Mahu

Book Description

The best detective in paradise discovers more than he ever imagined about himself—while investigating his most dangerous case!

Honolulu police detective Kimo Kanapa'aka is the best on the force, but he lives with a secret he barely acknowledges even to himself. His days are spent serving and protecting Hawaii, surfing the waves, and bedding female tourists. One night, he inadvertently sees someone dump a body in an alley outside a gay bar, and, because of his own inability to come to grips with his sexuality, makes a decision that threatens all that is important in his life—his career, his friendships, and his family.

As Kimo and his partner search the tropical paradise for the killer through a maze of unusual characters, he struggles to find his way as an openly gay man in a macho world. Unable to deny the truth any longer, Kimo begins the process of coming out, of understanding and accepting his homosexuality, all while trying to find answers to a mystery that even involves his own family.

Mahu—a generally negative Hawaiian term for homosexuals—introduces a unique character to detective fiction. Kimo Kanapa'aka is a handsome, mixed-race surfer living in Honolulu, a police detective confronting his homosexuality in the atmosphere of macho bravado within the police force. A man of intelligence, strength, honesty, resourcefulness, and intense dedication to the people of Hawaii, Kimo is a hard-boiled hero you will never forget. Fast-paced, intricately plotted, and thoroughly enjoyable, this is a sexy, surprisingly moving mystery that is as much about discovering oneself as it is about catching a killer.

An excerpt from the novel: "I think you should give this up," my father said. "There are other things you can do where they won't care about you. Be a decorator. A hairdresser. Something like that, that mahus do."

"I don't want to be a decorator. I want to be a cop."

"Well, you can't be," my father said, yelling. "They don't want you. They can't be any clearer than they have been."

And:

I was expecting clouds, rain, wild thunder. Instead there were flashbulbs and the clamor of news people. "Detective Kanapa'aka," a Chinese reporter said. "Is it true you're being suspended from the police force because of your homosexuality?"

I was stunned. How could they have found out so quickly? I just stared at the guy, my mouth agape. "Detective, have you hired an attorney yet?" a Hawai'ian guy, who I recognized from my brother's station, asked. "Will you be suing the police force for reinstatement?"

"Do you think this is a discrimination case?" asked another.

I just stood there. They called out more questions, but I couldn't answer them and I couldn't seem to move.

Customer Reviews:

love Hawaiian mysteries.......2007-10-07

I am an avid mystery reader and my favorite are Hawaiian. So I bought this book. It is fantastic. He does a great job of taking you to Oahu and his characters are so believable. I am just about to order his next book...Mahalo Mr. Plakcy.

Hawaii closet opens.......2007-09-25

Entertaing story, easy read. Genuine depection of how being gay is regarded in the Hawiian islands and how family and friends can play such a factor in the decision to come out. Many that have been to or live in Oahu will recognise the settings...

Appealing Blend.......2007-09-20

This first effort is an appealing blend of police procedural, coming out story, and insight into a unique society. Kimo is a homicide detective in Honolulu, who, in his early 30s, has yet come to grips with the fact that he is gay. Homophobia in the workplace and in his polyglot family have kept him firmly in the closet. But a murder behind a gay bar that he witnesses drags him out of the closet and into a mystery involving drugs, smuggling and police corruption. His problems are complicated by the fact that he is strongly attracted to the principal suspect.

Kimo is an attractive character - as are his family members and friends -and, apart from a bonehead ploy for solving the case, the author handles all elements persuasively.

I look forward to the second installment.

Strong sense of place and person--compelling read.......2007-08-07

Highly contextual detective/mystery books are my favorite and this one is set in Oahu, also a favorite: what could go wrong? Absolutely nothing! Neil S. Plakcy has created an engaging new character--Kimo, a gay Honolulu homicide detective, who must solve a crime while in the midst of coming out to his family and colleagues. I found myself caring much more about Kimo than I ever did about, say, Jesse Stone. (I also learned some things about male sexuality--what catches Kimo's eye, how he describes a sexy man.)

Plakcy gets the sense of place right, down to the details, too. The plot is nicely developed, although there is not much suspense in crime-solving: the suspense turns out to be what happens when Kimo comes out at work and how family, job, and sexuality play out.

This is a marketed mainly as a gay detective novel. It's also a very good detective novel, period. It is the first in what looks to be a series that will be as engaging as Tony Hillerman's Chee/Leapstone books. I've ordered Mahu: Surfer and am looking forward to reading that one on the way over to Hawaii this winter...if I can hold off from reading it till then!

Mahalo and more, please!

Keep Reading.......2007-07-28

This is a mystery of a gay cop names Kimo in HI. I loved the character of Kimo. He is very well written. The story unfolds before you and you never where it will turn next.

The only complaint I had it was very slow to pick up but after the first couple of chapters it went and never stopped. I say read it and give it a chance to grab you because when it does you will not put it down.

The writer is great and I look forward to the next Kimo Mystery.

Mahu Surfer: A Hawaiian Mystery (An Alyson Mystery)

Average customer rating:

A worthy successor to MAHU
A story as strong as the Hawaiian surf
Mahu Surfer by Neil S. Plakcy
Excellent police mystery!
Sexy Kimo

Mahu Surfer: A Hawaiian Mystery (An Alyson Mystery)
Neil S. Plakcy
Manufacturer: Alyson Books
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

Contemporary | General | Literature & Fiction | Subjects | Books

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Mahu
P'town Murders: A Bradford Fairfax Murder Mystery

ASIN: 1593500076

Book Description

"An eminently likeable hero-the kind of man's man you just want to hug." -Daniel M. Jaffe, author of The Limits of Pleasure

Mahu is a generally negative Hawaiian term for homosexual, and for police detective Kimo Kanapa'aka, being gay doesn't make for an easy life. Especially when you're publicly outed. Now, semi-retired, Kimo must go undercover and stop a brutal killer. Already three surfers have been shot dead, and Kimo must infiltrate the close-knit surfing community, knowing his only way back to active duty is to catch a killer he may know all too well.

Neil S. Plakcy is the author of Mahu and co-edited Paws & Reflect: Exploring the Bond Between Gay Men and Their Dogs. He lives in Florida.

Customer Reviews:

A worthy successor to MAHU.......2007-10-03

I just finished reading this exciting mystery. I had read the first one MAHU earlier and liked it a lot. Kimo is such an interesting main character as are his family. It's a page turner and Ihope that there will be more in this series. I've been to Hawaii three times, so it was easy to get into the story. Neil, give us more.

A story as strong as the Hawaiian surf.......2007-10-02

Surfing for some is a sport, but for others it is a life style.

Kimo Kanapa'aka has always surfed but now he is undercover for the police department and acting as though there is nothing in his life to be concerned with but surfing. Even his parents don't know his real occupation and think he is just playing around on the north shore of Oahu. Kimo is not comfortable with the fact that he is not being honest with his friends and family, but his current situation offers him no alternative.

Kimo was released from his duties as a police officer when it became public knowledge that he was gay. Even his parents were in the dark and had to learn from a TV report that their son was gay.

Now he has a chance to return to the police department and a transfer to another division. The only problem is when he meets his new boss Sanford, he finds that he will be working undercover on a murder investigation. Three people have been murdered on the North Shore, and Sanford wants Kimo to investigate. He feels that the investigation has made little or no progress-and that Kimo is the right person for the job because he can fit into the surfing community at North Shore as well as the gay community.

Kimo accepts the assignment and finds very little connection between the three victims but he soon begins to dig up more and more information. Mahu Surfer is a mystery that will keep you guessing. A couple of more murders happen before Kimo gets the whole story sorted out and by that time Kimo has even been threatened.

This is a real page-turner and a good mystery. Some readers might be turned-off by the sex scenes but overall it is a good read. Mahu Surfer gives quite a bit of insight into what it is like for a gay man to come out of the closet. Some people understand-and others are very cruel.

Armchair Interviews says: A unique blend of mystery and surfing.

Mahu Surfer by Neil S. Plakcy .......2007-09-13

Mahu Surfer: A Hawaiian Mystery (An Alyson Mystery)

Mahu Surfer is the kind of mystery novel I most enjoy. The plot is coherent and credible and the characters are clearly defined. The main character, Kimo Kanapa'aka, is intelligent and sympathetic. We are given much insight into his motivations and internal conflicts brought about by his role as an undercover cop and by his frequent sexual relationships with the people he encounters in his investigation.
Long a student of Hawai'i and Hawaiian culture, I found the description of Island life accurate. Reading the book is almost like a trip to the Islands. The geography is, as far as I can tell, real.
Mahu Surfer is definitely an adult gay novel. It contains vivid sexual passages and language. Nonetheless, I would heartily recommend it to any reader who would be interested in this genre.

Excellent police mystery!.......2007-09-06

I finished Mahu Surfer a few days ago and thought it was great. I love how
Kimo thinks about his family and interacts with them. I love how nice his
father is and how bad his brother is, but he loves him anyway. I love the
way Kimo always has to tell you what he's eating. His meals really frame his days. I expect Kimo to be in the movies one day.

Sexy Kimo.......2007-08-18

Plakey, Neil S. "Mahu Surfer: A Hawaiian Mystery", Alyson 2007.

Sexy Kimo

Amos Lassen and Literary Pride
H "Mahu Surfer" is about and when you mix a sexy cop like Kimo with action you have a blockbuster of a mystery. This is Neil Plakey's second novel featuring Kimo Kanapa'aka, the good-looking and hunky Honolulu police detective and even if you have not read the first one, you cannot help but enjoy "Mahu Surfer".
Kimo is now on the northern shore of Oahu which in itself is a fantastic place for a mystery novel. Kimo is separated from those he knows and loves--his family and his friends--and he is freshly out as a gay male so in addition to the mystery he has to solve, he also has to come to terms with his own emotional issues.
The word "mahu" is a negative Hawaiian term for gay male and Kimo is aware that being gay and a policeman is not such a good fit. Having been outed publicly and now semi-retired, Kimo must go undercover to stop a brutal murderer who seems to be on a quest to end the island of surfers. Three have already been shot and are dead and Kimo knows that the only way to find the murderer is to enter the surfing community. Kimo had once been a competitive surfer and he knows that if he wants to return to a place where he is respected on the police force, he must catch the killer and thereby disavow those who want t discredit him because of his sexual lifestyle.
This is one of those books that keep you turning pages. The suspense is high and the action never seems to stop. Through complex and beautiful characterizations and readable prose and a true sense of place, we are taken to Hawaii and to the paradise that is there. We also feel the emotion of Kimo as he struggles with his homosexuality and the issues that go along with it--honesty, loyalty, commitment and responsibility. There is not just mystery in the book--there is great beauty in the language and great suspense in the excitement. This is one you definitely do not want to miss.

De Reis van Mahu en de Cordes door de Straat van Magalhaes naar Zuid-Amerika en Japan 1898-1600. Derde Deel. Het erste Hollandsche Schip in Japan.

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De Reis van Mahu en de Cordes door de Straat van Magalhaes naar Zuid-Amerika en Japan 1898-1600. Derde Deel. Het erste Hollandsche Schip in Japan.
Frederik Caspar, ed. Wieder
Manufacturer: s-Gravenhage: Martinus Nijhoff,
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover
ASIN: B000IVLBUE

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Mahu (Calderbook)
Robert Pinget
Manufacturer: Riverrun Press (New York, NY)
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

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ASIN: 0714503541

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Mahu Or the Material
Robert Pinget
Manufacturer: CALDER & BOYARS LONDON
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover
ASIN: B000UDK8VI

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Mahu Ou Le Materiau
Robert Pinget
Manufacturer: Editions de Minuit,France
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

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ASIN: 2707304883

'O Au No Keia: Voices from Hawai'i's Mahu and Transgender Communities

Average customer rating:

a new side of hawai'i
Very Real and Human Stories

'O Au No Keia: Voices from Hawai'i's Mahu and Transgender Communities
Andrew Matzner
Manufacturer: Xlibris Corporation
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover

General | Nonfiction | Gay & Lesbian | Subjects | Books

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ASIN: 073886160X

Customer Reviews:

a new side of hawai'i.......2007-07-29

in his empathic and diverse oral histories of some mahu and transgender individuals on Oahu, andrew matzner opens a window on hawai'i lesser known cultural features. of great interest to the academic community in gender studies, as well as non-specialists interested in Hawaiian culture.

Very Real and Human Stories.......2002-09-02

I recently had the opportunity to read "'O Au No Keia: Voice's From Hawaii's Mahu and Transgender Community". As someone with no transgender feelings, it was a glimpse into a part of our community that I knew very little about. Its a very real book, written by the transgendered people themselves. Mr. Matzner interviewed a number of transgendered people on O'ahu, edited what they had wrote and then gave them a chance to review, correct and add to what they had said. So rather than being a book about transgender people, its really a book by transgendered people.

Their stories were real and often touching. Their feelings and lives, while outwardly very different than what I've ever experienced, were so real and human that it would be almost impossible to not understand and feel for them. They openly share both the good and bad parts of the lives in an effort to get those of us outside the transgender community to see how their stories could be anyone's story. They succeed. Its not an cheap book (almost [$$$]) but its worth every penny if you want to better understand our friends in the trangender community.

The Rock Tombs Of El-Amarna: The Tombs Of Huya And Ahmes/The Tombs Of Penthu, Mahu And Others
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A Treasure available again after 100 years

The Rock Tombs Of El-Amarna: The Tombs Of Huya And Ahmes/The Tombs Of Penthu, Mahu And Others
Norman De Garis Davies
Manufacturer: Egypt Exploration Society
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

Egypt | Ancient | History | Subjects | Books
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ASIN: 0856981605

Customer Reviews:

A Treasure available again after 100 years.......2005-03-26

As one who is fascinated with Akhenaten, I've only been able to access these volumes through the San Francisco Public Library. Two days' notice is required before getting to look at the original edition copies; the originals are also extremely delicate. Plus they are so valuable that they cannot be checked out. This first of three volumes reprints 2 of the original volumes, and the next two reprints will also include 2 of the original 6 volumes each. The facsimile reproduction is fantastic. The text is separate from the photos and relief drawings for each tomb, and it is all beautifully and carefully reproduced.

These books are invaluable to my research and are a fascinating read plus the many, many drawings are intriguing eye candy. I'm sure these new editons will be limited, so don't delay in getting your copy despite the somewhat high cost. I am anxiously awaiting the publication of the second volume!

These reprints are treasures!

Ke Kulana He Mahu: Remembering a Sense of Place: An article from: Contemporary Pacific

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Ke Kulana He Mahu: Remembering a Sense of Place: An article from: Contemporary Pacific

Manufacturer: University of Hawaii Press
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Digital
ASIN: B000BE80N4
Release Date: 2005-09-13

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Medicinal Chemistry
V. K. Ahluwalia , and Mahu Chopra
Manufacturer: CRC
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover

General & Reference | Chemistry | Science | Subjects | Books

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Book Description

Written in a readable style that makes the information easily accessible, this book gives a concise introduction to the chemistry of therapeutically active compounds. Is also includes a brief discussion of drug development from the discovery to research stage leading to the final product. It discusses existing drugs, their biological properties, and their quantitative structure-activity relationship. The text is organized into classes of drugs with emphasis on descriptions of their pharmacological effects. The book is primarily intended for the students and professionals in the pharmaceutical industry. Little prior knowledge is assumed, making it ideal for classroom and training seminar use.

Carrera's Bride: Long Tall Texans (Silhouette Special Edition)
Average customer rating:

ONE OF DIANA PALMER'S BEST

Simply the greatest.

On the fence about this one

texan lovers

Pretty Good
Carrera's Bride: Long Tall Texans (Silhouette Special Edition)
Diana Palmer
Manufacturer: Silhouette
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Mass Market Paperback

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Men of the West: Harden/ Evan/ Donavan

ASIN: 0373246455

Book Description

Christmas Bride

With his imposing stature and notorious reputation, Marcus Carrera instilled fear in friends and foes alike. However, there was one woman who could see beyond the casino tycoon's formidable veneer to the gruffly tender man inside. And their destinies collided when Jacobsville sweetheart Delia Mason was unexpectedly swept up in a tidal wave of trouble while on a tropical island holiday getaway. After Carrera rescued her from an unwelcome suitor, he claimed her trembling lips in a boldly possessive kiss that left her dizzy with delight. . .and breathless for more. But in his top secret line of work, this man of mystery moved in dangerous circles. Now Carrera had to risk it all to take Delia as his beloved bride!

Customer Reviews:

ONE OF DIANA PALMER'S BEST.......2007-06-10

I am not going to write much, just want to say I have read about 80 of Diana Palmer's books and this is in my top 10. I have reread it many times, I just reread it because Lawman just came out and I am rereading her lastest books before I read Lawman. I enjoyed the whole book. Also I enjoy that this book has many of the characters from her other books show up to help.

Simply the greatest........2007-03-12

Amazing story and great book. When i read the insert by Diana Palmer saying it was one of her favorite written stories, i figured it would be like all the rest. And although the plots dont cease to be alike, this one had something different and special.

So story is about his woman (Delia) who is getting manhandled by a man in a casino. The owner of the casino (Marcus) rescues her and they both find that they have incredible chemistry from the start. The next couple of days they are with each other and manage to form a relationship that leads to Delia getting pregnant. For certain circumstances, they are forced to be apart and while Delia saves Marcus' life, she loses her baby and he suffers amnesia and can't remember Delia.

Incredible characters. Palmer always portrays the male character as arrogant, selfish, and plain annoying. Marcus however, is great. Hes not the type to play hard to get. He instantly tells Delia how he feels and he makes no excuses. The only ones he makes are in order to protect Delia from any harm that may come as a result of his past.

Delia is also great. Shes strong and passionate. She gives everything shes got and fights for whatever she believes is hers. Shes a great character and i wish Diana would portray her females like she did with Delia.

The other characters add nice elements to the story. Everything is very much in order and it works out beautifully. I dont understand why people are saying it drags. If it would to have ended in the first 30 pages, it would have been like any other Diana Palmer story. This one went on to a more interesting twist.

Highly recommend it if you are a Diana Palmer fan. Ive read over 40 of her books and find this one to be one of the best. If youve never read Palmer, then this one is a great one to start with.

On the fence about this one.......2006-01-05

I am not sure how I feel about this book other than I don't absolutely hate it or love it.
Most of the story happens at the beginning and then just drags on. The champion quilting thing was a bit much...guess Ms. Palmer needed something to make the gangster hero seem gentle. I didn't like how Marcus didn't want kids (at least not right then) but wasn't as cautious as he should have been. After Marcus got his memory back, he showed an abundance of emtion that made the story better to me. I do wish DP would throw away her cookie cutter characters though.

texan lovers.......2005-12-27

I'm Melini from Indonesia. I love Diana Palmer's books. Texan lovers is the first book that encourage me to read english book. I read it using dictionary.
In Texan Lovers, you will smile, laugh and cry. But, i just want to say Diana Palmer books always typical. You read every story with different name but the same character. What i mean that every story have the same typical story. The man always big, handsome, rough and very 'experience' also a little bit old. The woman always young, fragile and alwaysss virgiiiin also have a big crush for the man. But i always waiting for the next Diana Palmer's book.

Pretty Good.......2005-01-22

Marcus is a wonderful hero and Delia is a sweet heroine. It is true that Marcus and Delia get together very early in the book, but the following amnesia story increases the tension and suspense. I liked the amnesia twist to the story. Marcus doesn't remember anything about Delia, but he feels something for her that he can't explain. That section of the book had me biting my nails because I couldn't wait to find out what finally causes him to remember her and what his reaciton would be.

Average customer rating:

Carrera's Bride: Long Tall Texans

Manufacturer: Tandem Library
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Unknown Binding
ASIN: 1417666137

A Course in Miracles: Text, Workbook for Students, Manual for Teachers (Combined Edition) (Combined Volume, 2nd Edition)
Average customer rating:

Those who gave this a low rating don't "get it"

on mysticism and schizophrenia

Substantial book

A Course In Miracles

From a 5 year student and counting

A Course in Miracles: Text, Workbook for Students, Manual for Teachers (Combined Edition) (Combined Volume, 2nd Edition)
Foundation for Inner Peace , and Helen Schucman
Manufacturer: Foundation for Inner Peace
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

Education | Religious Studies | Religion & Spirituality | Subjects | Books
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ASIN: 0960638881

Amazon.com

When Helen Schucman, a professor of medical psychology at Columbia University, began hearing an inner voice of rapid dictation (which she eventually identified as the voice of Jesus), she decided to start taking shorthand notes. Then, with the support and encouragement of a colleague, Schucman continued to assemble the teachings that came to her. The result is A Course in Miracles, a book that has spawned hundreds of study groups and an international following. Although some may find the teachings simplistic ("To heal is to make happy"), many are struck by the predominately compassionate and eloquent passages of this Christian-based interpretation of the Bible ("Whenever you deny a blessing to a brother you will feel deprived, because denial is as total as love"). Indeed, many of the teachings carry weight and certainly merit the acclaim and attention that this book has generated. --Gail Hudson

Customer Reviews:

Those who gave this a low rating don't "get it".......2007-09-03

I've read a few reviews on this book. I used to get upset at hardcore intellecutal types who use a fancy vocabulary just to prove to others how "intelligent" they are. Intelligence is a curse to those who claim to know everything and a gift to those who know they know very little. This book is not the Bible it's not the Koran it's a spiritual book with valuable lessons. Yes it is tedious and complicating. If it was simple it wouldn't be worth the read. The problem is people are either very religious and call it blasphemous or are hardcore science types who need everything proven to them in a sterile laboratory. Life is complex and so are people. This is not the answer to all your problems BUT if you "get it" you'll learn from it. Leave those who hate this book to continue living in fear of change. I don't have all the answers, no one does. Your truth is not my truth. If love and compassion scare you don't read this book. If you get uncomfortable looking in the mirror because you feel lost, don't read this book. God is not a man on a chair with a beard in my opinion. God is everything, life, energy, thought. You control your own life. It saddens me to see that when things go right arroagant people pound their chest with pride but when things go wrong God is "punishing" them. This book is not for the weak of spirit. If you have an open mind, and you have a heart you'll enjoy this book. If your brain is so big that your ego and pride blind you, don't read this book. There are 2 types of intelligent people; those who keep an open mind and UNDERSTAND that they will NEVER have all the answers but try to find peace in life and then there are those who base their identity on their iq scores. You are not you're thoughts, you are not your car, you are not you're phd degree on that wall, you just...are.

on mysticism and schizophrenia.......2007-08-21

The book cannot be discussed per se or as a work of art, rather as awork on the manifestation of escapism and self delusion.

Having endured a tedious battle of copyright beween competing groups of quasi religious conviction it is now exploited under the notion that it is distributed for no profit at all, this being the first delusion of many more to follow.

It has been written by Helen Schucman, teaching medical psychology at the Columbian Presbeteryan Center in the sixties of the last century with the claim that it was dictated by a voice she heared inside her head. Later she identified this voice as Jesus Christ. This Jesus gave her dictations on a daily basis which she put down on note pads. Schucman red these notes to her collegue Dr. William Thetford who edited and typed the text.

At first Schucman was reluctant to publish her work, for reasons the reader must imagine himself.

In the early seventies Schucman and Thetford passed the text, among others, on to Benedikt Groeschel, an ex-priest who at that time converted a certain Kenneth Wapnik from Judaism to Catholizism. Wapnik at that time wrote a work on mysticism and schizophrenia, concluding that mystics could never be schizophrenics. Groeschel gave Wapnik the text and Wapnik became a key figure of the cult. His income consists of revenues from books, tapes, workshops and donations, all based on Schucmans work.

Critical thinking about the claimed origin of this work is not encouraged by followers of the believe.
The same goes for questioning of its content.

Within the group of dedicated followers it is blasphemy to ask whether this could be a case of creative schizophrenia.
It feels like the basic and common truths contained in the volumes need a special endorsement in order to be considered valid. "If you cannot believe that it is the actual voice of Jesus you are refusing to wake up" this is the answer I recieved at one of the cult's workshops, surrounded by followers trembling from the kind of self induced ecstasy you will see at spiritual gatherings wordwide, regardless of the religious confession.

It is certainly no coincidence that most editions have a look and appearence that can easily be confused with US editions of Christian Bibles. The sectarian movement has the same stark opposition to critical views as orthodox Catholocism had in the past. It is in fact this point where ACIM and Catholicism are at its closest.

If you dare to question the loosely organized structure of thought, the answers of the group are as follows: You are only questioning the content of the book because you are "living in a dream" or "living in an illusion" and once again "refuse to wake up".

Aim of the system is to remove you from that dream, to awaken you into a reality which is supposed to exist only inside you - solipsism is the word that comes to my mind.

The philosophy of the work, basically purging scattered thoughts of early Christianity with an eclectic mix of hindu and other early religious views poular in the 60ies (think of the Beatles and their Indian Gurus!), is based on the idea of omitting personal suffering by omitting the ego that causes the suffering and carries it on indefinitely as long as you do not apply a process of "waking up from an illusion". It is of course similar to the Asian concept of Maya, the veil that covers the truth. This is one of many cultural cross references that are never made, the book makes it sound as if it carries original ideas, original ideas endorsed by a second coming of Jesus Christ to be exact.

The volume can easily be summoned up in one sentence: "Don't take yourself so serious."
This idea is as old as mankind, served in all mayor religions alike and not a bad idea.
The manual however is very serious, the gurus in the workshops even more so as soon as you stop petting their ego start to ask real questions.

I talked to the people. Most clients of the cult suffer from overindulgence or from the neclect of emotionally inacessible parents. It offers them to find solace by dwelling in their inner realms and by eliminating any resource of outward or political responsibility.

The philosophy of the book claims that you are the master of your fate just by waking up from the illusions in your life. While this is certainly true in cases of spiritual neglect retalted to things like "The American Way of Life" it offers hardly solutions to problems such as: "What can be done against the political and moral crimes induced by power?"

The answer of the book is "prey and wait for miracles" It is probably oder than Christianity.

This is, after all, one of these self help books for the gullible who are, more than anything else, in need for hugs, affection. Hence the workshops that offers all and a possibility to meet dates that are in need for love.

You can save yourself the rather tedious read and instead DO something good to yourself and the world around you. Hug anyone who's dear to you, send flowers to the people you care about, confess your love to those you didn't dare to, have an orgy of the kind that suits you, or just be yourself and smile when you want to frown.

1) The combattants of the copyright trial were the Foundation of A Course in Miracles (FACIM) and the Foundation for Inner Peace (FIP, before Foundation for Parasensory Investigation) against the New Christian Church of Full Endeavour Ltd (NCCFE).

FIP sold the rights in 1995 to Penguin books for 2,5 Million Dollars for 5 years of exploitation. In a verdict in 2003 the copyrights for FACIM were dismissed as the defendor NCCFE was able to proof that the book had been published earlier and that proper copyright had not been estabished by FACIM and FIC.

this review is not property of amazon

Substantial book.......2007-08-16

I've heard about the Course in Miracles for years. I ordered this book and have found it to be incredible. It contains all three parts in one book. If you have any interest at all, I recommend that you buy it. Even if you only read it occasionally or if you study daily - it is truly an inspiration.

A Course In Miracles.......2007-08-13

If you are open minded, really, and want to awaken to your true reality, this Course is truly helpful.

From a 5 year student and counting.......2007-07-30

The Course, as it describes, is a requirement for all those who chose to come here, then yearn to return to that ever nagging place we came from. But because our ego's are so huge, covering our spirit like the stone that was rolled away from the tomb, exposing the Spirit of Christ.
The course is a way of uncovering all that we used to cover up our true Self. Every year, the course seems to change in front of your eyes.
Anyone who has ever read it and not continued with it, is purely not ready for the Course. It is indescribable. It is life changing and brings on such great peace or at least the means of peace and contentment.
The Course in Miracles (ACIM)comes to those who ask "There must be a better way?" It certainly did for myself and everyone I ask.
Uniquely written by internal dictation thru a scribe. The words are OBVIOUSLY not from earth.
I am an avid reader and never read such incredible dialog. Rich, descriptive, intuitive and point blank, gets down to the real nature of our existance and our quest.

A Course in Miracles, Combined Volume: Text, Workbook for Students, and Manual for Teachers

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The Begining
Read this B4 u read the course
Only six reviews for one of the greatest books ever?
Is A Course in Miracles simply sophistry?
The Owner's Manual to Life

A Course in Miracles, Combined Volume: Text, Workbook for Students, and Manual for Teachers
Foundation for Inner Peace
Manufacturer: Foundation for Inner Peace
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover

General | Religion & Spirituality | Subjects | Books

General | New Age | Religion & Spirituality | Subjects | Books

Course in Miracles | Spirituality | Religion & Spirituality | Subjects | Books

All Titles | Qualifying Textbooks - Fall 2007 | Stores | Books

Religion & Spirituality | Qualifying Textbooks - Fall 2007 | Stores | Books
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A Course in Miracles: Text, Workbook for Students, Manual for Teachers (Combined Edition) (Combined Volume, 2nd Edition)
An Introduction to A Course in Miracles
The Disappearance of the Universe: Straight Talk About Illusions, Past Lives, Religion, Sex, Politics, and the Miracles of Forgiveness
The Fifty Miracle Principles of 'A Course in Miracles'
A Course in Miracles

ASIN: 096063889X

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The Begining .......2007-08-04

All you really need to be become accountable and in charge of what you see and feel.

Read this B4 u read the course.......2006-07-01

"This woman who had written so eloquently that suffering really did not exist spent the last two years of her life in the blackest psychotic depression I have ever witnessed.", these words were spoken at helen schucmans funeral. In the worlds of ACIM, "It would be madness to entrust salvation to the insane." & "Anyone who elects a totally insane guide must be totally insane himself.".

Also the co-author William Thetford worked for MKULTRA During the writing of this book. (MKULTRA was an inhumain CIA mind control experiment, look it up on wikipedia)

In short this was created by a guy who at the time had chosen the career of brain washing people, and also worked at creating A-bombs, and a lady who later had to be Institutionalized.

Is this book cult brainwashing? The work of the devil? or Gods gift to humanity? you decide

For me personally, this book makes me respect the bible when it says "beware false prophets". So many things seem so false to me.In my short time on this earth I have witnessed two psychologists tell me that people are able to make decisions and change there lifes, both while showing clear body language to the contrary (, I would like to make it clear that I have never actually paid money to see a psychologist). As people we all try to profit from making up lies/illusions/stories, I fear this book is no exception.

P.S.

Don't look to the shiny marble institutions, think for yourself.

Only six reviews for one of the greatest books ever?.......2005-06-12

When I saw there were only six reviews for perhaps the greatest book every published I was a bit shocked, so I decided I had to do my own review.

I first did A Course In Miracles about 20 years ago. That means that I went through the workbook exercises, one each day. Only it didn't take me a year -- it took four years. But the results were astonishing because my life totally changed and it really did produce miracles.

I'm now doing the course for the second time and this time its like a whole new course. That's probably because I perceive it on a different level. WHen I first did it, I was having trouble with concept like I create what happens in my life. Now I teach that concept as part of my business. But now I get to deal with a new way to do forgiveness and making that a part of my life.

Anyway, this course is amazing. I would challenge you to do the first 100 exercises in the workbook without seeing a MAJOR change in your life. Perhaps that's enough said.

GET THIS COURSE.

Is A Course in Miracles simply sophistry?.......2005-04-14

"Resign as your own teacher..."

The book is so rich in interwoven themes, it is possible to mention only a few. To those who have read the book I ask your forgiveness for all my simplification. To those who are frightened off by the one-star reviews I would explain -- Yes it is circular and repetitive, but that is hardly a negative criticism: so is Beethoven's music, about whose value there is no debate. Most negative comments seem to characterize the Course's ideas as sophisms. But to call an alternative thought-system a sophism is always a form of attack, and no-one attacks save out of fear.

Why does it engender fear? Truly, no plausible thought system can be without initial assumptions, from which plausible progressions evolve. The thought system of the ego and that of the Course are completely different, but both entirely plausible, as outcomes with certainty, based on their respective assumptions.

The fear always arises from having those initial assumptions challenged.

A small challenge as to form produces only controversy.

A major challenge as to genesis or content produces fear, because the ego recognizes its identity is at stake.

The ego thus produces its own sophistries in response, notably perception and empiricism.

In the world of ego-constructs, it is common to dismiss faith-constructs as sophisms, precisely because their assumptions cannot be empirically demonstrated.

This is entirely circular reasoning because empiricism is a necessary outcome of perception, and perception is a necessary outcome of the ego. Think, if you will, of a painter dismissing the existence of a symphony because he cannot perceive its colors.

In fact, the sophistic nature of empiricism becomes evident when we understand it cannot be proved valid by any of its own criteria for validity. It too, is mere assumption.

When we can view the divergence between the ego's thought-system and the spirit's thought system, as two entirely plausible but incompatible progressions arising from different initial premises, then only one question needs to be asked. The question no longer is: which is right and which is wrong? It is: how can they be reconciled? For in their reconciliation, all wrongness vanishes. Peace is re-discovered. A Course in Miracles prepares us for this process.

The ego would retort: it does not seek peace, but challenge, growth, stimulation, pleasure, power, reward, etc. This is another certainty: a sure progression from the ego's underlying perception of scarcity and finiteness. This is the ego trying to blend its own prescription for happiness, by constantly re-arranging the deck-chairs on the Titanic. Spirit Knows none of this: it knows only eternal peace, which is a threat to the ego since its acceptance would imply an end to scarcity and hence once more the dissolution of identity.

All forms of reconciliation are, at heart, non-dualistic. Non dualism embraces the necessary and continuous evolution of momentary illusory form from formlessness, and by forgiving it, allows it to return to the void, a mere thought that never happened.

The ego cringes at what it perceives as such sophistry. Or, in a desperate twist, attempts to discredit it because it is not "real" Christianity. No it is not. Nor is it meant to be. It addresses us in familiar terms without meaning to take ownership of them. As Nietzche wrote, "There was only one Christian, and he died on the cross." The spirit smiles and sees the ego hissing and spitting in fear, and does nothing. Its peace is undisturbed, and by definition, undisturbable.

For a more detailed insight into the teachings and meaning of "A Course in Miracles" I recommend www.facimoutreach.org. This free website contains over 700 thoughtful questions and answers about the teachings of this wonderful book.

The Owner's Manual to Life.......2005-04-01

If you truly want answers to life's deep questions, look no further. Beyond self-help, this inspiring book brings self-transformation. In a gentle way, your destructive life misconceptions will be deconstructed and the loving self that is your true being will emerge. My paragraph could not begin to do justice to this powerful book. Read it with no more than a willingness and you will find yourself.

Course in Miracles : Combined Volume, 3 VOLUME SET, TEXT; WORKBOOK FOR STUDENTS; MANUAL FOR TEACHERS

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Course in Miracles : Combined Volume, 3 VOLUME SET, TEXT; WORKBOOK FOR STUDENTS; MANUAL FOR TEACHERS
Foundation for Inner Peace
Manufacturer: Viking Penguin
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Binding: Hardcover
ASIN: B000O018BQ

A Course In Miracles - Combined Volume, Second Edition - I, Text; Ii, Workbook For Students; Iii, Manual For Teachers

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A Course In Miracles - Combined Volume, Second Edition - I, Text; Ii, Workbook For Students; Iii, Manual For Teachers
Foundation For Inner Peace
Manufacturer: Foundation For Innner Peace
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback
ASIN: B000VKACSE

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A Course in Miracles: Combined Volume
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ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover
ASIN: B000KICY7Y

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