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Stolen Legacy with Illustrations

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In this Illustrated Edition of the book, Dr. James seeks to prove, among others things, that the Ancient Greeks were not the original authors of Greek philosophy, was mainly based on ideas and concepts that were borrowed without acknowledgment, and indeed stolen, from the ancient Egyptians. "Greek philosophy is somewhat of a drama, whose chief actors were Alexander the Great, Aristotle and his successors in the peripatetic school, and the Emperor Justinian. Alexander invaded Egypt and captured the Royal Library at Alexandria and plundered it. Aristotle made a library at Alexandria and plundered books, while his school occupied the building and used it as a research center. Finally, Justinian, the Roman Emperor, abolished the Temples and schools of philosophy, i.e., another name for the Egyptian Mysteries, which the Greeks claimed as their product, and on account of which, they have been falsely praised and honored for centuries by the world, as its greatest philosophers and thinkers. This contribution to civilization was really and truly made by the Egyptians and the African continent, but not by the Greeks and the European continent." This Classic book is a must have for all who seek to learn more about Ancient Cultures from around the World including Moorish, Greek, Egyptian, and Rome. James uncovers the true historical origins of man and how the knowledge and wisdom of the ancients paved the way to establish several systems of learning that is still in use today. - Z. El Bey

170 pages, Kindle Edition

First published June 1, 1954

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About the author

George G.M. James

8 books72 followers
James was born in Georgetown, Guyana, South America. His parents were Reverend Linch B. and Margaret E. James. George studied at Durham University in Britain and after a period at the University of London he gained his doctorate at Columbia University in New York. He then qualified to teach mathematics, Latin, and Greek. Later he was Professor of Logic and Greek at Livingstone College in Salisbury, North Carolina for two years, before working at the University of Arkansas, Pine Bluff.
.....
about his masterpiece stolen legacy :

James was the author of the widely circulated Stolen Legacy: The Greeks Were Not the Authors of Greek Philosophy, But the People of North Africa, Commonly Called the Egyptians (also known as Stolen Legacy: Greek Philosophy is Stolen Egyptian Philosophy). It was first published in 1954.
In this book, James writes that, among other things, the ancient Greeks were not the original authors of Greek philosophy, which he claims was mainly based on ideas and concepts that were borrowed without acknowledgement, or indeed stolen, from the ancient Egyptians.
James died shortly after Stolen Legacy's publication

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Displaying 1 - 30 of 88 reviews
Profile Image for Ahmad  Ebaid.
287 reviews2,257 followers
Want to read
February 17, 2025
"تصادفت إن تحدثت ذات مرة مع أحد الأوروبيين عن هل فعلا فيثاغورث هو مكتشف القاعدة الشهيرة للمثلث ألقائم .. فرد باجابة قطعية "نعم" قلت ولكن هذه القاعدة وأعقد منها قد استخدمها أهل كيميت (المصريين القدماء ) في ابنيتهم الخالدة كمعابد أو الأهرامات قبل فيثاغورث بثلاث الآف سنة علي الأقل .. رد فعله كان زي رد فعل شفيق " إيه- what" .. ثم نصحته بكتاب في اللينك التالي يتتبع إنتحال لافكار المصريين القدماء و إطلاق أسماء علي هذه الأفكار كارسطو و أفلاطون"
د.أحمد فرج علي
Profile Image for Cope Dealer.
9 reviews
January 27, 2019
George G.M. James opened my eyes to the reality of altered history. Murderers of yore tell histories tales because their victims aren't alive to dispute. Of course there were very harsh criticisms of this work fueled by the need to protect "proven discoveries," hatred, and downright arrogance. I've done my own studies and found authenticity in this title. -but hey, you don't have to take my word for it!
Profile Image for Gary.
Author 41 books8 followers
August 1, 2012
This book is one of the most amazing books in existence & is vital to psyche of the young black male. It honors the contributions of a civilization that has brought more to the modern world than many realize.
44 reviews1 follower
February 23, 2011
The most striking question the author leaves in my mind "why have we not read about the great Greek thinkers in the Eastern lands? The Greeks have written about the great civilizations of the east, but the Great civilizations did not write about the Greeks and all their knowledge and learning.

Wonder why.


Profile Image for Omowale Jabali.
7 reviews10 followers
April 10, 2016
This book is a classic text which I found very useful as a companion in researching the spiritual systems of ancient Nubia and Khemit ie Egypt. It also reveals the concepts which gave rise to Freemasonry and subsequent spiritual systems with his explanation of the nine, inseparable parts of the soul.
Profile Image for Adrienne.
65 reviews38 followers
January 10, 2008
Was shocking to read at first and wondered how much was true. A much more detailed account of how Egypt borrowed from Ethiopia can be found in The Destruction of Black Civilization.
Profile Image for Vivian.
23 reviews3 followers
November 15, 2015
If you have ever questioned the Greeks involvement in our civilization this book will not only address those questions but show proof how the Greeks stole African legacy and claimed it as their own.
Profile Image for Wysteria Campion.
107 reviews9 followers
December 16, 2020
There is no way for me to know if what the author is saying is true. It's full of assertions and allegations I've never heard before, while also never bringing substantial evidence to back up these claims.
There are bad logical arguments such as: If you have war you cannot have native philosophy/philosophers. There was war in ancient Greece. Therefore, there were no philosophy/philosophers. This implies that any nation that has ever had a philosopher publish something during a time of war, stole that philosophy from somewhere else. This also assumes that the philosophy "stolen" from the "original" place was created in a country that has never had war. If it doesn't assume that, then the "original" country stole that philosophy from somewhere else!

This book essentially dismantles one of the principles of hermeneutics: we can’t hold a modern standard of quality or completeness to an ancient text. It's just not possible. This book also basically ignores the concept that if you put an idea in a box and never expose it to anything, it will never grow. Ideas are sticky. You roll them in other ideas, and your original idea grows, but also takes a more defined shape. We would have no philosophy if we didn't have shared knowledge. Now, is this me defending plagiarism? No, of course not. But we should give authors the benefit of the doubt until substantial proof arises.

Again, my biggest qualm with this book, is that there is no proof, only bad logic and assertions. I truly don't know if the Greeks copied the Egyptians. This book certainly never proved it to me. I'm willing to admit that there should be research on this, but this book is not the end all be all of that research.

I'm in no way suggesting that the Egyptians or other African peoples were not amazing philosophers. It even says in the Bible that the Egyptians were wise (1 Kings 4:30). I'm also not suggesting that the Greeks didn't borrow from them or more. Apparently, according to Egypt and the Exodus by Charles F. Pfeiffer, Plutarch's writings preserved myths of Osiris. There is a lot of nuance to this situation, and I just feel like this book raises more accusations and questions and doesn't give adequate proof or sources to leave the reader with any knowledge that what they read is the truth.
Profile Image for Ferlin Pedro.
2 reviews
February 3, 2020
Interesting arguments, but often poorly expressed. There are many fallacies committed. And the history presented is often unsubstantiated by evidence. There are occasional citations, but they do not lend credence to the claims that come before and after those references once looked up.

I hardly see how this book can bridge race relations when it uses words like "stole" and "no such thing as Greek philosophy". Of course there is Greek philosophy, and other philosophies of the ancient world not limited to the Greeks.
Profile Image for Seb5253.
54 reviews6 followers
February 6, 2024
As much as I absolutely love fringe, marginalised and controversial perspectives on history ( John Anthony West and Robert Schoch being two brilliant examples in the field of Egyptology) , I gave up on this one fairly early on. Either the author's assertions are correct and our entire understanding of ancient history is irrevocably flawed from root to branch, having exposing a historical revelation that could alter the course of humanity.... or this has been written with a clear political agenda that turns evidence into play dough to be mashed into any shape he sees fit. Its my personal opinion that a number of high scoring reviewers on here are attempting to gain some kind of ideological capital given what can only be described as an absolute failure to balance the authors thesis with the many decades of evidence based research from authors both within and outside of accepted paradigms (or what I like to call "reality"). please, go ahead, read the book and put the authors perspective to the test for yourself , keep an open mind and maybe with more endurance than I could muster ( I have a pretty low BS threshold) you might see something I've missed.... Good luck.
Profile Image for Shila Iris.
257 reviews35 followers
May 14, 2014
You can find many truths in the pages of this book. In life, we need the truth. No matter how much we want to hide, we need it.
104 reviews8 followers
March 10, 2015
This book is a must read for anyone who is truly interested in the anthropological origins of institutionalized racism and in the superiority / inferiority complexes underlying the fact that we take for granted that it is appropriate and fairly harmless in labeling African nations as part of the 'developing' world. As the author states in his final chapter, this book was meant to be part of standard higher education curricula. As such, the author's approach is very rigid and scholarly, which is both a strength of this book as well as a weakness.

His arguments regarding the 'pre-socratic' Greek philosophers, the persecution of Greek philosophers, and the role of Alexander the Great in the inexplicable amount of scientific literature attributed to Aristotle, and what this implies about the role of the ancient Egyptian civilization (at the time) is very compelling alone and almost makes his point by itself. This is not light reading and is was meant to stand up to the opposition he surely must have anticipated he would face, given the controversy of the topic. His analysis of the stature of the ancient Egyptian civilization and its Mystery System in contrast to the instability during the time that Greek philosophy was supposed to have developed on its own is also a very strong argument.

However, it is when he attempts to draw conclusions beyond history but by direct comparison of the content of the Egyptian Mystery System and Greek Philosophy with the same rigor that the author falls short. In particular, I find his argument that the theory of an indivisible element of nature (the Atom) can be inferred from the earliest Egyptian creation theories to be a bit of a stretch. The author is too zealous for his own good. It is as if he wants to go beyond just showing that the core aspects of Greek philosophy is antedated and influenced by the Egyptian Mystery System but to demonstrate that the entire body of Greek philosophy can be show to be included.

Trying to make this point from a historical analysis is one thing but trying to make (complete) arguments about what is implied from a very ancient belief system is a bit of stretch.

Putting this aside, however, this is a very important part of the pan-African canon
Profile Image for Porsha Dixon.
15 reviews
January 21, 2016
When I initially read this book, I intended to write my senior thesis on African/Greek philosophers and stolen history; However, after finding interest in a different subject (Urban Planning in Metro LA for those interested), I decided to put my work on political philosophy on a back burner. During my undergraduate years my major was Political Science and I wanted to focus on the philosophical aspect for my political science senior thesis. I briefly discussed prominent philosophers such as Aristotle, Thales and Anaximander. Though I changed my thesis, I learned a lot and appreciate this book tremendously. A focus that is expressed directly in George G.M. James book is the acceptance of Greek Philosophy by western civilization...basically disregarding the true nature of Greek Philosophy that derived from African Philosophy (Specifically Egyptian philosophy) I completed the book and it is very informative about the true philosophy. A portion of the book that was very pertinent to me was the historical finding of the Pythagorean theorem; realizing that Pythagoras learned the formula from Africa. Quite interesting.
3 reviews1 follower
February 10, 2015
This book is a reminder of the long term consequences of the distortion of history. The educational system indoctrinate us many assumptions and beliefs that the author of the book contradict. It is well written and I will recommend it to anyone wishing to have a better and more complete version of history.
Profile Image for Brandon White.
35 reviews1 follower
April 13, 2014
Important information was given in this book, but it was often redundant, and the writing style made it hard to follow. Considering the books mission and revelations, I'd still recommend it to others.
Profile Image for Maan Kawas.
813 reviews101 followers
December 7, 2016
Interesting, thought-provoking, and informative book! The book provides information about the Ancient Egyptian mystery schools as well as Ancient Greek philosophy, arguing that the Greek philosophy took a lot from those mystery schools.
Profile Image for Andrew.
947 reviews
December 28, 2010
Another book which I read some twenty years ago. Time for a re-read and review.
Profile Image for Ahmad Hossam.
288 reviews84 followers
January 19, 2016
الفكرة التي يطرحها الكتاب واضحة من العنوان؛ التراث الفلسفي اليوناني هو تراث مسروق من مصر القديمة.

المبدأ ليس غريبًا، فكلما سطع نجم حضارة عنصرية قائمة على تفوق جماعة بشرية دون غيرها يعمد أفراد تلك الجماعة إلى نفي تأثرهم بغيرهم، بل وربما نسبوا ما تعلموه إلى أنفسهم. أبرز مثال على ذلك هو سرقة إنجازات الحضارة الإسلامية ومؤلفاتها في عصر النهضة الأوروبية.

أما الحضارة اليونانية فهي عنصرية بامتياز، لم يسلم غيرهم من الاتهام بالهمجية، تخبرنا النظرية السائدة أن اليونان ابتدعت الفلسفة والمنطق ابتداعًا دون الحضارات العريقة سواء في مصر أو في آسيا. بالطبع لا تجيبنا النظرية عن سبب انفراد اليونان بتلك المزية الفريدة مع أن النظر في الغيب طبيعة بشرية لا ينفرد بها قوم دون غيرهم، ولا تفسر أيضًا لماذا كان أرسطو استثناءًا عن التاريخ السابق واللاحق عندما ابتدع علما كاملا بمفرده (المنطق)؟ وكيف ألف في كل تلك الموضوعات دون معلم ودون أن تعلم عنها اليونان شيئًا قبله؟

بدأ الكتاب بداية معقولة بفرض أن اليونان لم تكن تربة خصبة لنشأة الحضارة بما كانت تندلع على أرضها من اضطرابات أهلية وخارجية وباضطهادها الفلاسفة، ويربط ربطًا ذكيًا بين مؤلفات أرسطو وغزو الأسكندر مصر ونهب مكتبات معابد مصر.

ولكن حدود المنهج العلمي تقف عند المقدمة، فجميع الأدلة التي يسوقها مقحمة ولا تقدم جوابًا شافيًا، بالفعل هناك تشابهات ملحوظة ولكنها انتقائية وغير مقنعة إلا لمن أراد الاقتناع أصلا.

تبقى فائدة الكتاب هي طرح شكوك حول المركزية الأوروبية التي حرمت أمما من الارتقاء وبثت في أبناء تلك الأمم عقدة نقص لا يعلم إلا الله كيف السبيل لعلاجها.
Profile Image for Mario Anderson.
1 review
February 2, 2017
This book is an excellent source of information regarding Greek plagiarism of the " Egyptian Mystery System", and is a great starting point for debunking Ancient Greece's claim on " Greek Philosophy ". George James makes a compelling argument against the widely accepted fallacy, that "Greek philosophy" is original content, which has been taught and adopted as fact throughout various educational institutions worldwide. Using various sources, and even a detailed historical look at the chaotic and anti philosophical environment Ancient Greece was submerged in at the time "Greek philosophy" was attributed, the author makes a strong case against widely accepted Eurocentric propaganda, and attempts to dispel the notion of African inferiority, and ultimately instill a sense of pride in knowing that "Greek Philosophy" is indeed a stolen Egyptian legacy!
Profile Image for Khalifah.
1 review2 followers
Read
November 10, 2008
George G. M. James is one of the most important scholars Black America has yet produced. His is, perhaps, the most quoted book by more esteemed Black historians - like Prof. John H. Clarke - than any other book.
Profile Image for Jimmy.
7 reviews
September 26, 2008
Stolen Legacy is a very interesting and provocative book that challenges, explains and focuses on how and why Greeks stole the teachings of ancient Kemet (Egypt).
6 reviews
April 12, 2011
This book mainly is about history. Its about the rise of philosophy. Its about many great people like Aristotle and Galileo. Also about Egypt lost treasures.
Profile Image for Alisa.
2 reviews2 followers
May 29, 2012
Excellent book! Very insightful! Speaks the truth!
Profile Image for Sweetlove Greene.
3 reviews
March 23, 2016
Finally finished and I must say this is one of maybe four (4) books I've ever read that made me very emotional while reading.
Profile Image for Samy Maher.
103 reviews45 followers
May 4, 2017
seems convincing. i respect ancient Egyptians more
Profile Image for Arwa AlSmaeel.
34 reviews17 followers
February 28, 2013
لم أقرأ كل صفحات الكتاب ، وأظن أن قراءة بعضه تغني عن البقية لتشابه البراهين في مجملها
Profile Image for Whitlaw Tanyanyiwa Mugwiji.
210 reviews37 followers
July 29, 2020
Stolen legacy seeks to correct the falsehoods that Africa contributed nothing to world civilisation. The author argues that Greeks appropriated (African) Egyptian philosophy, arts and science as their own. He contends that many of the ancient Greek scholars were educated in either in Egypt or in Egyptian mystery Schools that were everywhere in the Mediterranean. Many of these scholars were charged with the offence of bringing in foreign gods and as a result they were exiled and an unlucky few like Socrates were executed. Firstly, if the philosophy they were teaching was indigenous, they would not have been accused of bringing in foreign gods. Secondly, there is physical evidence that links Greece to Ancient Egypt, like Socrates' famous statement "know thy self " has been found engraved in Egyptian temples. Aristotle's four virtues is taken from mastery's ten virtues.

One of the world's biggest heist occurred when Alexander the Great conquered Egypt and confiscated books and other important things from the temples across Egypt but more specifically in Alexandria and in Memphis where there were bigger temples. We are informed that Alexander the great gave Aristotle money to build a library in Alexandria. We can use conjecture that many of the books in this library were Egyptian books. We must remember that Egyptian civilisation had begun 4200 years prior to this invasion hence they had acquired a lot of knowledge through the ages. After Aristotle set up this library we are informed that he wrote between 400 to 1000 books covering a wide range of subjects. A fit that is humanly impossible, now and then. George James alleges that a majority of the books attributed to Aristotle were simply translated Egyptian books into Greek.

This is a great read and the books provides sources for further reading from some leading classical historians and some ancient Greek historians. The only short coming is that the book assumes that the reader is well versed with the fact that ancient Egypt was inhabited by black people.

What the book seeks to do is to make Africans proud of their past and hopefully knowing this past should help in forging better relations between the races. A powerful contribution to history which should make Egypt to black Africa what Greece is to Europe.
Profile Image for Jio.
76 reviews27 followers
February 29, 2024
Somehow, this book failed to convince me, someone who is obsessed with Ancient Egypt and already believed that Western Civilization appropriated a lot of egyptian things, in the core argument presented in it.

Maybe this was not a book best read in audio format, nevertheless I don't think that author's "we do not have evidence of from where the greek philosophers learned or studied ergo they studied in Egypt" is as logical as it sounds to the author.

And lastly, it jarred me when the author talked about how Alexander the Great sacked Alexandria, which as far as I was always aware was the city he himself founded. Or how he stole books from the great library of Alexandria, which also as far as I'm aware was only just built by Ptolemaic dynasty (who, yes, stole the texts for it from all over Egypt).
135 reviews1 follower
March 28, 2025
It is nice to read a complete new view on who are the real people behind our western civilisation. Although I am not an historian I have my doubt about some of the author’s assumptions but find the subject interesting enough to read more about this subject. Black Athena by Martin Beral is one of them. I am not quite sure if the Egyptians where black Africans but hope to find that out as well. There are also rumours that the old Egyptians where the former people of Atlantis.
Profile Image for Clifford  Onehundredd .
120 reviews19 followers
September 15, 2023
Stolen Legacy is one of the most important books to be read by Black/African people. You are getting the truth with cited references and a lot of sources which have been cross examined and proven to be true. This pattern of borrowing from Black people continued throughout history in every form including modern-day African Americans who are responsible for many inventions whose patents were either stripped or sold off due to the fact early African Americans were in slavery times. Another book which compliments George G.M James' book is Ancient Egypt & Black Africa by Theophile Obenga. also cited with references and recorded facts. This book is truth. I'm glad I've read it. It's a must read in the Black community for those striving toward raising their consciousness. What has occurred in North Africa is no different than today.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 88 reviews

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