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.

The Complete Idiot's Guide to World Religions, 3rd Edition (The Complete Idiot's Guide)

Average customer rating:

The Complete Idiot's Guide to World Religions
Good overview
Totally agree with G.Singh
Not Recommended at all
I expected more.

The Complete Idiot's Guide to World Religions, 3rd Edition (The Complete Idiot's Guide)
Brandon Toropov , and Father Luke Buckles
Manufacturer: Alpha
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

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ASIN: 1592572227
Release Date: 2004-07-06

Book Description

A comprehensive look at ideas about God-in every corner of the globe.

More than at any other time in history, ordinary people are reading up on the world's major religions. Hinduism, Christianity, Judaism, Buddhism, and Islam often seem at odds with each other, and as readers struggle to understand, The Complete Idiot's Guide to World Religions, Third Edition, provides expanded and updated coverage to answer their questions. Here, comparative theologists Toropov and Buckles provide many answers to today's questions about both major and lesser-known religions and beliefs. Each of five parts, one for every major religion, discusses history, rituals, celebrations, holy documents, deities, and structure. Included are Asian paths of belief, non-scriptural religions, ancient creeds, and the earth-based religions practiced in parts of Asia, Africa, South America, island nations, Europe, and North America. New coverage includes:

Customer Reviews:

The Complete Idiot's Guide to World Religions.......2007-09-19

My daughter's World Religion instructor recommended this book as an addition to the required text. It has short no-nonsense descriptions and is easy to use. Great price, too!

Good overview.......2007-05-07

This is an excellent book which gives a general overview of major world religions and some minor ones. It reviews several religious practices without judging them and would be beneficial to someone trying to better understand the background culture of certain region. I doesn't cover much depth, so it should be considered an introductory volume.

Totally agree with G.Singh.......2007-04-28

How sad it is that Brandon Yusuf Toropov has sunk to such new depths and produced a book that no one in his/her right mind would want to waste more than a fleeting moment of their precious time to even consider reading more than the front page to see that the entire concept is fundamentally flawed.

See my review on the Idiot's Guide to the Koran by the same author and you'll see that the author has a decided bias for Sunni Islam as opposed to other religions such as Christianity or Shi'a Islam.

To leave out Sikhism, as pointed out by G.Singh, is a disastrous omission for such a book. It has totally failed in what it has set out to do, and instead offers us a politically correct and patronising whitewash. It provides us with very little of interest to anybody whatsoever.

Not Recommended at all.......2007-04-13

I found out that the description of a whole religion is missing in this book! That's right; there was absolutely no mention of Sikhism in this book even though it's considered the 5th largest religion in the world! How can anybody writing a book about World religions just skips a whole religion with over 20 million followers is beyond me and how they continue to publish this book into its 3rd edition with such a massive omission is even more disturbing. What's even more ridiculous is that author is from Berkeley, California, where there is sizable Sikh population and greater Bay Area alone has atleast a dozen Sikh places of Worships (Gurudwaras). I would think that you atleast want to do some research before writing a book on World religions instead of trying to make quick bucks by publishing such stuff. I guess that also tells me about the publisher and editor, who didn't pick on such a huge mistake. I would definitely not recommend this book to anyone and being a Sikh myself, I will probably not be buying any of these series ever again.

I expected more........2006-12-02

I pretty much agree with the first review. When you read an Idiot's Guide you expect something clear and understandable to an average reader. The blocks and sidebars look good but the language is that of theological scholars. I expected something better. At that, it was sufficiently clear to me that the Middle East (Islamic states) will not support democracy as we know it. "W" and his buddies should have read it a few years ago!

World Of Warcraft: Horde Player's Guide (World of Warcraft)

Average customer rating:

Descent but not perfect...
For the Horde
Not Part of the online WOW game.
Excellent title!

World Of Warcraft: Horde Player's Guide (World of Warcraft)
Scott Bennie , Richard Farrese , Bob Fitch , Bruce Graw , and Luke Johnson
Manufacturer: Arthaus
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover

General | Puzzles & Games | Entertainment | Subjects | Books

ASIN: 1588467724

Book Description

Glory for the Horde!
Grab hammer and axe to crush the Horde's enemies!

Dominate the Ranks
This character sourcebook plunges you into the Horde. Mok'nathal warriors range across new frontiers. Shamans and witch doctors teach their skills to young adepts, and the Horde's many enemies learn its secrets to strike at its weaknesses. Learn of the Horde's history, its structure and its political climate, and gather details about its members. Discover new races, feats, magic, technology, and classes unique to the Horde. A character sourcebook book for World of Warcraft: The Roleplaying Game

Customer Reviews:

Descent but not perfect..........2007-10-02

This is a good book. While it production values are nothing like many other books in the series, it still has a lot of interesting information. Specifically, there are a myriad number of feats that make playing a forsaken character far easier. There are also feats that lend a greater feeling to interacting with spirits. Several of the prestige classes are good. How ever, some seem redundant, like the fact that they have shadow hunters and spirit champions, both of which fulfill a similar theme. The monster classes in the book are a tad over power (ie the ogre mage). All in all I found it useful.

For the Horde.......2007-07-03

This book delves into the rich background and history of the primary Horde races - namely orc, tauren and (forest) troll and it accomplishes this feat surprisingly well, while also introducing other playable races like the half-ogre, half-orc and abomination.

You will also find several horde only prestige classes like the Lightslayer, Plagueshifter and Shadow Ascendant along with new magic items (e.g. kodo helm of devouring & wyvern tamer gloves), tech-devices (e.g. doubleslammer, totem wings) and feats. The book is well worth the purchase if you are a fan of the horde, if you plan to enrichen your WoW rpg experience or if you want more credible foes for your Alliance themed game. Enjoy!

Not Part of the online WOW game........2007-02-07

It is a nice book. It takes me back to the days in 1978 when I learned to play dugeons and dragons using a paper and pencil.

But I was looking for a book to help me with the online version of World of Warcraft. And this is not the right book for that.

It does give some of the background information on the storyline. It was just the wrong book for my needs.

Excellent title!.......2007-01-12

Very well written and essential for fans of the setting. The tabletop opens vistas heretofore inaccessible. Combined with Lands of Mystery, this book is invaluable for running a Kalimdor campaign.

Site-Seeing: A Visual Approach to Web Usability

Average customer rating:

Still a 'must have' book four years later.
Visual & "wordy" is what makes this book great!
Not very usable.
Good info, could be condensed
Great Combination of Web and Design Knowledge

Site-Seeing: A Visual Approach to Web Usability
Luke Wroblewski
Manufacturer: Wiley
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

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ASIN: 0764536745

Book Description

Although Web usability has received lots of hype, especially during the dot-com meltdown, the focus has been mostly on technical issues. Usability experts stress the pitfalls of frames and too many images on Web pages. They recommend editing out unnecessary words and writing in a non-linear style-all valuable advice, of course. But less frequently do they highlight the importance of the visual presentation of Web pages.

The Web is a communication medium that does most of its talking visually. What you see on a Web page tells you what you might find within the site, how to get there, and why it might interest you-not to mention the instinctive emotional response that shapes your Web experience. As a result, Web usability issues are communication issues. Easy-to-use sites are those that communicate quickly and effectively.

Site-Seeing takes a fresh approach to Web usability by applying visual communication principles and decision-making to Web design. Specifically, readers will learn the key concepts behind visual organization, look and feel, technical considerations, and clear planning that stem from audience awareness. Through numerous, full-color examples author Luke Wroblewski deconstructs "the good, the bad, and the ugly" of Web design.

The visual presentation of a site does more than merely making it pretty. It organizes information according to function. It creates distinct and appropriate personalities. It provides emotional impact and attachment. In short, it engages the audience-and keeps them coming back.

Customer Reviews:

Still a 'must have' book four years later........2006-04-05

This is the book to buy after you have two other basic books on web design. As your other books are thrown away or replaced you will still need 'Site-Seeing'. It covers both the history and progress of web design. Read this book in bed or on a plane trip, preferably not in front of a monitor. I also found it helpful not to take the chapters in any formal order. Delve in! You will be helped. To me, this book is so solid that an upgrade is still a couple of years away.

Visual & "wordy" is what makes this book great!.......2003-07-27

As a fan of Site-Seeing, I must respond to a few of the reviews asserting that the author should have condensed certain material in the book. For me, the many visual examples and the great, detailed explanations (one reviewer suggested "wordy") are exactly what makes this book so useful. Rather than just skimming over important design concepts, the author actually takes the time to properly explain these important principles and illustrate them with examples. In my opinion, many other web design books use only words, whereas in this book, you can actually see and understand what the author is talking about. This is very important to me, as a visual learner. That is just one reason why this book is still on my desk.

Not very usable........2003-07-19

For a web usability book, this one is suprisingly unusable. The book is overdesigned, making it sometimes hard to read because of all the visual clutter on the page. It's also over-wordy. If only the author had taken Steve Krug's advice (which he mis-quotes in the first chapter) to cut out half the words, and then cut out half of what's left, this might have been a great book. As it is, its only contributions are from the design standpoint, such as not breaking the model of the web, and not making the navigation so contrast-y as to visually distract from the content. Otherwise, just about everything he says is said more succinctly in Krug's book, "Don't Make Me Think."

Good info, could be condensed.......2003-03-22

This book lays a good foundation for web design by emphasizing planning, meeting clients' goals, and understanding the target audience. Wroblewski emphasizes usability when describing the core of the site- structure, navigation, content- and how it will affect the experience of the audience. He uses numerous examples to illustrate layout, visual heirarchy, color schemes, and how they work together (or don't!) to communicate quickly and effectively to the site visitor.

I got frustrated about the amount of fluff surrounding actual information. He makes plenty of good points and then buries them beneath a barrage of condescending, long-winded metaphors, like the way we can read a map and know that blue represents water. The analogy itself could be helpful, but three paragraphs to explain the analogy is just distracting.

I'm glad I read it... it opened my eyes to many challenges that web designers face, and inspired me to infuse life and personality into my own site. I'm also glad I highlighted the meaningful parts so I (or friends who borrow it) can skip past the fluff in the future.

Great Combination of Web and Design Knowledge.......2002-10-03

Luke Wroblewski, in his book Site-Seeing: A Visual Approach to Web Usability, offers an interesting and, in my view, much needed perspective on the topic of web design. In Section One, he starts at the very beginning, explaining what is basically the design process every designer learns in school. This includes such things as researching your client, documenting your process, generating a mission statement or goal for the website, organizing content and developing an effective navigation system---things that should be thought through before ever firing up the html editor. This information is invaluable for anyone approaching a web design project because it reduces the chance for major revisions further into a project and makes it easier for a designer to do his or her best creative work.

Section Two gets more focused, describing the peculiarities of communicating via the web. I found particularly gratifying the suggestion to not "break the web model"---the established idiom of the web including the back button, bookmarks, history, etc. This is not a follow your bliss kind of web design book. It is a carefully thought through guide for what works and what does not work for effective communication on the web. The author also focuses here on the importance of getting and maintaining quality content for your website and how to make content dominant through visual organization and establishing a hierarchy of information. The next chapter in this section provides a primer on the Principles of Visual Organization---an invaluable resource for anyone approaching this kind of project and something that is largely missing from other books in this genre.

Book Description

Jeff Luke's book is simply outstanding and a must read for those public leaders interested in advancing the common good.
?John Bryson, professor of planing and public affairs in the Hubert H. Humphrey Institute of Public Affairs at the University of Minnesota and author of Strategic Planning for Public and Nonprofit Organizations

This groundbreaking guide presents a new kind of leadership that addresses the complex problems facing today's public leaders. These issues?such as economic development, homelessness, teen pregnancy, and many others?are interconnected in nature and have no quick fix solutions. Leaders in federal, state and local agencies must reach out beyond their boundaries to engage a much broader group of stakeholders to create sustainable strategies to address them. The catalytic leader brings together diverse individuals from multiple agencies to address interconnected public problems and work together toward solutions.

Filled with case studies, real-world examples, and many other hands-on resources, Catalytic Leadership is written for the true public leaders?citizens from all walks of life, working together to tackle the toughest public problems.

Customer Reviews:

Solid and inspring work.......2007-08-07

Dr. Luke captures practical and realistic models for leadership based on what works. This is a great work for someone who is looking for insight into how to lead within a community of interest when the issues and challenges are multi-faceted and not clearly solvable by only one person or group, which is most of the situations in our communities today.

Faust: Part One (Oxford World's Classic)

Average customer rating:

Great Read!
A beautiful work about a soul's damnation.
Readable Translation and helpful, extensive notes
the very best of the english translations
Well Worth Reading - especially the extra notes!

Faust: Part One (Oxford World's Classic)
Johann Wolfgang von Goethe
Manufacturer: Oxford University Press, USA
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

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ASIN: 0192835955

Book Description

The legend of Faust grew up in the sixteenth century, a time of transition between medieval and modern culture in Germany. Johann Wolfgang von Goethe (1749-1832) adopted the story of the wandering conjuror who accepts Mephistopheles's offer of a pact, selling his soul for the devil's greater knowledge; over a period of 60 years he produced one of the greatest dramatic and poetic masterpieces of European literature. David Luke's recent translation, specially commissioned for The World's Classics series, has all the virtues of previous classic translations of Faust, and none of their shortcomings. Cast in rhymed verse, following the original, it preserves the essence of Goethe's meaning without sacrifice to archaism or over-modern idiom. It is as near an `equivalent' rendering of the German as has been achieved.

Customer Reviews:

Great Read!.......2007-09-21

Very beautifuly written book!!! If you like Byronism, Gothic novels, and the regency dandy, you will love this book. I will admit that if you are new to this style of literature, it may be a little tough to read, but very worth it!!! The more you read the easier it gets to understand. If your interested give it a shot, you won't regret it!

A beautiful work about a soul's damnation........2007-02-17

This is definitely Goethe's masterwork, and it is beautifully written. Everyone knows about the man who sold his soul to the devil, but everyone should read this poem in order to experience the beautiful words and images that Goethe created. This is a true tragedy, and we watch helpless as the pre-ordained conclusion is revealed. I am glad that I took the time to read this.

Readable Translation and helpful, extensive notes.......2005-01-18

Hearing about Goethe's Faust for many years I thought it was about time I read it. Though I am glad I did the story was not as exciting or insightful as I thought it would be. Perhaps some of art to be found in the writing is lost in translation, and what would have been considered to be a tantalizing tale to a person living in the 18th or 19th centuries is not so exciting today.

The accompanying introduction and notes to the text, which are quite extensive, are helpful though the introduction could be organized better. David Luke undoubtedly is very knowledgeable about the text, but his long introduction is daunting, and seems to assume quite a bit of familiarity of the text by the reader. In fact the reader cannot understand a lot of what Luke writes in the introduction without having read the text already. If there is to be a new edition of this book Luke should edit the introduction making it much shorter, and more targeted to the general reader. The more specialized detail about the text, such as what part of 'Faust' was written at what point of Goethe's life, should go into an addendum at the back of the book.

Still David Luke produced a very readable translation of Goethe's 'Faust', and though one has to 'wade through' the introduction, the general reader will appreciate having ambiguous parts of the text well explained, and the student of German literature in general and of Goethe's writing in particular, will appreciate Luke's in-depth analysis of Goethe's work.

the very best of the english translations.......2004-06-25

David Luke has given us an oustanding translation of this very important piece of literature. His Grimm Bros. translation is also excellent, as are his wonderful scholarly essays. For years, I've intended to write Luke to share my appreciation and gratitude for his always excellent work.

This is the best English translation of Faust ever.

Well Worth Reading - especially the extra notes!.......2004-03-22

I am very glad to have been exposed to this classic and am definitely pleased to have read this particular translation of it. Though the rhythm was occasionally jarring (see review below), Luke's EXTENSIVE introduction (50 pages or so!) and explanatory notes helped me get so much out of this piece. I received glimpses of insight on German history, the Germanic culture, witchcraft, superstition, how 18th century "geniuses" viewed Shakespeare, traditional church customs, etc.

For those who don't know, the basic premise of this story is based on a German folk legend. In that legend from the 16th century, a learned man named Faust sold his soul to the Devil in order to gain more knowledge and understanding. As that legend grew and became incorporated in the Germanic culture, so did its appeal to many artists. There have been apparently many writers and such who have used this legend as a foundation for their works.

However, of all the Faust tales, Goethe's appears to be the preeminent one today. Why? Well, for one thing, he worked on this intermittantly from 1770 to 1808 with 3 main versions cited. Goethe became quite famous for many of his other works, and this one apparently gives great insight to his personal philosophies at different stages. Thus, many find it worth studying.

Also, as Goethe was a central figure in Germany's emergence from the Enlightenment era into the Romantic era, his work - and especially this piece - was celebrated by those trying to usher in a new way. While the number of submovements is slightly tricky to keep track of, the main thrust is that the young intellectuals idolized Goethe and championed his cause. His version of Faust became the source for many plays and even an opera which I think is still performed today.

But what about the tale itself? Goethe certainly has a genius and it blooms in a novel way in this piece. Though he left the Christian faith early on in life, he realized that the concepts of good, evil, sin, temptation, condemnation to hell, hedonism, etc. all had a dramatic weight to them that was irresistable to his as an artist. Thus, as he developed this piece, he leaned heavily on the faith, superstition and legends of his day in order to weave this tale. As such, you get a wonderful, power tale that gives you a great - though somewhat twisted - picture of the Germanic culture of his time.

HOWEVER, Goethe does some really odd things as well. For instance, as he added to this piece over the years, he often didn't change much of the former material. Therefore, in the piece there are many internal contradictions and dangling references. In addition, he tended to throw in verses he developed for other purposes - such as one of the prologues and the "Walpurgis Night Dream" scenario - which don't technically have anything to do with the storyline. Even his whole focus on Gretchen - while generally the focus of most plays and operas - actually wasn't a part of the original Faust legened. And yet, it all worked together somehow and was a delight to read.

All in all, I think reading this short, weighty classic was well worth the time. It helped add a piece of understanding about Euporean thought and culture 200 years ago as well as speak some to my own life.

Average customer rating:

Great work, great translation, and great notes

The most faithful of the translations I've read

Faust: Part Two (Oxford World's Classics)
Johann Wolfgang von Goethe
Manufacturer: Oxford University Press, USA
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

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Faust: Part One (Oxford World's Classic)

Faust: A Tragedy (Norton Critical Editions)

Faust (Bantam Classics)

Paradise Lost (Norton Critical Editions)

Les Fleurs Du Mal

ASIN: 0192836366

Book Description

Loosely connected with Part One and the German legend of Faust, Part Two is a dramatic epic rather than a strictly constructed drama. It is conceived as an act of homage to classical Greek culture and inspired above all by the world of story-telling and myth at the heart of the Greek tradition, as well as owing some of its material to the Arabian Nights tales. The restless and ruthless hero, advised by his cynical demon-companion Mephistopheles, visits classical Greece i search of the beautiful Helen of Troy. Returning to modern times, he seeks to crown his career by gaining control of the elements, and at his death is carried up into the unkown regions, still in pursuit of the `Eternal Feminine'. David Luke's translation of Part One won the European Poetry Translation Prize. Here he again imitates the varied verse-forms of the original, and provides a highly readable - and actable - translation, supported by an introduction, full notes, and an index of classical mythology.

Customer Reviews:

Great work, great translation, and great notes.......2002-04-21

The previous review is clear about the value of this translation. Knowing a bit of German, I can say that this translation does use shapes instead of forms for Gestalten. the real value of the work beyond the translation, however, especially for first time readers, is found in the notes made by David Luke. These notes are helpful for the historical context, allusions to Goethe's personal life and work, and allusions to philosophy, literature, and more ... all essential to understanding the work.

The most faithful of the translations I've read.......2000-12-23

Looking at some reviews by other reviewers, I realized that not everybody has heard of Faust or of Goethe, and I was pretty shocked.

The first part of what I'm saying is about this translation. As Luke so graphically showed in his "Translator's introduction", there are many things that pull at the translator's central agenda: rhyme, metre, primary meaning, nuance, and so on, and the translator has to achieve a balance. Among the translations I've read and from snippets of what I've seen of other translations, Luke's translation is the most accurate of the ones I've read, in many ways. In other words, the compromises that Luke himself details have been executed here with near-perfection.

It comes down to what you like. Luke's translation is the closest among all attempts so far to being dubbed a "universal" tranlslation. But just as we cannot have a universal programming language, we cannot have a translation that will please everybody.

The positive for this translation is of course the extraordinary faithfulness to the original while maintaining rhyme. The negatives are what one would expect; the translation does not read smoothly on the line level. To clarify, a line carries over to the next line in too many cases to make for a "smooth read". An example:

"Refreshment! It's your own soul that must pour / It through you, if it's to be anything."

This "pour it" example siuation occurs too often, and is jarring for those who "grew up" with Arndt's or Wayne's translations.

The second part of what I'm writing is about Faust itself, the Masterwork: as any German will tell you, Faust is one of the centrepieces of literature, and it is worthwhile learning German JUST to read Faust. Each person comes away from "Faust" having found that that he/she was looking for. Every person is reflected in Faust; "Faust" is the ultimate story of Man. What tempts us, what keeps us, what draws us on, what tears us, what defines us, what lies in store for us - it is all there. "Faust" is a journey everyone should undertake. There is nothing controversial here - no "God", no "Hellfire", nothing but Goethe's straightforward but not blunt, sensitive but not compromised, philosophical but not dreamy, analysis of the human situation. "Faust" is the Master thinker Goethe's sincere attempt at looking at it all; and it does not fall visibly short of the task.

Book Description

Transported two thousand years into the past, readers are introduced to Antipas, a Roman civic leader who has encountered the writings of the biblical author Luke. Luke's history sparks Antipas's interest, and they begin corresponding. As Antipas tells Luke of his reactions to the writing and of his meetings with local Christians, it becomes evident that he is changing his mind about them and Jesus. Finally, a gladiatorial contest in Pergamum forces difficult decisions on the local Christians and on Antipas. While the account is fictional, the author is a respected biblical scholar who weaves into this fascinating scenario reliable historical information. Bruce Longenecker is able to mix fact and fiction and paint an interesting and valuable study of the New Testament world and early Christianity. Readers are invited to view Jesus and the early church from a fresh perspective, as his first followers are brought to life. More reliable than typical historical fiction and far more interesting than standard textbooks and reference books, The Lost Letters of Pergamum provides readers with a delightful opportunity to step into the world of the New Testament. Pastors, Bible study groups, and all thoughtful readers will enjoy this book, which one reviewer said he ''couldn't put down.''

Customer Reviews:

Early Church Ethos Come Alive.......2007-09-09

I found this book to be one of the best in terms of describing the communal ethos of the early church. It would be intellectually dishonest to regard this book as a broad academic study of early Christianity, for Longenecker does not claim such a purpose for his work. Rather it is a novel that richly captures the personalities and characters that made up part of the young church.

As to be expected from a New Testament scholar, Longenecker creatively uses the gospel of Luke as the hub around which the fictional story progresses. I would regard this book as worth reading if for no other reason than for the author's insight into Luke's gospel.

A Living Word.......2007-08-23

These epistles bring to life the times of the New Testament and early Church like nothing else I've ever read. Longenecker has done intensive research into the history and culture of the period, and it is truly historical fiction with the emphasis on history. Had he not been upfront in the forward, he could have passed this off as a completely believable hoax, but for the lack of document provenance.

This is a story that will delight and engross. I learned so much more of First Century life, and the doings of the early Church. Longenecker writes in a style that seems to channel Luke, and fills every letter with nuances to truly repreresent the worldviews of the respective author-characters. We see, letter by letter, the slow change in Antipas, from a striver after attention and public honor, to a man of true honor. We see in Luke a man who truly sees the Gospel through Greek eyes.

I would heartedly recommend this work for anyone interested in the history of the period, or interested in seeing the New Testament come alive again.

Historical fiction of a different sort.......2005-09-28

This is an innovative work both of historical fiction as well as biblical scholarship. The Lost Letters of Pergamum are in fact pure fiction, but the underlying truth is that there were far more letters going around the ancient world than we often realise. To think that Paul and the other apostles only wrote the handful we still have stretches credulity.

This is also an interesting and creative way of introducing biblical issues of interpretation. We take for granted the histories written based upon letters in the New Testament and other similar writings - actual history texts were few and far between, particularly when it comes to early Christianity. The few references in major historians of the time show how seemingly insignificant the original Christian community was in context of the time.

Longenecker begins in earnest with the idea that there has been a discovery of lost letters (akin to the discovery of the Dead Sea Scrolls - indeed, the discovery of New Testament writings would be a major event). Antipas, who is mentioned in the book of the Revelation to John, died as a martyr in the city of Peramum, in Asia Minor, but not before being subject of a good volume of correspondence. Antipas is a correspondent with the gospel writer Luke, and also keeps his own sort of journal or record of events. These are laid out in an interesting development that shows the growth of faith, practice, and ultimate call to martyrdom, as was not uncommon in the early church.

Longenecker introduces interesting historical items in the course of the correspondence and journals. For example, one of the charges against Christians by the Romans was that they were atheists - while this may seem a strange thing to charge Christian believers with today, in fact what the Roman authorities meant by this was that the Christians didn't honour the Roman gods. While the Jews had a special dispensation to permit them not to worship Roman gods, this was not a general trend (and caused suspicion against the Jews, too). When the gods include the ruling elite of the empire, to refuse to worship them borders on treasonous activity.

Longenecker borrows from the scholarship of Ben Witherington III, prolific writer and New Testament scholar, to flesh out some of the details. There is an appendix at the end of the volume that organises the facts from the fictional aspects, so that the careful reader can be certain as to what was wholly created for this narrative, and what has a stronger basis in fact. Descriptions of urban life, rural life, economic situations, political figures and more are all drawn from historical documents and analyses.

This is a fascinating book, done in a style so as to enhance the appreciation of the reader of biblical texts for the kind of material that he or she is reading. This is good for the general reader as well as for study groups, youth groups, and classroom texts.

The NT world comes alive.......2005-09-08

Bruce Longenecker's "The Lost Letters of Pergamum" takes as its premise the discovery of ancient letters buried for almost two millennia in the lost city of Pergamum. These letters contain correspondence between Antipas (the martyr mentioned in Revelation 2:13 from the city of Pergamum) and Calpurnius (resident of neighboring Ephesus and son of Theophilus). Through that correspondence Antipas is introduced to Calpurnius's friend and house guest Luke. Luke is, of course, the author of the Gospel of Luke as well as the Acts of the Apostles, both dedicated to the inquisitive Theophilus, and is happy to take up the correspondence with Antipas as well as present him with a copy of the Gospel.

The discovery of the letters and correspondence is, of course, pure fiction but the dialogue is intriguing, illuminating and also a unique manner of acquiring a basic understanding of Roman culture, society and the background for the New Testament world. The description of the gladiatorial contests is almost unbelievable given the carnage described and the bloodlust of the audience. One excerpt from Antipas' description to Luke of these contests will suffice to underscore this: "The slaves....many of their hands already amputated, were torn to bits one at a time by lions, bears, or panthers while chained to chariots or hanging from crucifixes" p. 66. All the while the crowd yelled for more. The reader will also learn about ancient practices such as house rules and the strata of Greco-Roman society in which in almost a caste-like manner people are hobbled in advancement simply due to their family ancestry. Antipas, in fact, marvels that during the gatherings of these house churches that societal hierarchies are discarded and prominent high-ranking socialites serve the peasants. Antipas, being a member of aristocracy/ruling class is privilege but as his faith awakes these seemingly important pedigrees begin to lessen in relevance.

This is a quick read but one that will profit one's understanding of the New Testament world tremendously. The book is divided into letter collections compromised of an average of two or three individual letters. These letter collections are brief (10 pages average) and can be read in one setting. I would recommend that you first read the corresponding passages in Luke's Gospel (the author lists the text under discussion). Then read the entire "Letter Collection" that discusses that passage, that way the content of the letters and the issues involved can more readily understood. The appendices give further useful information including a listing of the main characters. This is especially helpful to keep track of who's who. Take some time to read this book, you will be enlighten in your understand of the culture and times of which inhabit the New Testament world.

Wonderful read........2004-12-14

This book is just wonderful. It was recommended by a Christian friend who studies with the author at the University of Aberdeen. The fiction drew me in so that I had trouble putting the book down.

This was a marvelous way to be presented a perspective on the life of the early church and with a way of interpreting various parts of the book of Luke. I wish that all exposition could be presented in such a wonderful and enjoyable manner.

Trolley Buses Around the World: A Photo Gallery

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Interesting Vehicles

Trolley Buses Around the World: A Photo Gallery
William Luke , and Linda Metler
Manufacturer: Iconografix
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

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ASIN: 1583881751

Book Description

For more than a century trolley buses have been providing transportation in towns and cities throughout the world. The trolley bus offered several advantages over other vehicles, primarily quiet operation, quick acceleration from a standing start, hill-climbing ability and a long life span. During the 1950s and 1960s, many trolley bus systems were abandoned. The oil crisis of the 1970s marked a turning point, and the number of trolley bus systems in the world has risen steadily since. Take a trip around the world to see the various styles and systems of trolley buses. This Photo Gallery includes many past and present trolley bus systems from North & South America, Europe, Russia, Asia, and Africa. You'll learn the differences in equipment built over time, who the main manufacturers of Trolley Buses were in these countries and much more.

Customer Reviews:

Interesting Vehicles.......2007-02-02

Enjoyed seeing the picture and reading the information on this most interesting type of public transportation.

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