What Paul Meant

Book Description

A brilliant synthesis of the Apostle Paul's thought and influence, written by a “foremost Catholic intellectual” (Chicago Tribune)

All through history, Christians have debated Paul's influence on the church. Though revered, Paul has also been a stone on which many stumble. Apocryphal writings by Peter and James charge Paul, in the second century, with being a tool of Satan. In later centuries Paul became a target of ridicule for writers such as Thomas Jefferson (“the first corruptor ”), George Bernard Shaw (“a monstrous imposition”), and Nietzsche (“the Dysangelist”). However, as Garry Wills argues eloquently in this masterly analysis, what Paul meant was not something contrary to what Jesus meant. Rather, the best way to know Jesus is to discover Paul. Unlike the Gospel writers, who carefully shaped their narratives many decades after Jesus' life, Paul wrote in the heat of the moment, managing controversy, and sometimes contradicting himself, but at the same time offering the best reflection of those early times.

What Paul Meant is a stellar interpretation of Paul's writing, examining his tremendous influence on the first explosion of Christian belief and chronicling the controversy surrounding Paul through the centuries. Wills's many readers and those interested in the Christian tradition will warmly welcome this penetrating discussion of perhaps the most fascinating church father.

Customer Reviews:

What Paul Meant.......2007-09-08

Garry Wills is a scholar who does not hesitate to cut against the grain. I have enjoyed each of his books.

An excellent companion volume to Wills's WHAT JESUS MEANT.......2007-07-24

I have long loved Garry Wills's books, whether he was writing on Nixon or the Constitution or Reagan or John Wayne or Henry Adams or the Federalist Papers or Jefferson or Lincoln or the papacy or any other subject he has chosen to take up. Wills's perspective is definitely not a narrow one, but informed by a broad acquaintance with a very large body of knowledge. He is a generalist rather than a specialist. I previously was a big fan of his book WHAT JESUS MEANT. In that book he managed to summarize in popular but extremely intelligent fashion the message of Jesus. Here he does the same for Paul.

Paul rarely gets the respect he deserves from educated Christians. His words are often used as bludgeons for enforcing some exceedingly repressive or even evil practices. Or just plain dumb. A number of more conservative evangelical denominations have used Paul to ban the wearing of make up by women or the cutting of women's hair. (I still remember the astonishing beehives of some Nazarene women I went to high school with in Little Rock, Arkansas.) He has been used to justify the persecution of Jews and to insist that women should not be allowed to preach. Wills seeks to defend Paul from such nonsense while also providing keys to correctly understanding his letters.

Before Wills became one of the leading constitutional and presidential historians in America he was a teacher of Greek and it is clear that he has spent a great deal of time reading the New Testament in the original. He is not a Biblical scholar, but he is clearly a serious student at a very high level. He is willing to use contemporary scholarship, but not being a scholar he is able to use the body of literature concerning Paul in a practical way to illumine his subject, while at the same time avoid getting bogged down in somewhat arcane academic debates.

Many have been fans of Jesus but critics of Paul. Wills will have none of this and correctly gives Paul his due as the person from whom we have by far the earliest glimpses not only of the earliest days of the spreading of the revelation concerning Jesus but the earliest accounts of the message of Jesus. Many treat the Gospels as primary and Paul's epistles as secondary, but in fact Paul wrote several decades than the earliest of the Gospels. Given that Jesus knew and sought out hundreds of people who knew Jesus personally, his account is unusually rich and informed.

Much of the book is devoted to various topics in Paul's writings. Wills correctly points out that the heart of Paul's message is the teaching of Jesus as resurrected from the death who is the Messiah who fulfills the law of the Old Testament. I've had little patience in recent decades with writers on Jesus or Christianity who somehow imagine that the resurrection is a detachable part of Christian belief. Wills correctly points out that it is at the heart of the Pauline message and later of the Gospels. It isn't just a minor point to be argued about Jesus. It is if anything the main point. Wills does a great job also of providing the context for Paul's other teachings, most importantly perhaps that Paul never saw himself as leaving Judaism or as anything other than a Jew. For Paul the Church did not exist and he was unfamiliar with anything called Christianity. Wills stresses that "Christ" was not for Paul a proper name as it is for us, but a descriptive title that identifies Jesus as anointed, as the Messiah. Wills therefore chooses to translate all passages about "Jesus Christ" or "Christ" as "Jesus Messiah" or "Messiah." He strives to break us out of our normal complaisance in hearing the word "Christ."

I cannot recommend this book highly enough. Combined with his book on Jesus, Wills has provided a wonderful two-volume introduction to Christian belief. I will add that although Wills is a Catholic, I suspect that Protestants will find more value in the books. My own experience has been that the vast majority of Catholics have little or no direct knowledge of the Bible. The reading of the Bible simply does not play the central role that it does for Protestants. In this regard, Wills, whose knowledge of the Bible is remarkable, more closely resembles a Protestant. He also refuses to be hemmed in by Catholic doctrine in reading the New Testament. I've been exasperated in talking to some Catholics who are shocked to hear that Peter had a wife and are unaware that it is explicitly referred to in the NT. Wills clearly has an understanding of Peter and his early role much closer to a Baptist than most Catholics. I haven't read his book WHY I AM A CATHOLIC but would very much like to do so. I frankly cannot see why he is. Regardless of denominational affiliation, this is a wonderful book. Along with the book on Jesus, I strongly recommend it to anyone who would better understand the Christian message.

What I Think as Opposed to What God Said.......2007-07-11

Very readable book containing current thought on Paul.
I have to admit that Paul was my hero since I was 10.
He seemed to be a great advernturer.
When I was in my 20s, Paul kept me out of seminary with the image of a minister who worked at a trade, studied and ministered to others without the limitations of being a priest.
Now, I am in my late middle years and I sat down over coffee with my minister friend and went off on a rant on why Paul is the most important part of the church that holds me to the Christian faith (as reflected in my title for this review).
My minister of mid-middle years said this was the first time a parshioner wanted to discuss Paul or any other biblical author with him. Most of his contact was organizational or counseling people who wanted to know if Jesus would mind if they cheated on their diet or spouse just a little bit.
Point being that we have so little opportunity to discuss "What Paul Meant". Even those of us who are churched and I would think less so of those who do not hear the weekly readings via awful church sound systems.
Thanks so much to Mr. Wills
But, now I must read his other books to find out why he remains a Catholic.

An Early Witness Who Was Fully In-Sync With Jesus.......2007-07-02

Garry Wills, Professor of History Emeritus, Northwestern University, and former seminarian, has written several provocative books covering the Catholic Church ("The Papal Sin," "Why I am Catholic), Jesus ("What Jesus Meant"), and now Apostle Paul with "What Paul Meant." "What Paul Meant" is no less provocative and is a great add to Will's legacy.

Paul has been accused of substituting his own "high-flown but also dark theology for the simple teachings of the itinerant preacher from Galilee. Accusers believe he was bound to as he never knew or understood Jesus, a figure he never met. Wills shows us that this misunderstanding derives from a massive misreading of Paul and of a misleading of minds of people down through centuries. He argues that the heart of the problem is that Paul entered the bloodstream of Western civilization mainly through "one artery, the vein carrying the consciousness of sin, of guilt, of the tortured conscience." Thus, religion was able to take over the legacy of Paul as it did that of Jesus - "because they both opposed it."

"What Paul Meant" highlights, through Paul's thirteen epistles, that the worship of God is a matter of interior love, not based on external observances, on temples or churches, on hierarchies or priesthoods. He, as Jesus, saw only two basic moral duties, love of God and love of neighbor. Both were liberators, not imprisoners. Both were aligned theologically.

We are reminded that Paul's writings are the first to reach us from a follower of Jesus. He takes us closer in time to Jesus than does any other person or group or body of writings. So the best way to find out what Jesus meant to his early followers is to see what Paul meant to his fellow believers. He was not an underminer of Jesus. He was not a counterforce but one of the early believers who bore witness to him and wrote about it.

Wills, using excerpts from Paul's writings and from Luke's Acts of the Apostles, examines Paul and the Risen Jesus (Paul is our expert on this); Paul and the Pre-Resurrection Jesus (Paul's accounts of how to address problems are probably closer to what Jesus said than are later records in the Gospels); Paul on the Road (monotheism, high moral principles, full religious equality); Paul and Peter (both were on the same side in the end); Paul and Women (women and men were equal); Paul and the Troubled Gatherings (how he managed damage control); Paul and Jews (he was not the father of Christian anti-Semitism); Paul and Jerusalem (the struggle to keep mindful of the needy); and, Paul and Rome (a "fishy" likelihood).

"What Paul Meant" is an excellent read. Wills is good at making his point - Paul was instep, not out-of-step, with Jesus and what Jesus meant.

Parsing Paul..........2007-06-23

What Paul Meant, a companion volume to Wills' What Jesus Meant, is an attempt to reach through Luke to get to Paul. Circumventing alleged contradictions and anachronisms in the Book of Acts, Wills proceeds to the genuine Pauline epistles to find the man. What results is a thin biography/apologetic which, despite it's diminutive size, provides interesting reading. Lacking any real theology, the book is more a confirmation of Paul's travels, testimony, and political maneuvering from his first apostolic journey to his execution in Rome. It is Acts vs. the epistles which provides the motive power throughout.

Wills reviews Paul's relationships with each Diaspora community and his rather prickly association with Peter and James. If there is one regret, it is that the author didn't elaborate further the destruction of Paul at the hands of Nero. It would no doubt prove compelling.

Better than What Jesus Meant, for there are fewer radical departures and revisionist decrees, I consider this latest Wills effort a worthwhile read. It is quick, concise, though confrontational to Lukan chronology. 4 stars.

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

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Calculations are only as good as your numbers
Pants on fire?
Accepted History & Chronology Must Be Changed.
Very Interesting
History as Science Fiction

History: Fiction or Science? (Chronology, No. 1)
Anatoly Fomenko
Manufacturer: Mithec
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

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ASIN: 2913621058

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.

Letters to a Young Catholic (Art of Mentoring)

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Informative and Inspirational
Clear, human and faithful
Wish I had read this years ago
Wonderful!
A Journey Through Catholic Life and Places

Letters to a Young Catholic (Art of Mentoring)
George Weigel
Manufacturer: Basic Books
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover

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ASIN: 0465092624
Release Date: 2004-03-02

Book Description

What it means to live, believe, and see things as a Catholic, from the bestselling theologian and biographer of Pope John Paul II.

In this remarkable tour of the Catholic world, George Weigel helps us understand how Catholicism fosters what Flannery O'Connor called "the habit of being." Taking the reader by the hand, Weigel embarks on a journey to Catholic landmarks as diverse as Chartres Cathedral and St. Mary's Church in Greenville, South Carolina; the Holy Sepulcher in Jerusalem and G.K. Chesterton's favorite pub; the grave of a modern martyr in Warsaw, and the Sistine Chapel. Weaving together insights from history, literature, theology, and music, Weigel uses these touchstones to illuminate the beliefs that have shaped Catholicism for two thousand years.

With clarity and conviction, Weigel examines the foundations of Catholic faith and explores the topics of grace, prayer, vocation, sin and forgiveness, suffering, and-most importantly-love. Putting a dramatic face on this invitation to Catholicism, Weigel introduces some of the figures who have shaped his faith and thought-Michelangelo and Fra Angelico; Evelyn Waugh and Cardinal John Henry Newman; Father Jerzy Popieuszko and Pope John Paul II; Edith Stein and Mother Teresa-as he also shares anecdotes from his own Catholic life. To a world that sometimes seems closed and claustrophobic, he suggests, Christian humanism offers a world with windows and doors-and a skylight.

In these letters, George Weigel conveys the power of a faith that is at once personal and universal, timely and eternal. His book will inspire not only the young generation of Catholics whose World Youth Day celebrations have launched an era of renewal for the Church, but also the faithful, the doubtful, and the searchers of every age.

Customer Reviews:

Informative and Inspirational.......2007-09-28

Letters to a Young Catholic is a great book, not only for young Catholics, but for Catholics of any age, and even for non-Catholics. George Weigel covers many of the basic tenets of the Catholic faith, but his main concern in the book is to present the unique Catholic worldview and "habit of being." The result is often inspiring. Weigel helps the reader to see the world in a distinctly Catholic light, and thus leads the reader to a greater appreciation of the Catholic life and the exciting world in which it takes place.

Two particularly good chapters discuss Flannery O'Connor and the discovery of St. Peter's tomb (and bones) under St. Peter's Basilica. These chapters are especially effective in conveying the reality and the excitement of the Catholic faith. I would recommend this book to anyone.

Clear, human and faithful.......2007-06-03

Wonderful book. In agnostic and functional times as our century, George Weigel is able to put in simple words the enormous richness of Catholic faith. No matter if one is young Catholic by age, conversion or spirit, "Letters to a Young Catholic" is worth to read.

Wish I had read this years ago.......2006-12-31

I read Mr. Weigel's book a few months ago but wish I'd read it back in divinity school. It would have equipped me to deal with the arogance and leveling that is so typical of the graduate seminar.

This is a good introduction to Roman Catholicism. Mr. Wiegel takes the reader through the basics of Catholic theology, including God, the Trinity, the atonement, and the sacraments; there's also quite a bit of art and literary history thrown in as well.

This book was a major find. I wasn't expecting much from it--the word "Young" in the title is misleading--as it's a book for all ages. Still, at 33, I sort of had a religious experience while reading this book. I can't recommend it enough and look forward to reading it again.

Also recommended: The Gospel of Arnie

Wonderful!.......2006-07-31

Being a Catholic my entire life, this book was excellent because it explained the way of the church in such an amazing way. I loved the way things like Mary, how we believe the Earth is good, and women not being priests was explained. I would definately get this book if you are Catholic or are thinking about becoming Catholic.

A Journey Through Catholic Life and Places.......2006-06-09

George Weigel travels through Catholic and not Catholic places, and uses those places as a launching pad for discussion on Catholic ideas, people, and places. He starts off the book talking about Baltimore (the birthplace of the Baltimore Catechism) and Milledgeville (the birthplace of a great American writer and Catholic, Flannery O'Connor) and discusses the Catholic difference. The next chapter he talks of the scavi of St. Peter's and what it means to be a Christian. This continues through the whole book, taking a place and discussing what it means to be a Catholic.

George Weigel's books are consistently informative and easy to read. This book is no exception.

Kommos V: The Monumental Minoan Buildings at Kommos (Kommos: An Excavation of the South Coast of Crete)

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Kommos V: The Monumental Minoan Buildings at Kommos (Kommos: An Excavation of the South Coast of Crete)

Manufacturer: Princeton University Press
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover

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ASIN: 0691121230

Book Description

Kommos, an ancient site on the island of Crete, is known both for its important Greek sanctuary and for its earlier role as a major Minoan harbor town. This final book in the Princeton series focuses on the results of several decades of excavation at three of the site's monumental public buildings during the Minoan period. Of these, one has the characteristics of a "Minoan palace," a large central court surrounded by wings. Two stoas on either side of the court may have accommodated spectators watching formal events unfold within the court. Other rooms were used for storage. Vessels from the "palace," but also, and mainly, from two buildings that succeeded it in the fourteenth century BC, originate elsewhere in the Aegean and as far as Anatolia, Cyprus, Egypt, Syro-Palestine, and Sardinia, attesting to the site's major role in international trade. One of the later buildings is characterized by six huge rectangular spaces that were likely used to shelter ships during the nonsailing months. This kind of structure, from that period, has never before been found in Crete. Equally unique is the range of imported pottery.

The results of the excavation are recorded in detail in chapters commenting on the architecture, on the "palace's" painted mural decoration, and on other finds representing a wide range of activities, including the likely production of purple dye, valued for trade amongst the elite. Well-stratified deposits provide a unique opportunity to establish local ceramic developments and to use them to date events that are being considered in terms of sociopolitical and economic perspectives encompassing the Mediterranean and the Near East. This book, which completes a survey of more than six hundred years of history, will prove especially useful to specialists in the Minoan era and to all students of the ancient world.

The Art of the Catapult: Build Greek Ballistae, Roman Onagers, English Trebuchets, and More Ancient Artillery

Average customer rating:

Way too simple, but OK for kids
Definitely not worth the money.
Perhaps he should name it....Catapults for Kids.
More fun!
Amusing catapults, interesting history, but no metric units

The Art of the Catapult: Build Greek Ballistae, Roman Onagers, English Trebuchets, and More Ancient Artillery
William Gurstelle
Manufacturer: Chicago Review Press
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

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ASIN: 1556525265

Book Description

Whether playing at defending their own castle or simply chucking pumpkins over a fence, wannabe marauders and tinkerers will become fast acquainted with Ludgar, the War Wolf, Ill Neighbor, Cabulus, and the Wild Donkey—ancient artillery devices known commonly as catapults. Building these simple yet sophisticated machines introduces fundamentals of math and physics using levers, force, torsion, tension, and traction. Instructions and diagrams illustrate how to build seven authentic working model catapults, including an early Greek ballista, a Roman onager, and the apex of catapult technology, the English trebuchet. Additional projects include learning how to lash and make rope and how to construct and use a hand sling and a staff sling. The colorful history of siege warfare is explored through the stories of Alexander the Great and his battle of Tyre; Saladin, Richard the Lionheart, and the Third Crusade; pirate-turned-soldier John Crabbe and his ship-mounted catapults; and Edward I of England and his battle against the Scots at Stirling Castle.

Customer Reviews:

Way too simple, but OK for kids.......2007-06-29

I find this book to be very superficial when it comes to the real deal. If you're looking for a book on catapults, you're going to get disappointed. This book focuses om making simple small scale models of catapults. I suppose it's great for a weekend project with your wannabe engineer kids, but if you're really interested in pre gunpowder siege warfare, you should rather take a look at Konstantin Nossov's book on siege warfare, which is a really thourough work. Also note that there aren't any metric units for the models, which complicates construction for the common european.

Definitely not worth the money........2007-04-17

I was really dissappointed with this book. Several of the projects are ridiculous, and he didn't do enough research. A few quick searches of the internet reveal that he gets a lot of historical facts wrong.

His first two projects, have nothing to do with anything related to actual catapults. The first is two sticks tied together, and the second is the equivalent of a waterbaloon slingshot. He calls it the "Viking Catapult". Of the ten projects in this book, three of them are modeled on actual historical types of catapults. Two are sub projects, that just show you how to build parts of the catapults, and the other five are things a child could design on thier own. As the one of the other reviewers pointed out, the last project is a plastic spoon catapult game. Small children do this on their own.

Do your self a favor, and download some free plans off the internet.

Perhaps he should name it....Catapults for Kids........2007-01-10

I was disappointed in this book. I was expecting some historically accurate designs and what I received was overly simplified plans presumably designed mostly for children. Yes, most of the text is related to the history of these weapons, but the plans left something to be desired. The ballista plan suggests use of a peanut as ammunition (not a bolt?) and the catch mechanism is nonexistent. The last project is a plastic-spoon-based basketball game. Enough said?

More fun!.......2006-11-10

This is a great book - got a copy for my brother for Christmas, and after taking a look had to get my own copy. I've been wanting to build a trebuchet ever since I saw one as a teenager - here are the plans!

Amusing catapults, interesting history, but no metric units.......2005-07-20

This book contains easy-to-follow instructions on how to build different catapults. Unfortunately there is no data regarding approx. distance and height for the suggested projectiles, why you must try for yourself. All units are english/american, which means you must translate this to metric units if you are more used to that.
A lot of historic background around catapults in general and around each model is given, which makes the book very interesting to read, even if you do not plan to build any of the models.
I can recommend this book to both historically interrested people and those who are more fond of making amusing toys!

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Greek and Roman Architecture
Donald S. Robertson
Manufacturer: Cambridge University Press
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

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ASIN: 0521094526

Book Description

This book provides a brief, clear account of the main developments in the history of the Greek, Etruscan and Roman architecture, from the earliest times to the foundation of Constantinople. It contains 135 drawings and 24 plates. Professor Robertson has produced a really great handbook; one that has become the standard general work, in English, or perhaps in any language, on its subject. It has not only accuracy, attention to detail and scholarship - these qualities we would expect - it has clarity, breadth of treatment and what can be called architectural soundness.

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All in one place
The Single Best Reference on the Roman Army!
Complete coverage
Detailed guide to Roman Army operations
Worth the money

The Complete Roman Army
Adrian Goldsworthy
Manufacturer: Thames & Hudson
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover

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ASIN: 0500051240

Book Description

The Roman army was one of the most successful fighting forces in history. Its highly advanced organization and tactics were unequaled until the modern era, and monuments to its perseverance and engineering skill are still visible today throughout Europe and the Mediterranean world.

This book is the first to examine in detail not just the early imperial army, but also the citizens' militia of the republic and the army of the later empire. Every aspect of the Roman army, from the daily lives of individual soldiers to the outcome of major campaigns, is explored:

• The Republican Army considers the earliest armies, the creation of the Roman navy, and the militia army that conquered the Mediterranean.
• The Professional Army describes reforms under Marius and his successors and the creation of the new legionary structure.
• The Life of a Roman Soldier looks in detail at all aspects, from recruitment and daily routine to equipment and off-duty life.
• The Army at War reveals how the army operated, from grand tactics to hand-to-hand combat and siege warfare.
• The Army of Late Antiquity examines the reorganization after the defeats of the third century and the rise in the use of cavalry.

Discussions of key Roman battles and brief biographies of the great commanders bring the army's campaigns and personalities to life, while hundreds of photographs, diagrams, and specially commissioned battle plans illustrate the many aspects of the Roman army over several centuries. 245 illustrations, 107 in color.

Customer Reviews:

All in one place.......2007-09-01

Because I am writing a novel about the Roman Army I was looking for a source that brings my research together. Having read several of Goldworthy's works I knew this book would be well researched and very readable. I was not disappointed. The graphics are great, drawings, paintings, maps, diagrams and photos really bring support the text and answer a lot of questions that even a professional researcher may have.

The complete Roman Army is just that. Although it will not stand alone, it is the one work I have in my library that answers the lions share of my questions. Since buying my first copy nearly two years ago, I have begun sending it as a gift item to other enthusiasts, even one to my editor. This book is a good investment.

The Single Best Reference on the Roman Army!.......2007-06-30

If you are going to buy one book on the Roman Army - this should be that book!

Historian Adrian Goldsworthy write authoratively and in great detail on every aspect of the Roman Army, including the Republican Army, the Professional Army, the life of the Roman soldier, the Roman Army at war, and the Army of late Antiquity.

This book, which is a great read and is lavishly illustrated with maps, photographs, timelines and charts, provides unparalleled insight into the armies of the Caesar's as well as all aspects of warfare through the late 3rd Century.

Complete coverage.......2007-04-30

Adrian Goldworthy's The Complete Roman Army gives a pretty complete coverage of the Roman legions during their heydays during the late Republican and early Imperial periods. It reflects on the gradual evolution of the Roman army as it developed from a semi-professional civilian army of the Senate to a permanent professional forces under the Caesars.

The book gives a pretty complete coverage of this army. The information given is clear and written with clarity. There's enough to provide the needed information and no more. It refreshing that there is no overkill of information that will only result in clutter for a book like this. The balance of the information given is just right. The book comes loaded with well drawn illustrations, nice photos, maps and diagrams that gives a clear and understandable images to accompanied the text. As one previous reviewer wrote, it truly is one of the best single volume reference book on the Roman legions during its heydays.

And that is what this book is, a reference guide to the Roman legions. Anyone seeking a quick answer to any questions on the Roman legions, this is the book to touch on. I have loan out this book to people who are not historically minded but like to read Roman historical fictions like Simon Scarrow's Cato/Macros series for example. For readers of such series, this book is almost tailor made for them.

On the down side, this book is pretty expensive for a casual reader to buy and it doesn't go into much detail during the decline of Rome. But I don't think that was the real intent of the author.

Overall, an excellent effort by Adrian Goldworthy who wrote a really accessible reference book on the Roman legions during its heydays and make it interesting and informative enough that even veteran readers like myself or a novice who is only interested in fictional history, can both enjoy this book.

Detailed guide to Roman Army operations.......2007-02-07

This book is an excellent reference work on the structure and operations of the Roman Army, mostly covering the period of the Principate through Hadrian. What separates this book from others for me is that it does not focus merely on history or campaigns...I have plenty of other books that do that. This book on the other hand discusses in much detail things like:

- how a Roman fort is laid out
- what the officers and soldiers ate
- examples of duty rosters
- what training new recruits went through
- marriage and co-habitation
- pay scales including details like deductions for food and clothing

These are just examples of the detail that I have not seen compiled quite so well in one book.

Two negatives that I can think of and they are minor. Firstly, this is not a "scholarly" reference work and probably not suitable for graduate studies. Yet that may also be a virtue as it is the type of book that one can comfortably sit down and read straight through.

Secondly, the author is obviously British and a significant amount of his examples, charts, and photos relate specifically to Britannia. Now since a lot of very good archaeology comes from that province, that too is not a serious flaw and the author does make an effort to incorporate material from throughout the Empire.

A very worthy book for anyone interested in how the Roman Army actually worked!

Worth the money.......2006-12-16

I don't usually like books with heavy glossy pages because many publishers use that device to throw together a book that is heavy on photos and short on content. This is NOT the case here. Dr. Adrian Goldsworthy put together a great book, heavy on detail, well written and organized into a small package.

He devotes more effort into discussing the practical and operational evolution of the army than he does with the politics of the army. If you want to understand the political evolution of the army, this work will leave you short. But then again, that's not what the book is about.

As the Empire collapsed at its "ending", the tactics of its enemies had improved while the Roman Army hadn't evolved fast enough to meet the threat effectively. It would have been nice if Dr. Goldsworthy had taken some time to discuss this at greater length. But the book still gets 5 stars from me.

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Great Study Guide
Great book
The best!
Good Introductory Text

Roman Art: Romulus to Constantine
Nancy H. Ramage , and Andrew Ramage
Manufacturer: Prentice Hall
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

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ASIN: 0131504878

Customer Reviews:

Great Study Guide.......2007-03-14

I wanted to refresh on a Roman Art History course I took in college, because I'll be going to Italy soon and wanted to remember all the great things I learned in that class. I found this book and it is identical to the book I study years ago. I'm extremely excited I've found this book. And it has brought back all those things I have forgotten about the history of Art is Roman.

Great book.......2005-05-02

"Roman Art" is easily one of the best art history books I have ever read. What really sets it apart is the writing style - rather than being dry and stuffy, the language is very clear, understandable, and *gasp* engaging! Be warned, the pictures are primarily black and white, but many of the objects covered, being marble statues and buildings, have no need for color. Those items that are printed in color, like wall paintings, are items that really benefit from it. I would highly recommend this book to those interested in Roman art, and even to those who aren't - I had no real interest in Roman art when I used "Roman Art" in an art history class, but this book has made it one of my favorite subjects.

The best!.......2004-01-10

This book is an absolute gem! It is thorough and very educational yet quite readable and even entertaining. The text is paired with brilliant photos that make the topic come to life. Even while cramming for a test, this book made my study time less boring and even enjoyable!
A must for anyone interested in the topic of Roman art - provides a solid foundation.

Good Introductory Text.......2000-03-26

As any student of Roman Art/Archaeology knows, good introductory texts are hard to find. This text, now considered by many to be the "standard text", is a MUST for anyone who is just beginning the journey into Roman Art and for more advanced students as a general reference. The authors cover the entire gamut of the subject with readable texts supplimented with excellent images. They were also wise enough to include the most up-to-date schalorly information.

Domus: Wall Painting in the Roman House (Getty Trust Publications: J. Paul Getty Museum)

Average customer rating:

A Must Have Book
Fabulous in every respect

Domus: Wall Painting in the Roman House (Getty Trust Publications: J. Paul Getty Museum)
Donatella Mazzoleni , and Umberto Pappalardo
Manufacturer: Getty Trust Publications: J. Paul Getty Museum
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover

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ASIN: 0892367660

Customer Reviews:

A Must Have Book.......2006-01-31

I saw a copy of Domus while in Naples and knew I would have to order a copy when I returned home. The book is beautifully produced with an excellent essay by Donatella Mazzolini on the architecture of Roman houses, focusing on those under discussion in Pompeii, Herculaneum and Rome. This is followed by an essay by Umberto Pappalando on the Domus Romana, focusing on the development of houses and gardens. As good as these essays are it is the pages dealing with the houses themselves that is jaw-dropping. The houses are arranged in sections following the development of the Roman domus and include color pictures and diagrams of the houses. There are short introductions to the homes followed by a portfolio section consisting of close up pictures of the frescos printed on non-glossy textured paper that gives a better impression of how the painting appears to the observer. These reproductions are superb.

The choice of buildings is impressive. There are far too many to list but among them are: from Pompeii the House of the Faun, the House of Julius Polybius, the Villa of Mysteries, the House of the Golden Bracelet, the House of the Tragic Poet and the House of the Labyrinth; from Herculaneum: the Samnite House, the House of the Skeleton, the House of the Grand Portal, the Collegium of the Augustales; from Rome: the House of the Griffins, Livia's House on the Palatine and at Prima Porta and the Domus Aurea. The Villa of Poppea at Oplontis gets special attention in the book, and a fresco from the house appears on the cover.

This book is a must for anyone interested in ancient Roman houses and their decoration. If you have even visited Pompeii, Herculaneum and the other villas destroyed by Mount Vesuvius you will enjoy this book.

Fabulous in every respect.......2006-01-07

A wonderful work in all respects - scholarship, printing, presentation, photography. Some of the paintings are more like wall paper samples, the paper and printing is that good.

Another great work in the Getty catalog. A must have for any serious student of Roman Art/Architecture.

Images of Hope: Meditations on Major Feasts

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Easy Reading
Genial Wisdom
SCHOLARLY, SIMPLE, AND FAITH-FOSTERING MEDITATIONS

Images of Hope: Meditations on Major Feasts
Joseph Cardinal Ratzinger
Manufacturer: Ignatius Press
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover

Religious | Arts & Photography | Subjects | Books

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ASIN: 0898709644

Book Description

In Images of Hope: Meditations on Major Feasts, Joseph Cardinal Ratzinger (now Pope Benedict XVI) masterfully weaves together Scripture, history, literature and theology as he reflects on major feasts of the liturgical calendar. In each chapter, he examines works of sacred art that illustrate the hope we celebrate in our most important Christian holy days.

What do the humble ox and ass at the manger of the Christ Child tell us about Christmas? In an icon of Christ's Ascension, what do the Savior's hands held in blessing promise us? What is the meaning of the sword held by the great statue of Saint Paul before the Roman church that bears his name?

These and many other questions are explored with depth and sensitivity in this collection of meditations by the man who became Pope Benedict XVI. Several beautiful colored images of the relevant paintings, mosaics and sculptures accompany the rich and detailed text.

Customer Reviews:

Easy Reading.......2007-01-16

This is a series of reflections that can each be read in a brief sitting, yet each conveys the remarkable breadth of knowledge and depth of understanding that Pope Benedict has developed. His writing is perhaps the most concise among modern theologians.

Genial Wisdom.......2007-01-10

Pope Benedict's longer theological works can be difficult to follow, not because the Pope is trying to be obscure but because he deals with realities (not opinions or moods) and never patronizes the reader. Images of Hope is more accessible because it is a collection of short essays, moving and even entertaining meditations on the Feasts of the Church. A great little book for the thinking Christian.

SCHOLARLY, SIMPLE, AND FAITH-FOSTERING MEDITATIONS.......2006-10-20

These thirteen short talks originated as occasional broadcasts on Bavarian Radio when the then-Cardinal Ratzinger offered meditations on the major feasts of the Church usually with reference to some work of art. About half had been published separately, and the book, first issued 9 years ago, has been translated and reissued following his election as Pope. Ratzinger is scholarly in his approach and sources, but offers his general audience a message that is both simple and profound. That will not surprise those who have listened to his recent talks. His reflections are mostly prompted and illustrated by images--artistic, poetic or symbolic--to touch the senses and heart as well as the mind. Developing the images and ideas with poetic fancy, professorial depth and patristic playfulness, he invites us to go beyond the merely aesthetic to the level of faith.

While the themes are random because of the disparate occasions on which the talks were given, there is an inner harmony among them, and since all sacred images are images of the resurrection, the harmony involves hope and resurrection joy. The art is often an illustration of the material rather than its source, and hence is not in general as essential to the presentation as it is, for example, in the Archbishop of Canterbury's Ponder These Things or Henri Nouwen's Behold the Beauty of the Lord. But Ratzinger's historical facts and theological insights are striking, and those dealing with Rome and the papacy all the more interesting in view of his later election to the see of Rome. Beyond this the text opens the riches of the Christian faith in a learned but very personable way. It's a quick read, and would repay a prayerful rereading of each chapter on its corresponding feast.

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