Talisman: Gnostics, Freemasons, Revolutionaries, and the 2000-Year-Old Conspiracy at Work in the World Today

by Graham Hancock and Robert Bauval

Book Overview

A talisman is an object with meaning. It is a potent symbol or icon that can fire the imagination and emotions of men and women anywhere, anytime. It can be a small amulet, a ring, a flag, a statue, a... This description may be from another edition of this product.

• Format: Hardcover
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0007190360
• ISBN13: 9780007190362
• Release Date: January 2004
• Publisher: Element Books
• Length: 562 Pages
• Weight: 1.05 lbs.
• Dimensions: 1.8" x 6.4" x 9.3"

Customer Reviews

Talisman is an impressive and worthy composition.

Talisman : Sacred Cities Secret Faith Though the iconic Statue of Liberty is recognized by many, my decision to read this book rested more with several intriguing questions posed on the back cover. The historical significance of the statue had never previously occurred to me. The question that really hooked me was the one regarding Franklin Roosevelt's commissioning of the glowing pyramid on the one-dollar bill. I have never held a dollar bill, but have wondered about the curious symbolism on British currency. It is no understatement to say the breadth, depth, and volume of information presented, was at times overwhelming. With a reference section occupying nearly sixty pages, the authors appear to have taken pains to present this work in the light of other works. Encapsulating this substantial reading and learning experience into a succinct and meaningful review is proving a challenge. One of the many difficulties faced by the authors is illustrated by a passage appearing on page 287 - ~~ The Sacred Cities, Emergence of the invisibles - Before Freemasonry came out - "The origins of Freemasonry are veiled behind such a mass of legends and pseudo-history that the subject has become a nightmare for even the most dedicated of researchers. The problem lies in the fact that today Freemasons define themselves as a `society with secrets' whereas once, and no one actually knows for how long, they were a secret society that went to great lengths to be `invisible'. We've noted before that successful secret societies are by definition, hard to trace in the historical record. " ~~ Talisman explains how historic texts, events, and architecture, reveal compelling evidence of a belief system with ancient origins; that is identifiably manifest in contemporary life. There is a tendency throughout the book to present a line of reasoning based on an intricate web of historical events. It is my view that the authors conducted considerable research to support and develop their ideas. Whether or not, the conclusions drawn and presented from the research is accurate; is a matter of opinion. Though consistent effort is made to avoid voicing outright opinion; this is inevitable, because opinion does comes through; if not in direct statements; then in the general line of reasoning chosen. As a reader, I admired the author's consistent attempts to justify leading conclusions. I also appreciated the efforts of authors who appear to be deeply knowledgeable; to both educate and inform the readers in a wide range of topics that warrant considerable research and learning individually. It is no surprise the undertaking took twelve years to complete. Started in 1992 and completed in 2004; the finished article provides a rich source of learning and intrigue for the uninitiated. If you are asking "Uninitiated into what ? ", I would thank you for your question, and refer you to the respective co-author websites for an answer or answers. For my part as reviewer; may I draw you

Supplies a Missing Piece of "The Puzzle"

For the serious, or just curious, student of "alternative" theories of our Western Cultures history. Know going in, that the ideas and thories expressed in this book, were published in this book, because they would not be allowed to be taught in accepted, scholastic circle, liberal or conservative. Whether one ascribes to the Accidental, or Conspiratorial Theories of history, Bauval and Hancock's "Talisman" will give serious pause for thought. The books major contribution, is the linking, once and for all, with one of our Western Cultures foundation stones of the Talismanic religion practiced by the Ancient Egyptians. The accepted norm, that Western Culture has only Greco-Roman underpinnings, (put forth by Berlin schools of thought in the nineteenth and twentieth centuries when Berlin, not New York was the World City), have been modified somewhat, correctly, in seeing the vast contributions of those people that the Greeks called the "Keltoi","wanderers",(known to history as the Celts). From the Militians of Spain, the Gauls of France, (referred to in the New Testament as the Galatians), the Daanan tribe of Ireland, the Welsh, Scythians (Scots), to the Danes and Vikings these people, bloodied but unbowed by Rome, form a foundation stone as well as the Greeks and Romans, obvious now, though hidden for centuries. What the reader interested in history will find out in "Talisman" is, that the last foundation stone stands revealed, as Egypt. Whether or not Egypt's culture can be found to be based on an earlier one is not for this review, or Hancock and Bauval's book. Egypt, seen in Biblical history, and Biblical typology as representing raw, idolotrous, worldly culture, at odds with the "God of the Bible" and His designs for human destiny, in "Talisman" is seen for what it may really be. The real force behind the millenia old "culture war" that Jews and Christians have been supposedly fighting. Lastly, this book, if true, as it purports to be, lays to rest the reactionary and revisionist view held by the Christian Coalition, that our countries origin is Evangelical. Talisman correctly tells us that it is Masonic, at best, and Gnostic at worst.

The Two Luminaries Strike Gold Again

Wonderful work. Very meticulously researched. Anyone who is interested in the subject of secret societies and egpytian or antediluvian knowledge should START HERE FIRST. Hancock writes in an intelligent yet accessible style. That said, you will find yourself rereading sentences as he imparts a tremendous amount of information to the reader. One note of caution: Read the negative reviews in this listing. Notice how deeply analytical they are. Consider how profoundly antagonistic they've been and how rigorous their assault on his theories. Now ask yourself, who BUT the most knowledgable, the most invested in the arcane details would spend countless hours constructing a rebuttal to his work such as this? Who has the time or energy or agenda? Other than of course interested parties who try to discredit, slander or misrepresent Hancock's theses. Ultimately, it is curious how fiercely antagonistic the attacks have been. But would you expect anything less from a group of people that Hancock is digging into? I find their vociferous blabberings a wonderful clue that Hancock and Bauval are on the right track. He's made some people hopping mad. And that means that the readers will be in for a wonderful ride here. Take up the challenge and read what these tremendously independent thinkers have given us. This is destined to be a classic.