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.
Book Description
Western scholars and educators are generally far less familiar with the samurai in his original--and, ostensibly, primary--role as warrior and master of arms than in his other functions as landowner, feudal lord, literateur, or philosopher. Yet any attempt to comprehend fully the samurai without considering his military abilities and training (bugei) is futile. Even during the peaceful eighteenth and nineteenth centuries, when the samurai had long since left the battlefield, he never ceased to see himself as a warrior. Although the samurai as a class were abolished in the nineteenth century, their military skills and values continue to be taught at dozens of schools (ryuha) throughout Japan. The classical bugei practiced today are a living legacy that continues to propagate the beliefs and tools of a warrior class that disappeared more than a century ago. By studying the bugei, historians can recover much about the manner in which samurai acquired their convictions and physical abilities, thereby enriching our knowledge of late medieval and early modern warrior education and affording new insights into samurai culture.
With verve and wit, Karl Friday combines the results of nearly two decades of fieldwork and archival research to examine samurai martial culture from a broad perspective: as a historical phenomenon, as a worldview, and as a system of physical, spiritual, and moral education. Legacies of the Sword is the first attempt by a Westerner scholar trained both in bugei and in Japanese studies and historical methodology to discuss this major and compelling component of Japanese culture. It presents a case study of the Kashima-Shinryu, one of the oldest of the extant samurai training organizations, and was written in close collaboration with its current headmaster, Seki Humitake. The volume illuminates the extraordinary complexity of the bugei and the manner in which various physical, technical, psychological, and philosophical factors merge to produce a coherent art that guides the lives of those who practice it.
Customer Reviews:
Outstanding.......2006-03-03
This book is simply and utterly outstanding. The academia put into this book is matched only by the author's experience, who actually practices Koryu bujutsu (unlike many, many other authors).
A great blend of history and martial arts.......2004-08-07
Legacies of the Sword can be a bit of a dry read. But, I blame that more on society than the book. It covers the history of koryu and Japanese sword arts in detail fitting a college textbook. As such, it's a very heavy read, unlike most intellectual "cheeseburgers" that make the best-sellers list. However, the slow, careful academic style used by Dr. Friday is the only way the history part of the book can be approached successfully. So, when reading this book, you have to take your time with it to enjoy it.
Many other reviewers find fault with how Dr. Friday approaches the martial arts side of the book. I think this is only because of how it contradicts the historical side. However, I think that contradiction is only on the surface. Both aspects of the book are dealt with in the same careful fashion. Dr. Friday writes what he knows and has researched, laying the facts out in the same manner. The problem is that the facts about Kashima Shin Ryu are much different than the historical facts. Theories of pressure points and meridians are still used in martial arts today, so Dr. Friday must write them as he knows them. The same with the application of power. From his training with Seki, I'm sure he has experienced how a master has trained to gain great power in a short time from a small motion while a beginner requires a longer time and a larger motion. The principle of motion and stillness are one also starts as fact. Baseball batters often move their bat in small circles above their head. It's easier to make an already moving object move faster than to make a still one move (of course, as a physicist, I must add that that is relative and depends, etc. etc., but it is true in the sense that he is describing). Seki, Dr. Friday's instructor, embraces this pronciple, but moves so minutely that only he can sense it. True or untrue, this is what Dr. Friday had learned during his study of Kashima Shin Ryu, so he must write it down. If you don't believe it, that's fine, but at least he has written it for you to consider. Also, most people who had come in contact with Kunii Zen'ya, Seki Fumitake's predecessor, have the same awe for him. From what I've heard, he was one of the last of the Old Blood, one of the last true samurai, and quite the character.
On a personal note, I study Kashima Shin Ryu, and had the pleasure of training with Dr. Friday, a shihan (model and instructor) of the style for a weekend. On Sunday night at dinner, he told stories of his experiences training with Seki. Some of them were a bit crazy, like Seki trying to hunt bears with a short sword in British Columbia, as well as the story of defeating a bear with a kiai. Stories like this may be a bit false, but they're legend and always hold a bit of truth.
Detailed study of important tradition.......2004-02-19
This is the most detailed account of the historical origins, techniques, and philosophies of one of the most important koryu or old martial arts schools that I've seen so far. If you're familiar with Dave Lowry's books this would be a good book to read next, although be advised that it's more technical, and being an academic work the writing style is dryer than Lowry's also. But that's a small price to pay for the great amount of information and detail it contains.
The book focuses mostly on iaido, specifically the kashima-shinryu style, but much of it is relevant to the other sword styles as well. You'll also learn a fair amount about many of the other arts and how they were used on the battlefield, such as the naginata, spear, and bow. For example, I knew that the naginata became a favorite of samurai women, as well as monks, but I didn't know that kyudo or archery was originally a ceremonial and not a battlefield art back in the 8th and 9th centuries, the period during which the foundations of the later samurai-dominated social order were first laid.
In addition to discussing in detail the sword arts and a number of other martial traditions, Friday also gives a good account of Japanese history from the 9th to the mid-19th century, when the samurai order was finally abolished. The lineage of quite few iaido styles and their most important masters and exponents, and their lives and exploits, are also often colorfully discussed in detail, perhaps in more detail than most people will want, but since this is an academic work that pretty much goes with the territory. But I suspect the average reader of this book will have at least some previous knowledge of Japanese history and martial arts, so that shouldn't be a problem. But the book will probably be most useful to those readers with some first-hand experience with iaido who also have a more than a passing interest interest in Japanese martial history and culture.
I note the comments by a previous reviewer that the author's command of the physics is less than impressive, but as he concedes, most writers on the martial arts aren't that good with the physics and often get it wrong. Although this is an academic work, and as he says, should be held to higher standards, I'm more interested in the author's historical expertise, which is his forte, rather than his knowledge of the physics, since I have enough background there to figure that out for myself. Since the author is a professor of Japanese history, I assume he can read Japanese fluently and can therefore consult original sources, which is an important point, and he lists many of these under "primary sources" in the back of the book.
As has also been pointed out, the author is too uncritical in accepting the tales of his master's exploits and many matches and duels in which he says remained undefeated, but again, this is a typical attitude among most martial arts students, no matter how advanced. Worse in my opinion, is that the author seems to subscribe to Chinese medical theories such as the circulation of the Chi and the theory of meridians which have no basis in fact whatsover and are best regarded as pre-scientific and metaphorical depictions of physiological processes rather than truly scientific theories. A better approach would be some discussion of the relevant neurophysiology and biophysics, but that would likely be too technical for a work such as this, although much has been learned in this regard in recent decades (this was my own field of doctoral study) and there have been Nobel Prizes awarded for work in this area. Anyway, I don't expect a history prof, however proficient in his own specialty, to have a "black belt" in physics or neurobiology, so that wasn't really a problem for me, either. The book more than makes up for the above problems with the author's ability to read the original sources in Japanese, its wealth of historical detail, and its in-depth discussion of one of the most important weapons schools of the samurai era. For anyone interested in koryu this is an exhaustively reseached and detailed study that is well worth your time and money.
interesting but flawed.......2002-02-15
In Legacies of the Sword Karl Friday writes that he entered a traditional school of martials arts (or ryuha) and explored it as an anthropologist might explore a culture. In doing so he has produced an interesting work that examines the role of the ryuha during different periods in Japanese history, and the value of studying a traditional martial art for people today. The book will give students of modern cognate arts (karate, judo, aikido, kendo etc.) an appreciation of their art's roots and history, and how they differ from the traditional `bugei' arts that produced them. Issues such as the debate over the superiority of pattern practice and sparring as training tools, and the relationship between fighting with and without weapons are presented in an informative way and in historical context.
The book also has an extensive explanation of the principles of combat as practiced in the Kashima Shinryu (KSR)( the particular ryuha the author studied), and examples of pattern practice that illustrate these principles. The discussion of aiki was particularly valuable, and I believe most aikidoka would find it of interest.
The book is not without serious flaws, however. Very often writers on the martial arts explain the techniques and principles of their arts using the language of physics, and the result is almost uniformly a painful thing to read for anyone with any training in the subject. Sadly, Legacies of the Sword is no exception. The author is unaware that momentum and power are distinct concepts, and doesn't understand what a vector is. The principle of "Motion and Stillness as One" (one of five basic principles in KSR theory) is given a long treatment, where the argument is made that the expert can deliver more power (or momentum!) than his (presumably stationary) untrained opponent because the expert is always moving, even if imperceptibly. However, from the point of view of power delivery as explained in the text, small motion is no better than standing still. Also ignored is the fact that in order to deliver increased power, one would have to be moving along the line of attack before the attack is delivered. However, to appreciate this point, one needs to know that velocity, position, and acceleration are vectors, while `wedges' and `spirals' are not.
In popular discussions of martial arts one is accustomed to these sorts of errors. In fact, they are expected. Legacies of the Sword aims higher than this, as it is presented with the trappings of academic rigor (the author is a tenured member of a respected institution, the book is published by a university press, and is exhaustively footnoted), and so invites judgement according to a different standard. Unfortunately, Dr. Friday fails to meet this standard in an important way. As stated above, for the purpose of this work he attempted to act as an anthropologist, and his time in the ryuha is referred to as `field work' on the book jacket. The problem is that study in one of these very traditional ryuha involves deep personal commitment on the part of the student to the school and its teachers. This would be difficult (maybe impossible) to do without compromising the objectivity one expects from scholarly work done at a modern western university. Dr. Friday is clearly in awe of the current headmaster of the ryuha (Seki Humitake) and his predeccessor (Kunii Zenya), repeating without substantiation (or question) claims of their undefeated records in no holds barred matches with other martial arts practitioners. We learn they won many fights, but we never get the names of who they defeated. Given that the martial arts subculture is rife with people making incredible, but always unsubstantiated claims about the superiority of their arts and abilities, more is needed before such claims can be accepted. It might be noted that there are descriptions of Kunii Zenya's defeat of a Greek orthodox exorcist in a duel of psychic energy, and of Seki Humitake frightening a bear with a `kiate' attack, given without apparent irony.
These problems aside, I believe the book is of value and interest to most martial arts practioners. However, the problem of balancing scholarly objectivity with an insiders understanding of a martial tradition is a very serious one, and is one the author needs to address.
An amazing text of an amazing culture!.......2000-06-10
The writers have done an amazing thing for the students of Kashima-Shinryu, and for those who study Military History and Japanese Martial culture, by collecting the knowledge of those who live this culture today and making it available to the English speaking world.
This book would be a valuable addition to any Japanese Military History collection, Samurai Philosophy collection, or general Military Studies collection. Not to mention collections on martial arts, sword studies, and guys named after days of the week.
Well written! Get this book!
Customer Reviews:
Very up and down.......2006-02-09
Just like the first two books in the series, the 3rd installment in the Chronicles of the Cheysuli is very hit or miss, and can be incredibly frustrating at times to read. The story progresses as though the author herself is unsure as to what she actually wants to happen, and after a certain point, I was unsure whether or not I really cared.
At the conclusion of the second installment, there was a core of interesting characters that had been created, developed, and preserved intact for the opening of the third novel (Finn, Carillon, Alix, Electra, Tynstar, Rowan, Donal). At the risk of giving away much of the plot... I'll be brief, but as the story progresses, characters are done away with very haphazardly and in a very unsatisfactory manner, and few new engaging parties are created to fill their void. It got to the point that I just expected more characters to bite the dust, and as noted previously... I just kinda stopped caring.
That's not to say that the novel was entirely unenjoyable... at points the fast paced plot and action were very engaging, but although Mrs. Roberson sets up the action very well, she does not write very engaging action scenes themselves, and at many points I felt that important encounters/battles, etc. had been glossed over or "jumped", so to speak, and it made many of the most important scenes quite unsatisfying.
So why three stars, you ask? To be honest, it should probably be 2.5, but Amazon won't allow that. Also, because in spite of the many flaws, I still must say that overall I did glean some enjoyment from the read, and because I haven't ruled out reading part 4. In spite of myself, I am somewhat curious as to how the story will play out. It's not a series that I would personally recommend, but it can be enjoyed for what it is.
Do I keep reading or not?.......2000-08-01
Jennifer Roberson's "Chronicles of the Cheysuli" series came highly recommended by two people whose opinions I respect, enough that I sprung for all eight books. After making it through "Legacy of the Sword", the third book, all I can say is that tastes vary. This one is simply not working out for me.
"Legacy of the Sword" focuses on Donal (son of Alix and Duncan) as the central character. Donal is of primarily Cheysuli descent, but has been designated as successor to the Lion Throne of Homana, currently held by Carillon. Donal considers himself unworthy to follow in the footsteps of Carillon, and as the first Cheysuli to hold the throne in four hundred years, he has a considerable struggle of identity between his Homanan role and his Cheysuli heritage. There are, of course the wars with some of Homana's neighbors, and the struggles with the Ihlini, the sorcerers who wish to control Homana.
This book, and the series as a whole so far, pushes the limits on having bad things happen, with it seems too little payoff for the struggles our protagonists must endure. We anticipate truimph for Donal all the way through the book, yet in the final pages of this book he does something that left me feeling like he'd turned his back on all he was, had let his position take precedence over his identity. With five books still to go in the series, I'm trying to decide whether it's worth my time to read them.
lagacy of the sword.......2000-07-21
I liked this book. This is the third book of the CHRONICALS OF THE CHEYSULI.Well written, I will look for more of the authors books.
Book Description
More than two centuries after his birth and almost a century and a half after his death, the legendary life and legacy of John Brown go marching on. Variously deemed martyr, madman, monster, terrorist, and saint, he remains one of the most controversial figures in America's history. Brown's actions in Kansas and Harpers Ferry, West Virginia, provided major catalysts for the American Civil War, actions that continue today to evoke commendation or provoke condemnation. Through the prisms of history, literature, psychology, criminal justice, oral history, African American studies, political science, film studies, and anthropology, Terrible Swift Sword offers insights not only into John Brown's controversial character and motives, but also into the nature of a troubled society before, during, and after the Civil War. The discussions include reasons why Brown's contemporaries supported him, attempts to define Brown using different criteria, analyses of Brown's behavior, his depiction in literature, and examinations of the iconography surrounding him.The interdisciplinary focus marshalled by editor Peggy A. Russo makes Terrible Swift Sword unique, and this, together with the popular mythology surrounding the legend of John Brown, will appeal to a broad audience of readers interested in this turbulent moment in American history.Paul Finkelman is Chapman Distinguished Professor of Law at the University of Tulsa College of Law. He is the author of many articles and books, including His Soul Goes Marching On: Responses to John Brown and the Harpers Ferry Raid and the Library of Congress Civil War Desk Reference Peggy Russo is an assistant professor of English at the Mont Alto Campus of Pennsylvania State University. She has published in Shakespeare Bulletin, The Southern Literary Journal, Journal of American Culture, Shakespeare and the Classroom, and Civil War Book Review.
Customer Reviews:
Whose Legacy? A John Brown Biographer's Review.......2006-08-25
John Brown the abolitionist (1800-59) defied the ruling assumptions of the anti-slavery movement by taking up arms against proslavery forces, blending his own brand of militancy with a devout Calvinist piety that many historians still find difficult to comprehend. In the nearly 150 years since his failed raid on the federal armory at Harper's Ferry, [West] Virginia, and his subsequent execution in December 1859, the nation has been divided over the real meaning of John Brown to the United States, and often the line that has been drawn between his critics and supporters has been nearly identical to the color line.
Sensitive to the renaissance of interest in Brown that became apparent in the 1990s, Peggy Russo, assistant professor of English at Pennsylvania State University at Mont Alto, developed and hosted a wonderful multidisciplinary symposium entitled "John Brown: The Man, the Legend, the Legacy," held on her campus in July 1996. A guiding presence at the conference was Paul Finkelman, now the President William McKinley Distinguished Professor of Law at Albany Law School. Among other works, Finkelman had already edited a collection of scholarly writings on Brown entitled HIS SOUL GOES MARCHING ON, published in 1995 (University Press of Virginia). A decade later these two scholars have published TERRIBLE SWIFT SWORD: THE LEGACY OF JOHN BROWN (Ohio University Press, 2005), a collection of twelve essays gathered from the contributions of conference participants.
The book is prepared in an attractive paperback format and includes some classic illustrations and a basic chronology of Brown's life--the latter being somewhat helpful although marked by a number of errors in dating. The editors have divided the essays into five sections: contemporaries and supporters of Brown, Brown defined, behavioral analyses of Brown, literary representations of Brown, and Brown and cultural iconography.
By far the best section is the first, which features excellent historical research by Dean Grodzins, who provides insight into the social and political background of one of Brown's most notable supporters, the Rev. Theodore Parker. Likewise, Hannah Geffert, an expert on the theme of black participation in the Harper's Ferry raid, shatters conventional assumptions about the interest and support shown by local enslaved people in Brown's efforts. Jean Libby, perhaps the foremost documentary scholar on Brown since the late Boyd Stutler and Clarence Gee, provides insight into the life of Thomas Henry, a leading black clergyman that Brown tried--and failed--to contact and enlist in his efforts.
Other notable contributions are made by Israeli scholar, Eyal Naveh, who explains how and why Brown's image as a martyr was undermined in the post-Reconstruction era, and by Charles J. Holden, who shows how Southern writers in the post-Civil War used their hostile portrayal of Brown to justify the defeated South and its lost cause. On the other hand, William Keeney provides an equally fascinating discussion about the use of poetry by Brown's admirers just prior to the Civil War, and how their literary efforts were designed to circumvent what they found to be difficult questions concerning Brown and his methods.
Editor Russo likewise makes a most enlightening and entertaining contribution in discussing Raymond Massey's cinematic portrayal of Brown in two Hollywood classics, "Santa Fe Trail" (1940) and "Seven Angry Men" (1955). As Russo shows, the former portrayed Brown quite negatively, raising some scholarly criticism. However Russo does not mention that one of Brown's direct descendants actually tried to bring a lawsuit against Warner Brothers for maligning her forebear, and it was undoubtedly "Santa Fe Trail" that Malcolm X later criticized for having made Brown look like a "nut." Russo shows how the social and political context had changed between 1940 and 1955 when "Seven Angry Men" was released, and although Massey reprised his role as Brown in the latter, it was a very different film for reasons both positive and negative.
Notwithstanding these notable essays, TERRIBLE SWIFT SWORD is a multidisciplinary collection and therefore bears the burden of contemporary perception and interpretation, some of it trendy more than grounded in thoroughgoing research. Most notable in this regard is the unfortunate section featuring behavioral analyses, the contributions of which are so decidedly biased, unfair, and to a degree meretricious that they have no value to those genuinely interested in studying the life of John Brown the man who lived.
Of course by including such contributions, editors Russo and Finkelman have remained faithful to their intention of presenting the range of views and interests coming out of the Mont Alto conference that, in my opinion as an attendee, included a degree of creative writing and visceral John Brown bashing. Still, the book's subtitle (The Legacy of John Brown) may be misleading since TERRIBLE SWIFT SWORD is really more about the legacy of a fascinating and well-produced conference than about the abolitionist himself.
Multidisciplinary collections like this have their place, but their value for serious students of Brown's life and times is quite limited. For too long John Brown has suffered--perhaps far more than most controversial figures in American history--precisely because the image of him created by novelists, journalists, and others has been too readily embraced as factual. After a century-and-a-half of politically charged diatribes and sloppy characterizations, this biographer hopes that the 21st century will finally mark an era when John Brown receives the kind of fair-minded attention by historical researchers that he deserves. Despite the valuable insights of its editors and several of its contributors, TERRIBLE SWIFT SWORD unfortunately extends the legacy of "knowlege production professionals" whose biases and unstudied presumptions have made a mess of John Brown historiography.
Louis A. DeCaro Jr.
Book Description
In the 33rd century, a dazzling empire is poised on the brink of annihilation… Born into the House of DeKoven Woolf, Lord Alexand is heir to a mighty industrial empire. But deep at the heart of the Concord brews dangerous unrest that threatens civilization with the specter of a third dark age.
The only hope for the future is the Society of the Phoenix—a powerful revolutionary group that has sworn to overthrow the Concord. By committing to the ultimate treason and joining forces with his own brother, martyred leader of the Phoenix, Alexand will forfeit more than just his birthright of power.
Customer Reviews:
As good as I remember.......2007-09-06
Meet Alexand and Rich, two sons of Lord Dekoven Woolf. Alexand is the heir, an intelligent, controlled young man undergoing his apprenticeship in politics. Rich is the gentle, brilliant younger brother who becomes fascinated -and deeply involved-with some sociological problems in their society. The brothers are very close, and they face many problems together. The bond between them brings about many of the events that occur throughout the trilogy.
Ignore the cover art. This is a great trilogy that spends time on characters, plot, sociology, politics and religion. The actual science in the science fiction is a bit lacking. So if that will bug you, you might have a problem with some of the issues in the series. Beyond that, the scope is wide, the plot is gripping, the characters are people you care about, and the writing is seamless.
I loved this story as a kid, and it still holds up well under adult scrutiny.
Excellent future History.......2007-04-03
As a life long fan of SiFI and History I rate this book among my favorites along side the Foundation series. I found Vol. 1 at a used book sale and located the rest. Good Character development and realistic plot line based on past history. When I finished the series I was sorry there weren't more.
Fun and suspenseful.......2006-12-20
I recommend this book, but only if you can get hold of all three in the series. This is the first, "Shadow of the Swan" is the second, "House of the Wolf" is the third and final of this "The Phoenix Legacy" series. I would say this is one novel in three installments. In my 1981 edition the second and third books both have maps, previous part synopsis (there are 6 parts altogether), and a cast of characters; the third book also has an extensive glossary. It unfortunately has some pretty lame cover art. You can easily find plot synopsis elsewhere. I want to say that this book nicely combines political intrigue with some hard science fiction and social idealism in the context of a far future feudal society. One plot element involves a pseudo-christian religion, but it is not thematic and there is no supernatural, fantastic, or faith-based action. There's enough action and plot twists to keep you turning the pages, but the real strength of the novel is in the characters and the drama. To my mind, there is nothing particularly profound or inventive about this series, but it is well written and entertaining.
Great Series.......2005-09-27
The Legacy of the Phoenix series is a little soap opera-ish, but the characters grip you, and once you start on the first book you will get sucked in and want to read the next two. I recommend the series full heartedly, though I wouldn't start reading the first one unless I was sure I was able to procure the next two, as once you are hooked on the series you will want to blow through all three books back to back. Not five star, but the series is very close to it, and well worth the read.
Excellent.......2005-04-07
Beautifully crafted. I was delighted to have the opportunity to replace my original extremely battered books. Among science fiction books that examine or explore socio-political structures, these books rank at the top of my list along with the Ender's Game trilogy by Orson Scott Card and "The Moon is a Harsh Mistress" by Heinlein.
Book Description
El Camino Real began as the old Mission Trail linking 21 outposts of colonization from San Diego to Sonoma. Lifelong Californian Craig Chalquist, PhD (Terrapsychology) travels its length to uncover repeating motifs, metaphors, and recurring stories still vibrant in the wake of the Golden State's conquest.
Average customer rating:
- I'm glad I gave this book a chance!
- Can't wait for the sequel
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The Faith of Legacy
Brandon Begley
Manufacturer: Lulu.com
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback
 Magic & Wizards | Fantasy | Science Fiction & Fantasy | Subjects | Books
General | Science Fiction | Science Fiction & Fantasy | Subjects | Books
ASIN: 1411695240
Release Date: 2006-07-18 |
Book Description
EPIC FANTASY WITH A HEART Savitar has learned that he is gifted in magic, but more than that, he may be the one prophesized as the Fireheart, a magically gifted warrior destined to rid the world of an ultimate evil. With this revelation, a legacy is presented to Savitar, a legacy of ancient warriors and powerful wielders of magic. From this venerable line, he is supposedly descended and must continue to preserve their glory, but it is only through faith that Savitar can maintain this obligation. Unfortunately, it is a faith that Savitar is not so sure of. Soon, despite his doubts, men and demigods, both good and evil are vying for his allegiance or his destruction, their great plans hinging on whether the Fireheart exists or not. Savitar is forced to face great peril and embark on a quest for the knowledge of magic and to find himself. Will he hold to the faith of legacy or will he find another way? Contains 40 pages of appendices and a newly added detailed map of the kingdom of Caidissium.
Customer Reviews:
I'm glad I gave this book a chance!.......2006-09-09
While technically not perfect, The Faith Of Legacy (odd title, but makes sense after you read the story) is a magnificent piece of storytelling. It's quite a breath of fresh air to a genre full of cardboard cutout stereotypical characters. These are real people, complex and flawed, cast into a lush world of fantasy. It's full of the usual wizards, magic, and monstrous beasts, but it is the characters who are the stars (as they should be) and you will find yourself identifying with them in ways that I've never before seen in a fantasy genre story. It has obviously been well thought out and great attention was paid to the details. There are a lot of twists and revelations as the story progresses that aren't forced or invented on the spot for effect. Everything seems preplanned and after finishing the book you'll find that it's part of a much bigger world and a much bigger plan than you originally thought.
Can't wait for the sequel.......2006-07-29
Brandon Begley has created a fantastic world of fantasy for his beloved characters to interact. I felt myself rooting for the character early on and yelling at him when he made stupid mistakes. Some chapters provide great comic releif from the action while others bring tears to your eyes. The villians are really evil and destructive, which stacks the odds against "Fireheart".
If you liked Lord of the Rings, The Chronicles of Narnia, or Xanth then you will like this book.
I only wish a map was included. I contacted the author and he provided me with a copy of his personal map, which cleared up some of my directionally challenged moments.
Average customer rating:
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First Sword (Darkweaver Legacy)
Mark Robson
Manufacturer: Sword Publishing
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback
Literature & Fiction | Subjects | Books | Authors, A-Z | Books & Reading | Books on CD | Books on Cassette | British | Classics | Drama | Erotica | Essays | Foreign Language Fiction | General | Genre Fiction | History & Criticism | Large Print | Letters & Correspondence | Poetry | Short Stories | United States | Women's Fiction | World Literature
Science Fiction, Fantasy, & Magic | Science Fiction, Fantasy, Mystery & Horror | Literature | Children's Books | Subjects | Books
Fantasy | Science Fiction & Fantasy | Teens | Subjects | Books
ASIN: 0953819027 |
Average customer rating:
- Calvin is cool!!!!!!!!!!!!
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The Forging of the Sword (The Darkweaver Legacy)
Mark Robson
Manufacturer: Sword Publishing
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback
Literature & Fiction | Subjects | Books | Authors, A-Z | Books & Reading | Books on CD | Books on Cassette | British | Classics | Drama | Erotica | Essays | Foreign Language Fiction | General | Genre Fiction | History & Criticism | Large Print | Letters & Correspondence | Poetry | Short Stories | United States | Women's Fiction | World Literature
Science Fiction, Fantasy, & Magic | Science Fiction, Fantasy, Mystery & Horror | Literature | Children's Books | Subjects | Books
Fantasy | Science Fiction & Fantasy | Teens | Subjects | Books
ASIN: 0953819000 |
Customer Reviews:
Calvin is cool!!!!!!!!!!!!.......2004-04-20
In this story a young boy called Calvin is orphaned by a group of rebels who destroy his village. He is rescued by a magician who promises to teach him magic. He makes great progres but is seperated from his friend and mentor. In the hope of getting a better job. Calvin enrols in a army. He finaly gets the chance to preoof himself when he gets a chance to kill the man behind his parents death. Will he fail or succed - read on to find out!
Books:
- History: Fiction or Science? (Chronology, No. 1)
- History: Fiction or Science? (Chronology, No. 1)
- History: Fiction or Science? (Chronology, No. 1)
- History: Fiction or Science? (Chronology, No. 1)
- History: Fiction or Science? (Chronology, No. 1)
- History: Fiction or Science? (Chronology, No. 1)
- History: Fiction or Science? (Chronology, No. 1)
- History: Fiction or Science? (Chronology, No. 1)
- History: Fiction or Science? (Chronology, No. 1)
- History: Fiction or Science? (Chronology, No. 1)
Books Index
Books Home
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- Strangers in High Places: The Story of the Great Smoky Mountains
- "SIEG - HELL!"
History: Fiction or Science? (Chronology, No. 1)
History: Fiction or Science? Astronomical methods as applied to chronology. Ptolemy's Almagest. Chronology III
They Cast No Shadows: A Collection of Essays on the Illuminati, Revisionist History, and Suppressed Technologies
The Medieval Empire of the Israelites
Discovering the Mysteries of Ancient America: Lost History And Legends, Unearthed And Explored
