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

Book Description

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

Customer Reviews:

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

The Oxford Dictionary of the Christian Church

Average customer rating:

Comprehensive and Useful Reference Test
A Masterful Triumph
An apologia for Catholic tradition, not a dictionary
The best!
Authoritatively second to none...

The Oxford Dictionary of the Christian Church

Manufacturer: Oxford University Press, USA
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover

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ASIN: 0192802909

Book Description

Uniquely authoritative and wide-ranging in its scope, The Oxford Dictionary of the Christian Church is the indispensable one-volume reference work on all aspects of the Christian Church. It contains over 6,000 cross-referenced A-Z entries, and offers unrivalled coverage of all aspects of this vast and often complex subject, from theology; churches and denominations; patristic scholarship; and the bible; to the church calendar and its organization; popes; archbishops; saints; and mystics. In this revision, innumerable small changes have been made to take into account shifts in scholarly opinion, recent developments, such as the Church of England's new prayer book (Common Worship), RC canonizations, ecumenical advances and mergers, and, where possible, statistics. A number of existing articles have been rewritten to reflect new evidence or understanding, for example the Holy Sepulchre entry, and there are a few new articles, on Desmond Tutu and Padre Pio, for example. Perhaps most significantly, a great number of the bibliographies have been updated. Established since its first appearance in 1957 as an essential resource for ordinands, clergy, and members of religious orders; ODCC is an invaluable tool for academics, teachers, and students of church history and theology, as well as for the general reader. THEOLOGY - the development of doctrines throughout the ages, with their philosophical background and the different traditions of the major Churches - spirituality and heresy - history of the Reformation and Counter-Reformation PATRISTIC SCHOLARSHIP: Fathers of the Church, on whose work later theology is founded, are covered in detail, for example - the Nag Hammadi papyri and their significance for our understanding of Gnosticism - the problems of Marcarius of Egypt and Macarius/Simeon are explored - the recently discovered sermons of Augustine are mentioned, with their places of publication listed CHURCHES AND DENOMINATIONS - the beliefs and structures of both the mainstream and lesser-known denominations such as Amish, Muggletonians, Shakers, and Wee Frees - lengthy articles on the history of Christianity throughout the world, in countries such as Angola, Canada, Ireland, New Zealand, the Philippines, Poland, Spain, the United States, Vietnam, and Zaire THE CHURCH CALENDAR AND ORGANIZATION - feast and saints' days - Sacraments - church services, offices, rites, and practices - canon law including Catholic revision - councils and synods - religious orders THE BIBLE - individual Biblical Books - major figures from Abraham, Moses, and King David to St Paul and the Evangelists - schools of Biblical criticism and entries on their chief exponents BIOGRAPHICAL ENTRIES - these are wide ranging and include saints, popes, patriarchs, and archbishops - emperors, kings, and other rulers - mystics, heretics, and reformers - theologians and philosophers, with a summary of their opinions - artists, poets, and musicians

Customer Reviews:

Comprehensive and Useful Reference Test.......2007-07-11

The Oxford Dictionary of the Christian Church is without question a de-facto standard text for study in medieval history, church history, or any of the myriad of related topics which fall along such themes. A massive, comprehensive volume that has been put through three major revision editions over some 50 years, the book represents a modern day "summa" that more than admirably fulfills its purpose as a research and reference text. Entries in the dictionary are comprehensive to the point that one wonders why the word "dictionary" rather than "encyclopedia" was chosen for its title, but that oddity is of little concern to us. Looking up a term in the text is just the start of an exploration of the rich and detailed information that the volume contains.

For example, let's say we wish to study scholasticism. In looking up the term, we don't just find a definition of the term as we might expect with a typical dictionary, but we instead find a detailed, expansive description that presents the context of scholasticism's, its rise in the medieval university, the pivotal roles of Abelard and Anselm in its development, its connection with the medieval investigation of the notion of "universals," and even its roots in the writings of Porphyry's discussions of genus and species in the 3rd century AD. For each of the key terms that arise in the scholasticism entry, we are pointed also to each of their own specific entries within the dictionary so that we can further explore the topic to any desired level. In the case of scholasticism here, we end up with a generally comprehensive introductory notion of the concept, learn its meaning and history, and even explore its implications for education, philosophical underpinnings (and objections), and more. We are also given a listing of additional key references should we wish to pursue our studies in additional publications. The best way for you to see the level of detail that these entries provide is to use the "look inside this book" link (under the listing, above) and read through a few sample entries. I have little doubt you'll be as impressed as I.

The text does not limit itself to conceptual entries. There is wide coverage of personages, philosophical positions, historical items, theological issues, church history, church liturgy, and more. The current incarnation of the text has resulted in an extended collaboration of hundreds of scholars, teachers, historians, and researchers to expand the coverage far beyond its original 1957 incarnation. The most surprising thing about the text is that it doesn't cost three times what it does. How to improve it? Well, the only thing I can come up with is that it would certainly be nice to have the book also released in electronic format, so that we can search by term, print selected entries, or copy selected references together for future study. Nevertheless, the book as it stands today easily takes its place among the premier reference works of the domain. Highly recommended.

A Masterful Triumph.......2006-07-17

The third edition of the Oxford Dictionary of the Christian Church retains its great reputation as the single best reference work for use when studying the Christian religion. Now in the hands of E. A. Livingstone (who took over for the late F. L. Cross), it combines excellent scholarship from all parts of the Church and presents each topic relatively free of ecclesial bias. The topics covered are not short descriptions of a few sentences but multi-paragraph articles that are well researched, very readable, and remarkably complete. For those who are developing an interest in Church history, it will be an indispensible tool for their research. All in all, it is a masterful triumph.

An apologia for Catholic tradition, not a dictionary.......2006-07-15

As the title says the book is rife with Catholic apologetics. Catholicism is the touchstone used to compare pretty much every belief and "ism" to (i.e. protestantism, arianism, etc...) This review is not to make a case for or against Catholicism, but to demonstrate the ludicrous "scholarship" of this work, as opposed to what one would expect from any work claiming to be a "dictionary." Instead of spending it's words on the historical aspects/development of a given belief, the entries are dominated by apologias for, or against, said belief from the Catholic point of view. This behavior is exemplified in the treatment of the Trinity doctrine entry, and oddly, a venomous attack on Jehovah's Witnesses (while giving fair accounts to pretty much every modern religious movement that Catholicism generally deems: "heretical.").

The Trinity: More than half of the entry is dedicated to exegesis of New Testament passages according to modern Trinitarian thought following the claim that (pg. 1394): "Though the word 'Trinity'.. is not found in Scripture, the conception is there both implicitly and explicitly." Also, the very first sentence of the entry calls the Trinity doctrine: "The central dogma of Christian theology", however, in providing an argument, instead of historical facts, the work relegates itself to the category of apologetics, not scholarship. As an argument, it naturally downplays the significance of the opposing viewpoints, in this case: the "heresy" of Subordinationism (a topic that doesn't even receive it's own entry in this "dictionary"!), its proponents, Gnosticism, and the prevalent Arianism. The author violates the context of the historical development of what it calls "the central dogma of Christian theology" by glossing over centuries of the doctrines' development; even going so far as to label some of the defenders and propagators (pre-Nicea) of early Trinitarian thought: "unorthodox" (despite the fact that "orthodoxy" hadn't been established yet). (pg. 1394 - "Where the doctrine was elaborated, as e.g. in the writings of the Apologists, the language remained on the whole indefinite, and from a later standpoint, was even partly unorthodox. Sometimes it was not free from a certain subordinationism..")

On Christian Science (pg. 279): "Its teaching on the unreality of matter, sin, and suffering conflicts with the Biblical doctrines of the Creation, Fall, and Redemption." The author fails to note that this is opinion (regardless if accurate or not).

Jehovah's Witnesses (pg. 729): "This Adventist teaching was developed by his successor, J.F. Rutherford on lines professedly subversive of civil authority... They can hardly be regarded as a religious society..", "Jehovah's Witnesses is an organization with printing establishments all over the world. They carry on an effective propaganda among an uncritical public and attract esp. the dissatisfied elements of society by preaching hatred of all existing institutions." Of the founder, Charles Taze Russel, the author again levels the charge of subversive teachings, and again makes the implication that Witnesses are civically disloyal anarchists (pg. 1210): "His teaching... lends itself to political propaganda of a subversive type... His ideas were developed in a still more anarchist direction by J.F. Rutherford."

Again, regardless if you hold the assertions made to be true, or not, the conclusion is unequivocally clear. I don't recommend spending more than 5$ on this book (including shipping). I gave it 1 star (because I can't give it zero), despite it's thoroughly un-scholastic nature, it is a good resource to have handy if you want to quickly know the dates of certain events (or if you need to prop up a table leg, or if you need a highly absorbent coaster). DO NOT expect nuanced, objective, comprehensive entries on any subject in this work (i.e. a DICTIONARY!). EXPECT argumentative, judgmental prose, and a total lack of objectivity.

The best!.......2005-04-09

Indispensable for many areas of Theological research - Church history, Dogmatic overviews, biographies, editions, and so many many other things.
A masterpiece! If I could afford it, I would give everybody who press the "yes" button by "was this review helpful to you?" a copy! :-)

Authoritatively second to none..........2003-07-15

'The Oxford Dictionary of the Christian Church', edited by the late F.L. Cross and E. A. Livingstone, is perhaps the authoritative, one-volume encyclopedia of information on Christianity. With over 480 contributors, from a myriad of denominational backgrounds, this book has a completeness that is unrivalled. Scholars from Anglican, Lutheran, Methodist, Presbyterian, Roman Catholic and other denominations, as well as Jewish and secular authorities from all over the world, have written or contributed to articles that reflect as best possible an unbiased and authoritative compilation of history, theology, liturgy, scriptural study, art, biographies, denominational and calendrical organisation, and inter-religious attitudes.

The current edition, published in 1997, is the third edition of the ODCC to appear since its was first issued in 1957. It has an unrivalled reputation since first being published by Oxford don and cleric F.L. Cross. After his death, Dr. E.A. Livingstone took the helm to oversee production of the current volume.

There is increased coverage of the Eastern Churches, certain issues in moral theology, and developments stemming from the Second Vatican Council. Numerous new entries have been added and the extensive bibliographies have been brought up to date. Readers are provided with over 6,000 authoritative cross-referenced entries covering all aspects of the subject.

The book is over 1750 pages in length, very much the ready reference rather than the narrative sort, but many of the longer articles provide depth and detail, and articles generally include references for further research at the conclusion.

Topical entries include:

Theology
Discussion of theological topics from the earliest days of creeds and heresies to current topics on Christology, ecclesiology, sacramental theology, and other topics Catholic, Protestant and Orthodox.

Patristic Scholarship
The early Church Fathers are covered in detail, particularly in creedal development. Likewise, recent scholarship on Nag Hammadi writings, newer Augustinian sermon discoveries, new scholarship on Gnosticism, and established work on early church history are included in the articles.

Churches and Denominations
Beliefs and organisation of the major denominations are covered, as well as lesser-known and smaller denominations such as the Amish, Shakers, Old Catholics (my own denomination); as well as particular national structures and variants on the Christian scene.

Church Calendar and Organisation
This includes feast days, saints days, calender issues (such as the date of Easter), sacramental and liturgical systems, rites, church and canon law, and discussion of religious orders.

The Bible
An entry on each book of the Bible, including apocryphal and deutero-canonical scriptures, as well as entries on major Biblical figures are included along with major schools of thought on scriptural interpretation and study.

Biographical Entries
Saints, popes, reformers, church leaders, mystics, heretics, kings and emperors, theologians, philosophers, artists, musicians and poets are included among the many people with an impact on Christianity.

New Entries
These entries include ecumenical dialogues, ethics of procreation, contraception and abortion issues, theology of religions and different religions, articles on Black Churches, C.S. Lewis, and the Holiness Movement.

Book Description

An indispensable guide to Blake's ideas and symbols is once again available in paper, with a new foreword and annotated bibliography

Customer Reviews:

An essential reference work for Blake scholarship........2000-06-08

Prophet? Madman? Or philosopher? The mythological characters in William Blake's prophetic poetry present a conundrum for the reader who confronts these characters with the traditional literary expectations of a symbolic reading. Indeed, the vanguard of contemporary criticism would argue that the very complexity of Blake's mythology precludes an all inclusive schemata.

Book Description

How does a vicar differ from a rector? Is a marquis a lord? Where are the Home Counties? Is someone who is "dead chuffed" happy or angry? Americans reading British literature, come upon such unfamiliar terms and generally have to rely on contextual clues. For the legions of readers of Dickens and Trollope, of Agatha Christie, John LeCarre, and P.D. James, of Muriel Spark and Iris Murdoch, of Noel Coward and Tom Stoppard--to name a few--as well as viewers of British film and television imports, this helpful and entertaining guide defines the kinds of things that British authors thought needed no explanation. Part dictionary, part guidebook, part almanac, part gazetter, part history, part sociology, this lexicon has no specialty, for it deals with British culture in general. David Grote's guiding principle was to select terminology with the potential to confuse readers who know only American English. Consequently, the volume is organized as a dictionary, with entries for concepts, items, and names that might create confusion. Entries are arranged alphabetically, from ten basic categories: (1) titles, ranks, and honours; (2) widely used words not part of the typical American vocabulary; (3) words used differently in America and Britain; (4) customs, terminology, and activities of daily life not shared by Americans; (5) governmental organizations; (6) political and legal customs and methods; (7) communities, and places often used in literary works; (8) foods and common commercial products; (9) common animals and plants not found in the same form in America; and (10) basic social practices that differ considerably from modern American practice. Ideally kept on hand for ready referral when immersed in fictional Britain, this dictionary will make for many enjoyable hours of random or systematic browsing. A true "companion" to British literature, its concern is not authors and literary history, but the slang, bureaucracy, stereotypes of places, food and products used in daily life, social organization, and hundreds of such homespun items.

A Sea of Words, Third Edition: A Lexicon and Companion to the Complete Seafaring Tales of Patrick O'Brian

Average customer rating:

Surfing the Sea of Words
A need to have
Not that impressed with this book
This is a great book, however
Sea of Words

A Sea of Words, Third Edition: A Lexicon and Companion to the Complete Seafaring Tales of Patrick O'Brian
Dean King , John B. Hattendorf , and J. Worth Estes
Manufacturer: Holt Paperbacks
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

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ASIN: 0805066152

Book Description

This comprehensive lexicon provides definitions of nautical terms, historical entries describing the people and political events that shaped the period, and detailed explanations of the scientific, medical, and biblical references that appear in the novels.

Customer Reviews:

Surfing the Sea of Words.......2007-10-18

An illuminating volume to have on hand as you read the Patrick O'Brian Series. Provides back story and details of those times, along with maps and diagrams. Nauticle terminanolgy decoded. Highly reccomend, could only wish for more diagrams.

A need to have.......2007-10-05

This book is a fundamental reading for those who love O'Brian books and want to make the most of of them.
A couple more pictures would have helped, but it gives you all you need to know to enhance your reading experience

Not that impressed with this book.......2007-10-02

I was fairly disappointed with this book, given some of the rave reviews I've read about it. In a consequtive fashion, several of the phrases I looked up weren't in there, to the point where I gave up using it and am just reading the books.

Perhaps it's for the best though, the book flows better without interuption, if at the expense of full understanding. I wouldn't recommend buying this book. It doesn't answer what you need it for -- terms that aren't used anymore, but aren't in the dictionary either.

This is a great book, however.......2007-09-25

It still needs expansion; in particular with regard to the dialect of the times to make it complete, and there remain nautical terms that need definitions. I suppose that I need to visit the website or see if there is a method of placing requests for additional words or terms.
Still, I feel that it is a must buy if one plans to read the entire series.

Sea of Words.......2007-09-14

This is a must have book when reading the series as it explains many of the unfamiliar terms. Highly recommend you get it and use it when you are unfamiliar with things talked about in the books. Also recommend Harbors and High Seas: 3rd Edition by the same authors. This will show you where the ships went on Jack's voyages.

Joyce Annotated: Notes for Dubliners and A Portrait of the Artist as a Young Man

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Great Joyce Notes

Joyce Annotated: Notes for Dubliners and A Portrait of the Artist as a Young Man
Don Gifford
Manufacturer: University of California Press
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

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ASIN: 0520046102

Customer Reviews:

Great Joyce Notes.......2006-02-28

This book provides excellent and clear references to otherwise obscure persons, locales, Irish slang, and turn-of-the-century (19th to 20th) Dublin culture that are so integral to the Joyce stories. Well worth the purchase.

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workhorse for literary alchemy
The Philosopher's Stone

A Dictionary of Alchemical Imagery
Lyndy Abraham
Manufacturer: Cambridge University Press
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

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ASIN: 0521000009

Book Description

This dictionary documents alchemical symbolism from the early centuries AD to the late-twentieth century, for use by historians of literary culture, philosophy, science and the visual arts, and readers interested in alchemy and hermeticism. Each entry includes a definition of the symbol, giving the literal (physical) and figurative (spiritual) meanings, an example of the symbol used in alchemical writing, and a quotation from a literary source. There are fifty visual images of graphic woodcuts, copperplate engravings and hand-painted emblems, some reproduced here for the first time.

Customer Reviews:

workhorse for literary alchemy.......2005-09-21

this book is fun, well written, and detailed. most useful for literary and artistic readings of alchemy, or "comparative religion" type studies, less so for detailed info on the protoscientific aspects (try Lawrence Principe). I'm using this book for a class on alchemy I'm teaching this semester. It's a good way to approach the rich terminology and symbolism, though it can get a bit repetetive as the same idea gets explained in different ways in different articles. Could have better footnotes and cross-referencing, but very useful for the casual reader or beginning student who is just becoming familiar with a confusing and difficult set of terms and images.

The Philosopher's Stone.......2000-04-25

This is a superb book for anyone interested in alchemy. For those interested in alchemy and its connections to literature-- it's even better. The articles are bursting with relevant information and insight into this often perplexing subject matter in an accessible, readable style. A "must have" for anyone interested in alchemy. The only thing I don't like is the price, which may prove prohibitive for some.

The Meaning of Everything: The Story of the Oxford English Dictionary

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A Winchester Fan
Gift from afar
A Great Book and an Improvement Over His Prior on the OED,
An Accessible History
Made me want my own edition. I now am a proud possessor.

The Meaning of Everything: The Story of the Oxford English Dictionary
Simon Winchester
Manufacturer: Oxford University Press, USA
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

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ASIN: 019517500X

Book Description

From the best-selling author of The Professor and the Madman, The Map That Changed the World, and Krakatoa comes a truly wonderful celebration of the English language and of its unrivaled treasure house, the Oxford English Dictionary. Writing with marvelous brio, Winchester first serves up a lightning history of the English language--"so vast, so sprawling, so wonderfully unwieldy"--and pays homage to the great dictionary makers, from "the irredeemably famous" Samuel Johnson to the "short, pale, smug and boastful" schoolmaster from New Hartford, Noah Webster. He then turns his unmatched talent for story-telling to the making of this most venerable of dictionaries. In this fast-paced narrative, the reader will discover lively portraits of such key figures as the brilliant but tubercular first editor Herbert Coleridge (grandson of the poet), the colorful, boisterous Frederick Furnivall (who left the project in a shambles), and James Augustus Henry Murray, who spent a half-century bringing the project to fruition. Winchester lovingly describes the nuts-and-bolts of dictionary making--how unexpectedly tricky the dictionary entry for marzipan was, or how fraternity turned out so much longer and monkey so much more ancient than anticipated--and how bondmaid was left out completely, its slips found lurking under a pile of books long after the B-volume had gone to press. We visit the ugly corrugated iron structure that Murray grandly dubbed the Scriptorium--the Scrippy or the Shed, as locals called it--and meet some of the legion of volunteers, from Fitzedward Hall, a bitter hermit obsessively devoted to the OED, to W. C. Minor, whose story is one of dangerous madness, ineluctable sadness, and ultimate redemption. The Meaning of Everything is a scintillating account of the creation of the greatest monument ever erected to a living language. Simon Winchester's supple, vigorous prose illuminates this dauntingly ambitious project--a seventy-year odyssey to create the grandfather of all word-books, the world's unrivalled uber-dictionary.

Customer Reviews:

A Winchester Fan.......2007-02-08

Having read Winchester's "The Professor and the Madman", I was primed to read this further account of the development of the Oxford English Dictionary, and I was not disappointed. The book is filled with sidebars about eccentric intellectuals, academic machinations, publishing intrigues and royal dinners, all wonderfully entertaining. The description of the Scriptorium is very interesting. I can also heartily recommend anything else Winchester writes. His book on Krakatoa was also excellent.

This book belongs in any books about books collection.

Gift from afar.......2006-09-19

I received this book from a former student who remembered that I had once aspired to be "the human OED". She correctly thought I would enjoy a book that tells the story of another book-crazy person who actually followed through on such an aspiration. I recommend this to anyone who does not break out in hivesbut rather a big grin, when they hear the word "etymology." Cheers!

A Great Book and an Improvement Over His Prior on the OED,.......2006-07-22

This book describes the story of the original Oxford English Dictionary (OED) and is not to be confused with the small conventional Oxford dictionary found at a modern bookstore. The original OED is a series of volumes that gives many quotes for each and every word to show how the word is used. Starting with the letter "A" it took a remarkable 70 years to complete the final volume that included the letter "Z". It was started from first concept in 1857 and went on until it was completed with the final tenth volume in 1928. It is thought that a modern version would be 40 volumes long. There are similar German and Swedish dictionaries that have taken over 100 years to complete and the Swedish version has yet to be completed.

The present book was written in approximately 2003, and is a bit similar but a vast improvement over the earlier book "The Professor and The Madman" also written by Simon Winchester but published in 1998 - my opinion. So Winchester now has two books on the subject of the writing of Oxford English Dictionary. But this newer book is much better than the older book. The two books approach the OED with different emphasis.

The first book 'Professor and the Madman' is somewhat like the author getting into the saga of the OED and suddenly making a left turn up the winding and unpredictable path of the life of Dr. William Minor, a mental patient that helped work on the dictionary from his cell. The rest of the OED story falls by the wayside.

Here we return to the OED story and all of its colorful characters. The first book was written in approximately 1998. The span of time has given Simon Winchester the opportunity to present a better package of ideas and it all shows. The present book gives a very detailed and balanced description. He presents some information on the English language and more information on the earlier dictionaries. He continues the story right up to the current computerized dictionary. It is a lot better that the earlier book - that reads like a novel - but is limited in scope to mainly Dr. Minor and James Murray.

One of the prime movers of that book (the OED) was a Scotsman James Murray who started at the beginning in 1878. Prior to that date, nothing of practical value was done between 1857 and 1878. He was in essence the first editor (technically the third), and he edited the dictionary up to approximately the volume ending with the letter T - the degree of the progress of the dictionary at his death in 1915. The cast of characters also included Henry Bradley who became a co-editor, Frederick Furnivall an early and very disorganized editor before Murray, and other English luminaries such as Benjamin Jowett of Balliol College. Even Churchill, Queen Victoria, and J.R.R. Tolkien have small roles.

I bought both books by Winchester but in retrospect would have skipped the first book and just bought the newer book. The newer book has one chapter on Dr. Minor and Fitzedward Hall and other people that sent in quotations by mail - which for me is enough.

I would only give the book 4 stars. The reason is that at the end of the book ' which is short just over 250 pages, one has the feeling that large chunks of the story are missing and a proper OED story would be a 500 to 1000 page book. The book seems rushed and starts to skip things towards the end. This seems to be confirmed by the other book about Dr. Minor (the Madman) that by itself is also 250 pages.

An Accessible History.......2006-06-20

Lovers of history and interesting words will adore this book, and even the most casual reader will find it easy to read. I read The Meaning of Everything over the course of three days while on vacation, and although it isn't what I would call "beach reading" it was light and fun.

Winchester seems to have a good sense of when to move on to a new idea, which is part of what makes this so painless to read. There's no belaboring any points.

Also, there's an abundance of interesting side information in the book. For example, J.R.R. Tolkien was once a contributor to the OED, and Winchester discusses his contributions.

A must-have for the budding English major, certainly.

Made me want my own edition. I now am a proud possessor........2006-06-10

After reading this book, I have a great respect for the work that went into this magnificent undertaking, and the men who did it. The book reads like a novel, and I bought Winchester's other book The Madman and the Professor. But my grandest book is the Compact Edition of the Oxford Dictionary. It takes a certain type to like this story. It requires an inquiring mind.

Average customer rating:

this is a great little book
Great Expectations, Low Linquistics!
The Languages of Tolkien's Middle-Earth
A student of the Elven
According to a friend

The Languages of Tolkien's Middle-Earth
Ruth S. Noel , and J.R.R. Tolkien
Manufacturer: Houghton Mifflin
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

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ASIN: 0395291305

Book Description

This is the book on all of Tolkien's invented languages, spoken by hobbits, elves, and men of Middle-earth -- a dicitonary of fourteen languages, an English-Elvish glossary, all the runes and alphabets, and material on Tolkien the linguist.

Customer Reviews:

this is a great little book.......2007-07-22

even though this book is now said to be obsolete.. i still enjoy using it to write little notes in tolkiens lanquages. i used this book to translate a tolkien passage into a tattoo. its worth it considering you can get it for like four dollars. it has the basic descriptions of the languages.

Great Expectations, Low Linquistics!.......2007-06-05

Well written and accurate, but is NOT 14 concise dictionaries.

It is a map of runes & symbols, and quite lame with a singular dictionary not of all 14 languages - but simply all [foreign] words from Tolkien's books (before Christopher went in-depth). Truely disappointing!

Now that I am bored to tears, I will be translating the New Testament into Quenya. :)

The Languages of Tolkien's Middle-Earth.......2007-01-10

Well written. It should continue to be a good reference book.

A student of the Elven.......2006-05-06

I've been using this book for years. It is well worth the purchase for anyone interested in a book on Tolkien's Languages, particularly Elven.

According to a friend.......2006-03-04

I gave this to a friend as a birthday gift, and she said she loved it. It was awesome and helped her out immencely. It will be a great read if you're wanting to learn Elvish and other languages!

Average customer rating:

Christopher Tolkien uses this book--`nuff said!
A MUST HAVE!!!
Great resource
The Beginner's Book
5 Stars for The Complete Guide to Middle-Earth!

The Complete Guide to Middle-Earth
Robert Foster
Manufacturer: Del Rey
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

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ASIN: 0345449762
Release Date: 2001-12-04

Book Description

For the millions who have already ventured to Middle-earth, and for the countless others who have yet to embark on the journey–here is the one indispensable A-to-Z guide that brings Tolkien’s universe to life.

EVERY CHARACTER
From Adaldrida Brandybuck to Zaragamba–every Hobbit, Elf, Dwarf, Man, Orc, or other resident of Middle-earth is vividly described and accurately located in proper place and time.

EVERY PLACE
Colorfully detailed descriptions of geographical entries allow you to pick up the action anywhere in Middle-earth and follow it through all five volumes.

EVERY THING
From stars and streams to food and flora, everything found in Middle-earth is alphabetically listed and, when necessary, cross-referenced.

HERE IS TRULY A MASTER KEY
TO TOLKIEN’S MIDDLE-EARTH

Customer Reviews:

Christopher Tolkien uses this book--`nuff said!.......2007-01-11

I think the best recommendation for this book comes from Christopher Tolkien. He said that from "frequent use" he found it to be "an admirable work of reference." (Unfinished Tales, p. 4).

I heartily concur. Having read the Pentalogue (Silmarillion-Hobbit-Lord of the Rings) twice, and this book clears up many of the obscure people, places, and events. Sometimes I have found the indices in "The Return of the King" to be wanting, or have wanted to have more of a dictionary- or cyclopedia-type entry. This book meets this need.

(In plain English, if you have a term paper to write, then get this book and save your grade.)

In fact, this book has no equals, and only two rivals: Tolkien's own indices, and Peter Kreeft's philosophical concordance found in "The Philosophy of Tolkien." (ISBN: 1586170252).

I have only two critiques. The first problem is that we have too many editions of Tolkien. We have no "Standard Text" with a universal pagination. This is really a problem that only the estate of JRR can solve. To his credit, Foster has a conversion formula on page 569, which is on some help. However, I still find myself flipping pages with my newer film tie-in editions.

Secondly, I would have like to have an enlarged edition of this book. I would keep the entries, but also expand them. Entries would include literary aspects of the characters, Christian symbolism of the characters, and also "behind the scenes" information form the 12 Lost Tales books and Tolkien's letters. (Such as the comments on Tom Bombadil. ) A model for this book is the Star Wars Databank web-page. This may require a multi-volume encyclopedia. So be it--Tolkien is worth it.

Until this big book get compiled, we can count upon Foster's book to do the job that we need it to do, and this is to enliven Tolkien's masterwork.

A MUST HAVE!!!.......2006-09-17

This is the BEST Guide to the world of Middle-Earth. I'm always looking up names and places, and different things in this book: I always keep it handy. Seriously this is one of the BEST companion LOTR books you can buy! I LOVE IT!

Great resource.......2006-06-26

This book is ia wonderful reference for Tolkien's works. It has a wealth of information for every level of interest in the world of the Hobbit, Lord of the Rings, Silmarillion, etc. I find myself often getting lost in this book, going from one entry to another. This is a must have for all lovers of Tolkien's books.

The Beginner's Book.......2005-08-29

When I first explored Middle Earth, over thirty years ago, this book popped up and helped answer alot of questions and put things in context. A must have!

5 Stars for The Complete Guide to Middle-Earth!.......2005-03-18

Robert Foster has done a great job indeed for this is truly "The Complete Guide to Middle-Earth!" Literary includes ALL names (characters, regions, mountains, rivers & etc.) that are found in the Silmarillion, the Hobbit, and the Lord of the Rings!

Now, I would like to address to all Tolkien fans who struggle with finding the meanings and origins of the unknown names - get this book and your problem will be solved! You will find history and explanations of every term that Tolkien used. For example, who was Elendil? According to the book, ELENDIL - Dunadan of Numenor, son of Amandil of Andunie and the leader of the Faithful, the noblest of the Dunedain to survive the fall of Numenor. And so on...

As you can see the book is very useful and it is organized like a dictionary, so there is no problem in fining the necessary information.

A Must-Have for all Tolkien Fans!

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