Customer Reviews

God, the Universe, and Where I Fit In

5 star:		(8)
4 star:		(3)
3 star:		(2)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(2)

 

 

Laurie Ann Levin's page turner of a memoir is at first a guilty pleasure read as she shares her life stories of working with the likes of Madonna and her own role as a Hollywood insider. As the book progresses, the true theme emerges - the importance of listening to the inner voice that makes itself heard whenever we come to a crossroads. We all have that intuition and Levin demonstrates that it can take different forms in different people - that of god, of dreams, of coincidences, of 'other worldly' occurrences. I agree with one of the earlier reviewers that the most memorable chapter is the one dealing with the death of the author's mother. It had a depth that will resonate with most people. This book will appeal to readers who want an 'inside' look at how the Hollywood inner circle really works and to those who are searching for what Levin ultimately discovers in her own life, a spiritual connection that lifts her out of life's past disappointments and places her firmly on the road she is meant to be on. A quick, fascinating, and ultimately worthy read that makes you think about your own choices in life and the road you are on.

What a wonderful book! Dr. Levin's writing style is witty, engaging and most importantly authentic. I found myself relating to it on a very personal level as I've experienced my own struggles within male-dominated fields -- two of which were marriages! I thought her commitment to remain true to herself and her beliefs showed tremendous fortitude. And being able to remain strong and grounded while providing not only comfort to her dying mother, but imbuing her mother with a sense of calm and peace at what is usually the most frightening point in any person's life really resonated with me as an act of true bravery. I still think about that chapter a lot.

I've also seen mentions of Dr. Levin's book in various blogs, e.g. Media Decoder in the New York Times [...] and Company Town in the LA Times [...] and I agree that there are a couple of Hollywood folks who don't come off looking that great - but I did feel just a little guilty pleasure at being able to be a fly on the wall.

It was a very enjoyable read - I laughed, I cried, I wanted more!

This was a surprising book for me. I found it very heartwarming in some places, perplexing in others. My favorite part was Ms. Levin's story of how she helped her mother accept her impending death, and helped her to cross over. I cried buckets. The alien abduction idea was frightening and real. However, I feel like Ms. Levin spent too much time trying to legitimize herself as a professional person to us rather than just get on with it, which was tedious and something she never seemed to let go throughout the book. I would have liked to hear more about her professional practice and what kinds of results/stategies she is using, as Ms. Levin is obviously an exceptionally bright and inquisitive person.

Trust me, you're not going to find another book like this..the story of a powerful Hollywood insider, a PhD no less, that handled the careers of Madonna and Michael Jackson and, by the way, also talks to dead people!

Yes, big-time Hollywood agent in between premieres and back-room deals has a direct line to the unseen world which she regularly taps into for guidance and what guidance they give her. Without giving anything away, we could all use a few friends on the other side helping us make the right decisions especially when life seems the most baffling. In between her fast-paced narrative, Dr. Levin drops subliminal messages of profound but practical spiritual guidance that will benefit all of us.

Unlike most memoirs that are just pages of ME, ME, ME, Dr. Laurie Levin honestly and openly reveals all the joys and pain that her heart endured while finding her life's true mission. The book feels like one of those great Hollywood black and white movies where an invisible hand guides our heroine until destiny presents her with her great love and off they go into the sunset spreading happiness and wisdom. As we travel along Dr. Levin's path, the book allows us to reflect upon our own life and do a little soul searching along the way.

You want glamour, power, brains, beauty, heartbreak, love and the cosmos? Read this book. You'll love it.

A delightful read! I laughed, I cried, and I pondered. The book is written in a warm, conversational style such that I felt the author's presence. She is vulnerable, strong, witty, candid, as she shares her journey from lonely adolescent to power broker to the stars, through a divorce, recognizing her shortcomings, finding a path to earn a doctorate, and on to commune with those who have passed to the other side. One does not have to be a believer in life-after-life to appreciate this woman's inspiring story. It is a story of hope, of possibility, once again demonstrating the awesome power of the human spirit to achieve -- through prayer, discipline, belief, and humor -- one's dreams. I heartily recommend it. Living Life from the Inside Out: Who You Are Matters

Dr. Laurie Ann Levin provides a unique and compelling view of how to live this life, and what happens to us after we die. It is well written, extremely insightful, and easy to read. I give it my highest recommendation, and I think there's something in it for everyone.

This book, sadly, has abosolutely nothing to do with God or the Universe. It is all about the author. I wasted far too much time listening to her self indulgent voice. Frankly, I have NEVER read anything that was SO un-spiritual, SO un-Godly and SO-Self Centered.

I refused to donate this book to the library and force some poor soul to suffer through it.

Shouldn't your work speak for itself? Do you really feel SO insecure that you constantly name drop? Why not more about what you have actually done with your psychic gifts?

Gosh, what a disappointment.

An easy book to read but not what I expected. I was hoping for a book that would provide guidance to help one get in touch with one's own inner self. Instead it is a biographical tale about one woman's experiences from early to mid adulthood. Her experiences are universal--parents that fell short of meeting her childhood needs, loneliness, exploitation on the job, divorce, etc. She is a likable person who ultimately finds a nice (rich!) new husband and satisfying work. Don't expect any new insights. It's a story many of us could have written, but without the wealth and show biz.

This is a great book for anyone who has experienced the ups and downs and twists and turns of life, which means all of us. It's a particularly good book to give to a young person looking for inspiration in life. Things don't always turn out as we expect, and Laurie's amazing journey should encourage anyone who is willing to open their mind to the richness that is all around us. It gives you hope.Keep it on your shelf because this is the sort of book you will return to year after year.

I loved this book for so many reasons. Just discovering it was synchronistic for me, as I casually browsed through Amazon's recommendations for me, which led me to similar books, and reading different reviews. Then I came across this title, God, the Universe, and Where I Fit In. The title caught my attention, so I scrolled down the page. It was when I read the following sentences from the book, that I knew I had to buy it. It read, "After all, who hasn't prayed to a loved one who has died, talked to them...Our stumbling block is that we talk, say a quick 'Amen' and never wait around to listen." So, strange, since I had just began realizing that I needed to spend more time focused on listening for the guidance as I seek it.

Since so many aspects of Dr. Levin's life mirrored my own, I realized as I was writing this review that I was actually writing parts of my own book (which I am working on), rather than writing a review for this one. So, I scratched out the first part of the review and started over. Suffice it to say that many parts of Dr. Levin's life resonated with my own, including her lonely childhood and subsequent spiritual quest, all the way down to her thin childhood hair! Reading this book, I felt that she would be someone that I would be great friends with.

The memoirs of her life in show business were fascinating. (The part about Madonna in the boardroom is hilarious!) Not only was it a well written account, it also revealed much of her inner turmoil and feelings of a woman trying to succeed in a male dominated industry (world, actually). Most of us women can identify with having our talents and abilities trampled on as we try to succeed, until the day comes that we finally realize, for the sake of our sanity and soul, we need to get out! In turn, we begin asking ourselves who we really are and for what purpose were we born. I believe most of us, male and female, develop an unquenchable thirst to find divine guidance as we move through the obstacles and heartaches of life. Dr. Levin's book will surely resonate with anyone on their own spiritual journey as the synchronicities of just how the Universe connects everything towards a certain outcome is both magical and validating to our own experiences. You will discover that tapping into the divine guidance available to all of us, is a calling we should all accept as it is truly a gift given freely by God to those who ask.

In the chapter, Full Circle, Dr. Levin briefly writes about aging and coming to terms with middle age. Those of us at or past this stage of life will certainly identify, not only with the physical changes, but the emotional ones as well. I find it amazing how universal the need to reevaluate our lives becomes once we hit our 40s and 50s. This chapter was once again validating to me as a middle-aged woman going through the same process. I became teary-eyed as I read her profound words, "I had come to realize that spiritual growth is the pathway to what we all yearn for and yet continually deny ourselves inner peace. That's the true promise land we're all desperately searching for."

Her relationship with her mother, from beginning to end was very poignant. The ups and downs of the mother/daughter relationship is one all women share, and one which gives us the opportunity to grow and learn from. The way she helped her mother through the journey of passing from this life to the next is truly beautiful and inspiring. It took me several years after my own mother's death to fully understand our relationship with each other. However it's never too late, as my mother is a steady source of inspiration and guidance to me from the other side. Dr. Levin touches on this subject in her book, and I hope her next book will delve further into this divine, yet still mysterious aspect of ongoing communication with those on the 'other side'.

The final chapters of this book touched me very deeply. I cried for Jerry since I am also a parent who has also lost a beloved child. The gift of knowledge and reconnection with his son that Levin gives him had tears pouring down my face, as I was also given that gift of reconnection with my own child. And, as Dr. Levin explains in the book, I was taught how to pray and channel all my loved ones who have passed on, and recognize the different signs they send to let us know that they still exist.

In conclusion, I am very grateful to Laurie Ann Levin, for writing this book, and Gerald Levin for writing such a profound 'Forward' to the book. There is something in this book for everyone. Some of the pearls of wisdom may be subtle in nature, others astounding. Either way, read this book with an open mind, as it can give every reader a bit of knowledge or hope that can be carried with you along your own journey in life.