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The Journals: A Message from the Council of Ancients

The Journals: A Message from the Council of Ancients

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Rating: 1 stars
Summary: pedestrian and egotistical
Review: It is hard to believe how many people out there are so unfamiliar with good writing that they actually like this book. I was really looking forward to a good read, based on some reviews, and the intriguing cover... unfortunately, the cover was as good as it gets. Ponderous, opinionated, and unfocused- not to mention the second-rate, high-school metaphors and verbiose descriptions of minutiae. The conversations between his flat characters were awkward and false, as were the scenarios he set up. The author should spend a few more years reading the works of good authors before he attempts to not only put himself in their league, but to vault over them ("the Bible is man-to-God, but this book is God-to-man," yeah, right). Read Herman Hesse for starters- say, THE JOURNEY TO THE EAST. Far more compelling and inspirational, in a concise and elegant package, unlike this muddled mess. Please spare us more of your egotistical ramblings.

Rating: 3 stars
Summary: Simple enjoyment
Review: R.T. Stone's tedious novel/quasi spiritual treatise attempts to intertwine several disparate stories in an attempt to make a Great Statement. In order to build an "is-it-biography?" premise, the reader is introduced to a fictional R.L. Stone, wrongly accused of arson and coerced by a higher force - a "Council of Ancients" - into transcribing a tale of "the quiet forces of truth," in anticipation of the Second Coming. The Council's narrative follows Danny, a boy with celestial visions, and Allison, an orphan channel through which God has chosen to reveal an addendum to the Bible - a ridiculous screed called Agnostic:144. Interspersed here and there is a bizarre World War II espionage tale with only tangential connections to the main plot, and snide political commentary, which blatantly shows the author's hand, without providing much in the way of real insight.

To stay Stone, the author, tries to do too much here is understating the matter, and he winds up with a confused, preachy muddle. Allison's story is the most compelling, as it is most able to overcome Stone's flat prose and lazy character descriptions (which lean heavily on television and movie references). A witty 15 year old with a burgeoning sexuality and wicked sense of humor, Allison adds a human spark amidst the droning platitudes and "God-is-everywhere" sentiment that sink the book.

But wait - there's more, and even more to come. Not content to merely broadcast his "message" on the page, Stone has extended his story to include the requisite Web site, a laughable marketing ploy complete with strangely fawning cover blurb material from the usually earth-bound Robert Blain Kaiser and Gary Eisler. Stone also promises to return with more work - The Journals is supposedly Book 1 of a trilogy, which means readers will likely be treated to additional communiqués from the Council well into the next century. It's enough to make you wish for Armageddon.

Rating: 3 stars
Summary: Simple enjoyment
Review: The Journals is a good book for beginners. It is very easy reading, lighter and easier to understand than most of the spiritual books. Entertaining for a change. Not mucked down by the weightiness of this subject. I enjoyed it in a simplistic sort of way. There isn't deep insight as one would suspect by the title, however, I look forward to Part II to rest my heart and soul.

Rating: 5 stars
Summary: Offers a very powerful spiritual message
Review: The Journals is very enlightening. You will find yourself reflecting on every aspect of your life with every character. And the book will make you analyze your level of participation in helping people as well as mother nature. Suprisingly, it will even stir up your emotions enough to make you do something crazy...like plant a tree or volunteer at a soup kitchen. I highly recommend The Journals to all.


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