Nancy G. (ComfyReader) reviewed Soul Survivor: The Reincarnation of a World War II Fighter Pilot on + 330 more book reviews
Helpful Score: 3
Oh for goodness sakes, this is supposed to be a book about the reincarnation of a World War II Fighter Pilot not a recap of a previous marriage, an over protective mother and the lenient parental role model that she lived with. Not to mention the panel made up of Andreas sisters that have to discuss every part of Jamess life so they can come to a mutual decision on how to move forward.
By page 50, the amateurish dummy-downed ramblings are enough to drive the reader crazy. Really, this should not be about the adults; this is supposed to be about a child. A two and a half year old child that is having night terrors --a child that knows what a drop tank is and that can identify a Japanese fighter by the red meatball on its side. This is a child that is not yet potty trained and cannot yet speak in full sentences, but knows things that are unexplainable.
To make the beginning of this book bearable, you will have to skim and scan the first 50 pages. Finally, when James admits that he is little man do the adults sit up and take notice. Maybe this will start to get interesting took long enough.
As the Leiningers plod along in their research and realizations, James once again seems to be left in the dust. Bruce Leininger seems more interested in proving his theories, which are running headlong into his religious beliefs, then in helping James understand what is going on with his dreams and memories.
I will admit that when the book actually got back to James, the hairs on my arms would tingle. There is something very spooky and intriguing about this story. I just wish that I knew what the true ulterior motive was for the Leiningers. Did they want to tell their sons story, fulfill promises to the survivors of Natoma Bay, or to pay off their debts? There was too much talk about paying bills and unemployment for me to not wonder about their true motives.
Would I suggest the book only if you skim since there is too much side story for this to be truly about the Reincarnation of a World War II Fighter Pilot.
By page 50, the amateurish dummy-downed ramblings are enough to drive the reader crazy. Really, this should not be about the adults; this is supposed to be about a child. A two and a half year old child that is having night terrors --a child that knows what a drop tank is and that can identify a Japanese fighter by the red meatball on its side. This is a child that is not yet potty trained and cannot yet speak in full sentences, but knows things that are unexplainable.
To make the beginning of this book bearable, you will have to skim and scan the first 50 pages. Finally, when James admits that he is little man do the adults sit up and take notice. Maybe this will start to get interesting took long enough.
As the Leiningers plod along in their research and realizations, James once again seems to be left in the dust. Bruce Leininger seems more interested in proving his theories, which are running headlong into his religious beliefs, then in helping James understand what is going on with his dreams and memories.
I will admit that when the book actually got back to James, the hairs on my arms would tingle. There is something very spooky and intriguing about this story. I just wish that I knew what the true ulterior motive was for the Leiningers. Did they want to tell their sons story, fulfill promises to the survivors of Natoma Bay, or to pay off their debts? There was too much talk about paying bills and unemployment for me to not wonder about their true motives.
Would I suggest the book only if you skim since there is too much side story for this to be truly about the Reincarnation of a World War II Fighter Pilot.
Jill F. (ellzeena) -
Helpful Score: 2
Very tough read, badly edited, poorly written, not sufficient data for a book length project. I skimmed through a great deal of it but the more pertinent parts, those associated with information gleaned from the child's statements, are thought provoking. I have no idea whether or not reincarnation is part of the structure of human life, but I have had three past life regressions, two of which came back to a single experience. It's an interesting concept.
Joan C. (joan13) -
Helpful Score: 2
Interesting story of a young boy's past life recall of life as a World War II fighter pilot. Not written on a professional level--it is the boy's parents putting his story and their experience into written format. Details their journey through this as a family, incorporating it into their own spiritual belief system and helping their son on his healing journey of discovery. I have read a number of "past life" books--if you are looking for a book to prove it is real, this is not the book. If you are skeptical, it will not convince you. But the story is great, and if you believe in this sort of thing,and can read for content and not style--you might enjoy this one.
SALLY W. (thameslink) -
Helpful Score: 2
Compelling read!!! This book arrived this afternoon and I looked it over and began reading the first paragraph -- before I finished the first page I knew that I was not putting this book down until I finished it, and I didn't!!! Did I say this book is compelling?!?! The majority of the book is the story of the parents of James Leininger research into the past, trying the make sense of their child's memories of being shot down during WWII. The process of this search is a fascinating trip into the past. Whether you are a believer in reincarnation or not, it is a very intriguing read and I highly recommend it!
Tracy T. (charliebear) -
Helpful Score: 1
The story in and of itself is a good one, but the book is poorly written and poorly edited. If the family itself is as egotistical as the author makes them seem, I can't imagine why any soul would choose the group as an ideal environment for reincarnation. Reading about them made the word "dysfunctional" come to mind. The whole story could probably have been better presented in pamphlet form. If you really want to check this book out, pick it up at the library and skim it because it isn't worth spending the hours it would take to read all the extraneous information it contains about the family. I skimmed it in about two hours and saw everything I wanted. Read first chapter for the set up, then skip to the middle of the book where Bruce goes to the Natoma reunion, skip another couple chapters, read the info where he meets Jack Larsen, skip more, wrap up. That's all that's worth bothering with. I really wish Ian Stevenson had been available to work with this case because the level of "cluelessness" going on in this book is extraordinary.
Jeannine W. (jrelehw) reviewed Soul Survivor: The Reincarnation of a World War II Fighter Pilot on + 204 more book reviews
Helpful Score: 1
This is an incredible story! I already believe in reincarnation and so felt that a lot of the book was spent trying to validate the parents as being sane people. I also felt it was MORE about the parents than the child! There are some unanswered questions for me....when did they tell their son they were researching his story? How did they tell him and how did he react? BUT the parts about the childs memories and his comments to his parents gave me goose bumps!!!
Debbie B. (debs) -
I loved reading about this little boy and his experiences; sure (as other reviewers suggest) it's from the parents' point of view, but it HAS to be since the child started experiencing the 'remembered' trauma when he was only 18 months old. I thought the book was well done, and showed how the father, especially, went from a firm non-believer to someone who could accept what his child pretty-obviously went through.
Jennifer C. (junebug612) reviewed Soul Survivor: The Reincarnation of a World War II Fighter Pilot on
For those that believe in reincarnation or are at least curious about it, this book is amazing.
Debra L. (dallovbug) -
This is a fantastic story of a little boy, who spills out information that is way beyond his years, and his parents who try to verify what he tells them. It all starts with bad dreams that the boy is having. He gives his parents detailed information on the plane he was flying, how he died, and a few name of the men he flew with in WW2. His father is a bit skeptical at first, in fear that if he believes in reincarnation he is betraying his Catholic upbringing.
The Father and later his mother spend countless hours looking for information and living relatives of the men that "James" was in the service with. Excellent read. Very interesting and remarkable!
The Father and later his mother spend countless hours looking for information and living relatives of the men that "James" was in the service with. Excellent read. Very interesting and remarkable!
