History: Fiction or Science? (Chronology, No. 1)

Book Description

Recorded history is a finely-woven magic fabric of intricate lies about events predating the sixteenth century. There is not a single piece of evidence that can be reliably and independently traced back earlier than the eleventh century. This book details events that are substantiated by hard facts and logic, and validated by new astronomical research and statistical analysis of ancient sources.

Customer Reviews:

Calculations are only as good as your numbers.......2007-08-03

Yes, we can all agree that mainstream history is nearly 100% BS due to politics, economics, ego, problems with dating techniques, and various conspiracies. Agreed. But, I've been researching the distinct possibility that human history (in terms of civilizations) are much more ancient than we've been told, so coming across this book was very interesting to me. I wondered how Fomenko could be wrong (if at all) because he is very persuasive in his presentations. Then it dawned on me. If at previous times in prehistory, due to the various catastrophies that are well documented (comets, asteroids, planetary disruptions, plasma discharge, pole reversals, etc) the Earth was in a different position in relation to the sun, different tilt on its axis, different orbit, different rotation (in terms of velocity and DIRECTION), and the continents were in different positions, then would this not cause the ancients to see the sky (constellations) differently? In other words, is Fomenko making erronious assumptions about the physics of the Earth in pre-history, which then corrupt his data with regards to dating the relevant astrology? The last event to seriously disrupt our planet occured roughly 3500 years ago, according to other good researchers, so is it possible Fomenko has been confused by this? The vastly different physics of our planet in the not so distant past may explain this confusion, which is not to say the "mainstream" version of history is correct; on the contrary. I am not an expert in these fields, but wanted to see if this idea could spark discussion.

Pants on fire?.......2007-07-19

Will people ever read before spamming? Yes, Jesuits could not rewrite world history alone, they had help. Anyway, Dr Prof Acad A.Fomenko does not point to jesuits as the driving force of world wide history manipulation in published volumes 1,2,3;, actually he barely mentions the poor devils. Check it with 'Search inside' feature, please. China is rarely mentioned either, in fact, Dr Fomenko is completely eurocentric. Right, his theory contradicts all mainstream schools of history, because in their actual state they are all built on blatantly erroneus chronology. You don't need a mysterious cabal (conspiracy) to falsify history, the falsification is its modus operandi. It is inherent to history(ians) to falsify (distort) events, as it is inherent to humans to boast as it is inherent to power (authority) to legimize itself by referrring to glorious past made to its own order. Dr Prof Fomenko and team have identified scores of instances of such manipulation in Russian, European, etc.. history, and delivered valid statistical proof thereof. His own 'reconstruction' is completely another story. Forget c14 as a valid method of dating. W.Libby has initially discovered a brilliant method of INDEPENDENT dating. Too bad, c14 method has become a joke after a forced marrige with dendrochronology with consensual chronological scale inbuilt. Radiocarbon method can't stand blind tests, but is so very productive as a rubberstamp.

Accepted History & Chronology Must Be Changed. .......2007-04-09

There is no doubt that history as most know it is a sham, & institution's version of History both University & Church is fradulent & inaccurate. Everything was established with an agenda, The real "Dark Ages" are now when we have access to incredible amounts of information past authorities & more important 'common folk' didn't have but our institutions & educators are slow to evolve because of what has ignorantly & arrogantly been taught for too long. This is on many subjects not just Chronology.

For anyone to question "Why would a Mathematician have anything credible to say of History?" The answer is from Dr. Fomenko's preface in the book: "It would be worthwhile to remind the reader that in the XVI-XVII century Chronology was considered to be a subdivision of Mathematics." These volumes could possibly be some of the most important works to date & should be read by everyone with an interest in History, especially professors & educators who have a duty to the public. I have read both books & must say that 'Chronology 1' has some very eye opening & revolutionary information. Even if these volumes are part true the implications are profound & opens the doors to further investigations & questions which must be done. I speak several different lanquages & must say the logic Dr. Fomenko uses with "inflection" of words & words being read from left to right in one region & right to left in another then written backwards, the removal of vowels & get down to basics of words, or different cities & locations having the same name etc. is correct. Vowel usage has always been optional & varied, actually complicating linquistics & study. The first thing one has to understand is that words never had a fixed spelling in history like we do now, the spelling of words was mutable & regional, as well as names & titles of people were vast, varied & changed, NOTHING WAS FIXED or understood linear. Matters of Life & Death as well as financial profiteering yesterday & today were & are made with ignorant, illogical & conspiratorial views of history & reality, it's time people get closer to the Truth & society collectively grow up.

Very Interesting.......2007-03-07

It is a good proposal and I believe it will mature into something even better in the future. I think it deserves to be read.

History as Science Fiction.......2007-01-10

Anatoly Fomenko has written a very intriguing book, full of pictures, charts, and computer 'proof' of his thesis: backwards of AD900 we don't really know what happened or when. Between AD900 and AD1600 there is more certainty, but there is still a lot of fuzzy ground, and things don't get reliable until we get past the 1600's where the printing press made it very difficult for the perpetrators of this timeline manipulation to change anything that had been committed to print. The Dark Ages did not happen. Books were burned for a reason. One organization has doubled the actual length of its existence by expanding the real chronology. Read why.

I had always wondered why Christ died about AD33 and yet men waited until the 11th century to form the Knights Templar, the Cathars, etc and go after the Holy Land by force. Why the 1000 year gap? Turns out there wasn't more than a 10-12 year gap and he proves it using astronomy. This also implies that the planet is not as old as we have been told, and current Christian and other creationist scientists are already championing that idea without being aware of Fomenko's book. The two groups, creationist scientists and the Russian mathematical analysts corroborate each other. Fascinating.

Of course, all this flies in the face of what we have been told traditionally is the 'proper' chronology of western civilization, and most readers will experience 'cognitive dissonance' in reading this book. It means that our history going backwards from AD1600 becomes progressively more incorrect and unreliable until it cannot be trusted at all... in the space of 700-800 years.

Naturally, the curious, open-minded reader will want to know WHO did this, WHY, and did any of the events we think of as really ancient ever happen?
Dr. Fomenko is a respected scientist/mathematician at Moscow State University who has already answered these questions to the satisfaction of his initially skeptical colleagues. Most of them are now believers, a few still refuse to believe (the usual diehards), and of course the western press has ignored Fomenko's work -- for obvious reasons when you read the book. The ones who perpetrated this chronology ruse have a lot to answer for. They are still with us. That's why this book is a well-kept secret.

I gave the book a 4-star rating because I was unable to check out some of his claims; those I checked were as he said. But if even 1/3 of his claims are true, this punches a big hole in what we think is our history, the meaning of western civilization, our educational process (for repeating the ruse as gospel), and the trustworthiness of the organization that perpetrated this ruse, well-intentioned or not.

This book relates to current research into a Young Earth paradigm, to John Keel's discoveries about our planet, and Fr Malachi Martin's insights (in his now out-of-print books). We are indeed sheep who are manipulated and kept ignorant -- for a reason. While knowing what these men have to say may be the "booby prize" (as in: 'what can you do with this knowledge?'), it will provide interesting reading. Didn't someone say: "...and the Truth will set you free."?? For you to judge if this book contains the truth.

History: Fiction or Science? Chronology 2 (Chronology)

Average customer rating:

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

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

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ASIN: 2913621066

Product Description

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

Customer Reviews:

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

It gives a coherent explanation of what we already know.

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

- The predictions it makes are confirmed empirically.

Fomenko goes by the following axioms:

- Chronology is the basis of history;

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

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

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

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

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

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

The Russians:

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

The Westerners:

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

The Chinese:

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

The Arabs:

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

The Divinity:

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Historians are kindly invited to report the bugs.

Opening the Ark of the Covenant: The Secret Power of the Ancients, the Knights Templar Connection, And the Search for the Holy Grail

Average customer rating:

Without merit
An engrossing analysis of Ark representations and documents evolves.
Very interesting point of view

Opening the Ark of the Covenant: The Secret Power of the Ancients, the Knights Templar Connection, And the Search for the Holy Grail
Frank Joseph , and Laura Beaudoin
Manufacturer: New Page Books
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ASIN: 156414903X

Book Description

The Ark of the Covenant is at once the most famous and baffling article in history. Although it is cited more often than any other object throughout the Old Testament and was described as the ancient Hebrews' most precious possession, its real meaning and ultimate fate were utterly unknown…until now.

During his worldwide research into its disappearance, author Frank Joseph learned that the Ark was not a mere legend; nor was it just an elaborate box used to store the original Ten Commandments. It was, he asserts, purpose-built to harness the powers of the Earth for humanity's continued physical existence and spiritual evolution. As such, it is the single most priceless fortune mankind has ever possessed.

Following the Ark through the Book of Exodus, he discovered its lineage pre-dated the Bible, extending back in time to ancient Egypt and stories of lost Atlantis. Joseph traced the exact circumstances of the Ark's rediscovery under Jerusalem's Temple Mount by the Knights Templar. Having found the precious object, they returned with it to France, where its clandestine journey across Europe would last for the next 800 years.

Opening the Ark of the Covenant is the result of a quarter-century-long investigation. It leads from the sea-bottom off the coast of Florida to the remote heights of France's Pyrenees Mountains and Japan's secret shrines; from the Nile Valley to the Valley of Mexico. This uniquely far-flung, in-depth hunt for the truth about mankind's most valuable possession reveals the Ark's actual function, purpose and location.

Opening the Ark of the Covenant is a fact-based examination of the Arks real origins, manufactured purpose, historical application, and present whereabouts. Revealing its genuine nature and ultimate destiny represents the most profound disclosure of its kind, powerful enough to shake the foundations of established religions and modern science alike.

Customer Reviews:

Without merit.......2007-10-01

I like some of Frank Joseph's books but this one has no merit. Merely a speculation without any solid fundation. If you want a good book about the true Ark of Covenant and its possible locations, read Randall Price book.

An engrossing analysis of Ark representations and documents evolves........2007-08-06

OPENING THE ARK OF THE COVENANT: THE SECRET POWER OF THE ANCIENTS, THE KNIGHTS TEMPLAR CONNECTION, AND THE SEARCH FOR THE HOLY GRAIL will reach both new age and mainstream spirituality holdings, comes from the editor-in-chief of the popular science magazine Ancient America and a co-author with direct ancestors connected to the Crusader kings in the 12th and 13th centuries, and provides worldwide research into the Ark's disappearance which proves its facts. An engrossing analysis of Ark representations and documents evolves.

Very interesting point of view.......2007-05-26

This book takes you from Atlantis to the Holy Grail and bloodline. A very interesting idea about a crystal formation that was the power source for the Ark of the Covenant and use in building the Pyramids. The crystal resonated just right over land areas that were in turmoil regularly because of eathquake or volcanic activity. This would allow humans to attain a euphoric or trance like state. The wise men, holy men, shamans of the world were the keepers of the secret of how these crystals worked. The path of the crystal starts in Lemuria (Atlantis) and passes to other areas of the world with the catastrophic demise of Atlantis.
And if anything it was a fun read.

Tales of King Arthur: The Sword in the Stone (Books of Wonder)

Average customer rating:

wonderful
King Arthur - The Sword in the Stone
The Sword In The Stone Review

Tales of King Arthur: The Sword in the Stone (Books of Wonder)

Manufacturer: HarperCollins
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover

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ASIN: 0688094031

Book Description

Except for the dragon-shaped constellation that appeared at his birth, there was nothing that suggested Arthur was destined for greatness.

Raised by the gentle Sir Ector, Arthur spends his boyhood exploring the Welsh woodlands, until one day a messenger arrives announcing a grand tournament to be held in London. Arthur's older brother, Sir Kay, insists they must attend with Arthur as his squire. After traveling the long road to London on horseback, Kay performs brilliantly in the contest, but it's young Arthur himself who ultimately wins the day.

The first volume of the Tales of King Arthur series introduces younger readers to the classic story known for over one hundred years as "The Sword in the Stone." Hudson Talbott has faithfully retold this heroic tale with humor and warmth, showing a human side to Arthur rarely glimpsed before. His vivid, richly colored paintings capture a crowded London at Christmastime and magnificent knights jousting on the field of battle, as well as the legendary sorcerer Merlin and the magical sword that reveals Arthur's destiny.

Alive with the drama of medieval England, this book will awaken young readers' interest in the legendary king who set new ideals for knightly valor.

Customer Reviews:

wonderful.......2006-11-06

My son (7 yo) really enjoyed this book - the whole series is terrific.

King Arthur - The Sword in the Stone.......2000-07-06

Although the language is a little advanced for early readers, the story is very tellable. There are many threads to this story that come to life through the illustrations. The story is told in an interesting, dynamic way that gives pause for wonder, such as the conversation between Sir Ector and his son Sir Kay. Their personalities come through and we can appreciate the types of men they are. Another moment is when Merlin plans the timing for Arthur to draw the sword from the stone. When, asks Arthur. "After all have tried and failed, whenever that may be," replies Merlin.

A dynamic painting of a tournament with thundering hooves, flying pennants, and lances at the ready illustrates perfectly our idea of a medieval joust. The illustrations seem cinematic in that they always shift the viewpoint. Now we see the action from street level; in the next picture we view a crowd scene from above. We are comfortable with such shifts from movies and TV.

The illustrations evoke "chivalrous" ideas. The son, grieving that he has to leave his father's house, rises bravely to Merlin's bidding in a sequence that culminates in the "Youth Triumphant" painting, when the young Arthur raises the sword over his head. The idea of "chivalry", respect for one's elders, telling the truth, and being brave is well interwoven and are excellent topics to discuss with children.

The final picture, the crowned Arthur dressed in white and gold, holding the sword in his hands under the white blossoms of a tree, is such an archetype of the young, white hero that it verges on the comical. But I have to remember that this is a children's book, and mine will get enough of my cynical views when he's ready for it, later.

I recommend this book for 6 and up. The young ones will love to be read to, and the older ones will enjoy reading it.

The Sword In The Stone Review.......2000-04-03

This is a great book based on the original Arthurian legend. If i could, I'd give it more than 5 stars. Arthur is given to Merlin by Uther Pendragon and is raised by Sir Kay. When his "brother" forgets to bring his sword, Arthur...if I said anymore, it'd get carried away and I'd give away the ending.

Average customer rating:

Rich descriptions, adventure, humor - can't beat it.
Of another time
Great Stuff!
Thank you Louis Lamour
Never drags-lots of excitement- great YA or even older book

The White Company (Books of Wonder)
Arthur Conan Doyle
Manufacturer: HarperCollins
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Binding: Hardcover

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ASIN: 0688078176

Book Description

Afterword by Peter Glassman. Young Alleyne Edricson journeys to France in 1366 to join the White Company, a bold band of archers, and is swept into a series of exciting adventures. Written by the creator of Sherlock Holmes and illustrated by one of America's most distinguished artists, this lavishly illustrated deluxe gift edition is available once again. A Books of Wonder Classic.

Customer Reviews:

Rich descriptions, adventure, humor - can't beat it........2007-06-03

Each poetically descriptive sentence is as a brushstroke that paints a colorful, lively picture of the scenery, landscape, characters, and events. You can picture everything very vividly in your mind. The characaters were each unique and fascinating. The story unfolded quite differently than I would have expected for a book about a war. It was a beautifully constructed story; an education about chivalry and how wars used to be fought. I thoroughly enjoyed every aspect of this book, and hope to re-read it in the future.

Of another time.......2007-03-08

An 18th century author writing about the dark ages. It reads more like incidents within a narrative rather than a single story. I found the ending abrupt and not credible. I expected more of the creator of Sherlock Holmes.

Great Stuff!.......2006-09-05

I loved this book as a kid, and found new depths to it when I came back to it as an adult. A must-read! The breadth of imagination and the color and vividness of the descriptions are hard to match, and the characters are memorable -- Samkin Aylward the master-archer is my favorite.

Thank you Louis Lamour .......2006-05-23

I discovered the White Company while reading Louis Lamour's "Education of A Wondering Man". It was included in Lamours reading list from the 1930's. On a lark i checked it out.

What a gem this book is! I simply could not put it down. The language, the characters, the history and the humor simply crackle off the pages.

If you have a son, here's your next gift.

Never drags-lots of excitement- great YA or even older book.......2006-04-28

I can't remember how I happened on this book- probably Amazon herded me to it- but I'm quite glad. I'm more of a fan of the Sherlock Holmes stories, but I found this as enjoyable as The Black Arrow or Robin Hood or any other medieval book that I've read, and I'd never even heard of it before. The protagonist is a young man raised at the monastery who joins a band of rough but good hearted archers and follows their exploits as they head to war in France and Spain. The old agnostic (Doyle) weaves in more respect for the Catholic church than one usually sees from so-called church leaders today, combined with some common sense insights of true morality. For Doyle chivalry not only is not dead, it'll cut off the head of anyone who says otherwise. In other words, a man's word was worth something, and a man's actions were worth even more. Lots of swordplay, a little (very little) romance, some interesting and well developed characters, and an undercurrent of humor. Not as clever as the Holmes books, but a lot more action, and one learns a little English history at the same time. I'd highly, highly recommend it for kids, or anyone really, and I am amazed that it's fallen through the cracks to this point- at least for me.

Tales of King Arthur: Excalibur (Books of Wonder)

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Tales of King Arthur: Excalibur (Books of Wonder)

Manufacturer: HarperCollins
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover

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ASIN: 0688133800

Book Description

When the young Arthur pulled the sword from the stone and became High King of all Britain, he didn't realize that an even greater task lay ahead: that of uniting his country behind him. Wielding the great Pendragon sword, Arthur leads his men to victory in the Battle of Bedegraine. Afterward, his knights disperse in pursuit of individual glory and Arthur stays behind, listening wistfully to the older knights' tales of daring and heroism. All the time he wonders, Why can't I go questing as they have?

But soon he does discover a quest of his own, and despite the warnings of his adviser, Merlin, he sets out to challenge the rebellious warrior King Pellinore in a fight that could prove to be his downfall.

In this third volume of his Tales of King Arthur series, Hudson Talbott continues the thrilling story of the young king begun in The Sword in the Stone and King Arthur and the Round Table, showing Arthur's struggles to become a king not only in name but to the depths of his being.

Exciting scenes from the days of chivalry and heroism burst from every page, from Arthur's encounter with Pellinore to his meeting with the mysterious Lady of the Lake, guardian of the splendid sword Excalibur. Hudson Talbott's masterful storytelling and dramatic paintings will enthrall fans of his previous books and win many new ones besides.

Tales of King Arthur: King Arthur and the Round Table (Books of Wonder)

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"May the Bonds of our Brotherhood Inspire our Service to Humanity..."

Tales of King Arthur: King Arthur and the Round Table (Books of Wonder)

Manufacturer: HarperCollins
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover

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ASIN: 0688113400

Book Description

As a lad of only sixteen years, Arthur pulled the sword from the stone and thus became High King of all Britain. But scarcely has he begun to arrange his court when twelve of the country's lesser kings, jealous of Arthur's glory, declare war on him.

Culminating in the Battle of Bedegraine, this war is fateful in more ways than one--for not only does it secure Arthur's place among his people, it also unites his destiny with that of Lady Guinevere.

In this, the second volume of his Tales of King Arthur series, Hudson Talbott masterfully retells the saga of Arthur's early days as leader of Britain, his building of Camelot, and the dedication of the Round Table--a unique brotherhood of knights devoted to unity and peace.

Hudson Talbott's thrilling text and dazzling paintings bring this tale of heroism, romance, and pageantry to life. The scenes of daring battle and the splendor of Arthur's court are re, produced here in glorious full color for readers to turn to again and again.

Customer Reviews:

"May the Bonds of our Brotherhood Inspire our Service to Humanity...".......2006-03-24

I'm honestly very surprised to see that there are (at the time of this review) no other recommendations written for this wonderful book, as that usually means that people aren't compelled to write about it - or haven't had the chance to get hold of it. Hudson Talbott's King Arthur series (beginning with "The Sword in the Stone" and continuing on with "Excalibur") are excellent introductions for the younger reader to the legends of King Arthur and the dense mythology that surrounds him.

Though it may be a tad complicated for younger readers, with the subtleties of romance and the strategies of war explored in reasonable detail, it is still great Arthurian reading for the older ones, especially in Talbott's touching insecurity of Arthur as he struggles to lead men who: "have *grandsons* older than me!" Talbott's early Arthur is a delight - nervous, love-struck, inexperienced, and yet brave, determined, fiery in battle and devoted to his cause. Often authors downplay either Arthur's strengths or his weaknesses, but Talbott finds the perfect balance between the two, and as such presents the quintessential Arthur.

"King Arthur and the Round Table" chronicles several crucial events in the young king's life - his skirmishes with rebel kings that reject his claim to the throne, his fateful meeting with his future queen Guinevere, and the founding of Camelot and the Round Table. It is obviously the middle-installment of a trilogy as it neither begins anything nor resolves anything, yet it is gloriously illustrated and loyally told - though with a few original flourishes of Talbott's own.

At a stage when most authors are attempting to find increasingly "new" takes on the Arthurian stories, Talbott is refreshingly traditionalist in his portrayal of people and places; presenting it all through rose-coloured glasses as a fully romanticised Golden Age of the medieval era. Everyone here is as you'd expect them to be, from Merlin in his purple robes and conical hat to Arthur himself; a heroic vision in gold and red, with a white steed and shining sword - every little boy's dream of medieval magnificence. Likewise it's easy to see why Arthur was so immediately smitten with golden-haired, sweet-faced Guinevere. The Round Table is the perfect vision of unity and mystery, and as for Camelot itself...it's simply glorious, as captured by Talbott in the evening light.

Only battle is appropriately portrayed as bloody and tragic, with darkened (through exciting) scenes of combat and sieges, resulting in a gory scene of the post-battlefield. This however is perhaps Talbott's most beautiful picture, considering the vision of Guinevere aiding the wounded by the lakeshore, watched from afar by Arthur. It is a heartbreakingly poignant scene if one is aware of their future together, and though their meeting is an original creation by Talbott, it feels so *right* in both its innocence and foreshadowing.

I mentioned before that other authors are going to increasing lengths to create new ways of telling the Arthurian stories, and one that often pops up is the conflict between Christianity and Paganism. Talbott has an answer for this too; in another of his gorgeous two-page vistas we see the marriage of Arthur and Guinevere, awash in golden light and flanked by a Catholic priest with a crucifix and Merlin with an oak branch. It is stunning scene of hope and peace, where differing religions, genders and kingdoms are presumed to be in harmony, not conflict.

The more I discuss it the more I realise that this is a simply gorgeous book, and must-have for any young Arthurian fan.

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Woof!
Wonderful! Definitely worth your time.
Lovely Stories
Great read for kids of all ages
Wuffy will steal your heart

Wuffy the Wonder Dog
Margaret Morgan
Manufacturer: WingSpan Press
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

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ASIN: 1595940340

Book Description

Wuffy the Wonder Dog, the "one and only" Wuffy in the entire world, is a puppy of many talents. He is most proud of his operatic voice and his bushy tail, both of which often get him into trouble. Though the road to wisdom is not a straight path for Wuffy the Wonder Dog, he learns many lessons along the way. He also teaches his readers the power of friendship and forgiveness.Young readers ages six to ten, and also pet lovers of any age, will be captivated with Wuffy's hilarious adventures.

Customer Reviews:

Woof!.......2006-01-08

A charming, witty and touching book that never insults its young readers' intelligence. It is certain to delight children and parents alike. I look forward to the next installment in what I hope will be a series of books about the loveable, good-natured and clever Wuffy, the dog with a heart of gold. More, please!

Wonderful! Definitely worth your time. .......2005-12-24

Excellent book! I couldn't put it down either of the times I read it. It's funny, touching, and extremely well-written. Adults and children alike will (and do!) love it.

Lovely Stories.......2005-12-24

Very funny book about very sunny dog and his "Family".
I was smiling as long as I was reading.
Wuffy, You made my day.

Great read for kids of all ages.......2005-12-24

Wuffy the Wonder Dog is a collection of short stories featuring Wuffy and his best friend, Elizabeth. Elizabeth is a well-educated and sophisticated cat, and Wuffy never stops trying to impress her with his many talents. Wuffy always means well, but he gets into more scrapes than any dog I've ever met. In one story, he is a scientist experimenting on chocolate. In another, he's a doctor who cures sick little girls better than chicken soup. Each story has another unique situation exploring the many facets of this adorable but somewhat arrogant little dog. This is a wonderful read-aloud book for all ages, or a read-alone book for elementary readers. The gorgeous illustrations compliment the well-written story. I can highly recommend this book to any and all.

Wuffy will steal your heart.......2005-12-18

What a sweet book! Wuffy is charming, innocent, and funny, he instantly wins you over. The book manages to be both adorable and educational, and it will be enjoyed by both the children and parents. The book is broken into short stories that are perfect size for a bedtime reading.

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Castle and Knight (Eye Wonder)
DK Publishing
Manufacturer: DK CHILDREN
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover

Architecture | Arts & Music | Children's Books | Subjects | Books

Medieval | History & Historical Fiction | Children's Books | Subjects | Books

General | Ages 9-12 | Children's Books | Subjects | Books

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ASIN: 0756614171

Book Description

Full-color photography is paired with clearly written text in this exciting first reference book about the world of castles and knights.

Best True Ghost Stories of the 20th Century

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Best True Ghost Stories of the 20th Century
David C. Knight
Manufacturer: Aladdin
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

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ASIN: 067166557X

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