Rating: 
Summary: Let's just disregard 8,000 years of Judeo-Christian theology
Review: If Mr. Harvey is such a learned scholar, why has he totally disregarded 8,000 years of Judeo-Christian theology, history and culture? Why has he warped the work of recent scholars? The answer is simple to promote his own groundless and perverted world view. I write this review in fear that some one may take this work to be a serious study of Christian theology. It isn't.
Rating: 
Summary: Another Tome for Oppression Studies, Inc.
Review: Interesting how reviewers tend to either love or hate this work. I TRIED to listen to it several times, and while I liked Harvey's "Ladakh" book, it was very different from "Son of Man."
I suspect that those who like it approve of its interpretation of Christ as a "radical", visionary iconoclast overturning the orthodoxy of Old Testament Judaism. I sympathize with this view to some extent, but Harvey does (as several reviewers suggest) seem to simply IGNORE the relevance of the overall tradition out of which Christ comes, the tradition of Law, Judgment, of the wrathful God, as simply mistaken and somehow part of a subtle conspiracy of oppression. The Old Testament CAN be hard to reconcile with Christ, it can be infuriating, but a theological balance must be struck.
As a former academic in the humanities, I just could not stomach the cant of modern academe in this book: everything must be an "extremely radical" vision, we must always work everything around to feminism (or some other "ism) overturning patriarchy, we must speak about the "margins" and oppresive "power structures." Harvey has evidently had many rich experiences in life, but the jargon and verbosity and two-dimensional politics of academe constantly get in his way here.
Rating:
Summary: Another Tome for Oppression Studies, Inc.
Review: Interesting how reviewers tend to either love or hate this work. I TRIED to listen to it several times, and while I liked Harvey's "Ladakh" book, it was very different from "Son of Man."
I suspect that those who like it approve of its interpretation of Christ as a "radical", visionary iconoclast overturning the orthodoxy of Old Testament Judaism. I sympathize with this view to some extent, but Harvey does (as several reviewers suggest) seem to simply IGNORE the relevance of the overall tradition out of which Christ comes, the tradition of Law, Judgment, of the wrathful God, as simply mistaken and somehow part of a subtle conspiracy of oppression. The Old Testament CAN be hard to reconcile with Christ, it can be infuriating, but a theological balance must be struck.
As a former academic in the humanities, I just could not stomach the cant of modern academe in this book: everything must be an "extremely radical" vision, we must always work everything around to feminism (or some other "ism) overturning patriarchy, we must speak about the "margins" and oppresive "power structures." Harvey has evidently had many rich experiences in life, but the jargon and verbosity and two-dimensional politics of academe constantly get in his way here.
Rating: 
Summary: a mystical and radical masterpiece
Review: Once again, Andrew Harvey has given us a masterpiece;His rich wisdom, incredible knowledge and practical exercises bring the path of 'the son of man' alive in an exciting new way. Harvey opens wide the centuries-old treasure house of Christian mysticism. This is one of the best books ever written on the subject;One need not agree with all of Harvey's opinion to enjoy his clear-cut, always fascinating prose and his wildly ecclectic assemblages of evidence.Andrew Harvey is the greatest mystical writer of his time.
Rating:
Summary: Harvey's progressive fundamentalism
Review: Permit us to paraphrase an observation that was recently made by the comedian, talk-show host, and all-around sharp cookie Aisha Tyler. People believe some pretty strange things. People believe that Elvis Presley is still alive. People believe that the earth is flat and that the moon is made of cheese. People believe that Britney Spears has talent. And people are free to believe just about anything under the sun, but believing something doesn't make it true.Andrew Harvey believes that he is making an important contribution to the literature of Christian mysticism. Doubtless, many of Harvey's admirers believe the same thing. And they are free to believe this, but -- as has been convincingly demonstrated by Miss Tyler and by others -- believing something doesn't make it true. Harvey merits our praise for having read just about everything there is on the subject of Christian mysticism, from St Ephraem the Syrian to Mechtild of Magdeburg, from Louis de Montfort to Kallistos of Diokleia, from Hildegard of Bingen to Bede Griffiths, from the rambunctiously orthodox to the equally rambunctious heterodox. But Harvey seems to believe that he can wrench his favourite nuggets of writing by Christian mystics out of the ecclesial context in which they were written (much like ripping Macduff untimely from his mother's womb), and concoct from these half-understood, or deliberately misunderstood writings, a new way, a new path, a new Christianity that is somewhat different from Christianity as commonly understood -- a belief system, if you will, without all those "otiose Victorian negations" (if we can steal a phrase from the venerable Thomas Howard). It's a kind of progressive fundamentalism in which the would-be theologian insists that his understanding, and only his understanding, is correct. But we maintain that to rip the writings of the Christian mystics out of the ecclesial context which helped to give them birth deprives these writings of a certain validity, is an act of violence against the authors' intention (many of whom, be they Catholic or Orthodox, Anglican or something other, were loyal to every last jot and tittle of their church's teaching), and betrays the grand legacy of the Christian mystics whom Harvey claims to champion. And while we must be wary of a disaffectingly rigid dogmatism, we must also be wary of facile and fatuous oversimplifications. Theology can be quite exhilarating, but it is not a child's game or a liar's game or a coward's game. It is not a parlour-pastime for persons who have made a career of fleeing like scalded dogs from anything that remotely resembles the truth. Other readers are cordially invited to disagree with this poor reviewer's sentiments; but, though these sentiments have been inelegantly or intemperately expressed, we do believe them to be true.
Rating:
Summary: Harvey's progressive fundamentalism
Review: Permit us to paraphrase an observation that was recently made by the comedian, talk-show host, and all-around sharp cookie Aisha Tyler. People believe some pretty strange things. People believe that Elvis Presley is still alive. People believe that the earth is flat and that the moon is made of cheese. People believe that Britney Spears has talent. And people are free to believe just about anything under the sun, but believing something doesn't make it true. Andrew Harvey believes that he is making an important contribution to the literature of Christian mysticism. Doubtless, many of Harvey's admirers believe the same thing. And they are free to believe this, but -- as has been convincingly demonstrated by Miss Tyler and by others -- believing something doesn't make it true. Harvey merits our praise for having read just about everything there is on the subject of Christian mysticism, from St Ephraem the Syrian to Mechtild of Magdeburg, from Louis de Montfort to Kallistos of Diokleia, from Hildegard of Bingen to Bede Griffiths, from the rambunctiously orthodox to the equally rambunctious heterodox. But Harvey seems to believe that he can wrench his favourite nuggets of writing by Christian mystics out of the ecclesial context in which they were written (much like ripping Macduff untimely from his mother's womb), and concoct from these half-understood, or deliberately misunderstood writings, a new way, a new path, a new Christianity that is somewhat different from Christianity as commonly understood -- a belief system, if you will, without all those "otiose Victorian negations" (if we can steal a phrase from the venerable Thomas Howard). It's a kind of progressive fundamentalism in which the would-be theologian insists that his understanding, and only his understanding, is correct. But we maintain that to rip the writings of the Christian mystics out of the ecclesial context which helped to give them birth deprives these writings of a certain validity, is an act of violence against the authors' intention (many of whom, be they Catholic or Orthodox, Anglican or something other, were loyal to every last jot and tittle of their church's teaching), and betrays the grand legacy of the Christian mystics whom Harvey claims to champion. And while we must be wary of a disaffectingly rigid dogmatism, we must also be wary of facile and fatuous oversimplifications. Theology can be quite exhilarating, but it is not a child's game or a liar's game or a coward's game. It is not a parlour-pastime for persons who have made a career of fleeing like scalded dogs from anything that remotely resembles the truth. Other readers are cordially invited to disagree with this poor reviewer's sentiments; but, though these sentiments have been inelegantly or intemperately expressed, we do believe them to be true.
Rating: 
Summary: A revolutionary vision of the historical Jesus.
Review: SON OF MAN Andrew Harvey Designed as both a practical guide and a call to action - and taught by Andrew Harvey himself - the Son of Man audio edition brings to life a revolutionary vision of the historical Jesus that is intended to transform the sacred imagination of the world. Harvey builds a cathedral of words and invites you inside, where you will discover the spiritual riches that have been left unclaimed for 2,000 years. While sharing new research into the original gospel as Jesus taught it, Andrew Harvey examines centuries of distortions, bringing into focus the most treasured fruits of the entire Christian mystical tradition. What emerges from this myth-cleansing process and restoration in no way diminishes Jesus, but instead presents him as a mystical, political, radical revolutionary of infinite importance to the human race. Now it can be told: the one story that is far richer and more compelling to our spirits than the story of the Son of God - and that is Andrew Harvey's Son of Man. Divided into four challenging sections, this audio edition covers: The historical Jesus and his radical path; The four stages of the mystical path to Christhood; Christ the sacred androgyne as the embodiment of the divine feminine; Prayers and meditations for the direct path to Christ. LEARN MORE ABOUT: A new, radical vision of the historical Jesus; The eight Thresholds and mysteries of mystical Christianity; Revelations from the "lost" gospel of Saint Thomas; The true meaning of Christ's divinity, and how we all can participate in it; The myth of Original Sin; Jesus' plan for a political revolution, and what it means today; The Divine Mother, the Cosmic Mary, and the sacred feminine; Prayers and meditations from Christianity's mystical tradition; Inner marriage: how it leads to an unimaginable bliss; Parables, teachings, poetry, and practices from this respected scholar and writer, and much more. Andrew Harvey is a poet, writer, teacher, and mystic. He is a former fellow at All Souls College, Oxford, and has taught at Cornell University, Hobart College, and the California Institute of Integral Studies. He is the author and editor of many books, including Hidden Journey; The Return of the Mother; A Journey in Ladakh; The Essential Mystics; and his latest book, The Son of Man.
Rating:
Summary: Extremely poor
Review: This book deserves praise for its honourable intentions. However, I was dismayed by Andrew Harvey's crude (and highly selective) literalism and, particularly, his quintessentially middle-class romanticisation of the poor (although I should add that I am largely unaware of Andrew's background). Even worse, his tone is utterly servile - arrogant in its ostentatious humility - and his written style is bloated, lacking in either economy or irony. Christ was a fusion of the human and the divine; although I'm sure Andrew would deny it, it seems that he wants to burn away the human with all its "fantasies" and "disordered appetites". This brings me to the heart of the matter. Even Christ wants to have a bit of fun. And fun - or any sense of humour whatsoever - are what this book is sadly lacking. Andrew is much more into his "rigorous discipline and purification". Perhaps he needs a cathartic stint down the local SM club. "Enlightenment" means "lightening up". So, Andrew: smile! laugh! crack a few jokes! If you're going to save the world, you may as well have a good time doing it! Andrew says that the Second Coming will not be the return of an individual; however, if he's wrong, you can bet your last buck that this individual will have a better sense of humour than our author....
Rating:
Summary: Great Work on Christ
Review: This book is a very interesting book that points readers into looking at Jesus Christ as a non-dogmatic, unconditionally loving spiritual maaster and not the Christ that we here in churches...A religious leader out to propogate a religion and condemn non-believers of him.
Of course, this book will not be accepted by all since it can be seen as overly liberal and unconventional. How? Since Mr. Harvey is primarily out to paint a portrait of a loving, mystical Christ that could never have even intended to be deified and who mainly wanted to teach a love based spirituality, the author uses quotes from many unconventional sources like the Gnostic Gospels (Gospel of Thomas, Gospel of Mary, Secret Book of James, Gospel of the Savior and others). That unto itself will spark some controversy for this book.
Mr. Harvey's Christ has a through-line of that of an enlightened master, say a Buddha of Nazereth, so it is with that Christ in mind that he writes and he pulls from many Christian sources to keep in line with this mystical, unconditionally loving Christ.
What this adds up to is for those that are spiritual 'seeker' types who are lovers of Light and seeing spirituality through Oneness and an Eternal Truth of Unity without dogmas you'll find this book extremely fascinating. For those "fundamenalist" types, you'll either brush this book of as some kind of new age concoction or it'll make you reconsider some of your preciously held beliefs about who Jesus Christ was.
There are some very well written chapters on: Jesus' Message, Jesus and family, Jesus and women, Jesus and the rich, Jesus and religion, Jesus and his Disciples and other topics. Mr. Harvey shows us through Jesus teachings how he promoted love, humility and acceptance in all these areas.
Another nice bonus is that the book has some beautiful Christ based meditations.
This book is unique in that the author is a scholar, well rounded spiritual teacher and poet all at the same time. The author manages to be remarkably intuitive and speak from the heart while always remaining centered and intelligent, not just "way out there". The book is rooted enough in research to deserve to be considered a serious work on Christ (although, many will disagree with me because of the uncommon philosophies put forth). The book has a heartfelt-poetic quality to it while simultanously being very scholarly which is extremely rare. Even though I consider myself to be an open minded spiritual seeker that always saw Christ as a great teacher of Unity, I never saw Christ's teachings with the depth of Mr. Harvey's book. Very enlightening.
Rating: 
Summary: Fascinating, driven portrait of Christ
Review: While I don't think this book is quite enough to pass the bar as a historical work on the life of Jesus Christ, and at times is laced with New Age/Evangelist absurdity of the most corny variety, Harvey definitely has something here. His Jesus Christ is not the one I was brought up with (thankfully), but a political, social and personal revolutionary who deliberately rebelled against the dangerous atmosphere of his times to convey his message of unconditional love. Harvey harps far too much on his "Divine Feminine" concept, which while interesting is more idiosyncratic than relevant, but his enthusiasm for Christ's love of the disinherited, rebellious and suffering of all kinds is infectious. While one may be up in the air as regards faith and the divine, this book is a necessity notwithstanding. The quotes introducing each chapter are taken from the most diverse and obscure of sources, everyone from Boehme to Luther, Kempis to Griffiths. I hope Harvey doesn't go haywire with the the circle of believers he will undoubtedly attract and start some "Cosmic Christ" cult.
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