Ancient History Books

Readers will no doubt wonder why they would want to read this book rather than a myriad of other coffee table books on the subject of the Roman Empire. I can not claim that I have read
"almost all" of them. I have not. I have read only some of them. What makes Liberati's book different... and better... than these others is that she organizes her work topically and not just geographically.

The pictures are scrumptious, simply scrumptious. The picture on the cover is bettered by a plethora of other pictures in the book. A *two-page* picture of the Coliseum appears on pages 18 and 19. Then come pictures and text portraying the history of Rome. These are followed pictures which show the promulgation of Roman civilization throughout Italy and throughout the ancient world. There are pictures of the Las Farreras aquaduct, the Temple of Diana in Nimes, and the port of Caesarea.

She is not just presenting a bunch of pictures. One could find out something new. This is a fascinating book for anyone interested in Roman history.

The strength of this exquisite book is in the pages of beautiful reproductions of artifacts and artworks from throughout the history of the Empire. On 292 pages, the book encompasses 358 color photos, 30 color drawings (mostly architectural) and 45 maps.

The book is organized in five sections - an overview of the 11 centuries of history; social aspects from shelter to spectacles; the splendors of the capital; Roman civilization in Italy; a tour of the Roman provinces.

The text is accessible and the captions are packed with information but the illustrations are not only breathtaking but representative of every aspect of Roman civilization. An excellent introduction to Roman history or a valuable addition to a collection.

In Ancient Rome: History Of A Civilization That Ruled The World, Anna Maria Liberati (Museum of Roman Civilization, Rome, Italy) has effectively collaborated with freelance journalist and art history expert Fabio Bourbon to lay out a beautifully illustrated and thoroughly "reader friendly" coffeetable artbook showcasing the architecture, politics, culture, art, and artifacts tracing the rise and fall of the Roman Empire. An ideal addition to school and community library collections, the hundreds of full-color images (many of them never previously published and available to the general public) wonderfully enhance an informed and informative text making Ancient Rome especially accessible and recommended to the non-specialist general reader.

This book is not much on narration -- but it isn't really supposed to be. The book is filled with outstanding photographs, prints, drawings, maps, and architectural plans that will be useful to anyone in the business of teaching social studies. This is one of those wonderfully inexpensive oversized hardcover books that makes you feel good just by owning it.

This work provides a nice look at a part of what we know about this area. Western Mexico has a largely unappreciated history even among scholars in the mesoamerican field. It's probably safe to say that the written history of this area has only begun to develope despite a long record of investigation.

The photography in this work is excellent. The text is informative. Anyone interested in this area owes it to themselves to read this.

Ancient West Mexico is a fascinating region that has been overlooked by many scholars through the years. Finding very good information about the cultures of West Mexico is difficult. This book is wonderful...it has the latest archaeological information, beautiful photographs of the pieces and the landscape, and great detailed illustrations and diagrams. I often teach about the ancient cultures of Mesoamerica and this is a perfect resource.

This work provides a nice look at a part of what we know about this area. Western Mexico has a largely unappreciated history even among scholars in the mesoamerican field. It's probably safe to say that the written history of this area has only begun to develope despite a long record of investigation.

The photography in this work is excellent. The text is informative. Anyone interested in this area owes it to themselves to read this.

This book is a delight to read and look at the photographs. Very unusual samples of ceramic art. The text is as the title indicates rather on the archeological side. The only thing missing is a description of the actual clay technique used (coils). Highly recommended.

There is no book on the history of wine that is so widely
quoted. In fact,it may not be possible to write a credible
history of wine without referring to this brilliantly
assembled volume.

What makes this book outstanding is its author's background.
He is a chemist and archaeologist. As such, he holds dual
citizenship in two of the least sentimental professions in
the world. While other authors may be taken in by their own
poetry, McGovern relentlessly sticks to the facts as manifest
in the physical evidence. This Joe Friday approach makes him
not only believable but readable.

A case in point is the Godin Tepe jar, an artifact some 5500
years old from Iran. McGovern gets his description rolling with
the following: "My laboratory had already developed techniques
for identifying very ancient biomolecules." You know you're in
the company of a heavy hitter with an opening like that. McGovern
goes on to describe his skepticism that the jar could have
contained wine and then his assurance, based on molecular-
level study, that it had.

Compare this with the High School Book Report nature of a lot
of wine history writing. No, don't bother. There is no comparison.

--Lynn Hoffman, author of THE NEW SHORT COURSE IN WINE and
the forthcoming novel bang BANG from Kunati Books.ISBN 9781601640005

Pardon my title; this is an amazing book. Essential for anyone interested in wine history. There was the occasional repetition of certain sentences and phrases that an editor ought to have caught (I'm an editor, I notice these things) but in a nutshell the approach the author uses - "molecular archeaology" - is truly revolutionary. What I like best is that he has confirmed, once and for all, that ancient wines were distinctly different from modern wine, most importantly in the sense that they were infused with a wide variety of substances such as resins, plant matter, spices, and the like. This confirms the textual accounts that have survived, but have largely been ignored or marginalized in a number of fields.

A minor quibble: the author is surprisingly skittish on the matter of the potion of the Eleusinian Mysteries, the "kykeon" and makes no mention of works like The Road to Eleusis, and appears to take the position that the Eleusinian kykeon was a "grog" of the sort mentioned in epic poetry. This is unpersausive; grogs do not produce sublime visions, and the ingredients of the Eleusinian kykeon were water, mint, and barley. No wine was present during initiation into the Greater Mysteries, nor would one expect it given that Demeter refuses wine in the Homeric Hymn to Demeter.

I cannot remember holding a book in my hands that caused me more excitement and enchantment any time recently. And the best thing of all is that it is not a fairy tale, not even a "romanticized" account of the ancient history of wine; on the contrary, with all the diligence and impartiality of a good CSI detective, this book sticks to evidence and confirmed facts. Still, it manages to weave a compelling story of how wine was intricately connected with the very origins of civilization (or, should I say, civilizations). The book is not only difficult to put down, but as a viticulture and wine educator I find it impossible to ignore when preparing teaching materials. Granted, there is still a lot of uncertainty about certain wine archaeological issues and much more work to be done, but I find that part probably the most exciting. I recommend this book to the viticulture and wine professional and enthusiast alike, as well as anybody interested in archaeology and origins of civilizations.

I have enjoyed many books on the history of wine and grapes, my favorite being Johnson's The Story of Wine. McGovern's new book may replace Johnson's at the top of my list. McGovern's attention to detail is wonderful but his story telling is really top notch. He manages to weave a great story while at the same time providing us with an academician's attention to detail -- all without boring us! His examination of early cultures and their use of the grape is fascinating. A very enjoyable and educational book.

"Apocalypse" is a well-written and fascinating discussion of the role that earthquakes may have played in the Bronze Age history of the Mediterranean and the Middle East. Nur is a geophysicist who argues that archaeologists are too ready to reject earthquakes as a cause of the widespread devastation that is sometimes found at ancient sites. According to Nur, the archaeologist's preferred interpretation is usually that invading armies caused the destruction.

Nur admits that this interpretation may be right in many cases, but persuasively argues that archaeologists too often ignore evidence that the real cause of the devastation might have been an earthquake. Nur brings a geophysicist's perspective to the archaeologist's world, observing that many ancient sites (such as Mycenae) are affected by significant fault lines that pass directly through ancient ruins, sometimes visibly offsetting walls and staircases. Others ruins contain the remains of people killed thousands of years ago by collapsing walls or ceilings--the skeletons bear the telltale signs of the crushing injuries typical of earthquake victims.

Nur suggests that some ancient abandonments and migrations might have been triggered by earthquakes. For example, some of the devastation usually attributed to the mysterious Sea Peoples may have been caused by earthquakes, either because the earthquakes caused the destruction outright, or because they severely damaged fortifications and killed large numbers of people, leaving cities vulnerable to opportunistic invaders.

Archaeologists have tended to dismiss the earthquake explanation for sometimes widespread devastation in the ancient world because much of it (such as the events around 1200BC that preciptated the Greek Dark Ages) appears to have happened suddenly over an implausibly wide area for an earthquake. But Nur argues that very widespread damage could have been caused by either a single very large earthquake, or by an "earthquake storm" (a cascade of earthquakes caused when one quake increases pressure on another fault, leading to a series of events). Both of these possibilities are fair game from the perspective of a geophysicist, and Nur urges that archaeologists should consider the possibility carefully when interpreting ancient sites.

Nur's book is an enjoyable mix of geology, geophysics, ancient history, geology, and forensics, but it also contains a warning. What happened in the Mediterranean and the Middle East in the ancient world can happen again, as it did during the Jericho Earthquake of 1927. If archaeologists and geophysicists can learn from each other, they are more likely to spot major earthquake hazards that might otherwise be overlooked.

An outstanding, graphic, presentation of the known apocalypse scenario that is in the process of unfolding worldwide through natural disasters. In fact, it is a no-brainer, spoken to by mystic, prophet and shaman alike for eons. It is an event timed by the celestial clock that we call the 24,000-year full-circle precession of the equinox around the Zodiac. However, recall that the map of cosmic consciousness is not the territory nor the survival's guide; and what I mean by that specifically is that it's nice to know what is coming but it is equally critical to know why -- and from where, not only from beneath the ground but what direction in the night sky? Hint: it is coming at this point in the End-Time because it is the natural cycle of our binary star systems' orbital path, i.e., Sirius and Orion, with our solar system. And it is coming in era-2012 because that is the rebirth cycle of the Sun and Earth in Solar Cycle 24. It is, in other words, when humanity reunites with its light-body double -- our higher self -- and reopens our third eye into the Fifth Dimension.

Read this book now before what I unveil in my book and DVD take us to the PNR (Point-of-No-Return) in 2008!

Dr. John Jay Harper is author of Science of Soul: The End-Time Solar Cycle of Chaos in 2012 A.D. and Tranceformers: Shamans of the 21st Century.

If you are interested in both earthquake and archaeology, you can find many intersting conncetions between them in this book. Especially, many records depend on religinol references. You can find connection of people and natural events on the life.

Ancient history, archaeology, geology, forensic science, detective work, mystery, etc., this book has it all. According to the principle author, a geophysicist, most archaeologists and historians are not giving enough weight to the possibility that earthquakes have had major influences on human societies in the ancient past. The end of the Bronze Age, around 1200 BC, is offered as one of several important cases in point. By examining physical evidence from various archaeological sites, mainly in the eastern Mediterranean, as well as the local geology (tectonic plates, faults, etc.), the author attempts to demonstrate that, in many cases, earthquakes have not been given due credit for much of the devastation observed. Ancient texts are often quoted to reinforce his case and certain biblical passages are re-interpreted in light of his arguments. The writing style is engaging, highly accessible, authoritative and is a model in clarity; some chapters are indeed quite gripping. Fully illustrated with many photographs, charts and maps, this fascinating book can be enjoyed by anyone, although ancient history and archaeology buffs may relish it the most.

The APOLLO MISSION REPORTS published by Apogee Books, are an excellent source for Space History buffs. Each book includes press kits from the flight, pre and post mission summaries, and a fabulous bonus CDROM which has the official NASA mission report movies lasting about 17-29 minutes. The CD also has some GREAT color and black and white photographs.

I recommend them as a great resource!

They can be purchased at any bookstore or amazon.com

During the first months of 1969 it appeared that NASA would be able to achieve to John F Kennedy's goal of landing a man on the moon by the end of decade. Apollo 10 was NASA's second mission to the moon and was planned as a dress rehearsal for the first manned lunar landing with the only difference being the landing. The mission very successful and paved the way for the first moon landing. This mission was manned by one of the most experienced crews to date and was commanded by Thomas Stafford, who was accompanied by Gene Cernan as the Lunar Module Pilot, while astronaut legend John Young was the Command Module Pilot.

The book opens with the typical NASA mission press kit. Unlike later Apollo mission press kits, this is quite long and very detailed, containing descriptions on everything from orbit and reentry profiles to the crew biographies. The next section contains both the pre- and post-flight operation reports which provide an enormous amount of information on the operation of the Saturn V, the Command Module, the Lunar Module and the rendezvous and docking methods.

The debrief section, which is about a third of the book, contains the crew comments and feelings about various parts of the mission and for the most part avoids the technical language that many of the NASA documents include, but it does contain many undefined acronyms. This section contains crew comments from the lift-off to the landings and discusses many of the technical aspects of the mission, such a telemetry, photography, communications, etc. Since the Apollo 10 mission was a dress rehearsal for the first landing mission, many of the questions and subsequent answer are related to rendezvous and docking in lunar orbit. I always like this section of these reports, because it provides an insight to the crew's feelings on the operation of the space vehicle and the mission in general.

The CD Rom that accompanies the book is divided into two sections. The first section contains two NASA produced movies called "To Sort Out the Unknowns" which focuses on the rendezvous and docking in lunar orbit and "Green Light for A Lunar Landing" highlights portions of the Apollo 10 mission interspersed with Apollo 11 training footage The final section contains hundreds of the mission photos taken by the crew.

Some general information that might be useful.
1) This report contains scanned-in documents from previously released NASA documents. In order to preserve the spirit of the original reports, all typographical and grammatical errors have NOT been fixed.

2) Proceeds from the book goes to "The Watch" an asteroid impact research project of the Space Frontier Foundation. In other words, Apogee Books is making very little off the sale of US government produced books and documents.

3) Many people have asked why the post mission science reports are not included. Since NASA has published several books with hundred of pages each, the NASA Special Publications Series, it would be difficult to include this voluminous amount of data.

4) Make sure you buy the second edition, because it contains more documentation in the text and more features on the enclosed CD.

Like the Apollo 8 volume, this, too, is a revised edition, with my favorite part (the crew debriefing), plus other materials added to the accompanying CD.

Apollo 10 can aptly be called the full dress rehearsal for the moon landing. All that was skipped was the landing (and following activities) itself. The crew was one of the most experienced and distinguished in NASA history: Tom Stafford went on to command Apollo-Soyuz, John Young went on to command Apollo 16, the first shuttle mission, and to head up the astronaut office, and Gene Cernan went on to become the last man on the moon, on Apollo 17. And so far as I know, this mission and Apollo 11 are the only ones in NASA history to have all-experienced crews.

As usual, the text includes the pre-mission press and internal reports, and the post-mission summaries and crew debriefings. The accompanying CD contains hundreds of photos from the mission as well as the official NASA videos.

Another valuable volume for the space enthusiast.

I only hope that these NASA reprts will be available on Apollo 14, and all other Apollo missions as well! Tells all the drama, adventure,and tension; going over 240,000 miles out into space; only to be within 50,000 feet from being 1st humans on moon! And when redocking with mothership, orbiting Moon, lunar module begins to act erratic, almost losing control! real suspense and exciting!

Usamah calls his book "Kitab al-Itibar" or "The Book of Instructive Example." True to its title, there is much to learn from this book, but what I found very interesting were perhaps things other than what Usamah wanted us to learn. For example, it was interesting to note the Arab perception of Franks, the relationship between Arabs and Franks during the first of two centuries of crusades on the Eastern Mediterranean, and aspects of the life of a prince and some commoners as well. The stories about hunts are numerous and tend to get boring, but they tell us of a rich fauna that is now largely extinct (lions, leopards, etc.). Usamah's talk of old age provides a sobering philosophical view of life.

What an excellent job by Philip Hitti who translated the manuscript from Arabic! Considering that the manuscript was lacking in things such diacritical marks (dots on Arabic letters), punctuation, etc. it is truly an amazing that he was able to pull this book together in the manner its stands. Thanks to Philip Hitti we can enjoy Usamah's book: it is truly a delightful read!

Unlike any other history book, this is a first hand account, day to day life of an Arab Syrian prince in the time of the crusades; He talks about his advantures, feelings and thoughts, it's just like going back in time almost 1000 years. If you like history and especially the crusades, this book is a must. I go back and read this book every once in a while, it's entertaining and informative.

We in the Western world all too rarely take the time to perceive and understand our modern society through anything other than Western eyes. So it is as well with that wondrously tragic period of our history known as the Crusades. While there are many contemperary histories of this era incorporating Western eye-witness accounts, there are but few with the perspectives of the invaded Orientals (i.e. Arabs, etc.). So the uniqueness of an account written by a period-contemporary 'Arab-Syrian Gentleman' will not be lost on the reader. "The Memoirs" are essentially just that: an autobiography of a twelfth-century Arab Muslim and the experiences of his long and eventful life. From his earliest memories in Syria before the First Crusade to his twilight days in Egypt and Damascus, Munqidh shares his vast knowledge with the reader, imparting as well his personal, ingrained biases. It is this latter which assists the reader in understanding the mind of the Crusading-era Muslim, even now oft-considered the enemy of Western "Christendom". Indeed, some scholars argue that the key to understanding the Middle Easterner's distrustful eye to the West lies in the very heart of the Crusades. Munqidh writes in the learned style one might expect of the educated nobility of his period, and though exquisitely detailed, he is neither long-winded nor boring. So whether the avid scholar or simply the interested amateur, "The Memoirs of Usamah Ibn-Munqidh" is truly a worthy read

A great read as well as a solid historical source for the period.

What i really enjoyed about this source where the unsual, little storie's scattered throughout it's pages. Beautifuly described little detail's that help the reader get a more colourful picture of the Usamah's times.

For instance there is a description of a dual between a Mounted Frankish Knight and a Mounted Muslim Cavalier. The story recite's how Usamah saw them both kill each other on their first charge, but how their warhorse's continued to fight for a long time after.

Unlike many other Chronicler's of the time, Usamah is relativley unbiased. He recognise's the Franks valour in battle, the Christian's piety (saying that he has never seen a Frankish Christian genuinely convert to Islam).

It is also a Medevial travel diary, documenting Usamas extensive travels.

It is full of the usual curse's and insults everytime the Christians or Jews name's are mentioned, like all the Medieval Islamic Chronicles. However, if you can see beyond the propogandist protocol of the day, you will be entertained by Usamahs amusing antidotes and tales.

A must for anyone intrested in either Islamic or Crusader history.

My only reservation from giving this book five stars was that i became slightly bored torwards the end, when the book is describing Usamah's many hunting exploits. I sometimes felt that had Usamah killed as many human foes as he had Lions, the Franks would of been expelled from Jerusalem far earlier than they actually where!!!!!

[let this man speak for himself...]
A thoughtful observer of these events, like
Aeschylus, could not but have felt uneasiness.
Were the Greek cities and the factions within
them being drawn, through their quest for power
even at the expenses of principle, into the
cycle of *hybris*, *ate*, and *nemesis* which
they themselves had seen in the undoing of the
Persians? In a world where Zeus punished
*hybris*, where men reaped the fruits of their
own actions, were they sowing the seeds of
their own downfall?
"...be mindful, men of Greece and Athens,
lest one among you, disdaining in his
mind the fortune of the present, and
lusting after more, waste the great
blessings he has..."
the ghost of Darius had said in the *Persians.*
These fears, and with them the vivid memory
of what destruction actually means (particularly
in Athens,which had been sacked and ruined by
the Persians) must have been strong motivating
forces in the creation of the serious and
meditative character of so much Early Classical
art. The "Aspasia," the Charioteer of Delphi,
and even the very early "Blond Boy" from the
Athenian acropolis all seem to be attempts to
embody the ideals of thoughtful restraint and
responsibility which the Greeks were so frequently
prone to forget. (pp. 26-27)
* * *
The fallen warrior [sculpture] from the east
pediment [of the Temple of Aphaia at Aegina] is
another matter. As life ebbs away and he sinks
toward the earth, he tries futilely, sword (now
missing) in hand, to raise himself. His eyes
narrow as his consciousness fades; his mouth is
slightly open as his breathing grows difficult;
he stares at the earth. His enfeebled movements
contrast poignantly with his massive physical
frame in which, for practically the first time,
the individual details of the musculature are
fused and unified by a softening of the lines
of division between them, and by increasingly
subtle modulation of the surface from which one
senses the presence of a unified physical force
emanating from within the body. The sculptor
who conceived the figure had obviously thought
carefully about exactly what it meant. He must
have asked himself what it must really be like
when a powerful warrior is wounded and falls.
What does he feel? How should we feel? And
what meaning is there in our feeling? (pp.19-20)
* * * * * * * * *
There are irritations in this work...amidst the
riches. Pollitt seems to find no inspiration in
the *Diskobolos* statue by Myron at all...devotes
little space to it except to mention its "rhythmos,"
but, incredibly, nothing about its beauty and the
idealization of the harmonic development of the
musculature of the male body by an athlete.
And Pollitt has the bias of "reason" and
"rationality" as the supposed prime virtues of
Greek thought and art...over the mystical.
Yet, if divine inspiration of poets and
artists is not a mystical experience, then
what is? And the Greeks certainly seem to
have subscribed to that belief early on.
* * * * * * * * *

Pollitt's book is one of those rare pieces of writing that rewards you with fresh insight each and every time you pick it up. It is beautifully and sensitively written, and manages to breathe remarkable life into the civilization of ancient Greece. This is a wonderful way to prepare for a trip to Greece--it will only make your travels even more rewarding. This is history at its best.

Knowing little of Greek art, I happened upon this book in my shelves (an old college textbook belonging to my husband). I was pleased and impressed with this overview of Classical Greek art. Pollitt covers the main strands of development in architecture, sculpture, and painting and places the works firmly in the context of the historical events and cultural atmosphere of their times. As a result, I came away with an increased appreciation and understanding of the quality and value of Classical Greek art and of the interconnection between art and larger society in ancient Greece.

J.J. Pollitt is one of the most respected scholars of ancient Greek art, and with good reason. His analyses are clear, well-written, cautious, and highly logical. Art and Experience is a classic (!) work of Pollitt's early career. It is an authoritative and engaging introduction to the history of art in ancient Greece, focusing on the Classical period (fifth and fourth centuries BC). The book assumes a general familiarity with some ancient history, philosophy, and literature, so it might be most useful for students or enthusiasts of classical culture who feel that their understanding of classical art is lacking. Nonetheless, the text is introductory enough that even a reader with no background in classics could find the book interesting and informative.
What makes this book a particularly valuable introduction to Greek art is that it aims to explain the motives and ideas behind the art rather than to provide the reader with a list of works and names of styles. Pollitt answers the question of why Classical Greek art looks like it does, and he thus gives his reader a framework for understanding individual works.
I can level only two criticisms at the book, and they are both relatively picky. The first is that, because of the brevity of the book and its intended non-specialist audience, some of Pollitt's conclusions seem to me like logical leaps, and some of his arguments seem too summary to be fully convincing. I would have preferred a more comprehensive treatment with fuller explanations--something along the lines of Paul Zanker's Power of Images in the Age of Augustus. As an introduction, however, the extent of the arguments in Art and Experience is sufficient. My second criticism is that Pollitt at times reveals more personal value judgements regarding the art of ancient Greece than I thought were necessary or appropriate. This is no doubt in part the product of the period in which the book was written, when value judgement still played some role in the teaching of art history (it has since largely been abandoned). It also may relate to the intended audience: I am sure that some readers will be interested to hear what traditional considerations have made art historians consider certain works to be "great." At the same time, readers should be wary of Pollitt's negative statements about some of the art (e.g., Hellenistic sculptures of children). The value of such art has recently been reevaluated by many art historians, including Pollitt himself, and the works do not deserve the dismissive tone apparent in Art and Experience.
On a final note, readers should keep in mind that this book is intended to cover only a brief (though significant) period in the history of ancient Greek art. Because of its scope, this book does not provide a "grand tour" of all famous Greek art--works like the Nike (or Winged Victory) of Samothrace are not covered. While Art and Experience is a great way to begin an exploration of the art and culture of ancient Greece, for a full picture one must consult additional sources. I highly recommend following Art and Experience with Pollitt's masterful (and more scholarly, though still quite accessible) Art in the Hellenistic Age.

I wasn't sure what to expect when I ordered this book from Amazon...this isn't really a book that is meant to be read straight through as an independent work...rather, it seems to me upon finishing it, that the greatest benefit is as a reference. If on were stumped for the source of a particular detail of Artemis, this would be the book to go to. As such, there is a great deal of repeated information that was annoying to me since I did read it straight through, but the repetition did serve a purpose in helping cement some details of Artemis in my memory...as with Athene, Artemis is a goddess largely unknown to me, so it was not totally pointless to have read the book from cover to cover. At nearly 25.00 for this book, I don't know how many would really want to shell out the bucks for a book that is just over 100 pages. I'm glad to have it and would recommend it to others it has solid information and would be a fine addition to any pagan library.

Artemis is many things and yet she is often portrayed as simply the huntress of the New Moon. This book explores and brings together her many myths and stories, her many powers and guiles...

Artemis is a complex Goddess and one (now that I have read the book) I would certainly not class as a fluffy Goddess which I was lead to believe before. The information is carefully documented, footnoted (rather than those awful endnotes of a lot of academic books) and is written in a lucid manner. The author certainly knows her subject.

Friends of mine have been fortunate enough to attend a workshop with Sorita on the Greek Goddess Hekate and said that it was the or at the very least one of the, most enlightening workshops they have ever attended. She is a priestess of the Wicca who draws on ancient religions blending it with her own work in the tradition. She is also a scholar of ancient religion and does not allow her own religious and magical interests cloud her judgement, which is very clear from this volume. There is none of the usual pagan biased to be found here!

Highly recommended to people who work with Artemis in their own ceremonies and equally recommended to people who have an interest in ancient Greek mythology. Pagans who work with Greek deities will benefit in particular as the information is laid out in a way that makes it easy to use as a reference book when writing and preparing for ceremonies. There are lists of titles (with both the greek and english translations), there are chapters on the various ancient sanctuaries and temples to Artemis with descriptions of the rites which took place there.

What struck me in particular was the many references to young girls participating in the rituals, as well as the emphasis on twins as being sacred at Artemis' sanctuaries (Artemis and her brother Apollo were twins, so it makes sense really). So this book may provide some ideas for mothers wishing to prepare their daughters for adulthood through the use of ancient ceremonies.

Like I said, recommended and highly so. Thus *****

Having a great love for all things Greek and being a practioner of Wicca, I saw this book at a festival recently and decided to give it a go. I always thought of Artemis as one of the gentler goddesses, but this book quickly showed me that there was quite a bit more to Artemis than looking after animals and aiding in childbirth.

This multifaceted goddess' mysteries, myths, festivals and ancient titles are all explored in this book. Nice illustrations too and a very helpful index and bibliography at the end.

A Lovely Book.

I have had many dreams that someone would dedicate the time and energy that it takes to write a book on Artemis. Sorita D'Este has done just this and she has excelled at this challenging job.

This book provides all the information a modern pagan priestess or priest working with this diverse goddess could hope for. Historical information on festivals, practices and sacred temples, as well as sanctuaries, sacred animals and titles are provided.

The information is presented in an easy to understand and use format, but it is still rigorous by academic standards (providing sources throughout) and would be of interest to modern pagans and students of greek history and culture alike.

There is not an ounce of doubt in my mind that this book will be a book that you will use time and time again (as I am already doing) for drawing inspiration and information when working with this warrior goddess.

The arguments for Artemis being a Goddess associated with both the Sun and the Moon is clearly presented and adds an additional dimension towards understanding this ancient woodland goddess who was known to roam the mountains in search of prey with her thirteen hunting dogs. Her myths, associations with other gods, goddesses and mortals are all clearly and precisely explored, together with accounts (cross referenced showing the different accounts by ancient writers) of the various myths in which she took a prominent role.

Love Artemis? Hooked on the Greek Myths? This book is a must have!

The Asetian Bible is the sacred way for a Vampire or any lost Soul to find his true Home.

This is a great book to anyone that is feeling lost, with no path in their lives, or in the need of finding themselves, understanding their true Self and lacking the feeling of completeness.

I had a terrible childhood and was going under a mixture of deep personal problems. I came to a point that I was ready to commit suicide and end my life. There was no light at the end of the tunnel. No solution. No door. No nothing...

The Asetians saved my life. I am here because of them. And no, I am no vampire, but that did not took them away from giving meaning to my life and from the darkness of their inner powers, enlighten my way towards evolution and happiness.

Thank you mighty and beautiful Children of Aset. I owe you my life. My eternal loyalty is yours. Be blessed... *bows*

The Asetian Bible is breath taking. It took me to a journey not only to the Kemet the Asetians knew, but also into part of their soul and through that into my own soul.

Luis Marques has found the way of bringing some of the Asetian knowledge home to us, in a way that we can relate to even if we do not fully understand. It is a book that should be of interest to people interested in Ancient Egypt, the occult, vampires, magick, basically for anyone with an open mind and a desire to evolve and not be in the shadows anymore.

The Asetian Bible, even though it has not been made available to the general public for long, has already been attacked many times. People who have dared to call the Asetians and the Aset Ka charlatans, or not real children of Aset. Others attack the Asetians for being vampires, not understanding that, yes an Asetian is a mighty enemy to have, their beliefs go around evolution and love. As Marques stated in the book, the people who attack the book do it because they still feel threatened by the Aset Ka.

We are entering a new era, an era of enlightment. The Asetians have taken a big step towards uniting their family and also into giving us an option. To evolve within our human nature or to remain ignorant.

To Luis Marques all I can say is thank you for everything.

To those who follow and love Aset just a small message. To love Her is also to love Her children.

The wait is over! Finally, we can throw away all of our useless vampire books. The Asetian Bible has arrived and in it contains the entire truth behind vampirism.

Luis Marques has written the definitive book not only on vampirism but for the first time in history, Mr. Marques has made available invaluable Asetian history, High Magick and ancient Egyptian knowledge for occultists, scholars, theurgists, vampires, metaphysicists and the curious alike.

If you are in the least bit fascinated with ancient Egypt, then you will need to follow Luis Marques as he takes you back to the beginning of time itself and to the greatest Empire that ever flourished on this Earth, a time when Gods walked side by side with humans, the birth of the first vampires and the development of one of the Worlds greatest and well kept occult secrets ever, The Kemetic Order of Aset Ka.

And yes, the cover is worth the price of the book alone!

Finally, the most expected Book of the year can be seen flying along the Nile. I'm breathless.

Someone who really is interested in Kemetic spirituality and theology, particularly in the cult concerning Her Highness Aset, must acquire this Book, no matter how. For those who have been studying this most sacred knowledge from the outside of this Order, from now on there's no excuse, but laziness and unworthiness, for any possible ignorance. It really was an honor to finally be able to hold the Book with my very hands, which grew warmer and warmer of anxiety and True Happiness.

The Order of Aset Ka truly gave a great and huge step towards the contemporary world. After all those years of mist and penumbra, we're finally able to access such knowledge, and such beauty, that only the Aset Ka could provide.

After being presented with all the beauty that the magnificently illustrated cover can provide, the author simply, and magickally, took over my mind, and I fluently read the Book, non-stop.

The Order made it as interesting as it could be. Since most might not be able to notice all the subtle conditions in which the Book was created and finished, I shall tell the readers of this review to look at the day in which the Asetian Bible was finished and the exact number of pages.

07-07-07, 300 pages.

Around Aset Ka, there are no coincidences. Whoever reads the Book, will be able to understand the sacredness of these sacred numbers, and why the Order of Aset Ka finally emerged from the very core of the Duat.

About our talented Viperine author, his words are indescribably elegant, beautiful, and full of mystique. We can find him quoting a variety of authors from different paths, in contrast with the translated excerpts from the Coffin Texts, The Book of the Dead, and other Kemetic texts. He quotes names like Chuang Tzu, Siddhartha Gautama, Khalil Gibran, Byron, Anne Rice and Isaac Newton.

Particularly inspiring and sacred, I found the Book of Nun, which is a chapter of this Great Work. This chapter describes the whole creation process, the beginning of times, the creation of the Gods and their places in the Sep Tepy. It is full of beautiful lyricism and might, of which the Asetian Cosmogony is worthy of. This chapter sure was possible through hard spiritual work, of which only Asetians and other Servants of Aset are capable of.

This Book really is a great work, and a must have for anyone interested in real vampirism and spiritual growth. I think it may also be very interesting for scholars of Egyptology, maybe even a challenge.

Of course all the creatures that have been accompanying Aset Ka's latest steps will be the ones to first acquire this "volume of sacred words", especially allied Orders and Houses from Portugal and Europe, Canada (how could we forget?) and other still growing vampire groups from the US.

Being at least a devoted student, all I can do now is recommend Deeply to all those who got into contact with this Book for any reason, to read the Book. It might hold surprises for you.



In Eternal devotion to Aset.

I'm basing my next vacation in the Western desert to include a few oasis. He keeps the gritty details to a comfortable level, which makes the reading pleasant.

This book was amazing! when i read it, not only did it keep me interested, but i couldn't put it down!! the photographs were amazing, and so were the detailed maps! Jackson has done an excellent job with this book, and i can't wait for his next one. his hard work on this book has really paid off as it provides an exquisite insight into the history of Rome and the other places. being the head of the history department is a high post, and i am sure he deserves it.

From the Back Cover
"No one with even a passing interest in New York will be able to live without it."- William Grimes, New York Times Book Review

Please correct me if I am wrong, but, I do not understand how an interest in "New York" has ANYTHING to do with this book.
Am I missing something?

Here is a splendid recounting of histories (the old and the older) and anecdotes of explorations in the deserts and oases of what was once Roman Egypt. In addition, credible summations of existing research and excavations provide the reader with a distanced understanding of some curious spaces. The images in this book, all black and white, seem both numinous and stunning. The maps present the only bit of chaos with their insect-like sprawlings and unorganized keys. One must scan all names of the key to find the number and location for the places described. Clearer maps would have been lovely, but since it is unlikely I'll need such maps, the existing suffice. The reading is compelling, the topics heterogenous. On the whole, this book provides significant information and pleasure.