David Marr, archeologist and world authority on the Romans, has spent his life studying the Holy Land with all its violence and unrest that go back to the time of the scriptures. While teaching in Jerusalem, he makes the most dramatic discovery of his life just off the shore of the Dead Sea near the site of the ancient monastic settlement at Qumran. It is something that could have huge repercussions with the potential to turn the world on its side.
David first whet his appetite as a student when he played a crucial role in the 1947 discovery of the Dead Sea Scrolls. His later adventures with the Holy Grail and Holy Shroud brought him to the forefront of the maelstrom that develops whenever science confronts religion. The backdrop to these experiences was always war--Israel's War of Independence in 1948, the Six Day War in 1967, the Yom Kippur War in 1973. Throughout it all, he has carved a career of widespread renown, but has seen so much evidence of man's brutality to man that he is spiritually disillusioned.
As he begins to unearth clues about what he has found, he and those closest to him--his Jewish-American wife Gita, the brilliant Egyptian pathologist Jamil Hassad, and his Israeli research assistant Robbie Schueftan--all find themselves in danger. Now David the scientist, whose life has always be ruled by logic and reason, isn't certain about anything and he won't rest until he finds the truth.
I'm an author who lives in Toronto, and have written several books of fiction and non-fiction. While my background includes newspaper reporter and columnist, feature writer for magazines, editor, college writing instructor, and media consultant, books are my passion.
My latest book - SLEEPWOKING - looks at historical revisionism in Canada and all the fallout associated with it. In fact, many important historical figures from Canadian history have been cancelled. This book sets the record straight. Those figures who are prominent in the book are John A. Macdonald, Egerton Ryerson, Henry Dundas, Edward Cornwallis and Matthew Begbie.
My novels tend to have a strong historical element. The Last Witness is about the last living survivor of the Holocaust in the year 2039. But the world is ignorant and complacent about events from the past century. Earlier novels include QUMRAN and Gift of the Bambino. Check out my video with university students trying to answer questions about World War II. (http://youtu.be/CRC_T07dwZo)
If intriguing suspense and ancient relics with mysterious backgrounds are your thing, take a look at this gem from Jerry Amernic. QUMRAN brings the secrets of the past into the world of the present in a land where religion is said to have been birthed. David Marr’s discovery will also bring renewed chaos between Muslims, Christians and Jews as each believes they have the right to the find, either to bury it, twist its meaning or use it as a statement pertaining to the who the Holy Lands truly belong to.
David, a seasoned archeologist, renowned expert on the Roman era, Judaeo-Christian history and student of science finds an ancient body that is so well preserved, it was hard to believe it belonged to a man from two thousand years ago, a man crucified on a cross. Who is this man? What was he to the history of the area? Why is having him becoming deadly for David?
Will the truth set the world free to believe or not believe in their religious up-bringings or will religious factions seek to keep the body as their own? Ethics will be questioned, religious zealots will come forward and professional rivalries will be tested. Sadly it may be the worship of the almighty dollar that will end this emotional ride of science versus religion and faith.
Start to finish, these painfully flawed characters, this ancient body and the race for possession and fame make for a riveting read that asks, what if our ideas of religion are not correct? Well-researched, well written and right up there at the top of my gem pile!
Publisher: Story Merchant Books (April 5, 2015) Publication Date: April 5, 2015 Genre: Suspense | Mystery | Thriller Print Length: 350 pages Available from: Amazon | Barnes & Noble For Reviews & More: http://tometender.blogspot.com
The Holy Land has been fraught with dissention. For thousands of years, but never more so than in the present days since the partitioning after WWII. Christian, Jew, Muslim. Gentile, Jew, Arab. Israeli, Palestinian. Science, Religion. History, Biblical History. Essenes, Pharisees, Sadducees. Its "endless passion for violence".
The protagonist in this story is a visiting professor at Hebrew University called David Marr. He's an archaeologist. He was present when the Dead Sea Scrolls were brought out of the caves at Qumran. He has seen the Shroud of Turin and the alleged cup from the Last Supper [the Holy Grail]. He is widely considered a world authority on the subject of crucifixion. Now, he has in his possession what may be the greatest find of all. A mummified man who appears to be about two thousand years old. A man who was crucified. Suspicious remains that just might put all Christian thought in danger.
The book circles around the questions of "Who is the owner of discovered antiquities?" and "Which geography is the correct geography?" Stories of Jesus figures go back thousands of years. As far back as twenty thousand years. In many cultures under many names. So, how literally are we to take the information in the Bible? Is religion a myth?
Meticulously researched, it is filled with easily recognized landmarks and Biblical personages such as The Dome of the Rock, the Western Wall, Nativity Square in Bethlehem, Gaza, the West Bank, the Dead Sea, Jerusalem, TelAviv, Masada, Joseph of Arimathea, John the Baptist, Jehohanan, and, of course, Qumran.
This is a thoroughly engaging piece of historical fiction that makes the statement, "Peace will come when they love their children more than they hate each other".
I read this Ebook courtesy of NetGalley and Books Go Social. pub date 08/20/15
Intelligent, well written, with a clever blending of fact and fiction set in the oft volatile Middle East.
A potent blend of archaeology, historically accurate events and the ensuing tension that is invoked following Professor Marr's startling discovery in the desert sands of Qumran.
Characters are well developed, the storyline is clear and easy to follow and it's an edge-of-the-seat read as the various religious factions vie for control of Marr's unsettling discovery.
The "what if" of the narrative and all its potential consequences will definitely stay with a reader long after the final page is turned.
I received an e-ARC of this book via NetGalley, Books Go Social and the author.
Sometimes I was afraid the book would head into the abyss of 'paranormal'. But the author always avoided this slippery slope. The book jumps a bit in time. It's done by chapter. Therefore by no means puzzling. A very interesting read. With my favourite bad guys, religious extremists (Vatican et al.). Recommended
I an and ordained Christian with some knowledge of the three main religions discussed in this book. There were some supported truths and questions as each one uses to point the. validity of their beliefs
What a powerful in site this book has. Animosity to study all three of the Holy books mentioned in this book. One can appreciate all three and all people no matter what we think are differences are. I can wait to read more by this author awesome.
Loved to read about the holy land even though I have been there. It is a remarkable place. I read this authors first ebook and loved it. The only problem I have with this one is the main characters belief in more than one God. I know it's just a story but this was the one thing I didn't like.
Qumran by Jerry Armernic is a book that could rival "The Da Vinci Code". I loved this book and was drawn into the story from the beginning. What happens when an archeologist discovers a mummified body that could effect Muslims, Christians, an Jews in the caves where the Dead Sea Scrolls were found? It could change how the world sees things forever. Filled with a church that wants to cover up history, Muslims wanting to take it,.as well as fanatical Jews who would do anything to prove their right to the Holy Land, Qumran is a book for everyone. It is also a book about the wisdom of all three Abrahamic faiths. I couldn't put it down and if you liked "The Da Vinci Code" you will like this book as well.