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.

Average customer rating:

Islands in the Stream
Love, war, and the fine line between history and fiction
Dreadful
You history book does not necessarily tell the truth!
Prose of a lover; not an academic

The History of the Siege of Lisbon
Jose Saramago
Manufacturer: Harcourt
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover

Contemporary | General | Literature & Fiction | Subjects | Books

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Historical | Genre Fiction | Literature & Fiction | Subjects | Books

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ASIN: 015100238X

Amazon.com

"If proofreaders were given their freedom and did not have their hands and feet tied by a mass of prohibitions more binding than the penal code, they would soon transform the face of the world, establish the kingdom of universal happiness, giving drink to the thirsty, food to the famished, peace to those who live in turmoil, joy to the sorrowful ... for they would be able to do all these things simply by changing the words ..." The power of the word is evident in Portuguese author José Saramago's novel, The History of the Siege of Lisbon. His protagonist, a proofreader named Raimundo Silva, adds a key word to a history of Portugal and thus rewrites not only the past, but also his own life.

Brilliantly translated from the Portuguese by Giovanni Pontiero, The History of the Siege of Lisbon is a meditation on the differences between historiography, historical fiction, and "stories inserted into history." The novel is really two stories in one: the reimagined history of the 1147 siege of Lisbon that Raimundo feels compelled to write and the story of Raimundo's life, including his unexpected love affair with the editor, Maria Sara. In Saramago's masterful hands, the strands of this complex tale weave together to create a satisfying whole.

Book Description

In this “ingenious” novel (New York Times) by “one of Europe’s most original and remarkable writers” (Los Angeles Times), a proofreader’s deliberate slip opens the door to romance-and confounds the facts of Portugal’s past. Translated by Giovanni Pontiero.

Customer Reviews:

Islands in the Stream.......2007-08-26

I have had a difficult time deciding how many stars I should appoint to "The History of the Siege of Lisbon", and here's why--I found the following passage to be a pragmatic and insightful observation of human character:

"...We're positively mad, Do you mean us, No, I was referring to people in general, I'm one of those people who thinks that human beings have always been mentally deranged, As platitudes go, that isn't bad, Perhaps it will sound less like a platitude if I tell you that in my opinion madness is the result of the shock produced in man by his own intelligence and we still haven't recovered from the trauma three million years later..."

This is part of a conversation between the two main contemporary characters in the book, Raimundo Silva and Maria Sara, and no matter how many times I re-read it, ticking off sentence by sentence, I cannot tell who believes human beings to be mentally deranged, Raimundo Silva or Maria Sara. I suspect these words belong to Silva because they have a male arrogance about them, but that's not the point. These words could just as easily have come from Maria Sara. It is possible that Saramago meant for the reader to be confused, to show his characters becoming one mentally as well as physically, but I don't think so. I think that in the original Portuguese there is some gender inflection that casts this dialog in context.

Perhaps, perhaps not, but here's the rub: When an author abandons the norms of punctuation and structure in order to create a different ambience within the story, well, the story better work. This could be the most difficult book I have ever read. I am even thinking back to my days with Proust and Dostoevsky, and I think Saramago's got them beat. I experienced moments of sincere enjoyment, but these were few. For the most part this book was pure work, confusing and slow. But within the confused sentence structure I could sometimes sense a meter; I could detect an order and flow to the words and I found an irony there. Saramago's main character, a proof-reader, alters history by changing a single word in a historical text, launching a hidden narrative that reaches out from medieval times to connect with the present--islands in the stream of time. The continuity of timelessness is what Saramago represents with his run-on sentence structure, and his lines in the Portuguese must read with the beauty of verse. Alas, this beauty is lost in the English translation, like a crucial change in a historical account, creating a much different story, almost a mystery...interesting, now I must re-read the book. Brilliant! Five stars.

Love, war, and the fine line between history and fiction.......2005-12-21

Readers of Saramago will recognize the protagonist of this disarmingly charming novel from his other work: a reclusive, shy, bachelor who works in a Kafkaesque world as an unseen, undistinguished clerk and who, one day, inexplicably does something that shatters the routine and frees him from the daily grind. In this story, Raimundo Silva is a proofreader and his act of rebellion is to insert a single word --"not"--into the manuscript on the history of the siege of Lisbon. Upon publication, the book states (incorrectly) that foreign crusaders did not help the Portuguese with the 12th-century siege that wrested Lisbon from the Moors.

From such seemingly trite and random events emanate massive life changes (and subversive comedies). When his publisher discovers the embarrassing and costly error, they hire a new boss to oversee the proofreaders. Instead of mistrusting her new charge, however, she is intrigued by his inexplicable act of subversiveness, and she subtly (well, not that subtly) recommends that he write his own book, an entry in the genre of alternative history: what would have happened if the Crusaders had indeed turned down King Afonso's request for aid? Silva takes up the challenge, and the remainder of the Saramago's novel alternates (often within the same sentence) between Silva's imaginary book and his subsequent life in Lisbon.

At the most obvious level, Saramago is commenting on the tension between historiography and history, between fiction and veracity. Furthermore, there are many parallels--in themes, in characters, in style, in plot--between this book and Saramago's later novel, "All the Names." And, as always, the author's snakelike, page-long sentences demand much from the reader even as they offer insight, beauty, wit, and comedy.

What's unexpected here, however, is the depth of the twin love stories that develop in both the novel and the novel-within-the-novel. "I don't know how people loved at that time," confesses Silva to his own new love about the challenge of writing his book. Her advice: "Invent a love story without any amorous words, . . . assuming such a thing is possible." But his confession and her response are not only about the historical work at hand; they also serve as veiled remarks about the couple's own nascent relationship. In addition to questioning the very nature of how we conceive and recall history, Saramago's novel teases out the human passions behind the parade of names and events selected for the official versions in the chronicles.

Dreadful.......2005-09-26

After reading The year of the death of Ricardo Reis a book I thought was one of the best ever written and Blindness (not quite the best book ever written) I thought by buying this I was in for a good read...wrong!

Jose Saramago continues his bizarre obsession with young women being attracted to decrepid old men (as he does in all his books) The story is thin, uninteresting and leads nowhere and the siege (read massacre) of the Muslims of Lisbon by the 'brave' crusader knights seems to have little to do with the plot apart from add a little sexual sleeze (the gang rape of a Arab woman by crusader knights) and some ill placed Portuguese nationalism.

You history book does not necessarily tell the truth! .......2005-02-28

This was my first Saramago book. I read it in 2000, and I am still amazed by it. once you get pass the first few pages you'll get a feeling for the style of the book and you'll start enjoying it.

The story reminded me of something obvious about history: history, as we know it, is written by the winners. Losers do not have much to say when looking back to recollect what happened. The winner's biases are all over history books and the loser's perspective is lost in the way. The book is much more that that, there is a love story in the background, and there are beautiful descriptions of the city of Lisbon.

Prose of a lover; not an academic.......2003-05-06

A man no longer needs a woman. He has his work. And he has the prostitutes downtown. He is too old. He is too conservative. He is content to live his life through the books he proofreads.

In a process of professional malpractice he alters history and encounters a love he never expected.

In 'The History of the Seige of Lisbon,' Saramago has created an epic love story. Where many love stories stumble over cliches of plot and word, 'The History' is about the emotions, confusions, and distractions of new love: the angst of imagining our objet with another, the pain of waiting for the phone to ring, and the primal need to distract ourselves from obsessing on our own vices and virtues.

Conventional prose fails to capture these emotions. Saramago give us something else.

Saramago reveals the intimacy of all our relationships --with others, with places, and with history. His description of Lisbon isn't that of a travel guide but of an intimate. His retelling of the crusader's seige of Lisbon shows the patience and care of a father rather than the reserved impartiality of an academic.

Not since Mordecai Richler's 'Barney's Version' have I read such a brilliant story that reveals a love for person, place, and time.

Average customer rating:
4 Book Set By Jose Saramago; the Cave; Baltasar and Blimunda; the History of the Siege of Lisbon; All the Names.
Jose Saramago
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback
ASIN: B000WUD6LS

Product Description

4 Book Set By Jose Saramago; the Cave; Baltasar and Blimunda; the History of the Siege of Lisbon; All the Names.

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An essential addition to any Medieval Studies collection

The Conquest of Lisbon

Manufacturer: Columbia University Press
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

General | Europe | History | Subjects | Books

Portugal | Europe | History | Subjects | Books

Spain | Europe | History | Subjects | Books

General | World | History | Subjects | Books

Medieval | World | History | Subjects | Books

Latin | Foreign Language Nonfiction | Nonfiction | Subjects | Books

Latin | Foreign Language Books | Specialty Stores | Books
ASIN: 0231121237

Book Description

Although the Crusades are generally thought of in terms of the European attempt to conquer and colonize the Holy Land, from the twelfth century onward crusading also involved the "reconquest" of the Iberian peninsula from the Muslims. This eyewitness account of the capture of Lisbon in 1147 by the combined forces of King Alfonso Henriques of Portugal and a fleet of crusaders from the Anglo-Norman realm, Flanders, and the Rhineland is one of the richest and most exciting sources to survive from this period. Far more than just a narrative, De expugnatione Lyxbonensi vividly conveys the tensions between the secular and spiritual motives of a crusading army, as well as revealing a wealth of information on medieval warfare, the development of crusading ideology and holy war, and Muslim views of the crusaders.

The new foreword by Jonathan Phillips provides insight to the latest scholarship on the integral place of the Lisbon expedition in the Second Crusade, the identity of the text's author, and his message for crusaders.

Customer Reviews:

An essential addition to any Medieval Studies collection.......2001-07-04

Ably translated into English by Charles David, The Conquest Of Lisbon (De Expugnatione Lyxbonensi) is an eyewitness account of the capture of Lisbon in 1147 by the combined forces of King Alfonso Henriques of Portugal and a fleet of crusaders from the Anglo-Norman kingdoms. More than a dry historical narrative, the author vividly conveys the tensions and rivalries between the secular and spiritual factors of a twelfth century crusade, as well as tremendous and descriptive insights into medieval warfare, the development of crusading ideology and the concept of a Christian "holy war"; as well as Muslim views of the invading crusaders. An informative foreword by Jonathan Phillips provides an update on the scholarship regarding the integral place of the Lisbon expedition in the Second Crusade, the identity of the text's author, and the author's intent for his compelling history. The Conquest Of Lisbon is also available in hardcover (0231121229) and is an essential addition to any Medieval Studies collection.

De expugnatione Lyxbonensi =: The conquest of Lisbon

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De expugnatione Lyxbonensi =: The conquest of Lisbon

Manufacturer: Octagon Books
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Unknown Binding

Spain | Europe | History | Subjects | Books
ASIN: 0374920710

Average customer rating:

History of the Siege of Lisbon, the
Jose Saramago
Manufacturer: Harvill Press
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover

Contemporary | General | Literature & Fiction | Subjects | Books

Spanish & Portuguese | Classics | Literature & Fiction | Subjects | Books

Book Description

She uncovered a deadly conspiracy. Now she's on the run -- and trying to stay alive . . .

Determined to solve the murder of a man she once loved, Jenna Mayerson enters a dangerous criminal underworld to find the Scent of a Killer.

Manhattan photographer Jenna Mayerson is attending her fist exhibit when her ex-husband suddenly shows up, claiming to need her help. A corporate attorney, Adam Lear suspects a high-profile rival company of having ties to a deadly group of international criminals -- and Jenna may have the photographs to prove it.

Before she can agree to give them to him, Adam is found murdered in Central Park. With the police convinced the attorney's death was a random act of violence, Jenna seeks the help of Adam's former best friend, private investigator Frank Renaldi. When an attempt on Jenna's life sends her into hiding, Frank's only hope of keeping her alive is to stay one step ahead of a killer who will stop at nothing to get what he wants.

Customer Reviews:

good reading for a romance.......2006-12-05

I love an exciting thriller but get turned off when I find the book I'm reading is just a romance writer's excuse to throw a couple of two-dimensional characters together. "Scent of a Killer" provides some pretty good suspense and action, and the characters are more developed and likable than you find in many romance novels. While this book is definitely a romance as opposed to a thriller or mystery, it's at the top of the genre. If you are a romance reader looking for a story with some meat to it, I would recommend this book.

Scent of a Killer.......2005-10-01

Shortly after disclosing a theory about a murder to his ex wife, Jenna, Adam Lear is murdered. Jenna knows there is more to it than a simple mugging and turns to her former flame, Frank Renaldi, for help. The police detective is at first surly, as he fights his attraction to Jenna, but when danger heats up, he can't fight it any longer. He must save the woman he loves.

** Unfortunately, relational transitions are jumpy and the plot tends to meander, as well as having holes. What could have been a wonderful story falls short. **

Reviewed by Amanda Killgore, Freelance Reviewer.

Not as good as I'd expected.......2004-10-02

I must be the only person who DID NOT find the story "Scent of a Killer" engaging, thought-provoking and a great romatic suspense.
I was really disappointed in the development of a relationship between Jenna and Frank. It's like, one minute he's a friend and the next, she's in love with him? I thought this needed a little more development, as well as the reasons why Frank was such a butt when he was younger and didn't fight for the woman he loved. It might have made all the difference.
The plot involving the Russian mob was a little... well, I guess it wasn't my style. Interestingly enough, I normally love stories involving the mob.

Really Exciting Story!.......2004-04-15

Christiane Heggan has a real winner on her hands with SCENT OF A KILLER. I loved this story, thought it was very exciting!

I liked this story a lot!.......2004-03-25

Scent of A Killer by Christiane Heggan is an engaging romantic drama that had me glued to my seat during the whole book!

The Online Business Setup, Killer Headlines, Amazon Sales for Candle Scents Businesses

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The Online Business Setup, Killer Headlines, Amazon Sales for Candle Scents Businesses
J Bowman J Orr
Manufacturer: LTBR, Inc
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Audio CD
ASIN: B000W7CPS6

The Online Business Setup, Killer Headlines, Amazon Sales for Soap Scents Businesses

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The Online Business Setup, Killer Headlines, Amazon Sales for Soap Scents Businesses
J Bowman J Orr
Manufacturer: LTBR, Inc
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Audio CD
ASIN: B000W7AYTS

The Online Business Setup, Killer Headlines, Business Networking for Soap Scents Businesses

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The Online Business Setup, Killer Headlines, Business Networking for Soap Scents Businesses
J Bowman J Orr
Manufacturer: LTBR, Inc
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Audio CD
ASIN: B000WLIS6U

The Online Business Setup, Killer Headlines, Cheap Marketing for Soap Scents Businesses

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The Online Business Setup, Killer Headlines, Cheap Marketing for Soap Scents Businesses
J Bowman J Orr
Manufacturer: LTBR, Inc
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Audio CD
ASIN: B000W3WO5O

The Online Business Setup, Killer Headlines, Godfather Principles for Candle Scents Businesses

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The Online Business Setup, Killer Headlines, Godfather Principles for Candle Scents Businesses
J Bowman J Orr
Manufacturer: LTBR, Inc
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Audio CD
ASIN: B000WKNKPK

The Online Business Setup, Killer Headlines, Godfather Principles for Soap Scents Businesses

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The Online Business Setup, Killer Headlines, Godfather Principles for Soap Scents Businesses
J Bowman J Orr
Manufacturer: LTBR, Inc
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Audio CD
ASIN: B000WKIG9A

The Online Business Setup, Killer Headlines, Guerilla Marketing for Candle Scents Businesses

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The Online Business Setup, Killer Headlines, Guerilla Marketing for Candle Scents Businesses
J Bowman J Orr
Manufacturer: LTBR, Inc
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Audio CD
ASIN: B000W91DJ6

The Online Business Setup, Killer Headlines, Guerilla Marketing for Soap Scents Businesses

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The Online Business Setup, Killer Headlines, Guerilla Marketing for Soap Scents Businesses
J Bowman J Orr
Manufacturer: LTBR, Inc
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Audio CD
ASIN: B000W97TQ2

The Online Business Setup, Killer Headlines, Inner Game for Candle Scents Businesses

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The Online Business Setup, Killer Headlines, Inner Game for Candle Scents Businesses
J Bowman J Orr
Manufacturer: LTBR, Inc
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Audio CD
ASIN: B000WG1XUI

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