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.

Behind the Mask: A Book about Prepositions (World of Language)

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A book for the ages
This is a test
Excellent
From a Teacher's Point of view

Behind the Mask: A Book about Prepositions (World of Language)
Ruth Heller
Manufacturer: Putnam Juvenile
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

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ASIN: 0698116984

Book Description

Through clever, rhyming text and boldly colorful illustrations, students and language lovers of all ages will enjoy exploring Ruth Heller's world of prepositions. "To say that Heller has a way with words is to understate a multifaceted talent."-- Publishers Weekly "Rhyming text...provides many examples of prepositions as well as some rules of usage. Large, colorful drawings illustrate the words imaginatively." -- Booklist

Customer Reviews:

A book for the ages.......2007-06-12

I love almost any book done by Ruth Heller. Her illustrations are dynamically colorful and enchanting, and her real magic is that she only wrote and illustrated non-fiction books. I bought this book because as a librarian for a School of Education it was a book, and part of a set, I wanted all future teachers to know about. Now as a new grandmother, it is an important part of the library collection I want to share with my grandchildren. Because it is written in lovely verse, and is colorful, the books is wonderful for even the very young children. Because of the complete coverage of prepositions, far beyond the intricacies of grammar that I usually remember, it can be used with high-school students. It should not be eliminated from use in the high school classroom because it is a picture book. Even adults enjoy beautiful, colorful pictures and high school students will be just as intrigued. They can also learn all there is to know about prepositions.

This is a test.......2006-02-27

This is just a test review. Hoping to delete it. Please do NOT post.

Excellent.......2000-06-03

As a soon to be teacher, I am a member of a Children's Book of the Month Club and this book, along with the book on pronouns, was sent to me by mistake. I have never heard of these books before. I thought they were wonderful. They even taught me about prepositions. I am going to collect all the books in the series because I think this is a great tool to have in the classroom. I don't have any children yet, but I know this is also a great book to have at home. Thank you Ruth Heller for coming up with these great books.

From a Teacher's Point of view.......2000-02-18

Ruth Heller's book, Behind the Mask offers teachers a way to review one of the basic parts of speech, pronouns, with middle schoolers in a way that is painless and often amusing. Students who don't like to study grammar will often refer to parts of her delightful poems in answer to questions. She addresses more than one type of pronoun: for example the two and three word pronouns. She also addresses the problems of confusing pronouns used at the end of sentences with adverbs. All in all, her books are delightful for upper as well as lower grade students to read. If you teach grammar, this is one of the must have books for your classroom!

The Art of African Masks: Exploring Cultural Traditions (Art Around the World)

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The Art of African Masks: Exploring Cultural Traditions (Art Around the World)
Carol Finley
Manufacturer: Lerner Publishing Group
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover

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ASIN: 0822520788

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Fascinating Book

Masks of the World
Douglas L. Congdon-Martin , and Jim Pieper
Manufacturer: Schiffer Publishing
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover

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ASIN: 0764309684

Book Description

An extensive collection of beautiful masks from around the world, all portrayed in beautiful color. Powerful in their form, nearly every continent is represented with masks organized by country of origin and by tribal group. The origin, size, materials, and other useful information is included in the concise captions. Also included are photographs of the masks in use. This collection was originally installed as an exhibition of the California Heritage Museum in Santa Monica, California. It will make a welcome addition to any library of tribal art.

Customer Reviews:

Fascinating Book.......2007-08-15

I enjoy this book every time I look at it. The culture of Papua is beautifully told and well illustrated. A good introduction for me about a
country I will never be able to visit.

The Man in the Iron Mask (Oxford World's Classics)

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Forget the movie, read the book!!
Who was the man in the iron mask?
The Final Bow of the Musketeers
No One Can Write a More Thrilling Story than Dumas
The end of a trilogy

The Man in the Iron Mask (Oxford World's Classics)
Alexandre Dumas père
Manufacturer: Oxford University Press, USA
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

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ASIN: 0192838423

Book Description

Alexandre Dumas was already a best-selling novelist when he wrote this historical romance, combining (as he claimed) the two essentials of life--"l'action et l'amour." The Man in the Iron Mask concludes the epic adventures of the three Muskateers, as Athos, Porthos, Aramis, and their friend
D'Artagnan, once invincible, meet their destinies.

Customer Reviews:

Forget the movie, read the book!!.......2007-07-13

Oh wow, what a great end to an incredible ride, the story of the Musketeers. I haven't been so engrossed in a series of books since I picked up Diana Gabaldon's Outlander. Athos, Raoul, Porthos, Aramis and of course D'Artagnan are going to be in my thoughts and dreams for some time, I hate to let them go.

If you are expecting the story as told by Hollywood, forget it. While I haven't seen the latest version with Leonardo DiCaprio (forgive me if I spell it wrong), I looked at the reader reviews and was quite surprised at how different the book is from Hollywood's version. I also recall a movie done in the late 70's/80's that is nothing like the book as well. I would pick it apart point by point, but that would include spoilers. The Man in the Iron Mask is actually the last third of a huge novel by Dumas originally titled The Vicomte de Bragelonne. Because of the size of the book, English publishers have divided into three books, The Vicomte de Bragelonne, Louise de la Valliere, and The Man in the Iron Mask.

Suffice it to say that TMITIM is the final chapter of our heroic Musketeers, as well as Raoul, the son of Athos. While we all know the story of Louis XIV's twin and the plot to substitute him, that is a minor part of the whole story, as the action then becomes centered on the aftermath of that plot and Louis' revenge. It has been a grand, glorious ride reading this series, The Three Musketeers, Twenty Years After, The Vicomte de Bragelonne, Louise de la Valliere and The Man In the Iron Mask. And do have your box of tissue handy for the last 20-30 pages. You'll need it.

One side note, some people are purchasing this as a stand-alone book, which it is not. You could probably get away with that, but you'll spend so much time looking back at the footnotes trying to figure who is who I doubt you will enjoy the story as much. Also, this version didn't have the list of characters that the VDB and LDLV did. Go for broke and read the whole thing, it's well worth it.

Who was the man in the iron mask?.......2006-05-27

In life, he was sentenced to a cruel fate--in death, he would become a legend. Alexandre Dumas tells the tale of the mysterious man who was imprisoned in the Bastille starting in the 168o's until his death some thirty years later. During that time his face had been hidden by an iron mask. While his identity remains a mystery, there are some tantalizing clues which might remove the mask from the man. Most prisoners of the French prison were usually important people who had fallen out of favor with King Louis XIV. Given strict orders by the king, the Musketeers were to kill him if he removed his mask. He ate in the mask, slept in the mask, and eventually died in the mask.

In 1717, Voltaire was imprisoned at the Bastille. According to him, the man in the iron mask was around 60 when he died, and bore a striking resemblance to a very famous aristocrat. Of course, the most famous aristocrat in France at that time was King Louis XIV, who was also in his 60's. Another prisoner at the Bastille, Joseph de Lagrange, asserted that Benigne d'Auvergne de Saint, the governor of Sainte Marguerite, treated the mystery man deferentially and referred to him as 'prince'.

Stories about the mysterious prisoner are conflicting. Some state that he wore a mask of velvet, not iron. Evidence has surfaced saying that the prisoner was buried under the name M. de Marchiel. And later, a death certificate giving the prisoner's name as Marchioly and his age of 45 was found.
Another states, that in 1789 Frederic Grimm, a famous writer, claimed that a valet had revealed to him that Louis XIV had an identical twin. And that Louis XIII, feared the brothers would grow up to fight over the throne, so he sent the second-born baby away to be raised in secret.

The boy was taken into a nobleman's household and treated with great respect, but he was never told who he really was. As he grew up, he saw a portrait of King Louis XIV and guessed the truth. He was immediately arrested, and spent the rest of his life as the Man in the Iron Mask. Many people believed this to be false, and believe it was elaborated and embroidered by Alexandre Dumas as the years passed. It has been said that when the Bastille was stormed by a revolutionary mob, the prince's skeleton was discovered, still wearing his iron mask. Of course, there is no record that this actually happened.

The Final Bow of the Musketeers.......2005-08-15

Before you start this book you should know that any resemblance between the book and the movies that Hollywood has turned out is completely accidental. The names of the main characters are about the only similarity that I could find and as is the norm, the book was much better.

This, the last installment in the Musketeer series, gives us the story of the final acts of our heroes, Athos, Porthos, Aramis and D'Artagnan. Unlike many literary characters our Musketeer friends have aged as the story progresses and have all retired but D'Artagnan who is still the Captain of the King's Musketeers. Athos and Porthos are quite wealthy and Aramis has attained the rank of Bishop. Aramis is not content with his station however and knows a secret that he thinks he can use to become Pope. This secret is the knowledge that Louis XIV has a twin brother who is hidden away in the Bastille and Aramis is quite sure that this brother would make a better King than the current monarch. Aramis is also pretty sure that the new King in gratitude will nominate his liberator for the office of Cardinal and then will scheme to make the new Cardinal Pope.

In this plot Aramis acts alone except for some help from Porthos who has no idea what he is involved in. The twins are successfully switched for a short while but then the plot falls apart and Aramis and Porthos flee for their lives although Porthos is still not sure what is going on. The "pretender" to the throne is left to his own devices by Aramis and is imprisoned in a new location with the iron mask added to his discomfiture. Aramis does not come across in this book as much of a hero and in many respects this story is much darker than it's predecessors.

Given the advanced age of the Musketeers, there are not nearly as many swashbuckling adventures as one is accustomed to but on occasion Porthos in particular will rise to the challenge. The political intrigues of the Court of Louis XIV and the decline of the Musketeers are in fact the main plot lines of this story. In the end, only one of the four is left and to find out which one you will just have to read the book. Athos, by the way, only seems to play a side role in this story and is neither involved in the plot against the King or in his rescue.

As is always the case, Dumas' writing style is superb and is filled with historical fact. He does tend to be a bit wordy and his books are often much longer than necessary but even with this slight drawback he ranks as one of my all-time favorite authors. In this book Dumas closes out the careers of his most popular characters and he does it with style.

No One Can Write a More Thrilling Story than Dumas.......2005-05-05

Having just spent the last few months reading all five books in the Three Musketeer series, the following are my suggestions.

1. Read all five books in order. The Man in the Iron Mask is probably enjoyable on its own but reading the four books that proceed it help place the story in its proper context. Think of the Man in the Iron Mask as the dessert in a five course meal. Dessert is great but the four proceeding course are also enjoyable. Getting to the end of the book was especially enjoyable knowing that I was finishing a 3,500 page experience.

2. Read the Oxford University editions. There are wonderful end notes that help the reader keep track of the characters and events. When you read 3,500 pages you need that type of assistance to keep things straight. The Introductions are also very well written and help the reader get back into focus before beginning the next chapter.

3. If you really like any one book in particular, go to the internet and purchase a well illustrated used hardback edition for your collection. I purchased a used Three Musketeers with illustrations by Maurice Leloir. The three hundred plus illustrations make that edition especially enjoyable.

Along with Sir Walter Scott, Alexandre Dumas created the genre of the historical adventure novel. I have been reading these types of novels my entire life. Beyond a doubt, Alexandre Dumas is the master virtuoso of this genre.

The end of a trilogy.......2005-01-27

The Man in the Iron Mask is not actually a book -- it is the last volume of a very large book entitled Le Vicomte du Bragalonne or Ten Years After. Le Vicomte is divided into three parts, typically called "Le Vicomte du Bragalonne," "Louise de la Valliere", and of course, "The Man in the Iron Mask."

Thus, if you read only this book, don't be surprised that it sometimes seems you are catching only the end of a conversation.

The larger work, Le Vicomte, is named after Athos's son, and it follows the young vicomte through his life and love -- taking large detours to a young Louis the XIV's court. Our heroic musketeers, Athos, Porthos, Aramis, and d'Artagnan make only small appearances throughout, but these scenes are the most memorable of the musketeers series.

The Man in the Iron Mask brings our four fast friends together again, for one last adventure. This time, though, they are at odds with one another, divided by their own key character traits.

I have personally seen several movie versions of the Man in the Iron Mask, and I have never seen one I liked. Skip the movies -- read the book. And if you find yourself entranced, go get the first two volumes, and enjoy!

The Mask of Anarchy Updated Edition: The Destruction of Liberia and the Religious Dimension of an African Civil War

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Those Wacky Liberian Transvestites
Liberia Unmasked

The Mask of Anarchy Updated Edition: The Destruction of Liberia and the Religious Dimension of an African Civil War
Stephen Ellis
Manufacturer: NYU Press
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

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ASIN: 0814722385
Release Date: 2006-09-01

Book Description

"Outstanding. . . . A model of lucid writing, thorough research, and penetrating interpretation, this is one of the best books on Africa in recent years."
—Foreign Affairs

"No other available account of the civil war is as concise, accurate, or lucid."
—Christian Scholar's Review

"Cogently argued and supported by a wealth of observation"
—Times Literary Supplement

“By far and away the best on the Liberian civil war. It is difficult to praise it too highly: lucid yet avoiding over-simplification, and entirely free of cant or ideological preconceptions, it is a model of its kind.”
—The Sunday Telegraph

"Ellis has written a very honest and brave book about a ghastly human experience which has, one learns, much less to do with the primordial past than about the future."
—Ecclesiastical History

“…a well-researched and carefully told story of the war…an account of the war as the Liberians experienced it.”
—Books & Culture

Liberia has been one of Africa's most violent trouble spots. In 1990, when thousands of teenage fighters, including young men wearing women's clothing and bizarre objects of decoration, laid siege to the capital, the world took notice. Since then Liberia has been through devastating civil upheaval. What began as a civil conflict, has spread to other West African nations.

Eschewing popular stereotypes and simple explanations, Stephen Ellis traces the history of the civil war that has blighted Liberia in recent years and looks at its political, ethnic and cultural roots. He focuses on the role religion and ritual have played in shaping and intensifying this brutal war. In this edition, with a new preface by the author, Ellis provides a current picture of Liberia and details how much of the same problems still exist.

Customer Reviews:

Those Wacky Liberian Transvestites.......2000-09-10

One can almost imagine the conversation between Stephen Ellis and his NYU Press editors as they mulled over a title and a marketing scheme for this book. Ellis is a scholar of African affairs who, I gather, doesn't typically write the sort of book that can be marketed to the non-academic set. Nonetheless, this volume boasts a snappy title, drawn from a Percy Byshe Shelley poem, and a striking book jacket photo of three bewigged Liberian rebels who, like the Liberian civil war itself, manage to appear at once both frightening and farcical. Looks like the editors got their way.

But, as they say, one shouldn't judge a book by its cover. This is an unapologetically academic tome, with extensive footnotes and a fifteen-page bibliography. If you are not of an academic bent, or not seriously curious about the truly unique character of the Liberian civil war, you might want to skip this book.

But if you are looking for a very good summation of the Liberian conflict, a primer on ethnicity and religion in Liberia, and an interesting examination of how these factored into the conflict, then this is a must-read.

My most vivid impression is that this is not so much one book as two separate volumes, one focusing on the war itself, and the other delving into Liberian, history, economics, and anthropology. The first section, on the war itself, is quite well done and very readable, almost journalistic in tone. Ellis draws from a wide variety of sources, including his own travels to the country, to describe and explain the Liberian civil war and the conditions in which it took root. Commendably, he cites Liberian sources whenever possible, though this tendency also raised one of my quibbles. For some reason, his citations of things like US Congressional testimony are from Monrovia newspapers rather than the original sources themselves, something I had been taught to avoid, especially when the original sources are so accessible (just a few mouse clicks away).

Ellis also occasionally falls into the trap of providing too much information, seemingly just because he did the research and wants to use it. For example, he goes on for pages and pages about the bases of the Nigerian and Ivorian economies by way of explaining the economic interests of both countries in the Liberian conflict. He could have summarized this information in much less space without taking anything away from his thesis.

That having been said, Ellis makes some important points about the conflict. One is the tendency of some analysts, myself included, to be too quick to ascribe ethnic labels and motivations to the key players. The situation is more complicated than that, with clan affiliations, personal ties, and other considerations often more important. He also delves into the unique religious and cultural backdrop of Liberia to explain some of the seemingly wierd and grotesque practices that became hallmarks of this conflict -- like the transvestism and ritual cannibalism practiced by some of the combatants.

One can't help but conclude that, for all Liberia has been through in the last twenty years, it still has a long way to go to find some political equilibrium, much less to achieve its promise. Charles Taylor, while more clever and formidable than most of his predecessors in the Executive Mansion, is at least as brutal and venal as any of them, including the late Samuel Doe. And, sadly, Taylor appears incapable of mending the deep wounds that still beset Liberia. No one will be surprised if he, too, is toppled by yet another self-aggrandizing military man out to plunder the country. Liberia deserves better.

Liberia Unmasked.......2000-07-06

The author has drawn on an impressive range of sources to give us an in-depth look at the Liberian civil war. The book is like an onion: the outer later is a description of what happened; the second lays out the historical, social and economic framework, and the core discusses contributing psychological and spiritual factors.

Whether or not you accept his analysis of the role which traditional religious ritual played in the way in which the war was carried out, the fact remains that the Liberian warlords, most of whom had enough education to know what they were doing, consciously manipulated young, poor and uneducated soldiers to commit murder, torture, rape and terror in the interests of seizing power and the spoils of war. When foreign governments intervened, more often they did more harm than good. There are no heroes in this book.

Book Description

Here for the first time in a single volume is Edward Brathwaite's Caribbean trilogy - Rights of Passage, Masks, and Islands - a brilliant exploration of the predicament of the contemporary New World Negro. Through the tension of jazz/folk rhythm, through historical flashbacks, and excursions to Europe, New York and Africa, the poet interweaves the past and present of his Caribbean homeland - its natural beauty, its violent history, the values that sustain its people - into a vigorous and distinctive poetic statement.

Customer Reviews:

The Arrivants : A New World Trilogy.......2000-04-30

This is for anyone who likes to learn something about another culture's experience. Some useful topics to research beforehand might include African drum language, treatment of black slaves in the early history of the Caribbean, and voodoo. Even if research isn't for you there is enough wisdom and observation within Brathwaite's poetry which make The Arrivants a valuable addition to the literature lover's collection. Old British standards like "the Queen's English" are reinvented as Brathwaite will take you through a reaquaintance with culture in the name of identity. Included within is a glossary of most of the unfamiliar terms, making the reading extremely accessible.

The array of messages developed in the poetry allowing us the rare opportunity to understand the world through the eyes of a poet whose homeland is in the Caribbean, are both innovative as poetry and invaluable as a written history -- a Caribbean history which, while developed from past events, shows how interwoven we all are as humanity. The Arrivants will play "the Korabra" with your mind.

A book all people should read.......2000-02-02

This is an wonderful collection of verse. I recomend it to any one looking for a connection between the African-American / African-Caribbean experience. My only suggestion is find the book Pathfinder: Black Awakening in the Arrivants to help you a long. This work has many allusions that may not be easy to understand to the average reader.

Masks and Masking: Faces of Tradition and Belief Worldwide

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Understanding Masks Worldwide
An examination of the role of masks throughout human history

Masks and Masking: Faces of Tradition and Belief Worldwide
Gary Edson
Manufacturer: McFarland & Company
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover

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All Titles | Qualifying Textbooks - Fall 2007 | Stores | Books
ASIN: 0786421185

Product Description

For at least 20,000 years, masking has been a mark of cultural evolution and an indication of magical-religious sophistication in society. Ancient cave paintings depict figures with animal masks; early Egyptians left images of humans with animal heads; and Incan burial chambers contained masks of gold to cover the faces of the dead. Ancient peoples wore masks to survive the elements, succeed in combat, confirm their identity, attract spouses, celebrate important events, and venerate their personal and collective gods. Current literature suggests an early association between masking and pietistic practice. These and many other uses of masking are an important part of the record of human existence, shedding light on the origins of belief systems and spiritualism in the earliest human societies. Placing the mask in the broader context of the evolution of humanity, this book argues that the mask itself should not be assessed in the service of any single function. Instead, the chapters integrate all functions to provide a comprehensive understanding of the mask as a powerful cultural phenomenona means by which individual communities attempted to communicate their dignity and sense of purpose, as well as to establish a continuum between the natural and supernatural worlds. The book addresses the distinctive environments within which masks flourished, and the mask is analyzed as a manifestation of art, ethnology and anthropology. The discussion is augmented by more than 100 illustrations of masks chosen for what they reveal about fundamental emotional and spiritual perspectives, as well as for their different styles, shapes, and designs.

Customer Reviews:

Understanding Masks Worldwide.......2006-03-12

Discussions range from surveys of masks as communicators and expressions in societies to masks as communal and spiritual symbols. Black and white mask representations peppered throughout add to a scholarly survey of the role and changing meaning of masks in world beliefs. The result is a set of invaluable observations of masks and their underlying roles in societies, and will provide artists with an invaluable set of cultural and social insights with which to better understand the overall meaning and importance of masks around the world.

An examination of the role of masks throughout human history.......2005-10-12

Professor of museum science Gary Edson presents Masks And Masking: Faces Of Tradition And Belief Worldwide, an examination of the role of masks throughout human history. Exploring cultural uses of masks from creating a substitute face to as a symbol of magic to as communal symbols and couriers of myth, Masks And Masking argues persuasively that masks should not be assessed as performing a single function across the complex turn of ages and cultures. More than 100 detailed black-and-white drawings illustrate this scholarly and thoughtful discourse.

Gingerbread Masks: It's a cookie-cutter collegiate world

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A talented young woman
A great college life hit!

Gingerbread Masks: It's a cookie-cutter collegiate world
Natalie Inger
Manufacturer: iUniverse, Inc.
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

General | Contemporary | Romance | Subjects | Books
ASIN: 0595431550

Book Description

Gingerbread Masks exposes some of the truths behind the myths of common college culture. Nineteen-year-old Hannah Summer Spearman was slightly disenchanted with college life, until she met Ivan.

Ivan Boishnevekov, a fellow student at Huckman Oak University and member of one of the most popular fraternities at the school, is a boy who would do anything to fit into his new college identity. Ivan is a delightfully entertaining and colorfully offbeat character, who downplays his rich Russian family heritage to better blend into his surroundings at one of the most All-American-apple-pies of universities.

Hannah and Ivan find each other and engage in an unlikely romance; a romance that is challenged, tested, and tormented by the pressures of fraternity life. Despite their differences; by a twist of fate; the two keep finding their way back to one another, fighting a constant battle against the fickle and fleeting nature of the college dating scene. The only question is: How much drama can Hannah take before she breaks?

Customer Reviews:

A talented young woman.......2007-06-27

. . . wrote a very entertaining and illuminating look at contemporary college culture. With engaging and interesting characters, a compelling and lively plot, and a conflict as timeless and as universal as love itself, this story is a lovely anecdote of colligate life. You will enjoy this!

A great college life hit!.......2007-05-17

This book quickly grabs your attention and holds it as it reveals some crazy and interesting stories of college life. It was a great read and I recommend it highly.

Behind the Masks of God: An Essay Toward Comparative Theology

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Behind the Masks of God: An Essay Toward Comparative Theology
Robert Cummings Neville
Manufacturer: State University of New York Press
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

General | Religion & Spirituality | Subjects | Books

Comparative Religion | Religious Studies | Religion & Spirituality | Subjects | Books

ASIN: 0791405796

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