The Second Ring of Power (Paperback)

~ (Author) "my association with him. As a rule, if I did not find him in Sonora I would drive to central Mexico and go to the..." (more)
Key Phrases: impeccable warrior, second attention, ticklish sensation, Mexico City (more...)

Editorial Reviews

Product Description

At the center of the book is a new and formidable figure, dona Soledad, a woman whose powers are turned against Castaneda in a struggle that almost consumes him. Dona Soledad has been taught by don Juan, transformed by his teachings from a bent and gray-haired old woman into a sensual, lithe, deeply sexual figure of awesome and mysterious power, a sorceress whose mission is to test Castaneda by a series of terrifying tricks. Castaneda's combat with her, his gradual realization that she not only derives her power from don Juan but is fulfilling his plans, is all a prelude to an astonishing discovery. Castaneda unfolds a sorcerer's party ,a small closed society in which the teachings of don Juan have become a way of life.

About the Author

Born in 1925 in Peru, anthropologist Carlos Castaneda wrote a total of 15 books, which sold 8 million copies worldwide and were published in 17 different languages. In his writing, Castaneda describes the teaching of Don Juan, a Yaqui sorcerer and shaman. His works helped define the 1960's and usher in the New Age movement. Even after his mysterious death in California in1998, his books continue to inspire and influence his many devoted fans.

Product Details

• Paperback: 328 pages
• Publisher: Washington Square Press (April 1, 1991)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0671732471
• ISBN-13: 978-0671732479
• Product Dimensions: 8.1 x 5.3 x 1.3 inches
• Shipping Weight: 12.8 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.1 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (19 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #190,377 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

29 of 37 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars depth of thought is not for the masses, June 15, 1999

By A Customer

i have read all of Mr. Castaneda's books, and have recently re-read a good portion of selected books from this whole group of books, including the second ring of power....

Mr. Castaneda's rendering of his experiences with his cohorts, and teachers has to be taken in the full context of all of his books. The ideas that he speaks about obviously are not his, he was an uptight, overachieving academic type. he would not have the full imagination to think up all of this "stuff".

but the whole group of books where he explains in detail the specific way to become a "warrior" is not for the massess. The massess have no thought over and above their everyday life, much less such an esoteric explaination of a unique way of life. And very few would take this walk of life.

I know alot of people obviously think that the things described are from his imagination or maybe from his drug induced thoughts, but as one reads each and every book it is obvious that there is something more that is going on. each of his books builds upon the last and tries to explain the full impact of what he was told and what he saw and experienced.

life is full of mysteries that we have not delved into...other dimensions that we have not explored this does not mean that they are not available.

it just means that most people cannot make that leap into another reality.

that of course is their loss.

7 of 8 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars A Story That Gives Severe Curiousity..., July 9, 2004

By	Rocky (Iowa, USA) - See all my reviews

My dad recommended this to me; he told me he read them as a young adult when Carlos' books were just being published. My library only had this one, so I had to begin on a seemingly already well-traveled joruney. All I can say is this is one book I'll never forget. It was amazing, and yet indeed troubling for me because I've never heard anyone talk about life quite the way he explains it in a Sorcerer's eyes. I love, as a woman myself, that there are females Sorcerers that helped him, because indeed wherever men have been, women have as well. But other than that, I found them to be weird characters, people that don't sound like they live in our world whatsoever. The men, Nestor, Beningo, and Pablito and the women Gorda, Lidia, Rosa, and Josefina are just souls that could confuse any of us average kind, and I truly felt like Carlos- confused and severely curious throughout the entire novel. That's why I don't appreciate them all calling him stupid constantly, I mean, cut him slack. He's learning as they learned. And what things he learned, as well as myself.
Dad asked me if I believe it, or cast it aside as a really well- written story. I say...maybe. Look at it in my perspective. I'm young, confused, and just starting to get my own 'form'. I believe there is much more out there than can be proven under a microscope, but I need to be level- headed and realistic and understand how pessimistic viewers see it as well. There's no proof what this man wrote is true, but there's absolutely no proof he's lying either. It is eerie how good he is at writing such a story, making it sound so true, but there have been stories that have fooled us before. So I'm not sure. This man has really put me in a bind, and I don't regret it. The more you think, the more broader your mind and soul get. (That's my philosophy at least.)
I'll tell you this much, this is truly an author I would love to meet, but since that's probably never going to happen, I'm going to read more of him when I have time. I have still many questions, and regardless of if this is a story or not, I want them answered.
Just a note, try to get his very first book if can, and if you want a book on enjoyment instead of study, don't even pick this up. It's no fantasy novel. It's a whole other world of study that derives basically on shamanism in the vast and mysterious lands of Mexico.

6 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars In Depth Sorcery..., February 1, 2004

By	Jennifer Cruz (nyc) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

This is when the fun Begins, Carlos Comes Back From the Abyss, And begins to ponder whether he really jumped off a mountain so he goes back to mexico to see if he can find answers, and boy did he, In order to completely understand this book its a must to read the last previous books Or else you will be Lost ! It gets pretty Complicated but if you've read the previous books you can comprehend it pretty well, this book also deserves at least 2 reads you'll find different answers all the time, Once you begin comprehending you will finally be addicted to the writings of Carlos, his descriptions are so thorough It paints a most vivid picture of his details. The Beginning of Carlos's First Battle with Sorcery and he finds in-depth powers he never thought he can achieve, and this also introduces the art of dreaming and the second attention,
Carlos Replaces his beloved Teacher Don Juan as the New Nagual for Don Juan's Mysterious Apprentices.
I read this book within a week cause i couldn't put it down.
Surreal and amazing
a must have for Castaneda Followers!
Let your Path to a Toltec Warrior Begin...