History: Fiction or Science? (Chronology, No. 1)

Book Description

Recorded history is a finely-woven magic fabric of intricate lies about events predating the sixteenth century. There is not a single piece of evidence that can be reliably and independently traced back earlier than the eleventh century. This book details events that are substantiated by hard facts and logic, and validated by new astronomical research and statistical analysis of ancient sources.

Customer Reviews:

Calculations are only as good as your numbers.......2007-08-03

Yes, we can all agree that mainstream history is nearly 100% BS due to politics, economics, ego, problems with dating techniques, and various conspiracies. Agreed. But, I've been researching the distinct possibility that human history (in terms of civilizations) are much more ancient than we've been told, so coming across this book was very interesting to me. I wondered how Fomenko could be wrong (if at all) because he is very persuasive in his presentations. Then it dawned on me. If at previous times in prehistory, due to the various catastrophies that are well documented (comets, asteroids, planetary disruptions, plasma discharge, pole reversals, etc) the Earth was in a different position in relation to the sun, different tilt on its axis, different orbit, different rotation (in terms of velocity and DIRECTION), and the continents were in different positions, then would this not cause the ancients to see the sky (constellations) differently? In other words, is Fomenko making erronious assumptions about the physics of the Earth in pre-history, which then corrupt his data with regards to dating the relevant astrology? The last event to seriously disrupt our planet occured roughly 3500 years ago, according to other good researchers, so is it possible Fomenko has been confused by this? The vastly different physics of our planet in the not so distant past may explain this confusion, which is not to say the "mainstream" version of history is correct; on the contrary. I am not an expert in these fields, but wanted to see if this idea could spark discussion.

Pants on fire?.......2007-07-19

Will people ever read before spamming? Yes, Jesuits could not rewrite world history alone, they had help. Anyway, Dr Prof Acad A.Fomenko does not point to jesuits as the driving force of world wide history manipulation in published volumes 1,2,3;, actually he barely mentions the poor devils. Check it with 'Search inside' feature, please. China is rarely mentioned either, in fact, Dr Fomenko is completely eurocentric. Right, his theory contradicts all mainstream schools of history, because in their actual state they are all built on blatantly erroneus chronology. You don't need a mysterious cabal (conspiracy) to falsify history, the falsification is its modus operandi. It is inherent to history(ians) to falsify (distort) events, as it is inherent to humans to boast as it is inherent to power (authority) to legimize itself by referrring to glorious past made to its own order. Dr Prof Fomenko and team have identified scores of instances of such manipulation in Russian, European, etc.. history, and delivered valid statistical proof thereof. His own 'reconstruction' is completely another story. Forget c14 as a valid method of dating. W.Libby has initially discovered a brilliant method of INDEPENDENT dating. Too bad, c14 method has become a joke after a forced marrige with dendrochronology with consensual chronological scale inbuilt. Radiocarbon method can't stand blind tests, but is so very productive as a rubberstamp.

Accepted History & Chronology Must Be Changed. .......2007-04-09

There is no doubt that history as most know it is a sham, & institution's version of History both University & Church is fradulent & inaccurate. Everything was established with an agenda, The real "Dark Ages" are now when we have access to incredible amounts of information past authorities & more important 'common folk' didn't have but our institutions & educators are slow to evolve because of what has ignorantly & arrogantly been taught for too long. This is on many subjects not just Chronology.

For anyone to question "Why would a Mathematician have anything credible to say of History?" The answer is from Dr. Fomenko's preface in the book: "It would be worthwhile to remind the reader that in the XVI-XVII century Chronology was considered to be a subdivision of Mathematics." These volumes could possibly be some of the most important works to date & should be read by everyone with an interest in History, especially professors & educators who have a duty to the public. I have read both books & must say that 'Chronology 1' has some very eye opening & revolutionary information. Even if these volumes are part true the implications are profound & opens the doors to further investigations & questions which must be done. I speak several different lanquages & must say the logic Dr. Fomenko uses with "inflection" of words & words being read from left to right in one region & right to left in another then written backwards, the removal of vowels & get down to basics of words, or different cities & locations having the same name etc. is correct. Vowel usage has always been optional & varied, actually complicating linquistics & study. The first thing one has to understand is that words never had a fixed spelling in history like we do now, the spelling of words was mutable & regional, as well as names & titles of people were vast, varied & changed, NOTHING WAS FIXED or understood linear. Matters of Life & Death as well as financial profiteering yesterday & today were & are made with ignorant, illogical & conspiratorial views of history & reality, it's time people get closer to the Truth & society collectively grow up.

Very Interesting.......2007-03-07

It is a good proposal and I believe it will mature into something even better in the future. I think it deserves to be read.

History as Science Fiction.......2007-01-10

Anatoly Fomenko has written a very intriguing book, full of pictures, charts, and computer 'proof' of his thesis: backwards of AD900 we don't really know what happened or when. Between AD900 and AD1600 there is more certainty, but there is still a lot of fuzzy ground, and things don't get reliable until we get past the 1600's where the printing press made it very difficult for the perpetrators of this timeline manipulation to change anything that had been committed to print. The Dark Ages did not happen. Books were burned for a reason. One organization has doubled the actual length of its existence by expanding the real chronology. Read why.

I had always wondered why Christ died about AD33 and yet men waited until the 11th century to form the Knights Templar, the Cathars, etc and go after the Holy Land by force. Why the 1000 year gap? Turns out there wasn't more than a 10-12 year gap and he proves it using astronomy. This also implies that the planet is not as old as we have been told, and current Christian and other creationist scientists are already championing that idea without being aware of Fomenko's book. The two groups, creationist scientists and the Russian mathematical analysts corroborate each other. Fascinating.

Of course, all this flies in the face of what we have been told traditionally is the 'proper' chronology of western civilization, and most readers will experience 'cognitive dissonance' in reading this book. It means that our history going backwards from AD1600 becomes progressively more incorrect and unreliable until it cannot be trusted at all... in the space of 700-800 years.

Naturally, the curious, open-minded reader will want to know WHO did this, WHY, and did any of the events we think of as really ancient ever happen?
Dr. Fomenko is a respected scientist/mathematician at Moscow State University who has already answered these questions to the satisfaction of his initially skeptical colleagues. Most of them are now believers, a few still refuse to believe (the usual diehards), and of course the western press has ignored Fomenko's work -- for obvious reasons when you read the book. The ones who perpetrated this chronology ruse have a lot to answer for. They are still with us. That's why this book is a well-kept secret.

I gave the book a 4-star rating because I was unable to check out some of his claims; those I checked were as he said. But if even 1/3 of his claims are true, this punches a big hole in what we think is our history, the meaning of western civilization, our educational process (for repeating the ruse as gospel), and the trustworthiness of the organization that perpetrated this ruse, well-intentioned or not.

This book relates to current research into a Young Earth paradigm, to John Keel's discoveries about our planet, and Fr Malachi Martin's insights (in his now out-of-print books). We are indeed sheep who are manipulated and kept ignorant -- for a reason. While knowing what these men have to say may be the "booby prize" (as in: 'what can you do with this knowledge?'), it will provide interesting reading. Didn't someone say: "...and the Truth will set you free."?? For you to judge if this book contains the truth.

A Thousand Suns: Designing Your Future with Vedic Astrology

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The spiritual side of astrology
Great Introductory Book on Vedic Astrology
An Essential Book for Everyone's Library!

A Thousand Suns: Designing Your Future with Vedic Astrology
Linda Johnsen
Manufacturer: Yes International Publishers
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover

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Light on Life: An Introduction to the Astrology of India
Nakshatras
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ASIN: 0936663359

Book Description

What if you had a map of your future? The ancient sages of India created just such maps to help us find our way through the unknown terrain ahead. A Thousand Suns introduces you to this yoga science of Vedic Astrology. Discover how your Vedic birth chart encapsulates your personality, experiences, and spiritual potential. Learn the mechanics of karma, and the practices that deflect bad karma and generate a much more positive future.

Customer Reviews:

The spiritual side of astrology.......2006-01-05

Though I am a practitioner of traditional Western astrology, I have the utmost respect for the Indian system. Unlike Western astrology which had its cultural rise and fall, Indian astrology is an intact tradition that has been an essential part of its society for many thousands of years. We Western astrologers can benefit by learning from this amazing tradition.

Linda Johnsen is an American who is steeped in Indian culture and spirituality. Many readers will know her as the Vedic Astrology editor of the Mountain Astrologer. I've particularly enjoyed her clearly written and astute columns, so when I saw this book it went straight to the top of my to read list.

A Thousand Suns is a good beginners books on Indian astrology. It is worthwhile reading for the dedicated Western astrologer seeking to expand their knowledge and for students of Indian astrology. She covers the basics like how to convert your Western chart to Indian and the meanings of the planets, signs and houses. Most important is the spiritual foundation of Indian astrology. This foundation, admittedly lacking from many of the medieval European texts, informs the entire practice. A large portion of her book is about Upayas, or remedies, with a focus on mantra and other spiritual practices. For those without an Indian bent she includes ideas and prayers from other traditions. Anyone seeking to integrate spirituality and astrology will find many inspiring ideas in this clear and soulful book. Recommended.

Great Introductory Book on Vedic Astrology.......2005-12-27

This book is best suited for absolute beginners to Vedic Astrology. If you don't have your Vedic astrology chart, the book guides you how to compose it based on Western astrology chart - roughly by deducting 23 degrees - specific degrees are listed for each year from 1930 - 2029. The book contains blank forms which you can fill in with your personal information as you follow along. What you'll learn in this book are descriptions of vedic signs, planets, houses, 12 adityas, qualities of the vedic houses, 27 nakshastras, how to gauge planetary strenghts and weaknesses, how to find several yogas, take a glance at few vedic subcharts, as well as dashas.

Explanation of points is further elucidated through several sample charts related both to people and to events.

Once you have a glimpse into your own chart, you can look at different remendial measures such as using mantras, fire rituals (yagyas), prayers to appropriate aspect of Divine, engaging in selfless service, and generally living as a spiritually conscious being.

This book is written in a simple language and is entertaining to read. There is also a lot of good, common-sense advice and Linda has managed to put astrology in a proper perspective, as a tool that helps the individual to navigate successfully through life. The idea is to make the most with your talents and well, if you find it's going to rain, you prepare yourself and get an umbrella before you go out, instead of bemoaning your destiny. There's always something you can do to live fulfilling life and about half of this book is dedicated to taking constructive action.

Once you're done going through this book, then you can move on to reading more complex and detailed books on vedic astrology. This book will help to ease you into vedic astrology.

If you are having difficulty with creating your own chart manually and would like to have a computerized version to test the waters of Vedic Astrology by exploring your own chart, you can contact me and I will email you your own chart, so you can have fun and discover if you'd like to continue learning more about Vedic Astrology. I love to help people who have passion for learning new things.

An Essential Book for Everyone's Library!.......2004-08-19

Linda Johnsen is the greatest living woman writer of Jyotish (Vedic Astrology);her numerous and award-winning books been instrumental in bringing the timesless wisdom of the Indian Sages (a 6000+ year tradition) to the West. A Thousand Suns is the quintessential introduction for beginners (Linda makes the material easy, fascinating, exciting and immediately available) as well as more advanced students and professionals, who will find Linda's clear and lively explanation of the core principals of Jyotish to be refreshing, rejuvenating, and invaluable help in their daily practice. Her writing style is perfect; beautifully conceived and executed with great precision, offering an easy personal rapport with the reader and an expression that is at once understandable, yet deeply thought-provoking. Linda Johnsen is writer, editor and contributor to The Mountain Astrologer and International Yoga Magazines, where her articles shine like A Thousand Suns.I will never be without this nor any of her other books! Order A Thousand Suns Today! Your life will be greatly enriched!

China's Energy Future: The Middle Kingdom Seeks Its Place in the Sun

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China's Energy Future: The Middle Kingdom Seeks Its Place in the Sun
Robert E. Ebel
Manufacturer: Center for Strategic & Intl Studies
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

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China's Quest for Energy Security
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ASIN: 0892064730

Product Description

China, because of its voracious appetite for oil, has become part of the "new game" redefining the world oil industry. China's expanding economy requires more and more foreign oil. Robert Ebel analyzes China's current energy situation and looks at its future in the increasingly dynamic world energy market.

Blutopia: Visions of the Future and Revisions of the Past in the Work of Sun Ra, Duke Ellington, and Anthony Braxton

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Sorry, but it's just ...
A Groundbreaking Study that Any Fan of Jazz Must Read

Blutopia: Visions of the Future and Revisions of the Past in the Work of Sun Ra, Duke Ellington, and Anthony Braxton
Graham Lock , and Graham Lock
Manufacturer: Duke University Press
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

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ASIN: 0822324407

Book Description

In Blutopia Graham Lock studies the music and thought of three pioneering twentieth-century musicians: Sun Ra, Duke Ellington, and Anthony Braxton. Providing an alternative to previous analyses of their work, Lock shows how these distinctive artists were each influenced by a common musical and spiritual heritage and participated in self-conscious efforts to create a utopian vision of the future.
A century after Ellington’s birth, Lock reassesses his use of music as a form of black history and compares the different approaches of Ra, a band leader who focused on the future and cosmology, and Braxton, a contemporary composer whose work creates its own elaborate mythology. Arguing that the majority of writing on black music and musicians has—even if inadvertently—incorporated racial stereotypes, he explains how each artist reacted to criticism and sought to break free of categorical confines. Drawing on social history, musicology, biography, cultural theory, and, most of all, statements by the musicians themselves, Lock writes of their influential work.
Blutopia will be a welcome contribution to the literature on twentieth-century African American music and creativity. It will interest students of jazz, American music, African American studies, American culture, and cultural studies.

Customer Reviews:

Sorry, but it's just ..........2001-06-26

This reads like poorly researched graduate-school blathering (which I expect it is).

Mr Lock appears to have approached his sources with his thesis already formed and to have avoided all contact with anything that might force him to reconsider. Check out his footnote admitting that his use of Ellington's song title is totally inappropriate to what he's trying to make it mean, yet he decided to use it anyway!

His comparison of Sun Ra's mythological musings and autobiographical confessions with slave narratives is ridiculous in that it reveals a thorough lack of knowledge of comparative religion. The author acts as though the experience of death and rebirth or of choosing a new name to reflect a new station in life were phenomena unique to (and invented by) African-Americans. He clearly didn't research this topic thoroughly.

This is a really shoddy work and not worth your time, much less your money.

A Groundbreaking Study that Any Fan of Jazz Must Read.......2000-08-18

Graham Lock's "Blutopia" stands as one of the great explorations into three of the most enigmatic performers in the history of creative music: Sun Ra, Duke Ellington, and Anthony Braxton. When I first heard that this book going to be published, I worried that Lock's approach might not be able to draw a strong connection between these amazing performers, or that it might be too journalistic and not critical enough, like some of his previous work. After reading just a few pages, it became obvious that this is a first-rate work of scholarship that should be required reading for anyone who is interested in creative music. This will undoubtedly stand among the classic texts written about creative music, along with the brilliant studies by Valerie Wilmer, John Szwed, and Mike Heffley.

Lock examines the common musical heritage of his subjects, showing how their visionary thoughts become manifest in their music, often amidst the crippling misconceptions perpetuated by the press. He delves deeply into the actual interviews and writings of Ra, Ellington, and Braxton, establishing connections between their work and a larger spectrum of academic, religious, and political thought. Particularly interesting is the section on Anthony Braxton, which is a welcome addition to the author's previous work "Forces in Motion." Lock examines Braxton's operas, including even those that have not yet been made available to the public. His discussion of Braxton's use of "text" is an illuminating contribution, and one that is much needed in contemporary scholarship on Braxton.

In short, Lock shows how the art and thought of Braxton, Ellington, and Ra provide those who experience their work with not only the opportunity to view the world with an alternative paradigm, but how in many ways we, as collective humanity, should forget about "history" (which has failed) and start believing in "mystery." The mystery is real--and it is true--and I can think of no better preface to read before embarking on Sun Ra's trips to space--or Braxton's forays into affinity dynamics and meta-reality--than Lock's "Blutopia." It is a masterpiece.

The Sun, The Genome, and The Internet: Tools of Scientific Revolution (Nypl/Oup Lectures)
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reviewing the best science books avilable on line

Excellent essay collxn by an outstanding scientist-write

Accessible, Thought-Provoking

Just the tonic

A model of the future by a contemporary visionary

The Sun, The Genome, and The Internet: Tools of Scientific Revolution (Nypl/Oup Lectures)
Freeman J. Dyson
Manufacturer: Oxford University Press, USA
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

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ASIN: 0195139224

Amazon.com

One fashionable school of thought holds that scientific revolutions are spurred primarily by shifts in the basic concepts that science understands the world with, and that those shifts are largely the outcome of struggles in the social and political realms. Freeman Dyson, however, is having none of it. For him, scientific breakthroughs owe just as much to the introduction of new technologies--the telescope in early modern Europe, for instance; the computer more recently. He's not the first to make that argument, but his lifetime of accomplishments as an eminent theoretical physicist puts some heft behind his claims.

Dyson likewise argues that new technologies can have as much of an effect on the social and political realms as new ideologies do. In particular, he cites three burgeoning technologies--solar energy, genetic engineering, and the Internet--for their potential to affect a more equitable worldwide distribution of wealth and power in the coming century. His visions of the future meander a bit, and they include such seemingly outlandish possibilities as forests of genetically enhanced trees oozing high-octane fuel from their roots and laser-launched earthlings colonizing the comets of the Kuiper Belt. But it's the business of visionaries to be outlandish, after all, and you have to admit: this one does have better credentials than most. --Julian Dibbell

Book Description

In this visionary look into the future, Freeman Dyson argues that technological changes fundamentally alter our ethical and social arrangements and that three rapidly advancing new technologies--solar energy, genetic engineering, and world-wide communication--together have the potential to create a more equal distribution of the world's wealth. Dyson begins by rejecting the idea that scientific revolutions are primarily concept driven. He shows rather that new tools are more often the sparks that ignite scientific discovery. Such tool-driven revolutions have profound social consequences--the invention of the telescope turning the Medieval world view upside down, the widespread use of household appliances in the 1950s replacing servants, to cite just two examples. In looking ahead, Dyson suggests that solar energy, genetics, and the Internet will have similarly transformative effects, with the potential to produce a more just and equitable society. Solar power could bring electricity to even the poorest, most remote areas of third world nations, allowing everyone access to the vast stores of information on the Internet and effectively ending the cultural isolation of the poorest countries. Similarly, breakthroughs in genetics may well enable us to give our children healthier lives and grow more efficient crops, thus restoring the economic and human vitality of village cultures devalued and dislocated by the global market. Written with passionate conviction about the ethical uses of science, The Sun, the Genome, and the Internet is both a brilliant reinterpretation of the scientific process and a challenge to use new technologies to close, rather than widen, the gap between rich and poor.

Customer Reviews:

reviewing the best science books avilable on line.......2007-09-09

Very interesting little book for anyone interested in the future of scientific investigations. It is even better than other books by Freeman Dyson because, this time, the author has spared us of his religious inclinations.

Excellent essay collxn by an outstanding scientist-write.......2003-12-26

...---
Rating: "A/A+" -- another excellent essay collection by an
outstanding scientist-writer.

_The Sun, the Genome, and the Internet_ covers scientific
revolutions, technology & social justice, and the exploration &
colonization of space: familiar Dyson topics all, and delivered with
his usual grace. The three items in the title are Dyson's hope for
generating wealth in the world's poor villages: the sun for cheap
solar power, the Net to end rural isolation, and genetic engineering
for better crop plants. For example, he presents the hope of
engineering "trees that convert sunlight to liquid fuel and deliver
the fuel directly ...to underground pipelines." A neat solution to
declining oil reserves, if it works. Dyson cheerfully admits his
record as a prophet is mixed, but "it is better to be wrong than to be
vague."

Fresh and unexpected insights are a frequent pleasure in this
(and other) Dyson books. For instance, he describes his
mother and aunts, prosperous British matrons all, who, in the
interval between the World Wars, accomplished such things as
opening a birth-control clinic, managing a large hospital, winning
an Olympic medal, and pioneering aviation in Africa -- "it was
considered normal at the time for middle-class women to do
something spectacular." They were able to do this only with the
support of a large servant class. The introduction of labor-saving
appliances helped to emancipate the servants, but left middle-class
women less free than before, a general pattern, says Dyson: "the
burdens of equalization fall disproportionately on women."

Dyson is a lifelong space enthusiast, though things haven't gone
that well lately for space fans: "we look at the bewildered
cosmonauts struggling to survive in the Mir space station.
Obviously they are not going anywhere except, if they are lucky,
down." But in the long term, prospects are brighter, and await
finding a cheap way up and out of the gravity well (another
enduring Dyson insight). He reports recent successful tests of
a laser-launcher and a "ram accelerator", the latter a proposed 750-
foot gas-gun -- and a direct descendent of Jules Verne's cannon-
launched spacecraft in "From the Earth to the Moon"(1865). As in
all cheap launch methods, the trick is to keep the fuel on the
ground, not in the spacecraft. With cheap spacefight, people will
spread out into the solar system and beyond. Why? "Because it is
there" -- some folks just have itchy feet. Others will belong to
unpopular religions, or be on the run, or... any of the countless
other things that have always motivated emigrants.

Dyson, unusually for a theoretician, has always been more "tinker
than thinker". He cites Thomas Kuhn's classic _Structure of
Scientific Revolutions_ (1962, rev. ed. 1970) as an example of a

fellow-physicist with the opposite bent, emphasizing ideas over
things. Of course, both are important; but some of Kuhn's followers
put forward the idea that science is about power struggles, not new
ideas. Dyson once upbraided Kuhn about this at a conference. Kuhn
reacted angrily: "One thing you have to understand. I am not a
Kuhnian!"

Freeman Dyson is my favorite scientist-writer. I know of no one
else who combines his clarity of thought, graceful use of language,
big ideas expressed modestly, and sense of history. If you haven't yet
read Dyson, _The Sun, the Genome, and the Internet_ would be a
fine place to start. Highly recommended.
He is an emeritus professor
at the Institute for Advanced Study, Princeton University
and the author of many other books.
I would particularly recommend _Disturbing the Universe_ (1979)
and _Infinite in All Directions_ (1989), both among the very best
books ever written about science and its place in history, public
policy, and the exploration of space...

Review copyright 1999 Peter D. Tillman
http://www.sfsite.com/08b/sun63.htm

Accessible, Thought-Provoking.......2001-12-21

The title is misleading - the essay that addresses "the Sun, the Genome and the Interent" is only a small part of this short book. I found it the most interesting, though, which is probably why it is thus titled. Dyson paints a future world in which villages are repopulated through solar power processed by bio-engineered trees (which will provide the fuel), and the Interent (which will provide the connection to the larger world). A very simple, elegant idea. He addresses other issues here, too - the role of ethics in science, how to get into space cheaply, and the coming changes due to biotech. The biotech portion was very compelling, with speculation that we will soon be re-enigneering the human race. I have read such predictions before but Dyson does a good, thoughtful job here, and examines the implications.

All in all, a good, economical book of lectures which you will finish quickly.

Just the tonic.......2001-09-28

Dyson's future is a utopia based on advanced technology, the benefits of which are equitably distributed to all. Whilst somewhat politically naive, the book is compelling, and leaves the reader hungry for more detail.

A model of the future by a contemporary visionary.......2001-08-08

This superb book by Freeman Dyson was largely based on the 'Three Faces of Science' lectures he gave at the New York Public Library in 1997. It consists of three chapters.

CHAPTER 1: SCIENTIFIC REVOLUTION
Dyson revisits scientific disciplines that have come about as a result of brilliant minds exploring a previously unexisting path of research. In doing so, he makes an effort to extrapolate out of today's most rapidly growing areas of science (molecular biology and astronomy) what the future scientific revolutions might be like, and gives wise words of advise to medical scientists and biologists on how to make faster progress in their disciplines by changing some of their fundamental research paradigms, learning from the ways of astronomers.

CHAPTER 2: TECHNOLOGY AND SOCIAL JUSTICE
In more than one way, it reminds me of a very pivotal article written not too long ago by Sun Microsystem's Bill Joy in Wired Magazine, which dealt with genetic engineering, robotics and nanotechnology, and their ethical implications.

Dyson's new list of important things for us to 'worry' about gave way to the book's title. He looks "for ways in which technology may contribute to social justice..." by mitigating evils such as rural poverty. This chapter is a brilliant exercise in which Dyson puts his mind to fly and actually makes his vision very easy to grasp by non-technical readers. When you read through the chapter you can almost feel that his vision is happening already, although there are some very real and respectable hurdles still separating us from it, which need to be overcome.

CHAPTER 3: THE HIGH ROAD
Although the book consists of three chapters, the reason for the title is more aptly dealt with in chapters 1 and 2. Chapter 3 is a little out of context with respect to the original intention of the book, yet doesn't make the reader loose interest.

In this chapter, Dyson makes an incredible analysis and extrapolation about the elements surrounding our ability to find life beyond the boundaries of our planet. He believes, on the other hand, that as much as one hundred years would have to pass before we're near being able to send a significant amount of human explorers to space. But he doesn't leave readers without hope for this 'distant' future, as he lets his mind fly once again: He explains some of the exciting possible technologies he sees making massive human space exploration happen.

Finally, he wraps up chapter 3 with an ethical dissertation on the topics of cloning and reprogenetics (substituting chunks of live DNA with new, supposedly 'more desirable' chunks), closing it with the following brilliant yet slightly frightening words:
"To give us room to explore the varieties of mind and body into which our genome can evolve, one planet is not enough."

After such as closing sentence in chapter 3, I have to admit that the epilogue seemed a little weak, going back to topics already well discussed in chapter 2.

It is very easy throughout the entire book (which happens to take very little time to read, by the way) to be humbled by the ease with which Dyson deals with new scientific topics (for being a theoretical physicist, he jumps very easily, for example, from genetic engineering to space science) and the clarity he has (where some scientifics lack) in terms of the importance of maintaining the feet on the ground in the light of new scientific discoveries: how expensive will a new technology coming out of a discovery will be like, how many people will use it, etc.

Customer Reviews:

The MOST IMPORTANT book of my life.......2006-08-12

These days we're always bombarded, "the greatest", "the best" or "a true masterpiece" for many books, music and films. We sometimes get lost as to what is worthwhile of our attention and what is simply wasting our time. To me, what is worthwhile to my precious time is when something has a true impact on my life and changes it into something positive that has real meaning. I am not talking about, for example, seeing a great movie and leaving the cinema feeling moved and then the following week continuing your life as it was. I am talking about being affected by a light that slowly glimmers in the core of your heart and continues to shine more brightly with each passing day. Every cell of you body feels reinvigorated. Every part of your consciousness has expanded permanently. There is a concrete result - the evidence of the life around you, and how it has evolved for the better.

To me, this book is one of those special items that encapsulates that light.

I read this book in 1998. At that time I was living in darkness. I was living in England, had lost my first job from graduation, broke up with my girlfriend, had no money, was addicted to alcohol/smoking and living a life of hedonism. My life was a mess and I was deeply unhappy.

The discovery of this book has been the shining beacon in my life.

Now it is 2006. I am living in times of serenity, love, dreams and happiness. I am living in my favourite country of Japan, have a stable job as a graphic designer, recently married to the girl of my dreams in April and she is now expecting a baby in February. I am healthy with no addictions and live a balanced and happy life. Simply, without following the advice in this book and having faith in what it expresses, I would not have any of these things. I feel deeply grateful.

I could write so much about this book - I wish I had the space. I just want to say that the `Chapter Three: The River of Love' has the power to cause a beautiful awakening in all of our hearts. It is written with such simplicity but profundity. It has such resonance to my soul and I wish I could pass on what was written in this chapter to everyone I meet in life. In fact, it has so much meaning to me it was used in my marriage ceremony. It says, "Love is the greatest power in the universe. Love is invincible." If this extract has no resonance in your heart, you simply do not understand what it means to be a human being.

I recommend you to read this book with an open-mind, soak in the wisdom and let it's Truth lift your heart. Follow and trust in it's message, and rise beyond the conditioned mind we all gain from school, work and society - I am sure it will lead you to a blissful place of happiness. It has done so to my own life.

...with love, light and happiness.
Tony.

The Low of the sun.......2001-12-14

It is a wonderfull book.

it's the NEW BIBLE!!!.......2001-09-10

Mr. Okawa is the current prophet that's here to save every single person on Earrrrrrrrrth! What's the purpose of life? What happens when we die? Where do we come from? Mr. Okawa has the answers to all!

"Truth" according to who?.......2001-05-16

Well if you can believe that humans are actually the descendants of aliens which "immigrated" to the Earth millions of years ago from Venus and elsewhere, or that Jesus Christ is actually an incarnation of a Buddhist god known as Amor, or that Atlantis (and several other previous "civilizations") existed, or that some hot-shot career track businessman (the author) is actually a reincarnation of Gautama Siddhartha, then this is the book for you! If the author had stuck to his philosophy of Buddhist self-help, the reader might find a few nuggets of wisdom. But as it is, I kept reading just to find out what outrageous thing he was going to write next. Fortunately, this was a gift. Unfortunately, I now have to tell the giver what I really thought of it. "Sorry, luv, it [was bad]."

The Meaning of Life.......2001-03-01

This book gives an easy to understand explanation of why we are born. It is largely concerned with the practical implementation of orthodox Buddhism for everybody in the modern world and how we can use this knowledge to gain happiness (to achieve enlightenment) in our daily lives. The book also touches on other mainstream beliefs, such as the life and mission of Jesus Christ. I personally found the section on the history of civilization less interesting, but apart from that the book is very uplifting, and it has certainly helped me to change my life for the better. Use it as a reference for your life.

Imaging Life After Death: Love That Moves The Sun And Stars

Average customer rating:

Imaging Life After Death: Love That Moves The Sun And Stars
Kathleen Fischer
Manufacturer: Paulist Press
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

General | Religion & Spirituality | Subjects | Books

General | New Age | Religion & Spirituality | Subjects | Books

Personal Transformation | Spirituality | Religion & Spirituality | Subjects | Books
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Mystical Hope: Trusting in the Mercy of God (Cloister Books)

ASIN: 0809142449

Book Description

The award-winning author, theologian, and psychotherapist Kathleen Fischer illuminates the mystery of the afterlife in Christian and non-Christian (Hindu, Buddhist, Sikh, Jewish, American Indian, among many) traditions in this probing, eloquent, and reassuring meditation drawn from sources as varied as religion, literature--Dante, St. Exupery, Tolkien, Mary Oliver, Jane Kenyon--science (quantum physics and cosmology), psychology, personal and professional experiences.

The author centers her book on the three questions fundamental to belief in life after death: "What survives death? Do relationships continue beyond death? How does life now relate to life then?" Within this construct, she soberly and lyrically rethinks the meaning of soul, presence, transformation, discussing the imagery of the afterlife--light, fire, seeds, butterflies, angels--and the use of portents of the divine found in nature, and experiences of beauty, justice, love, humor and hope, all the while emphasizing that focus on the afterlife, does not absolve us of our commitment to our present life. She shows the same compassionate allegiance to the dying and grieving, in a singular discussion. Completing her work are end chapter prayers and reflections, extensive annotated bibliography and suggestions for further reading.

A work of "grace and imagination," IMAGING LIFE AFTER DEATH is an invaluable resource for anyone trying to fathom a question as mysterious and perplexing as the afterlife, and anyone caring for the dying or grieving.

Charting the Future of Theology and Theological Education in Asian Contexts
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Charting the Future of Theology and Theological Education in Asian Contexts
David Kwang-sun Suh
Manufacturer: Indian Society for Promoting Christian Knowledge (ISPCK)
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback
ASIN: 8172147864

Cheyenne Rising Sun: Two Men a Century Apart Saw the Future
Average customer rating:

Captivating

Cheyenne Rising Sun: Two Men a Century Apart Saw the Future
John A. Kuri
Manufacturer: Seven Locks Press
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover

Contemporary | General | Literature & Fiction | Subjects | Books
Historical | Genre Fiction | Literature & Fiction | Subjects | Books
ASIN: 1931643466

Book Description

A collection of dramatically gripping stories of the Northern Cheyenne great chief, Morning Star, and his grandson, Ted Rising Sun. Both men were visionaries, warriors and inspiring leaders. The story of their lives is interwoven into an epic saga that spans from the late 19th Century to recent days and unfolds across the central plains from Oklahoma, Nebraska and Montana to culminate in Washington D.C. An important chapter of American History, Cheyenne Rising Sun is a tribute to the golden past of the American Indian.

Customer Reviews:

Captivating.......2004-11-04

I am not usually one to read historical fictions, but I happened into the village book store in the Pacific Palisades a few days ago and found the author Kuri discussing the book. I thought I'd stick around and listen, and as it turned out I was not let down.

With incredible passion this man discussed his years of research into the Cheyenne's rich history. He spoke of his 7-day ride horseback along a trail in Yellowstone once walked by the great Cheyenne Chief Morning Star, living off the land as the Indians of the past did. The authenticity of Kuri's research and the vigor with which he talked about the Cheyenne's plight convinced me to buy the book (and I got it signed too!)

I began to read the book a few days later, and what unfolded before me was remarkable. The way Kuri weaves together the story of Chief Morning Star and more contemporarily Ted Rising Sun and their struggle to bring the Cheyenne into the future kept me glued to the page. I have to admit I read the entire book in a 2 hour sitting.

For anyone truly interested in the history of a great and proud people, told in the page turning way only Kuri could, Cheyenne Rising Sun is the book for you.

Average customer rating:

Future Beyond the Sun
Mali Klein
Manufacturer: Fisher Press
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

General | Biographies & Memoirs | Subjects | Books

Public Health | Administration & Policy | Medicine | Subjects | Books
ASIN: 1899077049

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