The Messiah Stones : A Novel for the Millenium

Rating:
Summary: An excellent novel about religion and faith
Review: A call from a Washington lawyer to John McGowan about a misterious inheritance left by his father long time ago drive John and his wife Sarah to a search through time and remembrances about his long gone father but at the same time the searching of the stones awake in the couple and their collaborators the desire and necessity of recover their lost faith because of their excepticism, fear to love or suffering and the racionalism very common in our time.
This is a spiritual story which message is simple but complicated at the same time, the search of the true through faith is a long journey with peace to ourself and love to one's neighbor at the end of it.

Rating:
Summary: One of the Best Ever
Review: A truly exceptional writer that does not come along often. I am an avid reader, of all types of literature, and would rank Benig among the best authors I have read. I anxiously await his next work. This novel was compelling and well written, sentimental and historical. A truly great read, and a wonderful gift to give to your favorite person. It will change the way you see things, and yourself. Guaranteed.

Rating:
Summary: messiah books
Review: Any book that has the word "messiah" in it catches my eye: Dune Messiah; Illusions: the adventures of a Reluctant Messiah, etc. So I picked up The Messiah Stones and was not disappointed. Any book that honestly and with integrity promotes the spiritual journey...the faith journey, is usually a good read for me; especially fiction. Messiah Stones was all of that. Granted that the "young fatherless child growing up and picking up the father's legacy" theme is a bit dramatic, it did not, for me, take from the basic "how God and humankind relate" ideas set forth. I would strongly recommend this for anyone who enjoys the various ways we human beings interpret our relationship with God...in fiction as well as in real life. Which is which? is perhaps an interesting question, too!

Rating:
Summary: messiah books
Review: Any book that has the word "messiah" in it catches my eye: Dune Messiah; Illusions: the adventures of a Reluctant Messiah, etc. So I picked up The Messiah Stones and was not disappointed. Any book that honestly and with integrity promotes the spiritual journey...the faith journey, is usually a good read for me; especially fiction. Messiah Stones was all of that. Granted that the "young fatherless child growing up and picking up the father's legacy" theme is a bit dramatic, it did not, for me, take from the basic "how God and humankind relate" ideas set forth. I would strongly recommend this for anyone who enjoys the various ways we human beings interpret our relationship with God...in fiction as well as in real life. Which is which? is perhaps an interesting question, too!

Rating:
Summary: captivating and heart felt
Review: I am not too much of a reader,but this was one book I could not put down. I was so captivated by its story and how it unfolds to a hole new world of a new purpose for life. This was one remarkable peice of work and i have recommended this book several times over and over again. If you dont belive, this book will give you a reason to belive. I cant wait for his next, for this beautyfull story of one man whos life is changed by faith, is something that has touch me in a way that is just unforgetable.

Rating:
Summary: Glad I took it out from the library
Review: I can only say that I am glad I borrowed the book from the library and didn't waste money on it. A title and subject with promise, but that's where it ends. The characters are interchangeable, the dialog dull and flat. Everything is the story falls into place without a shred of suspense--and you really have to suspend your imagination. How many college professors can just get up and leave their class whenever they want? Their children are conveniently packed up when necessary. And those dream recollections...great for an insomniac to read because they will put you into a deep sleep. The ending gives you no clue as to what the sacred stones are really about...I think the author was probably so bored himself that he just put in a period and said that's the end. I gave this book one star only because Amazon does not permit you to rate in the negatives

Rating:
Summary: Good concept poorly done
Review: I found the hardback edition of this book on the sale table at Media Play, its price slashed to almost 1/4 its original cover price. After reading it, I now understand why. I don't know how such an fascinating subject could be written so poorly and still get published. The protagonist, John McGown, is weak and poorly drawn, the dialogue amateurish at best, and the plot drawn out to a sleepy meandering of "first this happened, then that." I was so disappointed I could have cried. It wasn't the story that was bad, but how it was written. I didn't know how much longer I could stand reading another character's "yes" response. Handled by a more experienced and talented writer, this might have been a wonderful book. The intriguing tale of a millinial crossroads is best left in the hands of a writer who knows how to write compelling fiction.

Rating:
Summary: The dumbest book I ever read!
Review: I have read a great deal of Bible fiction, so I feel that I am qualified to write a review of this book. It is amazing that any publisher ever gave this poorly written book with a rambling plot line and dull, unimaginative dialogue a second look. So, in a nutshell...the Creator (never "God") gave to Moses, in addition to the well-known tablets, a second set of glow-in-the-dark Messiah Stones which predict the return of the Messiah (never called "Jesus") in the year 2000. (Forget what you read in the Bible about "no one knows the hour or the day.") Written on the stones along with the Hebrew, Latin and Greek prophecy, is the main character's name "McGowan!" It is never explained why his name is so significant. Through a tedious search, McGowan finds a couple Angels, learns about "perfect souls," people put here throughout history by the Creator to keep mankind from going too far astray, and he comes to the realization that all religions are basically the same, all lead to the Creator and that ultimately, when Messiah returns, we can all stop being reincarnated (including Messiah himself, who has lived among us all these years in different bodies) and go back to the Garden of Eden to live. This is a hodge-podge of Eastern religion, Christianity, Mormonism, Mysticism and boring self-examination. What little plot there is runs out long before the end of the book, and the author seems to have given up trying to make it interesting; he just (mercifully) ends it. At least I bought this at Half-Price Books! DON'T waste your time, 'nuf said?

Rating:
Summary: The dumbest book I ever read!
Review: I have read a great deal of Bible fiction, so I feel that I am qualified to write a review of this book. It is amazing that any publisher ever gave this poorly written book with a rambling plot line and dull, unimaginative dialogue a second look. So, in a nutshell...the Creator (never "God") gave to Moses, in addition to the well-known tablets, a second set of glow-in-the-dark Messiah Stones which predict the return of the Messiah (never called "Jesus") in the year 2000. (Forget what you read in the Bible about "no one knows the hour or the day.") Written on the stones along with the Hebrew, Latin and Greek prophecy, is the main character's name "McGowan!" It is never explained why his name is so significant. Through a tedious search, McGowan finds a couple Angels, learns about "perfect souls," people put here throughout history by the Creator to keep mankind from going too far astray, and he comes to the realization that all religions are basically the same, all lead to the Creator and that ultimately, when Messiah returns, we can all stop being reincarnated (including Messiah himself, who has lived among us all these years in different bodies) and go back to the Garden of Eden to live. This is a hodge-podge of Eastern religion, Christianity, Mormonism, Mysticism and boring self-examination. What little plot there is runs out long before the end of the book, and the author seems to have given up trying to make it interesting; he just (mercifully) ends it. At least I bought this at Half-Price Books! DON'T waste your time, 'nuf said?

Rating:
Summary: The only book that truly rivals 'The Celestine Prophecy'.
Review: I have searched for books which follow a spiritual journey similar in power and text as 'The Celestine Prophecy' and this is the only one that even comes close. This is a truly riveting book which is hard to put down. It is a combination of a spiritual journey and a quest for extraordinary historical artifacts. This is one of the few books that makes the reader feel they are really participating in the events of the book. The way it is written allows the reader to visualize or image the events being described throughout the book. The only regret is that it was over too soon and it leaves you hungrey for more. Hopefully Irving Benig will be publishing a new book soon.