The Greatest Spiritual Secret of the Century

Rating:
Summary: Quick, inspiring, New-age/Jesus stuff...
Review:
In this quick-read story, an average yuppie has a spiritual encounter and is forced to make a decision about the direction and purpose of his life.

Make no mistake, - this is not great literature. But it is an interesting story that moves quick and inspires us to evaluate our own goals and purpose in life, - and to commit ourselves to a more spiritual, meaningful and loving way of living our lives.

It's also a very thinly disguised delivery mechanism for the author's religious/spiritual/economic/political message. And this message is an interesting (if mostly rehashed) melding of New-age stuff, Christianity, pro-environment, anti-corporate, anti-materialism beliefs. The "doctrine" put forth is interesting and inspiring, but despite a half-hearted attempt to explain it there is little to suggest that it is *true*. But of course nobody has a corner on spiritual truth, and ultimately we're all left to arrive at our own beliefs based on our own experiences - this book is a help in that regard.

So if you like feel-good, personal-journey type musings disguised as stories you'll enjoy this book.



Rating:
Summary: A timely and profound lesson for us all
Review: I read this wonderful book in one session while sitting in the sun during a trip to the Alps. The combination of crisp mountain air, majestic scenery and the beautiful message of Thom's novel gave me a tremedous feeling of joy and hope.

For Thom is one of those rare authors who can deliver powerful and universal truths within the format of a fast-moving and entertaining novel.

Through the character of Paul we are able to experience the damaging effects of the Western lifestyle; and then undertake an exciting journey of awareness, learning and change towards a more spirtual and rewarding way of life.

"The Greatest Spiritual Secret of the Century" develops the themes of Thom's two other superb books "The Prophets Way" and "The Last Hours of Ancient Sunlight", and I would recommend all three.

Indeed I have a library of over 500 "mind,body and spirit" books and Thom is one of the most congruent, enlightenting and relevant authors in this field

Rating:
Summary: A Real Gem!
Review: I was indeed curious to read Thom Hartmann's first novel. I am a great fan of his non-fiction, particularly LAST HOURS OF ANCIENT SUNLIGHT and PROPHET'S WAY. But facility in one genre of writing does not necessarily guarantee quality in another, and I have been disappointed before when writers attempt the crossover from non-fiction to fiction. But the transition here has been a grand success. Good writing, exciting story, and wonderful spiritual truths are all presented in a way that address the pervasive malaise of our society today and what can be done about it. Mr. Hartmann has done his research and does not hesitate to present the truly radical teachings of the mystical path. So do not be put off by the title. This book is a real gem and I am buying it for all my friends.

Rating:
Summary: Definitely worth a look
Review: I would call this book spirituality from a new cultural point of view. Hartmann has been inspired by the ideas of authors like Daniel Quinn (Ishmael) and recognizes, as I do, that our culture, our entire civilization, is not the only way that humans have lived, and that our spiritual stories are only one fairly narrow point of view. This book is a bit rough in spots, and preachy at times, but in all it is an excellent effort to look at spirituality in a new way, one I find very interesting.

This book has real content and is a great one for discussion with others--book group,etc.

Rating:
Summary: Another winner
Review: Let's face facts - this book is controversial. You can see it by the extreme polarity between the negative reviews from people who essentially state that they never bothered to finish reading the book, and the glowing positive reviews of those who read it to the end.

The most controversial part of this book is probably found in Thom's characterization of the reinvention of Christianity by the Roman Empire around 300 AD. In this, he very much takes the position held by Jesus in his

teachings, which are in many cases in opposition to the later teachings of St. Paul...and certainly in opposition to those of the Catholic Church and most modern-day evangelical churches. Thus, modern "lifestyle Christians" who pray for wealth and approve of the dominator/exploitative social order extant in the modern world will be offended by this book. If they're slick, rather than dealing with that issue, they'll try to dissuade potential readers by making vague comments that imply the book is poorly written or that the author is a cynic.

Yet the book is brilliantly well written, fast-paced, and startling informative. As you can learn by reading the author's previous book, The Prophet's Way, he has not only lived among the homeless, he has done so on four continents over the past twenty years. His insights into the human condition are deep and meaningful, and his scholarship with regard to early Christianity concurs with that of Funk ("Honest To Jesus") and other contemporary (albeit controversial) modern students of the era.

"Secret" may well be one of the most important books of this year or this decade, in that it spares neither lifestyle Christianity nor the "new age movement" when going back to the essential roots of Judaism and the early Jesus movement - those roots being the mystical experience. In that, this book is rich, meaningful, and transformational. If you don't mind your preconceptions being challenged, read it soon!

Rating:
Summary: Amazing Story
Review: The story Spiritual Secret's exciting plot kept me up, reading, until two in the morning. It's spiritual message has me determined to persuade my kids to read it. My oldest has already agreed.

Spiritual Secret is a precious gift. Thom Hartmann says, "Nothing has meaning, save the meaning you give it. What you call your culture is nothing but the stories you all decide to agree are true, whether or not they are."

So Thom has created a story which helps our culture. He creates new meaning with a clear vision-- one based on what Jesus and Moses and Buddha and Mohammed taught, rather than the institutional religious teachings which, over time, became distorted and twisted by greed, ego and the desire for power.

This story offers us us a new story to embrace as our spiritual reality, one closer to the bone, with truths which, though always available to us, shout out through his words, with clarity and soul.

While it has many incredibly inportant messages, it reads like a cross between an action thriller and one of Daniel Quinn's idea adventures, like Ishmael.

Beware. Reading this book will permanently change the way you see your life and the world

Rating:
Summary: He is one of the great lights in the world sent by God
Review: This book gives some insights in the evolution of religions, and invites to take your own responsibility of your believes. The great message I read out of it is to remember that you can't see yourself as separated from the rest of the world, which is a fun idea on itself and also a very fruitful point of view to reevaluate your deeds from.

Rating:
Summary: Mr. Hartmann's novel is a MASTERPIECE!
Review: This is the fourth book that I have read by Mr. Hartmann. I am still giving copies of "The Prophet's Way" & "The Last Hours of Ancient Sunlight" away to friends, family & co-workers. Mr. Hartmann's powerful books convey important environmental, spiritual & scientific truths in a manner the reader can easily comprehend and begin to immediately apply in their life. This WONDERFUL novel is no exception. The essential message of the world's great religions & mystics is expressed in one simple sentence, three simple words! WARNING - Begin reading this book in the afternoon. I started chapter 1 before bed and after finishing it in one sitting it was 4:00 AM. I was very tired at work the next day ;)

Rating:
Summary: The Greatest Spiritual Secret of the Century
Review: Thom Hartmann is a psychotherapist and internationally known speaker. He's written numerous books and short stories. The Greatest Spiritual Secret of the Century is his first novel, and in it he takes both his characters and the reader on a transforming journey.

Paul Abler is an ordinary person, living an ordinary life filled job stress, past-due rent, and a girlfriend who jilts him. Then one day, he throws himself in front of an oncoming car, in a successful attempt to save a little girl who had darted in front of it. He himself is saved from serious injury by an extraordinary man named Noah.

Noah, who is a shape shifter and time traveler, takes Paul on a journey where he receives his first lessons in the School of Wisdom.

Paul later is approached by a street person named Jim, who takes him beneath the city streets, where he meets a group of homeless people led by Joshua. But like Noah, his new acquaintances are more than they first appear to be. Paul continues to have fantastic adventures and experiences, all the while increasing his knowledge of how things truly are. When he learns the greatest spiritual secret, he knows that he can never revert to being the person he had been.

A modern-day parable, The Greatest Spiritual Secret of the Century, is written in "the story-telling tradition of Og Mandino and Richard Bach. . .Paul's voyage is a journey that all of us would like to take, and provides answers each of us had hoped to find."

Rating:
Summary: Nice book, but.......
Review: We've seen it a lot, with different titles and the same message, to which I absolutely agree by the way.

However Thom, your other books were written much better than that.

Maybe you're trying to include a broader audience...!?

Bravo anyway!