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.

History: Fiction or Science? Chronology 2 (Chronology)

Average customer rating:

Check and see
Suprise! Suprise!
Prescient St Augustine?
Something of a disappointment
Romulus courts Helen, Paris founds Rome, Moses goes to Troy..

History: Fiction or Science? Chronology 2 (Chronology)
Anatoly T Fomenko
Manufacturer: Delamere Resources LLC
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

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ASIN: 2913621066

Product Description

`History: Fiction or Science? Chronology 2` is the second volume of the most explosive and astounding tractate on history ever written - however, every theory it contains, no matter how unorthodox, is backed by rock solid scientific data. The book is easy and pleasant to read; it is well-illustrated, contains hundreds of charts, graphs and illustrations, copies of ancient manuscripts, and countless facts attesting to the falsity of the chronology used nowadays. You will be amazed to discover: - That the chronology universally accepted today and taken for granted is simply wrong; - That ALL methods of dating of ancient sources and artefacts known today are erroneous or non-exact; - That there is not a single document that could be reliably dated earlier than the XIth century; The Author refers to the Middle Ages as the Antiquity and proves mutual superimposition of the Second and the Third Roman Empire, both of which become identified as the respective kingdoms of Israel and Judah. Furthermore, he asserts that the famous reform of the Occidental Church in the XI century by Pope Gregory Hildebrand was the reflection of the XII century reforms of Byzantine emperor Andronicus who in his turn identifies with Jesus Christ. The Trojan war counted by Homer happened only as late as of the XIII century A.D. and the great poet actually lived in XIV century A.D. No stone in history of Antiquity is left unturned. Literally. This book is the beginning of a major correction to the chronology we live with.

Customer Reviews:

Check and see.......2007-06-21

I don't care what other people say of this book. Those affirmig it's fake, they hadn't ever read it. Or have some special reasons to do so. "Living is easy with eyes closed, misunderstanding all you see..." This book won't make you feel comfortable. It'll make you feel free. It'll make you feel you're "not the only one" to feel you'd been lied to for centuries.

Suprise! Suprise!.......2007-03-22

Here is a serie of books which turns "the whole world" upside down. I learned a lot of it and I hope that a new book from A.T. Fomenko will follow very quick. A absolute must for everybody who is interested in history or even a little bit from it.

Prescient St Augustine?.......2006-02-05

We can so far divide the New Chronology into the following three parts:

a) The verifiable theory that proves consensual chronology wrong with the aid of astronomy, statistics and mathematics;

b) The new chronology hypothesis based on a new understanding of known historical facts and the most likely logical explanation of the most obvious inconsistencies inherent in the official version of history;

c) The history conjectures, that is experimental historical reconstructions based on assumptions that the authors believe to make sense in the light of their research and linguistic parallels - void of ironclad factual support to date.

Fomenko's theory complies with the most rigid scientific standards as a whole:

It gives a coherent explanation of what we already know.

- It is consistent: independent lines of inquiry all lead to the same conclusion.

- The predictions it makes are confirmed empirically.

Fomenko goes by the following axioms:

- Chronology is the basis of history;

- Human evolution has always been linear, gradual and irreversible;

- The "cyclic" nature of human civilization is a myth, likewise all the gaps, duplicates, "dark ages" and "renaissances" that we know from consensual history;

- The accumulation of geographical knowledge as reflected in cartography is a gradual and irreversible process;

- The chronological distance between a given manuscript and the events described therein is proportional to the amount of distortions it contains;

- There is no "useless" information in authentic ancient sources.

Why the mainstream historians do not shower mathematician Academician Dr.Prof Fomenko with thanks and laurels?

The Russians:

Because Fomenko asserts that there was no such thing as the Tartar and Mongol invasion followed by three centuries of slavery, providing a formidable body of documental evidence to prove his assertion. The so-called "Tartars and Mongols" were the actual ancestors of the modern Russians, living in a bilingual state with Arabic spoken as freely as Russian. The ancient Russian state was governed by a double structure of civil and military authorities. The hordes were actually professional armies with a tradition of lifelong conscription (the recruitment being the so-called "blood tax"). Their "invasions" were punitive operations against the regions that attempted tax evasion. Fomenko proves that Russian history as we know it today is a blatant forgery concocted by a host of German scientists brought to Russia by the usurper dynasty of the Romanovs, whose ascension to the throne was the result of coup d'état, charged with the mission of making their reign look legitimate. Fomenko proves Ivan the Terrible to be a collation of four rulers, no less. They represented the two rival dynasties - the legitimate rulers and the ambitious upstarts. The winner took it all! Over some 30 years of controversy, Russian historians have made a most remarkable transition - they were initially accusing the young mathematician Fomenko of anticommunist dissident activity and attempts to deface the historical legacy of Soviet Russia; nowadays the middle-aged mathematician is accused of adhering to "pro-communist Russian nationalism" and defacing the proud historical legacy of Great Russia.

The Westerners:

Because Fomenko blows consensual Russian history to smithereens, successfully removing a crucial cornerstone from underneath the otherwise impeccable edifice of World History. Fomenko adds insult to injury, wiping out one by one the Ancient Rome (the foundation of Rome in Italy is dated to the XIV century A. D.), the Ancient Greece and its numerous poleis, which he identifies as the mediaeval crusader settlements on the territory of Greece, and the Ancient Egypt (the pyramids of Giza become dated to the XI-XV century A. D. and identified as the royal cemetery of the Global "Mongolian" Empire, no less). The civilization of the Ancient Egypt is irrefutably dated to the XII-XV century A. D. with the aid of the ancient Egyptian horoscopes cut in stone. He was the first one to decipher and date all such horoscopes, coming up with mediaeval dates in every case. English historians rage at the suggestion that the history of Ancient England was de facto a Byzantine import transplanted to the English soil by the fugitive Byzantine nobility. To reward the English historians who consider themselves the true scribes of World History, the cover of the present book portrays Tintoretto's Jesus Christ crucified on the Big Ben.

The Chinese:

Because Fomenko wipes out the Ancient History of China outright. No such thing. Full point. The compilation of the so-called Ancient Chinese History is reliably datable to the XVII-XVIII century only. It is perfectly recognizable as the Ancient European history, reworked and transcribed in hieroglyphs as yet another historical transplantation, this time performed on the Chinese soil by the loving Jesuit hands. The Chinese are the next in line to go berserk. Chinese history is inevitably bound to get both more ancient and more eventful, proportionally to the growing involvement of China in the world affairs. Chinese historians will keep on finding valid proof of prehistoric Chinese spaceflights until the Politburo orders them to shut up.

The Arabs:

Too bad. Islam with all its key figures is datable to XV-XVI century A. D. Arabic historians may find consolation in the crucial historical role of the Ottoman Empire in the XVI-XVII century. The trouble is that this empire was initially a Christian state, with Hagia Sophia identifiable as Temple of Solomon, according to Fomenko! We can only guess if the acquisition of Alexander the Great (a Macedonian and a Christian) as the founder of the Muslim World Empire will make Fomenko's theories more acceptable to the Arabic mainstream. He certainly does not spare any holy cows at all, claiming The Stone of Qa'Aba in Mecca to contain the lost Arch of the Covenant.

The Divinity:

Despite of reiterated statement that his theory is all about chronology and not Religion, Fomenko stirs up a whole condominium of wasp nests. His collection of anathemas, fatwa, and other condemnations from all parties concerned is already considerable. Little wonder, considering that the history of religions à la Fomenko looks as follows: the pre-Christian period (before the XI century and JC), Bacchic Christianity (XI-XII century, before and after JC), JC Christianity (XII-XVI century) and its subsequent mutations into Orthodox Christianity, the Catholicism, Islam, Buddhism, and so on.

According to Fomenko we know strictly NOTHING about the events that predate the X century A. D.

St Augustin was prescient when he spoke unto us: "be wary of mathematicians, particularly when they speak the truth."

Something of a disappointment.......2005-09-09

After having read the first volume of this expected series of 7 volumes I was triggered by the thesis of these authors that ancient Greek and Roman history did in fact take place in the Middle Ages. So I started studying medieval history of the Middle East - also known as Islamic history - to find out if the opponents of the ancient Greeks and Romans - the Acheamenid Persians, Sassanids, Scythians, Egyptians, etc. - also have their duplicates in medieval history. My search was disappointing: none of the many medieval Islamic dynasties seemed to correspond to the ancient middle eastern rulers.

However, I did find a close correspondence between Herodotus' Persian kings and medieval events:

- the defeat and capture of an Anatolian king - the Lydian Croesus - by the Persian conqueror Cyrus is identical to the defeat and capture of another Anatolian king - sultan Bayezid - by the Asian/Mongol conqueror Tamerlane;
- the Persian conquest of Egypt by the cruel tyrant Cambyses reds almost exactly as the Ottoman conquest of Egypt by Selim the Grim (note the nickname!);
- Darius the Lawgiver of the Persian Empire looks very much alike to Sulayman the Magnificent, the Lawgiver in Islamic history;
- Xerxes, whose main claim to fame is to be defeated by the Greeks at the naval battle of Salamis, looks like Selim II (the Sot) whose main claim to fame is to be defeated by a Spanish-Italian alliance at the naval battle of Lepanto.

I should have expected Fomenko et al. to arrive at similar conclusions, however, they claim that the Persian kings are the alter egos of the Angevin kings of Sicily whose biographies do not contain the exploits of the Persian kings.

The similiarities I indicate lead to the conclusion that Herodotus must have written his Histories at the close of the 16th century. But this is extremely late, given that Herodotus is "the Father of History", so therefore all other "ancient" histories must have been fabricated even later. Yet, the founders of modern chronology - Scaliger and Petavius - laid their foundations also at the close of the 16th century and had the full corpus of ancient histories already at their disposal.

It seems to me that Fomenko has to address these inconsistencies, maybe in the forthcoming 5 volumes?

Another critique of their book is that the correspondencies between different rulers are often based on a superficial comparison of the biographies; upon a more thorough comparison many details appear that do not correspond at all.

Finally, the authors rely heavily on the works of Gregorovius (1821-1891!!) - his medieval histories of Rome and Athens - as the source of medieval history; these works are - at least in the West - hoplessly outdated and have been superceded by more up-to-date works (for instance, Julius Norwich's trilogy on Byzantine history is not even cited).

Romulus courts Helen, Paris founds Rome, Moses goes to Troy.........2005-07-30

If you agree with Fomenko that Roman chronology is basically the foundation of the entire edifice of global chronology; you would also certainly agree that despite its numerous gaps and inconsistencies, Roman history is the best-documented field of ancient history, and thus a reference scale. But how well is the actual date of the Eternal City's foundation known?

Firstly, Rome is supposed to have been founded by the Trojans who had to flee after the fall of Troy. Some claim Rome to have been founded by Aeneas and Ulysses shortly after Troy had fallen; others are of the opinion that there was an entire dynasty that ruled for 500 years between the fall of Troy and the foundation of Rome.

Well, that's just an innocent 500 years long misunderstanding compared with what heretic Fomenko says, asserts, proves in his second volume: Second Roman Empire, Third Roman Empire, Biblical Kingdom of Israel, Biblical Kingdom of Judah, Holy Roman Empire are stories about basically same events, written from different points of view at different times. The underlying events have actually taken place during xii-xv cy. These histories have been written and perfected by multitude of highly talented humanist and clerical writers of xiii-xvi cy disguised as "ancients" with glorious names like Homer, Pluto, Thucydides etc..Chronology 2.0 beta..

Historians are kindly invited to report the bugs.

Average customer rating:

Great introduction for kids!
Mozart's The Magic Flute
The Definitive Magic Flute
A great way to learn about opera, suitable for young or old.
Wonderful story-telling

The Magic Flute
Anne Gatti
Manufacturer: Chronicle Books
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover

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ASIN: 0811810038

Amazon.com

Mozart's last opera, the simultaneously comic and serious fairy tale The Magic Flute (Die Zauberfloete), is as problematic as anything in the medium. Some deplore it for its perceived sexism and racism; some deplore it for its arguably goofy plot. "Depending on your perspective," writes David Foil in his essay in this book, it "is either the silliest opera ever written or a work of profound insight that happens to be dressed in the trappings of a cartoon." That it is Mozart's sublime music that ennobles something meant to be merely a short-lived popular entertainment is not in question.

This volume, issued by Black Dog Opera Library, puts together Foil's essay, lots of pictures, a complete libretto (with running commentary) in English and German, and a classic recording on two compact discs in one comfortably priced hardcover package. It is a fine introduction to what remains a great opera, goofy plot or no. (And Bellini's plots aren't even goofier?) It is worth buying just for the now out-of-print EMI/Angel 1972 (remastered in 1987) recording, contained on two very long-playing CDs, found inside the front and back covers of the book. The dialogue portions work better in this version than in most recordings. Anneliese Rothenberger is an appealing Pamina, and Walter Berry is a delightful Papageno. Edda Moser nails the difficult music of the Queen of Night, while Kurt Moll is our day's definitive Sarastro. Wolfgang Sawallisch, brisk and never lugubrious, conducts his soloists and the Bavarian State Opera Chorus and Orchestra with total certainty.

Book Description

Enter a magical world of monster serpents, mysterious ladies, and flying machines where giant flowers and butterflies the size of birds abound. It is here, amidst a lush wood and within a dark labyrinthine castle that an unforgettable cast of characters gathers and a magical story of good versus evil unfolds. Readers will thrill as Prince Tamino strives to save Princess Pamina from the wicked Queen of the Night and the Chancellor Monostatos. Accompanied by Papageno, the birdcatcher, and a magic flute to ward off evil, Tamino and Pamina must overcome thundering waterfalls and walls of fire to save their kingdom from darkness and live happily ever after.

Illustrated with the glorious paintings of Peter Malone, this enchanting retelling of Mozart's famous opera paired with an audio CD is sure to delight lovers of fairytales and music alike.

Awards and honors for The Magic Flute:
School Library Journal, starred review
1998 Bookbuilders West Award 1998 Parent Council Ltd. - Outstanding

Customer Reviews:

Great introduction for kids!.......2007-03-08

This is a great opera introduction for kids. The story is really easy to follow and the CD is a great addition. I highly recommend this for anyone.

Mozart's The Magic Flute.......2007-02-14

This was a wonderful story well written for a young audience. We bought it for our six-year-old son who began studying violin a year ago, and this was his one-year anniversary present. Mozart's Eine Kleine Nacht Musik was his inspiration to learn the violin, and he has since taken interest in other Mozart music. The illustrations are also very beautiful.

The Definitive Magic Flute.......2005-04-12

I'm usually dismissive of most Die Zauberflotes because I find the overall quality of the singers and recording lacking. Then I came upon this recording...I have to say that it is simply the most amazing Die Zauberflote I've ever heard! The orchestrations to the singers to the conductor himself...everything is mind-blowing! I'm not a Mozart person, but if I really like a recording of his I will buy it. This is an excellent way to introduce yourself to the Flute, especially since there is such a wonderful introduction accompanying this extremely famous opera. And the Queen of the Night-Edda Moser!!! Amazing! Simply amazing! No other Queen has conveyed that much drama into her singing. This is the Flute. I would suggest Marriner's version if I hadn't seen this one, but then here is a Flute with all the greats in it! Get it now!

A great way to learn about opera, suitable for young or old........2004-04-21

I received this as a gift from a mislead but well-meaning relative. Needless to say, I have never been a fan of opera. However, I was surprised that I was actually able to enjoy this book and accompanying CD. The book begins with a brief biography of Mozart, and then offers a prose overview of the story (extremely helpful for understanding!). The second half of the book contains the libretto, or text, of the opera. The original German forms one column on the left-hand side of each page, and the English translation is printed on the right. This way one can follow along with the story while listening to the music, even if you don't know a word of German. Throughout the entire book there are pictures from different stage performances of The Magic Flute. The musical recording is of high quality, contained on two disks that fit into pockets on the inside front and back cover of the book.

This would be a wonderful book for anyone interested in learning about opera, young or old. However, I must disagree with the reviewer who said this was geared toward children between three and seven. A 3-year-old would never be able to read the text, and a 7-year-old, unless very advanced, would no doubt struggle with it. The book is better suited for slightly older children all the way up through adults of any age. While I'm still not a fan of opera, I did gain some appreciation for it from this book and CD. I'm sure the only way to truly experience an opera is to see it performed live (just listening to a recording removes the entire visual element), but I would nevertheless recommend this product.

Wonderful story-telling.......2004-03-15

P. Craig Russell's drawing style seems especially apt for stories of enchanted lands and beings. His lines are light and airy, and he sets a mood nicely with color. In other words, he is ideally suited to illustrate this story.

He does a delightful job of it, too. He amplifies all of the characters theatrically beyond the believable, and has one small advantage over true opera - he is never at the mercy of the set designers, costumers, or other effects.

I am very glad to see this classic of western culture (and the others coming soon) made available in this format. I confess, I have not fully acquired the taste for opera, or the ability to derive the story from the way it is sung. I do, however, want to know at least a bit of the story, and this is a very digestible form. Russell's drawing makes it more than digestible, it's a real confection. I also appreciate the fact that Russell has adapted the story, and not created a new one from fragments of the classic.

Opera buffs - I hope you can accept this for what it is. One way to look at this is opera appreciation on training wheels, a painless entry into part of the operatic art. It's also a way to spread some knowledge of this classic across a generation that might not have been exposed to the story otherwise - certainly a good thing.

If nothing else, it's a well-drawn comic by a very capable artist. It's that "else" that makes this comic stand out. I'm looking forward to the next Russell operas.

Book Description

Tanya Huff, the acclaimed writer of the Blood and Kigh series, is also a fantastic short story writer. What Ho, Magic! is a collection of fifteen of Tanya's short stories: "I'll Be Home for Christmas" "Word of Honor" "Shing Li-ung", "First Love, Last Love" "The Harder They Fall" "February Thaw" "The Chase is On" "A Debt Unpaid" "Symbols are a Percussion Instrument" "Underground" "A Midsummer Night's Dream Team" Four stories featuring Vicki, Henry, and Mike from her Blood series: "This Town Ain't Big Enough" "What Manner of Man" "The Cards Also Say" "The Vengeful Spirit of Lake Nepeakea". This is also the first printing of her new novella: "The Vengeful Spirit of Lake Nepeaka". With an introduction to the book by Michelle Sagara West.

Customer Reviews:

Not that great.......2007-06-13

I really liked Tanya Huff's Heart of Valor and Summon the Keeper series, and Wizard of the Grove as well, though I haven't really gotten into the Blood Books. But this collection of her earlier short stories just isn't that great, pretty unremarkable and forgettable. I'm not sure if I regret buying it, but I'm going to donate it to the local library. If you can read it for free it's not that bad.

great set of stories.......2006-11-02

This is quite a list of stories.

I usually don't go back and re-read but this book I did. One of the stories is absolutely precious. I would love to see it made into a book.

Here fill in stories are great too. I don't think anyone of the stories deserves less then 4 stars

Great Short Story Collection!.......2002-03-02

So far, I haven't read a book by Tanya Huff that I haven't enjoyed, and this collection is no exception. It contains 15 of her short stories, and there's not a bad one in the bunch. Best of all, it contains four short stories involving her Blood series characters Vicki Nelson, Michael Celluci and Henry Fitzroy - always a pleasure to read.

"The Chase Is On" is a space opera, whose characters deserve a book of their own. "Underground" tells the story of what may exist in the Toronto subway system. "I'll Be Home For Christmas" is about a mother, her young daughter, and the inheritance that is much more than it appears to be. "Shin Li-Ung" is a story about Chinese tradition, gangs, and unexpected protection. "First Love, Last Love" is the ultimate tale of boys and their toys. "Word of Honor" tells of a woman who discovers her own honor while carrying out a quest for someone else. "The Harder They Fall" is about what happens when fairy tales turn real. "A Debt Unpaid" is a mining story involving personal choices and personal ghosts. "February Thaw" takes the story of Demeter, Persephone, and Hades and turns them into a modern-day dysfunctional family. "Symbols Are A Percussion Instrument" involves an cynic and a pack of tarot cards. "A Midsummer Night's Dream Team" takes High Elves and crosses them with the Olympics. And then "This Town Ain't Big Enough", What Manner of Man", "The Cards Also Say" and "The Vengeful Spirit of Lake Nepeakea" all continue the story of Vicki Nelson (ex-cop, now a vampire PI), her lover Detective-Sargeant Michael Celluci, and Henry Fitzroy (romantic novelist, vampire, and bastard son of King Henry VIII of England).

If you've never read Ms. Huff, this is a great introduction to her writing. And if you're a fan, then this is icing on the cake.

Magic, Space Opera, Horror and more!.......2000-02-18

What Ho, Magic! is the first of what is hopefully several collections of short stories by Tanya Huff. There are stories of quiet, haunting horror; stories of magic and of mystery; and even a wonderfully tongue-in-cheek space opera story. This collection shows the breadth of Huff's skills, and she proves that she is quite capable of delivering a mystery with a private detective turned vampire, or an attack of a foot-and-a-half long dragon, or a tale of ghosts in the subway that will incite feelings of slight claustrophobic for a day or two.

Her characters are strong and entirely human; well, the vampire *was* a human at one point. In the story "Shing Li-Ung," Huff tells a tale of a sister and brother finding their heritage in the melting pot of cultures in modern Toronto. "The Chase is On" tells us of a starship captain, most emphatically *not* a smuggler, but she does occasionally stray on the odd side of the law. Huff even brings magic into the sports arena with the delightful and thought-provoking "A Midsummer Night's Dream Team." High Elves playing basketball? Tolkien would have conniptions--or laugh his head off in approval.

Awesome!.......2000-01-16

If you never read a Tanya Huff book this is the one to start with. The stories are amazing in their diversity! I have read just about every Huff book (except one that is out of stock). All her books are awesome! I love the Blood books, the Last Wizard, and the Quartered books. It amazes me that she has such an imagination.

This book just shows there doesn't seem to be anything she can't write about.

Book Description

Chailley, a professor of music history at the Sorbonne, reveals the coherence of the opera and the hidden significance of its characters and situations. The author relates each of these elements to the esoteric tradition from which they emanate and to Mozart's own involvement with the Masonic brotherhood.

Customer Reviews:

A classic study.......2007-05-25

Prof. Chailley's examination of one of Mozart's masterpieces is scarcely recent news: the book has been around for decades. It is none the less a seminal work for all of its longevity.

Particularly as an "outsider"--Chailley was not a Freemason--the author writes with clarity, insight, and years of familiarity with his musical subject, and clear understanding of his fraternal one. The result is a book that is both readable and informative. With even-handed thoughtfulness, Chailley provides important information for anyone who wants to understand The Magic Flute--an otherwise enigmatic work.

This is an important book. In fact, it is a landmark of music scholarship. There are, of course, other books and articles dealing with this subject, but none supersedes this one, and some should be consigned to the benighted trash pile of conspiracist ravings.

Chailley's work should be in the library of any serious Mozart student.

While Chailley is more a scholar of music than of esoterica, it should find its way into libraries of students of Freemasonry as well. In fact, it might encourage some Masons to take Mozart a bit more seriously than many do.

The Magic Flute: Die Zauberflote. an Alchemical Allegory

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Splendid on Mozarts alchemy but how is illumination as such?

The Magic Flute: Die Zauberflote. an Alchemical Allegory
M. F. M. Van Den Berk , and M. F. M. Van Den Berk
Manufacturer: Brill Academic Publishers
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover

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ASIN: 9004130993

Book Description

This volume demonstrates for the first time that Mozart's opera Die Zauberflöte is an enactment of the alchemical opus magnum, in the form of a chemical wedding. Towards the end of the 18th century, alchemy was still a prominent mystical current within the Order of Freemasons of which Mozart and his librettists were members. The central part focuses on the opera's alchemical structure, whereas the historical and mythological backgrounds are also dealt with extensively. The book comes with 3 CD's offering a rendition of the integral opera, in contrast to the common practice of leaving out major parts of the libretto. The Magic Flute is a fascinating journey of discovery, an initiation into Initiation. With complete original libretto and over 100 pictures.

Customer Reviews:

Splendid on Mozarts alchemy but how is illumination as such?.......2005-02-26

Van den Berk is here the forerunner who cuts a path through the thick forest which would otherwise not be viable. Proving anew and definitely that the opera is an 'alchemical' one is what he does, which he is very sure about, and may be proud of. He does so by interpreting the diverse characters, symbols and processes, as well as the totality of them, as illustration of the 'magnum opus', the great work of the alchemists. And this within and from the lives and context not only from the makers of this opera, Mozart and his librettists, members of the 'illuminate' version of Freemasonry. But still more, and this is a really fascinating part of the study, from the history of mythology of which alchemy grew as one branch. So we learn among many other personalities and symbols from Pamina as salt, Tamino as sulphur, and Papageno-Papagena as mercury and hermaphrodite. And not less from the processes of transformation which all these undergo, resulting in the definitive 'chemical' wedding (the sacred marriage), through the phases of nigredo (blackening), albedo (whitening) and rubedo (reddening). Everything is shown in the most convincing details, from classical Greece and old Egypt to the Rosicrucian works of the 16th Century. From Isis and Osiris to Mozarts visit to Pompeji, and the history and meaning of the etchings which accompanied the publication of the opera. With detailed insights into Mozart's membership of Freemasonry, his personal views about what it stood for, and the way this influenced his musical and theatrical creations. With most insightful explanations of 92 very adequate illustrations. So to me indeed this is a monumental work.
I add hastily that the book is a pleasure to read, because Van den Berk is a master in letting the reader make the discoveries together with him. Although possibly not every part is to any reader of the same interest, it is clear that one enriches oneself very much by following the author throughout the whole book. Particularly if one is also interested in the evidence which proofs the theses of the author. Van den Berk has a strong intuition and at the same time a thorough feeling for scientific and historical proof, and always lets the later support the former.
And be sure the map he sketches does not contradict the innumerable hard facts for one moment! So I have to conclude that this work offers a lot to many people, not the least many suggestions for further studies in the field, and much inspiration for every reader, also those with a more personal interest in the various subjects, themes and topics related to Mozart's Zauberflöte.
I wish this book in the hands of many, and thank the makers of it for their inspiration and knowledge, particularly the author himself through which all this value comes through us.

Now I will continue with some questions which remain to me unsolved. To my opinion the richness of this book cannot be underestimated very much! Although the author is very well aware of many themes there are also aspects which he does not give very much attention. I mean the path of illumination itself.
To me the experience or realization of illumination is important as well as the path from and to it. I can refer to illumination in the works of Jacob Boehme which have well influenced the authors which according to Van den Berk also inspired Mozart, particularly the famous Oetinger of whom a book was found in Mozarts library with a very interesting part about music! And I can also refer to illumination in the Buddhist tradition. While I experience the book of Van den Berk as 'scientifically' impressive, why does not deal he with the core itself of his subjects - namely the path from and to illumination - that intensively? Of course it is very likely that he does this indirectly so why not also directly?
But let me first acknowledge some other characteristic of this book which has impressed me very much: the author everywhere adds to his conclusions the way he has found them, and this is very inspiring. It tells us we ourselves could also find what we seek, if using our means in the right way. So the book itself is a splendid illustration of going one way, be it only that of detailed 'scientific' mythological and historical research (including important aspects of human psychology).
I add another point, which for me touches the core. To me illumination in the Western tradition of alchemy has everything to do with the so called union of the opposites of which the union of the opposite sexes is the most important example, also called 'androgyny' which is an important topic from classical to modern times (see my book on "Androgyny in Christianity, particularly in the works of Jacob Boehme" 1986; extenxive summary in English at http://www1.tip.nl/~t770268/androgsum.html ). As this includes the relation of sexuality and spirituality - the role of the union of the sexes at all levels, even as symbol of spiritual illumination! - it would be important not to forego this tradition and its implications, particularly when the subject is central to it, and to the Zauberflöte it surely is. For example: how is the relation in the opera between sexuality at lower and at higher levels and how has it come through in the course of the reception of the opera?! This is again a core theme Van den Berk's book puts on the scene of our attention, and although he himself does not elaborate upon it very much, it is very important as well and will hopefully be seen by many readers. The relation of sexuality and spirituality is of great importance to the history of the West, not only through the churches, through theology and mysticism, and not only through alternative traditions like Gnosticism and alchemy in which it flourished abundantly, but also in the philosophical presuppositions of Western culture as such. It is not by chance that the theme of the Zauberflöte is a core theme. Whereas it is a great merit of this book of Van den Berk to have proved this with regard to the roots of the Zauberflöte in alchemy and Freemasonry, it would be a great accomplishment if the much broader implications of it - I repeat: a core theme of Western culture - from now on would be elaborated upon more fully. Again: that Van den Berk with his book touches upon such a fundamental theme to our Western culture and spirituality, and so makes possible a more thorough study of the latter, to me is a great advantage and a great merit. It makes even comparisons and discussions with other cultures more near and better possible. Not a small value.

Mozart's The Magic Flute: Opera Classics Library Series (Opera Classics Library)

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Mozart's The Magic Flute: Opera Classics Library Series (Opera Classics Library)
Burton D. Fisher
Manufacturer: Opera Journeys Publishing
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

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ASIN: 1930841426
Release Date: 2005-08-02

Book Description

A comprehensive guide to Mozart's THE MAGIC FLUTE, featuring insightful and in depth Commentary and Analysis, a complete, newly translated Libretto with German/English side-by side, and over 30 music highlight examples.

The Magic Flute Vocal Score (Dover Vocal Scores)

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Great
Why is Italian given as the primary text?
Singing it
Magical!

The Magic Flute Vocal Score (Dover Vocal Scores)
Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart
Manufacturer: Dover Publications
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

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ASIN: 0486413853

Book Description

One of Mozart's greatest operas, this work achieved immediate success upon its first performance in 1791 and has continued to enchant listeners ever since. A complex allegory glorifying Freemasonry and its emphasis on brotherhood, charity, and benevolence, the opera was particularly admired by Beethoven, who praised it for containing everything from North German Choral-Vorspiel to Volkslied.

Customer Reviews:

Great.......2006-08-01

I saw the opera in Vienna this year so I came home and ordered the CD and this vocal score. I was pleasantly surprised to find out besides the music were the words (German) between the songs. I'm having fun playing the music and remembering the opera. The book arrived promptly and in good condition.

Why is Italian given as the primary text?.......2002-10-05

The notes are clear and easy to read, but the font for the text is quite small, and to make matters worse, this edition (Dover Vocal Scores) gives Italian as the primary language (immediatly below the notes). The German text is in italics *under* the Italian. If you buy this edition, you're going to need an English copy of the libretto - all the text (lyrics, stage directions, and unsung diologue) are given in German and Italian.

Singing it.......2001-12-31

Beautifull music for Sopran (Pamina and Queen of the night) and for Bariton (Papageno). (Also Tenor (Tamino) and Bas (Sarastro))
The book has all the highlights from the opera, clearly writen for Piano and Vocals. Some bits are easier, some harder, but the music is superb!

Magical!.......1999-09-02

This is a great piano reduction of the score. Most of the songs are not overly difficult to play, and they are written in the original keys. I like to play along on the piano as I listen to the music on the CD! This one comes highly recommended.

Average customer rating:

Excellent Introduction

The Magic of Opera (Da Capo Paperback)
J. Merrill Knapp
Manufacturer: Da Capo
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

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ASIN: 0306802511

Customer Reviews:

Excellent Introduction.......2000-04-05

This book is one of the best introductions to opera that I have ever seen or read. Rather than a history of opera or a list of synopses of well known operas, this book attempts to define what opera is, what sets it apart from other art forms, what its component parts are, and what makes it magical. The author neither speaks down to nor over the heads of the novice but manages to simultaneously speak to the uninitiated and the learned amateur. He provides an incredible amount of food for thought without being overwhelming. The book is divided into two parts, Part I is titled "Structure" and contains 8 chapters. This is the most valuable part of the book in my opinion, certainly the most unique. He discusses "The Nature of Opera," "The Conventions of Opera," "The Libretto," "The Music," "The Components of Music," "The Singers," "The Orchestra," and "Production of Opera." I have never before seen an introduction to opera that included any discussion, much less an intelligent informative discussion, of the libretto (its importance, how it differs from a stage play, etc.) or production values (sets, the role of opera theatre architecture, stage direction, etc.). In the chapter on "The Singers," he discusses the various voice types by range as well as the quality of voices, i.e., lyric, dramatic, coloratura. In the chapter "The Components of Music," he discusses the musical structure of the opera by identifying the differences between recitatives, arias (including the various types of solo arias), ensembles, and choruses. The second half of the book is a brief history of opera. He sets Mozart as the pivotal figure and discusses all pre-Mozart opera in one chapter followed by a chapter on Mozart. Chapters follow on Italian opera, French opera, Nationalism in opera (Bohemia and Russia), German opera, Late Romantic opera, and 20th century opera. Each chapter throughout the book includes a list of suggested further reading for additional information on the topic covered in that chapter. The book concludes with a brief but helpful glossary of operatic/musical terms and a comprehensive index.

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What is THE GAME??????
Fantastic Sci-Fi
The ONLY book I remember reading in middle school
The best Sic-Fi book ever!!!!!!!!!!!
Lets get to prize

Invitation to the Game
Monica Hughes
Manufacturer: Simon Pulse
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Mass Market Paperback

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ASIN: 0671866923

Customer Reviews:

What is THE GAME??????.......2007-09-28

This book would make a great movie! Good plot, suspense, good variety of interesting main characters and bit players. Who does the choosing out there in Hollywood anyway? Don't they read good books? It's also refreshing to enjoy a good story without bad language or sex scenes. We enjoyed reading Invitation To The Game. It would make a good Birthday or Christmas gift for the teens in your family. I gave it to a teenager who was going on a long road trip.

Fantastic Sci-Fi.......2007-09-10

I read this book when I was a little girl. When I turned 18, I started systematically searching for it - a rough task when I couldn't remember the author's name. Several years later, I finally found the book and I couldn't buy it fast enough. If possible, I enjoy it even more than I had when I was a child. Few science fiction stories are as powerful as this one.

The basic plot is one we can find all too familiar in these days - the earth is crowded and polluted, and workers are increasingly being replaced by cheap, automated labor. In the midst of a hopeless world with no jobs and no futures, a group of recently graduated students search for meaning and hope within a bleak government housing facility.

While the story sounds depressing and frightening, the author takes care to keep a light touch. The students are nutured by one of their own who takes the role of surrogate mother, and while their world has hardships and privations, these are seen as challenges to be overcome rather than impossible burdens. The children are exceedingly resourceful and become adept at taking care of themselves - furnishing an electronic lock for their home, weaving and sewing new clothes for themselves, learning karate (from one of the girl students, no less - a rarity in books for any age!) in order to stay fit and in shape, cooking warm Italian meals from scratch from eggs and butter and cheese. Though the members of the group do not always get along, they learn to respect each other and they solve conflicts realistically. The child (and even the adult) reader relishes in the children's victories and the privations of the world around them only make the victories that much sweeter.

Read this book - I cannot recommend it highly enough!

The ONLY book I remember reading in middle school.......2007-07-09

This is such an awesome book- I bought it when it first came out (remember those scholastic book orders?) And I loved it. I lent the copy to someone and I never saw it again. I bought it again as an adult and loved it- finished it in one sitting and I recommend this for young adults and anyone older, too- a great read!!!

The best Sic-Fi book ever!!!!!!!!!!!.......2006-11-18

HEY!!!! I just got done reading this fantastic book that anyone can read. I'm talking about Invitation to the Game by Monica Hughes. This one of the best sci-fi books I have ever read and trust me, I've read a lot. It is about these eight kids named Lisse, Benta, Scylla, Karen, Trent, my favorite Brad, Rich and Alden who live in the twenty-second century where most of the work in the world is done by robots and only ten percent of the people who get out of school get a job. Well they don't make the cut and they end up unemployed and placed in a DA [designated area] -- wait, why am I telling you this you should go out and read this marvelous book yourself. If you do read this book, you will be reading the most complicated plot, the most suspenseful story ever.

Lets get to prize.......2006-10-17

I loved this book it had so much action in it
well thank you monica bye.

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