Customer Reviews

The Source: The Untold Story of Father Yod, Ya Ho Wa 13, and The Source Family

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It's the story of judo master, bank robber, and accused murderer, Jim Baker, who experiences an intense yogic conversion and one day reinvents himself as the charismatic leader, Father Yod. (You couldn't make this stuff up.) As spiritual 'Father', he plays host to a bevy of beautiful Sons and Daughters who collectively form the Family. This book challenges your preconceived notions of cults and digs deeper into the nuanced meanings of living in a grand social experiment. The photographs alone make this book well worth the purchase. Written and photographed meticulously by one of Father's polyamorous wives, Isis Aquarian, it's a treasure trove of memoir writing, memorabilia, recipes, meditations, and CD.

This book was such a joy to read. It was an honor to be let into the secret world of The Source family for a short time and I was honestly sad when it was over. I loved every part of my time with their vibrant experiences. In a way, its strangely inspired me more than any self help or spiritual text ever has. I strongly recommend this book if you need an infusion of free spirited fun and light.

This is a great parable about the seventies that you could not make-up. The story of a man that you either loved or hated. His charisma enabled him to entice others to follow him on a journey that inspired some to achieve great things. He brought out great admiration in some and great hatred in others. He believed he could do anything and almost did.

The story is written by one of his early followers and historian. She includes the good and the bad and although she admits her devotion, she leaves it up to you to form an opinion.

I have been following the slowly evolving re-discovery of the Source Family and Father Yod since the late 1980s, when I first came into contact with them via their old LPs. At the time almost nothing was known, and any knowledge was simply guesswork based on those extraordinary records. During the '90s, pieces of the puzzle slowly emerged, and around the millenial shift, the outlines of the story was known thanks to a few interviews and bits of resarch. During the 2000s, the Source Family saga has emerged in earnest, and it turned out to be every bit as extraordinary as that early guesswork indicated. Although I had been in contact with some family members and felt that the mood surrounding the Family was both clear-headed and upbeat, announcements of this official biography made me somewhat wary. It could be so many things -- overly reverential, or conversely full of misguided 'modern' irony, or loaded with spiritual propaganda, or simply exploitative. As it turned out, the book was none of these things. I read it with great interest and a rising sense of satisfaction. Not only was it beautifully edited, but it achieved a fine balance between the 'inside' view of the Source Family, and the 'outside' telling of the Family's highly unusual saga. It is respectful but allows for conflicting points of view. It is much better than I had worried it be, and in fact better than I had hoped it could be. Kudos to the Family members involved, and to the Process editor for the skillful precision with which this difficult task was brought to completion. Yod He Vau He!

This book is most amazing. It has opened up a belief in me that there is some light on this planet that has been in the hands of darkness and the grip of greed by those who have the power. This group made a difference and I hope they keep going. The writing was supurb and the story timeless.

Oh how good it is to have a refreshing, honest reflection of a time when pushing the limits, opening the senses and growing past traditional norms was a way of life. This book presents beautiful photographs and true accounts of a unique period of our history.

Beyond judgements and discussions of this "family" being a cult, are woven in truths which have become mainstream in our society today. Father, Jim Baker was a revolutionary, visionary, luminary who opened the door for healthy living.

Thank you so much for creating this body of work. It just goes to show that The Secret and those who we look to today for enlightment have roots in a time which was not as receptive as we are today. It is truly an amazing reflection and a breath of fresh air.

I have collected a large number of books on communes and hands down, this book is the most interesting, the most informative and the most open story about the experiences The Source group has had. If you're only going to buy one book to learn about life in a cooperative and collaborative society, BUY THIS ONE. You will learn more from this book than you can in most conversations with people who have "been there." That the group designated a historian to annotate their experiences solidifies an authenticity of experience you won't find outside of the other commune book experiences. A terrific read.

This book was fascinating. I couldn't put it down and when it was finished I wanted more. There was lots of great information and stories of a bygone era...a magical time in history, a magical time in Los Angeles, and a magical time in the lives of those who lived being part of The Source Family. The pictures of a that era and the family were great...definitely recommended for anyone interested in spirituality, group living, and that unique time of the early 70's.

I cant say enough about this book. its like entering another world. I picked it up and I didnt put it down till it was over..... and the ending.....I promise you, it will blow your mind.......

I was inspired enough to write this little piece about the book:

On the road with Father Yod....

In Aug, 2008 my band Solvents, left our cozy homes in Pt. Townsend, Wa. to take our music on the road for three weeks. Being cramped in a mini van with 3 other people is a hard, boring existence. Fortunately, we had a copy of The Source: The Untold Story of Father Yod,Ya Ho Wa 13 and the Source Family in the van with us. I had already read the book and filled the rest of the band in on the story of Father Yod and his amazing family. Soon, we were all taking turns with the book. I have to say, this is THE perfect book to have in the van while on the road. The photos alone make the long drives so much easier. The story is easy to read and grabs your imagination. We were hooked in no time at all.
We all felt the spirit of Father Yod with us on the tour. When times got tough I found myself asking Father Yod for guidance. The others felt the same way. I remember our drummer after a bad gig, thumbing through the book and "praying". Later, he told me it made him feel better.

The best "Father Yod moment" was in Salt Lake City, Utah. Our van broke down and we had to shell out a sizeable amount of cash to get it going again. We had to be in Boise, Idaho that night and we weren't sure if we were going to make our show. Tensions were high and I'm sure we were all contemplating taking a greyhound home. We were driving along arguing about what we were going to do when out of no where, we saw a hang -glider sitting in somebody's yard! All at once, we saw the sign and knew we had to press on to Boise. We flew like the wind and made it to our gig right on time. Before we played, we all took a moment to give thanks to Ya Ho Wa.....

I never knew about this communal group in Los Angeles-the only one you ever hear about is the Manson Family. Far from the hedonistic forays & drug-induced mania & murder that defined the Manson clan, The Source was based on real communal values such as bettering oneself. living free & simply. Father (Jim Baker)is an interesting character and certainly not your typical "cult leader". This was an endlessly fascinating book, an honest account of a life lived in dedication, reverence, love & light. The Source members are still around today & at the back of the book you get to catch up with where they are & what they are up to. The many photos & mementos are priceless. I recommend this book to anyone who is interested in what a real cult is all about, has an interest in spirituality or alternative religions or even just the history of the 1960's & 1970's. One of the very best!!