Second Messiah: Templars, the Turin Shroud and the Great Secret of Freemasonry

Rating:
Summary: An Example of Terrible Methods
Review: This book is presented as a non-fiction, reliable research book, but any research will show that to be untrue. First of all, the authors have published few or no actual credentials which would be a testimony to their authority in this subject. The only ties that Knight and Lomas have to these subjects is the fact that they are (by their own admittance) very low-ordered Masons. They prove themselves to be fish out of water by attempting an undertaking of this magnitude...that is, to explain a Freemason conspiracy, the shroud of Turin, or the connection with the Templar Knights. Their logic is difficult to follow, but not because they are smarter than the common reader. Their logic is difficult to follow because their research is highly suspect, and their conclusions can hardly be gleaned from the body of the chapter. As one example, they reference a Copper Scroll translation proving the burying of several scrolls under the Jerusalem temple. Unfortunately, this is untrue. Not "one theory," but wholly untrue. Also, their language is accusatory and designed to persuade, rather than to simply present facts and show their line of reasoning to a rational conclusion.
My recommendation: Rent some "X-files" episodes instead, because if you try to talk about what you read in this ridiculous book as fact, you will sound like an idiot.
~Cadet Justin Fitzpatrick, USAF Academy

Rating:
Summary: The First Sensible Explanation for the Turin shroud
Review: This book is the first time I have seen a sensible scientific explanation for the Shroud of Turin. It takes the known facts and fits them together within a logical framework to explain just how the shroud of Turin could have been created, what's more it shows illustrations of similar images created quite naturally by other living object. This plant images from the Science Museeum are not thought of a miricles because they don't look like the western iconic image of Jesus.
A really good read, I recommend it for anyone who wants to really understand the Shroud of Turin and its mundane origins.

Rating:
Summary: A wonderful Gift for all Truth Seekers and Free-Thinkers
Review: This Investigation into the cloudy history of Freemasonry and the Origins of The Shroud of Turin is so well-conceived, written, explained and researched that I am amazed the general public has access to the material. Normally, I tend to write flippant, funny reviews.... However, "The Second Messiah" is such a truly illuminating book that I feel compelled to tone it down, considerably. Reverence? Perhaps. I have been dropping hints here and there, in other reviews, but would not specifically back certain theories ---e.g., the concept of the Shroud being painted by Leonardo da Vinci ("The Templar Revelation," by Picknett & Prince)....great read, but not plausible. My grandfather owned two volumes called: "The Complete Works of Leonardo da Vinci" (fully Illustrated, with notes made by Leonardo). Somehow, after growing up with those books, I don't think the Leonardo theory jives. This work, by Knight and Lomas, however, is based on terrific research and is based on a real-world hypothesis. It seems, to me, after studying everything I can get my hands on about Masonry, that Knight and Lomas know more than they let-on....or, have been extremely "lucky" with their insights, informants and book discoveries, but that makes it even more interesting to me. I keep wondering what the Next book will reveal ! This one Reveals quite a lot.....in fact, I doubt it could-have been published ten years ago. I feel that the Masons must be ready to join the Information Age, or Knight and Lomas would not have gotten this book printed. They have done a wonderful job and everything makes sense. There are no Loopy Theories or silly proposals, based on illusive myths. I believe they are onto something and that something is quite possibly The Truth.

Rating:
Summary: The Second Messiah by Knight and Lomas
Review: This is an excellent research work for students of the Shroud of
Turin. It describes the herringbone pattern of cloth & at least
7 confirmation lab tests taken in different locales. The medieval
origin of the Shroud was confirmed scientifically. The work
describes both supporters and detractors. It would be perfect
for a student project in Theology or World History.

Rating:
Summary: Enjoyable For Conspiracy Buffs
Review: With the popularity of books like Foucault's Pendulum and DaVinci Code, books such as the Second Messiah will surely enjoy a surgence in popularity. This treatment of Masonic history and the Shroud of Turin is interesting, well-written and many times fantastical. I read this book many years ago and the detailed architectural descriptions of Rosslyn (or Roslin) were the most enjoyable for me.