzinger, including "Here's what our God" and the encyclical "God is love: Encyclical on Christian love." "Jesus of Nazareth" goes even further in this necessary accompaniment of the Christian in his love of God.

Outstanding work.

I do not usually listen to audio books, but I made an exception when I ordered this one because I have a friend whose sight is fading who could only enjoy the book this way. I have already read (and marked) a copy of the print version, so I ordered an additional audio version for myself to listen to in the car and then maybe give away to someone else. What a surprise! The reader has the right voice and cadence to make it something like listening to a fine lecture--and I've heard a few that were truly top notch in my time. I have no doubt that I will listen all the way through the 11 CD's in this set. Even if you've already read the book, get this CD set. I hope that other titles from Pope Benedict XVI will become available in this form, and I hope they will keep this reader on retainer.

Bert Harrell
Jacksonville, Florida

His Holiness brings a tremendous wealth and background of academic knowledge to the subject of Jesus which is clearly evident from his writing. But most importantly, he describes the beginning of the life of Jesus as chronicled in the Gospels from a perspective that is neither the liberal reconstructionist so popular among academia and the media today, nor the unquestioning faith of those who adhere to a literal translation of the Bible ("Sola Scriptura"). Instead he reflects the Catholic affirmation of the divinity of Christ, but uses historical criticism to bring perspective to the narrative of the Gospel-writers. The only reason I would keep it from being a 5-star rating is that the writing is likely way over the heads of many people who might be interested in exploring the subject from a Catholic perspective, but lack the background His Holiness assumes the readers bring.

Why the author was drawn to becoming a Yogi as a child is very revealing. Paramahansa plainly relates that he believed he would have power over animals, such as having tigers as pets. What child doesnt fantisize about super powers?; India at the turn of the last century was rooted in superstition,with countless Fakirs demonstrating all manner of powers from levitating to producing the the smell of various flowers at the tip of ones fingers,as the author relates. The Discovery channel has shown how such feats,(tricks)are performed by fakirs(fakers),but such knowledge would not have been known by the author who obviously absorbed the cultural beliefs of that time period and built on such magical thinking.
Many of his stories as heresay,such as a herb appearing in the hand of a relative,and monks that live without eating for hundreds of years. Other accounts,such as witnessing the astral projections of other gurus,and bringing the dead back to life,leave me wondering whether Paramarhansa purposely fabricated such accounts to enhanse his teachings or whether he was honestly delusional in his perceptions.
The most memorable account to me,and perhaps the one which has imspired so many ratings of 5, is the following discription of a meditation experience he had:
....."My body became immovably rooted; breath was drawn out of my lungs as if by some huge magnet. Soul and mind instantly lost their physical bondage, and streamed out like a fluid piercing light from my every pore. The flesh was as though dead, yet in my intense awareness I knew that never before had I been fully alive. My sense of identity was no longer narrowly confined to a body, but embraced the circumambient atoms. People on distant streets seemed to be moving gently over my own remote periphery. The roots of plants and trees appeared through a dim transparency of the soil; I discerned the inward flow of their sap. The whole vicinity lay bare before me. My ordinary frontal vision was now changed to a vast spherical sight, simultaneously all-perceptive. Through the back of my head I saw men strolling far down Rai Ghat Road, and noticed also a white cow who was leisurely approaching. When she reached the space in front of the open ashram gate, I observed her with my two physical eyes. As she passed by, behind the brick wall, I saw her clearly still.
All objects within my panoramic gaze trembled and vibrated like quick motion pictures. My body, Master's, the pillared courtyard, the furniture and floor, the trees and sunshine, occasionally became violently agitated, until all melted into a luminescent sea; even as sugar crystals, thrown into a glass of water, dissolve after being shaken. The unifying light alternated with materializations of form, the metamorphoses revealing the law of cause and effect in creation. An oceanic joy broke upon calm endless shores of my soul. The Spirit of God, I realized, is exhaustless Bliss; His body is countless tissues of light. A swelling glory within me began to envelop towns, continents, the earth, solar and stellar systems, tenuous nebulae, and floating universes. The entire cosmos, gently luminous, like a city seen afar at night, glimmered within the infinitude of my being. The sharply etched global outlines faded somewhat at the farthest edges; there I could see a mellow radiance, ever-undiminished. It was indescribably subtle; the planetary pictures were formed of a grosser light. The divine dispersion of rays poured from an Eternal Source, blazing into galaxies, transfigured with ineffable auras. Again and again I saw the creative beams condense into constellations, then resolve into sheets of transparent flame. By rhythmic reversion, sextillion worlds passed into diaphanous luster; fire became firmament. I cognized the center of the empyrean as a point of intuitive perception in my heart. Irradiating splendor issued from my nucleus to every part of the universal structure. Blissful AMRITA, the nectar of immortality, pulsed through me with a quicksilverlike fluidity. The creative voice of God I heard resounding as AUM, {FN14-1} the vibration of the Cosmic Motor. Suddenly the breath returned to my lungs. With a disappointment almost unbearable, I realized that my infinite immensity was lost. Once more I was limited to the humiliating cage of a body, not easily accommodative to the Spirit. Like a prodigal child, I had run away from my macrocosmic home and imprisoned myself in a narrow microcosm. My guru was standing motionless before me; I started to drop at his holy feet in gratitude for the experience in cosmic consciousness which I had long passionately sought. He held me upright, and spoke calmly, unpretentiously. "You must not get overdrunk with ecstasy. Much work yet remains for you in the world. Come; let us sweep the balcony floor; then we shall walk by the Ganges." I fetched a broom; Master, I knew, was teaching me the secret of balanced living. The soul must stretch over the cosmogonic abysses, while the body performs its daily duties. When we set out later for a stroll, I was still entranced in unspeakable rapture. I saw our bodies as two astral pictures, moving over a road by the river whose essence was sheer light.
Sri Yukteswar taught me how to summon the blessed experience at will, and also how to transmit it to others if their intuitive channels were developed. For months I entered the ecstatic union, comprehending why the UPANISHADS say God is RASA, "the most relishable." One day, however, I took a problem to Master. "I want to know, sir-when shall I find God?" "You have found Him." "O no, sir, I don't think so!" My guru was smiling. "I am sure you aren't expecting a venerable Personage, adorning a throne in some antiseptic corner of the cosmos! I see, however, that you are imagining that the possession of miraculous powers is knowledge of God. One might have the whole universe, and find the Lord elusive still! Spiritual advancement is not measured by one's outward powers, but only by the depth of his bliss in meditation. "EVER-NEW JOY IS GOD. He is inexhaustible; as you continue your meditations during the years, He will beguile you with an infinite ingenuity. Devotees like yourself who have found the way to God never dream of exchanging Him for any other happiness; He is seductive beyond thought of competition. "How quickly we weary of earthly pleasures! Desire for material things is endless; man is never satisfied completely, and pursues one goal after another. The 'something else' he seeks is the Lord, who alone can grant lasting joy."...
As far as I am conserned the above is a beautiful excerpt which is the prize of the book,sandwich among what is either boring, fanciful,and questionable. I am sorry to shatter any goal anyone has of this author being a Guru with all the answers. Just consider the author's 'teachings' regarding a heathy diet, basically cow fat(ghee)on too many starchy carbohydrates, he dropped dead of a heart attack in his late 50s; yet in a clip on Youtube he is teaching how one can live 100 years.
If you search Youtube you can hear the author's voice which is in the same "grand sounding authoritarian style" of the politicians of the 1930s. I think it shows an accurate image of a man who unequivically believes in the power of amulets but who just may be attempting to oversell the power of being a Yogi with a few good Avatar stories,topped off by an Indian-style Lazareth-raised-from-the-dead account,but then again he may have been honestly delusional. I suggest buying The Power of Now by Eckhart Tolle.

This is one of the best books I have ever read. I would highly recommend it to any one interested in spirituality, India, history, Yoga and just life. Slow start, but interesting, inspiring and really a classic. I ran into the book after someone recommended it to me, and I am so glad I did....my favorite parts about the living saint Babji and the miracles the author witnessed. Fun and thought provoking. Loved it.

I agree with all those who gave it 5 stars. I'm writing to address the comment made by a Western male regarding the homoeroticism between the guru and his devotee and the misogynistic slant of the book. You're having difficulty because you are reading this book trapped in the perspective of your homophobia and expectation. That is exactly why you should read this book, so it can make you get out of your limitations and call to your soul, which has no gender. God has no gender, though of course God can appeal to you as a Mother God or Father God, depending on your need for it. Paramahansa Yogananda cannot possibly write for the current trend of political correctness of American society to assuage your criticism for not putting more women in his book; he is obviously way beyond the trappings of human identifications of the gross material body and gender. Spend some time meditating and detaching from all that, including the fact that you're a heterosexual male, so your soul can be awakened by the words of this giant of a man. Don't worry, you won't turn gay!

In fact I read this after I read the book ""God Talks to Arjuna"by Paramhansa Yogananda. The variuos terminology given in the book and the Kriya Yoga has attaracted me to become a member of the Yogoda Satsang Society and get the lessons. I have never read any other Auto Biography so vivid and truthful account of what transpires the young man seeking God. Though I was at the age of 49/50 at the time of reading this book in the year 1997 the details are still very much deeply imprinted on my mind as if I have read it now. This shows as to how much this book has the powerful grip of the Author and one has to read only once.
I strongly recommmend this book to those who wants to do something different than eating , sleeping , producing kids and vanishing away like any other insects than Human.


Ramamrat Iyer

This book got me interested in Kriya yoga. It has been a life changing book. Next step after the book to delve deeper is :

Kriya Yoga - Its Mystery and Performing Art
by Swami Sadhanananda Giri book:

When Alison Weir is the author, the book is unquestionably accurate and a wonderful read. The children of Henry VIIl were exceptional. Elizabeth and Edward were incredibly intelligent. They always fascinate me. Mary, hummmm, maybe not so much. I love anything Alison Weir writes. I have yet to be disappointed in any of her books.

Once again (I bought three books related with Henry VIII) the contents were the expected, the conditions in wich I received the book were perfect, and in a very reasonable lapse of time

This was a very well written and entertaining book. It was not dry and historical. I was very engrossed in it and found it a very good read if you are interested in Tudor history. I am glad she she spent time on Mary Tudor, because not as much is written about her or her brother as Elizabeth. I found this to be a very good book.

The author demonstrates meticulous research in this book. This is the fourth of her books I have read and find her style clear,dull and somewhat easier to read than the Congrsssional Record.If you are seeking an accurate history with overmuch detail, Alison Weir is the author for you. I prefer a history book with a theme which holds my attention and doesn't wander into taxing paragraphs of detail,dull detail.

Recently I've become interested in the Tudors. I've been following the series on television and have also read a few historical novels. This book, however, is different because it is not a novel. It is a biography. All I can say is WOW - truth really is stranger than fiction - and much more fascinating.

It starts with a short history of the three Tudor siblings. Then, we meet King Edward VI I, a child being manipulated by the men in power. We get to know him as he grows more and more aware of his own power. He believes in the Protestant religion and he and his advisers have put restraints on Catholicism. Of course his oldest sister, Mary, who is in her late twenties and has been raised Catholic is unhappy and resists all the new laws, but he is firm in his own beliefs. By the age of 15, though, he is dying. It is a painful and tragic death and takes a long time. The reader is not spared any of the details. In order to keep England Protestant, on his dying bed, he chooses the next in succession - his cousin Lady Jane Grey, merely 15 years old at the time. She didn't want to be Queen, but was forced into it. Her reign was short (only nine days) and tragic. Soon, Mary became Queen.

This all seems so simple, but, it fact it is quite complicated. The book describes the many plots and subplots, intrigues and politics of the time. Long imprisonments and beheadings were common. And later, during Mary's reign, Protestant heretics were burned at the stake. The reader is not spared any of the grisly details. There were times I got the shivers but I was glad this was not whitewashed history. This was real, it happened, and the writing was so good that I felt I was right there. The author managed to insert constant historical references, including actual letters, into the narrative.

I learned a lot. I didn't know that Queen Mary had been married to a Spanish prince. I hadn't realized that the younger sister, Elizabeth, had spent much of her life imprisoned. I didn't understand the complexities of the constant warfare with other countries. And, even though I knew about the division between the Protestants and Catholics, this book really described the ends that Mary went to in order to force Catholicism on the English people.

It's all here, packed into a mere 366 pages. Well, almost. The book ends with Mary's death and Elizabeth's ascension to the throne. It then simply mentions that Elizabeth enjoyed a 45-year reign. I definitely plan to read some other biography about that reign. But I now have the background to understand it better.

I loved this book and was sorry it ended. Highly recommended.