I'm Still Hungry

Book Description

Three years ago, Carnie Wilson was 300 pounds, unemployed, depressed, and sitting in a doctor's office being told that she probably wouldn't live much longer. At night, she had terrible dreams of her mother getting a phone call from the police saying, "We're very sorry, but someone found your daughter in bed, and she's gone." Knowing she had to do something to save herself, Carnie opted to have gastric bypass surgery. She woke up the next day in the hospital determined that she wouldn't just work on having a new body, but also a new life.

That's the story we've already heard. In I'm Still Hungry, Wilson picks up where she left off in her 2001 book Gut Feelings. She takes readers step by step on her weight loss journey, which wasn't just a road to reaching 125 pounds. It was a mental trip where she had to conquer all of her fears and insecurities, including issues with her father, Beach Boy Brian Wilson—which made her gain the weight in the first place.

This book offers a unique way of showing the progression of weight loss, with one section serving as a diary of sorts. It details Carnie's weight at specific times so that readers can use this part of the book to find their own weight and see how Carnie's life lessons got her head in the right place so the pounds could keep falling off.

Wilson also offers a humorous look at her own weight loss, asking: What's better—sex or chocolate? (Answer: "Sex followed by chocolate.") She also discusses re-establishing her career as an actress and singer in Hollywood. It wasn't easy when the National Enquirer was practically staking out her house to catch her on "a fat day," or when fans e-mailed her to chastise her for flashing "some arm flab" on Entertainment Tonight.

And, of course, the book includes Carnie's minute-by-minute description of posing for the June 2003 issue of Playboy magazine, with the inevitable questions: Can I eat breakfast before posing nude? Why do I have my period this week of all weeks? and Do I look fat? Carnie also gives readers a glimpse of what spurred on the much awaited 2004 regrouping of the Wilson Phillips band and how she is in perfect harmony again with her partners, sister, Wendy Wilson; and bandmate, Chynna Phillips.

Finally, the last part of the book reveals the specific weight-loss plan that Carnie still uses to keep slim—and anyone can follow this plan to lose weight whether they've had weight-loss surgery or not. Carnie even includes a few of her favorite desserts.

Wilson is still hungry for knowledge, love, acceptance, and yes, a chocolate chip cookie or two.

Customer Reviews:

Great information and very entertaining.......2007-04-24

I recommend this book to anyone interested in WLS surgery, or knows someone who is having it. Carnie gives great information on what to expect after surgery, how she coped with issues the doctors don't talk about and kept me uplifted and excited about having my surgery. It was a quick easy read and I plan on having my husband read it so he will understand how and why I am choosing to do WLS.

Waste of money!!.......2006-08-02

As with her first book, I was dissappointed. There is little quality in this book when it comes to GBP. While there is information in there about some struggles and what it was like for her, the "meat" of the book was about her posing in playboy, and being in love. The crude language remained, although it was not as bad as her first book, "Gut Feelings." I was going to sell these on eBay, but I think I will just give them away!

so so.......2006-02-02

I really enjoyed reading about Carnie's experience because I have also had WLS. She offers great ideas, although I caution you that one should always talk to his/her own Dr. and not just taking her advice. Anyway, my complaint with her book is that she is sooooo inlove and sooooo happy all the time. It seems as if this was a panacea. Yes, I am happy and I have had great results from WLS, but it isn't all peaches and cream. In fact, there are many days that I don't even want to face the world. She seems to glamorize the surgery too much and she talks about her wonderful, fantastic, amazing husband too much! Enough already- we get it you're happy!

A Journey Worth Taking.......2005-11-01

I throughly enjoyed this book. Carnie is very funny and she gives a personal and detailed story that is shared by many. The personal point of view was greatly welcomed. I loved her humor and her insight. She shared herself in a way that I would be afraid to. She shed light on many issues that we as obese people usually overlook or ignore. Carnie is a very brave and inspiring person. Everyone considering having WLS should read this very personal story. Anyone that has had the WLS and does not have any support should also read this book. This is not only a story but a helpful guide into a brave new world.

Part 2 of a Great Read!!!.......2005-09-26

This book is done as well as the 1st which rarely happens!!! I am preparing for a Gastric Bypass in October and I found both of Carnie Wilson's books to be very helpful!!! Be sure to read them both...I am sure that you won't be disappointed!!!

Average customer rating:

THERE AREN'T ENOUGH STARS FOR THIS BOOK
This is my second review - I reccomend it to many of my clients.
Changed my life!
She is telling the truth
A dose of reality

A Very Hungry Girl
Jessica Weiner
Manufacturer: Hay House
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

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ASIN: 1401902235

Book Description

We're all hungry—hungry to look good, feel worthy, be loved, and fit in. Our hungers are deep and insatiable. We try to feel full by using food, alcohol, drugs, sex, relationships, careers, or money. No matter what we look like or where we came from, we all share the same intense need to fill up on life, but not many of us know how.

A Very Hungry Girl chronicles the journey of Jessica Weiner, who spent most of her life hungering to be someone else. She was so desperate to be accepted and valued that she spiraled into an eating disorder, experiencing the attendant lack of self-esteem that ruled—and almost ruined—her life.

This compelling book relates Jessica's very personal story, and also captures her unique persona as she travels the country as a performer and motivational speaker listening to thousands of other people's stories. It also presents valuable and concrete tools that you can use to fill up on life . . . and enjoy the full, meaningful existence you deserve!

Customer Reviews:

THERE AREN'T ENOUGH STARS FOR THIS BOOK.......2005-12-28

Jessica just came and spoke at my school. She was so nice, so approachable, so real! I just found out about this book and read it in one night!!!!!!!!!!!!! I couldn't put it down! Now my entire group of friends are reading it and passing it around. Every girl can relate to Jessica's story of survival. I loved this book!!!!!!!!!!!

This is my second review - I reccomend it to many of my clients........2005-07-28

What Publisher's Weekly (whoever they are) misses, is the fact that by sharing our authentic story we liberate others with the same hidden issues. Whatever the author lacks in life experience (how old to you need to be to tell the truth anyway) she makes up for with her no holds barred authentic real voice. This book is not a self diagnosic manual and the author makes no claims that it is. What it is, is a reflection of one persons struggle with her relationship with food, and herself, and life. All of us that have gone through various versions of these things can relate to the book. As a 42 years old physician I found it as meaningful as my 20 year old daughter. That is a pretty good scope for a personal story. FYI, Nowhere does she mention "memoir" or "diagnosing others". However, her belief that there are many more people out there with unhealthy food relationships is much closer to the truth in my ten years of practice then the "offical numbers". Worth sharing with those you love that may need to reflect on their food relationships.

Changed my life!.......2005-06-01

I just finished reading this book and I feel my life has just been changed!

I have 3 friends who all struggle with low self esteem and body image issues and I am always aware of books out there that talk about this topic but not until I read this book did it all finally make sense to me.

This author speaks with such heart and honesty that she feels like she is sitting right next to you. I appreciated her writing style which was easy to read, funny, and poignant.

I recommend that if you want a breath of fresh air around this issue that you buy a copy of this book. And pass it on!

- Parker

She is telling the truth.......2004-09-08

I am dealing with this right now. Me and my sister. This book is the first time i have seen anyone with my story. this author is telling the truth. And until you are experiencing the pain of this monster - you just won't understand. My class had to read this book for our health and science class and i am so glad we did. this helped me a ton!!

A dose of reality.......2004-09-07

I was alarmed to read in a recent interview with this author that: "In fact, she believes the majority of Americans suffer from disordered eating, which involves assigning emotional labels to our food." After picking up the book it seems that she believes everyone she's ever met has a serious eating disorder like anorexia or bulimia. She also thinks that she has some magical ability to know that they were suffering by the look in their eyes - this is highly unlikely, many of the people suffering from eating disorders look very normal.

As a person who knows about this subject because of a family member's anorexia, I can tell you this author is wrong about the subject. It is a serious one and someone without a degree or credentials shouldn't be making assumptions just based on her own (disjointed) world view. The author should share her story and triumph with her body image issues but leave the rest to experts.

For some reality: Research indicates that 1% of female adolecscents have anorexia, 4% of college age women have bulimia or bulimic patterns. And between 1-2% of Americans have binge eating disorders. Body Dismorphic Disorder affects about two percent of people in the U.S. and strikes males and females equally, usually before age eighteen. Sufferers are excessively concerned about appearance, body shape, body size, weight, etc. BDD is treatable and begins with an evaluation by a mental health care provider. More than half of teenaged girls are, or think they should be, on diets. About three percent of these teens go too far, becoming anorexic or bulimic. (these stats are from www.anred.com)

If you know someone who is dealing with these issues, they need therapy from trained professionals not books by lecturing performance artists.

Average customer rating:

Megan WOW!
Quite good
Hungry Spirts
Japanese school girl meets house spirit in motorcycle boots + hot human mage = WOW

Hungry Spirits
Morgan Hawke
Manufacturer: eXtasy Books
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

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ASIN: 1554106621
Release Date: 2007-02-09

Book Description

In a world of technology and high-rises, the past seethes below the surface, waiting in the dark quiet places.

Download Description

Contains menage and violence. In a world of technology and highrises, the past seethes below the surface, waiting in the dark quiet places. Kentoku is heir to a corporate empire, and the only one in his family aware that a very active spirit walks the hallways of his ancestral home. Keiko is a feisty young university student with an unusual spiritual talent -- the ability to feel ghosts as though they were flesh. Ryudo is an ancient samurai guardian spirit to an old and respected family, grown powerful in the modern era. An invitation to tea becomes a seduction that binds all three together in a web of desire, appetites, and secrets. Alas, they are not alone in the dark. There are those among the living, and the dead, who would bind them to their service; willing, or not.

Customer Reviews:

Megan WOW!.......2007-06-27

What is there not to say about this book? I love that it's like a prequel to your story in Hard Candy. It took me a bit to get into it but once They got talking it really picked up and never stopped.

Thank you for another great fabulous story.

Hugs and Slurps Nita

Quite good.......2007-05-22

Very sexy, and it has an interesting premise. Not many books that are listed as Hentai erotica even bother with a plot.

Hungry Spirts.......2006-06-19

Keiko is a university student just trying to get through her classes and blend in. There is only one thing stopping her; Keiko has a gift that allows her to see and talk to ghosts, among other things. The ghosts and demons know this and have been attacking her since childhood to get access to her gift. Naturally, Keiko now is on the look out for any and all ghosts or demons, and tries to avoid them.

Ryudo is an ancient samurai guardian spirit, or house ghost, to an old and respected family. He has been with them for many years and has grown stronger as the years have gone on. While keeping an eye on a group of students getting a tour, he realizes that one of the students, a young girl, can see him and even talk to him. Ryudo decides he wants to know her more and makes her get lost, unable to rejoin her group. After he talks Keiko into some tea, he figures out her gift and seduces her. Ryudo, there and then, decides he wants to keep her.

Kentoru is the only son and heir to a corporate empire. He meets Keiko when her class tours his house and his house guardian waylays her. Upon locating Keiko, Kentoru helps her get away from Ryudo and return home. Although he would love to get to know her better, Kentoru ignores the attraction, knowing that he is already going to pay a price from Ryudo for helping her. Kentoru quickly learns that he has underestimated Ryudo's need for Keiko.

Keiko goes through many trials and scrapes while getting a hold of her life. It turns out that she is betrayed at every angle, and she must keep fighting to keep her head up. She finds the only good thing is that she keeps running into Kentoru and Ryudo at her lowest points. Keiko is beginning to fall for both of them, which causes her to question her beliefs. The mutual passion that exists between the three of them lends the trio strength, and helps them overcome their enemies.

Hungry Spirits is one of the longer e-books, which Ms. Hawke has divided into smaller books. The expression of the ménage scenes is extremely well written with eroticism. Unfortunately, I found the long, wandering plot, and the many types of genres written into it, overshadowed the better parts of the story. I found these problems very distracting, and made it extremely difficult to get into this story. While I enjoy paranormal stories, I found that Hungry Spirits just was not the book for me.

Jo
Reviewed for Joyfully Reviewed

Japanese school girl meets house spirit in motorcycle boots + hot human mage = WOW.......2006-03-14

Finally, a nice long novel! Again, if you've checked out any other Morgan Hawke listing on Amazon, I've reviewed/star'd it. I love her writing. Full of detail without being Oscar Wilde over-the-top, she really makes the world and characters come alive. This story is about a Japanese school girl who sees and feels ghosts. On a school tour, the house spirt entices her, as does the male heir to the house. Can you see where this is going? Oh, yeah, one hot threesome that I read in one sitting at the computer, because I bought it as the e-book and can't wait to be able to read it again in paperback in the bathtub! Avatars and ghosts and demons and possessed school girls round out the cast of yet another amazing book by Morgan Hawke.

Average customer rating:

Life's Priorities Are Easier to See in the Sunset Years
The bottom line won't feed your soul
Inadequate Understanding of Contemporary Capitalism
Wonderfully challenging
Thought Provoking!

The Hungry Spirit
Charles Handy
Manufacturer: Broadway
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

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ASIN: 0767901886
Release Date: 1999-01-05

Amazon.com

The Hungry Spirit, by esteemed British businessperson-philosopher Charles Handy, is an extraordinarily eloquent and original treatise on the discomfort that many feel as a result of the overriding quest for corporate profit and personal advancement. Offering a carefully considered and compelling alternative vision, the book challenges the status quo on everything from capitalism and organization to goal-setting and morality. With nods to Kant, Keynes, Sartre, and Drucker, The Hungry Spirit is not your usual business tome, but that, of course, also seems to be part of Handy's plan.

Book Description

From one of the world's most respected business and social philosophers, a groundbreaking book that challenges us to question our reliance on traditional definitions of "success" and inspires us to find meaning and fulfillment in our professional, personal and spiritual lives.

Many of us, Charles Handy asserts, are confused and frustrated by the fast-paced, prosperous world we have created for ourselves. We are puzzled by the consequences of capitalism, whose material benefits and comforts we enjoy every day, but which also divides rich from poor, consumes so much of our energies, and does not always lead to a more contented life. In a world that is super-efficient, highly productive, and too often soulless, how do we quench our spiritual "hunger"?

In The Hungry Spirit, one of the most visionary business thinkers of our age offers a powerful argument for reexamining the role of work in our lives and discovering what we are truly meant to do and to be. Calling on individuals and organizations to find purpose in the journey we take rather than focusing on money and profits, which are simply the means to keep us going, Handy shows how we can all better ourselves and our companies while also contributing to a decent society.

As an oil executive, world-renowned economist, consultant, and professor at the London Business School, Handy himself was once no stranger to the trappings and fortunes of capitalism. But several years ago, Handy realized that he, like many of us, had placed too much significance on job titles and career success to the exclusion of his family, friends, and, especially, the fulfillment of his need to become a complete person, not just a worker slaving away in corporate machinery. He set about looking for what he calls his "white stone"--a symbol of the higher self that represents our true destiny, what you can become when you don't let titles and money and societal pressures get in the way.

Just as Handy urges all of us to seek our "white stone" and take greater responsibility for shaping our lives, he also entreats companies and organizations to push themselves to new heights by sticking to a clear-cut purpose. Companies, like individuals, can only grow if they embrace risk and break rules and attract people looking to turn dreams and new ideas into businesses that consumers and investors are excited about. Rather than trying to rally coworkers around a quarterly profit goal, companies must treat employees as citizens, as well as behaving as corporate citizens within the wider community. Handy calls for corporations to take a greater role in upholding the moral structure of society and to use their power to distribute knowledge and wealth to those who need the opportunity to develop--which will one day benefit us all.

A rare combination of engaging storytelling, philosophical exploration, and down-to-earth wisdom, The Hungry Spirit offers readers a powerful tonic for the profit-driven lives we've prescribed for ourselves and an inspiring message of hope.

From the Hardcover edition.

Customer Reviews:

Life's Priorities Are Easier to See in the Sunset Years.......2006-04-16

What struck me about this book was the search the author himself had made (and was continuing to make) in finding meaning for himself. The theories behind his views on capitalism (while interesting) wasn't the point to me. Handy reveals that (in the end) he had paid a terrible price in his family relationships while aggressively pursuing a demanding career as an oil executive and, to a lesser degree, later as an educator. This is something that most people can relate to--as it's a particularly delicate balance to maintain early in one's career.

It's insightful and painful at the same time to watch Handy go through his contortions. It was something I could certainly relate to...experiencing the guilt associated with investing so much of one's self in career at the expense of (ultimately) bigger priorities.

Towards the sunset years of one's life, one's life priorities become very clear. There's not a lot of preaching here...simply great wisdom from someone who attempts to inspire others to evaluate these important questions for themselves.

Bill Wiersma
Author: The Big AHA!

The bottom line won't feed your soul.......2006-01-27

Capitalism improves the lives of people more effectively than any other economic system. But the underlying principles of capitalism, efficiency and the bottom line, are too widely applied says the author. We are exhorted nowadays to run everything, even our personal lives, like a business. The problem is that the mandates of your life, and even many industries, like healthcare and social services, fall outside the basic structure of capitalist economics. Capitalism can provide wealth and comfort for people and institutions, but it cannot provide a meaning to their existence. People want more than money, says the author, they also hunger to make the best of themselves. The answer is to become "properly selfish." To be properly selfish means to reach beyond economics and find a true purpose to your life, to satisfy yourself by helping others, and building a legacy you can be proud of.

Charles Handy has the following advice for those seeking to add true meaning and richness to their lives:
· Know when to say "enough." Eventually, more wealth doesn't add value to your life, it just accumulates.
· Create the sublime. Make room in your life for things that lift your spirit like music and art.
· Reach for immortality. Find a way to leave something positive behind for the generations that will come after you.
· Help employees achieve their dreams. Give them a vision, a reason to feel passionate about their work.
· Treat your employees as citizens. Today, companies are more often a collection of people, not things.

Inadequate Understanding of Contemporary Capitalism.......2003-03-31

The Hungry Spirit is often confusing. The author freely acknowledges that modern capitalism operates according to the unrelenting market demands of efficiency and competitiveness, which maximizes the self-interests of an upper layer of market players but is detrimental to the financial and psychological well-being of the less well-placed who have either remained under corporate umbrellas or who have been discarded as redundant. Yet, on the other hand, he suggests that ýanyone with any intelligence and a bit of get-up-and-go can make money.ý And for those who donýt succeed, it must be because they have failed to develop ýan eye for a customer, the market, and a useful skill.ý This is the understanding of an individual who early in life received both an elite education and a lucrative job posting for which he was admittedly mostly unqualified who has now decided in later years to both mildly point out the flaws of capitalistic society and chide those who havenýt single-handedly overcome those economic forces.

The author attempts to fuse an emphasis on personal sovereignty, or what he sometimes calls ýproper selfishness,ý and the need for community especially within business enterprises. Recognizing that it is increasingly likely that he or she will be left to fend for themselves in the harsh environment of free markets, the individual should not seek employment, per se, but should develop ýemployability.ý Of course, backpedaling, the author recognizes that the educational system as well as other institutions does little to develop and sustain a society of entrepreneurs. The ýone-shotý chance at an education of forgettable facts is largely useless to those who desire/must operate service businesses. But this harsh reality is not all bad; the author insists that there is a widespread ýhungerý for personal growth that will be a part of developing employability. Work that has a greater purpose will increasingly be sought. Does walking the dogs or trimming the grass of elites qualify?

This line of thinking also has ramifications within corporations. These newly ýinner-directedý employees will reject being regarded as ýhuman resourcesý or managed as some kind of business cost. They will settle for nothing less than being viewed as citizens of their companies with ýrights of residence, justice, free speech, a share of the wealth ý, and a say in the governance of their [companies].ý The author correctly acknowledges that the democratic reorganization of companies seems like a ýtrade union manifesto,ý which does not comport well with his expressed anti-union convictions. Other than through the insistence of these newly redirected employees, the author is unclear as to how the major redistribution of power that will be required to establish ýcompanies of citizensý will occur. Of course, the compelling question is why the author is concerned about businesses as communities. Properly selfish, self-employed, citizens no longer need to work for corporations, right?

Despite the fact that the author generally regards laissez-faire economics as troublesome for the greater society, he seems unwilling to advocate for political processes to exert much control over its excesses. In fact, he suggests that major issues are best decided outside the political process beyond the level of the nation-state by pressures from global markets or by international economic (WTO) and military alliances. Citizens/voters should confine themselves to local issues of roads and schools and police and hospitals. This minimalist view of politics and government is hardly adequate to address the effects of the ýbottom lineý thinking of modern capitalism for which the author expresses concern. The revamping of educational systems to include life-long learning with replacement income during schooling and the restructuring of corporations will require greater, not lesser, political intervention.

As a critique of capitalistic society, this book is marginal at best. The authorýs focus on the drive for money and the workings of market forces doesnýt begin to explain the structure of capitalistic societies. Absent are virtually any descriptions of the power structures in society and, most importantly, the domination of contemporary culture and the control of information by media empires. It is clear that the author has little appreciation for the profound role of citizen empowerment whether that is through the political process or such bodies as unions that will be necessary to counter the forces of modern capitalism. The idea that half of society becoming entrepreneurs trying to sell services to each other or to a layer of elites without significantly countering present economic forces will represent a general advancement for society is dubious at best. If anything, it seems a certain path for a First-World country to become a Second- or Third-World country.

Wonderfully challenging.......2002-03-08

Handy is an incredible author. Reading this book was like sitting at the feet of one of the elders at the gate. He's incredible insightful and thought provoking. I highly recommend this book.

Thought Provoking!.......2000-12-24

Mr Handy has some very thought provoking ideas about capitalism, work and meaning of life. It was his 'Personal Preface' that attracted me to buy the book. As he said in the conclusion, "Life without hope is dismal."; I wanted to find out what he meant. In Part A of the book he talks about the impact of capitalism on the capitalist society . He explores the inefficiency and ineffectiveness of the marketplace and competition. It is in Part B where the main substance of the book is. It is about the self and how individuals should respond. He profiles the changing world of work over the years and its impact on individuals. In reading the section on self-knowledge and self-awareness, I found the 'obituary exercise' took a new meaning in the context of what I had read; although I had done this exercise several times previously. Learning to live with others and discovering connectivity with society is an important aspect of living. This is very vividly brought out by Mr Handy. It is here I found hope that we could live more meaningful lifes. In Part C, there are some possible solutions to the dilemmas we face. It is in this part, Mr Handy elaborates on the 7 cardinal principles of trust. In the context of career management, the idea of of a school for life and work is a valuable concept. His chapter on the role of government mentions about the I's - information, involvement, individuality and infrastructure. He concludes in the epilogue with seven trends and indicators for the future. I would consider the book as required reading for anyone who wants to add value or meaning to their life, actively contribute to society or is interested in people. Unknown to us, I think all us have a 'Hungry Spirit' within us. Mr Handy's book may meet some of this hunger!

The Siren Call of Hungry Ghosts: A Riveting Investigation Into Channeling and Spirit Guides

Average customer rating:

Siren Call to Read The Siren Call of Hungry Ghosts
A rare investigative treatment of the subject
A book more important than the Bible, Koran, and Talmud
Treacherous Waters
Not a Review As Such...

The Siren Call of Hungry Ghosts: A Riveting Investigation Into Channeling and Spirit Guides
Joe Fisher
Manufacturer: Paraview Press
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

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ASIN: 1931044023

Book Description

Mediumship dates back to the Greek Oracles and beyond, but millennia later nobody yet knows for certain what transpires when a medium enters a deep trance. Today, the practice of channeling spirit guides through hypnotized mediums is hotly debated. This strange phenomenon is either dismissed as a dubious parlor trick, or regarded as a form of communication between this world and the next. Many view "the guides" as a source of love and wisdom…but are they?

For five years, Joe Fisher painstakingly investigated the claims of channelers and the mysterious voices that speak through them. The Siren Call of Hungry Ghosts is his gripping journey into a realm of darkness and deception.

Customer Reviews:

Siren Call to Read The Siren Call of Hungry Ghosts.......2006-04-25

The Siren Call of Hungry Ghosts is a spell binding paranormal detective story, elegantly written, and as
haunting and irresistible as its title implies. The implications of what British paranormal investigator and writer Joe Fisher discovers, at the apparent cost of his life, are staggering, and have such profound implications for all inhabitants of this particular plane of reality that as over the top as this may sound, this book may be one of the more important ever written.

The title capsulates, in perfect microcosm, the subject of the book and also the effect of the book on the reader...
at least this reader. This book is itself a rabbit hole, a rabbit hole with a certain suction, an undertow pulling you in as the author is pulled into an ever more high stakes involvement with the phenomenon.

Joe Fisher experiences the classic pitfall of the paranormal researcher. He begins as an observer, but becomes ever more obsessed and affected, even over-powered by the object of investigation.

This is the sort of book that has an irresistible allure like an over ripe fruit hanging lowly on the tree of the knowledge of good and evil, a fruit I found myself reaching for at the very first moment I heard mention of the book's title.

Essentially, this book pulls back the veil on the channeling and spirit guide phenomena and compels you to look, through a glass darkly, at evil in one of its more beautiful, complex, seductive, ingeniously manipulative forms.

While it is dangerous to be unaware of such dark possibilities and manipulative entities, it may also be dangerous to cast your attention in their direction. Attention is not just internal, it is also a beacon visible to others, and not all of those others are visible to us.

In case I've been too luke warm in my praise of this book, let me add that it has intense entertainment value to read, finely crafted sentences, perceptive details of people and places, observations that are nuanced and multi-layered, a narrator who earns his reliability as a witness even as he descends into the most unreliable of circumstances. The flowing succession of events and realizations has a haunting, gothic effect on the reader, like a Palantir that compels and obsesses your attention, but without excessively distorting your view. And if that wasn't enough praise to make this book shimmer darkly in your mind's eye, and compel you to read it
with the obsessive attention it deserves, I don't know what else to say....

A rare investigative treatment of the subject.......2006-02-26

When I began reading this book, I simply could not put it down, and I ended up staying awake all night reading. Quite simply, it is riveting. A seriously ill woman with no interest whatsoever in occult or religious matters is put under hypnosis by a neighbor, in an effort to relieve some of her pain. Surprisingly, while she is under, her "guide" reveals himself, and begins a highly philosophical dialogue. It seems the woman, unbeknownst to her or anyone else, is an excellent channel of those from the other side. An informal group gathers around her, and in time they each meet their guides through her, who all seem to know extraordinarily personal information about those gathered. A rapport quickly develops between the guides and the members of the group, and the guides regale the members with accounts of former lives spent together, the nature of earthly existence, the karmic ties being played out among the members, etc. Sometimes the guides give information on the guides' own most recent past lives. The information is highly detailed, including place-names, names of people, specific landmarks in obscure places and times, etc.

Joe Fisher, one of the group members and the author of this book, wants desperately to have some sort of tangible and objective proof that the information coming from the guides is verifiable and factual. His quest takes him around the world, and into the realm of a kind of ghostly smoke and mirrors, where, in every case, the evidence is highly compelling and accurate...and yet genuine confirmation is *just* beyond Fisher's grasp. His journey also takes him into the realm of other channels, and their specific entities, some quite well-known. What he finds is both tantalizing and even mind-boggling.

The implications of the author's discoveries are far-reaching, regarding the reality of earthbound souls, the true origins of channeled entities (despite the entities' own self-proclaimed origins), the smokescreens that channeled entities use, and the possible reasons behind it. If you are at all interested in "A Course in Miracles," the Abraham books, the Seth books, the Michael books, Ramtha, etc., I strongly advise you to read Joe Fisher's "The Siren Call of Hungry Ghosts" first. As other reviewers have noted (accurately, in my opinion), this book truly is one of the most important books on the subject of New Age phenomena; it is a pivotal and important work and I can't recommend it highly enough.

A book more important than the Bible, Koran, and Talmud.......2004-07-25

With all our 'advances', and history to learn from, why are we still imprisoned on planet Earth ravaged by poverty, disease, and wars, and looking Armaggedon in the face every day, instead of 'Star Trek' exploring the universe in space ships ? Read Joe Fisher's book about Hungry Ghosts, and realize why his book is more important to humanity than the Bible, Koran, Talmud, and Hindu Vedic Texts combined, THE most important book ever written. (Thank you Joe Fisher, Be at Peace).

Treacherous Waters.......2003-11-04

To fully understand The Siren Call of Hungry Ghosts (1989), it is important that readers know that author Joe Fisher committed suicide about the time this Paraview Press edition was issued in 2001. According to Paraview's website ("Troubled by personal problems - as well as by the spirits he claimed to have angered in writing The Siren Call of Hungry Ghosts - Joe Fisher took his own life on May 9, 2001"), Fisher's tragic suicide resulted from late complications involving his investigation into the world of "channeling and spirit guides," which makes the book's dedication ("This book is dedicated to my dear mother, Monica, who has always insisted that demons do exist") all the more ominous.

The Siren Call of Hungry Ghosts recounts Fisher's fraternization over a number of years with a diverse group of people who meet weekly to "channel" the disembodied "guides" who speak to them through a non - professional, fatally - ill trance medium. Eventually coming into verbal contact with his own personal "guide," "Filipa," a Greek woman who claims to have been his devoted lover in a former life, Fisher slowly becomes emotionally dependent on their apparently sincere and forthright communications. Fighting paranoia as he discovers that "Filipa" seems to know his every thought and action and is even able to intervene in his daily affairs, the author sets off to England and Greece to prove to himself that "Filipa" was in life who she claims to be in death.

The Siren Call Of Hungry Ghosts is a disturbing book on many levels, not the least of which is Fisher's initial failure to establish any sort of sanity - preserving rational guidelines to help him discriminate between, understand, and classify his perceptions, insights, and experiences. Though Fisher had written two earlier books on the subject of reincarnation, and appears to have humbly considered himself somewhat of an expert and skeptic, readers will readily discern Fisher's amazing lack of objectivity, as well as his broad credulity and emotional desperation as his experiences with "Filipa" devolve from the surprising and inexplicable to the harrowing and destabilizing. The book is full of indefinite suppositions like "throughout recorded history, many people have been sensitive to an accompanying presence in their daily lives" and "humanity has always been attended by invisible beings," which make it clear that bedrock intellectual ballast was a quality the author lacked. As a result, Fisher seems headed for serious trouble even before the events of the book begin, especially since "gullible" is an adjective the author feels applies only to other channeling enthusiasts. Sadly, though familiar with the work of William James, Carl Jung, and Julian Jaynes, Fisher never seriously considers the dynamic role human psychology may play in the complex channeling phenomena.

Since the author was clearly experiencing a remarkable series of extraordinary events, readers may find it difficult to sympathize with his literalizing desire to hold the "discarnate" presences absolutely at their word, as if the content and nature of their pronouncements were his to command. As the book progresses, the author's "need to believe" becomes increasingly frantic, barely concealing an unsubtle will for power that Fisher fails to acknowledge or discipline. Addicted to "Filipa" and the romantic fantasies he has spun around her, confused, and manipulated on all levels by an increasing variety of "entities," Fisher pays a heavy price for his hunger for "self - knowledge," preoccupation with the dubious notion of "eternal love," and needy willingness to place his emotional and mental welfare wholly in the trust of apparent unknown super - normal agencies. Obviously, Fisher should have questioned whether his fervent desire for an all - powerful and transcendent guardian figure did not disguise his own unresolved parental complexes.

Fisher did realize that his interest had become an unhealthy obsession, but rather later in the game than readers will. By that time, he was moving unsuccessfully from channeler to channeler, attempting to prove that "Filipa" could manifest identically through different mediums, or that other entities could blindly identify her as his true "guide," and thus offer some evidence of her objective reality. In one bizarre episode remarkable for its audacity, Fisher flies to England in hopes of obtaining an audience with a newborn infant who he believes to be the reincarnation of "Ernest," one of the disembodied personalities whose given history has proven to be false. Meanwhile, the author's human relationships fail, and he finds that "no matter how hard I tried, I could not shrug off a cloying sense of contamination which could neither be pinpointed or explained. Life had rarely been so fraught with uneasiness."

The book's last chapter and newly - added epilogue find Fisher wiser, paraphrasing Goethe ("Whatever liberates our spirit without giving us self - control is disastrous") and Jung ("We die to the extent that we fail to discriminate"), but still anxious, paranoid about the "invisible" forces around him, unsure of the order of things, and fearful that the retribution of the "spirits," his "unseen enemies," may lead to his demise. The Siren Call of Hungry Ghosts is an intelligent book that Fisher partially intended as a warning to others; it is also a sad and educational commentary on human fallibility, hubris, recklessness, and the tragedy that can arise when "the abiding human need for greater meaning in life" goes awry.

Not a Review As Such..........2002-12-11

I want to confess up front that I haven't read this book-regardless of that, I would like to point out that Fisher wound up jumping off of a cliff in 2001, in spite of his convictions that suicide was never justifiable. You have to wonder how much the dealings with "spirits" had to do with his suicide. The moral of his book seems to be that people are better off not communicating with "spirits", and I would imagine that his suicide makes point more profoundly than anything that he wrote would. Having said that, I'm ordering this book and I plan to read it immediately.

The Hungry Spirit: Beyond Capitalism - A Quest for Purpose in the Modern World

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The Hungry Spirit: Beyond Capitalism - A Quest for Purpose in the Modern World
Charles Handy
Manufacturer: Hutchinson
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover

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Good medicine books
Adolf Hungry Wolf
Manufacturer: Good Medicine Books
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

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Holy Spirit I Am Hungry for You
C. Friedzon
Manufacturer: Kingsway Communications
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Binding: Paperback

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Hungry as the Sea/The Tightrope Walker/The Passing Bells/Flesh and Spirit (Reader's Digest Condensed Books, Volume 5: 1979)

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Hungry as the Sea/The Tightrope Walker/The Passing Bells/Flesh and Spirit (Reader's Digest Condensed Books, Volume 5: 1979)

Manufacturer: Reader's Digest Association
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Binding: Hardcover
ASIN: B000GHY11Q

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Four books condensed into one volume.

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An Interesting yet culure-based flawed book
Timely expose of dangers of channeling and mediumship

Hungry Ghosts
Joe Fisher
Manufacturer: Grafton
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Binding: Paperback

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ASIN: 0586206035

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An Interesting yet culure-based flawed book.......2000-08-19

Joe Fisher is a respected writer on the paranormal and takes us through a fascinating personal case study in `spirit deception'. The book is essentially flawed however, as Fisher (in the later chapters) appears to take a biased Christian-based view of the phenomena. The `experts' quoted on spirit deception are the hard-line Christian evangelicals who spend their time attacking the so-called `New Age' as well as all Eastern religions. The Christian bible is quoted as an authority on the issue. There are also the Christian-based comments; `Jesus Christ had nothing good to say about spirit contact'. What did Buddha have to say on spirits? Mohammed? Does it matter in psychical research what historical religious figures said? There is no reason that Christianity cannot have a say on the phenomena but why is it assumed that its authority is final?

Timely expose of dangers of channeling and mediumship.......1999-11-05

As one who has lived in societies where contact with the dead and experience of the paranormal is quite common, the different approaches to these phenomena between those societies and the West is remarkable. The 'materialistic' West is rediscovering and experimenting with a whole range of areas which used to be regarded as 'esoterica' but is now loosely subsumed under the term 'New Age'. But by contrast, the approach in the West to communications from the other side via mediumship or channeling is to be from "Masters", or the benevolently disposed disceased who have suddenly become enamoured with qualities of wisdom and understanding never approached during their lives on earth. Joe Fisher was already a well known journalist and writer on the occult and new age when he had the opportunity to meet his 'spiritual guide' on the other side. His eager interest aroused from these encounters soon led to entranced fascination, and a subjugation of his own responsibility for life descisions to the advice of the loving guide. After losing an important relationship and then discovering gaps and inconsistencies in historical information, he began to be more meticulous in his communication with the guides. Supported by copious transcripts of sessions, and historical research, he innocently challenged them over some clear inaccuracies, still naively thinking his own 'darkened' state made him incapeable of perceiving their wisdom in these matters. The transcripts of these questioning sessions show that these benevolent guides, from being initially cajoling and dismissive, soon move to emotional blackmail and finally to threats. The benevolent love disappears and we see behaviour as manipulative, deceitful and malevolent as from the lowest of earthly miscreants. Fisher's methodology of taping sessions (originally to preserve the wisdom) allows him to return to the material and pursue intelligently and determindly the irregularities and deceits. What gives this book some of its dramatic power is how the sessions show Fisher still trying to overcome his perceived inadequacies of comprehension in the face of the self incriminating lies of the guides, long after a sceptical reader can see through them. Fisher's experience, not merely recounted but supported by copious transcrpts, leads him to question who these beings are, and what purpose they fulfill in their contacts with the still living. He suggests that these are the so called "hungry ghosts" (as described in Tibetan lore), still earthbound, who use mediums receptivity for their own ends. The West's new plunge into the esoteric should not be undertaken "When spirits begin to speak with man...things are fabricated by them and they lie". Swami Bhakta Vishita warned of "a mischevious class of entities who impersonate other spirits". Iamblichus, the leading neo-Platonist of his time, unmasked an alleged Apollo speaking through a medium who was only the ghost of a gladiator. Is it any wonder that John, the forth Evangelist urged "Test the spirits"? - an injunction that anyone reading "Hungry Ghosts" will not forget.

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