The Secret History of the World

By: Jonathan Black

Narrated by: Robert Powell

Length: 7 hrs and 50 mins

Publisher's summary

Here, for the first time, is a complete history of the world based on the beliefs and writings of secret societies, researched with the help of an initiate of more than one secret society.

From the occult roots of science to the esoteric motives behind American foreign policy, this fascinating history shows that the basic facts of human existence on this planet can be viewed from many very different angles. And once our viewpoint has been altered, we will see that secret philosophies are encoded everywhere around us - in great art and literature, in the arrangement of the pips in an apple, in the names of the days of the week, even in the very stories we tell our children.

©2007 Quercus Publishing (P)2007 Quercus Publishing

Not for beginners

Any additional comments?

There is a large amount of information in this book, but its not for beginners. You already need to have done some study of esoteric subjects before this book will make any sense whatsoever.The author throws a lot of terms around such as say, alchemy, so unless you want to stop and look up each subject as you go, its best to learn some basics first.I really like the audio version of the book, but I am left also now wanting a written reference with footnotes.This does, as the title advertises, give a "secret history of the world", as outlined in esoteric teachings.

Take the good with the bad

There are some gems in this book then, quite paradoxically, some cringe worthy sections. It's as if the book is written by two different people. Thought provoking then in places dogmatic. A reviewer earlier said they thought the author is a closet Christian. Agreed.

Sometimes it feels like mythologies are taken too literally. And the final few paragraphs almost negate the author’s entire thesis. “Satan” is going to incarnate in the “final days” is a good example of literalism and christian bias.

The book should be titled Secret History of Europe, not the world. Very little mention of entire continents of peoples and their mythologies.

That said, read it. The general theme of re-interpreting history from the spiritual point of view is well worth the slog. Just try to ignore the blatant manipulation of myths and perhaps facts to fit the authors agenda.

Not What I Expected

I was expecting a little more history and a little less mythology. I am going to read this book at least one more time, I am sure with mythology comes truth and seeing the patterns in different eras is pretty fascinating.

One Word: PROFOUND

Probably the best "alternative theory" books I've ever read. Really sums up Esoterica studies without getting too much into the weeds.

Excellent!!!

What made the experience of listening to The Secret History of the World the most enjoyable?

After listening to the audio version, I went out and bought the book
Great information

What did you like best about this story?

Easy to listen to, very informative

What about Robert Powell’s performance did you like?

Easy to listen to him

Was there a moment in the book that particularly moved you?

n?a

Any additional comments?

Excellent--will listen to it again and again

Believable

This story makes so much since to me. I appreciate the author and the reader of this piece.

The mixture of what I knew and what I didn't became clear

over all great book. everything with a grain of salt. I ready enjoyed this book and it's eye opening

For $10 it's ok.

it's ok. I didn't agree with everything in the book, but when you look at it as "this is what the secret society believes, not necessarily what is true" than its a little easier to stomach.

Good material, beautifully read, weirdly abridged

I've ordered a print copy of this book because the fascinating material on the audiobook is strangely chopped up and incomplete. it's clear that the abridgement wasn't done very thoughtfully. Kind of a weird listening experience because of this, but the material is extremely tantalizing. I'd consider this audiobook an introduction or Cliff Notes version of what must be in the unabridged book. Publishers, why do your make these choices??

Fascinating

I'm reading the book right now in Spanish, so I'm buying the audio version to have it in English and share... probably way easier to get it through reading than listening but I'm totally loving it. Unites and makes sense of the major phylosophies and spiritualities out there