Stranger by the River by Paul Twitchell (1987 Laminated Cloth) * Author: Paul Twitchell (born Jacob Paul Twitchell) (1908?-1971) * Illustrator: Signy Cohen * Publisher: Illuminated Way Publishing, Inc. Crystal, MN U.S.A. 1987 Paul Twitchell (born Jacob Paul Twitchell) (1908?-1971) was an American spiritual lecturer and writer, pulp fiction author, and founder of the religion known as Eckankar. He was accepted by the Eckankar members as the Mahanta, the Living ECK Master from October 22, 1965 until his death. He created and directed the development of Eckankar as a new spiritual teaching. When Paul Twitchell made Eckankar known to the modern world in 1965, he separated spiritual truths from the cultural trappings which had surrounded them. Average people could begin to experience the Light and Sound of God while still living a happy, steady, and productive life. Paul Twitchell was born in Kentucky in the early part of the twentieth century and served in the US Navy during the Second World War. The year of his birth is uncertain, sources giving a range from 1908 to 1922. By 1965, Paul was giving Soul Travel workshops in California and offering discourses on the teachings of Eckankar. A community of ECKists began to grow. In 1970, Eckankar was established as a nonprofit religious organization. Paul Twitchell died in 1971, but not before he initiated many into the ECK teachings. The present-day Living ECK Master is Sri Harold Klemp. He continues to give new life to the age-old spiritual teachings of ECK. Stranger by the River is a poetic book of the sublime dialogue between the ECK Master, Rebazar Tarzs, and Paul Twitchell, as Peddar Zaskq. It is an esoteric writing which gives the inner truth so all can understand. There have been three editions of this work, 1970, 1976 and this version in 1987. The last two are after Twitchell's death. New book, no evidence of ever having been opened. Bought from an individual. * Size: 12mo - over 6 - 7" tall, 198pp * Condition: Fine (As New) Softcover ? Always privately owned. Copyright 1970. Stated third edition, no print-run info found. Printed in U.S.A. ISBN: 0-88155-0590. LCCN: 88-080197. No MSR. Notes on Condition/Edition ratings: Fine ? means like new, but any book produced over 10 years ago isn't ?brand new? or even ?new.? Booksellers needed some word to describe this... Like New ? A new book, no marks no damage (except maybe remainder marks or shelf-wear) except not obtained directly from the publisher or in packaging from the publisher. Very Good ? How you or I might take care of a book, closer to ?as new? than standard. Might show ownership. Good ? How someone else might take care of a book. Also referred to as ?standard.? This is the most likely condition for books of this age title, shows the book has been read or previously owned. Acceptable ? How a child, student or a librarian might take care of a book. (Either trying to make sure someone doesn't steal it by plastering ownership everywhere, filled it with copious notes or a book that has been damaged.) Poor ? Combination of ?acceptable? factors above. Most likely with water damage as well. Might have missing pages (you should ask). Near ? Means ?almost? in an optimistic sense. e.g., ?Near Fine? means very good, but on the high end. 1st Thus ? Unique somehow, maybe 1st paperback, new illustrator, misprint or even the 1st edition. A collector might desire this copy. Thanks for looking!