Tudor Parfitt "is a British historian, writer, traveller, broadcaster and adventurer. He is Emeritus Professor of Modern Jewish Studies at the School of Oriental and African Studies (SOAS), University of London, where he was the founding director of the Centre for Jewish Studies." (with thanks to Wikipedia)
This book is strap-lined "The Remarkable Quest for the Legendary Ark" and is a factual account of Tudor Parfitt's years of researching and searching for Moses' Ark. It's written more like an adventure novel than an historical account or research paper, which makes it much more accessible than you might expect. Prof. Parfitt even looks a bit like an 'Indiana Jones' character! He takes us from the Holy Lands to eastern and southern Africa and Indonesia in his search and presents fascinating facts as they unfold and add to his store of knowledge. For example, he describes how DNA tests show that an extraordinary number of males in an African tribe carry DNA traces found only in populations of Jewish descent.
Is this a 'lost tribe' of Israel and did their ancestors carry the Ark to safety from the Holy Land in the years of turmoil when the Jerusalem Temple was destroyed? What, actually, was the Ark? Was it as the Bible describes - a large box like structure covered with gold and decorations, or was it something simpler and more humble? Can it have survived all these centuries after Moses first built it to carry the stone tablets on which the Lord God wrote the 10 Commandments?
Read the book yourself and see if you agree with Prof Parfitt! If you have any interest at all in the history of the Holy Lands, or in the stories of the founding of the Hebrew nation after their trek out of Egypt, or just out of academic curiosity, you won't be disappointed!
The Lost Ark of the Covenant by Tudor Parfitt is published by Harper Collins, ISBN 13-978-0-00-726266-3 (also 10-0-00-726266-3, 13-978-0-00-726266-0 and 10-0-00-726267-1) (2008)
Friday, 25 April 2014
The Ides of April by Lindsey Davis
Lindsey Davis has published a whole series of tales about Marcus Didius Falco, a respected citizen of 1st C Rome and amateur sleuth. In this story Falco is living in retirement and his adopted daughter, the young widow Flavia Albia - an orphan from Britannia - has taken over his shoes.
An apparently random, but tragic, accident begins a sequence of events that seem, at first, to be unconnected. A child dies in a collision with a runaway cart; an elderly but healthy widow takes to her bed and is found, dead, a few hours later. A fish monger's son dies whilst resting, from shucking oysters, under a tree. The largely incompetent local law enforcement officers want the whole thing dropped quietly, marked down as accidents or natural deaths, but Flavia has other ideas.
With the help of the archivist from a local official's office, she begins to piece together answers, convinced that every one of these events is connected. Her attention, however, is distracted by a growing lust for the archivist and he for her. In spite of being warned about his character, she finds herself being drawn closer to him.
But who is the archivist and why is he so interested in steering her attentions in one direction? Is it that he has little or no authority and is looking to Flavia to help him raise his reputation for his own gain? Or is there some other, more sinister, motive?
The Falco stories are entertaining, and Lindsey Davis' insight into life in Rome during this period provides a fascinating backdrop to the action, but the plot and characters begin to feel a bit formulaic after reading a few of these books. Still, for witty entertainment they're worth reading.
The Ides of April is published by Hodder and Stoughton, ISBN 978-1-444-75581-7 (hardback), 978-1-444-75582-4 (paperback)
An apparently random, but tragic, accident begins a sequence of events that seem, at first, to be unconnected. A child dies in a collision with a runaway cart; an elderly but healthy widow takes to her bed and is found, dead, a few hours later. A fish monger's son dies whilst resting, from shucking oysters, under a tree. The largely incompetent local law enforcement officers want the whole thing dropped quietly, marked down as accidents or natural deaths, but Flavia has other ideas.
With the help of the archivist from a local official's office, she begins to piece together answers, convinced that every one of these events is connected. Her attention, however, is distracted by a growing lust for the archivist and he for her. In spite of being warned about his character, she finds herself being drawn closer to him.
But who is the archivist and why is he so interested in steering her attentions in one direction? Is it that he has little or no authority and is looking to Flavia to help him raise his reputation for his own gain? Or is there some other, more sinister, motive?
The Falco stories are entertaining, and Lindsey Davis' insight into life in Rome during this period provides a fascinating backdrop to the action, but the plot and characters begin to feel a bit formulaic after reading a few of these books. Still, for witty entertainment they're worth reading.
The Ides of April is published by Hodder and Stoughton, ISBN 978-1-444-75581-7 (hardback), 978-1-444-75582-4 (paperback)
The Blasphemer by Nigel Farndale
Do you believe in angels? Many do, of course, and many will say they've seen angels and been guided by them, especially at times of great trial or danger.
Daniel Kennedy, a zoologist, and his partner, Nancy, are on their way to the Galapagos Islands on a trip that combines pleasure and work. Their plans come to an abrupt halt when the small plane in which they're travelling ditches in the sea. Afterwards, there are those who hail Daniel as a hero and saviour but is he? Why does he feel so guilty about his actions and what, if anything, did he see as he was swimming to safety?
Daniel's father, Philip, had been a soldier, fighting in several of the conflicts of the second part of the 20thC. Philip's father had also been a soldier, fighting in WWII, as had his grandfather, William, who had fought in WWI. But Daniel had gone his own way, breaking the family tradition in more ways than one.
William's experiences on the battlefield shatter him, as they do so many, and he walks away to safety in a nearby town under the guidance of - what? Is William just one of those who have seen the Angel of Mons, the rumoured guardian of soldiers, or is he just a coward? Williams faces the fate of any convicted coward at that time - the firing squad. But will the results of his actions reach down the years to bind his descendants?
As Daniel struggles to build his career, hampered by his own uncertainties, the deceits of others, Nancy's anger and the suspicion that he's connected, somehow, with threats to the State, how will he put his life back on track? And has he, an avowed atheist and blasphemer, also seen the Angel of Mons?
This is a tale of generations brought together by the repeating sins and triumphs of experience. By fear and cowardice, by bravery and valour. Underneath it all is the quiet message that help comes from many sources and that, even when we think we know ourselves well, we can never know the nature of Angels.
The Blasphemer is published by Doubleday, ISBN 978-0-385-61779-6 (2010)
Daniel Kennedy, a zoologist, and his partner, Nancy, are on their way to the Galapagos Islands on a trip that combines pleasure and work. Their plans come to an abrupt halt when the small plane in which they're travelling ditches in the sea. Afterwards, there are those who hail Daniel as a hero and saviour but is he? Why does he feel so guilty about his actions and what, if anything, did he see as he was swimming to safety?
Daniel's father, Philip, had been a soldier, fighting in several of the conflicts of the second part of the 20thC. Philip's father had also been a soldier, fighting in WWII, as had his grandfather, William, who had fought in WWI. But Daniel had gone his own way, breaking the family tradition in more ways than one.
William's experiences on the battlefield shatter him, as they do so many, and he walks away to safety in a nearby town under the guidance of - what? Is William just one of those who have seen the Angel of Mons, the rumoured guardian of soldiers, or is he just a coward? Williams faces the fate of any convicted coward at that time - the firing squad. But will the results of his actions reach down the years to bind his descendants?
As Daniel struggles to build his career, hampered by his own uncertainties, the deceits of others, Nancy's anger and the suspicion that he's connected, somehow, with threats to the State, how will he put his life back on track? And has he, an avowed atheist and blasphemer, also seen the Angel of Mons?
This is a tale of generations brought together by the repeating sins and triumphs of experience. By fear and cowardice, by bravery and valour. Underneath it all is the quiet message that help comes from many sources and that, even when we think we know ourselves well, we can never know the nature of Angels.
The Blasphemer is published by Doubleday, ISBN 978-0-385-61779-6 (2010)
The Cruellest Game by Hillary Bonner
Hilary Bonner is a compelling writer who can grab your attention from the very beginning, and hold it. This tale begins with an apparently innocent question - "Do you know that feeling, when you walk into a house and you're instantly absolutely sure that it's empty?" I know I have.
Robbie Anderson is an ordinary teenager, living an apparently sheltered life with his 2 parents in a farmhouse. He's an only child and both parents dote on him, although his father is away from home much of the time, working on North Sea oil rigs. Their lives seem to be perfect. So why has Robbie killed himself?
In the midst of her grieving, Robbie's mother, Alison, meets a woman who's just moved into the area and they become fast friends. She helps Alison cope with her grief but gradually Alison begins to feel that something isn't quite right. Who is this woman and where has she come from? Why does she seem so interested in Alison's life and husband?
When a local child disappears, Alison comes under suspicion. Has her grief unhinged her to the point where she must have a child - any child - to replace her lost son? The answers are far from anything Alison can even imagine but, when she discovers the truth about her husband, her son and her new friend, she feels as though her worst nightmares have come to life.
'The Cruellest Game' is a gripping tale of love, unbearable loss and betrayal, as well as lies, deceit and even murder. Tightly written, with a slow unfolding of clues, the final pages will still keep you turning until the last paragraph. If you like tales of mystery, murder and revenge, this is for you.
'The Cruellest Game' is published by Macmillan, ISBN978-0-230-76663-1 (2013)
Robbie Anderson is an ordinary teenager, living an apparently sheltered life with his 2 parents in a farmhouse. He's an only child and both parents dote on him, although his father is away from home much of the time, working on North Sea oil rigs. Their lives seem to be perfect. So why has Robbie killed himself?
In the midst of her grieving, Robbie's mother, Alison, meets a woman who's just moved into the area and they become fast friends. She helps Alison cope with her grief but gradually Alison begins to feel that something isn't quite right. Who is this woman and where has she come from? Why does she seem so interested in Alison's life and husband?
When a local child disappears, Alison comes under suspicion. Has her grief unhinged her to the point where she must have a child - any child - to replace her lost son? The answers are far from anything Alison can even imagine but, when she discovers the truth about her husband, her son and her new friend, she feels as though her worst nightmares have come to life.
'The Cruellest Game' is a gripping tale of love, unbearable loss and betrayal, as well as lies, deceit and even murder. Tightly written, with a slow unfolding of clues, the final pages will still keep you turning until the last paragraph. If you like tales of mystery, murder and revenge, this is for you.
'The Cruellest Game' is published by Macmillan, ISBN978-0-230-76663-1 (2013)
Thursday, 3 April 2014
Skios by Michael Frayne
Within the first few pages of this book you'll be asked to suspend your disbelief in spades! Easy to do if you're aware that you're reading science fiction, or fantasy but less easy if you're reading about present day Greece with characters who look like those that live on your street.
Persevere. It's actually quite entertaining, in a strange and rather disturbed kind of way!
Dr Norman Wilfred is travelling to Skios to deliver a lecture at a world renowned institution. Oliver Fox is travelling to the same place to spend a few days in a borrowed villa with a girl he's met only once. There is a confusion at the baggage carousel and Oliver decides that he would quite like to be Dr Wilfred, just for a while. What ensues is chaos and farce.
The girl Oliver has arranged to meet arrives, but can't find him because he isn't where he's supposed to be. Dr Wilfred isn't where he's supposed to be, either, but is under the impression that he is. Then Oliver's long term girlfriend arrives, intent on trying to patch up the argument they'd had. Will these two meet up and put 2 and 2 together? What about the boyfriend of the girl Oliver arranged to meet at the villa? Has he believed her tale of visiting a friend in Switzerland, who is something to do with ski-ing? Who is this girlfriend and, if she's in the skiing business, why is she, too, confused about where she is when she takes a telephone call from her friend? And that's not all………….take a deep breath and read on.
There is, of course, a deep meaning behind all this. Why is it that we are willing to believe what we see if it's presented in a way that encourages and allows us to do so? Are we afraid of asking questions or even denying what's in front of us; are we worried about appearing foolish is we're wrong? Ponder and read.
If you're a fan of humour and farce, written by a master of tempo, plot and laughter, this is one for you. I wasn't too sure at the beginning but I'm really glad I persevered. I needed a laugh and boy, did I get several.
"Skios" is published by Faber and the iSBN number is 978-0-571-28145-9
Persevere. It's actually quite entertaining, in a strange and rather disturbed kind of way!
Dr Norman Wilfred is travelling to Skios to deliver a lecture at a world renowned institution. Oliver Fox is travelling to the same place to spend a few days in a borrowed villa with a girl he's met only once. There is a confusion at the baggage carousel and Oliver decides that he would quite like to be Dr Wilfred, just for a while. What ensues is chaos and farce.
The girl Oliver has arranged to meet arrives, but can't find him because he isn't where he's supposed to be. Dr Wilfred isn't where he's supposed to be, either, but is under the impression that he is. Then Oliver's long term girlfriend arrives, intent on trying to patch up the argument they'd had. Will these two meet up and put 2 and 2 together? What about the boyfriend of the girl Oliver arranged to meet at the villa? Has he believed her tale of visiting a friend in Switzerland, who is something to do with ski-ing? Who is this girlfriend and, if she's in the skiing business, why is she, too, confused about where she is when she takes a telephone call from her friend? And that's not all………….take a deep breath and read on.
There is, of course, a deep meaning behind all this. Why is it that we are willing to believe what we see if it's presented in a way that encourages and allows us to do so? Are we afraid of asking questions or even denying what's in front of us; are we worried about appearing foolish is we're wrong? Ponder and read.
If you're a fan of humour and farce, written by a master of tempo, plot and laughter, this is one for you. I wasn't too sure at the beginning but I'm really glad I persevered. I needed a laugh and boy, did I get several.
"Skios" is published by Faber and the iSBN number is 978-0-571-28145-9
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