Rupert FurneauxReseñas

A slim precise of the conflict. The matter is better treated in "the Washing of the Spears". but this account deals clearly with the basics.½

"A fascinating documentation of the world's biggest bang.
A well-researched epic of natural catastrophe narrated in
an easy style."

The enigmas of history have spawned theories, either scientifically based or plain conjecture. In Ancient Mysteries, Rupert Furneaux attempted to answer timeless questions covering the world through the use of science.

Furneaux covered over 30 “mysteries” that covered such subjects as Atlantis, several monumental architectural structures around the world, Biblical mysteries, several ethnic groups and cultures, mysteries centered in Britain and the Americas, hoaxes, and “soon-to-be” 21st-century enigmas. Through all of them Furneaux attempts to give a description of why the topic in question is a mystery and then over the history of theories before giving as “definite” answer as possible.

Unfortunately for this book, Furneaux used scientific conclusions 20 years old by the time the book was published which are even more out-of-date today. Yet, not all of his answers were based on science through they were not far out theories which he pretty much attempted to dismiss as much as possible. For several topics, Furneaux attempted to straddle the line between “scientific consensus” and far-out theories, so mixed success at best and just plain bad at worst.

The background information Furneaux gives for each of the topics he writes about, though definitely not up-to-date, is the best part of the book. However, the out-of-date science, the occasional stretch of the science that Furneaux, and sometimes condescending tone the author uses in some topics makes he want to caution people away from this unless they are really well read in history.

I do not know why everyone was so excited about the recent book Zealot. (OK I do--he was not a Christian carping from within). The Roman Siege of Jerusalem said the same things years before, cited the same sources (lots of Josephus) and because it was written by a military historian it has some nifty details, like the shape of helmets the Romans wore, how far they could throw their lances and the way they did troop movements. The Jewish zealot and moderate leaders are shown bumping each other off when the Romans were at the gate. Jesus' brother James, who ran things Christian-wise until he got offed in the Roman conquest, is big in the book. And Ballsy Paul who reinvented Christianity is in there too. The whole gang. Plus some great tactics to use when a bunch of rebels is hiding in an impregnable fortress.

Couldn't put this account down until I finished. Absolutely great monochrome photos in center of book. gives the reader a clear look at this great mystery.

Includes index.
Describes 21 successful and unsuccessful attempts to recover real and legendary lost treasures including King Tut's tomb, sunken ships of the Spanish Armada, and El Dorado. Concludes with a brief description of treasure hunting as a hobby.

1018 The World's Most Intriguing True Mysteries: Enthralling Accounts of Events That Continue to Mystify and Baffle, by Rupert Furneaux (read 15 Aug 1969) I found this a fascinating book, but I did no post-reading note on it so I cannot tell you why exactly.

1305. Invasion 1066, by Rupert Furneaux (read 30 Nov 1974) This account of William the Conqueror's conquest of England in 1066, written by an amateur English historian, drips with an antiquary's interest in minutiae, but was worth reading.

1494 The Money Pit Mystery, by Rupert Furneaux (read 30 July 1978) I found this most interesting because it showed what research could be done by an enterprising person, and it inspired me to similarly research on things which interest me. [I was at the time on a trip to Salt Lake City.] The book is an account of a search for a pirate treasure.

Indeholder "Vulkankatastrofen på Martinique", "Søslaget ved Tsushima", "Skuddet i Sarajevo", "Den røde revolution", "Tutankhamons grav", "Det japanske jordskælv", "Mirakelstoffet", "Børskrakket i New York", "Rigsdagsbranden i Berlin", "Luftslaget om England", "Overfaldet på Pearl Harbour", "Atombomben", "Besejringen af Mount Everest", "Århundredets forbrydelse", "Første mand på Månen".

Et vulkanudbrud i 1902, søslag mellem Japan og Korea i 1905, første verdenskrigs startskud 28 juni 1914, oktoberrevolutionen 1917, Howard Carter 26 november 1922, jordskælv 1 september 1923, Penicillin, 24 oktober 1929 børskrak, 27 februar 1933 rigsdagsbrand, august 1940 radar mod tyske fly, 7 december 1941 stillehavskrigen begynder, Hiroshima og Nagasaki august 1945, bjergbestigning i Himalaya, mord på en præsident og på John D. Tippit i Dallas 22 november 1963, We came in peace for all mankind, juli 1969, apollo 11.
Et lidt tilfældigt udpluk af begivenheder fra 1900 til 1970

Different cover.