The Source: The Untold Story of Father Yod, Ya Ho Wa 13 and The Source Family Paperback – October 1, 2007

I was intrigued by the documentary and decided to purchase the book as well. To me, I don't view The Source Family a cult like some have referred. It doesn't appear that anyone in their family was forced to join or leave. In my opinion, they were a community of like-minded believers way ahead of their time regarding healthy eating. The author did an excellent job describing what it was like to be a member of The Source Family through her personal testimony, pictures, and stories from the other members of the family. Like within any family there are ups and downs, and I liked that the author shared the good and the bad times that the family experienced. It was refreshing to read about a commune that practiced what they believed. P.S. I'd love to be invited to the next Source Family Reunion. That would rock my Christian world all up!

Excellent book that really covers many aspects of the Source Family and how they lived. It was an excellent companion to the movie, and provides a lot of interesting input from former Family Members. Isis Aquarian is very even handed, and several of the former members in the book are critical of the family, so you feel as if you are getting a very balanced view. The pictures Isis was able to provide from her archives are simply amazing

What more can be said about this book? If you liked the Source Family film you'll love this. Isis and Electricity lay out the entire story, from beginning to end. Fascinating, thoroughly enjoyable and hard to put down. CD has two radio interviews, the whole Beverly Hills High bit, partial lesson and some decent music. Curiosity won out on this one and man am I happy it did.

I would recommend this book to anyone who has already watched The Source Family movie and/or knew about the group and it's restaurant. I am still reading it and find it hard to put down as it is a very compelling read especially for me as I lived in the west side of LA during the time of The Source Restaurant and Family and ate at the restaurant many times.

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I came across this material by one of those strange, synchronistic “coincidences” which feel like they are not coincidences at all.Some time ago, I had a girlfriend who had been involved with Yogi Bhajan’s 3HO and another offshoot group which ran a restaurant in Los Angeles, and whose leader, “Father,” had died in a hang gliding accident in Hawaii. I didn’t know much more about the group, other than a few of the names of those involved, and never gave it much thought, given the number of communes which sprang up in the 60s (I know other people from various groups from those days).I haven’t had much occasion to think about all this for some time, as I lost touch with her decades ago.Then, the other day, I just happened to be looking up the Yogi’s name to make sure I got the spelling right on a quote. My eye was drawn to the list of his famous students and a certain Father Yod jumped out at me from the list. I suddenly was struck by the thought that this might be the person my friend had mentioned. Boy, howdy, was I right. I had no idea the group was as famous or as significant as they were.I immediately ordered the DVD and a few books to learn more and to see if I could find pictures or mention of her. It was a real trip down memory lane, for while there was no mention of her, in the book I did find others she had mentioned: a picture of one of the women she sang with on a tape she shared with me, and mention of the other women she sang with, as well as mention of the the father of her son (I had the opportunity to speak to both her son and his father once on the phone).There were a few details I remembered from our conversations decades ago, and there was a familiar feeling to the whole story, since I had vicariously experienced some of it through her (she also taught me a few things from her time with these various groups).This book is a documentary by former members of the group and it reveals more details about the history and evolution of the Source Family during its short existence. It is also far more detailed than the DVD and adds some clarity to statements made on the DVD. (For example there was more contact between Father Yod and his previous families than was made evident on the DVD.)The pictures from the 60s and 70s were quite interesting, as they usually are for me, having gone through that time period in the relative cultural obscurity of rural Oregon.I enjoyed the story told by other members of this group, and it helped add a depth and understanding of the time she had spent with these people.I was also struck by how we were all so naive and innocent, and did not understand the true depths of the ideas, cultures, and spiritual practices involved, and the truly fragmentary and corrupted nature of the information we had available about all those topics. The degree to which the wealthy elite, secret societies, the churches, and intelligence agencies have corrupted, misinformed, misguided, and manipulated the fragmentary knowledge of our true past and heritage is far deeper than we knew in those times.It is easy to pass judgment on those times and the people who were experimenting and truly trying to find something better, and it is equally easy to pass off people like Father Yod as simply charismatic con men. The truth is something a bit more involved than that, although there is always a bit of the con in any charismatic leader.There is a lot to be learned from ancient practices from many cultures, and there are always going to be those who would seek to deny you access to the benefits of such study. There are also those who would take advantage of your desire to seek such answers, but fortunately there are also those who will assist. Many times, people are a mixture of motives.Although I would not characterize this as a cautionary tale, I think there is much to be learned from the social/spiritual experiments of the 60s/70s, and some of that will be found here.

Very interesting. Loved the photos and actual members stories!

Heartwarming.

This book is a must have if you are interested in Father Yod, Ya Ho Wha 13 or strange psychedelic cults from the 1970's.It is indeed a strange, bizarre tale.The book is well written and detailed but not overly detailed.It tells of Jim Baker's history, his successful restuarants, his commune, the music and all manner of other things.Was Father Yod genuine or a fake? - you decide.There are balanced views in this book from those who were there.Good news is that the cd is well worth having.There are 3 music tracks (excellent quality (unlike The Operetta which has poor sound)) the best of which is a track from a live gig at the Beverly Hills High School where Father Yod does this great and funny rap before we get a "song".The rest of the tracks vary in quality and are spoken word.I would LOVE to hear the full Beverly Hills High school gig.Overall I give this product 5 out of 5.It is a truly bizarre story and one that should not be forgotten.Even if you don't get this book check out the albums (which are on Amazon) and you will hear music that is so unique its as if its from another planet!Recommended!YAHOWHA!