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.

Average customer rating:

Original & Wonderful
Enchanting
------"Just keep an eye out for signs of things in your yard."-----
Review for Lady in the Water: Book
Good for older children

Lady in the Water
M. Night Shyamalan
Manufacturer: Little, Brown Young Readers
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover

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ASIN: 0316017345

Book Description

Originally written by M. Night Shyamalan as a bedtime story for his own children, the story of the Lady in the Water is an imaginative reading experience that inspires readers to observe the world around them and consider their purpose on earth. Like all of Shyamalans work, this story offers a dark mystery with surprising twists, a touch of magic, and a powerful message at the end.

Customer Reviews:

Original & Wonderful.......2007-04-22

A truly original and wonderful children's story. It's the first one in a long time I've read that I didn't guess the entire plot and how it develops within the first couple of pages.

Enchanting .......2007-04-10

This book is a beautiful story and the illistrations are visual masterpieces. A must for everyone to read. I enjoyed the movie as well, a great companion set for every age.

------"Just keep an eye out for signs of things in your yard."-----.......2007-03-26

Lady In The Water is an intriguing story about a creature called a narf. Her home is under your swimming pool! She has a purpose! "She is swimming in the pool to be seen by someone in your house." She is a sea nymph and a good creature. Of course, to give some balance to the story, there is also another creature. Something that is called a scrunt and he is not so nice. He lives in the grass and would like to catch the gentle narf.

I find this to be a wonderful and very imaginative story; however, I think this is too scary for young children. I believe it's best for the parents to read it first before purchasing it for their child. Every child is different and parents are best at determining if the subject matter is appropriate for their own children.

I understand the film does not exactly follow the little book, but I'm really looking forward to seeing it. I'm a fan of M. Night Shyamalan's and loved The Village.

Judith Miller

Review for Lady in the Water: Book.......2007-03-09

This book is really amazing. But I think I would have liked it more if I would have read it first compared to watching the movie first. It also could have elaborated on the story more. But I also don't regret buying it.

Good for older children.......2007-03-08

I have a niece and nephew that are 3 and 5 years old. This book was a little scary for the young one and a little deep for the 5 year old. It kinda felt like there was too much information squeezed into a short story and really needed to be expanded on. I guess thats why a movie was made. Loved the movie but thought it was a bit too much for the kids, thats why I bought the book but it really just confused them. Would be great for a kid around 7 or so I'm sure.

The Man Who Heard Voices: Or, How M. Night Shyamalan Risked His Career on a Fairy Tale

Average customer rating:

Cut & Dry
An unbiased look at the film making process
The Man Who Ignored Voices
The Man Who Heard Razzberries
I was looking for just a little more...

The Man Who Heard Voices: Or, How M. Night Shyamalan Risked His Career on a Fairy Tale
Michael Bamberger
Manufacturer: Gotham
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover

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ASIN: 1592402135

Book Description

An acclaimed writer takes readers inside the world of M. Night Shyamalan—the most successful filmmaker of his generation—as he creates a new movie masterpiece

In 1999, filmmaker M. Night Shyamalan exploded onto the cinema scene with his supernatural thriller The Sixth Sense, which garnered major acclaim and raked in massive box office numbers around the globe. Since then, his phenomenal commercial and critical success has continued as his films—including Unbreakable, Signs, and The Village—have grossed over $1.5 billion and reinvented the thriller genre. But throughout his rise to prominence, Shyamalan has remained separate from the Hollywood system, living and working solely in his hometown area of Philadelphia, and keeping his ideas, filmmaking techniques, and business practices tightly-kept secrets.

In The Man Who Heard Voices, journalist Michael Bamberger takes readers inside Shyamalan's world for the first time, getting total access to the man who has been called “the modern-day Hitchcock” as he prepares, creates, and test-screens his next film, Lady in the Water, which stars Paul Giamatti (star of Sideways) as a building superintendent and Bryce Howard (star of The Village) as a mysterious sea nymph. Bamberger's intimate perspective and insightful narrative prose will bring to life Shyamalan's creative process—from his multiple drafts and revisions of the screenplay to his on-location work with his cinematographer and crew and his relationships with the actors under his direction. The book also follows the high- stakes business decisions behind the scenes, including his agonizing decision to move from Disney to Warner Bros. for this film, his involvement in the studio's massive marketing campaign, and the evaluation of the crucial initial test-screening of the film.

Customer Reviews:

Cut & Dry.......2007-09-15

If you're an M. Night fan you will not be able to put this book down. It's amazing.

An unbiased look at the film making process.......2007-04-11

I almost didn't read this book after reading some of the reviews and comments made by others on this site. I'm glad I decided to give this book a chance. This is a must read for anyone interested in the process of film making. The fact that the author is a sports writer and not involved in the film industry gives the book more authenticity, not less. The journey from script to completed film is told through the eyes of someone seeing it for the first time and not prejudiced by other films.

I read the book first and then saw the movie (on DVD). If you haven't seen the movie, this is the order I would recommend. You'll especially like the DVD extras after reading about the various collaborators in the book. If the "Lady" script had been submitted by a no-name screenwriter, it would never have made it past the script readers. Yet not only did Night get to make a movie based on a weak story idea with a weak script, he got Warner Brothers to put in over a hundred million dollars to film and market it. No matter how talented the actors, the cinematographer, or the director, if it doesn't work on the page it isn't going to work on the screen. This book shows how bad movies get made.

The Man Who Ignored Voices.......2007-04-06

After delivering "Lady in the Water", Shyamalan somehow managed to offend a pubescent American culture that prefers to be the offender. And somehow he did it without any pretentious artistic attempts at being shocking through sex, violence and vulgarity. Kind of ironic that it would take a bedtime story to get under the skin of a society plagued with the Peter Pan syndrome. And then he tops it off by having the audacity to let a biographer tell us how he did it. I mean, the nerve of Shyamalan. Why can't he blow his own horn like everybody else?

But that's what happens when one is an artist truly committed to his art. And instead of taking the usual X-Rated route of cage rattling, Night pulled it off with a PG-13 Rating. Impressive.

But to read this book you realize that he paid the price of the much sought after and coveted title of being "controversial" -- even if that wasn't his goal. In fact, from this book we learn that his intentions were the exact opposite. He was hoping to inspire a hopelessly adolescent culture that is hell-bent on being cynical. Because, you know, cynicism is a worthy accomplishment.

Michael Bamberger, the biogrpaher, seems to be somewhere in the middle of this willingness to be inspired and cynical resistance (He admits to having spotted feelings about "Lady"). This makes him more than just a biographer but also a character in his own story. While Bamberger describes Shyamalans vulnerabilities and strengths in the turbulent ride of artistic rejection and redemption, I couldn't help but wonder about Berbengers feelings while acting as a passenger. And he is a passenger. When someone else is doing the driving and your duty is to watch, you have a heightened sense of doom when the driver is irrational and, at times, reckless. Bamberger all too often becomes the rubber-neck passenger watching the chaos that sometimes zooms past Nights peripheral. For instance, the erratic antics of the Director of Photography often occur when Night has left the room.

There is a palpable doom that soaks these pages. Bamberger knew while shadowing Night that the "Lady" was going to show the darker side of herself. The side of her that was a "B*itch." It comes through vividly when he describes Giamatti's late, albiet enthusiastic, acceptance of the role which threw Shyamalan into a mild panic. And that's just the beginning.

One of the recurring themes that Bamberger picked up from Night and migrated into this book is loneliness. Nights loneliness in the development of his movie is so well documented by Bamberger that it becomes experiential for the reader. You'll find from chapter to chapter how loose the strings really were as Night struggled to keep his often reticent players tied together. It's painful to read, because the very people who doubted Night -- and his script -- happen to be on his side. But this is all proof that Night really is the innovator that cynics and critics wish he wasn't. Innovation is inherently a lonely mans game. And naysayers who lack the courage for innovation are always looking forward to seeing the courageous take a loss in their own game.

I think it's safe to say that these same critics are among the voices chattering away in Nights head. That is why, from this book, we learn that Nights personal journey was not just to make a movie, but to silence those voices by being insubordinate. It takes a genius to be a rebel during the day and tell bedtime stories at night.

The Man Who Heard Razzberries.......2007-03-15

I agree that Bamberger could be the greatest satirist living, if that was his intention. The endless verbal oral sex the author performs on his subject...The abject awe...It is truly hilarious.
It's also true that you'll only enjoy laughing at this road apple of a book IF you didn't pay anything for it, as I didn't.
Let us all hope that in the future, M. Night Shamalamadingdong does NOT listen to the same voices that told him to put out "Lady in the Water," AND this book.

I was looking for just a little more..........2007-01-22

I enjoyed this book, but I admit that as I was nearing the middle of it, I started to lose some interest. It began to tell me that the entertainment business is all the hype, egos, and vanity I thought it was to begin with. And it got a bit boring in parts. My interest came back again at about three quarters of the way through. This may or may not be because that is about the time I watched Lady in the Water on DVD. I so enjoyed the movie... it has a great combination of little laughters, mystery, emotion, and storytelling. There were parts and characters that could have been developed better... I say this after reading the book since I did feel I had a better understanding of the idea behind some characters than the movie portrayed. (This after watching with my husband, who did not read the book... though he liked the movie.)

Interestingly, I think the book's author and Shyamalan are having the same struggles. Both of them have a little trouble getting out of their own way. There are moments when Shyamalan seems to lose it and blame others for his dissatisfactions when making the movie. Bamberger throws in one too many "dude"s and "dig it" type dialogues as well... as if he is trying too hard to portray Shyamalan as an ordinary guy. Paul Giamatti comes across as the wonderful and ordinary guy. Probably because he doesn't think about it, he just is. Shyamalan's reactions to Disney and others seem confusing to me. The folks at Disney did tell him that he could make the movie, yet his attitude was as if they were supposed to treat him like a movie god and not hesitate. In the end it sounds like the movie, the story, could have truly been great if he had gotten out of his own way. He did what he told Cindy Cheung to stop doing... trying too hard and not just letting it happen. It seems like there could have been tremendous gains if the story were kicked around for another year. While I really did enjoy the movie, it could have made the difference from a really good story to an amazing story. I think Shyamalan may have learned from the experience, and as an excellent director, I'm anticipating some amazing movies yet to come in my lifetime.

In recommending this book, it depends on what you want out of it. Definitely a great read if you are interested in moviemaking. Perhaps a learning experience if you are interested in a struggle to do what your own inner voices may be telling you.

On recommending the movie... definitely. Especially if you love magically stories. The look and feel of the movie is well done. Lots of interesting characters. (I loved the Anna Ran and Mr. Drury characters the best.)

Root Beer Lady: The Dorothy Molter Story

Average customer rating:

the Root Beer Lady
Outstanding story
getting away from it all
An enjoyable story about a woman in the North woods

Root Beer Lady: The Dorothy Molter Story
Bob Cary
Manufacturer: Pfeifer-Hamilton Pubs
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

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ASIN: 0938586688

Book Description

An ice-cold glass of root beer and a warm welcome greeted thousands of weary paddlers who stopped at the Isle of Pines to meet Dorothy Molter, the courageous, independent woman who became a North Woods legend. Bob Cary, Dorothy's longtime friend, captures the life and spirit of the Boundary Waters' last permanent resident, the Root Beer Lady.

Customer Reviews:

the Root Beer Lady.......2004-12-15

I bought this book for my dad for Christmas. I remember stories he would tell of Dorothy and his visits to her cabin while up in the Boundary Waters. I can't wait to hear his reaction to the book. My dad is in his 80's now and no longer can travel to the North country.

Outstanding story.......1999-06-22

I have been going to the BWCAW for the past three years. Reading this story just brings back all of the memories that I have been collecting over the last 3 years. Reading this book you can take yourself back to the wilderness area by moose lake, ensign lake and farther north to knife lake. It's a beautiful area that all should visit.

getting away from it all.......1998-07-14

Dorothy Molter was an independent woman who managed to live her dream in one of the most beautiful and serene wilderness areas in the world. In her cabin on a lake in the boundary waters canoe area, she lived alone and in harmony with nature. Thirsty canoe travelers would stop by to visit Dorothy and she offered them root beer, which she bottled herself. This is an inspiring, true story of independent living; highly recommended to anyone who has ever dreamed of living in the woods.

An enjoyable story about a woman in the North woods.......1998-02-25

Root Beer Lady is the story of Dorothy Moulter, a woman who moved from depression era Chicago to the Northwoods of Minnesota. If you've ever visited, or read about, Ely Minnesota, doubtless you've heard a little about her.
Although the story is interesting for the most part it does drag a bit in some areas. I found it pretty fascinating though. Kinda makes you want to pack everything up, and move to the middle of no-where.

Lady Gregory: Selected Writings (Penguin Twentieth Century Classics)

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Lady Augusta Gregory comes to life!

Lady Gregory: Selected Writings (Penguin Twentieth Century Classics)
Gregory , Lucy McDiarmid , and Maureen Waters
Manufacturer: Penguin Classics
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

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ASIN: 0140189556

Customer Reviews:

Lady Augusta Gregory comes to life!.......2000-10-18

This book is a delightful introduction to literary works of a very important lady in the history of not only Irish literature; but of the history of Ireland itself. One gets a wonderful sense of this lady's talent and dedication to the cause of creating a lasting body of uniquely Irish Literature that instilled a sense of National pride in the heritage of a group of people that was truly Irish. Lady Augusta Gregory, in collaboration with other influential writers such a William Butler Yeats, was very influential in the development of the Abbey Theater in Dublin that contributed to the revival of the Irish literary movement.

The book, after a brief autobiography of Lady Gregory, introduces the reader to her Irish folklore translations both in English and translations from the Irish. Her most popular plays are presented including "Kathleen ni Houlihan" and "The Rising of the Moon". Also included are some of her most influential essays on Irish culture. Lady Gregory also wrote poetry and included are "A women's Sonnets" and "Alas! A woman may not love!". There is a section from her journals that gives a very personal insight to Lady Gregory's thoughts and activities during her most creative years.

Book Description

A glimpse into the lives of the women who are drawn to the magical power of water and the enduring legacy of life on Lake Placid in Upstate New York.

Ladies of the Lake is a collection of twenty-three interviews and 120 accompanying photographs of the women at home in their unusual camps and surrounding environments. Ladies like eighty-two-year-old Helen Murray, who converted her camp to a popular club after World War II with zany style and grace; the eccentric yet practical artist Margo Fish, who hand-built the charming and enchanting Tapawingo compound out of intricate twig and stone; and scratch-golfer and financial-expert Sue Riggins, who lost her one true love but managed to hang on to her camp. All are united by the lake's remarkable hold on them.

This book is for anyone who visits or appreciates Lake Placid and the Adirondack area and has an interest in the region's rich culture and history. But it is also written for women and men who spend time on the water anywhere, for lovers of the changing seasons, for armchair enthusiasts who have never visited the area, and for anyone who wonders or delights in the serendipitous and inspiring lives of women everywhe

Customer Reviews:

Compelling stories; glorious photos.......2005-04-20

Ladies of the Lake: Women Rooted in Water is a beautiful collection of personal stories of the women who live and work on the shores of Lake Placid in upstate New York. Accompanied by gorgeous color photos and images of the women and the area, this book would make an awesome gift for anyone interested in the history of the area or the lives of the 23 fascinating women who are featured. The large format makes you feel like you are in the picture and the interviews with the women are personal and revealing. I loved it! You should buy this one.

An enjoyable survey of emotion.......2004-11-12

Inspired by the story of King Arthur's encounter with the Celtic water goddess Vivienne, and enhanced with the remarkable photography of Christine Thomsen, Ladies Of The Lake: Women Rooted In Water by Kathleen Bagley is an assembly of interviews with twenty-three women from the shores of Placid Lake. 155 photographs, in black-and-white as well as full color, illustrate resplendent personalities intimately connected to the water and the environment. An enjoyable survey of emotion, passion, and unity with transcendent natural forces.

A satisfying read.......2004-09-11

I enjoyed this book....the photography, the layout, and the writing are all pleasing. The twenty-three interviews with the "ladies of the lake" are lively and illuminating. Each one tells something about the Lake Placid area and history as well as the individual's own story. The themes of family and place will strike a chord with readers who are "rooted in water", as well as with those who have found their family and place in other settings. The book is a satisfying read. The time it takes to read it will pass quickly.

Average customer rating:

Almost everything you wanted to know about the tri-canyon area...

Lady In The Ore Bucket
Charles L Keller
Manufacturer: University of Utah Press
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover

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ASIN: 0874806771

Customer Reviews:

Almost everything you wanted to know about the tri-canyon area..........2005-10-21

There is a lot of history in the tri-canyon area and (unfortunately) a lot of interesting details had to be left out to keep it to reasonable length but Keller did a good job of organizing the fascinating, sometimes vague or conflicting records of the past into an accessible account. Finding out why some of the areas are named what they are is especially interesting - especially having been to most of them and wondering about it myself.

The only (and very minor) gripe is that if I wanted to find out about just one area, I had to remember all of the many other in the book that I'd read about it, find them, and put all of the pieces together: A slightly more comprehensive index would help in that. Although it has a lot of pictures, more would be nice to help visualize what some of the familar areas looked like a century (or more) ago...

The Divine Woman: Dragon Ladies and Rain Maidens in T'Ang Literature (Divine Woman Ppr)

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Ian Myles Slater on: China's Divine Waters

The Divine Woman: Dragon Ladies and Rain Maidens in T'Ang Literature (Divine Woman Ppr)
Edward H. Schafer
Manufacturer: North Point Pr
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

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ASIN: 086547009X

Customer Reviews:

Ian Myles Slater on: China's Divine Waters .......2005-01-06

This short book, "The Divine Woman," was originally published by the University of California Press in 1973. It is one of a series of studies of T'ang Dynasty China, following the vast "The Golden Peaches of Samarkand: A Study of T'ang Exotics" (1963) and the briefer "The Vermilion Bird: T'ang Images of the South" (1967). Unlike its two predecessors, which concentrated on Chinese contacts with the outside world ("Golden Peaches") and the lands to the south the T'ang Dynasty was attempting to incorporate into the Empire ("Vermilion Bird"), "The Divine Woman" deals mainly with literary developments of Chinese traditions already ancient to the T'ang. It is a book about some of the more obscure corners of Chinese culture, about poetry and short stories, and, incidentally, how foreign influences were assimilated and naturalized to fit Chinese conceptions of the world. The "Dragon Ladies and Rain Maidens" are the stars of a large cast of supernatural beings -- and some not-so-supernatural ones -- male as well as female.

Other works by Schafer concerning China during the T'ang dynasty are similarly specialized: "Pacing the Void: T'ang Approaches to the Stars," "Shore of Pearls: Hainan Island in Early Times," "Mirages on the Sea of Time: The Taoist Poetry of Ts'ao T'ang," and, on a major holy place, the very brief monograph "Mao Shan in T'ang Times" (Society for the Study of Chinese Religions, 1980, 1989). Schafer had a gift for evocative titles (one wonders what he wanted to call the "Mao Shan" study). [See below for possible new editions of these and other books by Schafer.]

Goddesses and other supernatural women, ghosts, and a variety of dragons and water-monsters share the pages with sacred mountains and rivers (Those familiar only with the standard, mostly benevolent, *lung* as "the Chinese dragon" may be in for a shock at the range of creatures Schafer catalogues.) A fair amount of linguistic and ethnographic information is provided, and there are plenty of notes to satisfy Schafer's fellow Sinologists. As often in Chinese studies, much of the secondary literature turns out to be in Japanese -- very, very appropriately, in this case, since it was T'ang China which provided the first great foreign model for Japan (which in turn preserved elements of Chinese culture that were nearly obliterated in China itself -- another story). Some of the themes treated here were fully naturalized in Japan, and now show up in manga and anime.

The North Point Press edition ten years later added a laudatory Foreword by Gary Snyder. Unfortunately, many readers will really need, instead, a brief introduction to the T'ang Dynasty, one of the great periods of Chinese history, roughly equivalent to the High Middle Ages in Europe (but a few centuries earlier in time). Fortunately, there are a number of political and cultural histories of China, and some excellent anthologies of Chinese literature (see below), even though most of those Schafer cites are now dated and often difficult to obtain.

A major theme of "The Divine Woman" is how the Confucian official ethos attempted, with considerable success, to historicize, trivialize, and sentimentalize the ancient goddesses of China, and how versions of them lived on in popular culture, surfacing in literature from time to time. Schafer translates and interprets a selection of poems and summarizes other literature. Despite Schafer's complaints of the tedium of poems loaded with stock images, his descriptions of the best of the poems and stories make one long for an anthology of his favorites. Fortunately, a good selection of this material now can be found, along with much else, in Stephen Owen's huge "An Anthology of Chinese Literature: Beginnings to 1911" (1996).

Although fuller details on the T'ang would have been nice in this context, I have also been impressed by Jacques Gernet's comprehensive "A History of Chinese Civilization" (1972; translated 1982, second edition 1996), with a helpful English-language bibliography, very much including Schafer; another very large book to serve as a companion to the richly packed, but surprisingly brief, "The Divine Woman." Schafer's own "History of China" is available in digital format (missing half a dozen maps), and sometimes used -- but besides being out of date, is no more than a brief introduction to the major political events and social trends.

Note, May 2005: There is now underway a project of reissuing in paperback Schafer's out-of-print works (essentially everything except "The Golden Peaches of Samarkand') by the Antique Collectors' Club and Floating World Editions, beginning with "Pacing the Void" and "Tu Wan's Stone Catalogue of Cloudy Forest: A Commentary and Synopsis" on March 30. The former was originally scheduled for release about a year ago, by Weatherhill Inc. according to the original listing, but is now actually in my hand. See the Amazon pages for these two works for other details. No date has been announced for their edition of "The Divine Woman." (Meanwhile, some of the asking prices for used copies have become more reasonable.)

(Reposted from my "anonymous" review of September 8, 2003)

5 Titles By Tami Hoag : Still Waters - Magic - Prior Bad Acts - Lucky's Lady - Night Sins

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5 Titles By Tami Hoag : Still Waters - Magic - Prior Bad Acts - Lucky's Lady - Night Sins
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5 massmarket paperback Titles By Tami Hoag : Still Waters - Magic - Prior Bad Acts - Lucky's Lady - Night Sins

6 Titles By Tami Hoag - Dark Paradise - Lucky's Lady - Ashes to Ashes - Kill the Messenger - Still Waters - Night Sins

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Kill the messenger

6 Titles By Tami Hoag - Dark Paradise - Lucky's Lady - Ashes to Ashes - Kill the Messenger - Still Waters - Night Sins
Tami Hoag
Manufacturer: various
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Mass Market Paperback

General | Mystery | Mystery & Thrillers | Subjects | Books

Product Description

6 massmarket paperback Titles By Tami Hoag - Dark Paradise - Lucky's Lady - Ashes to Ashes - Kill the Messenger - Still Waters - Night Sins

Customer Reviews:

Kill the messenger.......2007-07-13

Great mystery, keeps your interest till the end, I could not stop, I sat there and listen to the whole book ( all the CD's )in one sitting

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