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(Hardcover)
Average Customer Rating:
(3 ratings)
According to the author, an occultist-wannabe, the Bible's Psalm 19, studied "in conjunction with comparative texts from neighboring cultures, . . . describes the marriage of the sun to Venus." No matter that Venus is never mentioned in that Psalm! And the Book of Revelation's account of the opening of the seven seals is "in fact a way of talking about the enlivening of the seven [Hindu] chakras." In Eschenbach's Parzifal, a jewel dislodged from Lucifer's crown signals "that humanity would increasingly suffer a loss of vision in the Third Eye, the brow chakra." This is a priori history in which all evidence contrary to one's convictions is ignored. Booth pontificates: we live in "a psychosomatic universe," where we can influence the roll of dice if we wish it hard enough; "all biology is astro-biology." Booth claims for his thesis a list of supporters or acolytes starting in Egypt, India, and Greece and ending with FDR and Francis Crick; there is even a nod toward Lenin. This is as silly a book as ever was. Not recommended.
An encyclopedic, lavishly illustrated attempt to discern an alternative-belief system in the broad diversity of ancient paganism and mystical offshoots of the major faiths. "Christianity contains a hidden tradition of the gods of the stars and planets," proclaims British publishing executive Booth. While much of this tradition, including biblical allegories, has been denigrated by Mother Church, it has hardly been hidden. The author's mystical guardian institutions include the Christian-associated Freemasons and Rosicrucians, which both arose at the outset of the 18th century from earlier origins; Cabalism on the Hebrew side; and Sufism from Islam. Much of the problem with this roughly chronological narrative is its hazy documentation: Readers must be content with "a friend of mine" or "an initiate I met" as substantiating sources. Likewise, we must accept Booth's own innate ability to peer into antiquity and presume the influence of "mystery schools" on such figures as Plato. He seamlessly moves from reportage to proselytizing, presenting for instance a precise date in the 12th millennium BCE as the moment when matter reached its final solidified state in the progression of existence from pure thought (preceding matter itself) through a "human vegetable" state to the present form. Tracing this progression, Booth cites all kinds of permutations, fairy tales and familiar hippie spiritualist icons along the way. Humankind loses its third eye, can no longer directly interact with spirits and deities, must be content with the stifling restrictions of the scientific method to comprehend creation, etc. One culminating highlight: George Washington, a known Freemason, decrees that the capitalcity be laid out to reflect the geometry of the constellation Virgo, thus inviting "the mother goddess" to participate in determining the future of the United States. Somebody should tell President Bush to please get in touch. As pretentious as it is outlandish, but at least authentically mind-boggling.
Number of Reviews: 3
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What about......?
Rich Stelnick (rstelnick@msn.com), I am a thinking man's musician., 03/02/2008
Mark Booth's book reads like Arthur Clarke's 2001 - a rocket ship hurtling through history 'as laid down by the secret societies'. Both the known and unknown fly by like meteorites, as 'Captain' Booth points out and clicks on past events and a cast of characters, large and small in stature. A massive undertaking in its mission, The Secret History of the World, looks and feels like a pocket edition flight plan of a long range reconnaisance pilot. Not for the faint of heart, time traveler Booth shreds the fabric of history into threads which are then pulled apart and re-worked into mind-opening, if not mind blowing, new takes on episodes from the dawn to dusk of mankind. Alternating between acid rock, funky soul,heavy metal, and psychedelic jam, Booth re-mixes the tick,tock beat of time, marching to his own spiritual drummer and grooving to the song siren in his head. In the 1960's, Booth's book would have found its rightful place on bookshelves and in bookbags nestled right next to RD Laing, Richard Brautigan, etc.. So much for the praise, there are a few questionable items. Where, pray tell, are mentions of notables such as Sun Tzu, Machavelli, JFK, RFK, MLK, John Lennon, Saint Theresa, et al, whose art was life and lives were art? All of them too were bigger than life itself, and are also bigger in spirit after their deaths. Last but not least, what's up with the disclaimer paragraph at the bottom of page 157, Mr. Booth? 'The reader should beware of taking the same step. It is important you be on your guard against any impression that perhaps - to be fair - this version of history hangs together in some way, or that it feels true in some unspecific poetic or, worse, spiritual way. Important because a momentary lapse of concentration in this regard and you might, without at first noticing it and with a light heart and a spring in your step, begin to walk down the road that leads straight to the lunatic asylum.' What the heck man were you thinking 'or drinking' when you stuck this bit of hold harmless pseudo-legalese smack dab in the middle of an otherwise seamless flight? However, other than these couple of constructive criticisms, the book's a definite keeper. Right on and rock on, Mark!
Worth a Read
A reviewer, a 30-something engineer., 02/12/2008
I certainly don't believe everything written here, but if you read it with an open mind and a critical eye, I think you'll find some new ways of interpreting old knowledge. Mind before matter ...
Also recommended: Dark Lore, Volume I
Unlike anything I've ever read
A reviewer, A reviewer, 02/03/2008
In writing brief histories of the world as thought each were the truth as seen through the eyes of various secret societies past and present Booth's book is fascinating. Modern mythology you were never aware of if you will. He manages to find the intangible webs that seem to link many of them together and in doing so... just read the book. Great illustrations too...
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