Rating: 
Summary: Conspiracy Threory Run Amok
Review: In Laurence Gardner's 'Bloodline of the Holy Grail', we are provided with a story, or theory that will make many readers uncomfortable. After reading some of the other reviews of this book I think it best to make some points that may help future interested buyers. To start with, when one studies history one should never take anyone's word on anything, regardless of sited sources. Look up the sources yourself, and do the research. Secondly, be aware of the sources you are referencing, and be objective. In this case this will be near impossible for those whose faiths are brought into question. It was once said that seeking knowledge, or truth is like looking into a black pit. And sometimes one may find something looking back. This is the case for all those that base their reality on dogmatic faith. It has also been said that knowledge is the enemy of faith. Having studied the Torah, Talmud, King James Bible, and the Gospel of Thomas I have my own opinions of the early church, and the world that Jesus lived in. I would caution all readers of this or any other text to understand that books like history are written by humanity. And often, even with the greatest of intentions only a part of the truth is captured within their pages. It is up to you the student of life to find this portion of truth, and then fill the remaining void. Just because the Bible said this, or that happened, it does not mean that it really happened the way it is documented within its pages. And just because Mr. Gardner says this or that may of happened does not make it so either. Do your own research. Find evidence for any stated `fact' then make your own judgment. For those that judge blindly, or without thought are the true murderers of the truth. 'Bloodline of the Holy Grail' is a good read, and will cause many to start questioning history, and religion for the first time. As for this reader, I look forward to many years of my own research, and thank Mr. Gardner for his efforts.
Rating: 
Summary: Historic, Epic And Insightful
Review: Laurence Gardner is a highly educated historian, antiquarian, etymologist and a very well-rounded spiritualist. The core of his beliefs revolve around the Holy Grail and its links to the lineage of Jesus Christ. In his first of three books, he gives us a historic and letter-to-letter interpretation of the Gospels. The fundamentalist and Church-sponsored Christian, or perhaps even orthodox Jew, will not benefit from Gardner's information. These would more than likely deem this material blasphemy and heresy. Only the open-minded, enlightened individual who seeks truth in biblica sources and mystic writings will treasure his works. Gardner begins by writing a prologue in defense of democracy and a people-serving government, based on the Grail code of service. He further acknowledges that religion has been male-dominated for the most part and the Bible edited by imperialist Roman Catholics (later by fundamentalist Christians) so that the readers would not discover a very important truth: Jesus was not divine, but in fact a human Jewish priest who sought a new reform in traditional Judaism which would become Christianity. He was married to Mary Magdalene (of whom the Bible refers to as a prostitute or "sinner" but who is the only woman to be waiting by Jesus' tomb in a demonstration of wifely duty). He produced a lineage of priests and priestesses, Christian leaders who effectively worked to support the early churches in Imperial Rome. But Jesus' heirs came into conflict with the Catholic church, who supressed everything under dictatorial control of Renaissance art and through the misinterpretation of the original Hebrew words in the bible. I.E. Mary, Jesus' mother, the Virgin Mary, was called simply a virgin (Hebrew Almah) because she was sexually inexperienced and young, when she was espoused to Jesus' father Joseph. The "Holy Spirit" is another matter, the blessing by the "angel" Gabriel to have the infant Jesus was really the blessing of a priest. The book explains a lot of the misinterpretated words and phrases in the Gospels, which the Apostles wrote with full knowledge that the Roman empire was after such "New Age" thought. Christianity, at this time in history, which was polytheistic, was considered strange and "New Age". Many who have read this book do not want to believe that Jesus did not die on the cross as Gardner claims (Gardner claims Jesus was only wounded and instead of resurrected he was "healed" by his followers. He would die later, Jesus, says as he escaped opressors into India) But whether he lived or not, the lineage of Jesus did in fact thrive for some time and Gardner hints at this through the barrage of hidden meanings in artwork tarot cards and the cycle of Arthurian legends. The Holy Grail, above all, is the unifying element. The Grail cup in essence, represents the womb, and the blood of Jesus represents his physical bloodline of heirs. But the spiritual and political sides of it represent Jesus' very desire for a united, peaceful, people-serving government. Jesus, in many ways, opened the doors for new spiritual thought into the West. This book is the first of three books by Gardner- a trilogy which further explores the fascinating "hidden" meanings of Bible books such as Genesis and their connections with the Messianic bloodline, as well as the subtle contexts in fairy tales and Wiccan themes. Again, this book is for the non-judgemental and open minded person. No one has all the answers, not even Gardner's large-scale information, but it's our right to seek the truth.
Rating:
Summary: A Resourceful Book For The Open-Minded And Open-Hearted
Review: Looking at the mixed reviews on this book, I must also make my own statement. Like one reviewer said, it's a magnificent book for the open-minded and heresy for the closed minded. The closed minded refers to the fundamentalist, Western Christian. Nevertheless, although this book claims to have changed the religious beliefs of one reader, you do not have to choose to believe, even if it's true. Everyone can follow their own path and if it works, then it is for the best. The author is an extremely intelligent, well-educated scholar, with expertise knowledge of history, mythology the Bible and political implications on religion. Writing in poetic, religious and mythic sounding prose, as well as historic, scientific and realistic terms, the author manages to construct a new level of knowledge concering the personage of Jesus Christ. Christ is presented here in all his glory, be it historic person or mythic. Whether you chose to believe the fact he was a real person, married, with children and a lineage that produced kings and queens is up to you. The mysteries are all each fascinating and each beautifully explored, as the author uncovers the truth about the Holy Grail myth and how it relates to Jesus and his foundation. I hope you give this book a try and open your heart as well as your mind. This book is for everyone who wants to seek spirituality and above all a closer proximity to the truth. Eventhough, mind you the truth is not objective and YOU are in the end, entitled to believe in your own truth. But this book and the subsequent other books, Realm Of The Ring Lords and Genesis Of The Grail Kings are all wonderful books full of a mosaic of history, medieval paintings and writings and above all a beauty closest to God.
Rating: 
Summary: basis for a bad movie script
Review: One of the most fascinating historical legends (for lack of a better term) is the possibility of a lineage that directly ties itself to Jesus Christ or even a sibling of his. This book tries to tackle that subject, along with many other related subjects. This book "tracks" the bloodline of the Christ as well as handling other historical legends such as the Arthurian Grail lore. The biggest problem in this book is the lack of evidence and conjecture that follows. The author claims that the legendary King Arthur is a descendant of Christ, however the stories that promulgate this theory are either without facts, or completely made up! He fills the names of the Christ's family tree with hundreds of names that have no historical evidence, and doesn't offer one shred of evidence to support a good portion of those names. One such name is the legendary father of King Arthur (Uther Pendragon) who never existed! However I think the most astonishing part of the book is the foreword written by a supposed descendant of the bloodline of Christ, needless to say this "descendant" writes a more than pleasing review. If you're looking for something to read that isn't based on fact, but nothing to take too seriously, it's an interesting book, but don't quote the book for any historical accuracy.
Rating:
Summary: fascinating information
Review: This book documents the claim that bloodline of Jesus exists in the royal families of Europe. This is a claim that has been made in other books but this book has more detailed documents to support this claim. There are many many books listed for further reading. Even though there is a ton of information the author does an amazing job in writing this as a great epic story. It is a good read if you are interested in the history and evolution of the original Christian religion versus the Roman Catholic church. Many subjects are explored. The crucifixion, the holy grail, the druids, ancients symbols, sacred geometry, Knights of Templar, the great cathedrals, Egyptian mysteries etc.
If you already know about the history of Constantine and the ways he controlled the church and the editing of the Bible you will not be as shocked as the other reviewer rating this book , but you will still find lots of other new bits and pieces of interesting facts and theories.
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