James Redfield's popular novel about 9 important insights that are key to our personal and planetary unfoldment. As one example, how we relate to each other energetically (either as generators/contributors or needy consumers) makes a huge difference in our lives on every level. Finding our inner resources is key.

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Product Description

Find out for yourself why virtually everyone you know has this book, described as an "adventure in pursuit of a spiritual mystery", on their coffee table.In the tradition of Carlos Castaneda'sThe Teachings of Don Juan.

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Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #3368 in Books
• Published on: 1995-09-01
• Number of items: 1
• Binding: Paperback
• 256 pages

Amazon.com
Find out for yourself why virtually everyone you know has this book, described as an "adventure in pursuit of a spiritual mystery", on their coffee table. In the tradition of Carlos Castaneda's The Teachings of Don Juan.

From Publishers Weekly
Redfield's debut is a fast-paced adventure in New Age territory that plays like a cross between Raiders of the Lost Ark and Moses's trek up Mt. Sinai. Originally self-published, the book sold phenomenally, sparked by word of mouth, and may be this year's The Bridges of Madison County --with which it shares some regrettable stylistic similarities. The saga begins when the unnamed middle-aged male narrator whimsically quits his nondescript life to track down an ancient Peruvian manuscript (pretentiously called the Manuscript) containing nine Insights that supposedly prophesy the modern emergence of New Age spirituality. South of the border, he encounters resistance from the Peruvian government and church authorities, who believe the document will undermine traditional family values. While dodging evil soldiers, paranoid priests and pseudoscientific researchers, our hero sequentially discovers all nine Insights during a series of chance encounters. Redfield has a real talent for page-turning action, and his lightweight quest employs auras, energy transfers and other psychic phenomena. But several of the Insights are incredibly vacuous and politically correct, and long stretches of dialogue are banal and cliched. The book ends with the protagonist poised to discover the 10th Insight in a promised sequel. 250,000 first printing; BOMC selection; author tour.
Copyright 1994 Reed Business Information, Inc.

From AudioFile
Is this book fiction or nonfiction? Those of us who staff reference desks often hear this question asked about Redfield's spiritual/adventure tale. The adventure is undoubtedly fiction; however, the prophesies (spiritual insights) in the tale are harder to classify. Jesse Corli's reading of this best-seller adds to the mystery. He reads in hushed, anticipatory tones, almost whispering the secrets of the prophesies. Dialogue makes up much of the narrative, and Corli handles it well. Voices of both genders and several cultures are clearly distinguishable. New Age music carefully placed throughout adds suspense to the adventure and authenticity to the prophesies. D.W.K. (c)AudioFile, Portland, Maine

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Customer Reviews

Memorable Spiritual Adventure Tale!
I had heard of this book for many years and always meant to read it. Some of my spiritual friends were totally blown away by the insights in this book. My critical friends were hostile to CP. But that's how critics tend to be. So I didn't pay them too much attention.

I've read books similar to this by Carlos Castaneda, Richard Bach, Dan Millman and other writers. That's why I could appreciate where James Redfield was coming from. If anyone has little patience for these types of books, I wouldn't recommend CP to you at all.

I found that the book has a beautiful style of writing that combines a surface-level action plot with inspirational teachings. The insights are sincerely explored and build upon one another in each chapter but you never feel that you are being preached at. The writing style is more exploratory but with the genuine expectation that these insights can actually transform individuals and collectively our planet.

I like that hopeful message in this book and that's the biggest reason to read this book. Other books similar to CP include the writers I mentioned above and a special mention for Paulo Coelho's The Pilgrimage: A Contemporary Quest for Ancient Wisdom and an unusually beautiful new book "Nexus: A Neo Novel."

Celestine Prophecy
What a wonderful adventure! For me this was a wonderful way to come to awareness, of not only what is going on around you, but how to recognize intrusions and what to do. To make a short story long, instead of this being a traditional "self-help" book, taking the form of a wonderful adventure, filled with mystery and intrigue anyone can apply the circumstances and reactions to life today.

Here we go again
Every few years a new philosphy appears that the public embraces with enthusiasium for a time and then moves on. Our society has embraced crystals, astrology, Scientology, transendental meditation, Buddism, Mormanism, shamanism, LSD, peyote, fundamental Christianity, channeling and many, many more. Some of these pass quickly and are called fads, others with a bit more staying power stick around and become a part of our main stream culture. THE CELESTINE PROPHECY first appeared in 1993, shot to best seller status and then faded a bit. It has been replaced in the spotlight by other books/philosphies etc which were basically variations on the theme, but has not completely disappeared. The author, Redfield, has managed to spin this into a bit of a cottage industry of additional books, tapes, newsletters, astrological readings etc.

The author has chosen to present his version of the 'New Age' as novel, an interesting concept but unfortunately his fiction writing skills don't seem to be up to the task. As a work of fiction this one would be marginal at even a high school level. His characters come and go quickly, but are so poorly written that only the names and Insight they deliver differentiate them from each other.

His hero begins his journeys, both physical and spiritual with a encounter with a former girl friend who told him about a mysterious Manuscript discovered in Peru, written in 600 BC in Aramaic (the language Jesus would speak 600 years later) composed of nine Insights. Even though she claims that these Insights do not undermine either Christianity or any secular power, the Catholic Church and Peurvian government are both trying to destroy the Manuscript and stop the spread of the Insights. The hero is intrigued by this, and spurred by subsequent events, embarks on a journey to Peru to discover the Insights for himself.

The ideas behind these 'Insights' is hardly new, "we are poised on the brink of a Great New Age", "there are no coincidences, all is guided by a Higher Power that we can all learn to draw from" and so on...and on and on for 246 pages in this, the first book (not to be confused with the sequel outlining the tenth Insight, the workbook, the newsletter....you get the picture). In and of themselves, the Insights are worthwhile ideas, ones that will certainly not harm anyone who embraces them, and which would probably benefit them. If this particular version of "The Truth" doesn't happen to appeal to you (remember you have to be 'ready to accept' the message) then check out one of the other versions that can be easily found in the self-help/pop psychology/New Age section of your nearest book store or library.