Don't Kiss Them Good-bye

Allison describes her life, and fascinating psychic gift. One reason she wrote Don't Kiss Them Goodbye was that she didn't get the emotional support she needed when she discovered her abilities, and wanted to help young psychics and their families understand and accept their unusual skills. Being tested and validated at the Human Energy Systems Lab (Arizona) helped her fine-tune her abilities, giving her additional confidence to continue helping law enforcement agencies. Allison also hopes the book will help people accept real psychics and recognize cons.

Unfortunately most of Don't Kiss Them Goodbye is disjointed and choppy, and not well-edited. The last few chapters are more focused. This a fast read about an intriguing life - don't show more let poor editing stop you from reading this. show less

For a book that is found in the body, mind and spirit section of your local bookshop this is one of the most critical and judgemental books I have ever read. The author is filled with so much self importance that at times it was a struggle to continue reading. For someone who is 'physic' she lacks comapssion for her fellow travellers, she condemns and criticises those who do not follow her rules. Don't read unless you want a 'guru' to worship.

I admit to being a fan of the television show "Medium" and, one night, whilst surfing the internet, I stumbled across Allison DuBois's website. I've always held a fascination about those psychics/mediums who work with police (and other governmental) departments and it was interesting to read more about the woman who inspired the television show I enjoyed. I was excited to see that Allison had written books about her experiences, so I acquired one through a book swapping site.

I started reading this book last Friday on my way to work and, by the end of my shift, I had finished it. Its an easy read this book, with large font and written at a level so a primary school child could understand. Its not a work of great literature and its show more obvious Allison, and Joe have written the text themselves, but I think that adds to the books appeal. I have seen where some readers have complained about the dryness of book, but Allison herself admits to distancing herself emotionally from her clients and their predicaments, as a professional necessity, so I was comfortable with this aspect of her style.

I also read complaints from reviewers, who were big fans of the television shows, about there not being enough about those cases which were the inspiration for various episodes. This seemed odd to me. Knowing that Allison works in the legal field, I can see the problems associated with giving details of the "real life" cases in which she has participated. Anyone whose case she came into contact with might find gronds for appeal and, given the nature of the cases on which Allison works, it would be foolish for her to divulge this information. In fact, I think she mentions this in the book. Also, one has to consider the privacy of the victim's families in these cases: giving out details in a book (from which profits will be made - let's face reality here) would be in poor taste, in my opinion. I think Allison holds herself to a much higher ethical and moral standard myself. Certainly, she gives this impression in the book.

Again, some found this book preachy, I found it comforting. Only in those instances where she had been granted permission by the client did Allison provide details of her work. I liked her approach to each client: taking into account what they might need to know and what might benefit them, or the case, rather than just blurting out details that might be painful to hear and added nothing to an investigation. In many instances, Allison did provide comfort merely by the choice of the information she divulged.

The book is packed with examples of her work, despite what you might read from other reviewers. Allison also provides hints and tips for help with those children that might show signs of mediumship, regardless of whether they want to develop their skills or not. The book was a little dull, sticking to the facts, but I have come to expect that from writers from the legal fields, where unembellished factual statements are the norm, so I still enjoyed this book.

I found it fascinating and will endeavour to read Allison DuBois's other books, "We are Their Heaven: Why the Dead Never Leave Us" and "Secrets of the Monarch: What the Dead can Teach Us about Living a Better Life". I hope to find them just as honest and informative.

Rating: 3½/5. show less

I Mooched (BookMooch.com) this book because I enjoy the TV show so much. Being a skeptic to the idea of communicating with people who have "passed on" prior to reading this book, I'm more of a skeptic now, after finishing it. But I did want to be convinced. This book just didn't. There were many things Allison DuBois left out of this book. Does she make a living from the readings she gives, for example. But I'm not sorry I read the book. Most of the time I could suspend disbelieve as I read it. And although this book did not answer any of my questions it was entertaining on a whole. The tone very down to earth (No pun intended, really). The author is funny, pretty smart, quite likeable.
It was quite a quick read for me, which is a plus show more these days. show less

This book is both very sad and very inspirational. The author, Allison DuBois, is the woman whose life formed the inspiration for the TV show Medium. This book explains how she came to realize her talent and how she came to use it for good. It contains several actual cases and readings she has worked on and is finished by a chapter about what it is like to live with a medium, written by her husband Joe.

This is an excellent book that is an easy read, and it will have you run the full gamut of your emotions before you are through. Well worth picking up.

Allison DuBois is the medium that is the inspiration for the tv show called - coincidently - Medium. In this book she discusses the realities of her daily life, and the words of guidance she uses with young people (including her own daughter) who show signs of being gifted. Interesting, and enlightening.

Ugh...I would be really interested in reading more about this woman's experiences, but this book is not that. This book is how to encourage and trust the medium that you know or may be raising. An interesting topic, but this book felt really defensive.