Isis Unveiled [Two Volume Set] [Facsimile] [Paperback]

Helena P. Blavatsky (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: February 1, 1999

ISIS UNVEILED was H. P. Blavatsky's first major literary effort, a critical response to the growing materialism in both scientific and religious institutions, and a vindication of the ageless quest. In the author's words, Isis 'is the fruit of a somewhat intimate acquaintance with Eastern adepts and study of their science. . . . They showed us that by combining science with religion, the existence of God and immortality of man's spirit may be demonstrated.' Supported by extensive evidence from religious and mystical traditions, classical scholarship, and the testimony of nature, these volumes aid the student in detecting the vital principles which underlie the philosophical systems of old. Volume I focuses on the prevailing scientific theories of the time, balanced against the 'anciently universal Wisdom Religion,' while Volume II examines the creeds of religions past and present, alongside the myths and symbols of various cultures. Throughout, the author strikes at the root of dogma and affirms the 'paramount importance of re-establishing the Hermetic philosophy in a world which blindly believes it has outgrown it. This edition also includes two articles by H. P. Blavatsky on the writing of Isis Unveiled: 'My Books' (1891) and 'Theories About Reincarnation and Spirits' (1886).

Editorial Reviews

Review

One of the most remarkable productions of the century. --New York Herald, 1877

It must be acknowledged that she is a remarkable woman, who has read more, seen more, and thought more than most wise men. Her work abounds in quotations from a dozen different languages, not for the purpose of a vain display of erudition, but to substantiate her peculiar views . . . her pages are garnished with footnotes establishing, as her authorities, some of the profoundest writers of the past. To a large class of readers, this remarkable work will prove of absorbing interest . . . demands the earnest attention of thinkers, and merits an analytic reading. --Boston Evening Transcript, 1877

The appearance of erudition is stupendous. Reference to and quotations from the most unknown and obscure writers in all languages abound, interspersed with allusions to writers of the highest repute, which have evidently been more than skimmed through. --N. Y. Independent, 1877

From the Publisher

Theosophical University Press, publisher of quality theosophical literature since 1886. --This text refers to the Hardcover edition.

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Product Details

• Paperback: 1471 pages
• Publisher: Theosophical Univ Pr (February 1, 1999)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0911500030
• ISBN-13: 978-0911500035
• Product Dimensions: 8.7 x 6.1 x 2.5 inches
• Shipping Weight: 3.8 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.1 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (18 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #215,954 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
  • #41 in Books > Religion & Spirituality > New Age > Theosophy

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

94 of 101 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars "There is no religion higher than Truth.", April 13, 2002

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OAKSHAMAN "oakshaman" (Algoma, WI United States) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: Isis Unveiled [Two Volume Set] (Paperback)

This is one of the few books that humble me when I contemplate it. Rather, Madam Blavatsky's knowlege and intellect humbles me. Take just about any "newly rediscovered" esoteric topic of any worth and you will most probably find it explained in considerable detail in either this work or _The Secret Docrine_. I am dismayed that so few people, or biliographies, give credit to Madam Blavatsky, or to the Theosophical Society that she founded. I guess we are just too "quaint" and "old-fashion" for the "New Age."

There is just too much encyclopedic knowlege here to simply read through from scratch. You need to work up to it. Try a introductory text like _Ocean of Theosophy_ by William Q. Judge. However, do not be afraid to pick up either volume and simply "browse." I still do this after all these years- and I am still surprised and amazed at what I find.

One further thing, there has been a considerable amount of character assassination against Madam Blavatsky in the last few years. The authors that have penned these attacks have no understanding of the matters that they address. First of all, no one was a stronger critic of seances than Madam Blavatsky. Secondly, the Society has always held that one should never charge money for spiritual matters. As for the ad hominem attacks that she was grossly obese, well, this is the lowest form of slander and doesn't deserve comment. Simply take a look at any of the surviving photographs to see the truth.

Concerning attacks on Theosophical concepts such as the "seven races" and "seven globes", just keep in mind that the perenial philosophy holds that the highest part of what makes up a person pre-exists on a higher plane- and will return there after we cross over. Just remember the old gnostic concept of "seven heavens." Literalism is a mistake in theosophy, just as it has proven in fundamentalist Christianity.

55 of 63 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars The 'religion' of the 21st C., June 25, 2002

By A Customer

This review is from: Isis Unveiled [Two Volume Set] (Paperback)

I can only concur with the verdict of the other reviewers. Blavatsky - and 'Theosophy' generally - have been grossly under-rated and unfairly reviled in recent decades, frequently judged according to ill informed caricatures and distortions. Hence, there is a misleading preconception of Theosophy as occult 'hoo-hah,'or else a kind of 'cosmic porridge' and mish mash of all religion. But there are reasons for thinking that the basic principles of 'theosophy'must be the ultimate 'form' that any truly modern 'religion' will take - because it has had the courage and vision enabling it to perceive that there are no monopolies on the truth. Although fleshed out in encyclopaediac detail, 'Isis Unveiled' and 'The Secret Doctrine' both endeavour to make this point. On purely doctrinal terms, of course, nose against the page, one could spend an eternity - trying to figure out where the world's religious traditions truly converge. But by and large, organised or instutionalised religions have been loathe to relinquish their claim to monopolies on the truth. Blavatsky was very far-sighted in this respect, for her work prefigured the wider search for inter-faith understanding, which characterised the more promising features of religious renewal in the 20th c. Hence, Blavatsky's work has renewed significance and added meaning, at the beginning of a new century - and millennium. While fresh and lively thirty years ago, the search for spiritual alternatives and spirituality fit for a 'new age' has seen conservative reactions setting in. Doctrines once embraced by us - because of a perceived 'open-endedness' - have have since spawned some pretty rigid neo-orthodoxies, born of the the urge to make a fortress of the truth - and bolt the door shut against the rest of reality. Let's not forget the open-mindedness of people like the late D.T. Suzuki - who widened the spiritual horizons by exploring the dialogue between Buddhism and Christianity. Indeed, Suzuki even touched on the parallels between Buddhism - and certain aspects of Islam (i.e. Sufi teachings). Idries Shah spotted the parallels, even hazarding the claim that Zen was in fact inspired by Sufi influences, in part relying on old Chinese legends describing Bodhidharma as a Persian. In view of the Middle East crisis and those who forsee a 'clash of civilisations' - there is something to be said for Blavatsky's ideas, because the only answer is to keep widening the horizons. Come on guys! Let's get out of the religious closets - and live in the bare light of the truth! For all the detail heaped up in Blavatsky's writings, the ultimate point of it all - is to make us conscious of this central, underlying truth. We could make the 'New World' into another Alexandria, in which - rather than producing friction and tension, ethnic and religious diversity serve to richen the human spirit and community.As a multi-ethnic society, united in principle by a common constitution, the New World is - in embryo, a social and spiritual laboratory which could bring new light to the rest of the world. Blavatsky's vision spanned the ancient world and its mysteries, and also peered into the future - sensing seeds of potential. By no means a determinist, Blavatsky recognised that free will supervenes. The wisest expression of that 'free will' is actualise, spiritually, the potential latent in our age of intercultural and global awareness. Give Blavatsky the credit she rightly deserves. Our present economic policies do not work - and will not work, while governed by self-interest. What we really need is to is to see the 'global village' in a cosmic context.

25 of 30 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars A little wisdom, a lot of vindictiveness, August 30, 2007

By 

Zen Druid (Aloha, OR USA) - See all my reviews

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This review is from: Isis Unveiled [Two Volume Set] (Paperback)

I was greatly disappointed in these books. I've read a bit by the more modern theosophist authors and wanted to dig back into some of the "classic" texts. What I found in these 2 books is a strange pudding in which a few nuggets of knowledge are randomly interspersed with a big amorphous mass of diatribe against science (Vol 1) and Christian religion (Vol 2). Perhaps because I've already encountered most of the interesting knowlege in these books elsewhere I am more aware of the matirix of hate (too strong a word?) in which they were embedded. I think we all know that both science and religion have huge blind spots and that the christain church has actively persicuted any beliefs contrary to her own. Perhaps in HPB's time she felt that this needed to be known, but that hardly warrents 1400 pages of sledgehammering and repetition.

The book is also a mess to follow. Chapter headings generally have little or nothing to do with what is presented there, it is really a rambling random mess, not seeming to build or evolve in any rational way.

A much more coherent and informative book is The Secret Teacing of All Ages by Manley Hall. It contains much of what is here without the editorial commentary. Its half the length of this and twice as informative.