Rating: ![4 stars](http://www.reviewfocus.com/images/stars-4-0.gif) Summary: Interesting Review: The Celestine Prophecy is not a book that will win the Pullitzer Prize, but it is a remarkable book nonetheless. Alot has been written about the poor story line and why the writer would fictionalize something that is supposed to be so remarkable. Well quite frankly, I think it is a brilliant strategy. Too may "new age" books cloud the brain with circular logic and verbose language. This book presents a readable format for most people and you dont need an English degree to understand the concept. The writer clearly understands this and has tried to make the book as reader-friendly as possible. The story line is very easy to follow and has a formula of sequences. Something "co-incidental" happens and the writer then receives the next insight. What makes this book wonderful is not the characters or the fictionalised events, but rather the concepts it introduces to the reader. Most of the insights are inherent in all of us, if we would just open our eyes to it. It is all around us. It comes to the fore if you look at successful people the world round. Most successful people have one thing in common - they are positive thinkers which in turn produces positive results. The simple saying "the rich get richer and the poor stay poor" would summon up alot of what the Insights are trying to show us. The rich having a "rich" "positive" state of mind will generally increase their wealth tenfold. Whilst the "poor" most often have the "poor-me" complex and will inevitably always remain negative about their circumstances. The energies the book speaks about is something that I have always inherently felt. I think we all do. And it is true that if you take your eyes out of focus you can see the energy or more commonly the "aura" around things. Most people would put this down to an optical illusion or reflection. But what if it is not ? This book will open your mind to another way of thinking. The what if's will increase. The Conversations with God books hilighted a very important concept, that if we wish to know the answers to something, we should pretend that the question was asked of us and try and give an answer. Well answer this question :- "If God is omnipotent and omnipresent - then surely God is within us ? Surely we can tap the energy that we are all made of ?"
Rating: ![1 stars](http://www.reviewfocus.com/images/stars-1-0.gif) Summary: "OH I DON'T WANNA WORK,I JUS'WANNA BANG ON DE DRUM ALL DAY" Review: ...to quote the Great Todd Rundgren. I don't know, who are the stupid ones and who the intelligent ones? Poor slobs who work hard at their jobs and try to find moments of joy and peace in between the absurdity of life and, at least try, to live a life of poverty-stricken integrity? Or the slobs happily sipping champagne on the tennis courts, chuckling over the muddle-minded who buy their New-Age gobbledygook? Almost makes you want to become one of these Prophets/Profits, doesn't it? Naw; to quote another Great Teacher, Jackson Brown, I guess I'll just stay a happy idiot struggling for the legal tender. Just please don't make the mistake of wasting your hard won legal tender on this bottom of the bird cage filler.
Rating: ![1 stars](http://www.reviewfocus.com/images/stars-1-0.gif) Summary: Danger! Do not read! Can be harmful to your intelligence! Review: I've heard this book was written to awaken the spiritual in the individual, but the only thoughts "awakened" in my mind as I read were baffled questions: "To what age of audience was this book written (fifth graders, perhaps)? How in the world did it become so popular? Where's the nearest book burning, and how soon can I get there?" The basic spiritual philosphy is nothing new, but the real problem here is the writing. Redfield's fictional narrative is so atrocious, it completely distracts from any redeeming qualities the book might have spiritually. I can only guess that he chose this goony adventure premise because his principles were too half-baked and re-hashed to present upfront. Unfortunately, his writing skills are far too weak to benefit from the fiction format. Consequently, this book provides only the worst of both genres with none of the positives of either one. The fact that something like this could be such a phenomenal best-seller and spawn several sequals boggles the mind of the intelligent reader. Perhaps, like the "characters" in this insipid "novel," the book itself somehow drains the reader of his or her energy and renders them incapable of intelligent decision-making skills when shopping at the bookstore... Read this only if you want to be enraged, insulted, or put to sleep (permanently, that is).
Rating: ![5 stars](http://www.reviewfocus.com/images/stars-5-0.gif) Summary: truth cleverly disguised as fiction Review: I had missed the chance to read the Celestine Prophesy when I was about 14. I was curious to see what's topping the charts of the New York Times bestseller, and there it was. The blurb wasn't terrible flattering, and I thought I had a lot more interesting things to do. It's been six years of bittersweet memories that I wouldn't trade for the world. Along the way, I've been looking for answers to questions, learning and researching tai chi, talking with people determined to make a better living. The second time I encountered the Celestine Prophesy was last week. I wasn't looking for the book. I've never heard anyone recommend it to me. I was at a bookstore browsing. I saw the book, and picked it up at as a prop since there's a lovely lass standing across the room. At least, the book was a prop until I really read the first few pages. Since then, I've been compelled to read this book, and a few of James Redfield's other books. There's truth to what the less-than-"wow" reviews have said: the writing by itself wasn't all that great. The plot was well-greased and well-worn. The content of the book is not original. But that's not what's compelling about the book. I knew what the author was trying to say, even if I wanted to smack the main character for not picking it up fast enough. Obfuscating and encoding the book into some college literature mishmash would not have the same impact as the book's clarity did. I wasn't just reading the book: I was reliving my life because I've encountered, first hand, what went on in the book. But this was the first time these ideas and concepts were put together like this. This was the first time that I could see myself as a whole person, and not just pieces everywhere. The Celestine Prophesy is catalytic -- it causes what's going to happen anyways at much faster pace. That's why, I think, the book is so compelling. Some other reviewers have disparaged the lack of originality in the book. I have yet to meet people who dislike the book, and I would be interesting in meeting more of these people. From what I can tell of these people who loath the book, they didn't find the silver bullet in the book that would make their lives better, and they saw the book saw the book as a passive form of entertainment, or perhaps they just want spiritual awareness and the meaning of their lives handed to them. For those reasons alone, the book sucks. But then again, if you had grokked that you can take your spiritual life into your own hands, you wouldn't notice the material failings of the book. I bid you all a fair journey. Please direct any personal flames to hsiao.39@osu.edu as I'd like to understand more of why some people hate the book. ---hhh
Rating: ![4 stars](http://www.reviewfocus.com/images/stars-4-0.gif) Summary: Fine literature is not the only criteria for fine reading Review: I read this book when I was 48, with my dad who was 80. We both really enjoyed the light style, easy to read, and the opportunity to look forward to, and discuss each of the insights as the were unfolded. It was a very rewarding experience. This is a book anyone can enjoy. It refreshes the spirit even if the messages are already known. I felt inspired afterwards to be outdoors more, and to respect nature. May the Forest be with you. Thanks :-)
Rating: ![1 stars](http://www.reviewfocus.com/images/stars-1-0.gif) Summary: the one nugget Review: Why write a book about spirituality in the form of a poorly-written third-rate Latin American adventure novel? Who knows? I'm guessing that the author thought that the readers are too dumb to read a book written like a book on spiritual awakening. And maybe he didn't have the writing skills to make his point convincingly otherwise. After a few pages I was so insulted by the author's tone that I skimmed the rest, looking for nuggets of insight. I found one: some people get their energy by draining it from others, but giving your own energy willingly doesn't deplete it. That's all you need to know, stripped of all the new age hooey and fake adventure story.
Rating: ![1 stars](http://www.reviewfocus.com/images/stars-1-0.gif) Summary: Quite possibly the worst book ever written. Review: Written with the prose of an eigth grade creative writing student, full of McSpiritual boomer whining and whacko metaphisics, and bad "man climbing the mountain of wisdom" allegory, The Celestine Prophecy is like watching a slow motion train wreck. It gets worse with every page. One dimentional characters come and go. The anonymous first person narrator is about as engaging a story teller as Al Gore. The whole premis is preposterous. Do yourself a favor. If you are looking for true insight, buy Robert Persig's first book, and call it good. The Celestine Prophecy is a wast of your time.
Rating: ![2 stars](http://www.reviewfocus.com/images/stars-2-0.gif) Summary: A Must Read, but... Review: Here's the thing... Celestine Prophecy was a brilliant start, a hope for some spiritual change in the world. However, what came after is the disappointment, more Redfield books, just cranking them out... it's degenerating into self-help, not world change, and in that you won't be able to take much pleasure. You should buy this book and read it just for the bravery of it's creation, but then again you'll only be sad in the long run that nothing has really come of it.
Rating: ![1 stars](http://www.reviewfocus.com/images/stars-1-0.gif) Summary: Poorly written, Spiritually Bankrupt Review: This book earned the dubious distinction of being the one and only book I ever threw against the wall. A complete waste of time and money. This is as spiritually nutritional as a fast food meal. That so many find it inspiring is a sad testimonial to the state of spiritual health and depth in the world today. On the other hand, spirit is where you find it. Personally, I couldn't get this book out of my library fast enough.
Rating: ![5 stars](http://www.reviewfocus.com/images/stars-5-0.gif) Summary: Enjoyable read -- fiction or not! Review: I enjoyed this books very much. Whether it is the "truth" or fiction, I enjoyed it at it's own merit. I have this to say about the review by Allan Darrow: You clearly must imagine yourself to be an intellectual and unbelievably witty. I can see how you can give one negative review of a book but why then would you continue to read books by the same author? Just to give a few more "witty" and "insightful" reviews? Since you obviously believe that you're such an authority on religions and cultures--why not write a book and then we'll get to review it.
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