Jonathan Livingston Seagull

"Most gulls don't bother to learn more than the simplest facts of flight--how to get from shore to food and back again," writes author Richard Bach, in this allegory about a unique bird named Jonathan Livingston Seagull. "For most gulls it is not flying that matters, but eating. For this gull, though, it was not eating that mattered, but flight." Flight is indeed the metaphor that makes the story soar. Ultimately this is a fable about the importance of seeking a higher purpose in life, even if your flock, tribe or neighbourhood finds your ambition threatening. (At one point our beloved gull is even banished from his flock.) By not compromising his higher vision, Jonathan gets the ultimate pay-off: transcendence. Ultimately, he learns the meaning of love and kindness. The dreamy seagull photographs by Russell Munson provide just the right illustrations--although the overall packaging does seem a bit dated (keep in mind that it was first published in 1970). Nonetheless, this is a spirituality classic and an especially engaging parable for adolescents. --Gail Hudson

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Is Johnathan the true son of the Great Gull? - Rated
A beautiful story that took 1 hour to read.Behind the words is the message that we are poweful beings whose thoughts are powerful and that we need to step away from the crowd and search for higher realms.
I much prefer Richard Bachs book illusions which is more profound.
The message that should be taken very seriously is that our thoughts are truely powerful,this is why the Law of Attraction is such a powerful force in our lives.

A True Bond - Rated
This book is Richard Bach's finest work. A simple story told with complex texture, the bird symbolises the ineffable longings within humanity for a transcendental epiphany; a neon in the night of our stumblings; flash! I see! I hear! I fly! Valleys of failure and hills of hope are the topographic text through which the tale travels, and white-winged and wide are our stretchings towards self-actualization. This is a work of singular vision, aided by a slight editorial suggestion offered by his friend, Sean Connery. During a recent interview on 'Parkinson', Connery said, "Bach had just finished the final draft and we were sitting together on Brighton Pier, feeding bread to the gathering gulls. Hundreds of the wretched creatures, all squawking and pecking and flapping. It was like being in the centre of a feathery blizzard and we were covered in gull-goo and crumbs. Fearing for our lives and an exorbitant dry-cleaning bill, we decamped to the safety of a nearby bar. After a dozen or so fortifying flagons, Bach unwrapped the splattered manuscript and showed me the title. Something about it wasn't quite right, so I propped the stupefied scribbler back into his chair and said, 'Richie, sure the bird idea's got legs, but Jonathan Livingston TURKEY? When those flocking gulls disappear, take a stumble along the beach and see what else you can come up with.'"

The Essence of life in a book...or a bird....or you. - Rated
This book beautifully shows us why it is difficult to break out of the crowd mentality and that allows us to be compassionate with ourselves when we get stuck. It shows us where the crowd mentality comes from which gives us greater understanding of our fellow souls that seem intent on keeping us in the crowd and from that understanding we can be more compassionate towards them. But most importantly it shows us how to break free of the crowd and how we bless ourselves and the whole of creation by doing so.

The greatest gift that you can give the world is to heal yourself.

The story is short and yet so deep that you may never see the bottom, therefore it speaks to everyone on all levels. As folk point out, you can read it in one afternoon and it will be with you forever.

What have you got to lose?

Passing it on... - Rated
I read this book as a 'troubled teen' and it changed my life. I adore it, re-read it regularly and it has become a friend. Now my 21 year old son has hit some difficult times and I bought this most recent copy for him. It seems to be helping - at least he keeps picking it up and reading it and he does seem calmer and more at peace with himself than he has for some time.

We can talk and share and be there for our loved ones as much as possible, but sometimes we have to leave them to sort things out for themselves - but that doesn't mean we have to leave them 'alone'. My son is not the first person I have shared this friend with, though perhaps he is the closest, and everyone I have passed it on to has come back to tell me it helped, and many have since passed it on to others.

I would recommend this book to anyone and suggest that it be the first Richard Bach book you give to someone you care about, but not the last!

Do what's right for you - Rated
If there's a book about being true to yourself, if there's a book about not listening to the crowd, if there's a book about the value of being of service to others - this just has to be it!

I can't tell you how many times I've read it because I've lost count. I can't tell you how many times I've bought it for others because it's so many times.

It's a truly inspirational and easy read and makes very simple points very well.

EnJOY