Resurrection of the Shroud: New Scientific, Medical, and Archeological Evidence (Hardcover)

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Editorial Reviews

From Library Journal

The Shroud of Turin, which some claim to be the burial cloth of Jesus, has been surrounded in controversy, which this book is unlikely to settle. It will, however, provide an extensive, though not necessarily balanced, introduction to issues surrounding the Shroud. Attorney Antonacci reviews previous scientific investigations of the Shroud, examines the image embedded in it, and investigates theories that the image was produced by painting. He looks at archaeological artifacts and reviews scientific challenges to the issue of carbon dating. Antonacci concludes that Jesus emitted a kind of radiation "[that] did not harm [his] body or immediately affect his clothes. Interestingly, those are the same types of features that scientists have independently concluded could be the principal causes of the formation of all the unique features found on the body images and blood marks on the Shroud." Even if the Shroud is from the first century, it seems a bit of a jump to this reviewer that it actually draped Jesus. Nevertheless, patrons interested in this topic will find the book a very useful, interesting, and detailed presentation, and on that basis it is recommended.DDavid Bourquin, California State Univ., San Bernardino
Copyright 2000 Reed Business Information, Inc.

From Kirkus Reviews

An attempt to demonstrate the scientific authenticity of the Shroud of Turin, believed by some to be the burial shroud of Jesus.Drawing on the research performed by the Shroud of Turin Research Project (STURP) in 1978, attorney and former law professor Antonacci assembles a superficially impressive body of evidence to discredit the 1988 carbon-dating of the Shroud, challenge the theory that the images on the Shroud were the creation of a medieval artist, and prove that the Shroud must have been imprinted during the Crucifixion. His refutation of the possibility that the Shroud was painted in the Middle Ages is engagingly presented and argued: the STURP scientists' examination of the Shroud's fibers found no trace of medieval paint pigments, and no attempts to replicate the Shroud using techniques available to medieval artists have succeeded so far. Antonacci also makes a strong case against the results of the 1988 carbon-dating, which assigned the Shroud's origin to the 14th century. Although the section is confusingly organized, he convincingly argues that the procedure violated existing protocols for carbon-dating, using a poorly chosen sample that compromised the results because it had sustained fire and water damage in 1532. He also provides some evidence that the carbon-dating methods available in the 1980s offered limited accuracy at best, especially when applied to textiles. There is a big difference, however, between calling for more research to explain the Shroud's anomalous features, and proving that those features resulted from miraculous forces. Antonacci attempts to fill this gap with hypotheses that he treats as facts, and with violent leaps of logic. The discussion of archaeological and historical evidence intended to establish the Shroud's compatibility with first-century practices and biblical accounts is riddled with inaccuracies, decontextualized information, circular reasoning, and unfounded assumptions.Antonacci's research will reinforce the faith of those who already believe in the Shroud, but is unlikely to win any converts among empirical-minded skeptics. -- Copyright © 2000 Kirkus Associates, LP. All rights reserved.

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Product Details

• Hardcover: 340 pages
• Publisher: M. Evans and Company, Inc. (September 25, 2000)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0871318903
• ISBN-13: 978-0871318909
• Product Dimensions: 8.9 x 5.8 x 1.2 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.4 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.7 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (19 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #392,309 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

25 of 26 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Most comprehensive coverage yet!, October 15, 2000

By	Robert S. Ogle (Arlington Heights, IL USA) - See all my reviews

Kirkus Reviews states that the author "assembles a superficially impressive body of evidence to discredit the 1988 carbon-dating of the Shroud" that is "is unlikely to win any converts among empirical-minded skeptics." Folks, there is absolutely nothing "superficial" about this book and the empirically-minded will only be impressed. (There are literally hundreds of notes documenting the findings.) This effort represents the culmination of almost twenty years of research by the author that summarizes an estimated 250 thousand man-hours of study of the Shroud over the past twenty-five years by many individuals. This linen is absolutely unique. There is no other naturally occurring linen like it nor does anyone know how to fabricate it. While you may or may not agree with the author's theory of how the image was formed, after finishing this book, you most certainly will known why this cloth holds such fascination for so many.

For those who have never read on this topic, you might want to consider first reading Ian Wilson's "The Blood and the Shroud" and perhaps Gilbert Lavoie's "Resurrected". Wilson's book provides an excellent overview of what is known regarding the Shroud and Lavoie's book contains some information regarding shadowing on the Shroud that I have seen nowhere else. Antonacci's book is a must read for the hardy because of its impressive coverage, but the print is quite small and the text is less than scintillating. If you start this book, but do not finish it, find one that you will complete so that you will know what all the fuss is about!

16 of 17 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Resurrection of the Shroud, October 4, 2000

By	Wanda Snedeker (New Smyrna Beach, FL USA) - See all my reviews

Exciting new theory explains the mysteries of the Shroud of Turin. Based on new evidence provided by the latest technology and recently uncovered details on the images from the Shroud. A fascinating and thoughtfully presented argument for the authenticity of the Shroud of Turin. If you haven't read this book, you don't have all the facts you need to come to an educated conclusion.Chapters on the how the images were created are eye-opening. Prior carbon dating testing is debunked once and for all. Surprising evidence is presented from flowers, pollens and coin images found on the Shroud in the last few years. History of the Shroud cloth and where it has been for the last two centuries is unearthed. A must read.

30 of 35 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Another Honest Skeptic Converted!, November 28, 2001

By	Grimmy "Grimmy" (MD USA) - See all my reviews

...

Kirkus Reviews once again exposes their rabid bias ... see their other "reviews" on similar topics. What is the source of their contempt? Is there just one anti-Christian reviewer assigned to books with religious implications? Does he worship at the altar of Spong? I'll have to take a look later.

At the beginning of the book the author shares his first encounter with the subject, as an agnostic. Intrigued, he continues his investigation, and ... surprise!

Keep in mind that among conservative Christians, the issue of the Shroud is somewhat contested. Last time I looked, Josh McDowell and others were skeptical of the Shroud. So for a nonbeliever to assess the evidence is an interesting ride in itself.

Among other topics, the author reviews different theories of image formation, discusses the different images on the Shroud, and offers a theory which seems to fit the facts on hand. He details the many factors which made the C-14 dating the least reliable indicator ... ironically, the only scientific result thus far to cast doubt on the authenticity of the Shroud. After reading this, why anyone would accept the C-14 results - a textbook example of shoddy science - as a reason to discredit the Shroud is beyond me, and can only be explained by a fear rooted in an emotional need to reject it.

All in all, a good review of all the evidence currently available, and a good look into an honest skeptic's journey towards a truth stranger than fiction.