Customer Reviews

Ancient and Modern Chaldean History

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The author who belongs to the Chaldean Catholic Church makes many unsubstantiated claims in his book. Facts are that there is no relation, whatsoever, between the ancient Chaldeans and the modern day Chaldeans. The ancient Chaldeans lived predominantly in southern Mesopotamia, today's southern Iraq, while modern day Chaldeans live exclusively in northern Iraq, 400 miles to the north. There is no serious scholarly reference about any massive migration from southern Iraq to northern Iraq to justify the presence of ancient Chaldeans today in north of Iraq. Even when the ancient Chaldeans helped their allies the Medes (Persians) to sack Assyria, it is documented historically that it was the Medes (Persians) who controlled northern Mesopotamia, while the ancient Chaldeans returned to control southern Mesopotamia. Facts are yet that the today's title Chaldean was given by the Vatican to the Nestorians (members of the Church of the East) who became Roman Catholic, first in Cyprus in 1445, then in Diyar Bakir (Turkey) in 1681, and finally in Mosul (Iraq) in 1830. Every single history and theology book about the Christians of Asia or Iraq attest to this fact. Today's Chaldean title is a religious denomination of the Assyrian people, it does not represent an ethnicity. The following books are a sample reference: 1. Hagarism by P. Crone and M. Cook 2. The Eastern Christian Churches by Ronald Roberson 3. The Oxford Dictionary of the Christian Church by F. L. Cross and E. A. Livingstone 4. The Middle East:A Physical, Social and Regional Geography by W. B. Fisher 5. Asshur and the Land of Nimrod by Hormuzd Rassam.

Having a long-time interest in ancient history, it's nice to finally see a good book on the Chaldeans. Prior to attaining this book, I had not found any materials that had covered the Chaldeans in such a comprehensive fashion. The author gives a good backdrop to the peoples that occupied the area prior to the Chaldeans and how the Chaldeans finally came to power. This type of information was certainly not easy to find before the publication of this book. In addition, the bibliography portion of the book is extensive! I have already begun researching the listings that are provided. Dr. Kamoo has made finding articles and books on the Chaldeans that much easier for historians and lay people alike.

I purchased this book for an 89 y.o. woman who did not have computer access. I live out of the U.S. Arriving in the U.S. shortly thereafter I received the book and noticed it was a bibliography. I advised the woman who said she did not realize this and could I return it in that bibliographies were for researchers or academics of which she is none. I emailed to JiJi books exactly 4 times with no response. Since I was leaving the U.S. in a couple days I decided to just return the book to the exact address as it appeared on the envelope. I took it to the postoffice, requested delivery receipt. The next day I received a call from someone from JiJi books telling me he received the emails but for some reason didn't respond but under no reason to return it to the address on the envelope because it was not the correct address. I found that strange and was upset because I had invested yet another $5.60 to mail this back and why would they put an address that is not the correct address? He then told me very flippingly that they will probably never receive the book because it was not the correct address. Now I address a complaint to amazon who doesn't do anything about it either even though I gave to them the Priority Mail receipt number from the postoffice which shows the book was returned to that address (whether it was received I have no clue). This all took place on October 14 and I have not even heard from the company except to laugh it off saying it was sent to an address where it won't be received. What if the book had not reached its destination initially, where would it have been returned to? I find this exordinary they are allowed to do this. I actually think it is illegal to send through the US mails something that does not have the correct sending party. I may be out over $51 for the book and another $5.60 for return delivery but both JIJI and AMAZON will in the long run be out more because I will not purchase from them anymore.......and I was an active purchaser for over 10 years. Incidentally this was the first book I had ever returned in the entire time I was at amazon and I am very distressed about the inaction on both the part of the seller as well as amazon, that they allow this company to continue selling books with a fraudulent return address label.

The Review that seems to put down this book is a bit harsh and low-leveled, I am an American Chaldean and although Ray didn't talk much of Chaldeans in the Present living in America or Iraq. I moved to chicago a year ago and this was when I first learned about Assyrians. My (middle-eastern) teachers use me as an example when the Assyrians come up, but they all understand that I am Chaldean even though there aren't many here. I think the review is by someone who must have been very mad about something. I think the person who wrote the review must have been looking for something that doesn't exist. This person should stop wasting time writing reviews and should maybe write their own book on the subject (since this person is so critical of this book) and teach all of us about our history since this person seems to know so much. No other books even come close to capturing the subject the way this does.