Customer Reviews

The Healing of America

5 star:		(11)
4 star:		(3)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(4)

 

 

I must respectfully disagree with the Costa Mesa, Ca reader's review that this book is simply another "big government" fix. The 2 main heroes in the book, Ghandi and Dr. ML King Jr., never ran for or attained elected office. It is a book about empowering our citizenry to do what we all know is right. It is about the citizenry taking back the government from big business and special interests. Of course, she speaks of the necessity to wake up out of our consumer-drunkeness, one person at a time, before this can ever happen. It is a tragedy that in our Country, people are afraid to speak out for the poor, the homeless, the troubled youth, in fear of being labeled a "bleeding heart" or a "whiner" or a "new age liberal" (see above review). Ms. Williamson beautifully and eloquently asks us to take a look in the mirror, try to figure out what we really feel is right, and then use the democratic process to do something about it. Not a novel idea, but certainly one that desperately needs to be awakened.

It is very clear that this book shall be at first attacked; for in it contain "thought gems" of the wisdom of the ages. Quite frankly, this book is only part of the whole of "the great work" which is now in the process of "becoming". Simply put: This book will be attacked by the timid mind, tolerated by the growing mind and finally embraced by the mature mind. And always will it remain true: that prayer is imperative to the full growth of The Healing of America. A great work which shall be accredited to the growing soul of man/womankind.

Written in 1997, "The Healing Of America" calls for people to have a more conscious involvement in politics and world events. Author, Marianne Williamson, cites our current levels of affluency as a key ingredient that has lulled the typical American into a state of disinterest with world events.

Williamson says, "No doctor can guarantee physical health to a patient who refuses to take care of her body, and no leader can guarantee social health to a people who refuse to take care of their society." (p. 176).

Prophetically, Williamson predicts that America will experience a renaissance or a catastrophe which will take us back to who we are. She further says, "Nothing short of a spiritual awakening will heal this wounded nation."

Williamson makes a strong case for needing to take care of your own healing via cleaning up old unfinished business. She points out that this is step one and needs to be handled before involvement with healing the larger society. She provides examples and insights into how one can do this.

Timely and beautifully written, this book provides food for thought.

I met Marianne years ago when she was lecturing in Hollywood and had few followers. Over the years, her words of wisdom have drawn thousands. Truth is truth, but Marianne has a wonderful way of getting it across to the minds of the people. Now she has a book that could heal America. We need to think and act, which is what Marianne is best at. I am sure there are many rewards waiting for such a spiritual leader. Thank you Marianne

For every week a Rush Limbaugh book was on the best seller list, Marianne's book should be on for a year. Spiritual and compassionate, Marianne addresses the direction that will heal our nation from the materialistic abyss America is falling into.

The author, who has attained a fair degree of pop celebrity from her spiritual lectures and books, has produced a very important book. She tells it like it is: we are allowing our democracy to unravel, we are allowing are children to be cheated, and we are allowing the interests of the few (the corporations) to dominate our society. Williamson has no ax to grind. This is the kind of common sense, plain speaking that has been all but eliminated from our news media.

Here is a heavy dose of what we all need. Williamson shines the light in places too long in shadow. Once you get past the first third of the book and its overindulgent imagery and mixed metaphors, you find yourself heart-deep in truth. This book will help you see what's important out there. So turn off the TV and pick up a copy, then write a letter, or make a noise, or take a stand.

This uplifting, inspirational book is filled with innovative suggestions for healing our government and culture. Discusses what is unique about our constitution and country, how we've fallen short of its promise, and how we can manifest its higher potential.
Unlike many so-called spiritual books, Williamson isn't afraid to address institutionalized racism and the need for reparations as a fundamental beginning for America's healing. Some of her other suggestions include instituting a much needed Department of Peace, holding elections on a weekend day or voting holiday so everyone can vote, changing Columbus Day to Immigrants' Day, and formally apologizing to Viet Nam for the Viet Nam War.
The section on "Yin Activism" will resonate with anyone who, like me, wants progressive movements to incorporate more of the feminine in their methods and vision.

I became a political news junkie during the 2008 election season. I picked up this book in Dec 08. It was amazing to read Williamson's 1997 examination of American politics - and to see how deeply relevant & compelling her comments were especially in 2008. It was like she had a crystal ball. She kept referring to the shift, the critical mass. No one can argue against the fact that 2008 was the year that critical mass was reached & a shift took place. The hope over fear movement that lead to the election of Barack Obama is all over this book. This title is definitely a keeper. I will likely give as gifts to others who followed the election as closely as I did.

I'm tempted to say this is Marianne Williamson's most important, yet most under-appreciated, book. You probably already know her for her work on spiritual healing. Most of her other works focus on inner healing, this book is about taking our inner journey outward, and how we can share our new thought/new energy with the world...and why this is vital.

I say this is more important now than ever before. It's very interesting to listen to this program, which was recorded right before the 2000 elections, and hear her talk about social and political issues that were pivotal at that time. Ironically, this program is even *more* relevant today.

Many of the important issues she raises -- global climate change, recycling, health care, animal extinction, the rain forests -- are no longer simply issues. Over the past few years, these have escalated to CRISES!

And, now that we have the opportunity to elect true progressives into office, and now that the nation (and world?) is ready to hear about environmental and social healing, these ideas are as important as ever.