The Lost Ark of the Covenant: Solving the 2,500-Year-Old Mystery of the Fabled Biblical Ark [Hardcover]

Tudor Parfitt (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: February 26, 2008

This is the real-life account of Professor Tudor Parfitt's remarkable discovery - of the lost Ark of the Covenant that disappeared from the Temple of Jerusalem centuries ago. The holiest object in the world, the Ark of the Old Testament contains the tablets of law sacred to Judaism, Christianity and Islam. Scholar, orientalist and adventurer, Parfitt embarked on an incredible journey to discover where the Ark's is hidden, and, when he reveals his discovery, history books will be rewritten forever. Parfitt's quest took him on an incredible detective trail across the Middle East and Africa, following the unknown journey that the guardians of the lost Ark took with their precious cargo centuries ago. His search led him through ancient documents and codes, and even the complexities of modern genetic science, for the clues to take him closer to the fabled Ark. But some people didn't want the Ark to be found. In the wilder reaches of the Yemen he narrowly escaped being kidnapped by Islamist fugitives. In Africa he was shot at, ambushed and arrested. Amongst crossing paths with a motley crowd of mystics, holy men, charlatans and politicians, he encountered a strange tribe in the mysterious lands of the Limpopo River who claimed that they knew the Ark's final resting place. When Parfitt finally set eyes on the Ark, it wasn't at all where he expected. In February 2008, his revelation of its whereabouts will cause an international story with an effect on Judaism, Islam and Christianity that will be the most controversial in history.

--This text refers to the Kindle Edition edition.

Editorial Reviews

From Booklist

In 1993, Parfitt, a professor of Jewish studies in London, published Journey to the Vanished City, a fascinating look at the Lemba people of South Africa, who believed they were descended from Jews. In the intervening years, through use of DNA, the Lemba’s claim was proven correct. Here, Parfitt, a real-life Indiana Jones, details another quest, his attempt to solve the mystery of the Ark of the Covenant, a Jewish artifact said to have contained the Ten Commandments. Parfitt’s narrative fits the Indiana Jones label; it’s thoroughly cinematic in tone, with scenes of heartstopping action and featuring characters so quirky they feel more fictional than real. (With no notes, and the disclaimer that names and personal details have been changed, who can say for sure?) But the book also has strong scholarly underpinnings that explain the mystical nature of the Ark, its possible uses, and why and how it could still exist. The resolution of the mystery again evokes Raiders of the Lost Ark, but it could have real-world significance, and it just might lead to another fascinating adventure. --Ilene Cooper

Review

“It’s worthy of a Spielberg epic: an intrepid British don’s 20-year mission to find the Lost Ark of the Covenant.” (Daily Mail )

“Parfitt’s passionately crafted new theory, like his first, could eventually be proven right…” (Time Magazine )

“Parfitt’s scholarly, fascinating work explains and explodes a pervasive myth.” (The Times )

“Deemed ‘the British Indiana Jones’ by the Wall Street Journal, Parfitt is both scholar and adventurer. This real-life account [is] a gripping…yarn. Recommended.” (Library Journal )

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Hardcover: 384 pages
• Publisher: HarperOne (February 26, 2008)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0061371033
• ISBN-13: 978-0061371035
• Product Dimensions: 8.9 x 6 x 1.4 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.4 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 3.1 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (18 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,216,455 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
  • #33 in Books > Travel > Middle East > Israel > Jerusalem

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

38 of 39 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Entertaining book, but not too convincing, March 6, 2008

By 

Rob Weiner (Santa Fe, NM) - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Lost Ark of the Covenant: Solving the 2,500-Year-Old Mystery of the Fabled Biblical Ark (Hardcover)

I am surprised that no one else has reviewed this book yet. So, as unqualified as I my be, I have decided to do so. "Lost Ark of the Covenant" is a page-turner containing new ideas about the whereabouts of the Ark of the Covenant. While it may be an exciting travel book, the factual information seems a little iffy. I have trouble believing what Mr. Parfitt thinks to be the Ark actually is. I'll grant its amazing that the Lemba of southern Africa have the "Moses Gene" and I don't doubt that they did come from Yemen and possibly Israel before that. But the idea that their 'ngoma' or wooden drum is the Ark seems a little far fetched to me. Additionally, the author's premise that the Ark actually was an early "weapon of mass destruction" seems a little more than unlikely.
Another thing about the book that bothered me was that Mr. Parfitt never tells whether or not the Gogodala of Papa New Guinea are of Jewish descent or not. He did the DNA testing. Why not include the results in the book, positive or not? This only leaves the reader frustrated.
Some events in "The Lost Ark" seem to work out too perfectly. It seems to me that he disregards some Ark locations too quickly (eg. It can't be under the Temple Mount because people have been looking there for so long.)
While I don't believe Parfitt's theory, I still had a hard time putting the book down. The real-life adventure was exciting, and the history (most of it) piqued my interest. I would certainly recommend reading this book. Perhaps Mr. Parfitt can convince you of his theory and I am just a stubborn reader.
I'm not sure why this book hasn't made a bigger splash. It seems that recently every year around March/April there is a new biblical mystery/conspiracy in the news (Da Vinci Code, Tomb of Jesus.) I have a feeling this may be this years, but so far "The Lost Ark" hasn't reached the limelight.

17 of 22 people found the following review helpful:

2.0 out of 5 stars A vast disapointment., March 13, 2008

By 

H. Diggs "pig farmer" (Savannah, MO United States) - See all my reviews
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Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: The Lost Ark of the Covenant: Solving the 2,500-Year-Old Mystery of the Fabled Biblical Ark (Hardcover)

If you are looking for an authoritative and informative book on the Ark of the Covenant, my advice is for you to keep looking and pass this one by. If however, you are looking for information about the lost decendents of ancient Isreal, this is for you. I also get the distinct impression that Mr. Parfitt is one of those types that only looks for those facts that fit his particular theories. I can't quite buy into them. Mainly because he doesn't seem to have any respect for anyone's religous beliefs and constanly refers to them as "cults". He doesn't believe that the ancient Isrealites had the tools, material or ability to construct a gold covered ark, even though they were the artisans and craftsmen of Eygpt and had all of the spoils of Eygpt with them. Doesn't seem to bother him that they made a golden calf to worship though. Wonder how they did that? He discounts all the testomony of the power and presence of God and replaces it with a crude wooden drum and theories of gunpowder or some other inflammable material. If you are interested in the history of the Lemba, by all means buy this book. It has some interesting parts, but nothing that I would consider relevant to the present whereabouts of the Lost Ark of the Covenant.

14 of 19 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars A great book for discussion and more thought!, March 6, 2008

By 

A. Porshin "aporshin" (United States) - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Lost Ark of the Covenant: Solving the 2,500-Year-Old Mystery of the Fabled Biblical Ark (Hardcover)

I loved reading this book. I found Parfitt's study very intriguing and his ability to link clues together fascinating. I am just curious why he left his treasure where it was for others to fight over...why didn't he take it where other scholars could study it? There is much detailed information in the first chapters. Towards the end, just when the story is heating up, he seems to end the book abruptly.

However, still a fascinating read! I highly recommend!