I just finished reading a book by Deepak Chopra titled "Buddha: A Story of Enlightenment." It was really quite fascinating. Deepak takes the mythical elements of Buddha's life and wove them into a fictional framework by adding background characters, experiences, etc. One word of caution (or encouragement depending on what types of books you like ; )): this book is written in novel format, which improves the flow, but means it reads a little too fast. One redeeming aspect is that Deepak has added some meditation guidance and a brief Q&A at the end of the book, which were both great.
I will say that as I was reading about Buddha's struggle for enlightenment and his complete humanization of the process I felt a deep inner enlightenment myself, if only for a brief few hours. This was later erased by a sinus headache I had that required me to work from the hotel during the afternoon. The Buddha reached a point in which he was indifferent to pain/pleasure, good/bad, attachment/aversion, etc. which is pretty difficult to even understand. The point is that the mind really can't understand it (much of what Eckhart Tolle teaches) the person must experience it. Much of the religious/spiritual study I have engaged in says the same thing.
The thing I really like about the story of the Buddha is that he was a normal person who achieved enlightenment, not a god/human who really couldn't have failed anyway. Reading about him struggling through passion, doubt, fear, weakness, etc. really brings the story home.
If you get some time check it out.
