Rating: 
Summary: A MUST Read for ANY Castaneda Fan
Review: This review is for anyone who is familiar with the works of Carlos Castaneda. If you are unfortunate enough to exist in what can be described as a "follower mentality" you can still thank your lucky stars you avoided this gang. If you would like to read about the ridiculous depths people of this mindset will subject themselves to when encountering an inspiring individual leader such as Carlos Castaneda then this book is a fine introduction to monkey house antics.
Rating:
Summary: Why did Amy write this book?
Review: Amy Wallace seems to have inherited a fortune from her father, made some money with "The Book of Lists," and then had nothing to do with her life. I thought CC was interesting when I was 14, and I read his first book. By the second or third "title," he seemed unbelievable. I heard later that he was a big liar, and, after reading this book, he must have been an incredible sociopath--right up there with John Roger, Werner Erhard, etc. Amy seems intelligent, but, somehow, she is beguiled by his idiotic discourse. It just amazes me how stupid people can be! That people actually fall for this silly bile seems incredible. It's no wonder that people believe that Saddam was linked with Al Quaeda! Joining Heaven's Gate would make more sense! Get a clue people!
Rating:
Summary: The Jury is Still Out!
Review: Having read everything Carlos has written and everything else about him I could get my hands on, I think the jury is still out. Throughout the entire book I had the nagging feeling in the back of my mind that Amy was probably "out of the loop" on what really went on with Castaneda. After getting no sleep the night after I finished this, I came to the above conclusion and also that Don Juan himself might seem to most to have an equally toxic personality. I also wondered if he only interacted with Amy because of the promise he made to her father. On the other hand, it is disappointing to hear a first hand account of his downright nastiness. His teachings certainly would not validate the kind of nastiness he seemed capable of. The Don Juan persona did not project that kind of negativity and destructive personality.Bottom line, it is sad that he let his ego run rampant to that extent. However, I just do not believe that the experiences and teachings that he wrote about were fiction. I never tried to live the existence that he proposed, but his emphasis on striving to become more "detached" rather than letting your emotions drive you crazy has made me a much happier person.
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