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jamiebooks15's review
2.0
Valuable message but could’ve been a blog post. Also the writing felt very stream of consciousness and unpolished. It’s not my genre, didn’t love.
danapr's review against another edition
1.0
Ugh! Note to self: stop reading self-help books recommended by friends. Nothing new in this one - just based on “Toltec wisdom” which just seems like a new gimmick. I know my opinion won’t be popular but so be it. I read the whole book hoping to gain some Toltec wisdom but all I got was wasted time and extreme boredom.
hollysmith54's review against another edition
3.0
Well, I certainly went on a journey in this book. From one page to the next I was writing “THIS!!” and then “hmm not sure about that”. I think there are some great golden nuggets in this book and in Toltec wisdom generally but I would also argue that it’s not really saying anything new. And maybe that’s the whole point - the book acknowledges that people of all religions, philosophies, and backgrounds can apply the 5 agreements to their lives. Maybe that’s because ultimately religions and philosophies promote similar messages through different stories. A book that explores this is Maps Of Meaning by Jordan Peterson but I’m currently reading 12 Rules For Life and am yet to decide if I can sit through another of his works (review incoming for that…).
Essentially though I do appreciate Don Miguel Ruiz and Don Jose Ruiz’ work, even if the lessons are framed in ways that don’t work for me. Also, I don’t know what’s in the 4 Agreements but most of this book was an explanation of the first 4 before introducing the 5th. I do not feel the need to read the original.
The 5 agreements in plain terms (or my interpretation of them)
• Be authentic and speak with integrity
• You are not the centre of the universe - don’t centralise yourself in other’s lives
• Communication is key - stop assuming things
• Always do your best, however that looks
• Think for yourself, question what you hear and learn to listen
Essentially though I do appreciate Don Miguel Ruiz and Don Jose Ruiz’ work, even if the lessons are framed in ways that don’t work for me. Also, I don’t know what’s in the 4 Agreements but most of this book was an explanation of the first 4 before introducing the 5th. I do not feel the need to read the original.
The 5 agreements in plain terms (or my interpretation of them)
• Be authentic and speak with integrity
• You are not the centre of the universe - don’t centralise yourself in other’s lives
• Communication is key - stop assuming things
• Always do your best, however that looks
• Think for yourself, question what you hear and learn to listen
3littlewordz's review against another edition
I may come back to this but I'm not focused enough for agreements right now.
richa_singh's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
hopeful
informative
inspiring
lighthearted
medium-paced
3.75
A bit repetitive if one has read the first book. Overall good message.
albrunton's review
5.0
"the word has the magic and power of creation"
What a gem of a book. Should be compulsory reading for humanity.
What a gem of a book. Should be compulsory reading for humanity.
hailsreadz's review against another edition
3.0
While I really had 0 expectations for what I thought I’d learn from this book, I will say I’m glad it only took me a day to finish. I picked it up at a random recommendation from a friend thinking it might be interesting. I did find quite a few nuggets of genuinely thought-provoking insight, but much of the time it seemed a little dense. There are points where the metaphors got so deep and entwined that I forgot what the metaphor was meant to be teaching/showing me. Honestly it felt like talking to somebody after they’ve had a few too many mushrooms, and for that it gets 3 stars (because sometimes those people do end up giving you something to really think about when you least expect it.)
keera_90's review
5.0
Amazing book recommend to others. Definitely I'll have to read it again later on.