Rating: 
Summary: A story with an agenda
Review: By the author of the number one New York Times bestseller, The Celestine Prophecy, this book will appeal to a great many readers, I am quite sure. It is fiction, although many readers will see it as "based on fact." It rather depends upon the reader's own belief system, how they will view the book. Redfield has used the book as a vehicle to expose his own philosophy, in much the same way as Ayn Rand used Atlas Shrugged and The Fountainhead, but of course their philosophies are different. In fact, one could almost say that they are diametrically opposed to each other. Where Rand was a rationalist, Redfield is, well. . . To best describe Redfield's premise, and the theme of the story, perhaps it would be best to describe the readers who will probably most enjoy the book: those who will exclaim over its probity and the integrity--nay, saintliness--of the author. They will look you in the eye fiercely and argue against adding fluorides to water, genetic manipulation of, or adding "chemicals" to, food; or eating "dead" food. They will be vegetarians. They will be certain that large corporations are evil, and that "materialism" is the bane of human existence. They will be persuaded of the positive power of love, and convinced that anger, the lust for power over others, and violence are the ultimate destroyers of civilization. These are the people who will most enjoy this book, because Redfield is a champion for all of those causes. The secret of Shambhala (Shangri-La) is the "Power of Prayer." That becomes obvious at once. But, prayer is not simply wishing, or hoping, or idly asking God for a boon. It is a strong expectation. It is the belief that something good (or bad) will happen. This is the force by which we shape our world, with the help of angels, according to James Redfield's protagonist, whose name is never given. The book is written in the first person. He and his alter-ego, Wilson James-who suddenly appears in the story without explanation, with cryptic allusions to other adventures (and insights) of which the reader is assumed to be aware--go to Tibet because a teen-aged girl tells them they ought to, where the protagonist (and the reader) hope to discover their reason for going to Tibet. In Tibet, their spiritual quest leads them into conflict with the all-powerful atheists of the Chinese government, who shamelessly apply force and violence and fan their paranoia, which, of course, weakens their spiritual strength. The government agents who dog their every move, seem to know more about their quest than they do, and yet they are supposedly motivated by the need to learn from our clueless friends their purpose and destination. It must have been tough for Chinese intelligence to explain their mission to the comptroller and get funding for the project! In all candor, the book held me to the end. I read it in one sitting. (Although there are 238 pages, the type is large and well spaced out, so it reads quickly (particularly if you skip over the sermons lightly.) The plot is airy-fairy, and the conflict is too improbable to engage your critical intelligence. Yet, read it I did. As in all good fiction, there is enough of a germ of truth in the underlying premise it to make it, if not plausible, at least entertaining. Do I recommend it? Sure! A most unusual novel.
Rating:
Summary: A venture into a Utopian dreamworld
Review:
By the author of the number one New York Times bestseller, The Celestine Prophecy, this book will appeal to a great many readers. It is fiction, although many readers will see it as "based on fact." How they will view the book rather depends upon the reader's own belief system. Redfield has obviously used the book as a vehicle to expose his own philosophy, in much the same way as Ayn Rand used Atlas Shrugged and The Fountainhead, but of course their philosophies are different. In fact, one could almost say that they are diametrically opposed to each other. Where Rand was a rationalist, Redfield is, well. . . To best describe Redfield's premise, and the theme of the story, perhaps it would be best to describe the readers who will most enjoy the book: those who will exclaim over its probity and the integrity--nay, saintliness--of the author: They will look you in the eye fiercely and argue against adding fluorides to water, genetic manipulation of, or adding "chemicals" to, food; or eating "dead" food. They will be vegetarians. They will be certain that large corporations are evil, and that "materialism" is the bane of human existence. They will be persuaded of the positive power of love, and convinced that anger, the lust for power over others, and violence are the ultimate destroyers of civilization. These are the people who will most enjoy this book, because Redfield is a champion for all of those causes. The "secret" of Shambhala (Shangri-La) is the "Power of Prayer." That becomes obvious at once. But, prayer is not simply wishing, or hoping, or idly asking God for a boon. It is a strong expectation. It is the belief that something good (or bad) will happen. This is the force by which we shape our world, with the help of angels, according to James Redfield's protagonist, whose name is never given. The book is written in the first person. He and his alter-ego, Wilson James--who suddenly appears in the story without explanation, with cryptic allusions to other adventures (and insights) of which the reader is assumed to be aware--go to Tibet where the protagonist (and the reader) hope to discover their reason for going to Tibet. In Tibet, their spiritual quest leads them into conflict with the all-powerful atheists of the Chinese government, who shamelessly apply force and violence to thwart them and fan their paranoia, which, of course, weakens their spiritual strength. No plausible reason for this persecution is given, except the intense curiosity of the Chinese government, which apparently already knows more about the quest than does our hero, anyway. Getting funding for the operation must have been a chore for their intelligence service. In all candor, the book held me to the end. I read it in one sitting. (Although there are 238 pages, the type is large and spaced out, so it reads quickly--particularly if you skip over the sermons lightly.) The plot is airy-fairy, and the conflict is too improbable to engage your total attention. Yet, read it I did. As in all good fiction, there is enough of a germ of truth in the underlying premise to make it, if not plausible, at least entertaining. Do I recommend it? Sure! Why not?
Rating:
Summary: A venture into a Utopian dreamworld
Review:
By the author of the number one New York Times bestseller, The Celestine Prophecy, this book will appeal to a great many readers. It is fiction, although many readers will see it as "based on fact." How they will view the book rather depends upon the reader's own belief system. Redfield has obviously used the book as a vehicle to expose his own philosophy, in much the same way as Ayn Rand used Atlas Shrugged and The Fountainhead, but of course their philosophies are different. In fact, one could almost say that they are diametrically opposed to each other. Where Rand was a rationalist, Redfield is, well. . . To best describe Redfield's premise, and the theme of the story, perhaps it would be best to describe the readers who will most enjoy the book: those who will exclaim over its probity and the integrity--nay, saintliness--of the author: They will look you in the eye fiercely and argue against adding fluorides to water, genetic manipulation of, or adding "chemicals" to, food; or eating "dead" food. They will be vegetarians. They will be certain that large corporations are evil, and that "materialism" is the bane of human existence. They will be persuaded of the positive power of love, and convinced that anger, the lust for power over others, and violence are the ultimate destroyers of civilization. These are the people who will most enjoy this book, because Redfield is a champion for all of those causes. The "secret" of Shambhala (Shangri-La) is the "Power of Prayer." That becomes obvious at once. But, prayer is not simply wishing, or hoping, or idly asking God for a boon. It is a strong expectation. It is the belief that something good (or bad) will happen. This is the force by which we shape our world, with the help of angels, according to James Redfield's protagonist, whose name is never given. The book is written in the first person. He and his alter-ego, Wilson James--who suddenly appears in the story without explanation, with cryptic allusions to other adventures (and insights) of which the reader is assumed to be aware--go to Tibet where the protagonist (and the reader) hope to discover their reason for going to Tibet. In Tibet, their spiritual quest leads them into conflict with the all-powerful atheists of the Chinese government, who shamelessly apply force and violence to thwart them and fan their paranoia, which, of course, weakens their spiritual strength. No plausible reason for this persecution is given, except the intense curiosity of the Chinese government, which apparently already knows more about the quest than does our hero, anyway. Getting funding for the operation must have been a chore for their intelligence service. In all candor, the book held me to the end. I read it in one sitting. (Although there are 238 pages, the type is large and spaced out, so it reads quickly--particularly if you skip over the sermons lightly.) The plot is airy-fairy, and the conflict is too improbable to engage your total attention. Yet, read it I did. As in all good fiction, there is enough of a germ of truth in the underlying premise to make it, if not plausible, at least entertaining. Do I recommend it? Sure! Why not?
Rating: 
Summary: Another Very Meaningful Coincidence
Review: A masterpiece. And it could not have come at a better time in both my life and human history. The Celestine Prophecy came to me as a meaningful coincidence as it did for many, many other people who then passed it from hand to hand to hand. The Secret of Shambhala is just as powerfully meaningful to life as it is at this very moment as I'm sure many, many others will find as well.
Rating:
Summary: Totally Awesome
Review: After reading "The Celestine Prophecy" I HAD to read the rest of the books and they are taking me on a journey that is like way more than I had ever expected or ever experienced in my life. At first it was scary but then went with it and visit the most awesome places in my dreams now. Recommended the books to a friend of mine, and he had the same experiences. My life has changed trememdously since reading this books and sent me on a mission to achieve these "insights". If you believe in the afterlife or other civilizations, then you will definately need to read this book.
Rating:
Summary: Read The Celestine Prophecy and The Tenth Insight First
Review: Although this book is as enjoyable as the first two, I wouldn't suggest reading it without having read The Celestine Prophecy and the Tenth Insight first. Otherwise, I think it will be very difficult to follow the book. Combined with the other two, they are an excellent set; and as a set, I would rate them a 5.
Rating:
Summary: Read The Celestine Prophecy and The Tenth Insight First
Review: Although this book is as enjoyable as the first two, I wouldn't suggest reading it without having read The Celestine Prophecy and the Tenth Insight first. Otherwise, I think it will be very difficult to follow the book. Combined with the other two, they are an excellent set; and as a set, I would rate them a 5.
Rating:
Summary: terror-free thriller
Review: Although this is a thrilling adventure story, none of it was terrifying, and I am grateful. This book is as excellent as the first two Celestine books. Redfield continues to illustrate our responsibility for moving our focus from our beliefs based on history to a more beautiful, effective vision for our future. The narrator has the tender humility of Don Juan in Castaneda's books. He is as inspiring as any non-fiction character. I only disliked Redfield's persistent use of the government as the enemy.
Rating:
Summary: A Spiritual Adventure that Stimulates the Mind & Heart.
Review: An adventure that will not only arouse you mentally/emotionally but most importantly spiritually as well. Further recommended reading- "KYBALION" by Three Initiates ; "ZELATOR" by Mark Hedsel ; "Meditation" by Sri Chinmoy ; and all the books by Vera Stanley Alder.
Rating: 
Summary: groovy book
Review: Another exciting adventure as our mystery man does it again. After the first two adventures our spiritual workhorse has become more skeptical and fearful than ever before. He'd rather stay home than go to Tibet in search of dakini angels, but he does it anyway with another high-tempered Tibeten spiritual heavyweight named Yin. As they make there way across Chinese occupied Tibet escaping the evil Col. Chang we learn the secrets of Shangri-la. I highly recommend this spiritual thriller, especially if you dislike long airplane rides home after a spiritual conquest.
| 
