Turning Judaism Outwards: A Biography of the Rebbe, Menachem Mendel Schneerson

Like tens of thousands of others, I had the chance to meet briefly with The Rebbe in 1991, just months before his devastating stroke. I came away from that encounter a little different from when I went in. To look into the Rebbe's eyes was to be seen, and to be called to live life with a little more wisdom, compassion, kindness, and commitment to serve others.I have read dozens of his sichas, his work on Chassidus, and other biographies of The Rebbe and his movement. This is the best biography I have read of him. He was an inexplicable spiritual genius, an iconoclast, and a reluctant leader of his movement, who transformed Chabad into a global Jewish powerhouse. The biography describes The Rebbe's reluctance to take on the mantle of leadership. But when he honored the call to become the 7th Rebbe of Lubavitch, he did so as he did everything: wholeheartedly. To read this biography is to be humbled by his kindness, his brilliance, his confidence, and his spiritual passion. We can't all be Rebbes. But we can learn to emulate those elements of his life that would enrich our own and the lives of others. Those include relentless optimism and forward thinking, no matter the adversity; a commitment to serve others; humility; a commitment to study and learning; concern for future generations, Jews and non-Jews alike.

So well researched and readable. Truly left me with a new impression of the Rebbe

Rabbi Miller's book is very well researched, scholarly but readable and compelling. It is the most informative of the 3 recent biographies. After reading all 3, I can clearly say that from this book I learned more about The Rebbe, gained more insight into who and what he was (and wasn't), and left with more admiration, compared to the other 2. This book is not as personal as Rabbi Steinsalz book'. It is not as fawning as Rabbi Telushkin's book. It is as objective as one can get when one is an admitted chasid of The Rebbe. There is fact and detail blended seamlessly with the magic of a true tzaddik. Highly recommended.

Although it took a while to adjust to The Rebbe being called by his first name, the contents, sheer research and readability are incredible. Rabbi Chaim has again filled a void of inspiration and information, making it available the masses. It is clear that hours of study and avid personal interest have gone into this unique portrayal of The Rebbe. Thank you for giving us another angle into this hugely important personality of our times. Much continued success! RDW

Excellent. IMHO best of the crop of recent bios of the Rebbe (of blessed memory). Reads like a pageturner novel. Filled with wisdom and inspiration. Sort of ducks the Mashiach issue, but less than the others. BUT -- the Kindle version did NOT allow for back/forth with the footnotes. It was like getting only half the book.

My favorite of the current Rebbe biographies. I thought Rabbi Miller made the Rebbe approachable and real and didn't just read as a PR move. I learned many new facts about the Rebbe's early years. Great writing style, a must read for every Lubavitcher and Chabadcurious.

This reads more like a text book but is very informative. A very good read

This book is very well sourced and is a remarkable view of a remarkable man. Very thorough and objective without any agenda. Parts are quite esoteric but overall a good read.

Very well written. Engrossing.