Rating: 
Summary: Puts the past 2000 years of European history in a new light
Review: I can't remember the last time I read such an enlightening history book. The authors' scholarship is impressive, and their theory is absolutely stunning. The authors' premise is that Christianity is an offshoot of Egyptian religion. If this is indeed true, it would explain (albeit not completely) why so many of pagan/mythological themes exist in Christianity. Furthermore, the book convincingly asserts that the early Christian fathers competed with other Judaic sects for preeminence and at the same time felt the need to differentiate themselves from the other religious movements. In presenting supporting evidence for this, the authors provide an explanation as to the origins of some of Christianity's more peculiar characteristics - emphasis on the male, misogyny, mind/body duality, and loathing of the flesh. The book explains how the heretics may have understood the not-so-firm origins of Christianity, and how such knowledge threatened the legitimacy of the established Church. Hence, the Church felt a greater need to punish deviance (which would explain the Inquisition and the Church's general intolerance of bold - especially scientific - ideas during the last 2000 years. Finally, I never felt that the conventional history books gave an adequate explanation for the birth of the Renaissance, which seemed to have sprouted into existence in full bloom after more than a millenium of austerity. The theory presented in this book suggests a more plausible explanation for the birth of the Renaissance and its bold new glorification of humanity: that the heretical/gnostic elements, which had existed in the undercurrents throughout European history, gained momentum and manifested itself as the Renaissance. In short, the book's theory sheds new light and understanding on the developments of the 2000 years of European history.
Rating: 
Summary: A Tour of the Occult Underground Through the Ages
Review: The Priory of Sion, Rennes-le-Chateau, Freemasons, Rosicrucians, Cathars, Isis, Black Madonnas, John the Baptist, Mary Magdalene, Hermes Trismegistus ... and many more subjects are examined in The Templar Revelation.If it sounds like the book is unfocused, that is likely to be your impression while reading it, at least for quite a few pages. There is a thread linking all these topics: Picknett and Prince are trying to trace the predecessors and descendants of the Knights Templar, who were cruelly suppressed early in the 14th century. They also probe the nature of the secret knowledge said to have been possessed by the Templars and their various offspring. The connections aren't always easy to follow, and for awhile at least you're likely to find yourself at sea as the authors switch from one subject to another in kaleidoscopic fashion. In fairness, the evidence does seem by its nature to be complex and often ambiguous. Prepare to bring patience when you open the book; eventually, a sort of mosaic picture does emerge. Picknett and Prince have certainly gone the whole nine yards in researching the material, quoting from hundreds of written sources and describing their conversations with people who might shed some light on the subjects, and they describe their own travels to relevant sites in the south of France. Organization is not their strong point, but otherwise they are good writers who don't share the weakness of many occult researchers for trafficking in the obscurity and mystification endemic in the material they study. Further to the authors' credit, they appear to weigh the value of the evidence, and are not averse to rendering skepical judgments on some of it. Still, you are constantly presented with deductions that seem like quite a stretch of the imagination based on the minuscule evidence. And while the numerous references are impressive, a doubter could argue that quoting from multiple crackpot writings adds no credibility. Whatever you make of all this -- and I confess I'm far from sure what conclusions to draw -- The Templar Revelation suggets convincingly that there has been throughout Western history an "underground" of individuals and organizations dedicated to preserving secret and often heretical beliefs challenging orthodox Christianity. And even if, in the end, you give this study a Scottish verdict of "not proven," you will respect the authors' sincerity and find this historical tour of occultism stimulating. As one who judges a book by its cover (as well as its content), I must highly commend the designer of the Corgi Books paperback. (If you have the American edition it may be different, but I hope not.) The main image is an embossed Templar seal overlaid with a version of the ankh; the title in gold foil raised lettering; and the entire cover laminated for an ultra-smooth, almost silky feel. The sensuous surface is a brilliant invitation to the mysteries with which the text deals.
Rating:
Summary: Ask too many questions? This book is for you!
Review: If you are a person, that has always asked "too many questions," this book is for you! Whether you are a Philosopher, Theologian, or Agnostic, this book is a welcome addition to your collection. This book makes you think, so Fun-dam-entalists should probably skip this one. The theories expressed in this book should be compiled in the mind along with the writings of Henry Lincoln ("The Holy Place: The Mystery of Rennes-le-Chateau...." & his more recent works), "The Hiram Key," by Knight & Lomas & the other books of this genre. Right or Wrong, this book will get your wheels turning...which is all that really matters, right? If you are open minded and looking for those books begging for its pages to be turned...look no further. I just read a copy of Edgar Fouche's 'Alien Rapture,' which also blew me away. Fouche was a Top Secret Black Program 'insider', whose credibility has been verified over and over. Another fun book is Brad Steiger's 'Werewolf.' I also really liked Dan Brown's 'Angels and Demons.' Want to be shocked, check out Dr. Paul Hill's 'Unconventional Flying Objects' which NASA tried to ban. The tip of the iceberg: Numerous authorities who had noted the errors in the K.J.V. such as William Kilburne (1650's) 20,000 errors, John Wesley (in 1755) 12,000 changes in the New Testament alone, the Revised Version of 1881 consisted of 36,000 errors and on and on. The NIV, RSV and The Living Bible are also replete with thousands of errors. Do some research! The KJV Bible is the True Word of God! Or is it? Inspired? Or not? I believe all of the one star ratings and rantings are from uneducated Protestants. For example: In 'Acts 5:30; 10:39.' the KJV, in speaking of Jesus' death, reads, "Whom ye slew 'and' hanged on a tree." The word "and" is 'not' in the Greek text, and by adding it to the text at this point in the verse it leads to some confusion on the part of the readers. The conjunction "and" indicates grammatically that one action followed another (i.e.: two separate actions independent of one another). Some unbelievers have tried to use this verse to demonstrate that Christ was killed first, 'and then' His dead body was hung on a 'tree'. By inserting the word "and," numerous complications have arisen which could have been prevented by a correct translation of the original text. The KJV translators also did not know what the "Asherah" was (a wooden idol representing a Canaanite goddess), so they translated the word repeatedly as meaning a "grove" of trees. In 'I Kings 16:33' they state, "And Ahab made 'a grove," which provoked the Lord God to anger. In point of fact, Ahab made an 'idol' here (the Asherah); his sin was 'idolatry', not planting a grove of trees!! In Deuteronomy 33:17 the KJV speaks of "the horns of unicorns." There are two mistakes in this passage: (1) The animal mentioned here in the original text is the "wild ox" and not the mythical "unicorn," and (2) in the original text the passage speaks of one animal (singular) with horns (plural). In Luke 18:12 the KJV reads, "I give tithes of all that I possess." The Law did NOT require one to tithe a tenth of all that he "possessed" (all his capital holdings), but rather a tenth of his increase (that which he acquired in addition to his possessions). This is clearly stated in the Greek word used in this passage. As a student of history I applaud the fresh approach to history and literary criticism this book embodies. The nature of this work is admittedly controversial - but then it must be as 'The Templar Revelation' breaks bold new ground. Research the genre and decide for yourself, but this book is a must read for skeptics and devout Christians alike. "He who believes blindly sees not the truth."
Rating: 
Summary: THE TRUTH ABOUT JESUS CHRIST?
Review: This is primarily a book about Jesus, the development of Christianity, and the origins of certain heresies and secret or occult traditions. The authors share some interesting theories concerning Jesus, Mary Magdalene, and John the Baptist, supporting their ideas with some thought-provoking evidence from a wide range of sources. Special attention is afforded to the beliefs and traditions of certain well-known secret societies and religious sects. The first half of the book is less compelling than the second, and deals with a few of the more curious historical characters, myths and legends that are often associated with these topics, and the authors offer a few novel insights. It is worthwhile persevering until the second half of the book, which presents some very interesting theories and is rich in intriguing scraps of information, scriptural contradictions, conspiracy theory, and unsolved mysteries. Despite the title, the main focus of the book is not the Templars. However, anyone with an interest in the Templars, the history of the crusades, or the occult, should appreciate that experts continue to debate whether or not the alleged Templar heresy was genuine; where the heretical ideas originated and how they might have fitted in with the pursuits of a medieval Christian monastic military order. Some light is shed on these questions in this text, although the authors inexplicably seem to avoid actually stating some of the connections that they appear to be alluding to... This book is easy to follow, informal and sometimes entertaining, packed with interesting information and ideas, and I would suggest it to any reader who would like to read around the subjects discussed.
Rating: 
Summary: Speculative but fun.
Review: This book should not be read as a serious history book, but rather as a fun conspiracy theory, for all those intriguing blanks in "official" history. The lack of serious scholarship is most clearly seen when examining the notes, which are supposed to lend the work an air of credibility. But when they reference supposed historical facts to "as told in conversation" with so-called experts, the whole argument falters. The templar bit is ironically the least convincing, as several dodgy sources are cited. The part about jesus being an egyptian sex-magician is fun though.
Summa summarum; read it at your leisure, but do so with a critical eye. In fact, read instead the "Holy Blood, Holy Grail", which has more facts, more fun, and almost as whacky and incoherent conclusions.
Rating:
Summary: The Templar Revelation Rocks!
Review: If you are a person, that has always asked "too many questions," this book is for you! Whether you are a Philosopher, Theologian, or Agnostic, this book is a welcome addition to your collection. This book makes you think, so Fun-dam-entalists should probably skip this one. The theories expressed in this book should be compiled in the mind along with the writings of Henry Lincoln ("The Holy Place: The Mystery of Rennes-le-Chateau...." & his more recent works), "The Hiram Key," by Knight & Lomas & the other books of this genre. Right or Wrong, this book will get your wheels turning...which is all that really matters, right? If you are open minded and looking for those books begging for its pages to be turned...look no further. I just read a copy of Edgar Fouche's 'Alien Rapture,' which also blew me away. Fouche was a Top Secret Black Program 'insider', whose credibility has been verified over and over. Another fun book is Brad Steiger's 'Werewolf.' I also really liked Dan Brown's 'Angels and Demons.' Want to be shocked, check out Dr. Paul Hill's 'Unconventional Flying Objects' which NASA tried to ban. The tip of the iceberg: Numerous authorities who had noted the errors in the K.J.V. such as William Kilburne (1650's) 20,000 errors, John Wesley (in 1755) 12,000 changes in the New Testament alone, the Revised Version of 1881 consisted of 36,000 errors and on and on. The NIV, RSV and The Living Bible are also replete with thousands of errors. Do some research! The KJV Bible is the True Word of God! Or is it? Inspired? Or not? I believe all of the one star ratings and rantings are from uneducated Protestants. For example: In 'Acts 5:30; 10:39.' the KJV, in speaking of Jesus' death, reads, "Whom ye slew 'and' hanged on a tree." The word "and" is 'not' in the Greek text, and by adding it to the text at this point in the verse it leads to some confusion on the part of the readers. The conjunction "and" indicates grammatically that one action followed another (i.e.: two separate actions independent of one another). Some unbelievers have tried to use this verse to demonstrate that Christ was killed first, 'and then' His dead body was hung on a 'tree'. By inserting the word "and," numerous complications have arisen which could have been prevented by a correct translation of the original text. The KJV translators also did not know what the "Asherah" was (a wooden idol representing a Canaanite goddess), so they translated the word repeatedly as meaning a "grove" of trees. In 'I Kings 16:33' they state, "And Ahab made 'a grove," which provoked the Lord God to anger. In point of fact, Ahab made an 'idol' here (the Asherah); his sin was 'idolatry', not planting a grove of trees!! In Deuteronomy 33:17 the KJV speaks of "the horns of unicorns." There are two mistakes in this passage: (1) The animal mentioned here in the original text is the "wild ox" and not the mythical "unicorn," and (2) in the original text the passage speaks of one animal (singular) with horns (plural). In Luke 18:12 the KJV reads, "I give tithes of all that I possess." The Law did NOT require one to tithe a tenth of all that he "possessed" (all his capital holdings), but rather a tenth of his increase (that which he acquired in addition to his possessions). This is clearly stated in the Greek word used in this passage. As a student of history I applaud the fresh approach to history and literary criticism this book embodies. The nature of this work is admittedly controversial - but then it must be as 'The Templar Revelation' breaks bold new ground. Research the genre and decide for yourself, but this book is a must read for skeptics and devout Christians alike. "He who believes blindly sees not the truth."
Rating:
Summary: THOUGHT PROVOKING
Review: After reading the Da Vinci code I found myself wanting to explore more factual work regarding the mystery of the Holy Grail, the Priory of Scion, and Mary Magdalene. I was surprised, and a bit intimidated to find that there were literally dozens of books on the subject. Taking a stab, I stared with "The Templar Revelation" by English authors Lynn Pickett and Clive Prince. This is, I think, a good jumping off point for people as it delves into many of the mysteries surrounding all of the above subjects in relation to the true identity of Jesus Christ. You will read about the founding of the Knights Templar, and how there may have been much more behind their founding than trying to retake the holy land and convert the heretics. Did they actually know the secrets of Jesus Christ and are the ones protecting the true history? Was the Templar inner circle actually the founding members of the Priory of Scion? Much of the book is spent discussing the mystery of Mary Magdalene. Various theories are discussed such as Mary actually being married to Christ and actually being his most trusted apostle. One theory goes that it was Mary who actually carried on Christ's church after his death, and her work was subsequently covered up by the church and the Gospels that speak of her (such as the Gnostic gospels and Gospels of Phillip) were purposely left out of the new testament. You'll explore relations to worship of Mary Magdalene to the Egyptian cults of the Goddess Isis, and of the startling similarities between Christ's death and resurrection and similar stories of pagan gods death and resurrection. Startling to say the least. Then there is the mystery behind the French Abbey of Rennes-Le-Chateau. A strange and provocative mystery about the priest who seemingly had endless wealth to build a very strange abbey filled with both Christian and pagan symbolism. Where did he get this money from? Was it a secret treasure he found? Was he funded by some mysterious benefactor? Could he actually have uncovered the secret remains of Mary Magdalene, long buried on the site? The theories come rapid pace in this book and it's sometimes difficult to keep them all straight. The authors do not forward any particular theory, but rather try to lay them all out with as much fact as possible. It certainly gives one to pause and certainly devout Christians may have some big problems with the idea of Jesus being married, fathering children, and possibly embracing pagan beliefs. Among the most interesting and somewhat chilling proposals is what seems to be a concerted and diligent effort on the part of the catholic church to not only erase, but to rewrite history. There's no doubt that Gospels were written around the same time as those included in the new Testament, that were left out purposely. As I said, it's a good jumping off point to explore some of these theories and there are many more books out there that delve into greater detail on these various ideas and concepts. But it's definitely a fascinating read.
Rating:
Summary: A fascinating book in need of an editor
Review: This is a book that is bursting with information, theories, and questions about the origins of Christianity and its counter-religions, but the message is muddled and it reaches disappointingly few conclusions for all it presents. There is no question that there is a good deal of well researched historical information. The passages about the Cathars and the Crusades in the south of France are very informative, as are the insights into hidden meesages in the works of da Vinci and other artists for those who haven't heard the story before. What hurts the book, however, is it's presentation that buries the reader in an avalanche of information and hypotheses that at times seems to degenerate into a stream-of-consiousness-like rambling. Solid research is often mixed in with wild leaps of logic or conjecture, and topics are presented and diverge with little cohesion or order. It is also ironic that a book critical of the average Christian's lack of historical knowledge about his religion, itself often misrepresents or ignores the context of many of the Gospels it dissects. The authors give the reader little in the way of conclusion, but that appears to be their intent rather than an oversight. Picknett and Prince urge readers to look at the material with an open mind and consider it's implications, not disprove or indict anyone's beliefs. Christians should enjoy this book for the wealth of historical facts, as well as the opportunity to examine their own faith. It is entirely possible for a Christian to read this book and emerge even stronger in faith for Jesus and the church, as the alternate hypotheses presented rely on a healthy dose of guesswork and blind faith themselves. Regardless of your views, be prepared to do some serious reading as well as mental organization to get through this one.
Rating:
Summary: The Real Jesus?
Review: I found this book in the Occult section but it deserves more respect. Although in does deal with the occult, it also makes a credible argument about the true identity of Jesus, and what western religion might have looked like had it not been for the success of the Christian myth makers. The first chapter of Book I deals with da Vinci's efforts through his art to establish Mary Magdalene as Jesus' principal disciple, and to establish John the Baptist as preeminent over Jesus as leader of a new political-religious movement. The rest of Book I reads like a dry-as-dust textbook as the authors explain the predominance of Mary Magdalene and John the Baptist cults in southern France. The title refers to the Knights Templar's secret information about the true identity of Jesus. Part of this secret being that John the Baptist was the true messiah, and that he and Jesus were actually rivals. Book I also contains a rather bizarre explanation of the Shroud of Turin: da Vinci invented an early form of photography and somehow imposed a negative of his own image on the shroud. The man on the shroud is da Vinci! Well, he was a genius, and this is as good as any other explanation I've heard. The image is certainly not that of Jesus. If we accept carbon-14 dating for everything else, we have to accept it for the shroud. Book II is more interesting. The authors get into the subject of historical Jesus and some of the deceptions and contradictions of the New Testament, which they describe as a "hopeless muddle." Any book of this kind has to delve into speculation given the very limited amount of extant material on Jesus outside of the Bible. But, unlike "The Hiram Key," the authors generally resist the temptation to jump to wild conclusions, and they are careful to separate their opinions from fact. They postulate that Jesus was probably married to Mary Magdalene, and that his cult was not based on Judaism but on Egyptian mysticism. This explains the Egyptian ties to the Knights Templar that were carried over into Freemasonry. The Knights, the theory goes, held the secrets to the true identity of Jesus. The gospel writers reinvented Jesus as a celibate Jewish messiah, making a sometimes clumsy attempt to remove Egyptian and Gnostic references from their source material. This might explain the inexplicable gaps or contradictions in some of the Jesus stories. The Council of Nicaea was careful not to include any Gnostic gospels in the New Testament. Some of this is pure speculation, but what else do we have? Any attempt to find the real Jesus has to begin with the premise that the New Testament is a "hopeless muddle." Most non-Biblical references to Jesus were probably destroyed by the early Christian Church to allow them to perpetuate their Christ myth. In the modern era it is more important that we know the truth. We can only hope that writers continue to study this subject, and that one day Christians will escape from the dark ages of phony dogma and transform their religion into something more honest, natural and meaningful
Rating: 
Summary: Interesting Subject - Poorly Written Book
Review: This is an extremely interesting subject. Unfortunately, this particular book is poorly written. The book lacks organization and support for their arguments. It reads like it was written by a committee of high school students. The logic goes something like this: DaVinci's paintings, through symbolism, show an unorthodox view of Jesus and John. Cocteau's paintings show an unorthodox view of Jesus and John. The logical conclusion is that they were both members of the same secret society. Perhaps they both were members, but it does not logically flow from the suppositions. The entire book is filled with these logical fallacies. Although I tend to agree with many of their conclusions, it's not because of their arguments. An extremely interesting subject that is best explored in other books.
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