Rating: 
Summary: Not for those who wear sandals ....
Review: ...this book is for the open minded. There are many who think they are open minded, and still have difficulty looking beyond their mundane and blinkered points of view.It is interesting to read the reviews of this book, and I agree that Redfield is no Gibran or Gurdjeff, but he has written a good book, highlighting what is essentially missing, from the world today. The message is simple and clear, and if you cannot appreciate the simplistic way in which this STORY is presented, then it is you that needs, more than anyone, to understand the underlying message. I would recommend this book to anyone starting out on their 'Spritual Path', or to any fan of an adventurous yarn. Take this book too seriously and you will end up like the 'one star reviewers'. Open your mind and your heart will follow.
Rating: 
Summary: Exploitative
Review: Total and utter nonsense which preys on and exploits those individuals who feel that there is a "sign" within this book. I understand that the author does not state that this should be everyone, but as an avid follower of Theosophy I find this book total non-sensical.
Rating:
Summary: No Adventure, Just False Philosophy and Misrepresentation
Review: This book is more philosophy and less, if any, adventure. Redfield's "new definition" of "the nature of God and your relationship to God" (pg. 24) becomes apparent as one reads. He obviously equates "God" with an evolving universe. Impersonal pantheism replaces personal theism and the Manuscript replaces the scriptures of theistic religions and contradict them in many ways. If Redfield really believes, as do some of his characters, that there is no conflict between certain religious scriptures and the Manuscript, then he is sorely deceived. Redfield apparently thinks that having Catholic priests agree with the Manuscript will protect him from being called anti-Catholic or anti-Christian. But any so-called Christian who believes everything that the Manuscript teaches is certainly not Christian just as any who claims to be a "Celestian" but doesn't believe the essential doctrines of the Manuscript is certainly not a Celestian. OTHER PROBLEMS: 1) Redfield says that "experience is the evidence" (pg. 10) that validates the truth of the Manuscript. The problem with this, however, is that experience doesn't prove anything except that one had an experience. If experience is evidence, then there is no way to determine when one experiences DECEPTION! MORAL PROBLEM: Redfield's protagonist has an experience of loving everything. One wonders if Redfield is saying that there is no difference between loving a person and loving a rock. Do persons and rocks have equal value? Apparently so if everything is essentially one energy (pantheism, monism), Redfield's new definition of God. PHILOSOPHICAL PROBLEMS: Redfield's exposition of evolution is confusing and makes all distinction and classification seem arbitrary. What we have is a single, simple entity ("first matter," pg. 98) mysteriously creating out of itself many DIFFERENT types of entities (Redfield says it exploded, apparently itself, into the universe..?), some more complex than the original entity, and we mysteriously end up with qualitatively more than we had to begin with! At least with theism we have an uncreated Personal God that is qualitatively more, not less, than what He creates which includes intelligent life. Not so with Redfield's evolution which has life coming from (or equal to) nonlife, intelligence from (or equal to) nonintelligence, and so forth. And what's with Redfield's protagonist having a cosmic reflection on the beginning and evolution of the universe? If conscious, intelligent life came LATER through evolution, then how can one reflect on what came BEFORE? MORE NONSENSE AND CONFUSION! For further refutations of Redfield's philosophy and New Age Movement ideas, read "The New Age Movement" by Ron Rhodes and "Apologetics in the New Age" by Norman Geisler. And remember this: Redfield's God is impersonal and is, therefore, incapable of love and explaining why love exists. An impersonal universe does not prescribe love and prohibit evil... it permits everything!
Rating: 
Summary: Worth Reading
Review: Whether you agree with what the book says or not it is definitely thought provoking and is time well spent.
Rating:
Summary: the best book i've ever read!!!
Review: i loved this book. it really gave me new direction and showed me how meaningful life is. i reccomend it to anyone with an open mind.
Rating:
Summary: Insulting to anyone with the intellect of a well read wombat
Review: Only started reading this book when it was given to me by someone claiming it was "the best book they ever read" I guess their previous reading experience must have comprised mostly of "Archie Comics" I can see how it would appeal to a tree-hugging, whale loving, tofu-eating moron, but if you have any self respect, this book is an insult. Atrociously written, philosophically flawed, and just plain stupid, it is a tradgedy how many trees have died to print this senseless drivel. I must admit, I never finished it. I just couldn't keep reading after the protagonist (a forgettable, non-character) started talking to plants. (And people say they relate to this????) The popularity of this book says some frightening things about modern society
Rating:
Summary: An uninspired book about inspiration.
Review: I think it's a bit sad that this book is so many people's only exposure to these sorts of ideas. If you liked this book, please continue reading about this stuff, from better sources. It's ironic that a book that's supposed to be so transcendental is so completely uninspired.
Rating:
Summary: a life changing novel
Review: this amazing book offers a unique perspective on living life to the fullest in the best way possible. contrary to what some other reviewers have said, it doesn't make the chuch it's enemy but clarifies how we can apply kindness to others and fellowship with the Lord in our lives. it will change your life and make you a better person.
Rating:
Summary: Blech!
Review: I saw this at a used book store and thought I'd see what it was about. It's trying so hard to be Castaneda, but comes off as a bad X-Files episode.
Rating:
Summary: Brings it all together - then raises your awareness
Review: For anyone who comes from a disfunctional family, or knows anyone who does - guess that includes just about all of us - can gleen knowledge from this book. It ties all the mysteries of life and religion together. Starts you on the path, or nudges you along. Food for the soul - you can have it all.
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