"Illusions: The Adventures of a Reluctant Messiah" by Richard Bach focuses on the limitations people put on themselves and how we are brought down by these limitations. .
It's about the author, Richard Bach who lives by barnstorming, which means he flies around the Midwest selling rides in his airplane for $3 for ten minutes in the air. Used to happen all the time in the thirties, but by the time Richard's doing it, it's already the seventies. Not many barnstormers left. So you can imagine Bach's surprise when he runs into another barnstormer. As it turns out, this other guy, by the name of Donald Shimoda, is a man who people thought was the Messiah. Donald tells these people that he is not god but has a piece of god inside himself and so does everybody use and once people stop putting limitations on themselves is when they will be able to be at peace.
He begins to teach Richard his ideals and methods with the help of a book called the Messiah Handbook. Richard Bach takes to the air to discover the ageless truths that give our souls wings: that people don't need airplanes to soar.that even the darkest clouds have meaning once we lift ourselves above them. and that messiahs can be found in the unlikeliest places--like hay fields, one-traffic-light Midwestern towns, and most of all, deep within ourselves. .
Illusions, many consider Richard's second worldwide success a true spiritual classic. Published in 1977, seven years after "Jonathan Livingston Seagull" was published. Illusions was adopted warmly and cherished by all races over the world. Why do I like Richard Bach? The real question should be where to start listing reasons? I love the writing style, I love both major characters, I love the concept of barnstorming, of flying, and of a messiah who quit because he didn't like it. I love all the quotes from the Messiah Handbook. I love the blue feather on the cover. There is absolutely nothing about this book that I DON'T love!.