W. Winwood Reade (1838–1875)

"..it has done me good to write this book, and therefore I do not think that it can injure those by whom it will be read."

So obviously i like this, i mean it is where i stole my profile name from. I also read it originally under the best of circumstances, having found a 1932 edition in a box in an attic. I'm quite shocked that this is over 450 pages, i don't know what kind of paper they used in the 30's but my copy is only the thickness of a modern 200 page book (1.7mm including the hardcovers to be exact :P ). Must be pretty strong stuff too as its still in perfect condition (on the inside) :) .

Anyway this is ostensibly a history book. Although given its age i wouldn't read it for its accuracy. Actually given the way history is constantly being re-evaluated these days i wouldn't trust a 30 year old book for its accuracy :P .

There are only 4 chapters in this, War, Religion, Liberty and Intellect, but if you make it through, especially if you read it in your teens ;) , you might well believe you know all you need to about the human race :D. Or at least human civilization.

The author has a dated but beautful almost lyrical style. The way he describes ancient life really makes it animated and his thoughtful explanations on the evolution of religions are really interesting.
I think it took me a couple of attempts to get through it the first time the style isn't for everyone and there is so much info, but obviously i highly recommend it. One of the only books i can open and start reading at any point and be instantly absorbed. According to the net fans of the book include Cecil Rhodes, H.G.Wells, Winston Churchill, Arthur Conan Doyle, Harry Johnston, George Orwell, Susan Isaacs, A.A.Milne, Christopher Robin and Michael Foot.

"Thus, when Nature selects a people to endow them with glory and with wealth, her first proceeding is to massacre their bodies, her second to debauch their minds. She begins with famine, pestilence and war; next, force and rapacity above, chains and slavery below.
She uses evil as the raw material of good; though her aim is always noble, her earliest means are base and cruel.
But as soon as a certain point is reached she washes her black and bloody hands, and uses agents of a higher kind."… (mehr)

THE VEIL OF ISIS;
OR,
THE MYSTERIES OF THE DRUIDS.

HERE is no study so saddening, and none so
sublime as that of the early religions of mankind.
To trace back the worship of God to its simple
origin, and to mark the gradual process of those
degrading superstitions, and unhallowed rites which
darkened, and finally extinguished His presence in
the ancient world.

At first men enjoyed the blessings of nature as
children do, without inquiring into causes. It was
sufficient for them that the earth gave them herbs,
that thetrees bore them fruit, thatthestream quenched
their thirst. They were happy, and every moment
though unconsciously they offered a prayer of gratitude
to Him whom as yet they did not know.

And then a system of theology arose amongst
them vagúe and indefinite, as the waters of the boundless
sea. They taught each other that the sun, and...… (mehr)

A very interesting book. I feel at times that he is reaching in some of his claims concerning the Druids but it doesn't detract much from the reading. I simply made notations in the margin where I knew information was incorrect. Some of his bible verses he quotes I found somewhat elaborated on, one in particular one from Ezekiel 9:4-6 he states a tau was marked on the forehead where the bible only states a mark was made. I am curious where he gets this unless perhaps from a Jewish legend perhaps Ginzberg? As far as the Phoenicians spreading their religion all the way to Britain I think there is that possibility, it would of been interesting to see how he would of fleshed that out a little more if his focus wasn't mainly on the Druids, let alone his mentioning of the Scythians settling in Britain and then silence. His analysis of the Catholic incorporation of pagan rituals and holidays is of course fairly well attested to and the folklore is always very interesting to read on because between his day and ours one must think how much of it has died out. A good book overall despite its minor problems.… (mehr)