A peep through the looking glass of history

I really enjoyed this audiobook. I'd describe it as a pyschohistory documenting the world view and beliefs of various people, or groups of people, throughout history. In this instance it focusses on 'secret societies' and other organisations who believed themselves to possess esoteric, hidden knowledge of the history and purpose of mankind.

Is it true? Well, it's quite fantastical and you have to leave your skepticism at the door when listening to it. But bear in mind that the 'history' that you are listening to is not history as we know it, but history as perceived by people in the past (and perhaps present).

Think about it; it is only in the 20th century that people have believed the world to be 4.5 billion years old. Electricity, antibiotics, the internet, space travel - these were concepts alien to people throughout much of mankinds history. People thought about the world differently. They interpreted events using different psychological models to those we use today.

In this book, the author argues that certain, 'illuminated' groups throughout history, have possessed knowledge, ideas and practices that were 'hidden' from the people at large. That important and powerful people alive today are initiated into organisations that carry the beacon of this knowledge. And that this knowledge is utilised through an understanding of the multi-layered symbolism and meaning of the practices it prescribes.

That's not to say this book is some kind of intimate expose of a veiled reality. More, an interesting sideways look at the historical narrative.

Listen with an open mind

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4 people found this helpful

The mind boggles

Anyone embarking on this audio book should expect an alternative reading of myths and historical events. Whilst Mr Black shifts rapidly between topics he thankfully does this smoothly without getting too bogged down with references. To some, and most who I see who have reviewed the book, this will be viewed as a weakness. I however think it allows for the prose to flow more naturally without it becoming an academic treatise (which it certainly is not). What the author manages is to produce a story or rather an explanation/ context for all those myths and conspiracies one will of heard and put them together in a coherent and understandable way.

I was left, I will admit, enlightened although there where several times I had to rewind it due to drifting of to the narrators rather posh voice.

I would recommend this audiobook to all the curious and relatively informed out there, although you must be prepared to hear the "truth" through conveniently coloured spectacles and not be too offended when it is stretched sometimes a little too far.

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27 people found this helpful

Informative book

Enjoyed every bit of it. Lots of information that will make you think deeper.

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3 people found this helpful

Earth Shattering!

The Secret History of the World doesn't require every account it gives to be accurate, its strength is the paradigm shift in understanding that it affects.
The paradigm shift is the mind before matter approach. The mind exists as a means for the universe, the great cosmic mind, to observe itself. From this, there is an underlying consciousness connecting everyone to everything.
As such, all the myths and legends one hears are coded messages of the ancients for understanding the world and the cosmos, and how all forces interact.
When one immerses themselves in the Secret History, meaning and new light is given to ancient cultures, history never looks the same, and the ancients and so-called "superstitions" never appear to be superstitions again.
The Secret History of the World is an essential ingredient i the movement to overturn the academic silence and prejudices lying at the heart of modern science, history, archaeology, philosophy and even theology. It will undoubtedly attract enemies from the adherents of all field, but what groundbreaking work doesn't? All the great breakthroughs came not because of the academic consensus, but in spite of it.
The audio version can be rather slow, as the narrator takes his time with every sentence, and could perhaps be hours shorter, but still, be patient, it's worth it.

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Fantastic book just listened for second time

Loved every second of this book. Ive learned so much and whilst it might be a bit 'out there' for some, personally it really speaks to my view of the world and I'm grateful for the research by the author in this Informative book

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Amazing

One of the best book i ave ever listened to so far regarding our ancient history

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secret history review

very well presented and narrated easy to listen to good for beginners highly recommend 5stars

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Amazing book loved it x

Full of knowledge and wisdom, a heavy read but full to the brim x

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Difficult to navigate

Why don't the chapters line up? it makes it very difficult to navigate the book, you can't select a topic and press play. very weird!

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Think outside the box!

Would you listen to The Secret History of the World again? Why?

This is a fabulous book. If you have been brain washed by the mass media and have lost the ability to think for yourself, then don't even bother. But, if you are a free thinking radical. Then step right up. Everything start with a thought, each and every thought drives our desires, which in turn become reality. That's a mind before matter universe! Well worth the time listening.

What about Paul Matthews’s performance did you like?

He was a bit monotone at times. But it is a very heavy and factual book.

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