The Search for a Soul: Taylor Caldwell's Psychic Lives

by Jess Stearn

One of Jess Stearn's most dramatic and provocative explorations of the hidden dimensions of man's mind, this book delves into the psychic lives of bestselling novelist Taylor Caldwell. A skeptic about reincarnation, Miss Caldwell agreed to undergo hypnosis "in the interests of setting the theory of reincarnation to rest." Yet once in a trance, she lapsed into memories of other lives and other places-lives which make fascinating narratives in their own right, places that provide the background for many of her novels, memories that suggest a wealth of experience of which she has no conscious memory or knowledge. Drawing on his years of research in parapsychology and the writing skill that has made him a best-selling author, Jess Stearn tells an absorbing story, one that challenges our most comfortable assumptions about memory and immortality and casts new light on the work of an internationally admired novelist.

Genres: Biography, Nonfiction, Spirituality, New Age, Metaphysics

321 pages, Hardcover

First published February 1, 1973

About the author

Stearn was a Jewish-American journalist and author of more than thirty books, nine of which were bestsellers. As an author, Stearn specialized in sensationalist speculative non-fiction. His early work focused on outsiders and marginalized individuals such as prostitutes, drug addicts, and homosexuals. His later work focused on spirituality, the occult, and psychic phenomena. His most popular works were two biographies on the American psychic Edgar Cayce; Stearn was a conference speaker for the Association for Research and Enlightenment and a proponent of Cayce's theories.

Reviews

[Jennifer · Rating 5 out of 5]

Absolutely fascinating....read this one about 20 years ago, and still recall it. TC is a bit passe these days, but I love her novels still

[Missy · Rating 4 out of 5]

I'm a huge fan of the author Taylor Caldwell. She writes historical fiction w/ amazing detail. I have loved every single one of her books. Many of them are portrayed from biblical times. The stories always left me wondering how she can write w/ such fantastic depth and knowledge. Her "characters" were made real w/ her written word, so much so that it begs the question how? How does she create these people and situations? The books are the type that get to your heart emotionally and leave you thinking about the stories long after you've put the book down. A truly talented ( that word seems insufficient here)author. This bio by Jeff Stearn does look at how Taylor Caldwell was able to access her written material. Very intense and interesting.

[Kamaal · Rating 5 out of 5]

The culmination of Stearn (author) and Caldwell’s (subject and novelist) journey together is a beautiful understanding that there is an intelligence that brings people and events together in order to facilitate soul-realization of the individual. Life is an exercise to help extricate the mind of its own trappings; it is not made of random inconsequential happenings.

Equally fascinating are the various avenues Stearn and Caldwell tread as they seek to validate the reality of reincarnation. Through hypnosis, mediumship, intuitive counseling and relating experiences from Caldwell’s personal life and her novels, we see the connection between her life and that of the many lives she lived. Through corroboration of her personal accounts under hypnosis with historical fact, we see that a human being from time immeasurable is very similar to the human being of today.

Not only do we come to some understanding of reincarnation and how it affects the present life through subconscious impressions, we understand that there is a life between lives; the conscious reality as soul between lives incarnate on earth. I would not have given too much credence to this experience of the novelist’s journey if it were not for a book that details specifically LBL (Life Between Lives), Journey of Souls: Case Studies of Life Between Lives by Michael Newton. As a clinical hypnotist, Newton explains that under hypnosis, a client cannot lie. She or he reports what is happening in the subconscious as literal observations; although it can be misinterpreted, something we do in conscious states as well.

This book is almost like a psychic primer. I recommend it to anyone interested in these studies.

[Donna · Rating 4 out of 5]

A captivating read that plumbs the mysteries of past lives. Her coast to coast experiment with the author was to use hypnotic regressions to explore memories Taylor Caldwell may have of previous lifetimes. Taylor Caldwell didn't believe in past lives, but agreed to participate in a series of hypnosis induced regressions. The agreement, though, was that she would not know the content of her sessions (Each was taped and noted in detail)until the book was written. She recalls many journeys. The vignettes are so rich in detail that this reader was transported into her worlds. More than a few surprises.

[Ageliki · Rating 4 out of 5]

For the most part , this is a very good book, and I was absolutely fascinated by the various past lives Taylor Caldwell was apparently regressed into. Some of them were very real and very horrifying. Again, for the most part , a good read.

Two things I didn't like: the penultimate chapter of Jess Stearns summary was pure waffle. And the ultimate chapter, the epilogue written by Taylor Caldwell herself - well, what can I say. What a horrendously self absorbed, self indulgent woman she portrayed herself to be. "No one on earth has suffered as I have suffered". What a striking comment, when you consider contemporary people during the time period of this book, the 1970s - those who perished in the Vietnam War, those in North Korea (and still today), those for hundreds of years in Africa (and still today). Although of course all suffering , depression and grief is relative , I find Taylor Caldwell's claims that she has suffered more than anyone else on earth highly narcissistic , delusional and arrogant. I'll still read her books as she is undoubtedly a fantastic vintage author, but what an utter drip.

[Phil Schuler · Rating 2 out of 5]

Entertaining at times. I was thrown off when Jess Stern went on and on about the greatest author of our time and yet I had never heard of Taylor Caldwell nor know anyone who has. I am not saying that she was not good, I am looking into reading a lot of her work, but the book starts off with this great claim and it seemed to be a sign of exaggeration. I came into this with an open mind and a belief in the afterlife. Still not sure about reincarnation. I think if the book was organized better it would have been a better sell. I do like how they had refrained from making large conclusions, even if they believed in them themselves. It just did not stroke a chord for me. At the end I was in the same place as I was when I began.

[Maniissh Aroraa · Rating 5 out of 5]

Mind-blowing, never read such stuff earlier.

[Hunter Africk · Rating 1 out of 5]

Certainly the worst book I’ve ever read. Taylor Caldwell seems incredibly stubborn given obviously psychic phenomena. Some of the past lives were really interesting but the incessant need for the author to talk about God was just exhausting. I was even more disappointed to find out the people in this book were actually real life people. The only thing I’m grateful for is that I never got to meet them 🤣

[Elizabeth Cleve]

Intriguing but a bit drawn out and boring at times. I skimmed through at least half of it.

[Virginia Ann · Rating 4 out of 5]

Personally, I have had no luck with being hypnotized,tried several times ... however, I do believe..used correctly..it is a powerful tool for life changes.
The second time I tried the hypnosis, the theraphyst said that there were some people who just cannot go there...so I found it quite interesting that Calwell slipped so easily into that state.
I take what Stern writes about Caldwell with a grain of salt.
Probably a bit embellished (or not)...but basically an entertaining book...She is one of my all time favorite authors so I enjoy reading about her.
I recently purchased several books by Caldwell and am reading them for the 3rd or 4th time.
Recommend her works and his also. V.

[Laura Lynch · Rating 2 out of 5]

Internationally acclaimed author Taylor Caldwell explored the idea of reincarnation in her 70’s. I have read a number of books by Taylor who brilliantly melds history and medicine into fiction. I was intrigued by "The Search For A Soul"(published in the 70’s) found in the paperback exchange at our local library. It appears that some of Caldwell’s past experiences made their way into her books with no conscious knowledge. The past life regressions in "The Search For A Soul" jump around quite a bit thus the book does not flow in a cohesive order but it was interesting and thought provoking.

[Janine · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book gave me a great deal of food for thought and really asked more questions than it gave answers. Taylor Caldwell is aa well respected, and serious author who in allowing herself to be regressively hypnotised then to find that many of her stories were as a result of memories from previous lives must have been a revelation in a way.

[Tiffany Gellner · Rating 5 out of 5]

One of the first books I read on reincarnation when I was about 14. I was riveted by this book and went on to devour everything I could on the subject eventually leading me to practice past life regression. Regardless of whether or not it still holds up to modern standards I'll always have a very special place in my heart for this book.

[Maudie · Rating 3 out of 5]

One of my missions this year is to read again some of the Taylor Caldwell novels I have enjoyed in the past...so, coming across this little book at a yard sale, I thought to give it a go and found it to be a very quick and entertaining read...Would I recommend it?...No...With this one, you're on your own...

[Kate Hart · Rating 5 out of 5]

A thought provoking read and very enjoyable. In this book, Jess Stearn explores the subject of reincarnation, specifically as it applies to the past lives of Taylor Caldwell (a renown writer in her own right).

[Mike S · Rating 5 out of 5]

Inspired writing, hypnotic regression, good writing, a few Edgar Cayce references... a really good read if you like the subject matter.

[Lorrie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great exploration into the past lives of Taylor Caldwell. Stearn hires a hynotist to take her back in time to reveal her reincarnations even though she does not believe any of it.

[Elaine · Rating 4 out of 5]

Taylor Caldwell's psychic lives.

[Margaret Robinet · Rating 4 out of 5]

I love this book. I originally read this book in the late 70's and it has been with me ever since. I recently picked up another copy so I could re-read it and share with friends.

[Judy · Rating 4 out of 5]

I read this soon after reading Dear and Glorious Physician. I was fascinated. Now that I'm remembering the book, I think I'll see what I can find out about Jess Stearn.

[Margaret · Rating 4 out of 5]

It has been 40 years since I read this book and I still tell friends what a tremendous read it is.

[Mlerro · Rating 5 out of 5]

A book I could not put down until it was finished.