Skywatchers, Shamans & Kings: Astronomy and the Archaeology of Power (Wiley Popular Science,) Review

Skywatchers, Shamans and Kings: Astronomy and the Archaeology of Power (Wiley Popular Science,)
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I was expecting more of a philosophical and historical treatise, building on the idea that shamans (priests, etc. . .) used the sky to enhance their influence on ordinary people. While that idea is stated, it is not really proven. It is, however, supported by amazing anecdotal descriptions of ancient societies and their relationship to the sky.
There is no great reasoning or logic here, but there is a great collection of related observations.

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Ages in Chaos I: From the Exodus to King Akhnaton Review

Ages in Chaos I: From the Exodus to King Akhnaton
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This was the first published volume of Velikovsky's reconstruction of ancient Egyptian history, and it is thoroughly documented and footnoted, and beautifully written. In fact, considering that English was his fifth language, I believe, he is a beautiful and spell-binding writer. As a writer myself, I am amazed by him.
This was a revolutionary book which launched the revisionist work of such men as Courville, Bimson, Rohl and James in rewriting ancient Egyptian history.
Velikovsky's work was condemned for several reasons: 1) he was the first since Isaac Newton to do it (Really!); 2) he dared to use the Old Testament Scriptures as historical texts (If you can imagine!); 3) after publication of his catastrophist theory in Worlds in Collision, everyone "knew" he was a crank; and 4) he was obviously wrong.
Well, as his appendix to Peoples of the Sea adequately demonstrates, the conventional dating scheme has no basis whatsoever; the Old Testament has been amazing verified and vindicated by archaeology back to the middle chapters of Genesis, and no archaeological discovery has ever proven a biblical passage wrong; in some ways he may have been a crank, but so was Newton (who believed in alchemy); and he has as much chance of being right as anybody else, and more than most.
The only point I quibbled with was his identification of the Papyrus Ipuwer as an Egyptian version of the Exodus story written by Moses in the Book of Exodus. This was critical because it was the pivotal point of his entire reconstruction. In that, he was correct, but my analysis of the Papyrus Ipuwer (read it on my website at [...]) showed that it was not exactly an Egyptian version of Moses' story. Ipuwer wrote Act II of the drama about which Moses had written Act I and skipped town across the Red Sea.
So Velikovsky's identification of the papyrus was wrong, but his use of it was correct. He makes an excellent case for the Hyksos being the biblical Amalekites, for Hatshepsut being the Queen of Sheba, and for Thutmose III being the pharaoh who sacked the Temple in Jerusalem after Solomon's death. Dr. V also did a fabulous analysis of the El Amarna letters and connected them to the Egypt of the Pharaoh Akhnaton.
Highly compelling reading, as are all of his books.

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From Every People and Nation: A Biblical Theology of Race (New Studies in Biblical Theology) Review

From Every People and Nation: A Biblical Theology of Race (New Studies in Biblical Theology)
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I praise God for Hayes' work! As an African American Pastor it is difficult to adequately express how breath taking I found Hayes' book. From Every People and Nation is a work that speaks powerfully and eloquently on what I judge to be the most important ecclesiastical issue of our generation! Is that an overstatemenet? I would argue that to have that reaction is to prove that it isn't. The evangelical Church on American soil will never amaze anyone and will hardly rise to the level of a city set on a hill, unless it confronts its racism on both sides of the black white divide.
From Every People and Nation is todate the finest work I've encountered on the subject. It is well written, evincing compelling exegesis of the relevant biblical texts and moves along redemptive historical lines. The conclusions Hayes draws are sober, sane, and sagacious. From Every People and Nation will long stand as in invaluable resource to any preacher, missionary, or Christian worker struggling for ways to formulate a thoughtful, relevant, theology of race in the postmodern era. It is a shot in the arm and invaluable suppliment to the many woefully inadequate biblical anthropologies and ecclesiologies of our day.
Oh, how I wish that this book would come to enjoy a wide circulation. It should be required reading in every seminary and bible college in the country!

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Ancient Israel in Sinai: The Evidence for the Authenticity of the Wilderness Tradition Review

Ancient Israel in Sinai: The Evidence for the Authenticity of the Wilderness Tradition
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If you're looking for evidence that Israel really did make the wilderness journey described in Exodus, Ancient Israel in Sinai is the best scholarly case to be found anywhere, including the best collection I've seen of Egyptian linguistic evidence found in ancient Israel's cultic apparatus. But if you're looking for an examination of the wilderness route, not only from the Nile to Mt Sinai, but also from Mt Sinai all the way to Transjordan (as I was hoping to find), you may be disappointed. Hoffmaier does a wonderful job examining the first half of the journey, but devotes little attention to the second half. He does do a good job refuting the theory that Mt Sinai is in modern Saudi Arabia. I give it 5 stars for its scholarship, and 3 stars for the in-depth travel guide I was also hoping for.

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In his pathbreaking Israel in Egypt James K. Hoffmeier sought to refute the claims of scholars who doubt the historical accuracy of the biblical account of the Israelite sojourn in Egypt. Analyzing a wealth of textual, archaeological, and geographical evidence, he put forth a thorough defense of the biblical tradition.Hoffmeier now turns his attention to the Wilderness narratives of Exodus, Leviticus, and Numbers. As director of the North Sinai Archaeological Project, Hoffmeier has led several excavations that have uncovered important new evidence supporting the Wilderness narratives, including a major New Kingdom fort at Tell el-Borg that was occupied during the Israelite exodus. Hoffmeier employs these archaeological findings to shed new light on the route of the exodus from Egypt. He also investigates the location of Mount Sinai, and offers a rebuttal to those who have sought to locate it in northern Arabia and not in the Sinai peninsula as traditionally thought. Hoffmeier addresses how and when the Israelites could have lived in Sinai, as well as whether it would have been possible for Moses to write down the law received at Mount Sinai. Building on the new evidence for the Israelite sojourn in Egypt, Hoffmeier explores the Egyptian influence on the Wilderness tradition.For example, he finds Egyptian elements in Israelite religious practices, including the use of the tabernacle, and points to a significant number of Egyptian personal names among the generation of the exodus. The origin of Israel is a subject of much debate and the wilderness tradition has been marginalized by those who challenge its credibility. In Ancient Israel in Sinai, Hoffmeier brings the Wilderness tradition to the forefront and makes a case for its authenticity based on solid evidence and intelligent analysis.

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The Religion of the Yorubas Review

The Religion of the Yorubas
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This important spiritual awakening is necessity for the souls of blacks, in America. Is has a vast amount of history as to how God's power affects nature, man, and spirituality. It sufficiently explains the relationship between Ancient Egypt and the religion of Southern Nigeria, in addition to providing detailed steps, measures, practices, and initiation into the religion. I highly recommend this book to those who seek to grow into a mature relationship with Ifa and their ancesters, etc.

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A comprehensive study of Yoruba, including a survey of the major Orishas, the deified spirits of ancestors and other spirits, the minor Orishas, details of priesthood and worship, the Yoruba conception of human beings, magic in Yorubaland, and the survival of hieroglyphics, emblems and other symbols.A scholarly work.

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Egypt in the Age of the Pyramids Review

Egypt in the Age of the Pyramids
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This book is for the person just beginning to read about Ancient Egypt, as well as the more advanced reader. It's scholarly, well-organized, and up-to-date, but this narrative of the Old and Middle Kingdoms, and people who lived in those times, is also vivid and moving. Day-to-day life of those long gone becomes real, for Guillemette Andreu has given the Ancient Egyptians the immortality they yearned for. I haven't seen the book in its original French, but the translation by David Lorton must be excellent, it reads so well.

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Patterns for Theatrical Costumes: Garments, Trims, and Accessories from Ancient Egypt to 1915 Review

Patterns for Theatrical Costumes: Garments, Trims, and Accessories from Ancient Egypt to 1915
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At first glance, a costume historian would not be impressed by this book's oversimplified patterns and lack of detail. Its renderings of the human figure are cartoonish, and no instructions for esoteric closures and construction are provided.
However, the Holkeboer directed her opus toward the theatrical costumer: an individual who must cobble together a volunteer staff, construct garments for modern bodies, and adapt to quick-changes between scenes. The patterns are necessarily basic; the cuts are nearly authentic; and the suggestions of embellishment design save the costumer much time. This book is not some tome to be displayed on a shelf; it belongs in the studio, its spine creased, its cover dog-eared, and its pages scribbled with measurements and notes. This book is a workhorse. An added bonus is its illustrative use of labels for describing many weird terms, among them: simar, barbette, picadils.
I have found in no other book of scaled patterns but this one, the instructions for THREE methods of enlargement: optical projection, grid method, and radial projection. This book also includes headgear, specialty costumes like kimono, ecclesiastical garb, and a LION! This book also prevides a wonderful equity of both men's and women's clothing which is unfortunately not represented in the body of dramatic literature. (Why are there so few women's roles? But I digress.)
The introduction and final chapter contain essential information on fitting and draping (remember: you must add your own seam allowances) and millinery and corsetry. I'd have given this book another star if I felt that it did justice to constructing corsets -- these items are too complex to build from Holkeboer's 1/8" = 1" scale. But she is absolutely correct in providing undergarment patterns if only to emphasize that they are necessary for achieving a true period look. Also, this book needs either a durable sewn or spiral binding to lie flat for usage. The glued softcover is impractical.
This book cannot function as the only book in a costumer's library; supplement your collection with costume books on period styles to achieve variety in design. As far as PfTC being indispensible to a costume shop, I don't recommend buying a copy of this book; buy TWO!

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Patterns for Theatrical Costumes by Katherine Strand Holkeboer is back in print at the same $29.95 price.

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Civilization or Barbarism: An Authentic Anthropology Review

Civilization or Barbarism: An Authentic Anthropology
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Diop demonstrates his multidisciplinary genius in this book. His scientific approach leaves no stone unturned, even when dealing with linguistics. He addresses so many topics, from the origins of civilisation to political and social organisation in ancient states. I especially treasure the chapters on Africa's contribution to humanity in sciences and philosophy. A real eye-opener. Mostly French speaking authors are referenced and critiqued though. It's a shame there aren't more African scholars following Diop's lines of research.

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Healing Gods of Ancient Civilizations Review

Healing Gods of Ancient Civilizations
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I ordered and studied this book because it was listed as a source in books I had learned so much from. The book doesn't read to "dry", and when it doesn't have the info, it says so and why, like in the Celtic section. If you are interested in the Old Ones, buy this book!

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The following volume on the ancient methods of religious healing and the pagan healing gods is presented as an introductory historical study. The author has selected for study several of those great civilizations that preceded and overlapped the Christian era, from the birth of history to the time when paganism was suppressed by the edict of Emperor Theodosius. Contents: Healing Gods of: Ancient Egypt; Babylonia and Assyria; Pagan Semites; Ancient India; Ancient Iran; Ancient Greece; Ancient Rome; Ancient Celts.

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Egypt the Cradle of Ancient Masonry Review

Egypt the Cradle of Ancient Masonry
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A good concise review of the core teachings of the Masonic Golden Age, that received their most detailed expression in the writings of Gerald S Massey--Ancient Egypt Light of the World etc--as seen by the Southern Jurisdiction of the Antient and Accepted Scottish Rite A great read about a Masonic Mystery tour of Egypt in 1902. Full of insights--from the electrical resonance atop the Great Pyramid to the association of Hiram Abiff with Osiris, the 16 saviors, 7 principles, the Zodiac, the Secret Doctrine, the Lost Word and much more.

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Comprising a history of Egypt, with a comprehensive and authentic account of the Antiquity of Masonry resulting from many years of personal investigation and exhaustive research in India, Persia, Syria and the valley of the Nile.Extremely rare book.Illustrations.Partial Contents: Alexandria; Origin of the name Freemason; Scottish Rite philosophy; Supreme Architect; Esoteric teaching of the Scottish Rite; Pyramids; Solomon; Sun Worship; Ineffable Degrees; Masonic Teachings, Hindu beggar, Roman Catholicism; Ceremonies, Initiation, Blue Lodge; Jewish Traditions and Customs; The Lost Word.

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Hatshepsut, His Majesty, Herself Review

Hatshepsut, His Majesty, Herself
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"Hatshepsut, His Majesty, Herself" is a very good book for children or people who just want a straight forward history of the first succesful female pharoah in ancient Egypt. This was the first book I read of Hatshepsut and I enjoyed it alot. It encouraged me to begin to learn more about her. She was truly a great ruler and worth investigating further. The book consists of a basic history of Hatshepsut and her accomplishments. If you liked this book check out a longer young adult novel "His Majesty, Queen Hatshepsut" by 'Dorothy Sharp Carter'.

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The Miracles of Exodus: A Scientist's Discovery of the Extraordinary Natural Causes of the Biblical Stories Review

The Miracles of Exodus: A Scientist's Discovery of the Extraordinary Natural Causes of the Biblical Stories
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I thought this was a really fascinating book. Some readers may get a bit of a chuckle out of the author's exuberant and earnestly dramatic writing style, but that doesn't really matter much when his arguments are so well-defended. In particular, his discussion of the real Mt. Sinai is alone worth the price of the book.
For hundreds of years, the most learned men on the planet scorned those who dared suggest that Homer's Iliad documented an actual battle, at an actual city - until Heinrich Schliemann (amateur) proved them all wrong. And amateur linguist Michael Ventris likewise showed up the scholars with his famous translation of Linear B script. I wonder if Mr. Humphreys (whose area of professional expertise lies elsewhere) may have done something similar here with his book. Basically every serious archaelogist in the world has dismissed the Exodus as largely (if not entirely) fictional; and yet, as Humphreys shows, many of these dismissive conclusions derive from probably flawed assumptions due to mistranslations, errant dating, etc. His ideas and evidences seem to make so much more sense than every other take on the events recorded in Exodus that it is hard to not to feel he is really on to something.
This book's arguments are really intriguing. It's a great read regardless of whether one is a devout believer or a skeptic.

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Ancient Egypt:: An Illustrated Reference to the Myths, Religions, Pyramids and Temples of the Land of the Pharaohs Review

Ancient Egypt:: An Illustrated Reference to the Myths, Religions, Pyramids and Temples of the Land of the Pharaohs
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I bought this book because i will be visiting Egypt in the fall.Since Egypt has a lot of history i decided to buy a book that would give me a good introduction to egyptian history.From the moment i picked up this book i was inmersed in it.The book has tons of ilustrations and is very well organized.The book talks about every single aspect of ancient egyptian history without boring you with every single detail.The book is a faboulous and complete intro which makes you read and read some more about Egypt and its history.It is my opinion that this is one of the best books on ancient Egypt out there.Just fantastic!!

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Fighting Pharaohs: Weapons and Warfare (None) Review

Fighting Pharaohs: Weapons and Warfare (None)
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The "Fighting Pharaohs" text is still striving to compile what little information we have in the archaeological record for the military in ancient Egypt and put it into a comprehensive whole. However, I have serious doubts about the aims of this book. It tries to draw conclusions that are simply not there - who were the 'enemies of Egypt', the khepesh sword as a weapon etc. It concerns me that someone would take this book too literally. So if your interested in warrior pharaohs, I recommend this title but also get Shaw's 'Egyptain Weapons and Warfare', Healy's "armies of the pharaohs", and read the 'military' section in Redford's Oxford Encyclopedia of ancient Egypt - this will give a better rounded view of the material and what can be drawn from it.

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The image of a Pharaoh smiting the enemies of Egypt is a recurring one throughout the Dynastic Period of Ancient Civilisation. Fighting Pharaohs looks in some detail at the range of weapons used, the training of troops and the tactics for battles and sieges, before looking at the military campaigns of the Pharaohs. Drawing on contemporary evidence, over three thousand years are covered, from Narmer to Cleopatra.

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The New Pyramid Age: Worldwide Discoveries of New Pyramids Challenge Our Thinking Review

The New Pyramid Age: Worldwide Discoveries of New Pyramids Challenge Our Thinking
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Coppens is obviously on top of his subject matter and his criticisms of the traditional approach to pyramids are well founded. His argument for a `New Pyramid Age' is sound. From what I have read in Coppens' book, and others, we need to revisit, and rethink, pyramids. Coppens is no doubt correct in his approach and is prepared to think outside the box.


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This is the first book to cover the new landscape of pyramids found worldwide. It describes the changed nature of the pyramid debate and offers science a challenge, but equally tries to answer some of the key messages that the last decade of pyramid discovery has brought us. It is a series of discoveries that has changed the archaeological world and extended all our horizons.

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Egyptian Design Giftwrap Paper (Giftwrap--4 Sheets, 4 Designs) Review

Egyptian Design Giftwrap Paper (Giftwrap--4 Sheets, 4 Designs)
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Everybody who received a gift wrapped in this paper raved about it, especially my sister, who is a serious student of ancient Egypt.

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Four handsome designs incorporating ancient Egyptian patterns make this collection of giftwrap papers perfect for craft projects, too. Distinctive multicolored florals and palm fronds, as well as colorful scenes from everyday Egyptian life, are all based on authentic Egyptian artwork.

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Death, Burial and Rebirth in the Religions of Antiquity (Religion in the First Christian Centuries) Review

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