David Ownby had conducted field work among people within North America who were a part of the Falun Gong movement.

He also believed that Falun Gong members would appreciate the book and find ways to restructure the movement through "constructive criticism coming from an academic work."

[3] Kahn wrote "his narrative does not offer many new insights into the fears and aspirations of either side" and that "His contention that Falun Gong belongs to a tradition dating to White Lotus is credible.

"[2] Scott Pacey of the Australian National University described the book as "a comprehensive overview of Falun Gong both as a set of religious beliefs and as an organized group of devotees.

"[1] Mickler stated that academics with modern Chinese history and/or new religions will have "particular interest" in the work although it is also "accessible" to the lay public.