Crossing Over: The Stories Behind the Stories (Hardcover)

by John Edward (Author) "I was not a happy medium in 1998..." (more)
Key Phrases: psychic medium, spirit communication, psychic fairs, New York, Long Island, John Edward (more...)

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com Review
Crossing Over reads like a casual conversation with an old childhood pal instead of like a memoir of a world-renowned psychic who has his own talk show on the Sci Fi channel. John Edward's narrative is down-to-earth and filled with vernacular expressions (including plenty of instances of "holy shit!"). There's the story of how his deceased mother finally gave him the three signs he hoped for after she died, and how he once contacted the recently departed songwriter Carl Perkins. Most of the time, Edward speaks about how the process of consulting with a psychic brings peace and reconciliation to those left behind--standard fare for medium memoirs. As compelling as Edward's stories are, what makes this memoir unique is how readily Edward exposes his own vanities and ego bruisings. He also delves into the behind-the-scenes reality of being a television medium. For instance, he reveals how his producers wanted to have dead-people "theme shows"--for instance inviting grieving members of Mother Against Drunk Driving to be the audience. This kind of "gallery rigging" goes against Edward's desire to enter readings without any prior knowledge of the person seated before him. Edward offers an amusing, and at times disturbing, look at how the ethereal world clashes with the celebrity world. --Gail Hudson

Product Description
In Crossing Over—the book—John brings his readers with him on the extraordinary journey that has been his life since his New York Times bestseller One Last Time was published in 1998. In the style of his TV show and personal appearances—poignant, funny, and remarkably candid—John deals head-on with the controversial issues he has confronted on his voyage as a psychic medium. Readers might be surprised to learn that it hasn’t always been smooth sailing. On the way to becoming an internationally celebrated medium, John has had to learn his own lessons about the meaning of his work and about the motivations of some of the people he has met on his path.

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Product Details

• Hardcover: 261 pages
• Publisher: Jodere Group; First Edition edition (August 2001)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1588720020
• ISBN-13: 978-1588720023
• Product Dimensions: 9.1 x 6.2 x 1.2 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.3 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.4 out of 5 stars See all reviews (234 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #324,348 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

71 of 77 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars The Journey Continues..., August 22, 2001

By A Customer

In "Crossing Over: The Stories Behind the Stories", the reader enters John Edward's world as he progresses from his private mediumship occupation into the public eye with his now-syndicated show "Crossing Over with John Edward". Like his first book, there are more riveting tales of amazing readings and spiritual encounters. However, this book focuses moreso on the behind-the-scenes-footage of John's battle with his newfound fame as well as his transition to popular TV: success does come with a price.

John discusses his own journeys, his encounters with the skeptics, and his attempts to help educate people in letting them know that there really is more out there than what we see and what we know. Those who have read "One Last Time" will recognize some of the people and stories mentioned in that book, as well as hear how John's quest for his "three signs" had him searching for answers he already knew he possessed. Like many of his clients, John kept waiting for "one more sign".

I bought this book the minute it hit the shelves locally, and read it from cover to cover shortly after. And just like after reading "One Last Time", you cannot help but want what most of John's clients usually want -- "just a little more". If you've read his first book, you have to check out his follow-up story.

And if that doesn't grip you, perhaps one of John's readings will -- possibly providing the answer to the question of our time: has Elvis really "crossed over"?

John's ability to face the issues and the skeptics with sarcasm and humor will have the reader in his corner, wanting him to prove the skeptics wrong. With his show going into syndication, he should definitely have more viewers and "believers" behind him.

56 of 60 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Not just another "woo woo" book, August 20, 2001

By A Customer

I have worked in the field of publishing sales for over 23 years and Crossing Over falls in the category we always call "woo woo" inside the industry. This covers anything from New Age wisdom to Ancient Oriental Philosophy to UFOs. As a sales and marketing tool this helps isolate the markets where sales are most likely to be strong. The Northwest is one of the strongest markets for this stuff and I happen to live there as well. I love just about any alternative thinking about life, death, and existance. I've been impressed with John Edward's casual and confident style on his TV show and this book takes up a lot of questions I've posed myself like whether he is reading minds or actually in contact with another dimension of reality that I've always suspected exists. Rather than concentrate on convincing the reader that he is the real thing John relates in a matter-of-fact way how his career took shape, the lessons he has learned along the way, and the joys and frustrations he and other psychics experience. I am struck by this young man's personal wisdom and willingness to expose his own human frailities as they relate to his own path of spiritual enlightenment. Not only is this an entertaining read, it is thought provoking and grounded in everyday reality.

44 of 48 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Great experiences told by John Edward, August 24, 2001

By	Carol Alaniz (near Detroit, Michigan) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

John Edward on the page 'sounds' just like he does in his show. Warm and sometimes funny. And, he has a way of writing that made me almost feel like I was right there with him as he went through the experiences. This book was written to let his fans of the 'Crossing Over' show know what it has been like to slowly become famous. From his first foray into radio on WPLJ New York, to the meetings surrounding the formation of "Crossing Over', John Edward takes the reader step by step though the doubts and fears (and sometimes anger) he felt.

Much of the book is devoted to experiences that connected people he knew (and people he didn't know) with their loved ones on the 'other side.' This book was written in a way that shows even John has been amazed by a lot of the experiences he's had.

Lots of things came through to John that, when you read it, you SWEAR it's all a coincidence. NOPE...John Edward believes that in life, there are NO coincidences. This certainly seems to be the case in his life. The book also mentions that everything written is true and there have been no exaggerations in any way, shape, or form.

Whether you believe that everything happens for a reason or not, the book is a great read. Don't miss the chapter "Legends of Rock" This was an experience that blew John Edwards' mind and blew my mind as well. I had to read it twice in order for everything to sink in.

Even if you are a bit of a skeptic regarding after-death-communication, get this book from a library, and, if you don't like it, return it. For fans of the 'Crossing Over' show on the SciFi Channel, get the book! I think many of the experiences in this book will stay with you for awhile.