There is a River

There Is a River chronicles the life of Edgar Cayce, known as America's most documented psychic. The biography follows Cayce from his Kentucky childhood through his emergence as a spiritual counselor and medical clairvoyant. The book traces Cayce's journey of discovering and coming to terms with his supernatural abilities. It documents hundreds of his readings and predictions, along with the medical cases where he provided guidance while in a trance state. Through extensive research and first-hand accounts, Sugrue explores how Cayce's work impacted thousands of people who sought his help for physical ailments and spiritual guidance. The narrative includes testimonials and case studies from those who experienced his readings. The text raises fundamental questions about consciousness, healing, and the intersection of science and spirituality. Beyond a simple biography, it examines humanity's potential for accessing knowledge beyond ordinary perception.

Readers value this biography for documenting Edgar Cayce's life story and psychic readings through detailed firsthand accounts and interviews. Many note it helps them understand the scope and context of Cayce's work beyond just his predictions. Readers appreciate: - Clear, straightforward writing style - Historical context and background - Personal details about Cayce's character - Documentation of early readings Common criticisms: - Too much focus on medical readings vs other aspects - Some passages feel dated in language/perspective - Limited coverage of Cayce's later years - Lacks skeptical analysis Ratings: Goodreads: 4.1/5 (2,100+ ratings) Amazon: 4.6/5 (850+ ratings) Reader quote: "Presents Cayce as a real person rather than a mystical figure" - Goodreads reviewer Critical quote: "Would have benefited from more examination of controversial claims" - Amazon reviewer The book remains the primary biography referenced by both believers and researchers studying Cayce's work.

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🌊 While Edgar Cayce (the subject of "There Is a River") gave over 14,000 documented psychic readings in his lifetime, he claimed to remember nothing from these sessions, as they were all conducted while he was in a trance state. 🏥 Author Thomas Sugrue wrote this biography while battling a severe arthritic condition, and actually received medical readings from Cayce himself during the book's creation. 📚 Published in 1942, "There Is a River" became an unexpected bestseller and essentially launched the New Age movement in America, bringing metaphysical concepts to mainstream audiences. 🎭 The book's title comes from Psalm 46:4 - "There is a river, the streams whereof shall make glad the city of God," which Cayce often referenced in his readings. 💫 When Sugrue first met Cayce in 1927 to research the book, he was a skeptical journalist for The New York Herald Tribune. By the end of his research, he had become one of Cayce's most dedicated supporters.