3 stars
short review for busy readers:
A book more about what mediumship is, and is not -- it's speaking with the dead, not psychic impressions or telepathy -- than how to do it yourself. A few basic exercises and some quote-worthy stuff, but largely about Smith's own talents, development and shaping incidences. Not a learning/teaching tool.
in detail:
Personally, I found his short discussion of how easy it is to get pulled into realms of fantasy and what you want to see when exploring spiritual practices the most interesting, because that's the place I've often been at odds with people in the spiritual community.
We all know the "flowy robed people," who claim to talk to pixies and can't wait to meet Frodo, and the "spiritual conspiracy theorist" who believes the government puts mind controlling substances in ketchup to stop us from seeing auras.
Smith says: "Fantasy and imagination always have to be kept under control when you walk the spiritual path, as you’re already dealing with a subject that is difficult to prove in a world of logic."
Exactly. Especially when you're talking to people who have gone through some extreme loss, or are in a place of pain. You have to make sure you are as tangible and accurate as possible.
That is to say, Gordon Smith has his heart and mind (and talent) in the very right place, but he dwells too much on his personal experiences and "testimonies". Not in an arrogant way, but in the way of someone who, it seems, finds it difficult to take an interest in anything beyond their personal experience and interest fields.