The Secret History of the World: Sweeping, speculative tour of occult traditions claiming a hidden narrative beneath recorded history.

Great book

I have always been interested in European mysticism and Secret Societies. However, the literature in such areas seems to either range from being so dense and Academic that it is unreadable to being little more than some New Age guru's quickly written and poorly researched little promotional piece. If such societies are really that secretive or didn't really exist at all, this book is nothing more than a complete lie from beginning to end, but what a wonderfully creative and mind opening tale it is. Real or imagined (and what do we all truly know for sure anyway), this text is just outright fun and thought provoking. I bought the paperback version and have read it previously. It is now on my kindle, and I often return to it again and again. If you, in fact, believe that the Soul and the Imagination are one and the same, I would say that this text lives up to that in so many ways. Call me strange, but I find my houseplants reaching out toward the bed where I sleep now. Perhaps, we all were once plant material as the myths presented here suggest. On the other hand, isn't the power of all religion in the metaphor and not something that can be seen in concrete form?

A book with a secret of its very own. As soon as I received this book in the mail I started reading, and I couldn't put it down. I finished it within 3 days! with many bookmarks for me to go back to. As Rumi put it: “You will learn by reading, But you will understand with LOVE.” ― Rumi This book is not just a book you read and then move on to the next, its not even a book that will give you all the answers or secrets that maybe you imagined you would get, no...it gives SO much more. Don't be put off by the negative reviews, this book is well worth your time, even if you don't understand everything that is written about, the next time you read it, you may. I have read many subjects, from books by Idries Shah about the great Sufi's, to me, this book, the Secret History Of The World is written in a very similar fashion. Your own mind has to work hard to get to the essence within what you are reading. Its a wonderful journey where you meet many of the players that you have either read about, read their own works, or have heard of from researching either art, the esoteric world, alchemy, astrology, poetry. This book is a treasure! Many are missing the whole point of the subject of this book. Thank you Mark for this amazing read.

The history presented in the book is very wide, but unfortunately lacks depth. The author admits that though asked, he did not want to enter a (secret) school of knowledge. This proved to be a critical deficit, as Mr. Booth has no actual experience on which to base some of his presumptions. The claim that supernatural powers are possible as a result of the secret practices is erroneous and misleading. Such claims not only cast suspicion and doubts but detracts from the real purposes of the crafts and disciplines. Something he would know with either a bit more research or ..... When Mr. Booth continued to throw around the words altered states of consciousness and higher states of consciousness interchangeably I cringed each time. Also, he doesn't seem to distinguish between masters and magicians. Some people deserved an entire chapter, while for others, a footnote would have been sufficient. But, in the book, all are given equal weight. However, overall, despite the many limitations, I found the book quite enjoyable. I haven’t really looked, but I am unaware of any such collection of stories, myths and history about subjects that rarely see the light of day. I am not sure what Mr. Booth's intention was to write this book. My hope would be that if you read the book and something resonates, you would want to do something about it! I believe it was G.I. Gurdjieff who said something to the effect that the only way to escape the mechanical is to have a system to follow. Rodriguez-Cobos claimed something similar, that if you don't chose a path the system will chose one for you.

Having spent some time now looking into the ancient history of the world both from an academic point of view as well as so called "pseudo historical facts" I have turned my head towards the esoterical and mystical side of history. Having read quite a few of the books in the bibliography here I have also had a fascination with religion and it's history and impact on the world for a long time. There was something about this book that made me purchase it and I have not regretted the purchase. For someone of a closed mind or of strict religious views this book is not reccommended as you will find yourself in a world that is "topsy turvy" (which is the way of the ancient teachings that constitutes esoteric thinking to begin with), and might anger you that someone is arguing that "magic" and mysticism is at the core of religion as a whole. Especially concidering that religious leaders have condemned the very idea of magic and occult teachings as the workings of the devil. Jonathan Black's style of writing is easy going and very engaging, which helps you understand the heaviness of what is discussed here. To me it is clear that he has a vast knowledge on esoteric and religious matters, and as he makes you take part in the experience that is reading this book with his imaginative exercises, you might gain an appreciation that goes beyond the pages of this book. I have gained new energy in my search for understanding of the past and present as well as a vast body of books to sift through in addition to what I'm already looking into. He makes no claims as to say that this is anything but a history of the world looked at from a esotheric stand point, and you may disagree to any or all of what is written, but you cannot deny that it makes you look at things in a different way than you used to. He wants you to use your imagination and in doing so see the world in a new way, and that is something we all can allow ourself to do without hesitation in my opinion. This is food for thought and a must read for anyone who is open minded or just plain curious. For anyone wanting one book on the esoterical view this is that one book!!! Hope to have been of assistance and wish you luck in your search for knowledge!

In The Secret History of the World - As told by the Mystery Schools, Mark Booth presents controversial material that strips away the comfort zone of our material world. It is an astounding book providing fascinating stories on our origins and our eventual return to the same, the obvious meaning of Alpha and Omega. It is an amazingly good book to read with an open mind, if you really want to know how the universe came to be. He explains how life began, and how life continues to progress in an ever changing world. In his explanations on the secret names of the week, Saturday, Sunday and Monday are easily understood. His theories for Wednesday, Thursday and Friday are interesting enough and would seem to place Armageddon thousands of years away. Booth is an outstanding researcher with amazing interpretation skills. His scientific explanation on our origins corresponds to biblical translators' poetic license taken to interpret the bible. Where bible verses leave you somewhat in confusion, that blind belief is required, Booth's scientific research and insightful explanations make sense of it all, and makes it believable! He explains the reason behind Abraham's aborted sacrifice of Isaac, who it turns out was a willing participant. If you ever questioned why the God of Moses allowed a nation, with the help of Angels, to slaughter other nations or its own people, Booth's rendering of the passages uncovers an understandable and agreeable explanation. He reveals the meanings behind earlier paintings, sculptures and motifs, explaining their significance. He shows in Greek mythology, a wholly spiritual world where humans interacted with Gods, Angels and spirits, a world in which everyone thought collectively. He substantiates this concept with commentaries from the writings of the Princeton Professor of History, Julian Jaynes, and the Cambridge Philosopher John Wisdom, recounting how individual will and free thinking came about. Booth shows clearly the key turning points in the development of humanity, identifying biblical and Greek characters instrumental in these changes, with the introduction of music as a key proponent to raising humanity's consciousness. He shows that designs of great buildings, literature and fairytales are encoded and the architects and writers were initiates of secret societies. His description of what happens to the spirit after death as told by the mystery schools, made me think of elements in the movie "Ghost", that partly describes what happens after a person dies. He relates that an old belief in Reincarnation, taught in the mystery schools, was eventually denied and repressed by Christian church authorities. So does repressing a belief on planet earth make what happens after death in the spiritual dimension, null and void? People in parts of the world have always believed in it. So if you thought those who commit suicide have taken the easy way out, reincarnation shows they have not. But what was the most closely guarded secret of all that Booth says was taught in the mystery schools? He recounts the deeply spiritual practices, sacred to initiates that led to heightened states of consciousness and the spiritual realms. These practices were viewed as sinful by the prudish, and abused and misused by others. Booth does warn conventionally minded, monotheistic Christians they may not want to continue reading past the first 3 passages in Chapter 3 that deals with the Gods of planets. Still, if you're curious and have asked "why on Earth am I here", this book answers questions and gives reasons to question your life and beliefs. Those on a spiritual path, seeking answers to their quest, may find meaning in this book.

Though some would argue that Jonathan Black does not quote many authors, he's definitely educated, and since he's an Initiate, he gives his own insight on the history of the world, which is for the greatest part very enlightening. Of course, you have to open your mind to new, ground-breaking ideas when reading this kind of material, but your understanding of the world's history will not remain unchanged. It helps shed more light on our origins, on why we are what we are, and also why the history of most historical figures has been completely misinterpreted and misused. I've already bought his second book, The Sacred History of the World, which I'm so looking forward to reading. Thank you, Jonathan Black, for this very personal, yet knowledgeable and credible insight that you give on the history of the world. My vision of the world's history has changed for good, thanks to you.

Sem mais, apenas leiam sem qualquer tipo de preconceito e se deleitem com uma enxurrada de pensamentos, correntes, ideias profundas e interessantíssimas.

This book is one man’s attempt to interpret huge amounts of myths. Sadly it is all or mostly a load of Tosh. And the guy just goes on and on and on. Don’t waste your time.