Jonathan Livingston Seagull: A Story

Heard about this book from Sadhguru. Such a simple story with simple elements of life yet so philosophical with deep understanding of human nature. A worthy read.

During the seventies, Richard Bach was not a sensational writer. Obviously, he went from pillar to post and still couldn’t get his book published. Finally, one day Alnor who worked for Macmillan got the publishers for this novella. It was published in 1970 and Richard got $2000 as an advance for the book. By 1973 more than a million copies of this book were in print. In Publisher’s Weekly United States bestseller for 1972-73, it was on top and it stayed on the top of New York Times Best Seller list for 38 weeks. This small novella of hardly a hundred pages is of four parts today. Initially, it had just three parts. The first part tells the story of Jonathan Livingston Seagull who wants to fly high. Instead of being busy in looking for food all the time he devotes his time to fly. Somehow, seagulls are not meant to fly, they don’t have the wingspan required for excellent flight. So Jonathan Livingston tries and fails every day. Finally, his flock banishes him. Still refusing to give up he learns a few tricks of flight when suddenly two more seagulls join him and start teaching him more about the flight. In the second part, Jonathan Livingston learns to fly and gets acquainted with a new flock of seagulls. His new teachers teach him and he proves to be a gifted learner. In the third part finally, his teacher says this was all he can learn at this level and for further, he will have to move on. Jonathan Livingston is advised to keep working on love. Slowly he understands that forgiveness is the key to next level. Finally, he sheds all enmity towards his old flock which banished him. He takes up students from amongst them and starts grooming new fliers. The book used to end here, but in 2012 Richarch Bach faced a near death experience and he felt the need to add a fourth concluding part to the continual story of Jonathan Livingston Seagull. In the year 2014 his other book Illusions II also came and this book, Jonathan Livingston Seagull found an added chapter. Even after the addition of few new pages, it’s still about a hundred pages. It's motivational and at the same time philosophical. For someone looking for a book which can be read and then re-read, I would suggest Jonathan Livingston Seagull. It’s a must read for everyone looking for meanings in life.

A must read once at least, you'll get to know that you don't have to follow everything blindly which is going on since centuries, also if you want to change the world you can not if the world doesn't want to, even if it is for the good

Thank you to the writer of the book , it's one of the most inspirational book , I've ever read , because I feel connected to Jonathan at some points, this year is farmost one of the most important years of my life , and with the blessing of Shri Krishna and with the blessings of all the people who put their faith and trust in me , I would Go Skyhigh and definitely Sail through it , just like Jonathan Livingston Seagull , Grateful to have this book as my first read of the year 2026.🙂

Rediscovered this book after a god 2 decades. It still fills the heart with that beautiful yearning for freedom!! Guess all is not lost!!

Wow, An amazing spiritual book !

The story was very nice and inspirational, it gives a message to focus on work with full dedication ignoring the ones who try to limit your potential. Page quality was good the only issue was there were many blank pages with pictures of seagulls. I felt they were left intentionally with some deep meaning or had some some significance, which I guess I was not able to comprehend.

Nice book for those who choose different path for their freedom.

It's hard to pin down exactly what this book is, it touches on eastern philosophical beliefs while following the life of a dimensional breaking seagull. I enjoyed this book a lot, a quick, easy and mind bending read.

When I read this book for the first time years ago, it brought a huge change in my life: the way I looked, perceived and treated myself and events in my life. The book was in the soft cover. The book was lost in time and moves. Was very happy to get it on Kindle. Read it many times, and each time I find something new to learn.

It's a very inspiring book for all but for kids it's great to make them understand the importance of hard work

Bought this for my hubbie for Christmas. It's a really nice read

My favorite book and excellent read. Highly recommend! Everyone should read it. Arrived in great condition as paperback. Looking forward to buy it in hardcover.