I learned to respect the honest, scholarly approach of Robert Peel in his fascinating 3-part biography of Mary Baker Eddy. He doesn't disappoint with this fascinating review of spiritual healing in the modern age. Anyone curious about the efficacy of spiritual healing would be fascinated by this book and profit from it. I'm amazed that such a helpful book is now out of print.

A great book by Robert Peel describling factually how individuals used Christian Science treatment in medicially hopeless situations. If the situation is hopeless, why not try Christian Science as these people did and give oneself another option, life? It is important for people to know that in the early movement of Christian Science, as today, people were healed by simply reading Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures, by Mary Baker Eddy. It is "a very present help in trouble"..The Bible

Peel discusses a variety of spiritual healing practices and experiences, and provides a wonderful description of the Christian Science movement. The practice of spiritual healing through silent prayer, practiced with great success for over 130 years, is fully explored. The story beginning on page 54 of a tragically deformed and seemingly hopless infant, who regains complete normalcy through Christian Science prayerful treatment, is worth the price of the book. For those who want a very interesting book about spiritual healing and Christian Science practice. this is a very good choice.

I read this biography in college. I was able to draw several conclusions from the chapters. Chapter 1. A scandal would harm her adopted son. Chapter 2. A really good leader can attract a lot of admirers. Chapter 3. By not trying to outdo others, she created a very tolerant church. Chapter 4. A Concord newspaper owner thought Mary Baker Eddy was a fake. Political Interlude. To introduce Christian Science on Mainland China was dangerous. Chapter 5. The establishment of the Committee on Publication was greatly needed at the time of a court case that was filled with propaganda against her church. Chapter 6. Teachers and readers in the East would be better off if they had solid learning and culture. Interlude Semantic. A mistaken metaphysical concept is a topic at a meeting with Governors of the church. Chapter 7. She said much work needed to be done. Chapter 8. She decided that the Mother Church reader should become the reader at the Concord church. Chapter 9. She immediately was sure Einstein had made a great discovery. Chapter 10. She thinks it is vital for anyone to demonstrate this Science. At times while reading the biography I was reminded of the period in history when German scholars inspired Charles Briggs to question the authorship of the Bible, the biblical account of Creation, and the divinity of Jesus.

Mary Baker Eddy was a controversial woman, and biographers often either laud or vilify her depending on their personal bias. Peel's 3-volume biography is a welcome departure from this pattern. His work is carefully researched, with extensive references, and is probably the most definitive and complete biography of Mrs. Eddy on record. His impartial, objective viewpoint lets the reader make up his or her own mind regarding a noted religious and historical figure.

Christian Science is wonderful; and while this book is perhaps not the best choice for an introduction to it, Mr. Peel is a very thoughtful and eloquent writer and he knows his stuff.

Anyone really interested, read Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures by Mary Baker Eddy and you will find ~ to quote Malachi in the Bible ~ "blessing, there will not be room enough to receive it"!