The Secret History of the World

By: Jonathan Black, Quercus

Narrated by: Robert Powell

From the esoteric account of the evolution of the species to the occult roots of science, here is a narrative history that shows the basic facts of human existence on this planet can be viewed from a very different angle. Everything in this history is upside down, inside out and the other way around.
At the heart of The Secret History of the World is the belief that we can reach an altered state of consciousness in which we can see things about the way the world works that are hidden from us in our everyday, commonsensical consciousness. This history shows that by using secret techniques, people such as Leonardo da Vinci, Isaac Newton and George Washington have worked themselves into this altered
state - and been able to access supernatural levels of intelligence.
It soon becomes evident that a secret philosophy is encoded in the world around us, in public buildings and monuments, 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. (P)2007 Quercus Publishing Plc©2010 Jonathan Black

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.

Rehash and Heard

Well performed. I enjoyed the narrator. However, I feel like this is the same story about ascended masters guiding humanity.
It was kind of made out to be different than what you've heard before keeping a Christian Perspective which the author says he has. However, it just goes back to ascended masters through ancient myths including bible stories.

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.

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.

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.