“Mythology and ancient esoteric beliefs are finally found in cutting-edge science.”—Rick Rubin, bestselling author of The Creative ActFrom the author of the global bestseller The Secret History of the World comes an epic new history of the relationship between spiritual belief and cutting-edge science. Includes beautiful black-and-white illustrations throughout.Human beings have a deep-rooted desire to find something worth...

Mark Booth, author of the international bestseller The Secret History of the World, uncovers the real-life stories of Dante and The Inferno.Why does Dante describe the Inferno as a real place? What secret society did Dante belong to? What was Dante’s connection with the Knights Templar? What was his secret connection to militant Islamic sects?Here you will find hidden codes, passageways under the streets of Florence, mad monks, mind-bending drugs a...

This collection of stories and illustrations—all about the wonders of the spiritual realm—takes you on a captivating ride from the great myths of ancient civilization to astounding discoveries of the modern era.Written by the New York Times bestselling author of The Secret History of the World, The Sacred History takes you on a captivating journey through the great myths of ancient civilizations to the astounding discoveries of the modern era....

Alchemy is the art of transformation. At its simplest, the alchemist turns base metals into gold. However, this is only one dimension of alchemy--at a more sophisticated level the alchemist's "base metal" is symbolic of himself that needs to be worked upon and the "gold" produced is the alchemist himself in his or her quest to perfect his own nature. In short, true alchemy is a discipline involving physical, psychological and spiritual work aimed at producing wholeness and enlightenment.Fr...

“Mythology and ancient esoteric beliefs are finally found in cutting-edge science.”—Rick Rubin, bestselling author of The Creative ActFrom the author of the global bestseller The Secret History of the World comes an epic new history of the relationship between spiritual belief and cutting-edge science. Includes beautiful black-and-white illustrations throughout.Human beings have a deep-rooted desire to find something worth...

A leading scholar of esoteric spirituality uncovers the history of Gnostic alchemy from Hellenistic Alexandria to the Renaissance.In The Golden Builders, Tobias Churton eschews myth and pseudohistory to trace 1,600 years of Hermetic spiritual and philosophical development. In a breathtaking span of detailed research, he sheds light on the origins of Gnostic alchemy, pre-Grand Lodge Freemasonry, and the mysterious Fraternity of the Rosy Cross (the Rosicrucia...

The centuries-old secrets of the famous Scottish chapel are decoded in this revealing history—"a fascinating read" ( Scotland Magazine).Overlooking the village of Roslin just seven miles from the center of Edinburgh, Rosslyn Chapel is one of the world's most fascinating historic sites. Since its construction in the mid fifteenth century it has cast a mesmerizing spell over all who have visited it, exuding an aura of profound mystery.Centuries later i...

For the last four centuries, science has tried to account for everything in terms of atoms and molecules and the physical laws they adhere to. Recently, this effort was extended to try to include the inner world of human beings. Gary Lachman argues that this view of consciousness is misguided and unfounded. He points to another approach to the study and exploration of consciousness that erupted into public awareness in the late 1800s.In this "secret history of consciousness," consc...

"A global perspective on dumplings. . . . Cooks at all levels will delight in this book as they try their hands at familiar favorites as well as new dishes." — Publishers WeeklyThe Dumpling is the most comprehensive and wide-ranging anthology of traditional recipes available for those who love dumplings in every shape, size, and variety. Wai Hon Chu—who has worked in the kitchens of March, Clementine, and The Russian Tea Room, and is creator of El ...

Rosslyn Chapel has fuelled controversy and debate, and is probably most famous for being the setting of the finale of Dan Brown's "The Da Vinci Code". Revered by Freemasons as a vital part of their history, believed by some to hold evidence of pre-Columbian voyages to America, assumed by others to hold important relics, from the Holy Grail to the Head of Christ, the Scottish chapel is a place full of mystery. The history of the chapel, its relationship to Freemasonry and the family behind ...

What happened to the Ark of the Covenant? The mystery of the Bible’s lost Ark has led to many myths, theories and claims being made, but do any of them have a shred of credibility? Now, join two explorers as they investigate the ten major theories concerning the location of antiquities greatest relic.Using professional archaeological reports, eyewitness accounts and personal exploration, from Pharaoh Tutankhamun’s tomb to Ethiopia’s underground rock churches, the investigators are ...

The bestselling author and prominent New Testament scholar draws parallels between 1st–century Roman Empire and 21st–century United States, showing how the radical messages of Jesus and Paul can lead us to peace today.Using the tools of expert biblical scholarship and a keen eye for current events, bestselling author John Dominic Crossan deftly presents the tensions exhibited in the Bible between political power and God’s justice. Through the revolutionary messages of Jesus and Pau...