Holy Blood, Holy Grail by Michael Baigent, Richard Leigh, Henry Lincoln
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Book Reviews of Holy Blood, Holy Grail
Book Review: No less likely than, well, the Bible
Summary: 5 Stars
Though the authors do make many leaps of reason and faith that are often hard to follow, much less take for granted, this book paints a picture that is no less intriguing or believable for it. As has been said by other reviewers, the authors lay out their observations, research and assumptions for the reader to examine and interpret in their own way. Open minds and the ability to think for one's self come in handy when reading this book. Maybe you believe what they posit, maybe you don't, but at least they tell you when they are making reasoned assumptions, or outright guesses, based on the vast quantity of data they cover.The only people who I could even imagine being "offended" by a work such as this are the super-religious, devout Christians of the world. More specifically, Christians who have no open mind when it comes to the possibility of alternate interpretations of Jesus and the gospels.
I find this book no less believable than the Bible itself, since most of the fanciful parables in the Bible are, well, wholly unbelievable as pure "fact". It seems to me much more likely that the man called Jesus had a wife (since, as the authors of this book point out, in the time of Christ it was the norm for Jewish men to be married, and it would have warranted a mention in at least one of the gospels had Jesus not been married) and probably children than that he was born of a virgin, turned water to wine and rose from the dead.
The Bible provides solice and comfort to many and I can see why this book might make many uncomfortable with its premise, but I think even the most skeptical would at the very least be impressed with the sheer amount of legwork these authors have done to bring this amazing story to their readers.
It's the ultimate conspiracy theory... one I happen to believe. Why not. It's as plausible as anything Constantine and the grand editing Council of Nicea included in the book we now call the Holy Bible.
Book Review: Well what a shock that was!
Summary: 5 Stars
When this book was first brought out, it created a wave of shock throughout not only the christian, but also the Islamic world....After all, it is all connected, as the authors show. What the authors say is nothing new though, and they know that themsleves as well. But their extensive research in the matter, made this an exceptional book. At a certain point, in defense of their hypothesis, the authors critisize the way of analysis most historians will turn to. They show the lack of the ability to make connections between certain -at first glance unconnected-events of most present day historians.
This makes this book so immensely special: they DID make the connections.
The result: they lead you gently but surely through the world of the cathars and their secret. From there, they will lead you through to the templars, and their possible secret. Then to the secretive order that worked behind the screens of the templars. They expose the entire dynasty of the Merovingians, and their bloodline.....Finally, they show you the person of Jesus, and his connection in the mystery of all the things spoken of up to that point. Throw al this together, and you don't only have an explanation of what the Holy Grail is, but also what consequences this mysterious "object" had on history, and perhaps also will have on the future! The blood of Jesus, passed down by his descendants, might have quite an impact on the religious world and beyond, if the secretive order spoken of in this book succeeds in its task. The King of The Jews might still be around...And in this world of decay in spirituality, could anything have a bigger impact?
All in all: a book you will not be able to put away, even though you will go mad after the 1000th date they throw at you. Read it, and you'll comprehend many things concerned with religion so much better. Not religious? Read it anyway. You might find out you can relate more to Jesus after reading it...Good luck!
Book Review: An interesting read, but absolutely wrong on the Sinclairs
Summary: 5 Stars
There are many positive things which can be said aboutHoly Blood Holy Grail. It is certainly fascinating reading, and although I disagree with its basic point, I do believe that the authors are academically honest. They maintain that Jesus Chrsit and Mary Magdalen were married and that they had children, the descendants of whom became the Merovingian Dynasty of France. The authors maintain that the Priory of Sion protected the bloodline of Christ throughout the centuries, and that families such as the Sinclairs of Scotland are literally descended from Christ. The reason I disagree with them is because the name "SINCLAIR" equals 666 in Jewish gematria and the authors believe that the Sinclairs are the descendants of Jesus. Thus they find themselves in the position of maintaining that someone whose name equals 666 is the descendant of Jesus Christ himself, and that that person could/should eventually become not just a new KING, but THE new PRIEST-king of Europe! ...Obviously, shades of the antichrist. And when one considers the fact that the New Testament says that when the antichrist comes, that he will be so convincing as to be able to deceive even the very elect if it was possible, the strength of Baigent and Co's. arguments only adds weight to the idea that they are paving the way for the ANTIchrist rather than the descendants of Christ. Thus it is a very interesting read, but it is fundamentally flawed, not only because of the above, but also because a chain is only as strong as its weakest link. And the link between Christ and the Merovingians is never proven to even EXIST, let alone exist in an UNBROKEN state. Therefore, although their ideas are fascinating, the bottom line is that they are unproven, and their identification of the Sinclairs with the "descendants of Christ" and the fact that Sinclair = 666 in Jewish gematria st! ands as a witness against their position. ENDBook Review: Jesus, Myth and Legend, and a Secret Society to boot
Summary: 5 Stars
I've just sat and read through the reviews of this book. What concerns me is that though it covers a subject like the Bible, which is designed specificaly for different people to extract different things from, the people who have read Hold Blood Holy Grail seem unable to afford the same curtesy to this book too.In my own opinion, the book is exceptionaly well written, and opens up an approach to Christianity that allows people to relate to Jesus as a man, and removes a lot of the "hokus pokus" which deters people from beliving your standard tales of miracles and magic.
The basic plot, and i use that word with good reason, reguards a preists riseing wealth, which appears to be related to some occult knowledge discovered by accident in the shape of some parchments. This information pertains to a secret, which has been carried by generations by a society known as the Priory de Sion, and claims to change the face of christianity as we now know it. The book carrys through analysis of what this information is, and how the society is prominent throughout the centuries.
The conclusions the book comes to will no doubt be rubbished by people who have closed minds to endings that are different to the normal ideas, but people are already disillusioned by biblical explanations of Christ, and are searching for truths which they can relate to. It is everybodys privelege to believe what they want to, and that adage applies here.
In summary, buy the book. Once you pick it up, you wont put it down. That alone suggests it captures the imagination, and maybe will change your perceptions on past, present, and future.
Other suggested reading would be...Bloodline of the Holy Grail : The Hidden Lineage of Jesus Revealed by Laurence Gardner, and The Tomb of God : The Body of Jesus and the Solution to a 2,000-Year-Old Mystery by Richard. Andrews, Paul Schellenberger
Apologies for poor spelling.
Book Review: Holy Blood, Holy Grail
Summary: 5 Stars
Holy Blood, Holy Grail is a well-written and intriguing nonfiction book which provides valuable insight concerning the origins of Jesus and the Christian faith. The content is somewhat controversial (as are most books concerning this divinity of Christ), but evidence is thoughtfully presented to support every topic addressed. The book presents interesting theories which are intertwined with historical topics such as the Templar Knights and the crusades. This aspect of the book makes it an informative read, even for those who oppose the theories presented. I believe that even Christians can find this book very informative and if you disagree with certain theories presented within the book you will emerge with a more complete understanding of history. Even those with an aversion to any opposition of the divinity of Jesus should read this book to (at least) understand a different perspective. After all, religion is based upon the assumption and speculation that a god exists (that something exists beyond man's understanding) and Holy Blood, Holy Grail presents speculations about how the Christian faith emerged and evolved. It is not sinful to speculate as to the origins of faith. In fact, it is my belief that this inquisitive process allows the growth of society through an understanding of diverse perspectives. This knowledge of different perspectives will, in my view, reduce ignorance and encourage acceptance.
If you begin reading this book and you find the extensive historical content oppressive you may want to consider reading The DaVinci Code by Dan Brown. Although The DaVinci Code is a fictional novel, it presents a few similar theories with significantly less historical information. The novel is fast paced and very engaging, making it a more interesting way to get a glimpse of a few ideas outlined in Holy Blood, Holy Grail.