Customer Reviews

Damanhur: Temples of Humankind

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Damanhur: The Temples of Humankind (DTOK) is first and foremost for people with an interest in the intentional community Damanhur (in Northern Italy, since the mid 1970's) and what they have achieved with the construction of The Temples of Humankind. Perhaps you have been there and want a way to to show other people not only what you saw but to show them in a way that almost astounds as much as being in The Temples astounded you. Perhaps you simply know about this place and would like to own and view a splendid production of photos and information on what has been created there. Or maybe you know someone who went there, in which case this book would make a great gift which I am sure they'd be happy to own (if they don't already have it!)

Yet having said that, DTOK is for more than just people who already know about Damanhur and these Temples. Anyone with an interest in art and creativity will most certainly marvel at the incredible creativity documented within DTOH. People with an interest in spirituality and human consciousness will likely find DTOH equally compelling. I am sure, that many who read this book will feel inspired to actually visit Damanhur and see them first-hand, and I couldn't recommend that more. So be warned, this might cost you more than just the price of Damanhur: The Temples of Humankind.

Having visited Damanhur for a month and spent many hours in The Temples I can say that this book does a wonderful job of accurately and beatifically presenting what is hidden in those otherwise normal looking mountains. In all honesty I think many of the images look even more splendid that the real thing when it comes to the actual detail of the artistic works, simply because photos (well composed ones) have a way of hiding the fact that some of these artistic works are in need of some repair and attention. I don't see this as a negative, but rather positive in that it enables the reader to gain a taste of the magnificence one can ultimately only experience by walking in these chambers and temples in person. What the book lacks in size and scale (the Temples are quite huge when you're actually there), it makes up for by capturing these artworks at their very best.

Enjoy this book, and if you feel moved to visit Damanhur and you have the means to do so, then go for it.

If this book interests you (and/or you enjoyed it) I think you'll also be pleased to know about:
Damanhur: The Story of the Extraordinary Italian Artistic And Spiritual Community, which gives a very thorough account of the Damanhur itself and the people living there (now around 1000 in total)

What a wonderful book this is! I am a great fan of New York artist Alex Grey's work and he and his friends have made a superb job of this large format hard back book which features marvelous glossy photos from Darmanhur, the artistic and spiritual community near Turin in Italy. It's a must have for your coffe table if you're interested in the power of spiritual vision, artistic expression and intentional communities.

I will treasure this book always. Thank you EBay for delivering it so promptly all the way to Australia!

Alex grey brings his clarity to the task of drawing the publics eye onto an unbelievable society that has profound lessons to teach the rest of the world about opening up to the complete truth of who and what we are as sentient beings.

This book is absolutely gorgeous. It contains tons of really interesting information on the temples (not to mention brilliant photography work). Beautiful.

Temples are places of metaphysical symbolism, mystery and magic, icons and imagery, ancient places of hallowed traditions, and so much more. Enhanced with the poetry of Oberto Airaudi, deftly edited by Allyson Grey, and provided with an informative foreword by Alex Grey and an introduction by Rob Calef, "Damanhur: Temples Of Humankind" is a compilation of beautifully reproduced photographs embellished with a text by Esperide Ananas and showcases the diversity of temple structures which served the needs of men and women to worship their gods. Beginning with the brief two paragraph commentary 'Temples of Humankind', "Damanhur" is divided into twelve sections of images and text that range from 'The Birth of the Temples'; 'The Battle for the Temples'; 'The Secret Doors' and 'The Blue Temple'; to 'The Hall of Water'; 'The Hall of the Earth'; 'The Hall of Metals'; 'The Labyrinth'; 'The Hall of Spheres'; 'The Future of the Temples'; and 'Federation of Damanhur: Sharing the Magic, an Invitation'. Enhanced with an extensive appendix, Informed and informative, "Damanhur: Temples Of Humankind" is a beautiful work that would grace any personal, academic, or community library Religion & Spirituality reference collection or Metaphysical Studies supplemental reading list.

A marvelous book about a marvelous place.... Good photos and descriptions of a place worth knowing about and most of all, worth visiting..... It allows one to see this amazing place without actually going there but getting all the pertinent information that brought these ordinary people to build such an extraordinary work of art....

The Temples of Humankind in Damanhur are called the "eighth wonder of the world," and having been there, I would agree wholeheartedly. This beautiful photo book by world renowned artist, Alex Grey, et al., brings you close to the magic and mystery of these fabulous temples. This pictorial tour of the temples can act as an inspiration to you to make the pilgrimage to see and experience their magnificence and power for yourself. And the running commentary adds understanding to the Damanhurian philosophy of "life as art."

What a great book. Visually stunning and very interesting. And published from a great publisher, CoSM.

Support CoSM. They have some other really cool stuff.

"The Temples of Humankind were a secret from even the closest neighbors for the next twenty years as artists, artisans and builders excavated and created the equivalent of a five-story subterranean building."

"Profound appreciation goes to WENDY GRACE and MICHAEL HONACK, and the Tides Foundation, for financial support of the Damanhur book project."

Thank you for your work in helping to illuminate the path...