Rating: 
Summary: Flawed research, but astonishing reading
Review: One of the most controversial books ever written in the history of Christian apologetics, Hislop vehemently attacks the Catholic religion as nothing else but a re-worked concoction of ancient pagan traditions and adulterated theology. He cites numerous works of the 19th century that I've never even heard of, including the classic Layard works on Nineveh and various early explorations of myth and legend, which allegedly give proof to the assimilation of ancient pagan traditions into the early church. This book soon rose to become one of the forbidden classics that you'd want to hide for fear of being burned to the stake for owning.Hislop's research methodology though is flawed, and later you will realize that he has been speaking out his own biases against the Catholic Church. But it is no doubt a work that will amaze you. Hislop inadvertently pieces together an alternative history of the world where the hunter Nimrod becomes venerated by his people, but is later slain and the manner of his death is the wellspring of the many myths about murdered gods (Osiris, Balder, etc.). It may soon become a great source for ideas on science fiction and fantasy stories, but the information in it will certainly leave doubts in your mind about the authenticity of tradition-oriented Christianity.
Rating: 
Summary: Rubbish!
Review: One star is much too much for this. It should be below zero. This is one of those "I can't believe anyone would buy this" kind of things. Don't. If you just can't stand not knowing what it says, its on the internet and you can save yourself some money. It is basically 19th century anti-Catholic propaganda. I am sure that it has as much to do with paranoia and predjudice concerning Catholics in England and Ireland and any study of Babylonian influences. The author gives himself away in this regard. The suggestion that the Druids were the recipients of Babylonian religion is just downright absurd. And I'll bet Native Americans would be interested to know that the Buffalo Dance is really a Satyr Dance from mediteranian paganism somehow transplanted??? Because they both use horned headgear????? This is just really baaaad. It would be laughable except for the glowing reviews of some others here. Now that is scary.
Rating:
Summary: Troubling information for those who can get through it
Review: This is a polarizing book, as is evident by the reviews. My difficulty with it is the archaic language and style. Someone would do a great service by updating the language and confirming the sources (if they are still accessible). While many of his examples and supports for his thesis are self evident, the multiple connections Hislop makes is quite exhausting, though I cannot say exhaustive (exhaustive suggests something more than I can authoritatively say). His presentation of the parallels between Christo-paganism and the abominable ideologies with which it has been amalgamated is elucidating. This work makes me forever grateful that the Protestant Reformation took place and that we are not bound to burden of ecclesiastical and purportedly Biblical traditions on which this tome, at its least, shines light. LLT
Rating:
Summary: "Roswell" for Anti-Catholics
Review: There are many honest historical (and modern) quarrels one can have with the Catholic Church. They don't excuse savage bigotry such as this. A challenge for the positive reviewers below: do what I did - go to a well-stocked protestant theological seminary's library (for me it was Garrett in Evanston, IL and Trinity Evangelical in Deerfield, IL) and cite-check some of those impressive footnotes (and get ready for that feeling of betrayal - but at least it confirms the honest impulse within you).
Rating:
Summary: This book should come with a warning. . .
Review: . . .CAUTION! CONTAINS HATE SPEECH! (But I suspect that will never happen. Noted historian Arthur Schlesinger, Sr has stated that anti-Catholicism is America's "deepest bias". Nowhere is this bias made more evident (or more absurd) than in this ridiculous book. As a non-Roman Catholic historian and theologian, I am deeply saddened that those who hate the Catholic faith cannot manage to disagree like Christians, but rather, must resort to anti-historical, anti-theological, anti-biblical, and frankly, anti-Christian hysteria. Give this book "0" stars -- and give it a miss (unless you are a collector of the worst that 19th century nativism has to offer.)
Rating: 
Summary: Struggling with religion? Read this book!!!
Review: Alexander Hislop has done an excellent job. He is one of the best scholars I have ever read. This book will certainly help you understand the difference and origin between religion and true Christianity. For the definition of religion is mans effort to reach God or to be God. True Christian worship is to marvel about an infinite God who became a man to show us the way. Through Hislops research it becomes clear that even though he focuses on the counterfeits, that the original(that is the one true God)is very real. And of course a counterfeit (religion)can only work if the original exists. This book is not only proof of the lies of wrong religion (Catholicism included) but much more of the existence of the true original. The book reveals an astonishing knowledge of the time in which Nimrod lived. For it is very well possible that Noahs son Shem lived very well into Nimrods age. If a survivor of the flood (which was Gods Judgement) was still around, that would explain why the people knew so much about ancient prophecies. Not surprising but still remarkably, this book is either loved or hated by those who read it. This reminds me on something else: For the word of God is living and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart.Hebrews 4:12 Everyone who reads this book should be challenged to read his Bible again. And if he does he has to face the fact that he has only two choices: either to believe the truth or to deny it! But either one doesn't make the truth untrue. The evidences this book reveals reminds me at: Woe to those who call evil good and good evil, who put darkness for light and light for darkness, who put bitter for sweet and sweet for bitter.Isaiah 5:20 Definitly a must-read for every Christian!
Rating:
Summary: Thank you, Alexander Hislop
Review: Still the definitive work on the origin of roman catholic ritual and practice, and NOT that difficult a read, despite the assertions of some (what a sorry TV-soaked generation we've become!) As a former practicing roman catholic for 30 years, I thank God for Hislop's research regarding the origin of the mother and child image in particular. I do think he was terribly off regarding the god of forces (Daniel 11:38) and perhaps was not himself a saved man, but still I thank him for helping me to see the darkness of roman catholicism. I frankly much prefer Hislop's work over that of Dave Hunt ("A Woman Rides the Beast") and recommend it highly.
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Summary: Christian beliefs evolved from Pagan beleifs!
Review: This book is amazing. It tells some little known facts about where Christians obtained their religious festivals and beliefs from. Many will be shocked to read that they are actually pagan beleifs. It is interesting to see how the church obtained these sabbats {holidays} and doctrines and turned them into their own. I think they are very cheeky to then turn around and refute that they evolved from paganisim in the first place when faced with such a large body of evidence in this book proving that they did. An excellent book, a must have for any pagan or scholar of religion. Btw, I have had this book for ages, and it still pulls me back:)I recently drew on the knowledge I had gained from it to help teach some wiccan students about how the Church stole our celebrations etc. :)
Rating:
Summary: How low can you go? Very Very low!
Review: Hislop is so bad even Woodrow disowned him once he checked itout.( ) Bigots of all stripes will love it because it looks scholarly. Of course it is actually riddled with errors. He even gets his pagan gods mixed up.( ) Try reading Catholicism and Fundamentalism by Keating instead and get the facts. END
Rating: 
Summary: Archaic but important synthesis of information
Review: Hislop's analysis of the convergence of church history, archeology, and paganism provides a helpful synthesis of information rating five stars. Three complaints. First, the language in both diction and sentence structure is quite archaic making it a bit of a challenge to read initially. Second, Hislop's anti-Catholic bias does distract occasionally times. Finally, the print is miniscule; it's not a book for those with poor vision. Overall, it is a enlightening but slow read.
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