Paradise Lust: Searching for the Garden of Eden

by Brook Wilensky-Lanford

It seems that ever since mankind was kicked out of the Garden of Eden for eating the forbidden fruit, we’ve been trying to get back in. Or at least, we’ve been wondering where the Garden might have been. St. Augustine had a theory, and so did medieval monks, John Calvin, and Christopher Columbus. But when Darwin’s theory of evolution permanently altered our understanding of human origins, shouldn’t the search for a literal Eden have faded away? Not so fast.

In Paradise Lust , Brook Wilensky-Lanford introduces readers to the enduring modern quest to locate the Garden of Eden on Earth. It is an obsession that has consumed Mesopotamian archaeologists, German Baptist ministers, British irrigation engineers, and the first president of Boston University, among many others. These quixotic Eden seekers all started with the same brief Bible verses, but each ended up at a different spot on the Florida, the North Pole, Ohio, China, and, of course, Iraq. Evocative of Tony Horwitz and Sarah Vowell, Wilensky-Lanford writes of these unusual characters and their search with sympathy and wit. Charming, enlightening, and utterly unique, Paradise Lust is a century-spanning history that will take you to places you never imagined.

Genres: History, Religion, Nonfiction, Travel, Christianity

304 pages, Hardcover

First published August 2, 2011

About the author

Paradise Lust (Grove Press, 2011) is Brook Wilensky-Lanford’s first book. Her essays and reviews have appeared in Salon, The Boston Globe, The San Francisco Chronicle, The Huffington Post and other publications. An editor of the online literary magazine Killing the Buddha, she lives in Jersey City, New Jersey, with her fiance and two cats.

Reviews

[Birgit · Rating 5 out of 5]

Who hasn't heard about the ventures of mankind to find the place that went down in history as Garden of Eden. Paradise Lust: Searching For The Garden Of Eden presents a comprehensive overview of theories on where this elusive place might have been and how people have been literally lusting after the answer to this question.
So where was Eden? The North Pole? Ohio? China? Or Mesopotamia after all? Brook Wilensky-Lanford goes on a modern quest which is both informative and at the same time wonderfully entertaining, a fascinating journey that is at the same time smart and full of wit, a perfect combination of being well researched and told in a conversational style that will make this book fun for every reader interested in the subject.
With a focus on both famous, and sometimes not so famous, seekers that tried to unravel the mystery of the exact position of the Garden of Eden, the reader meets William Warren and Friedrich Delitzsch, among many others, and in the end Brook also comes to her very own conclusion on where Eden might have been and her answer might be surprising.
And maybe we should also look at it from this side – paradise isn't paradise until it's lost. What would happen if we truly found it? Would we be overjoyed? Or merely disappointed?
In short: A wonderful guide book on the age old quest to find the Garden of Eden!

[a v a · Rating 1 out of 5]

had to read this for class and it was so bad

[Owlseyes]

https://www.laphamsquarterly.org/cont...

[Jessica]

An incredibly fascinating, informative, and entertaining read. Wilensky-Lanford is able to make seemingly dry material spring to life (like a tree! or a snake!) on the page. I not only enjoyed this personally, but found it an incredibly useful resource while teaching my undergraduate world literature course this semester, particularly for framing the relationship between modern times and Gilgamesh and Genesis. I love the humorous stylistic flourishes in this (like starting every chapter with "In the Beginning..."). Wilensky-Lanford blends excellent research with just the right dose of humor for the material.

[Mark · Rating 4 out of 5]

Frames through which we view the world, try to come to terms with existence. We've all got them, and, for the most part, the ones we grow up with are the ones that stick. But of course there are exceptions, avenues we can take which cause that epiphany, that moment where we can see things in a different light. The best of these are books. What I tend to look for in a book, whether on purpose or not, is a frame I lack myself. Paradise Lust, about the search for the physical location of the Garden of Eden, definitely provides that. Recommended.

[Tom Brown · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a fascinating book. I knew about the Garden of Eden from my religious upbringing. But I never thought that people actually believed that they could find it somewhere. I was amazed at all the locations where people believed it might be found. Northern Florida. China. The North Pole. Ohio. This book was an fascinating exploration of the things that people will do for the most unusual reasons. I found the book amusing at times and I found it quite sad at other times. The most distressing part was when I read about the Creation Museum in Kentucky that shows Adam and Eve walking with the dinosaurs. It is amazing the lengths that people will go to avoid accepting science. But I guess that the present pandemic is just one more reminder of that.

[CynthyB · Rating 2 out of 5]

I thought this would be an interesting, if not fun, read, and generally, it was. The author's writing style was engaging, and she is clearly well educated, but her veracity was obviously influenced by her biases and not quite up to par. And even though there were some far-fetched ideas presented, she misinterpreted and twisted part of the information (said portion of which I am much more versed in than the author), creating a false impression in every particular. I was disappointed that Wilensky-Lanford's voice was often condescending and partial, which, for me, cast a dubious shadow over the rest of her work--the remainder of which might otherwise have been a fascinating study.

[Martha · Rating 3 out of 5]

Interesting history of those who have searched for the geographical location of the Garden of Eden. Brook Wilensky-Lanford offers a thorough history of the search in its many incarnations, reminding me of history long forgotten. I found the information extremely enlightening, regarding the locations assumed to be Eden and the explorers who searched. Her style lightens a rather heavy subject with wit and charm. However, I did find it rather tedious to complete reading.

[Zoann · Rating 3 out of 5]

A history of man's (and they are all men in this book) search for the Garden of Eden, this book has some philosophy (can a utopia ever be a real place?), religion (actually lots of religion), science (archaeology among others) and humor. (Have I used too many parentheses in this review?)

Enjoyable.

[Maggie Dubris · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this book. It's well researched, and an interesting history of both the creation myths of various cultures and the appeal of the perfect state that we would like to have known in the past. Lots of things I didn't know, well-written, and flows nicely. Highly recommended to anyone interested in mythology or the Bible as history.

[Enrique · Rating 4 out of 5]

I use this book as a reflection of theological and narrative issues that deal with changing perspectives on understanding the Garden of Eden as actual Sacred Land. It also discusses the development of evolutionary ideas and creationist approaches and the shaping of American identity tied to settler colonial experience.

[David · Rating 2 out of 5]

I thought this was a travelogue when I purchased this book. Of course, I learned it was more of a history tomb when I started to read it. While there we're some interesting tidbits in the book (The Bible may have actually been plagiarized), but overall the book was a slog. I never thought about the Garden of Eden-and this book doesn't make those who have thought about it interesting.

[Josh · Rating 3 out of 5]

An account at times entertaining and at times frustrating (because of the idiocy of the undertakings) of the search for the garden of Eden.

[Mark Stephenson · Rating 4 out of 5]

I was both amused by and learned a good deal from this volume which testifies once again of the evocative powers of the first book of the Bible. However I query the depth of this talented young lady's knowledge of Mormonism as shown in her 12th chapter 'The Once and Future Eden'. Why say (in paragraph 3) "Between 1829, when he was first visited by the angel Moroni in Palmyra, New York..."? I understand that the author's world view has no use for angels but why distort the 1838 account from Joseph Smith which states that Moroni first appeared to him in September 1823 in his family home (quite some distance from Palmyra) in answer to an earnest prayer for forgiveness of his sins and follies? I see but little evidence in this chapter of any familiarity with the content of The Book of Mormon or the Book of Abraham. The Book of Abraham is particularly germane to her topic as in its Creation story the names of the four rivers of Eden are omitted (in contrast to the earlier Book of Moses which includes them). In an affectionate paragraph about the late Alvin R. Dyer she calls him a member of the Quorum of Twelve Apostles which is factually incorrect. Joseph Smith was not a searcher for Eden or Utopia but rather wanted to know which of the conflicting sects of the day he should join in order to worship correctly. At the age of 14 his First Vision assured him that none of those Protestant sects were correct - in fact he was told by Christ "that all their creeds were an abomination in his sight". Though she is perhaps unaware of this,Wilensky-Landford's research has given ample illustration as to why, in human terms, the creeds of Protestant Christendom were lacking both in Joseph Smith's day and our own. On this achievement, among many others, I congratulate her and can only trust that in her chapters on William Warren, Friedrich Delitzsch, Edmund Landon West, Archibald Henry Sayce etc. she was somewhat more careful than in her necessarily brief treatment of the Mormons.

[Stephanie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Paradise Lust: Searching for the Garden of Eden by Brook Wilensky-Lanford
Grove Press, 2011
257 pages
Non-fiction
4/5 stars

Source: Received a free e-galley via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.

Where is the Garden of Eden? Is it a metaphorical place, located in the mind of believers? Is it a real literal place that can be located using the ever expanding bounds of technology? Is it at the North Pole, in Iraq, in the United States? Brook Wilensky-Lanford set himself the task of exploring theories that have been propounded throughout the years in this book Paradise Lust. The impetus for the book came from the discovery that his grandfather had searched for the Garden of Eden and an interest in the often fraught modern American relationships between science and religion.

He begins in the late nineteenth century and traces the path to more modern times with theories that pick and choose freely from the biblical literature and previous theories. The men, and it's mostly men, who have undertaken this cast have been eccentric at times and there's a lot of information to convey, which Wilensky-Lanford does splendidly. Wilensky-Lanford also does a good job of explaining the complicated theories and the beliefs that underpin them. He also treated the cast of characters with great respect and even a touch of humor. The writing style is easy and each chapter is pretty well-contained.

Besides following these religiously motivated quests, Wilensky-Lanford touches on imperialism, science, scholarship, archaeology, geology, history and art, among other topics, creating a book with widespread appeal. This was something I knew little about but because of how Wilensky-Lanford skillfully tied everything together, I ended up very entertained and much more learned about the Garden of Eden.

[Will · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 stars out of a 5 for a really interesting concept, slightly uneven execution, and a couple dazzling chapters.

Broken up into separate-but-codependent vignette chapters about the different real life searches/"findings" of the Garden of Eden, Paradise Lust is a fun setup for a book, featuring magnetic & messianic personalities, and fascinating historical looks at what each era's contemporary vision of Eden said about the culture & time from which it sprung.

My main issue? The concept gets a little stale by the 11th or 12th iteration/chapter. Wilensky-Lanford has done incredible research, and that shines through even when the real-life "plot" slows down, but I did find my interest lagged a bit in the middle third of the book. That said, the absolute "You Should Read This No Matter What" portion was the chapter about the modern Creationist museum in Kentucky. At its center is an Alabama professor raised Baptist who finds a way to reconcile his own faith with the need to teach the science of evolution in classrooms - it's a chapter that's informative not just on the religious v. secular divide within this country, but also offers one glimpse of how we bridge that instead of constantly turning it into a screaming match. It was wonderfully written, and easily my favorite part of the book.

Plenty to like here, even if it's longer than necessary, and the type of in-depth popular history that satisfies one's curiosity without dumbing down its subject matter.

[Sillyhuron · Rating 4 out of 5]

OK... folks looking for the literal, actual Garden of Eden? Bible-thumping wierdos in pith helmets, right?
Wrong!
In this fascinating study of personal obssession, Ms. Lanford shows it's what makes a person look for paradise important, not whether they find it. Many of the people in her book are brilliant scientists, outspoken actvists and academics. But their fascination with the land of Pishon and Gihon (read the book to explain!) reveals their true hidden passions. From the Florida lawyer who defended blacks before civil rights - and helped save an endangered tree species; to the man who first translated Assyrian - yet never got respect from his father, they're a spellbinding collection of dreamers and schemers. Ms. Lanford treats them all with great respect and an engaging writing style that makes you care for even the craziest ones and want to know what happens next.
The end of the book does fall apart a bit. She drags in a chapter about creationism vs. evoloution that badly needs editing and repeats herself a few times. But for my money, one of the best non-fiction books I've read this year.

[David Dutcher]

My view:

1. Start with pre-Sumerian hunter gatherers
2. Some learn to farm (eat from the tree of knowledge), upsetting old traditions and putting them in conflict with established hunter-gatherer groups in the area.
3. Something bad happens (natural disaster) and the hunter gatherers blame the farmers for sinning/offending the gods. The fertile farming area is destroyed and/or the farmers are driven out into less fertile areas. Everyone suffers. The Eden myth develops.
4. A later, herding society, adopts the Eden myth and continues to refine it, adding the Cain and Abel portion. Cain is the farmer. Abel is the herder. Cain's vegetable offering is not acceptable to God. Abel's animal sacrifice is. Cain murders Abel and is exiled. Shepherds are venerated and farmers are vilified.

[Matt · Rating 2 out of 5]

[i] Paradise Lust [/i] was not a bad read, but I didn't really like it in the end for a number of reasons. I thought the chapters did not hang together well. Whatever underlying theme there might have been did not resonate with me. Everytime Wilensky-Lanford offered opinions rather than straight historical fact, I found myself bored.

If you're interested in non-fiction about exploration and haven't read The Lost City of Z: A Tale of Deadly Obsession in the Amazon, I'd recommend that one instead.

[Sharon Tyler · Rating 5 out of 5]

Paradise Lust: Searching for the Garden of Eden by Brook Wilensky-Landford is a non-fiction chronicle of some of the most notable searches to find the Garden of Eden. The exploits are told with a sense of understanding and humor. It is due to be released on August 2 2011. In reading, you can feel Wilensky-Landford’s own interest in the search, the history involved, and the reasons behind each individual’s search. Paradise Lust does a superb job of giving very different viewpoints and theories equal levels of respect, and attention.

Read my complete review here.

[Cerealflakes · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was an interesting book about the various people who have searched for the "real" location of the garden of eden. It was interesting to read about all the various places the garden supposedly really was as well as learning about the odd people who were looking for it. The author covered a lot of ground in this book including the history of Christianity, the Scopes Trial and "intelligent design." It was a combination of history book with memoir as she wrote about herself visiting the Creation Museum.

[Christopher Fox · Rating 5 out of 5]

I don't know which part of the book I enjoyed more: the survey of the widely varying philosophical, anthropological, geologic or theological descriptions of the Garden of Eden; or, the capsulized biographies of the equally disparate men from diverse backgrounds who propounded them. Wilensky-Lanford writes with evident pleasure for her subject and a nicely flowing, readable style, flavoured at times with humour and a wry sense of the absurd. (See the tongue-in-cheek story of the Tree of Knowledge in Qurna, chapter 7). Great read.

[Fraser Sherman · Rating 2 out of 5]

2.5 really. I love the topic (the hunt to find the "real" Garden of Eden) but Wilensky-Lanford starts off on the wrong foot by tossing off everything before the late 19th century in a couple of pages. We also get stuff that doesn't quite fit, such as a long trip to the creation museum. Nice try, but not quite there.

[Erin · Rating 4 out of 5]

A wonderful book on the search for greater meaning in life and stories of the "location" of the Garden of Eden. This book explains some of the more interesting Eden stories and beliefs and explores our quest to locate the garden. Informative and very interesting insights into human nature.

[Will · Rating 4 out of 5]

An interesting book that explores the many different theories over the past couple of centuries, as to where the original Garden of Eden might have been located here on the planet earth. Makes for fascinating reading!

[Topher · Rating 3 out of 5]

The story of the semi-modern search for Eden - focusing on those who have searched for it after the publication of Origin. Amusing read, with relatively brief chapters and the author seems to do a good job of conveying her interest and amusement in the topic.

[Janice · Rating 4 out of 5]

First couple of chapters are the best.

[Robin · Rating 2 out of 5]

I guess I didn't find this book as quirky or as interesting as most reviewers.

[Steven Farmer · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent.

[Stephen Cranney · Rating 2 out of 5]

It was fun at first, but then it just became a series of stories about different Indiana Jones wannabees trying to find the Garden of Eden.