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Illusions Mass Market Paperback – May 15, 1981

by Richard Bach (Author)

6,730 ratings

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Vintage paperback

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Publisher ‏ : ‎ Laurel Books
Publication date ‏ : ‎ May 15, 1981
Language ‏ : ‎ English
Print length ‏ : ‎ 192 pages
ISBN-10 ‏ : ‎ 0440343194
ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 978-0440343196
Item Weight ‏ : ‎ 3.8 ounces

Best Sellers Rank: #3,854,761 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
- #7,436 in Literature & Fiction (Books)

Customer Reviews:
6,730 ratings

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Richard Bach
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Since Jonathan Livingston Seagull - which dominated the #1 spot on the New York Times Bestseller List for two consecutive years - Richard Bach has touched millions of people through his humor, wisdom and insight.
With over 60 million copies of his books sold, Richard Bach remains one of the world's most beloved authors. A former USAF fighter pilot, Air Force captain and latter-day barnstorming pilot, Bach continues to be an avid aviator-author, exploring and chronicling the joys and freedom of flying, reporting his findings to his devoted fans.
Recent books include Travels with Puff, which recounts Bach's journey from Florida to Washington state in his small seaplane, Puff, and Illusions II: The Adventures of a Reluctant Student, which incorporates Bach's real-life plane crash.
Life with my Guardian Angel, published in October, 2017, is his story of the way we can discover a startling source of inspiration in our daily lives.
Fans and readers can find more about Richard and his work at www.richardbach.com
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Kitty Holland
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Discover more of the author’s books, see similar authors, read book recommendations and more.
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Customers find this book thought-provoking and life-changing, with a story that explains everything through a wonderful narrative. The book is easy to read, taking only an afternoon to complete, and customers appreciate its imaginative approach and Richard Bach's mastery. The writing style receives mixed reactions, with some finding it well-written while others describe it as nearly unreadable. The print size is criticized for being too small to read comfortably.

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Thought provoking Story quality Readability Creativity Pacing Ease of reading Writing style Print size

379 customers mention "Thought provoking"376 positive3 negative

Customers find the book thought-provoking, providing incredible insights into life and making them think deeply.

"So I guess I like it. Words to live by. Forest Gump had a feather also. Liked that as well. The story helps to make me a better person I think..." Read more

"...Without much surprise, Illusions is another philosophical deep dive into the transitory difficulty navigation of a world we make much too complicated..." Read more

"...Messiah Handbook, Bridge Across Forever, and One, have deeply impacted my philosophy of life. I have given out more than 30 copies of Illusions...." Read more

"...one of his books multiple times, I can assure you he is a real person with real ideas...." Read more

152 customers mention "Story quality"143 positive9 negative

Customers praise the book's story, describing it as an inspiring tale that explains everything through a wonderful narrative, with one customer noting its light-hearted and imaginative nature.

"...The book becomes a simple fairy tale of a mentor-mentee relationship that transpires in the skies above, the water upon, and the earth below Illinois..." Read more

"Such a great story! I gift this book to others and always here back that they liked it too." Read more

"...I also highly suggest remembering the book is fiction! Think about the message and concepts...." Read more

"...It's self-help packaged as an entertaining story about Richard and a man calling himself Don Shimoda...." Read more

135 customers mention "Readability"128 positive7 negative

Customers find the book highly readable, describing it as a quick and easy afternoon read with accessible language that can be interpreted on multiple levels.

"...I enjoyed this book for the sheer joy and easygoing pace of a story told well and simply – something Bach and other writers of the nineteen-..." Read more

"...real way, this book presents some of the concepts of Buddhism in an easy to read, startling way...." Read more

"...I must have given away around 50 copies by now. Despite being a short read, taking only about 4 hours, the lessons it imparts and the subtle manner..." Read more

"Short & to the point!" Read more

43 customers mention "Creativity"35 positive8 negative

Customers appreciate the book's creativity, describing it as imaginative with an interesting concept, and one customer notes how the themes and ideas integrate into their consciousness.

"...Illusions is a fun read, just as a short novel, in case you aren’t looking for a philosophical ride...." Read more

"...Mr. Bach's Illusions is a fantastic journey - one of many - on the lifelong road of growing as a person. I hope you enjoy it!" Read more

"...It is a unique book with the power to literally change your life if you take its message to heart. I wish there were more books like it!" Read more

"...But the themes and ideas slid into my consciousness. Subtly shaping how I saw and reacted with the world...." Read more

29 customers mention "Pacing"29 positive0 negative

Customers praise the pacing of the book, describing it as a masterpiece and the best of Richard Bach's works.

"...I consider this to be Richard Bach's best work...." Read more

"...Pure Genius!! Read it at least once a year. Read it to your kids, read it to your parents, read it to someone who is in the hospital...." Read more

"...It’s fun., binding, and most importantly imaginative. I know you’ll enjoy it. You wouldn’t have it if it wasn’t time. Selah'" Read more

"I don't even know how to begin reviewing this masterpiece. From the very first words, I knew something was different about this author...." Read more

26 customers mention "Ease of reading"26 positive0 negative

Customers find the book simple and easy to read, with an easy-going approach to life that is heartwarming.

"and repeated ad infinitum. Most rewarding, AND challenging work I ever read - or, most … book I ever read (you can fill in the blank!)...." Read more

"...book for the sheer joy and easygoing pace of a story told well and simply – something Bach and other writers of the nineteen-seventies were well..." Read more

"A smooth, easy, fun, & empowering read. Perspective you will take with you throughout life. A must read from Richard Bach" Read more

"...Expertly crafted story, easy to read, hard to put down once I start, satisfying yet sad when I inevitably come to the last page." Read more

41 customers mention "Writing style"24 positive17 negative

Customers have mixed opinions about the writing style of the book, with some finding it well written and quotable, while others describe it as nearly unreadable and difficult to get through.

"...First of all, regardless of the message, the book is very well written and enjoyable...." Read more

"...It's super easy to read, but it takes me a long to read it...." Read more

"This is a life changing book. It was written in the 1970’s . It’s an inspirational book told as a story. It’s a short , easy read...." Read more

"...The typeface must be 8 points (if that!)..." Read more

36 customers mention "Print size"9 positive27 negative

Customers find the print size of the book too small, making it difficult to read comfortably.

"...Not only is it tiny (pay attention to the stated dimensions!), the paper it is printed on is extremely cheap...." Read more

"...However, the latest version of the Mass Market Paperback has INCREDIBLY small print...." Read more

"...The best thing I can say about it is that the book I got had very small type and lots and lots of white space...." Read more

"...(part of Random House) of this book was just TOO small for me to read comfortable...." Read more

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O'sensei Gary Masengale
A reluctant Messiah
Reviewed in the United States on May 26, 2025
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It's not what you are looking for that matters. It's what you find. Don Shimoda has been an inspiration for me many years now. Less bugs on the windshield, check. Still working on the not burning oil though.

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ginnymae
Have read this book at least 40 tImes....
Reviewed in the United States on May 13, 2025
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So I guess I like it. Words to live by. Forest Gump had a feather also. Liked that as well. The story helps to make me a better person I think...

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N Albertson
it’s been said … ::
Reviewed in the United States on March 8, 2025
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and repeated ad infinitum. Most rewarding, AND challenging work I ever read - or, most … book I ever read (you can fill in the blank!). This is one of those that inspires superlatives to just cascade from normally reserved reviewers, folks that are sparse with their words. It just happens. I swear it.

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2 people found this helpful

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Audrey
I adore this book, but there's so much damage on this copy
Reviewed in the United States on December 20, 2024
Verified Purchase
I won't return it because I just wanted a spare copy to lend out, but I'm very unhappy about the damage the copy I received.

This book is fantastic, it put words to how I've viewed the world around me. How people let themselves fall into violence due to a sense of misguided devotion. About how most things are possible if you can imagine it. And how to slow down when going through life.

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Audrey

I adore this book, but there's so much damage on this copy

Reviewed in the United States on December 20, 2024
I won't return it because I just wanted a spare copy to lend out, but I'm very unhappy about the damage the copy I received.

This book is fantastic, it put words to how I've viewed the world around me. How people let themselves fall into violence due to a sense of misguided devotion. About how most things are possible if you can imagine it. And how to slow down when going through life.

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2 people found this helpful

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Garrett Zecker
Beautiful and simple, a fable that proves we would all quit if the world was on our shoulders
Reviewed in the United States on May 10, 2021
Verified Purchase
I have always been familiar with Bach’s Jonathan Livingston Seagull, and I only picked this up during a Kindle sale wanting to check out some of the pilot-writer's other work. Without much surprise, Illusions is another philosophical deep dive into the transitory difficulty navigation of a world we make much too complicated. The germ for this story is in the title. Donald Shimoda is a messiah who has given up on the messiah lifestyle to become an anonymous pilot that gives rides to people in small farming communities for a few bucks. When he meets up with a writer-pilot named... Well, Richard Bach. The book becomes a simple fairy tale of a mentor-mentee relationship that transpires in the skies above, the water upon, and the earth below Illinois. As with Seagull, Bach’s breezy and optimistic prose carries us through their developing relationship, the curious nature of the enigmatic Shimoda, and the Siddarthan journey upon which we come to many conclusions about the true nature of the illusion of life itself. I enjoyed this book for the sheer joy and easygoing pace of a story told well and simply – something Bach and other writers of the nineteen-seventies were well known for. I certainly didn’t feel like I wasted my time on it, and while some aspects of the novel (much like Seagull) can be perhaps distilled down into core maxims and slogans that can be considered a bit too cheesy for some tastes, the many lessons that can be taken from his simple, impactful, deliberate prose can be quite striking if you’re able to scrape the saccharine glaze from... well... the cynicism that we all carry that his work effortlessly attempts to unburden us from. In this case, as is the case of Seagull, I think he is quite successful.

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28 people found this helpful

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Kindle Customer
"A Philosophical Guide to Empower Oneself"
Reviewed in the United States on March 17, 2015
Verified Purchase
Illusions: The Adventures of A Reluctant Messiah. Definition of Messiah: A professed or accepted leader of some hope or cause. Donald Shimoda and Richard are both pilots of antique planes who fly around small agricultural communities of Illinois about 1969. They don't fly to spray crops, they fly to give locals an experience as passengers at the cost of $3 for 10 minutes of fly time. It is thrilling experience for those who have never flown in a small plane before. They meet up together in Ferris, Illinois and enjoy each other. Richard soon discovers that Donald is a messiah, who disliked the work, having people constantly following him who just wanted miracles, which he can perform. But he gives it up to follow the paths of his choosing. His plane is a classic Travel Air 4000, gold and white. He's made several flights this day, however, his plane is perfectly clean, like it's never been flown before and just had materialized out of thin air in the field. During their evening discussions over the campfire, Richard expresses his belief in the theory of mankind eventually learning to fly without machines or airplanes, maybe even fly to different planets. Don was called the Mechanic Messiah, sometimes the American Avatar, who disappeared in front of 25,000 people. They constantly banter back and forth, Richard saying there is no way Don can truly run away from his assigned mission. Don knows that if one wants freedom and joy, it found within the person. Therefore, Richard is to become the Reluctant Messiah, and learns much. There are several lessons here for Richard to learn from a book Tom gives to Richard: 1) You are never given a wish without being given the power to make it true. 2) Like attracts like, we shine who we are; some reject or turn away, while others are drawn to us as a magnet. Well written with thoughts to ponder. It's a story you may want to re-read from time to time.

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9 people found this helpful

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Triadskater
Illusions had deep impact on me.
Reviewed in the United States on October 12, 2024
Verified Purchase
Illusions, the Messiah Handbook, Bridge Across Forever, and One, have deeply impacted my philosophy of life. I have given out more than 30 copies of Illusions. The photo is of my ring I had made. My personal philosophy of Triadism easily fits the symbolism using the Feather, Möbius, and Infinity. Illusions is a fun read, just as a short novel, in case you aren’t looking for a philosophical ride. But, then again, you might enjoy its Inspirational flavors as well.

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Triadskater

Illusions had deep impact on me.

Reviewed in the United States on October 12, 2024
Illusions, the Messiah Handbook, Bridge Across Forever, and One, have deeply impacted my philosophy of life. I have given out more than 30 copies of Illusions. The photo is of my ring I had made. My personal philosophy of Triadism easily fits the symbolism using the Feather, Möbius, and Infinity. Illusions is a fun read, just as a short novel, in case you aren’t looking for a philosophical ride. But, then again, you might enjoy its Inspirational flavors as well.

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5 people found this helpful

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Jolene Csakany
great story!
Reviewed in the United States on January 10, 2025
Verified Purchase
Such a great story! I gift this book to others and always here back that they liked it too.

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Must read book
Reviewed in India on April 16, 2024
Verified Purchase

It is a spiritual and adventure read... Similar to the author's bestseller "Jonathan Livingston Seagull", this book comes with a human touch.
He has nailed it with those tiny quotations that stay with you.
It's a very different approach to writing.
Overall, loved the book.

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Client d'Amazon
Très bon livre !
Reviewed in France on May 13, 2016
Verified Purchase
(Livre en Anglais)
Colis arrivé en temps et en heure sans dégâts.

D'une façon ou d'une autre ce livre change notre façon de penser ou de voir la vie.
J'ai pris connaissance de se livre via une préface d'un autre auteur, il m'a tellement bien vendu le livre que j'étais obligé de l'acheter, et oui ça eu un très bon effet sur ma façon de voir la vie, un excellent livre que je recommande a tout le monde.
Le livre est en anglais mais est très facile a lire.

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Wojciech Jagus
I read it all at once
Reviewed in Germany on March 26, 2024
Verified Purchase
And then again, and again, and again. There are high chances it will help you feel better, which is the ultimate purpose of this and every other book

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Rosa
My Favorite Book.
Reviewed in Brazil on January 9, 2024
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Rosa

My Favorite Book.

Reviewed in Brazil on January 9, 2024

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Little Bookness Lane
Humble sustenance for the soul
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on December 8, 2024
Verified Purchase
"The world is your exercise-book, the pages on which you do your sums. It is not reality, although you can express reality there if you wish. You are also free to write nonsense, or lies, or to tear the pages."

As first impressions go, I was curious why a simple blue feather appeared on the cover. In just a short time, my 'why' was answered.

Narrated with simple eloquence, "Illusions" offers humble sustenance for the soul, welcome food for thought to be taken or left by each reader.

When my brain grows hungry for perspective I'm sure I'll turn the pages of this book again.

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Illusions Mass Market Paperback – May 15, 1981

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I adore this book, but there's so much damage on this copy

Top reviews from the United States

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I adore this book, but there's so much damage on this copy

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Illusions had deep impact on me.

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Top reviews from other countries

5.0 out of 5 stars Must read book

5.0 out of 5 stars Très bon livre !

5.0 out of 5 stars I read it all at once

5.0 out of 5 stars My Favorite Book.

My Favorite Book.

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5.0 out of 5 stars Humble sustenance for the soul

Must read book

Très bon livre !

I read it all at once

My Favorite Book.

Humble sustenance for the soul