Average customer rating:
- Enochiana straight from the source
- Very well done
- Superlative
- Worth More Than Five Stars
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John Dee's Five Books of Mystery: Original Sourcebook of Enochian Magic
John Dee
Manufacturer: Weiser Books
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback
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ASIN: 1578631785 |
Book Description
Written in the Renaissance, Dee's Books shed light on our struggle to reconcile contemporary conflicts: tradition vs. reform, science vs. magic, Christian vs. pagan.
Discovered in a hidden compartment of an old chest long after his death, the secret writings of John Dee, one of the leading scientists and occultists of Elizabethan England, record in minute detail his research into the occult. Dee concealed his treatises on the nature of humandkind's contact with angelic realms and languages throughout his life, and they were nearly lost forever. In his brief biography of John Dee, Joseph Peterson calls him a "true Renaissance man," detailing his work in astronomy, mathematics, navigation, the arts, astrology, and the occult sciences. He was even thought to be the model for Shakespeare's Prospero.
All this was preparation for Dee's main achievement: five books, revealed and transcribed between March 1582 and May 1583, bringing to light mysteries and truths that scholars and adepts have been struggling to understand and use ever since. These books detail his system for communicating with the angels, and reveal that the angels were interested in and involved with the exploration and colonization of the New World, and in heralding in a new age or new world order. While Dee's influence was certainly felt in his lifetime, his popularity has grown tremendously since. His system was used and adapted by the Hermetic Order of the Golden Dawn, and subsequently by Aleister Crowley.
This new edition of John Dee's Five Books of Mystery is by far the most accessible and complete published to date. Peterson has translated Latin terms and added copious footnotes, putting the instructions and references into context for the modern reader.
Customer Reviews:
Enochiana straight from the source.......2006-03-29
Kudos to Joseph H. Peterson, not only for this exceptional book, but to his service to the Occult community with his scholarly treatment of the classical literature that is the backbone of the Western Magickal Tradition.
Here Peterson compiles Dr. John Dee's "Mysteriorum Libri Quinque" from the original notes and documents written(and hidden - you could be burned at the stake for stuff like this back then!) by Dee himself, preserved in the British Museum. It adds much detail to Dee's politics, science, and his occult activities with seer Edward Kelly, especially during the years 1581-1583, widely considered the peak of Dee's career. That being said, I will caution casual readers that the archaic English used throughout the books can be abit taxing to read, but the rewards are well worth the effort. Peterson also translates many Latin passages, and includes copious notes and references.
If you are at all interested in Enochian, or 'Angel Magick', you will be very happy with this purchase. I would recommend this edition over Casaubons' "A True & Faithful Relation..." for readablility and accuracy. A "must-have" addition to the serious occultists' library.
Very well done.......2006-01-06
If you are interested in John Dee, "behind the scenes" of Enochian, Medieval/Renaissance philosophy or occult matters, this is a must have.
The editor did a great job of making the texts readable and clear in the layout. The footnotes (including explanatory, reference, and translation of the Latin parts) are extremely useful to the understanding of the text and related texts that Dee had access to.
The introductory information written by the editor is short and straightforward, and also fairly objective.
The book contains the 5 Books of Mystery that were found after Dee's death. These books provide a clear insight into the goings on around the Skrying done by Dee and Kelly; they are a journal or set of lab notes on what went on at each session detailing what was seen in the crystal as well as how the "angels" taught them to render the Sigilum Dei, the tables, and a few other things.
Whether you believe Dee actually talked with angels or not, this is a great insight into an Elizabethan Mage's project. A must have for anyone interested in such subject matter for whatever reasons.
Superlative.......2005-11-07
After Mr. Peterson's superb, definitive version of THE LESSER KEY OF SOLOMON, he has followed it up with a superlative edition of Mysteriorum Libri Quinti. This is a must have for any student of Enochiana. All the material is lovingly and lucidly translated, commented, and explained. This is a great service for those of us that wish to explore the Enochian source materials but don't know Latin & Greek. I can't praise this book highly enough. Now if only Mr. Peterson will provide a translation of 49 Claves Angelicae Anno 1584 Cracoviae, Liber Scientiae Auxillii et Victoriae Terrestris, and De Heptarchia Mystica...
Worth More Than Five Stars.......2003-09-10
For the true Enochian scholar, this is the ONLY book of its kind. John Dee's "Five Books of the Mysteries" was written hundreds of years ago- partly in English, partly in Latin, and even somewhat in Angelic(!). Since its rediscovery and publication, mystical scholars have poured over it in search of classical wisdom, magickal technique, and the hidden secrets behind Dee's "Enochian" system of magick.
However, like all of Dee's work, the Five Books remained very obscure and hard to understand. That is, until Joseph Peterson's publication of "John Dee's Five Books of Mystery." Here are the five books we all know and love- with ALL of the Latin translated, complete footnotes and commentary, and even an exploration of Dee's source material (ancient mystical texts from which Dee drew his own ideas about magick).
I cannot recommend Joseph Peterson- as an author and scholar- highly enough. His work is always top-notch and completely trustworthy (and this statement does NOT come lightly!). Just the same for his "John Dee's Five Books of Mystery." I hope we see more of Dee's work re-published by Peterson in the future.
In LVX...
Customer Reviews:
Enochian Dictionary.......2007-01-03
I found the dictionary of Enochian to English a practical manual on the usage of the Enochian language in magic. The history sections give a good insight into the compilation of this language, and aid in the reader's understanding of its validity. Furhtermore, the inclusion of the Enochian Calls enlighten the reader into the practices of such magical groups as the Order of the Golden Dawn, and of the actual beauty of this language.
Well made and complete.......2005-10-06
I found this was a very complete and well made dictionary for enochian ceremonial.
Talk in the language of the Angels!.......2005-08-09
I have several of Dr. Dee's books in my library. To name a few, the Monas Hieroglyphica, A True & Faithful Relation of what passed for many Years Between Dr. John Dee ... and some spirits, Liber Mysteriorum Sextus et Sanctus & Tuba Veneris. This book by Donald C. Laycock on the Enochian language is truly wonderful. The first part is a short biography on Dr. Dee and Edward Kelly. I have read many biographys on these unusual men, although Mr. Laycock's version is brief, it is everything you need to know. What follows is an Enochian to English translation, very helpful in translating parts of Dee's workings that have not been translated. The gem of this book is the English to Enochian translation, with this, you can talk & write in Enochian!
Conisbra od avavox, tonug, od quash qting, od ozazma plapli iadnamad. Translation - The works of man and his pomp, let them be defaced, and destroy the rotten, and make us partakers in the divine knowledge.
The most prominent question that Dr. Dee always asked in all the conjurings, "Is this book real & is this information trust worthy". He was a man that wanted to know the TRUTH, I admire this quest ... let us be knowers of the great truths, let God's Good Angels guide us on our quest.
Very Helpful.......2004-10-16
If you are interested in the Enochian language, and in understanding some of the finer points in the language, this book is for you. No, it doesn't have an in-depth grammar or even an easy way to conjugate verbs and nouns. But, it does have definitions of a lot of words; and, it has a lot of variations and variant spellings of words. I have found it immensely useful in creating Enochian rituals and prayers.
This book is for those who are interested in exploring the language deeper than just stumbling through the calls. The foreword and preface are also helpful -- but the real strength is in the lists of words. You won't be sorry you bought this one.
H-E-L-P-F-U-L!.......2004-02-28
This is such a helpful book. Words are at your fingertips. There's no real hunting to find words. It's set up like a Enochian-English-Enochian translation book. It gives the Enochian words that have been sourced by The Golden Dawn, Crowley, and Dr. Dee. The 30 calls are also given toward the back in both English and Enochian.
Average customer rating:
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Theatre of the World
Frances A. Yates
Manufacturer: Law Book Co of Australasia
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover
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ASIN: 0710063709 |
Customer Reviews:
1, 2, 3, John Bible Group Bible.......2007-01-04
The small group truly enjoyed the book study. The questions were interesting and informative. The questions ranged from simple to in-depth.
Customer Reviews:
A direct conduit into the mind of John Dee.......2006-11-30
Descriptions of John Dee's earlier work with his Enochian magick are given as well as exerpts from Dee's diaries. Much information not given in Golden Dawn sources are presented as well as a usable version of the Enochian angelic calls. A must read for anyone aspiring to practice Enochian evocation
Glue it together and call it a book.......2001-10-16
It seems this book has made a impression on folks here, well for applying the magic it would need to give more details. It feels as if the compiler of this knowlege just, threw it toghter, in the order in wich it was recived... I much prefer Tyson.
A Useful Book.......2000-08-13
James' book is basically a copy of Dee's own "grimoire" of Enochian and Heptarchic magick, excerpted by Dee from the raw material of his diaries. James' translations of Latin passages have been severely criticized by other Enochian scholars (e.g., Robert Turner) but the passages in question do not bear much relevance to the actual practice of the magick. James has also "corrected" the Enochian Calls so that -- in his estimation -- the Angelic versions fit better with their English translations; these small differences do not seem to greatly affect the potency of the Calls. His editorial intervention is otherwise minimal.
A Scholarly Reference Compilation of the Original Material.......2000-06-10
This is one of the most complete compilations I have seen in quite some time. Among the many titles that claim to be authoritative, this title is unique. Geoffrey James is a true scholar, and offers an objectivity in his appraisals that many more well-known authors lack. I recommend this book to any academic student of the Western Magickal Tradition. It is solid reference guide and an appropriate companion to the excellent book "Enochian Magick for Beginners: The Original System of Angelic Magick" by Donald Tyson. (Five Stars)
helpful and easier to understand than most others.......2000-03-21
this is a very complex system of magick and what a better way to study it than from the words of John dee,I felt this book had some very distinct and moving/powerfull energy,I recomend going for it I would make sure to read it in it's entirity first then think about actually using it. love,life and light
Book Description
John Dee (1527-1609) was until recently regarded as an isolated crank on the margin of Tudor history. This anthology of Dee's writings illustrates his diverse interests and his central position in the history of Renaissance thought and the development of Western Magic. Dee's celebrated Preface to Euclid is included along with selections from his Spiritual Diaries and letters to other mystics and royals. In addition to Hermetic and Cabalistic philosophy, mathematics, astronomy, astrology, and navigation are also covered.
Book Description
Although his accomplishments were substantial-he became a trusted confidante to Queen Elizabeth I, inspired the formation of the British Empire, and plotted voyages to the New World-John Dee's story has been largely lost to history. In The Queen's Conjurer, Benjamin Woolley brings to life the tale of one of the most colorful characters of the Renaissance. In the midst of a pivotal era when the age of superstition collided with the world of science and reason, Dee's mathematics anticipated Newton by nearly a century, and his mapmaking and navigation were critical to exploration. Obsessed with alchemy, astrology, and mysticism, his library was one of the finest in Europe, a vast compendium of thousands of volumes. Yet, despite his powerful position and prodigious intellect, Dee died in poverty and obscurity, reviled and pitied as a madman.Written with flair and vigor, and based on numerous surviving diaries of the period, The Queen's Conjurer is a highly readable account of an extraordinary and nearly forgotten life.
Customer Reviews:
Best book on Dee yet!.......2005-01-15
For 25 years I have read & collected everything on John Dee I could find, even to the point of ordering the Sloan MSS fron the British museum. My only complaint about this effort is that it wasn't longer. It reads like a novel. This is the daily life of one of the most fascinating people in British history. Occultists will get clarity on the nature of the Angelic workings, Alchemists get a glimpse of the nature of the craft, students of history are drawn into the gritty reality of fifteenth century Europe. This book carried me through from beginning to end in only two sittings. I couldn't put it down. Well done Woolley!
Dr. John Dee- Mathematician and Mystic.......2004-03-07
I have always found Dr. John Dee to be one of the most intriguing characters of Elizabethan times. Yet, there seemed to be so little information available about him, only bits and pieces and rumors- often spread by his enemies. Here is a most satisfying biography that not only gives you a complete look at the Doctor's life, but is also supplemented with a wealth of associated detail and historical background. This book turns Dee from a shadowy character to a real man, a great man.
What comes across is the amazing breadth and depth of Dee's interests and scholarship. He was already famed for his remarkable intellect and ability as a student at Cambridge. At a time when most scholars barely processed a reading knowledge of bad Latin, he mastered classical Greek to be able to read the forgotten works of Plato and Pythagoras. He was a personal friend and correspondent to the great men of the age such as Tycho Brahe and Mercator. Dee himself was famed as a great mathematician in Europe (at a time when simple trigonometry was almost unknown in England.) He was offered high positions at the great courts of Europe, but turned these offers down out of a deep seated desire to raise up his country of birth to be their eventual global equal (at this time England was a poor, backward, weak backwater.) Indeed, the first conception of a British Empire, founded upon a strong Royal Navy, was first expounded by Dee.
John Dee was as close to modern scientist as existed in the 16th century. He independently came to the conclusion that bodies of unequal weight fall at the same rate- before Galileo. He was recognized as England's top expert on optics and lenses. He was recognized as one of the top experts on navigation and chart making of his day. He kept detailed astronomical observations that even Tycho Brahe admired. He based his astrological work upon the heliocentric "heresy" of Copernicus. He was an expert in geology and ores and leased his own tin mine. He also collected the biggest research library of the age in Mortlake, which was a gathering place of the greatest minds of England and the continent. In short- Dee was a competent expert in several areas of natural philosophy and applied technology. He believed in detailed observation and record keeping- in both natural, and supernatural, phenomena.
The thing is, Dee believed his accomplishments in the more material and practical sciences to be among his lesser accomplishments. Like Newton after him, his real passion was with the deepest cosmic and spiritual secrets. This led to his fame as an astrologer, and an alchemist, and a cabalist. Dee's passion was to discover the ancient, true, original religion of mankind, the "prisci theology." That is why he could walk easily among both Protestants and Catholics- he ultimately considered both of their dogma's to be equally absurd. Dee had a much more open mind that the "scientists" of later centuries- he studied all unknown forces, natural or supernatural. This was why be studied and practiced natural magic (Agrippa's three books were always open upon his desk for quick reference.) He knew that hidden currents influenced the day-to-day world, and he documented his observations even if he couldn't explain them in terms of material cause and effect. This also led to his interest is scrying and the use of natural sensitives to communicate with spirits. It should be noted, that no one at this time doubted the existence of such spirits- it was as self evident as the existence of God. In fact, many powerful lords of the day employed seers and scryers, including the earls of Leicester, Pembroke, and Northumberland.
All in all, you come away with a renewed respect for Dee. You realize that his only fault was to be born in a society of petty, ignorant, lesser men. It was they that libeled and slandered his image and painted him as a superstitious conjuror. Indeed, the only real mistake that the good Doctor made was to outlive his beloved queen and protector.
Combining Science and the Supernatural..........2003-08-09
Dr. John Dee is now considered to be the English Renaissance man. This was not always the case, however, because his first biographers, as the author of this fine biography points out, were either `hard-headed rationalist or muddle-headed mystics.' In present time, researchers and historians agree that Dee was a true Renaissance man because he sought to connect or reconcile rationalism with magic, science and the supernatural. This was not unusual for the time. Copernicus cited the mystic Hermes Trismegistus in his Magnum Opus, proposing the heliocentric universe. Isaac Newton began his career as an alchemist, before moving on to modern methods of pure science. John Dee was the most important scientists of the Elizabethan age. But this is only a somewhat recent recognition because throughout the ages he was considered a charlatan, crook, blockhead and "companion of hellhounds". Benjamin Woolley's fine biography combines history, science, espionage and common sense and attempts to answer how a man of genius that had such a major influence in mathematics, astronomy, cartography, navigation and science in general, could die a pauper and in obscurity.
In 1659, a scholar by the name of Meric Casaubon copied and published a collection of Dee's documents, which contained the recordings of spiritual conversations with angels and archangels, and other dialogues, which could be interpreted dubious at best. After the publication Dee's reputation as a credible philosopher went steadily down hill and has taken centuries to recover. Woolley has done some fine research, using Dee's actual diaries, and has painstakingly pieced together his life and career.
The Elizabethan age was a turning point in Western history. The Reformation was essentially a battle for power and knowledge and a bloody war in the name of religion. But it also set the stage for the Enlightenment, and Dr. John Dee was a precursor to the Age of Reason. He was a man of `science', collecting and studying every ancient text he could get his hands on, (his library is the stuff of legend) but rational knowledge, he truly believed, would only take him so far - he desired heavenly knowledge and wisdom. And it is possible that his spiritual researches into the divine nature could have been the cause of his downfall. Dee did not seek worldly gain, riches and material pleasure; his only desire was to attain the secrets of the Holy. Did he pay the ultimate price for this activity?
~The Queen's Conjurer~ is not a dense historical text, but an informative and enlightening piece of research. It casts some light on an intriguing figure, removing him from modern occult history and in to the mainstream.
Informative Biography of an Elizabethan Magus.......2002-08-28
Benjamin Woolley's 'The Queen's Conjurer' is the most recent attempt to present the life of the English Enigma, Dr. John Dee. Dee is an interesting character and one that has sadly been much maligned over the centuries. Since his death in 1608, he has largely been dismissed at best as an sorcerer and black magicican and, at worst, as a credulous old fool dabbling in astrology and necromancy. Today, despite his prominent historical role in Elizabethan politics and his great contibutions to many fields, he is hardly remembered at all. This book tries to alleviate that problem.
Wolley's work is well-researched and attempts to shed light on Dee's life and his many accomplishments as not only an occultist, but also as an astronomer, mathematician, explorer, and spy. Dee was a product of the Renaissance and devoured knowledge and information. He was an avid bibliophile, a voracious author of various works on astronomy, astrology, mathematics, occult philosophy, and was well-respected by many prominent people at the court of Queen Elizabeth. The Queen herself counted herself one of Dee's benefactors and visited him numerous times at his home at Mortlake, taking a genuine interest in his many magical and mathematical works. Today he is largely remembered for his works concerning "Enochian" or Angel Magic, due to the fact that these are the bulk of his writings that have survived the flames of history. Most of the second half of this book is concerned with Dee's European adventures with the mysterious scryer Edward Kelly, who is largely regarded by history as a charlatan and a rake. Kelly is a shadowy and intriguing figure and we get some insight into his character and motivations but he is never truly revealed to us, perhaps he never will be. In the end, Dee finds that despite a lifetime of great works and accomplishments, he is viewed with mistrust and suspicion by the general public and has lost favor with the new court of King James I. He dies a tired and broken man, and history would continue to tarnish his great name until well into the 20th century.
The Queen's Conjurer is a very readable account of a great and fascinating man.
A lot of details, but no story..........2002-05-11
Woolley's book is good-hearted, an attempt to help modern readers see John Dee not at the fringes but at the heart of much that was going on Elizabethan England.
But the book's execution leaves *much* to be desired...the thread of the story gets lost along the way (especially amidst some of the sordid details concerning Dee's relationship with Edward Kelly). There are a number of interesting facts and anecdotes, but they never quite come together as a coherent whole. And Woolley displays such an appalling ignorance of Catholicism when he attempts to describe the religious background of the period (and in some instances, ignorance of Christianity in general) that I tend to wonder whether he's gotten his facts about Dee's life wrong too.
While I'll give the book 3 stars for good intentions, in general, you're better off sticking with Peter French's _John Dee: The World of an Elizabethan Magus_.
Amazon.com
While Enochian Magic for Beginners focuses on bringing the intimidating subject of Enochian magic within the reach of the novice, the book grants its subject much more than superficial treatment. Western ceremonial magician and author Donald Tyson gives a comprehensive address on the history of and a solid foundation for actually working with this fascinating system of magic. What sets Tyson's treatment apart is his examination of the original system in its entirety, as it was given to John Dee and Edward Kelley in the late 1500s by the same angels who revealed the wisdom to Enoch in Old Testament times. This is not the same form of Enochian magic practiced by Golden Dawn members, which Tyson maintains is only a fragment of the original. The author's lucid connection of the mechanics of Enochian magic with its original philosophical and spiritual significance in Enochian Magic for Beginners answers the questions of the uninitiated while still being of importance to the adept.
Customer Reviews:
Enochian Magic For Beginners.......2007-05-30
This is a good book, it gives you a background of when Enochian Magic was reintroduced and the concepts needed to understand it.
Good beginning.......2007-04-09
Enochian magic is a difficult area to access, and Tyson does well to bring things into perspective for a beginner in the art. However, there are serious issues with his personal point of view coming into play, and creating areas of uncertainty - for example in his re-ordering of the great table, and most especially his interpolation of Christian apocalyptic views into his synthesis of Enochian magic. However, that being said, this book will make it accessible for all to dip into, and begin to develop an interest in a complex system of magic.
Excellent Value For The Experienced.......2006-11-10
This Book is EXCELLENT VALUE and a grimoire of the lost angel magic.
However it contains very complex ritual magic to summon the angels and therefore not fitted for the 'TOTALLY NEW BEGINNER'in magic.
But it is a great book 'TO BEGIN' with angel magic for the experienced magician...
Beginners?.......2006-06-03
Despite what the title says... "Enochian Magic for BEGINNERS" I felt that this was too dense for beginners. I was quite discouraged after reading almost half of the book because it was too dense! I also didn't like the author's connection with the apocolypse, true or not. If you are really interested in this book then prepare yourself for some hard work. Me? I don't think I'll dabble in Enochian anymore. Good luck!
A useful textbook to accompany the original material.......2003-09-20
Donald Tyson is a respected author who has devoted a fair amount of his life to the mastery of every known branch of ritual magic. While his conclusions are largely in the form of personal insight, he provides a large amount of research to back up his theories and conclusions. What I, personally, find useful, is his commentary on the golden dawn version of enochian magic, compared to what we now know is the full cycle of text (much of which was unknown to the founders of the GD when they created their "most perfect system of magic"). He provides bibliographic references, allowing the reader to peruse the same texts for themselves, and is always careful to note when a remark is based on some bit of cannonical text, or his own experience and insight.
This book does not stand alone, however. I would suggest, at the very least, also having Causabon's "A True and Faithful Relation" and Laycock's "Enochian Dictionary" as supplimental material to use with this book. If, however, you truly wish to understand the depth and potential of Enochian magic, this book is a highly useful platform to begin from.
Book Description
Sir Francis Walsingham, Queen Elizabeth¿s Secretary of State, was the greatest spymaster the world had ever seen. But when he asked Dr. Dee to summon a demon the result was unexpected, especially for his orphaned niece Lucy. Sir Francis¿ duty as her guardian was to find Lucy a suitably aristocratic husband, not to let her fight demons and witchcraft for the Queen¿s Secret Service. But his¿and Lucy¿s¿duty to protect Queen and country from enemies both natural and supernatural kept getting in the way. And so did all those demons . . .
Customer Reviews:
Lucy's Blade, great first novel.......2007-07-08
It is a first novel so the text isn't polished and there are frequent shifts between viewpoint characters, often without warning. The proofreading and copyediting are typical for mass-market fiction, but it's a rollicking-good read. The flavor of the story reminds me of The Witches of Kares. I hope he writes a sequel.
First Novel, First Hit.......2007-06-09
John Lambshead's first novel, Lucy's Blade, has a fascinating premise, a different look at a common science fiction/fantasy trope, some outstanding writing, and leaves enough threads hanging to hope for a sequel.
Not bad for a first novel. Not bad, at all.
John Lambshead usually writes scientific papers for his job at the London Natural History Museum, where he is one of the world's experts on nematodes, so he joins a long line of distinguished scientists who have moved into writing science fiction and fantasy. Like many others, such as David Brin, he brings a sort of sidewise look to his writing that appeals more than the common run of "gloom and doom" writing.
I read the book as an e-arc from Baen's Webscriptions, and then again when it came out. It easily stood a second reading, and I expect it will stand up to many more. Since I read far faster than Lambshead writes, I expect I'll have to wait and read Lucy's Blade a couple of times more, before the expected sequel, Lucy's War, is released.
Go buy this book. All the nematodes in the world will thank you if you help make John's career a success and he can leave them alone.
Walt Boyes
Associate Editor/Marketing Director
Jim Baen's Universe magazine
Great fun for both history and fantasy.......2007-05-10
This is a splendidly entertaining novel about a teenage girl who gets taken over by a demon that turns out to be friendly, and confers on her all sorts of supernatural powers, which she uses to help protect Queen (Elizabeth I) and Country. Author John Lambshead is the father of two teenage daughters, and it is evident that his character Lucy is written from first-hand experience.
The novel is part fantasy, part history, and part science fiction. After a science fiction prologue introducing the demon (which I sort of skimmed the first time, but enjoyed on a second reading), the book really hits its stride when it lands in the Elizabethan era and we meet spymaster Walsingham, his secretary Simon Tunstall, Dr. John Dee, and of course Lucy. It is evident that Dr. Lambshead has extensive knowledge of this period and is deeply in love with it. There are lots of winning period details, such as when Tunstall cuts his breakfast with a "good Sheffield blade: and then dresses for the day according to his social rank. In many places the history seamlessly ellides into the fantasy in a most enjoyable way.
All the characters are deftly drawn, and the historical ones are very true to life: you'll feel you've had an audience with Elizabeth (and be grateful you didn't have to do it for real), you'll fall in love with Lucy (but, take a number), and you'll cheer on her sea captain beau William Hawkins (but you'll wish he wasn't such a chucklehead about women). There's lots of romping good action and plenty of humour.
Dr. Lambshead wisely inserted just enough historical background that readers need not have any prior knowledge of the period in order to follow along just fine. (Ignore the stupid Publishers' Weekly comment in this context: this is a fantasy novel written for an American audience, the background asides are necessary and not at all heavy-handed.)
Buy this book, read it, enjoy it, and let's hope for more soon. Bravo!
A fun mix of quantum computation and magic.......2007-05-06
This seems to be Baen's year to introduce superb new authors to the world. Last month we met Stoney Compton in Russian Amerika and this month John Lambshead arrives to delight readers.
I enjoyed this book a lot and, contrary to the Publisher's Review note, did not find the anachronisms intrusive or unnecessary. We tend, in an era where even severed limbs can be restored much of the time, to forget what a deadly, deadly place the world is without modern medicine, and what constraints that placed on both the thinking and action of our ancestors.
The story itself is, as you've probably already guessed, a mix of quantum computing, alternate (or at least hidden) history, and high magic. The characters are generally the kind of people you like to see Fighting for the Light, and when the dust settles, it's already apparent that here is raw material for bunchteen more fun romps. It's very well told, with good pacing for the most part. (Lilith's Origin could have been a touch shorter.) And the ending is, as noted, most satisfactory. Highly recommended.
Incidentally, the reason I picked this book up in the first place was that I read Mr. Lambshead's story "As Black as Hell", which appeared in the online magazine "Jim Baen's Universe" [...], and which is reprinted in the upcoming The Best of Jim Baen's Universe. THAT story is one of the ones I feel will make my buying the whole anthology worthwhile.
Welcome to my "must-read" list, Mr. Lambshead.
Sweet, Demure Lucy Kicks Ass.......2007-05-01
Lucy is a sixteen year old girl in Elizabethan England. Raised to be a good aristocratic wife, she seems to be all sweetness and innocence. Raised by her uncle who is the head of the secret service, her innocence is mostly a facade to get what she wants - but her sweetness is real.
Lilith's people are essentially computer programs in the far future who forgot where they came from. The constructored Lilith and sent her back in time to confirm the "one true faith" that they have always been there.
Lilith ends up in Lucy's nervous system, in a relationship that Lucy can best understand as demonic possession. Lucy supplies the charm and psychological insights. Lilith supplies the power. Together they use charm, guile, and fighting skills to protect England.
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Early Pee Dee Settlers
John M. Gregg
Manufacturer: Heritage Books
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback
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