"Anastasia", the first book of the Ringing Cedars Series, tells the story of entrepreneur Vladimir Megre's trade trip to the Siberian taiga in 1995...
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Sep 14, 2011
Tya
rated it: 
This book is just awful. The first issue that I had was the sales pitch to buy Megre's overpriced cedar based products. Didn't Anastasia say that these things should be given away? Apparently, this does not apply to Megre, who's making money hand over fist selling cedar chips, talismans, bottles of oil and other props for this delusional fantasy.
The second problem that I had was that this is an obviously fictional story and it's so over the top that I was surprised that the author More...
The second problem that I had was that this is an obviously fictional story and it's so over the top that I was surprised that the author More...
Mar 11, 2010
Velvetink
rated it: 
*Translated from the Russian by John Woodsworth; edited by Leonid Sharashkin. 2nd ed., rev.
1. Spirituality
2. Nature - Religious Aspects
3. Human ecology.
There's a bit of everything in this book. Interesting to read about the wave of eco awareness in Russia. Not so sure about the Magical properties of the girl Anastasia. I checked out The Ringing Cedars, and Cedar pine nuts on google. Seems there's a mountain of marketing of products and books for sale in relation to More...
1. Spirituality
2. Nature - Religious Aspects
3. Human ecology.
There's a bit of everything in this book. Interesting to read about the wave of eco awareness in Russia. Not so sure about the Magical properties of the girl Anastasia. I checked out The Ringing Cedars, and Cedar pine nuts on google. Seems there's a mountain of marketing of products and books for sale in relation to More...
Mar 11, 2009
Bruce
rated it:
This is the hot new thing in the alternative spirituality community around these parts, and also apparently in Oregon, according to our current houseguests.
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OK, just finished reading it. On the plus side, it's written from the point of view of an entrepreneur in contemporary russia. I found the background details interesting.
Some of the out there proscriptions for living strike quite close to home for me as I get back to nature on our 10 acre farmlet in new zeala More...
==
OK, just finished reading it. On the plus side, it's written from the point of view of an entrepreneur in contemporary russia. I found the background details interesting.
Some of the out there proscriptions for living strike quite close to home for me as I get back to nature on our 10 acre farmlet in new zeala More...
Aug 09, 2011
Iona
rated it:
I've previously read the final volume in this series without being greatly impressed by it, and perhaps would not have read any more of these books, had "Anastasia" not finally arrived for me from the library after I had ordered it about 6 months before.
I can say that "Anastasia" is somewhat better than the previous volume I have read. At last, as far as I was concerned, we were introduced to Anastasia in person, and that made a big difference.
First a More...
I can say that "Anastasia" is somewhat better than the previous volume I have read. At last, as far as I was concerned, we were introduced to Anastasia in person, and that made a big difference.
First a More...
Sep 29, 2011
Meredith
rated it: 
The green covers are the first edition translated into English. The second edition (black covers) are the books where the message has been altered and edited a bit. get yourself a green cover version. About the series, The Ringing Cedars of Russia, no words! you'll have to feel and experience the vision of Anastasia yourself. You may be inspired to activate more of your potential, it definitely has that kind of effect. If you feel you are on the planet to implement a change, a return to the Old
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Feb 21, 2011
Emmy
rated it:
i'm increasingly convinced, especially after 2 or 3, that this really happened to vladimir megre!! Based on my own experiences of the supernatural i'd say, sure, anything is possible, but i didnt think so literally and manifest!! coooool.
and really helpful, later on in the series, when vladimir takes questions from readers to anastasia, such as 'Should we all move into the wilderness?" and anastasia says "move? Why?" and proceeds to say to clean up the mess of the place More...
and really helpful, later on in the series, when vladimir takes questions from readers to anastasia, such as 'Should we all move into the wilderness?" and anastasia says "move? Why?" and proceeds to say to clean up the mess of the place More...
Jan 10, 2011
Ruby
rated it:
I loved this book!! Of course the author comes off quite rough as he is actually one of the characters in the book-the woman he's mainly talking about, Anastasia is full of inspiration in nearly unbelievable proportions. The reason that lead me to this book is wanting to learn tips for raising children as I'm close to wanting to go down that path myself. Though the first book doesn't go too deeply into that subject matter, I'm about to read the 3rd book that does. Even if you read this book
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Apr 18, 2011
Lia
rated it:
This was not truly an environmentalist book. It was a face-palming waste of time. I hope anyone joining study groups for this series will sift through the B.S. to find any actual useful bits within. There have to be some, right? Or just avoid it altogether. Where there's merchandising (the back insert), there's profit-motive.
It has some gentle ideas (the gardening stuff and valuing children's minds), but also some insane ones that could do violence (giving any thought to food is a sin More...
It has some gentle ideas (the gardening stuff and valuing children's minds), but also some insane ones that could do violence (giving any thought to food is a sin More...
Aug 01, 2011
Aynsley
rated it:
Worst book I've ever read in my life. Misogynistic, ignorant, banal, middle-aged newage (like "sewage.") Written by an entrepreneur who tried a number of scam businesses before striking gold by duping his wide-eyed-fruitcake readers. It's flaky enough to be thrown out with the trash even if it were just billed as ridiculous fantasy pap, but to insist that it's a true story is completely insulting to the average person's intelligence. The best part about the book was counting how many t
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May 23, 2011
François
rated it: 
Ok, first of all I must say that The Ringing Cedars books are the most life changing books I ever read. They really helped me rediscover my true identity and they gave me hope for the future. I will never forget the impact these books had (and still have) on me!
That being said, the opener in the serie is not the best one. Vladimir, who meets Anastasia for the first time, is so amazed by this woman that he fires tons of questions at her and it goes in all directions. Sometimes, the que More...
That being said, the opener in the serie is not the best one. Vladimir, who meets Anastasia for the first time, is so amazed by this woman that he fires tons of questions at her and it goes in all directions. Sometimes, the que More...
Jan 04, 2012
Lindu
rated it:
I guess the euphonic qualities that are supposed to give us readers happiness while reading the book have been lost in translation.
I've always felt like I wanted to live in the forest somewhere. Although I love cities as well, I feel myself more of a human being, if that makes sense, in places with less people and more trees.
This is the least New Agey contemporary book that I could find, and while I can't say it has changed my life, it has given me perspective, and the determinat More...
I've always felt like I wanted to live in the forest somewhere. Although I love cities as well, I feel myself more of a human being, if that makes sense, in places with less people and more trees.
This is the least New Agey contemporary book that I could find, and while I can't say it has changed my life, it has given me perspective, and the determinat More...
Feb 24, 2011
Booker
rated it:
Truth is stranger than fiction; Yet never has a book so transformed my perspective of life. To truly receive the wisdom within this writing, one must come to it with an open mind and be prepared to read between the lines. The language speaks in musical tomes, which bring the experience of reading to a visceral level. We feel it in our bones. There are over eight books now in the series translated from the Russian author Vladimir Megre, who has become himself transformed, and a tenth not yet t
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Mar 11, 2008
David
rated it:
How do i even begin to describe this book?
This book, along with a class i am currently in, has inspired me to grown my own herb garden. Strangely enough, after i had read the chapter on how one should plant an outdoor garden, several friends of mine had bought a small plot of land not far from our neighborhood.
I can understand why some people might have trouble grasping Anastasia's ideas and methodologies as fact. She makes a good point: to paraphrase, "science has More...
This book, along with a class i am currently in, has inspired me to grown my own herb garden. Strangely enough, after i had read the chapter on how one should plant an outdoor garden, several friends of mine had bought a small plot of land not far from our neighborhood.
I can understand why some people might have trouble grasping Anastasia's ideas and methodologies as fact. She makes a good point: to paraphrase, "science has More...
Apr 05, 2008
Dana
rated it:
A guest at the hotel where I am working recommended this book to me because I am a gardener and there are some interesting ideas about how to start seeds and how to interact with Nature.
The writing seems really hokey to me and the story a bit hard to believe BUT there is something in this book that rings very true for me and I have been happier since reading it. I find myself in the garden with a clearer intention and I made a garden for myself per her instructions. The first shoots are ju More...
The writing seems really hokey to me and the story a bit hard to believe BUT there is something in this book that rings very true for me and I have been happier since reading it. I find myself in the garden with a clearer intention and I made a garden for myself per her instructions. The first shoots are ju More...
Aug 09, 2011
Sofia
rated it: 
I'm not sure how to feel about this book. I forced myself to get through it. At some points, I wanted to toss it out a window, at others, I was happy to have it. I'm glad it has helped and inspired so many people; I'm most impressed with all the eco-villages cropping up in my home country. But as a Russian, I know the kind of BS that Russians can either spew or accept and I am hard pressed to accept this book into the non-fiction section of the library.
Jan 31, 2012
Gabriel
rated it:
This book was very inspiring, but the writing was not great. I would like to believe that Anastasia really exists, but certain aspects of the story seemed exaggerated. If you find yourself utterly annoyed by the writing, skip to the end and read the "Authors note". I thought it made the whole story more believable and justified the writing. The potential existence of this remarkable woman living in the taiga is uplifting and has given me a stronger sense of hope.
Nov 11, 2009
Sonia
rated it:
Basically what everyone else has said: there is a lot of pretty unbelievable stuff in this book that you can choose to believe or not to believe, but no matter which direction you go with that, the book still leaves you with a lot to think about. Loses a star for all the self-advertisement- lost count how many times something was going to be expounded upon "in the next book". Better to let the reader decide if they want to read more without being so pushy...
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May 23, 2011
Olivia
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I bought this because it was recommended by some raw foodist authors that I respect. It is super inspirational, but an extremely poor translation from Russian to English in my opinion. I am not sure if I am going to read book two. I wish that the author would let Anastasia's words of wisdom inspire the reader, rather than endlessly promoting how magnificent her advice is throughout the book. I found it annoying. Perhaps I would have enjoyed this book more hadn't I read Lama Yeshe's absolutely ey
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May 16, 2011
Liz
rated it:
I really wanted to like these books. I only got through book 1 and part of book 2. I don't know if it's the translation or the story, but it just seemed so forced & juvenile. I'm a big fan of permaculture & the natural world. Maybe my expectations were too high, but this book just didn't do it for me. I give it 3 stars for the positive message & ideas.
Jun 15, 2011
Will
rated it:
I'd hoped for more. It's sparked a revolution in Russia and is an international bestseller, but I found it lacking in structure.
Megre meets a forest woman who tells him that the universe is connected by energy and rays that we cannot understand. It's sciency, but I was really hoping for a cold climate permaculture.
Megre meets a forest woman who tells him that the universe is connected by energy and rays that we cannot understand. It's sciency, but I was really hoping for a cold climate permaculture.
Jan 19, 2010
ryan
rated it:
by far the most heart opening book and mind calming book i have ever read. i felt so much resonance with the truths in this book. I would recommend it to anyone who has a feeling that there is a grand vision for this world that we can create through positive feelings in our hearts and holding visions with our mind.
Dec 11, 2010
Bill
rated it:
Interesting blend of nature, spirituality, and a beguiling story. Some of the elements are way out there. It has the feel of a New Age spiritual tale, mixed with some very traditional religious values and new twists on the possibilities of our relationship to nature. Definitely food for thought.
Dec 25, 2008
Anastasia
rated it:
A MUST READ for all nature lovers, and visionaries of heaven on Earth, where humans, animals, plants and all living creatures live in loving harmony. This is already a reality in a small community in Russia that is literally in a different dimension like Shamnballa.
May 24, 2010
Dada
rated it:
i had a love and hate relationship with this book.
i loved the part which she teaches about planting seeds in her own way and special technics of gardening.
the character vladimir himself was very shallow and some of their coversations made no sense.
i loved the part which she teaches about planting seeds in her own way and special technics of gardening.
the character vladimir himself was very shallow and some of their coversations made no sense.
Oct 25, 2009
Stina
rated it:
A wonderful book and series, I have begun to feel more happy and energetic ever since I started reading them! Some things here and there are kind of wacky and hard to belive but on the whole I feel that this book holds alot of truth in it!
Feb 03, 2010
Sharon
rated it:
I just finished this book and I have to say I really enjoyed it. I will be trying out quite a few of the suggestions in this first book and looking forward to reading the others in the series- join me and make a change that will be felt!
Mar 23, 2009
David
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This book stretched the boundaries of my mind. I felt that if everyone one read this book it would change how people relate to the environment and one another in our world. This book is life changing and amazing!
Jul 31, 2011
Leia
rated it:
This series changed my life~! Take a spiritual journey to a place you are not sure is real but it doesn't matter because the lesson's you learn are. Respect Nature, create your reality. Think good thoughts.
Jan 17, 2009
Cheryl
rated it:
Like no book I've ever read. It's fresh, profound, simple, truthful, insightful. That it comes from Russia is interesting to me. I couldn't put this down. Philosophical, it made me think and dream.
May 23, 2011
Lauren
rated it:
This book, i could not even fully illuminate in the way it truthfully deserves. Anastasia knowledge of the world is very captivating. It seems she knows the answers to every question you could ever wonder.
