5 comments about Time and the Technosphere: The Law of Time in Human Affairs.

1. Don't even bother wasting your time with this book. The author is way out in left field. The first review has it right, those other reviews must've come from a biased source like friends/colleagues/family.



2. The individual that gave it two stars has this book pegged. There's really nothing else I can add except my 1-star rating.



3. i donno what neufchatel?? cheese is, but i do know that jose is one of this century's greatest minds.
   not so much a book for cheese and wine... it compliments fresh sustainably grown produce and tea quite well.
   while his ideas are controversial, sometimes difficult and perhaps even 'elitist' his voice is nevertheless one that demands careful consideration. weather you agree with him or not your conceptions on the nature of history & time, and consciousness itself are sure to expand and strengthen through the experience.
   this is not just another woo-woo new-agey work of psudo-science
   jose's work is based on comprehensive whole-systems logic rooted simultaneously in the ancient future and distant past... growing into a resplendent NOW
   if you are interested in the science of ancient/indigenous cultures & natural cycles, if you are a dreamer that can still imagine that peace and the re-generation of the biosphere is possible, you cannot miss this book! read it now!
   also check out jose's book 'Earth Ascending'



4. I have read dozens of interesting books on new age and alternative thought. This is one of the rare occasions that I have been literally unwilling/unable to finish a book. Chapter one was enough. Perhaps Arguelles is onto something that most people are completely unaware of, and is a modern day genius. My vote is that he is way out in left field, a little wacky. I was going to sell the book used, but noticed that his barely three year old book is only fetching about 4 to 5 bucks. not worth the effort. Unless you are a little off yourself, save your money and buy something else.



5. While I find the idea of "technosphere vs. noosphere" intriguing, and I support the idea of returning to a lunar-based calendar, this found this book maddening! I won't discount that Arguelles might have received a download from some higher consciousness, but I think that higher consciousness should have chosen a better translator.
   
   Here's a typical passage:
   
   "The thirteen-unit form constant of fourth-dimensional time is the wavespell. It is important to see the thirteen moon calendar I this modular format, Planetary Service Wavespell, for then it makes more sense to speak of the calendar as a synchronometer. The wavespell's form describes the motion of time as a fractal fourth-dimensional cosmology. The numbers 1-13 in the dot bar notation that code the thirteen positions are known as tones. . . . The two gates and the two towers, tones 1, 5, 9 and14, articulate the structure of the wavespell. Between the places of articulation are three sets of chambers. The first set, tones 2-3-4, helps establish the wavespell; the second set, tones 6-7-8, helps extend the wavespell . . . . "
   
   You get the idea. I should have listened to the other reviews of this book.

1 comments about Cambridge Illustrated Dictionary of Astronomy.

1. Printed on high-quality glossy paper with 300 beautiful color illustrations and 20 new star maps by stellar illustrator Wil Tirion, Cambridge Illustrated Dictionary of Astronomy is a solid reference text accessible to readers of all backgrounds, from high school students to field professionals. Most of the 1300 entries are limited to roughly a paragraph in length, and range from named astronomical objects to space missions, brief biographical sketches of 70 key figures in the history of astronomy, explanations of acronyms and specialist terms, and more. "Dwarf Planet: A body in the solar system, traveling in orbit around the Sun and with enough mass to have a more-or-less spherical shape due its own gravity, but not massive enough to dominate the vicinity of its orbit to the extent that its influence has cleared away all or most of the smaller bodies there. The International Astronomical Union adopted this definition in 2006 following the discovery in 2003 of Eris, a Kuiper Belt object larger than Pluto. Eris and Pluto, being located in the Kuiper Belt, fall into this category as does the large asteroid, Ceres." A thoroughly cross-referenced, easy-to-use reference and resource highly recommended for astronomy teachers and enthusiasts - everywhere.

5 comments about Astrophotography for the Amateur.

1. Unless you're extremely fluent in advanced mathematics, calculus, etc., this book is not for the faint of heart. For those of us who never got past shop math - forget it. The formulas and calculations are enough to knock you out or at least put you to sleep. I'll give it a re-read again, but first drive through, just blew me away - sorry, math was never my strong point! Overall - 2's the best this rates for non-mathemeticians.



2. I've been trying my hand off and on for the last year at astrophotography with my Meade LX-200. In that time I've scoured the internet, devoured newsgroup, and emailed enough astrophotographers that you'd think I was trying to get elected to NASA or something. In all that time, one name and reference guide kept coming up as a "must have". Astrophotography for the Amateur by Michael A. Covington.
   
   
   Everywhere I turned, everyone I asked, their answers always seemed to come down to "...because Michael Covington does it this way" or "Yeah I tried doing it that way but after reading Astrophotography I tried it this way and received better results". That attitude actually "put me off" this book. Here I wanted to learn how to do astrophotography, not follow some recipe in a book. After finally browsing through a friends copy I was immediately impressed with the book as a reference guide, and when comparing it to my own notes and conclusions found several area's where I had erred, resulting in poor photo's. Of course, the flip side is true as well.
   
   
   Some of the info in this book (even though it is a second edition) is dated such as film types and recommendations. I've found his exposure calculations for Lunar photography to be way over exposed.
   
   
   
   I have to make a correction here, originaly I (and others) noted the lack of CCD imaging information in the book and I need to note that the first addition makes no mention of CCD, while the second edition has a section detailing the diffrences between CCD and film work. It also has a brief section devoted to CCD work. Its not as indepth as his discussions on film work.



3. I've bought a handful of books on the subject, and this one is head and shoulders above the rest. Some of the other books have lots of pretty pictures, and very little information on actually taking photos. I found the instructions easy to follow, and when I had a question, or needed to figure something out, this book always had it. Two big thumbs up!



4. This book is a must in doing amateur astrophotography if you are going serious. It has lots of information which is very useful.For example it teach you to calculate the focal ratio using diferent techniques of takig pictures with the telescope, it help you calculate the exposure times in order to photograph the moon or a constelation on a tripod.
   It is an excellent source but you have to do calculations(formulas).If you don't like numbers, this book is not for you, but if you do like numbers this book is very useful.



5. Micheal Covington's book covers all aspects of astrophotography starting from objects, from camera selection to films, exposure methods, mounts and drives, guiding of the mount & guiding accuracy/errors, and of course the CCD imaging. I also gives ideas on how to build a simple barn door mount. It does not end at taking exposures. After an exposure is taken we have to convert it into an acceptable quality print or into a computer file. Images can be greatly improved by digital processing. So it also covers image processing ideas. The only point to be noted is that one must look at his website and download the errata. The book has many printing errors, some of which are trivial though. That, of course, must not deter any user. I consider is my best field guide book on this topic. I believe his recent edition has got over these errors - not mine. I bought mine in 1999.

2 comments about The Galileo Affair: A Documentary History (California Studies in the History of Science, Vol 1).

1. When I browsed through Amazon.com, I was amazed that after all of these years there was not a single review on this book. I wanted to write a review to let people know what this book is about. Basically Finocchiaro has made an excellent compilation of all documents pertaining the famous "Galileo Affair", of what happened in the Inquisition's case against Galileo.
   
   But more than that, Finocchiaro in his "Introduction" to the book, deals with both sides of the affair, of those against Galileo, and of those in his favor. He then tries to make a very accurate interpretation about what really happened them, and pointing to both groups' flaws about their interpretation of history. Certainly the Galileo Affair was not just a case where the Inquisition was absolutely right, but also it is far beyond the statement that the Inquisition wanted him silenced to prevent the advance of science. The Galileo Affair is much more complex than that, and Finnochiaro takes into account the scientific, philosophical, theological and political realities of the time.
   
   The documents in the book include correspondence, Inquisition documents, fragments of Galileo's writings, among others. You MUST have this book if you want to understand more accurately the Galileo Affair.



2. Not exactly what I was looking for. Aside from the 43-page introduction, this book is a primary source of documentation (letters to and from Galileo) surrounding Galileo and his two trials, and devoid of commentary or narrative.

No comments about Saturn 1/1B: The Complete Manufacturing and Test Records (Apogee Books Space Series).

5 comments about Bad Medicine: Misconceptions and Misuses Revealed, from Distance Healing to Vitamin O (Wiley Bad Science Series).

1. There's nothing worse than revealing misconceptions and misuses of medicine by adding new ones. "non-scientific-narrow-minded-orthodox-concepts-against-popular-beliefs.pdf" is a better name for this work, or "Help your doctor achieve the 600 sick patients target per year so he can cope with his bills" e-book.
   The 'conceptions' suggested by this e-book are for "plastic human beings" who are going to live in Mars and wait 300 years to celebrate the first alfafa sprouted in martian soil.
   Spend your money on much better books like: "Living Water: Viktor Schauberger and the Secrets of Natural Energy"- by Olof Alexandersson.
   Heal yourself, don't be bottled by misuses and misconceptions like this one...



2. +++++
   
   This book, by joke writer and science writer Christopher Wanjek, explains "Bad Medicine." He does not define this term but upon reading his book, it seems that it is medicine that does not have a rational cure for disease. By implication then, "Good Medicine" is medicine that does have a rational cure for disease. Wanjek implies that traditional medicine as it is practiced today with surgery, radiation, and drugs is good medicine.
   
   This book has seven parts that encompass more than forty easy to read very brief chapters. Below I will give the title of each part and chapter (that are not the same as in the book):
   
   (I) *Dispelling certain myths (9 chapters)
   
   (1) How the brain works (2) Brain size and intelligence (3) How the eyes work (4) How the tongue works (5) Detoxification myths (6) The Appendix: useful or not? (7) Why hair turns gray (8) Baldness cures (9) Human race defined
   
   (II) *Aging (5 chapters)
   
   (1) Memory (2) Vitality (3) Disease (4) Life Span (5) Longevity and Genetics
   
   (III) *Cause and cure of certain diseases (6 chapters)
   
   (1) The Black Plague in the modern age (2) The common cold (3) Are all bacteria bad? (4) Radiation (5) Cancer and Sharks (6) What your genes say about your future health
   
   (IV) *Nutrition myths (5 chapters)
   
   (1) Antioxidants (2) Obesity (3) Cow's Milk (4) Organic Food (5) Water: Bottled versus Tap
   
   (V) *Alternative Medicine (8 chapters)
   
   (1) Homeopathy (2) Magnetism (3) Ayurveda (4) Aromatherapy (5) Oxygen (6) Touch Therapy (7) Herbs (8) The true dangers of vaccines
   
   (VI) *Risk (4 chapters)
   
   (1) Science of toxicity (2) How health studies work (3) Important health study findings (4) Rating America's health
   
   (VII) *Bad medicine in the news and at the movies (4 chapters)
   
   (1) Accuracy of TV medical news (2) Guns and their aftereffects (3) Getting knocked out in Hollywood and in reality (4) A Hollywood heart attack versus a real heart attack
   
   There is also an appendix that gives almost fifteen more examples of bad medicine. These were not entered into the main narrative because (I guess) they were not bad enough. There are also a dozen illustrations in this book.
   
   Many chapters in this book are good especially those parts of chapters where Wanjek explains how things work. I should emphasize that such information can be found in a good medical text or even on a reliable internet site. It is nice, though, to have this information in one small volume. He also does a good job in explaining medical myths.
   
   There are many chapters that, I feel, are too brief and somewhat simplistic. One obvious example is the chapter on vaccinations. This is a huge, controversial subject that Wanjek attempts to reduce to a mere six pages! He should read the classic book "The Medical Mafia" by Guylaine Lanctot, M.D. In her book, Dr. Lanctot clearly states that:
   
   "The big lie [that vaccines protect us] has been perpetuated for 150 years despite the: (1) Ineffectiveness of vaccines in protecting against illness (2) Uselessness of certain vaccines (3) Innumerable complications of vaccines [that go] from minor problems...to death (4) Numerous...complaints [against vaccines] continually repeated by...conscientious [MDs] (5) Parent leagues and associations [that warn about the dangers of vaccinations] (6) Legal actions...that are so numerous that they have threatened the very livelihood of certain manufactures of vaccines (7) Catastrophic and staggering consequences of extensive neurological deficiency, which effects a great number of children, following [the administering of vaccinations] (8) Frightening and unforeseen effects [associated after administering vaccinations]."
   
   It should be of no surprise that Wanjek puts down the alternative medicine he mentions. He should read the classic book "Confessions of a Medical Heretic" by Robert Mendelsohn, M.D. In his book, Dr. Mendelsohn clearly says,
   
   "Get used to the idea right away that no single system can or should claim to have an exclusive fix on the dynamics of health."
   
   Another interesting thing I found in this book occurs on the last page of the main narrative as well as on the last page of the "recommended reading." The last page of the book touts the fame of "[the late LINUS] PAULING, [James] Watson, and [the late Francis] Crick." These people were true scientists and made important discoveries. They truly deserve praise. Watson and Crick won a shared Nobel Prize but LINUS PAULING won two unshared Nobel Prizes, a remarkable achievement. On the last page of the Recommended Reading section, Wanjek mentions the value of an internet site called "Quackwatch."
   
   Quackwatch is a good site that I've visited many times since it "combats health care fraud, myths, and fads." It also interestingly enough has a list of people, both living and dead, to AVOID getting health advice from (through their books).
   
   There are two things that any person that reads this long list will find interesting. First, most of the names on this list are, believe it or not, medical doctors!! Second, guess whose name is in the deceased column of this list? You guessed it. LINUS PAULING!!!! I wonder what Wanjek would think of this?
   
   I found other minor problems with this book.
   
   Finally, this book, as I have said, is easy to read. However, Wanjek writes in a smart-alecky style. Perhaps this is his joke writing skills coming through. Personally, I was not offended by this but some readers may
   be.
   
   In conclusion, this is a highly readable book on an important subject. Unfortunately, it does not delve into some of its subjects thoroughly enough.
   
   *** 1/2
   
   (first published 2003; acknowledgements; introduction; 7 parts or 41 chapters; main narrative 250 pages; epilogue; appendix; recommended reading; bibliography; index)
   
   +++++



3. A spirited defence of evidence-based medicine with a wry sense of humour, this is an entertaining and informative read. The chapters break it up into easily digestible chunks for dipping into, although it is just as suited for reading straight through.
   
   The core message is eat well and exercise: you'll save a fortune.



4. Some reviewers were a little skeptical about the author, but a quick search on google will show that he is indeed qualified to write about medicine.
   
   But about the book: I found this book to be written in a very readable and easy to understand way. Many times I chuckled outloud at the authors sarcasm.
   
   While most people know why homeopathic medicine is bunk, he goes onto explain why it is bunk. He also has an interesting chapter on diets and on milk.
   
   This book is full of interesting information, and i highly reccomend it to everyone who is interested in real medicine.



5. I didn't have any particular expectations about "Bad Medicine" when I purchased it, except what the title (and the subtitle) told me. In fact, the subtitle was somewhat misleading - it had led me to expect that this book was an encycopdeia of bad ideas in medicine or healthcare (a bit like "the Skeptic's Dictionary"), but it isn't.
   
   "Bad Medicine" is a series of short chapters covering such topics as common myths about physiology and diet, and ineffective alternative medicine. The very first chapter is an introduction that provides a history of medicine from the dawn of recorded history to the modern day. This introduction, in itself, is facinating and worth the price of the book.
   
   The information presented in this book is drawn from reputable scientific sources - a bibliography for each chapter is provided at the end. In addition, internet sources are also listed for interested readers to pursue the topics in the book further.
   
   Although drawn from science, the material in the book is presented in a truely understandable format. For example, when talking about theraputic magnets (and how they don't attract the iron in blood) the author used a good analogy to Magnetic Resonance Imagining (MRI). He points out that the if the theory behind theraputic magnets were correct the very strong magnets used in MRI should rip the blood from your body - but they don't.
   
   After about 10 pages of "Bad Medicine" it dawned on me that not only was the content interesting and well written, the author was also very funny, so I wanted to know more about him. Turning to the back cover, I discovered that not only had Christopher Wanjek written for major newspapers and university publications, he's also written jokes for tv comedy shows. As such, if you read "Bad Medicine" I expect you'll find yourself amused, as well as well informed.

5 comments about The Perfect Machine: Building the Palomar Telescope.

1. Florence's narrative brings alive the fascinating saga of the great Mt. Palomar reflector, in its time the world's largest telescope and a pioneering example of "Big Science." The instrument's gestation period, beginning in 1928 and interrupted by the second World War, was so long that three of the principal figures didn't live to see it dedicated in 1948. Included in this group was the project's founding father, George Ellery Hale, for whom the telescope is named. The author uses Hale's remarkable abilities and seemingly unending physical and mental travails as a unifying theme throughout the book.

   A renowned telescope developer and respected solar astronomer, Hale had the establishment clout and scientific connections to launch such a grand project and assemble a team to carry it out. While suffering from a chronic nervous condition that often left him isolated in a darkened room, he was nevertheless able to lead the program through its most critical periods and help rescue it from a multitude of financial and organizational crises.

   The immense 200-inch (nearly 17 ft) diameter of the Palomar telescope's main mirror gave it twice the theoretical resolution and four times the light grasp of its Hale-inspired predecessor, the 100-inch reflector on Mt. Wilson. Everything about the 500-ton machine was Brobdingnagian, perhaps best symbolized by the fact that an observer at the prime focus actually sat inside the telescope tube, with plenty of clearance for starlight to stream past him to the mirror some fifty-five feet below.

   In the hands of Florence, what might have been a confusing welter of facts becomes a coherent and utterly engrossing suspense story. He seemingly overlooks nothing about the relevant issues of Astronomy, optics, engineering, business, politics and personalities; yet there is no sense of overkill and one always feels eager to begin the next chapter. The dozens of interacting characters are portrayed with enough subtlety, irony and humor to make them seem real and familiar. I have seldom gotten so much pure enjoyment from a book.




2. Not only does Ronald Florence give a vibrant account of the design and construction of the Hale telescope, he manages to make the reader share his fascination for an admirable project and an awe-inspiring science machine. The book is better than well written, it is captivating. Having been closely involved in a major telescope project, I can only state that his account of the production of the "giant eye" rings true. Rarely has a science writer shown so much understanding of the intricate processes, technologies, and human relations underlying a large science project. Still, there are a few disturbing inaccuracies in Florence's story. On a number of occasions, the author wrongly gives credit to the Palomar telescope designers for innovations that had been experimented long before, such as the principle of the support of the primary mirror, actually due to Lassel (Malta, 1861). The account of the in-situ finishing of the primary mirror sounds completely implausible, the metrology of the time (I saw the Hartmann screen on the occasion of a privileged visit in 1995) being of too low resolution to allow any meaningful verification of local refiguring as reported by Florence. The post-1950 period would also have deserved a somewhat broader and fairer account; the Russian 6-m may not have been a success comparable to the Palomar but paved the way for modern mechanical designs, and the advent of entirely new and far-reaching concepts, such as active optics, in the hands of European designers and suppliers is completely ignored. Still, the vision and the endeavour underlying the making of the Palomar telescope emanate from every page; it is a nearly perfect book about a nearly perfect machine.



3. I have no trouble pinpointing the splendid-ness of this book. All I have to do is mutate a cliche and say that "the angel is in the details." Florence's full, dramatic account of the various attempts to create the mirror for this enormous telescope -- first by General Electric and then by Corning -- is worth many times the price of admission. What you get is an exciting story of engineering hurdles met, overcome, and sometimes not overcome ... I am not an engineer, but probably should have been one. My father _was_ an engineer and, while reading this book, decided he would probably find it enthralling, and I was right.

   Florence is such a careful and masterful writer, that this tale of seemingly-insurmountable obstacles and struggles should appeal to anyone. He makes molten glass come to life. Bravo. One of the better books I've read in the past 5 years - and I read a lot.




4. I purchased this book at the telescope gift shop on Mount Palomar back in 1996. I read it in the next few days. It is the fascinating tale of George Hale, a remarkable man who had to battle personal demons (in the form of debilitating mental breakdowns) to build the world's largest telescope--then do it again and again! I can't remember the first one offhand, but the 100-inch Hooker Telescope on Mt. Wilson was next, then the 200-inch Hale telescope on Mt. Palomar. This book talks about all the technical, financal and other difficulties that were overcome to make the giant telescope possible. It explains large earlier telescopes and how the problems encountered in their construction provided lessons for the designers and builders of the Palomar telescope. Anyone interested in the history of technology or astronomy should give this book a look.



5. I've been fascinated with the 200" Hale telescope on Mt Palomar since I read "The Glass Giant of Palomar" as kid. "The Perfect Machine" meets the highest standard you can apply to a non-fiction book--it reads like a novel. Not only does it correct the many errors and omissions of "The Glass Giant of Palomar," but it weaves interleaving stories in a fscinating and riveting way. There's the story of the glass blank of Pyrex and the difficulties casting it, the extraordinary vision of George Ellery Hale, and even the Surrier Truss design first used on this telescope tube. Then there is the site selection, constuction problems, and most of all a vivid portrait of the personalities involved in the construction of this giant. It is even more mind-boggling to realize that all this happened in the first few decades of the 20th century!
   
   After reading this book I finally made my pilgrammage to Mt. Palomar to view the monster for myself. Knowing the details of the telescope's construction added even more to the sense of awe I felt standing in the visitor's gallery gazing in disbelief at this huge, huge machine, and knowing all the discoveries made with it over the years. It was an incredible experience. No photograph of the Hale telescope does it justice.
   
   This is an extraordinary book.

5 comments about Science of the Cosmos, Science of the Soul: The Pertinence of Islamic Cosmology in the Modern World.

1. I've just finished reading this fabulous work of W. Chittick and I think that he has reached his purpose; it' a really inspiring book which oneself to reflect about Islam, its tradition and what it is its object.
   I have read some books of W. Chittick, including Sufi Path of Knowledge, The Self Disclosure of God, Imaginal Worlds, and his quality as translator shows his great compression about Islam. And also "Vision of Islam" which he wrote with Sachiko Murata its a must read for everyone who wants to know what Islam really means, specially for converts like me I think it very profitable.
   But this works goes a little bit farther. This compilation and re-elaboration of talk and paper on Sufism and Islamic philosophy it's, in fact, a real light to follow in dark times. He takes out a lot of veils that the modern world has put on traditional though and shows what it is the importance of the traditional way in our days, specially what Islam can give back to our thirsty souls.
   I know that Chittick doesn't mentions him in his book, but I can feel that this is the legacy of Rene Guenon, put in the Islamic way this book follows the mains tenets of "Reign of Quantity". Maybe it's not so deep -some guenonian may put some points on it, but it doesn't matter-, but I think that this is a great job done for showing that it is possible to find a way back and to find solutions to our situation (as humankind) and that still there is hope in the places where the men of the unseen keep contact with the ones who have enough spiritual aspiration.
   for me shows also that W. Chittick has gone farther than an "simple" Orientalist, and has reached the core of what he was studying.
   May God reward him for this great book, and may God keep him being a tool in His hands giving us -the people who doesn't have his maestri in Arabic, Persian and his deep understanding of Islamic tradition- the light that his works spare.
   thank you.
   Nuruddin
   "the one who doesn't thanks the creature does not thank God"



2. William Chittick distills a lifetime of reading and translating masters of Islam and Sufism into a fine, clear liquid to be sipped and savored. His clear thought and writing cuts through the Gordian knot of modern confusion and 'scientism'. Chittick sets himself the daunting task of revivifying a worldview and holistic philosophy that is barely a rumor in the 21st century. He clearly shows what we moderns have lost in our headlong rush to 'progress' and deification of 'science.'
   
   What were the revered masters of the tradition seeking? What is the relevance today? To me? What is the place in this for individual thought? Are only the transmitted traditions of a revealed tradition valid? What is man's place and purpose in creation?
   
   Lest you think that this is another 'modernity is wrong, we need a return to ______', here is a short excerpt on a key difference from modern thought (and thinking): "Another characteristic of the intellectual tradition that places it in stark contrast with modern learning is the intensely personal nature of the quest. Tahqiq aims at the discovery of the haqq within the seeker's own intelligence. That intelligence was understood, and, indeed, experienced, as the supra-individual, transpersonal, universal breath of awareness."
   
   In my humble opinion, in order to comprehend what great souls like Muhyidin Ibn al'Arabi The Sufi Path of Knowledge or Mevlana Jelaladin Rumi The Sufi Path of Love: The Spiritual Teachings of Rumi (Suny Series, Islamic Spirituality) wrote, one must fundamentally change one's mind. William Chittick has journeyed in their lands. He patiently lays out the beginning steps and encourages us each to make our own journey.
   
   Alhamdulillah! May you find what you seek and may it be good for you!



3. This book is extremely well-written, and well worth the read. However, a lot of the theology that Professor Chittick presents as mainstream Sunni Islam is in actuality a form of extreme Sufism.
   
   Professor Chittick discusses why he believes the fields of science and philosophy have prospered in the Muslim world as opposed to in the Christian world. He attributes success in these fields to Islamic thought, however, he argues that Islamic thought is dying in the Muslim world today. In order revive Islamic thought, Chittick encourages mainstream Muslims to advocate an extreme form of Sufism (which he does not clarify as such).
   
   Lena Masri



4. Chittick begins this masterful and needed book crushing all of our false idols. In a matter of a few pages democracy, freedom, progress, and "science" are shown to be our idols and then they are systematically destroyed. How many of us have tried to see if God is compatible with these pseudo-Absolutes. Surely if God and our new idols are incompatible, we know which one must go. Do you think like this? I think Chittick has a few words for you.
   
   In this book Chittick proposes that most of the ills of modern society, even things we sometimes don't think of as ills, have everything to do with the way we view the world. In making God totally other than the world, we have denuded the world of its sacred character, and in some sense, set up others besides God. The doctrine of Wahdat Al-Wujud, though Chittick points out was not accepted by "mainstream" theologians, is in fact tawhid through and through.
   
   "Wherever ye turn there is the face of God" Chittick explains in this book how this is the case. Attending a conference on this book I found many people wanting a "So what? What do I do now?" as if the truth itself is not an ends. I have a firm belief that the cosmology in this book has the power to transform societies if adopted at large. I am also quite certain that that will not be the case. But as Socrates said if you can't live in the ideal city, surely you can make it live in your heart.



5. Great book, really pertinent and makes us ask the really deep questions needed to look behind the scenes of the facade.

5 comments about Jesus Christ, Sun of God: Ancient Cosmology and Early Christian Symbolism.

1. I pick up this book regularly at easter time and re read some of the wisdom of proportion it contains. Selecting chapters and appendices to combine with my current projects and other reading material. Synthesis is the name of my game. This year I have synthesised ancient gematria and divine proportion into a sales seminar.
   If you have ever wondered about the origins of christianity and its relationship with the cultures of the mediteranean at the time of its origination. This is the book with the answers.



2. David Fideler, PhD, has written a seminal work on ancient understandings of the cosmos and early Christian symbolism. Delving into sacred geometry, astronomy, and gematria, he explores the ancient world with meticulous scholarship and groundbreaking research and ideas. Replete with extensive diagrams and clear explanations, even for the lay person, this book is a must read for anyone interested in what really was indicated by many myths and parables of antiquity.



3. This book is a a treasure to anyone interested in Comparative Mythology/Religion. Like "The Jesus Mysteries", it presents historical facts that relate to the shared metaphors of world religious thought over thousands of years. Whereas "The Jesus Mysteries" is a wonderful introductory book for people new to the concepts presented, this work provides in depth considerations more geared to a well educated and/or intellectual reader. I keep buying copies, as I keep giving this book to fascinated friends. It is a fabulous work of scholarship, presented in wonderful ways.



4. This is an eminently readable, well researched piece of work that I would recommend to anyone interested in the "hidden" origins of Christianity.
   
   Fideler goes to great length to show the reader what you might call the evolutionary process that took place over centuries - in terms of spiritual ideas, religious thought, pagan practices, and related symbolism (especially concerning the Sun, the Solar Logos) - eventually culminating in an amalgamation that came to be known as Christianity.
   
   Especially interesting to me was the section dealing with gematria, an ancient form of numerology - although I hesitate to use that term to describe it because gematria is definitely not your grandmother's drugstore paperback numerology. The author presents a detailed examination of how the Biblical tales of the 153 fish in the unbroken net and the feeding of the 5000 people by the magical multiplication of a few fish are actually "encoded" parables containing all the elements required to construct intricate, symbolic patterns of "sacred geometry". The reason I found Fideler's examination of the Greek gematria so fascinating is because I've spent several years exploring the possibility that the English language might also be "encoded" in such a way as to produce synchronistic alphanumeric "equations". For example, in the context of the title of this book, I found a remarkable equation using the simple code of A=1 through Z=26. It is this:
   
   JESUS CHRIST SUN OF GOD = 252 = CHRIST CONSCIOUSNESS
   
   Just as I found this book to be a valuable and insightful addition to my personal area of research, I'm confident that others with interests in any of the concepts that Fideler deals with will find the book just as valuable.
   
   Highly recommended.



5. This is one of the best religious/philosophical books I've ever read. Seriously. Read it. It will change the way you think of spirituality and for those fans of the ancient Greeks, you'll get to see how gematria had a hand in creating early Christian works. A+++++

5 comments about From Elsewhere: Being E.T. in America.

1. I must say this book was an eye opener for me. After 50 years of life I would have thought I would know my roots and why I just don't seem to fit into this world. After reading a quiz that I found on the net that suppose to indicate if one is a wanderer, I found that I answered virtually every question yes. So I ordered this book, and boy does it ring true. It has given me a new outlook on life, and at last I know my mission. For wanderers it is a must read. For those who are not wanderers it probably is of little interest.

   It explains much of what had been a mystery to me, like why I came to have healing touch so easily, and why all my close friends have told me at one time or the other they are from elsewhere. Also it directed me to the RA books which have given me additional insight. Both are a must read for wanderers!




2. Synchronicity brought "From Elsewhere" my way and I am eternally grateful. It is very difficult going through life as a lonely observer with a growing stack of unanswerable questions. This book addressed those gnawing issues for me. The answer to all of them: I am a wanderer. I agree with the Knoxville reviewer about the book probably being unpalatable to most non-wanderers/walk-ins. That is simply because few people are open-minded enough to ask the questions that Dr. Mandelker poses. These questions shake the very foundations of society's cherished beliefs about life. It is a tribute to Mandelker's courage that he dares ask them.

   As a wanderer, I particularly appreciated the author's personal story in the appendix. That autobiography plus the quiz that the other reviewer mentioned, convinced me of my origins. I really wasn't surprised that I'm from Elsewhere. That was probably the most stunning discovery of all. I hope sincere, open-minded people will delve into this book. It deserves the attention of all devoted seekers of truth. Dr. Mandelker's sincerity, courage, and solid, though unconventional reasoning make this work a stand-out. Thank you, Scott.




3. Almost everyone is still asking the question: are we alone in the universe?
   But almost every metaphysician knows that the answer is simply "No" From elsewhere is a book that proves that we are not alone in the universe and it gives the reader a lot of valubale information about the extra-terrestrials amoung us. I found this book to be very interesting and I am certan that you will too if you read it!



4. After my own "awakening" I went searching for others like me. I quickly found Scott Mandelker's book, "From Elsewhere." It was a relief for me to know that I was not alone. Reading the experiences in this book helped me a great deal as I have also told Scott. This book is helpful to all of the Wanderer's, Walk-ins and others that know they are "From Elsewhere." Thank you Scott for such a wonderful gift.



5. After reading From Elsewhere I have this book an excellent read!
   Very reflective and I resonate with many of the stories told by the 25 people in the book. I especially love Soren's story we are both very similar.
   I highly recommend this book. Each time i read it I discover something new!