Isis and Osiris [Hardcover]

Jonathan Cott (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: January 1, 1994

The author of Pipers at the Gates of Dawn interviews worshipers, philosophers, historians, and psychologists worldwide to understand the tenacity and influence of the Ur myth of death and regeneration. 30,000 first printing. $30,000 ad/promo.

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

In this exotic piece of reportage, Cott ( The Search for Omm Sety ) first retells the Egyptian myth of Isis, goddess of fertility and healing, who restored to life her murdered twin brother and lover Osiris. Cott then investigates the myth's continuing appeal to contemporary devotees, some of whom strain credulity. In Ireland he met Olivia Robertson, archpriestess and founder of the Fellowship of Isis, who, with her brother, an Anglican clergyman, performs mystery plays and rites in their castle's basement temple. In Cairo, Cott talked with Sekhmet Montu, leader of the Ammonites, a secret sect which claims to be a direct branch of ancient Egypt's religion; she maintains that her nine-year-old son Heru is an incarnation of the god-being Horus. Through interviews with Egyptologists, a New York artist steeped in Egyptian symbolism and a Canadian couple who are both psychologists and conduct Isis/Osiris workshops, Cott fathoms the myth's appeal to modern wisdom seekers. Illustrated.
Copyright 1994 Reed Business Information, Inc.

From Library Journal

According to ancient Egyptian mythology, Isis and Osiris were not only wife and husband, goddess and god, but also sister and brother. In this work, Cott ( Wander ing Ghost , Random, 1991) interviews some of the people associated with the neopagan movement embracing these ancient dieties. Cott talks with Olivia Robertson and her brother Lawrence, the cofounders of the Fellowship of Isis in the Temple of Isis at Clonegal Castle, Ireland. Archpriestess Robertson leads an eclectic group of more than 11,000 members worldwide in veneration of Isis. Cott also visits with Her Grace Sekhmet Montu and her son Neb Heru, who claims to be Osiris's son Horus, and their sect, known as Ammonites. This book is more of a recruiting manual than an investigative work and overall lacks a sense of integrity. Not recommended.
- Jacqueline Garlesky, Univ. of Pittsburgh, Johnstown, Pa.
Copyright 1994 Reed Business Information, Inc.

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Hardcover: 209 pages
• Publisher: Doubleday; 1st edition (January 1, 1994)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0385417977
• ISBN-13: 978-0385417976
• Product Dimensions: 9.3 x 6.6 x 0.9 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1 pounds
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #2,269,399 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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