Rating: 
Summary: There's not a single book, which is infallible
Review: This is, what the author himself writes (on his website), as an answer to a reader's letter:"There have been many books claiming to contain "the word of God." And they do, Thebev, they do. But this "word" has been brought through the imperfect filters, the not fully developed minds, of men and women. We should not take any of it as "gospel," Thebev. That is, we should not assume that any of it is infallible. Oh, Thebev, don't you see? The moment I make a claim that my book is infallible is the moment that I become dangerous. So don't do it, Thebev. And don't ever have a need to do it. Don't try to make CwG the infallible Word of God. Yet, on the other hand, don't lose faith in every single word of the book, simply because I acknowledge that some of the words may be imperfect. Rather, take from the text whatever feels good and valuable and true and real to you, Thebev. And bless it for bringing you that."
Rating: 
Summary: Warning to parents
Review: This book has nothing to do with God. It's a travesty and full of lies. The author is not serving God, so you figure out whose side he's on, whether knowingly or not.
Rating: 
Summary: Help me understand
Review: OK, let me get this right. Most religions say that God is Truth. But Walsch says, when all is said and done, and we pull back the mysterious veil of life, we will discover (...drum roll, please) that God is nothing but a big, jumbled mass of contradictory opinions. Wow. That's kind of depressing. I think I like the idea of God being the answer to all our questions a little better. Also, what's this deal about there being no right and wrong? I'll bet that this Walsch guy thinks it's WRONG to kill an endangered species, and WRONG to cut down the Rain Forest, and WRONG to support Big Business (etc., etc). Seems to me, this Walsch dude is just as dogmatic as any other religion, he just doesn't see it because he assumes that HIS list of rights and wrongs are self evident. If you're an intelligent person, and you actually want to think deeply and logically about these kinds of things, I highly recommend that you read C.S. Lewis' "Mere Christianity". Don't let the title put you off. It explores the whole concept of God, truth and morality from a purely logical perspective (no Bible quotes, no emotionalism). I'm sure you will find it a lot more intellectually satisfying than this book.
Rating:
Summary: Interesting to say the least.
Review: It is not surprising that this book has stirred up the pot. To understand the extent to which it has done this one must simply look at the content of the various reviews. To some,(the insecure) this book is liberating because it tells them the things they have always wanted (and needed) to hear: that they are ok, they can stop hating and start loving themselves now and from this self-love they can begin to love others. The reason they can do this is because it is within their authority, after all, they are God, and it is God itself who has said so. To others (also insecure) this book is an outrage. Its teachings go against everything that is "true" (i.e Judeo-Christian). It simply is not true that we are God, that there is no haven or hell, that Satan doesn't exist, that God won't judge evil. IN fact, this is exactly the kind of thing Satan would like the masses to believe. This book is, therefore, a hinderance to the truth, a vehicle for leading the masses astray with "nice sounding philosophies" that appease the "itching ears of the people." Of the book's massive downfalls is its horrendously inaaccurate interpretation of Jesus. I don't claim to have the authoratative interpretation of who Jesus really was, but I know that he didn't look anything like this book portrayed him to be. Jesus is best interpreted in his historical @nd Temple Juewish context. It was to this context that the content of his words and actions were addressed. If anything, the miracles presented in the gospels represent the ficticious creations of the authors themselves rather than evidence for the fact that Jesus was a "master." The author's own lack of historical insight shines through as a week point in the book on several historical figures whom he tries to reinterprate as cosmic "masters." Another massive problem is that the book contradicts its own premise. This isn't so bad in and of itself, but it, unfortunately, leads people to use the book as an "authority". If I am not mistaken, this exactly what Walcsh DIDN'T want (assuming his motives were to expound upon the nature of the human condition). The whole premise of the boook is that reality is putty in our hands, and we can and do make it as we choose. There simply is no "objective" authority (although we create our own counterfeit authrorites). Walsch should have know that in putting these concepts into words and selling them he would be inviting the very thing he was sick of: the arbitrary appeal to authrority. This book will inevtibaly be many things to many different people. Its premises are not new. Walsch has simply taken the philosophies of a great many different thinkers and balled then into a coherence based on the idea of unity in paradox. He is a monist who has explained the universe according to the theory of relativity (which is interesting considering the severe explanatory limitations of the theory of relativity)in which the "One" has become "two/three" in order that it might experience itself as the magnificance it truly is. Nevertheless it is an interesting book.
Rating: 
Summary: This book will open your eyes, if you allow it.
Review: I started reading the "Conversations with God" series about 7 years ago, when I was 10 years old. At that time, I was also going to Church, and so was heavily influenced by "Church Doctrine". In short, when I started reading this book I questioned whether it could actually be God talking. I thought to myself, you know, this simply could be Satan talking in the voice of God, so that we do what he wants instead of what we should be doing, which is in the Bible. Since I was very young at that time, I obviously didn't spend time actually sitting down and reading the entire book; rather, I simply skimmed through it, picking up information from sections at a time. Obviously, then, I didn't get the proper information about the true message of this book. About two years ago, I decided to actually sit down and read this book from cover to cover. I found out some information that really helped me, and has continued to influence my outlook on life. This book is not "New Age". The beliefs presented in this book may be new to Christians who have never explored other religions. However, this book seems to blend ancient beliefs from Hinduism, Jainism, Buddhism, and yes, even Christianity (and probably a few others, but these were the ones that really stuck out to me). Also, this book is very tolerant of other religions, and their various spiritual masters. "God" in this book seems to say that all spiritual masters, regardless of their religion, have achieved the same thing -- oneness with the Divine. "God" says that, "You say it is difficult to walk the path of Christ, to follow the teachings of the Buddha, to hold the light of Krishna, to be a master. Yet I tell you this: it is far more difficult to deny Who You Are than to accept it" (pg 86). This is a central theme of the book, and thus, an important one. For so long, the religious beliefs in the West were based on the idea that humans were inherently sinful. Therefore, it is hard for us to accept the fact that, at birth, we are already all we need to be. Naturally, all the "hard core" Christians would tell me that I'm going to Hell, because I don't believe that you have to accept Jesus as your Savior in order to go to Heaven. This doesn't mean that I don't believe in Christ at all. First of all, I believe that Jesus performed all the miracles that the Bible said he did. It wouldn't surprise me that someone who had attained as high a spiritual mastery as Jesus did would be able to do those things, because even the Bible says, "...with God all things are possible" (Matthew 19:26). Since I really got into this book, I have been trying to learn as much about other world religions as I possibly can. To me, it doesn't matter what religion it is; if it can offer me a new piece of wisdom that helps me on my spiritual path, then I'll take it. Generally, I accept religious teachings that talk about universal love, acceptance, compassion, and the innate goodness of human beings. If a religion says that you NEED to do as it says, or you'll end up in the everlasting fires of Hell, then I reject it. Another piece of information that "God" presents to the reader in this book is that the soul evolves over time until, eventually, it gets to the point where it attains oneness with God. As you grow spiritually, you become more aware of what you are doing, as this quotation explains: "Not long ago you killed things -- bugs, plants, trees, animals, people -- now you cannot kill a thing without knowing exactly what you're doing, and why. That's a very good sign" (pg 156). Of course, "God" was talking about Mr. Walsch when he made this statements, so they obviously will not apply to everyone, but they demonstrate what spiritual evolution will involve. Overall, if you have an open mind this book will allow you to gain vast spiritual knowledge. If you have a closed mind, or think that the religious beliefs you now hold are exactly perfect, then obviously you should not read this book. Personally, I enjoy learning new spiritual information -- I feel it allows me to lead a more peaceful and compassionate life. I don't feel that it's important whether or not this was actually God that Neale was talking to. After all, God talks much differently in this book than It (yes, that's right, I don't think God is a man) does in the Bible, so one could argue that one is right and one is wrong. However, if you read "How to Know God" by Deepak Chopra you will discover that both could be correct. That would be known as non-dualistic thinking, and it helps to understand why God includes good and bad. Even the Bible says, "I am Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the ending..." (Rev 1:8). How could God be both the Good and the Bad, yet when we do bad things, we offend It? Therefore, I try to believe in the goodness of people -- even those who may do things that I would not. This book has given me a good perspective on life, and also the realization that I can't strive to be unconditional love, I simply have to BE it, starting right now.
Rating:
Summary: A Blessing!
Review: I am 23 years old and I just finished this book. My therapist let me borrow it to use as insight into some of the questions I was constantly asking like why is there suffering; why is there evil in the world; what is my purpose in life, etc? Like many readers, I too at first was skeptical that these words I was reading were indeed divine. I read segments and then reached into my heart for the answers. Clarity that I had been searching for was suddenly attainable. This work complements the Bible and I feel that those who label this work as evil or ungodly need to look at themselved introspectively and ask why they fear or reject the answers that this author presents. I would encourage all that search for the truth to read this book and then to look deep within themselves- for that is where the ultimate truth can be found. I am eager to read the next two books in this series, eventually own them all, and share their wisdom with my family and friends.
Rating:
Summary: A Mortal who Claims to Have Talked with God
Review: Having the ability to talk directly to God is a desire that many religious and spiritual individuals have often dreamed about. But author and spiritualist Neale Donald Walsch claims that he actually has carried on coversations with a higher being, which he includes in this book. He claims that he started to ask questions one day and suddenly, like magic, the pencil started to move on its own while in his hands and God began to answer his questions. Walsch spends much of this book asking God some direct questions about issues that he was burning to find out about. Issues like the morality of sex, the purpose of man on earth, and other modern- day issues are discussed, with Walsch asking short questions and God delivering the answers. According to this book, God is not really what many of us have been led to believe. God enjoys a good joke and is not nearly so serious about things. He is also not the punishing, angry figure that many religions have made him out to be. He is easy- going, and understands how and why humans want to do the things they do. The general response that God seems to make most frequently to Walsch is that the act of being judgemental is probably mankind's greatest fault. It is the act of being judgmental that has caused so many of man's problems and difficulties. If the judgmental attitudes would cease, according to God in this book, most every problem of mankind would disappear. This is a tough book to rate. Some readers will consider this enlightening, while others will consider Walsch to be a heretic. I'm going to play it safe and rate it three stars. It's a most unusual book, and it at least gets one to rethink the way he/she has been led to believe about the person of God and the issue of morality and judgement.
Rating:
Summary: An egomaniac looking for power
Review: I just finished "A Conversation with God" the other day. I wouldnt waste another penny on this author. I think that he is just trying to make himslef out to be another prophet of divine inspiration. I found it curious to note that he is asking for $35.00 for a years subscription to his newsletter. To qoute Bono of U2, "The God I believe in ins't short of cash." If this book gives you hope than good for you. But to be honest I would be very careful with this guy's writings. I for one will follow my heart and not his words.
Rating:
Summary: Excellent book for all kinds of people
Review: I read this book a few years ago and it's interesting to write a review looking back on it. The book contains a range of great insights which have personally helped my life in a number of ways. The most important of these has been spiritual calm in certain times. However, I now look on the whole series with a grain of salt - certainly I would not recommend treating this book as the guide for living. I don't think it was intended to be viewed as such. But reading it while knowing that, like most people, you'll pick and choose things out of it to help you will mean that you read it with an open mind. This first book in the series is the start of the conversation and deals with introducing the concepts that are developed in books 2 and 3. As such, it focuses on questioning some fundamental beliefs about life and as such is a good exercise. The people who turn this book into so much more are doing it an injustice.
Rating:
Summary: LIfe-altering-inspiring-engaging
Review: This is a conversation that every open-minded individual with a spiritual interest would want to read. Any person conscious of this magnificantly diverse world with all of its cultures, beliefs and varieties, will see the invaluable words of wisdom that are contained in this book. It provides a logical assessment of our limited understanding of Divinity and Reality. It treats these subjects with reason, wit, simplicity, complexity, reverence and even respect. It is a friend to science, it is a friend to spirituality, bridging the two in an intriguing slant; as a conversation between a man and the Creator of all things (not simply the creator of Christians or Hindus, but every human and creature and all things within the universe).
Anyone familiar with different lines of theology and philosophy (Eastern or Western) will know that this book, as its sequels, do not simply fall under the category: New Age, which tend to diminish the value of the words contained therein, but more so under PHILOSOPHY and SPIRITUALITY. Yet, even if not convinced on every point of the book, one would know that elements of vital truth can be extracted from its lines and applied to living, elements of truth which are wholistic and enriching to life on all levels.
Like no other book I have personally read before, it allows the reader to question the most fundamental pillars of our belief systems and how they have affected and still affect us as well as where they will most likely take us. The building blocks of modern civilization as a whole are brought to question, to take a serious look at the direction that we as a miraculous creature on this planet are going.
A fundamentalist of any religion will most likely not appreciate this book because it calls every individual to use their God-given minds to try to understand the reality that we live in and in that develop a new personal relationship with God (given an envigorating revival to our understanding of what 'God' truly is). It then asks us all to apply responsibility and functionality to leading the highest standard of physical life, beckoning us to discard our primitive patterns of thinking and acting which is the base cause of much of the misery in the world. It does not downtrod any religion yet asks us to assess them all for their underlying truths and sift through their cultural molds. This and the profoundly spiritual implications contained which could offer hope and vision to all make this a very potentially powerful work. As for myself, and as others have written, and nearly anyone I have come into contact with who has read this work, it is indeed life-changing.
I certainly hope you at least give this book consideration to at least familiarize yourself with yet another approach to cosmology, one which just may contain truth for you.
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