Rating: 
Summary: Compellling Reading!
Review: I read this book at the suggestion of another guru - Marc Allen. He referred to it in his book "The Millionaire Course." So I read this, expecting some Universal Truth to be revealed, and then to smile knowingly at this truth splayed for my viewing pleasure. Surely it's something I already know or have seen. But no such thing occurred. I spent an hour after reading it looking for the answers to the questions on the back cover. I searched the book itself and a bible to identify Randolph's mysterious page. Then I came online and learned about the book and the followers it attracted. The author is SPOT ON with his denouncing of modern Christianity. (Or as modern as it was back when he wrote!) The futility of religion to act as a true balm to the hearts of modern people is a cavernous void. I suspect that like I did, Douglas left the ministry dismayed that people not only don't think for themselves, but expect the truth to be handed to them on a silver platter so they can ignore it. Good for him for "hiding" the truth in the book - the truth is hidden in other Books, too, and only the wise will reveal it to themselves and recognize it when they do. He's a brilliant author with a deft hand for weaving a story to divert the attention from the truths at hand.
Rating:
Summary: A moral lesson in an immoral world
Review: Magnificent Obsession encourages one to be a better person for purely selfish reasons. The key is to do for others anonymously for the good it will derive you. This book picks up the story where Dr. Hudson's Secret Journal leaves off. A young man, Bobby, is on a course of mediocrity and indifference. He becomes inspired by Dr. Hudson, a respected surgeon who has an idiosyncratic view of life, through a freak accident. When he lives and Dr. Hudson dies, Bobby becomes obsessed with redeeming himself in the eyes of the community and more importantly redeeming himself in his own eyes. To do so, he must find out Dr. Hudson's secret and implement it. This is an excellent book with a morality lesson that is necessary for today' society. Unfortunately, since it was written many years ago, it's references and dialogue is somewhat stilted and dated. Fortunately, the message of dealing with others in a compassionate way while allowing them to keep their dignity will never be stilted or dated.
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Summary: True service of others is anonoymous and life changingja
Review: One man's selfish drive for power and money can become so intense and yet that drive can become unselfish for power of the goodness that is in each one of us, some hidden deeper than others but yet we are all basically good people. The difference is those who act on their goodness. This book made me want to become that type of person. It is truly a life changing book. I want to secretly do things for others to help them love themselves and others because of this book. We who read and act on this book can change our society. The key word is ACT !
Rating:
Summary: Magnificent Obsession
Review: Regardless of time and medicinal progress (originally written in 1929) - this book is thought provoking and an excellent Book Club choice! It guarantees stimulating conversation for a Book Club because it HAS a message, however the message can be intrepreted in many ways - from a spiritual to a scientific basis.
Rating:
Summary: Timeless! Really!
Review: Some books come and go; some linger a while then fade from memory; some stay on the shelves just for decoration. But "Magnificent Obsession" is a book you keep to read over and over and over again.Though it's over seventy years old, its story applies just as well today as when it was first written, and Douglas' tight writing style is just right for today's reader. He can be descriptive when he needs to be, but for the most past he keeps things mercifully brief as compared to some of his more florid and verbose contemporaries. An amazing amount of action takes place in an equally amazingly small number of pages. It's true; the story does show its age at some points. But that only adds to the charm. The characters are finely drawn and believable; the spiritual message is powerful but subtle--Douglas doesn't try to club you about the head with the scriptures--and the O. Henry-esque ending is wonderful, if telegraphed. It's an overused cliche', but this is one book that really does belong on every shelf, and one which should be considered required reading at every school.
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Summary: Read it at 18 and you will always give from your heart...
Review: The book was a role model in a sea of despair. I have tried to live its principles for more than 30 years. A wonderful graduation gift. It weathers well on a second go through. Marvelous and thought provoking. I loved it! Linda Schiller-Hanna
Rating:
Summary: A truely magnificent message convey in a secular dimension
Review: The power behind the message convey by this book is stupendiuos,but one is bound to be disappointed if motivated by greed and selfishness. Douglas has manage to pressent the teaching of Christ in a meaningful secular manner.
Rating:
Summary: An Appropriate Title!
Review: This book about obsession actually became an obsession for scores of readers. Lloyd Douglas later wrote about the deluge of mail he received from readers who literally wanted to live out the principles of the novel in their own lives. The book itself, set in the midwest in the prewar years, is the absorbing story of the transformation of a young man. A spoiled, wealthy college youth is inspired, after a brush with death, to follow in the footsteps of a renowned surgeon who was killed in a simultaneous, related accident. This endeavor leads him, reluctantly, to an unexpected life of full-immersion philanthropy. Ultimately the burdens he consents to bear are instrumental in leading him to his highest goals. No review can do justice to Douglas effortless skill in bringing spirituality face to face with practical everyday affairs. Deservedly a classic.
Rating:
Summary: An Appropriate Title!
Review: This book about obsession actually became an obsession for scores of readers. Lloyd Douglas later wrote about the deluge of mail he received from readers who literally wanted to live out the principles of the novel in their own lives. The book itself, set in the midwest in the prewar years, is the absorbing story of the transformation of a young man. A spoiled, wealthy college youth is inspired, after a brush with death, to follow in the footsteps of a renowned surgeon who was killed in a simultaneous, related accident. This endeavor leads him, reluctantly, to an unexpected life of full-immersion philanthropy. Ultimately the burdens he consents to bear are instrumental in leading him to his highest goals. No review can do justice to Douglas effortless skill in bringing spirituality face to face with practical everyday affairs. Deservedly a classic.
Rating:
Summary: A magnificent obsession indeed!
Review: This book is a beautiful articulation of the philosophy of ethical egoism. Start doing good, even if motivated by self-interest. From there, the momentum of goodwill will carry you forward. An interesting philosophy revealed through a wonderful story.
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