From Publishers Weekly
It will be easy for skeptics to find fault with this book, starting with the pretentious subtitle and Chopra's gushing introduction ("I was overwhelmed by the elegance of [Geller's] simplicity"), not to mention Boteach's implicit acceptance of controversial psychic Geller's "gifts." Beyond that, these letters between Geller (coauthor, Parascience Pack) and prolific Hasidic Rabbi Boteach (Kosher Sex) read more like self-conscious narratives and intellectual arguments than true exchanges although the two men do reveal their tortured relationships with their fathers and Geller discloses his unwed fatherhood. Still, those who slog through all the verbiage or arrive as devoted fans will find some thought-provoking discussions. Geller feels guilt about killing a Jordanian man when he was in combat as an Israeli soldier; Boteach reminds him that God commands against murder, not killing. Geller wonders if a savior, a messiah, will come as he believes; Boteach responds, "of course" a messiah will come someday, but until then, we must act to redeem our small corners of the world. Geller says he's willing to pay to be cloned (he desperately wonders, "will the Uri-child be psychic?"); Boteach cautions that we must achieve immortality through good deeds on earth. Though they claim to share a sense of being "profoundly and sometimes maliciously misunderstood," most of the book consists of Boteach dispensing wisdom: on why we must aim to be good people, on finding real love in a relationship of mutual support; on how depression must be fought with action; on how having children is good for one's sex life (because it keeps one playful); and how heroism is found not in popular acclaim but in being a loving parent.
Copyright 2001 Cahners Business Information, Inc.
From Library Journal
Though they are separated by more than 20 years in age and very different ideas about religion, Geller and Boteach are united in their dwelling comfortably on the outer fringes of professional life. Geller, a famed Israeli psychic and magician, has performed throughout the world and has written several books on the paranormal. Boteach, a controversial Orthodox rabbi whose books include Kosher Sex and Dating Secrets of the Ten Commandments, was the rabbi at Oxford University and now works in New York City as the president of both Michael Jackson's "Heal the Kids" initiative and the L'Chaim Society. The two men, who collaborated on the U.K.-published True Confessions, have developed a deep friendship and a strong mutual admiration society. The informal exchange of ideas in their current book involves much interesting storytelling through personal experience. We learn details about the men's relationships with their fathers and their thoughts on such varied subjects as world peace, love, cloning, and heroism. But however interesting their ideas may be, the dialog format ultimately seems contrived, and the authors themselves come off as self-serving and egocentric. Recommended only for large, specialized collections in contemporary religion or the paranormal. Olga B. Wise, Compaq Computer Corp., Austin, TX
Copyright 2001 Reed Business Information, Inc.
