Customer Reviews

Magi

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

 

 

CRITICISMS: Poorly organized. Very boring and dull to read. Does not make clear points. The book goes like this: I (the author) did this, then this. Then thought this. Then realized I was wrong and thought this. Then maybe this. And then went back to point 2 and thought this. Then went back to point 1 and thought this. In the end it leaves you wondering what you got from the book and what the whole point was. Book could have been summarized in 1 chapter. The rest is spent following the author around and on unnecessary history and quoting the Bible.

WHAT I GOT FROM IT: It asks why the Israeli flag is 6-pointed star but Bethlehem has a 5-pointed star. It doesn't answer this. Google it.

Shows similarities between the Christian/Zoroaster/Mithra stories and how they are all linked to Egypt (nothing you haven't heard before). 3) Does point out that like Mithras & Jewish Kabbalah (Menorah), Christianity has a 7 steps to Salvation linked to planetary bodies: 1) Baptism (Moon), 2) Penance (Mercury), 3) Marriage (Venus), 4) Communion (Sun), 5) Confirmation (Mars), 6) Holy Orders (Jupiter), and 7) Last Rites (Saturn).

Mentions Antiochus IV Epiphanes causing the "abomination of desolation" by sacrificing a pig on the altar.

Moves to a chapter about someone called ANTIOCHUS (not Epiphanes). Shows the father's line of descent represented as the Persian line and the mother's side as Greek (from Alexander the Great) to ANTIOCHUS (son of Mithridates Callinikos & Laodice, dau of Seleucid king Antiochus VIII). The Lion (Persian line) as the star Regulus and Eagle (Greek line) as Sirus giving birth to the New King - July 29 7BC. He shows that he believes this was Jesus' birth date. It coincided with the Egyptian new calendar or something, which is also the date that ANTIOCHUS & his father changed their own birth dates to. So all in all... I gathered Jesus' birth date. Okay... sooo... I skipped a lot because it was so painful...

It matches up briefly Abraham with the people of his time and locates the city of Ur and where the Aryan peoples all flooded out of the mountains (Around Mt Ararat) from where Eden (it points out the 4 rivers the author believes were around the Garden of Eden) was. Rivers: Arax was Pishon and River Halys was Gihon.

Page 294 was the most interesting of the whole book: Says the Mayan Prophecies (his other book) shows the Mayans believed at each end of the Milkyway was a STARGATE. The Southern gate was near Sagittarius and the northern near Gemini. Well known in the Roman world so author claims. Author claims Jesus went to sit at the right hand of God by going to "this" part of the sky. He doesn't mention which part but I guess either to the Northern or Southern end of the Milkyway? He says, Orion now represents Jesus like it does Osiris. It says that Orion "Father Time" is now reaching its maximum elevation in the sky. Could this be when the Star gate is opened? (End of book)

So the only reason I gave this book a 3 was this last page & Jesus' birthdate. Otherwise I have heard all the rest before and ended up skipping chapters because they were painful! Pretty much it is saying the end of the age/life as we know it is coming around 2012 when Orion is at its maximum peak. Because I believe God uses astrology/astronomy to give signs, I hope to see the sign of Christ's return in the skies via some astronomical sign in the stars/planets.

Oh, BTW, author predicted Aug 24 '99 as the "sign of the Son of Man in heaven"... based on what he saw in the stars with Jupiter, Saturn, Mercury coming together... didn't happen. So keep looking! :D

Gilbert is reflective and a bit redundant through this book. It is nice to have someone who actually went to the sites in question. The photos are also necessary and helpful in keeping reader attention.

This is a must read for those wondering about the Star of Bethlehem and are interested another scientific theory for its origin. Gilbert proffers several questions about the Magi which he answers without sourcing. If you are a primary source person look somewhere else for proof, not in this book.

This book would have been better written in 3 chapters and 150 pages.

I have been fascinated by The Magi since childhood and have done extensive reading in many areas to find a writer who at least had a clue! Gilbert certainly does! While he could have minimalized the ancient military history and cut a bit faster to the chase, his 25 year quest is a rewarding read. Familiarity with Hancock, Bauval, Baigent and Lincoln as well as Gurdgieff might make this a smoother read for those interested. However, even without reading those authors,, the very interested will find Gilbert covers their work in a serious, careful and respectful manner. In the end he succeeds where oh-so-many have fallen, lost in deserts they could no longer navigate.

This book is replete with information related to a segment of history not known to many, including Gurdjieff "experts."
As such, it behooves anyone from those only interested in Gurdjieff to those who have been seriously involved for decades
to read it, as it adds a perspective few have bothered to pursue
despite their claims of authority on the subject.
It is the work of someone who actually "went there and did it" in order to understand a School that has existed for a very long time.
You will not find another like it.

Just finished reading this wonderful book. I have researched the same topic for over ten years and thought I knew it all...but this has opened my eyes and expanded my horizons to new possibilities I hadn't imagined.

There were moments of deep reflection as when the author stood at the side of ancient graves that should have been revered and maintained. Instead bones lay scattered aboveground and the graves badly desecrated by tomb robbers. The author created a few pensive moments that make us all realize how critical it is to keep going forward with research...because the proofs are dissapearing faster than we can record them.

Gilbert has done a wonderful job of piecing together missing clues, and shedding new understanding on the great inigma that is Jesus.

Highly reccommended and kudos to an excellent author and researcher.