Customer Reviews

The Goddess, the Grail and the Lodge

5 star:		(4)
4 star:		(2)
3 star:		(3)
2 star:		(2)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

The author has written a very entertaining read but I believe putting it in the category of "non-fiction" is questionable. He doesn't get his "facts" from any legitimate source which would allow for further research by anyone else. He does paint a convincing picture of a possible scenario, and most people with any sense these days know that history is subjective and based on many factors, one of which is the agenda of the author. While I don't believe it is a requirement to obtain a string of degrees to write a non-fiction book on history, as a historian I can't help but be curious as to just where he obtained some of his information. This book is more a good detective mystery novel rather than a work of non-fiction. The bibliography in the book in no way resembles anything that could be considered of scholary quality. No self-respecting historian or researcher would use the types of sources Butler does to back up his statements of "fact." The sources he used would not even be acceptable for an undergraduate research paper! Butler makes some pretty outrageous claims that he states as facts but gives nothing for the reader to latch on to if they wanted to do further research. And one thing throughout the book that was very annoying was his repeated use of a few phrases that make him appear as not having much of a command of English. This may be the way he writes, but a good editor would have caught this immediately. As far as I can tell, his theory, while interesting and something to think about, is more of a conspiracy theory derived out of a controversial theory from decades ago. I'm all about Goddess worship, and I am certain that "history" as we know it is only a small part of what actually occurred, but Butler needs to show us something to back up his outrageous claims so we can do our own detective work. Otherwise, his work remains purely a work of fiction.

First, I bought the book because the foreword was written by Lynn Picknett and Clive Prince (two very good authors), but as I read, I began to wonder why they would endorse this work.

If you care about proper spelling and grammar or repetitious cliche, you might have a hard time sifting through these publication troubles before taking on Butler's real issues. Unfortunately, the language he employs prevents him from actually having to state what it is that he's trying to explain, and also why his arguments are valid.

His theory on "salt lines" is fascinating. The theory is potentially based on solid evidence which very strongly changes our perception of Neolithic religion and technology, but Butler leaves out enormous amounts of evidence to support his claims. In order to compel the reader he must provide detailed maps to prove the accuracy of his general statements on geography, and he must also provide strong statistical evidence to back up the accuracy of the locations he highlights. Without providing these suggestions, he often makes enormous jumps in his arguments.

Moreover, Butler openly admits that he cannot reveal some of his sources: "I have personally seen enough and learned enough (some of which I cannot presently divulge) to know for certain that [conspiracy] is not the case" (334). While this might keep the pleasure reader on the edge of his seat, passages like this take away from the strength of any and all of Butler's arguments.

If you enjoy sheer wonder over fact, you'll love the final chapter (I admit, I did as well). But the last line regarding Dan Brown simply made me embarassed for Butler and I felt a little bit insulted (a terrible way to finish). But all-in-all the book is great in that it sets the imaginative mind in a new direction (too bad the index and sources are so lacking). It's a good book with many interesting points of knowledge - but as far as fact vs. fiction goes, well, who knows?

Wow!! That's my short opinion regarding "The Goddess, The Grail, and The Lodge". If the reader enjoys a good detective novel containing a solid plot and a block buster conclusion, this is the book. The author, like any good detective, assembles his evidence, both physical and circumstantial (physical about 90 %), in a careful and methodical manner before he closes in on the prize, and that is exactly what Mr. Butler does here. He uses very solid archelogical and other evidence from the megalithic period in Britain and Ireland and into Egypt, Crete, Malta, et al to prove there is a thread in the fabric of history regarding goddess worship and its ultimate connections thereof to modern religious practice. But, this is NO novel. It is REALITY that spans across thousands of years with a clear thread running through the fabric of history which Mr. Butler refers to as "The Golden Thread". The reader will learn of a select group of indivduals who have perpetuated this practice throughout the ages. What I found fascinating was the LOCATIONS of many pagan religious sites, what is located there now and where they are located latitudinally and logitudinally. In the process you will learn all about what Mr. Butler refers to as "salt lines" and from whence they are derived. I will not give away any more of the plot. Concerning the religious element mentioned above, it should be emphasized that this book is not anti-religious!

Concerning the style: I found the book to be a quick read as one is not tied in knots every other sentence with footnotes and references. The material the author discusses is available in any library and is common knowledge in many instances. He does provide "notes" at the end regarding books and references. Also, the prose is such, along with the plot, that one feels he is reading a novel because the pages turn quite fast. I will read it again, however, for fear that I missed something the first time around.

If you like Knight, Lomas, Pinknett, Prince, Baigent, Leigh, Lincoln and those early pioneers in new theories regarding history, you'll love Alan Butler's book. His book presents premises and conclusions that I have never before come in contact with regard to other writers. As Mr. Butler would say, it is "time out of mind". I suspect he is working on a new book that will add even more to our reservoir of new theories and I can't wait for that moment. Somehow I think it will involve a thread that just happens to be very, very gold!

Don Barnaby
Marion, IL

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For many years now I have been fascinated by the contemplation of a religious and political conspiracy across a great span of European history, as first suggested by authors Baigent, Leigh and Lincoln in their seminal book `The Holy Blood and the Holy Grail'. It was for this reason that I jumped upon Alan Butler's book, `The Goddess, the Grail and the Lodge' and how pleased I was to have done so.

Alan Butler demonstrates, in the most fascinating manner possible, how an original veneration for a Great Goddess, perhaps as much as 5,000 years ago, never stopped in Western Europe and beyond and he explains how the rise of Christianity tried hard to destroy the Goddess worshipers. But what is most convincing about Alan Butler's investigation is that it shows, clearly and in an entertaining style, just how important Goddess worship has been and remains to the progress of the world in which we live. I won't spoil the story for those who have not read it yet. I will merely say that I enjoyed this book from the first to the last page. If you are even remotely interested in the `real' story behind the apparent signposts of history, this is a book you must read.

Begin with some historical facts, sprinkle in a bit of politically correct mythology, and add a little pop culture...

This seems to be the popular recipe followed by Alan Butler. Nevermind the numerous typos and grammatical issues, the arguments Butler makes are sloppy and need to be cleaned up.

In the tradition of Brown, Baigent, Leigh, etc. Butler provides an alternate view of the middle ages (crusades, templars, grails) which in the end proves to make compelling reading, but poor history. Of course, it is always fun to imagine secret societies behind every significant historical event and Butler provides plenty of ammunition for such discussions.

Numerous inconsistencies and far too many uncited sources lead me to believe that this might be better characterized as historical fiction. On numerous occasions, Butler makes unwarranted leaps in his arguments using such words as "clearly","obviously", or "without doubt". Unfortunately, his arguments make his leaps neither clear nor obvious and leave a significant amount of doubt.

On the whole, I enjoyed the book without buying into the main premises. If Butler's goal was to demonstrate that throughout history people have worshipped alternative deities to Christianity, he succeeds. Unfortunately, that was not a mystery before he wrote this book.

This book is very enlightening regarding the origins of religion, the heretical influences, editing, and tampering that specific individuals, governments, and churches have had on the development of Christianity and the Bible, and societies such as the Templar Knights, the Rosicrusian Order and the Freemasons.

However parts of this book are too longwinded, there is an obvious lack of editing, an appropriate bibliography, and an insignificant index. These points were dissappointing.

This book has expanded my understanding of a great many things which are not compiled in any other book I know of. If the downfalls created by an apparant haste to publish were overcome, this is a book I would buy a second edition of without a second thought. If these downfalls were corrected I would highly recommend it to anybody interested in religion, history, anthropology, nonfictional mystery, or in a deeper understanding of who we are. Then, I would give it five stars.

In the rush to catch the Da Vinci train, this stew of ideas was allowed to skip the editing process. Numerous incorrect spellings, no bibliography, only thirty odd footnotes (three from the author, two from Dan Brown)and even chapter 18 following chapter 10. His true sources which had to include Ovason, Baigent etc., go uncredited. His premise, of "salt-line" families goes unproven. It could literally be claimed that millions are included in ths select brotherhood. His claim of no proof of Jesus being Jewish is contradicted within pages as the brother of Jesus, James, says only Jews can be part of the Jesus faith. Overall, a huge let down.

I was overall disappointed in this book. First of all there were numerous typographical errors and the book was in need of a good proofreader. This is a big turnoff to any reader. There was a statement made that Lillith was a consort of God. Everything I have ever read about Lillith is that she supposedly was the first wife of Adam and I have read nothing about her being the consort of God. A lot of material was presented as fact with little or no suporting evidence. References to support statements were few and far between. I was looking for more fact than speculation on this subject.

I want to believe, I really want to believe, but...

While I believe in much of the theory espoused by Alan it is just theory. His fact citations are questionable and he too often says based on what I have said, one must clearly see that therefor...

In Alan's world, A equals B equals C -- just because he says so.

Better read as fiction than non-fiction.

Alan Butler weaves a divine tapestry of the sacred feminine throughout history -- and with golden thread!! This "golden thread" is his concept that the Great Goddess was venerated for at least 5,000 years - and has never stopped. Her golden thread has been woven into the very fabric of our culture, albeit underground. Her golden thread still glistened and shimmered even with the advent of the patriarch trying to destroy the "pagan" goddess worhshippers! The conclusion as to the significance of this divine feminine is crucial to the development of the modern world - and is evident in its unfolding. Bravo, Alan Butler!! Thanks for this outstanding contribution to the Great Goddess!