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.

To Live's to Fly: The Ballad of the Late, Great Townes Van Zandt

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To Live's to Fly: The Ballad of the Late, Great Townes Van Zandt
John Kruth
Manufacturer: Da Capo Press
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover

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A Limiting View of Music History
Entertaining...opinionated...absolutely great read.
Great Book
Clear, entertaining and simple style...
The Lives of the Great Composers

The Lives of the Great Composers
Harold C. Schonberg
Manufacturer: W. W. Norton & Company
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover

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The Great Pianists: From Mozart to the Present
Spiritual Lives of the Great Composers
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A History of Western Music

ASIN: 0393038572

Book Description

An updated and expanded edition of this perennial favorite, tracing the line of composers from Monteverdi to the tonalists of the 1990s. In this new edition, Harold Schonberg offers music lovers a series of fascinating biographical chapters. Music, the author contends, is a continually evolving art, and all geniuses, unique as they are, were influenced by their predecessors. Schonberg discusses the lives and works of the foremost figures in classical music, among them Bach, Mozart, Beethoven, the Schumanns, Copland, and Stravinsky, weaving a fabric rich in detail and anecdote. He also includes the creators of light music, such as Gilbert and Sullivan and the Strausses. Schonberg has extended the volume's coverage to provide informative and clearly written descriptions of the later serialists such as Stockhausen and Carter, the iconoclastic John Cage, the individualistic Messiaen, minimalist composers, the new tonalists, and women composers of all eras, including Mendelssohn Hensel, Chaminade, Smyth, Beach, and Zwilich. Scattered throughout are many changes and additions reflecting musicological findings of the past fifteen years.

Customer Reviews:

A Limiting View of Music History.......2007-08-31

There are a number of books aimed at a general audience which chronicle the lives of the great composers of western classical music. One of the best known is THE LIVES OF THE GREAT COMPOSERS by the late New York Times music critic Harold C. Schonberg. The 21st-century reader who peruses this book will get some engaging takes on composers of the common practice period. He will also get a glimpse into some outmoded attitudes towards music. Even with its updates since the first edition of 1970, the book shows biases and blind spots common to its author's generation. These biases can be reduced to two factors: a blindness to pre-Bach music, and a repertoire-centered mind-set.

Can anyone imagine a history of painting that begins with, say, Rembrandt and ignores everything that came before? This is similar to what Schonberg does. His is a view of music history centered on the nineteenth century. The pre-Bach period is only lightly sketched in, while he devotes pages upon pages to all manner of romantic composers. The author attempts to justify his non-inclusion of earlier composers: "Their work is simply not heard, by and large, in concert halls around the world...audiences tend to find the music archaic, or lacking in personality, or just plain dull". Schonberg's decision to add a chapter on Monteverdi for the 1996 edition is laudable, but there is still no accounting for the hundred year gap between Monteverdi and Bach -were there no great creators, no strong personalities, in that period? As a result of this neglect, the reader gets no sense of Bach's roots in the German baroque tradition of Biber, Buxtehude, Schuetz, etc; to read Chapter Two, "The Transfiguration of the Baroque", one would think that Bach's achievements came from nowhere. In addition to this time gap, there are examples of clumsy editing where Schonberg simply cut and pasted in some new text for the revised edition but the new text does not make sense with the older text around it (for example, the ending of the chapter on Handel).

Some illuminating quotes about baroque music come in the final chapter of the book - paradoxically, in a discussion on trends in contemporary music. In dubbing minimalist music "New Baroque" (because of its use of repeated patterns), Schonberg shows a colossal ignorance of what the baroque aesthetic means. In the same paragraph we get this gem: "Part of the attraction of Baroque music was that one did not have to think while listening to it. Its excuse for being was that it wrapped the listener in innocuous sound, the busy patterns moving up and down without really ever saying anything." There is a serious problem here: what Schonberg is describing is not "Baroque music"; it is the Italian LATE baroque INSTRUMENTAL music of composers like Vivaldi. Schonberg is pointing towards facile, formulaic compositions, and seems to think (erroneously) that such music is limited to the baroque period. Moreover, this comment is emblematic of the common mentality of Schonberg's generation that confused the late baroque with the entire baroque era and relegated the composers before Bach to the status of primitives who paved the way for the "real masters". Yet Schonberg shows that he is at least partially aware of earlier music. He gives nods towards Purcell and others. How about entire chapters devoted to them?

The second problem with the book is that it has a concert-hall, repertoire-centered view of music. Now, whether a composer is in the active repertoire or not is no measure of greatness, but for Schonberg it is an inordinately important yardstick. He uses it as an excuse to dismiss an important 20th-century creator such as Arthur Honegger in a few curt sentences: "[O]n the whole Honegger has slid from his once-high position, and his music is vanishing fast from the concert halls". Meanwhile, in a transparent P.C. gesture, such a peripheral figure as Dame Ethel Smyth merits two rather detailed paragraphs and even a photo.

To be sure, the book has its good points. Schonberg's writing is lively and often delightful. His views on composers like Chabrier and Vaughan Williams are illuminating and refreshing. And his focus on repertoire impels him to give an interesting chronicle of changing tastes and critical receptions of various composers. But ultimately the cons outweigh the pros. This may have to do with the book's genre itself: I don't think the "lives of the great composers" approach is a good way to learn about music history. It forces you to focus on personalities instead of the whole richness of musical development. The layman who wants a good introduction to music history should look to a book such as Jan Swafford's VINTAGE GUIDE TO CLASSICAL MUSIC, which wraps a traditional "lives of the composers" with discussions of style, theory, and performance practice, rather than Harold Schonberg's antiquated and irrelevant LIVES OF THE GREAT COMPOSERS.

Entertaining...opinionated...absolutely great read........2007-08-28

For two years this was the only book on classical music that I read...

If you can forgive Mr Schonberg for some unfairness towards Mahler and Sibelius, then you will enjoy this book for the: wonderful narration, the jibes (In the intro: "did they think I was mongolian?"), and the strong opinions.

My problems with Mr. Schonberg's book: he condenses some composers into one chapter (Bruckner, Mahler, Reger) after doing a seperate chapter for Hugo Wolf! I felt that Dvorak deserved a chpater unto himself, as did Sibelius.

Ah well, all in all that is no reason to dismiss this good book.

Great Book.......2007-07-01

This is one of my favorite books. It's a great 'chapter a day' book. Great writing, and entertaining anecdotes.

Clear, entertaining and simple style..........2007-04-26

My mother gave me my first copy of this book about twenty years ago when I first started to enjoy "classical" music. It is an invaluable reference and guide to all of our great composers and most of the near-great ones. The wonderful thing about this book is that the chapters can be read in sequence or in random order. Also, unlike many books of this nature, Schonberg doesn't insert a lot of complicated musical theory and passages. He writes in a clear, entertaining and simple style for the everyday person on the street who would like to add some "culture" to his or her life.

The Lives of the Great Composers.......2006-11-10

Excellent reading. Have learned not only about the musical aspects of each composers works, but gained an insight into the minds of musical genius. Recommend this book to anyone even remotely interested in classical music.

Why Beethoven Threw the Stew: And Lots More Stories about the Lives of Great Composers

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Why Beethoven Threw the Stew: And Lots More Stories about the Lives of Great Composers
Steven Isserlis
Manufacturer: Faber & Faber
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

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Book Description

Why did Bach's son call him 'The Old Wig'?
What part did Stravinsky's parrot play at dinner parties?
How did Mozart keep his pigtails styled?
What did Schumann invent to make his fingers stronger?
And why did Beethoven throw his stew?

This book is a unique introduction for children to the world of classical composers and their music.

Famous cellist Steven Isserlis brings six of his favorite composers to life in an irresistible manner, painting hilarious biographical portraits of each of them and describing their music in lively detail. Packed with facts, dates, anecdotes and illustrations, Why Beethoven Threw the Stew is an attractive and accessible read for children (and their parents!).

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Spiritual?
Great resource for the novice
Great Resource
A Gem for Music Lovers
Great tool for Piano Teachers/Music Teachers

Spiritual Lives of the Great Composers
Patrick Kavanaugh
Manufacturer: Zondervan
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

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ASIN: 0310208068

Book Description

Handel, Bach, Mozart, Beethoven, Mendelssohn, Brahms, Dvorak, Stravinsky, Messiaen . . . Men of genius as different as their music - but all inspired by deep spiritual convictions. Peter Kavanaugh uncovers the spirituality of twenty of music's timeless giants, revealing legacies of the soul as diverse as the masterpieces they created. Warmly written, beautifully illustrated, and complete with listening recommendations for each composer, Spiritual Lives of the Great Composers is a fascinating look at the inner flame that lit the works of these masters.

Customer Reviews:

Spiritual?.......2007-01-12

As one reads this book he must be alert to know the truth. Mr. Kavanaugh writes from a very broad and quasi-Christian viewpoint. His conclusion is that the majority, if not all the composers he writes about are Christian. He assumes all music written by these composers to be without flaw. As near as I can tell he believes that music is amoral. That is, he believes that music can not be right or wrong. This idea is at odds with the supposed Christianity of these composers. Oh, I'm sure many of them were believers. I can tell you though that not all are. And so you see my dilema. I love classical music and reading about the composers. However, I don't enjoy having to sift through a bunch of rubbish posing as spirituality.

Great resource for the novice.......2006-11-18

I purchased this book to expand my families appreciation for classical music. We are beginners, at best, and it's hard to know where to start to broaden your understanding. This book was VERY insightful. It is one thing to listen to the music and attempt to appreciate it, but to understand the perspective of the composer and the purpose of major pieces puts everything in a new light. I am really pleased with this purchase.

Great Resource.......2006-03-22

I loved it. Great stories. Great insights.
Rev Dr Robert Driver-Bishop, author "People of Purpose."

A Gem for Music Lovers.......2006-01-20

This was a neat little book for folks that like classical music. It gives us something of the personal and spiritual sides of great composers, as well as short summaries of their musical careers. It was good to know something about them besides their names and music, and to get some nice tips on great music you might not be familiar with.

I found that Mozart was not quite the consummate party animal he is portrayed as in `Amadeus', the movie, at least not for his whole life. The author, Patrick Kavannaugh, asks us how each of us would like to have our lives put into biographies for public consumption. I know I would have to pass on that. I found that Haydn was happy and friendly, just like his music. Bruckner was a little hard too know, but well worth the effort to do so, just like his music. Folks like Beethoven, Wagner, and Liszt were very spiritual, though you don't hear much about that, and would not suspect so.

It was also surprising to me that most of them were Catholic, but I guess that makes sense since the Catholic Church has always been a great patron of the arts. Certainly, Mozart's Requiem and Beethoven's Mass are two of the greatest choral pieces ever written.

The book was a little gem for those of us who like classical music.

Great tool for Piano Teachers/Music Teachers.......2005-09-14

I used information from this book as a part of my weekly Piano Theory classes this past summer. Each week we studied and listened to music from a different pianist/composers. This added real-life understanding of the composers, as opposed to data and factual information from standard reference sources. After the summer classes were over, I gave copies of this book to each student as a gift. The composers came alive for them, and they learned about them in a personal way.

Wagner (The/Illustrated Lives of the Great Composers Ser.)

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Wagner (The/Illustrated Lives of the Great Composers Ser.)
Howard Gray
Manufacturer: Omnibus Press
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

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ASIN: 071191687X

Book Description

This series of biographies presents the great composers against the background of their times. Each draws on personal letters and recollections, engravings, paintings and, when they exist, photographs, to present a complete picture of the composer's life. All books are 7 x 10.

Vivaldi (Illustrated Lives of the Great Composers)

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a man of mystery
Entertaining!

Vivaldi (Illustrated Lives of the Great Composers)
J. Booth
Manufacturer: Omnibus Press
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

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Mozart (The Illustrated Lives of the Great Composers)

ASIN: 0711917272

Book Description

Customer Reviews:

a man of mystery.......2000-01-13

Vivaldi's life and personality are fascinating, especially because there are so many mysteries unsolved. Even the author of this book, John Booth, is a mystery. Who is this person? It says on the cover that this is the first music-related book this man has written. Well, he has done a terrific job! :-)

Entertaining!.......1999-11-26

For Vivaldi lovers who don't like dry and scholastic biographies, this can be confidently recommended as the first book, or even the only book, to read about the composer. I enjoyed it from beginning to end. The author really tells the story of this fascinating composer in a very engaging way! Bravo!

Book Description

Handel (Illustrated Lives of the Great Composers) (Illustrated Lives of the Great Composers)

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Handel (Illustrated Lives of the Great Composers) (Illustrated Lives of the Great Composers)
Wendy Thompson
Manufacturer: Omnibus Press
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Binding: Paperback

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Mahler (The Illustrated Lives of the Great Composers) (The Illustrated Lives of the Great Composers)
Ravel (The Illustrated Lives of the Great Composers' Ser.) (The Illustrated Lives of the Great Composers' Ser.)

ASIN: 0711929971
Release Date: 1994-12-31

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Lives, Wives, and Loves of the Great Composers

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Lives, Wives, and Loves of the Great Composers
Fritz Spiegl
Manufacturer: Marion Boyars Publishers
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Binding: Hardcover

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ASIN: 0714529176

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