In Illusions: The Adventures of a Reluctant Messiah, Richard Bach met Donald Shimoda, a fellow pilot with the keys to the universe who barnstormed the Midwest in a Travel Air biplane. Part of Shimoda’s secret was a small book, bound in what looked like suede: Messiah’s Handbook, Reminders for the Advanced Soul. “Open it,” he said, “and whatever you need to know is there. ”Lost for decades and rediscovered, here it is in print at last—reminders for those who have outgrown cynicism and doubt.