Talisman: Sacred Cities, Secret Faith

by Graham Hancock, Robert Bauval

An exploration of the architectural, artistic, and written evidence of a secret religion that has shaped the world.

Genres: History, Nonfiction, Religion, Occult, Alternate History, Conspiracy Theories, Archaeology

562 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 2004

About the author

Graham Hancock is a British writer and journalist. His books include Lords of Poverty, The Sign and the Seal, Fingerprints of the Gods, Keeper of Genesis (released in the US as Message of the Sphinx), The Mars Mystery, Heaven's Mirror (with wife Santha Faiia), Underworld: The Mysterious Origins of Civilization, Talisman: Sacred Cities, Secret Faith (with co-author Robert Bauval), Supernatural: Meeting with the Ancient Teachers of Mankind and Magicians of the Gods. He also wrote and presented the Channel 4 documentaries Underworld: Flooded Kingdoms of the Ice Age and Quest for the Lost Civilisation. His first novel, Entangled, was published in 2010.

Reviews

[Nima · Rating 4 out of 5]

Nagyon tömény, néhol ismétli önmagát, de mindenkinek ajánlott, aki úgy érzi, hogy a történelem tananyag nem feltétlen áll össze logikailag.

[Jerome Willner · Rating 4 out of 5]

Though the iconic Statue of Liberty is recognized by many, my decision to read this book rested more with several intriguing questions posed on the back cover. The historical significance of the statue had never previously occurred to me. The question that really hooked me was the one regarding Franklin Roosevelt's commissioning of the glowing pyramid on the one-dollar bill. I have never held a dollar bill, but have wondered about the curious symbolism on British currency.
It is no understatement to say the breadth, depth, and volume of information presented, was at times overwhelming. With a reference section occupying nearly sixty pages, the authors appear to have taken pains to present this work in the light of other works.
Encapsulating this substantial reading and learning experience into a succinct and meaningful review is proving a challenge. One of the many difficulties faced by the authors is illustrated by a passage appearing on page 287 -
~~
The Sacred Cities, Emergence of the invisibles - Before Freemasonry came out - "The origins of Freemasonry are veiled behind such a mass of legends and pseudo-history that the subject has become a nightmare for even the most dedicated of researchers. The problem lies in the fact that today Freemasons define themselves as a `society with secrets' whereas once, and no one actually knows for how long, they were a secret society that went to great lengths to be `invisible'. We've noted before that successful secret societies are by definition, hard to trace in the historical record. "
~~
Talisman explains how historic texts, events, and architecture, reveal compelling evidence of a belief system with ancient origins; that is identifiably manifest in contemporary life.
There is a tendency throughout the book to present a line of reasoning based on an intricate web of historical events. It is my view that the authors conducted considerable research to support and develop their ideas. Whether or not, the conclusions drawn and presented from the research is accurate; is a matter of opinion. Though consistent effort is made to avoid voicing outright opinion; this is inevitable, because opinion does comes through; if not in direct statements; then in the general line of reasoning chosen. As a reader, I admired the author's consistent attempts to justify leading conclusions. I also appreciated the efforts of authors who appear to be deeply knowledgeable; to both educate and inform the readers in a wide range of topics that warrant considerable research and learning individually.
It is no surprise the undertaking took twelve years to complete. Started in 1992 and completed in 2004; the finished article provides a rich source of learning and intrigue for the uninitiated. If you are asking "Uninitiated into what ? ", I would thank you for your question, and refer you to the respective co-author websites for an answer or answers.
For my part as reviewer; may I draw your attention to key phrases at the start and end of the work.
~
At the start - Robert Bauval - "This unusually long period reflects not only the complex nature of the subject matter but also the strong and enduring working relationship and friendship that I have with my co-author Graham Hancock, a master of the trade par excellence. "

At the end - "On 11 September 2001Al Qaeda struck its major direct blow against the `Crusaders'. It may not be the last ..."
~
OK - a number of unsettling facts have come to light since 9/11. Some of these facts are both 100% concrete, and impossible to dispute. Some of them may weaken the case against Al Qaeda. While the full truth, behind the events of 9/11 remain shrouded, and questions remain unanswered; justifiable conclusions may be equally elusive.
Winston Churchill famously said "History is written by the victors". A discussion of "the philosophy of history" can be found in Wikipedia. Interestingly enough; a section detailing "History as propaganda"; paraphrases the quote, and also contains the phrase "par excellence".
If there is any truth in Winston Churchill's quote, could there also be truth in another idea? One that claims "Manuscripts are written or dictated by authors with their own unique perspectives and agendas".
Some readers may feel the validity of this book's final statement is questionable. It appears to directly reveal the sympathies and therefore bias of the author(s). Whether this statement enhances or detracts from the validity of the manuscript as a whole; is debatable.

The reading experience was intermittently engaging and tawdry. That said; in light of the complex nature of the subject matter presented, the work is surprisingly accessible and readable. Overall I found the effort rewarding and informative. I have read work by other authors who are critical of Robert Bauval and Graham Hancock. I guess it is up to researchers of this genre to come to their own conclusions based on wider reading. Whatever the politics of the authors, I am deeply grateful for this introduction to a subject matter that is both complex; and significant in contemporary life today. Thank you for this work! Recommended reading!

[P. Wilson · Rating 3 out of 5]

What I really like about Graham Hancock is the solid research that goes into his work. As a former newspaper reporter, he knows it's important to get the facts right.
What I thought didn't work was his attempt in this book to draw a line of descent from the the early Gnostics to the present. I think that this line does exists, but I don't think it's a great mystery. These things were handed down, as he describes, through manuscript and printed word. A good example of how this works is in Quinn's Early Mormonism and the Magic World View. Quinn traces the possible genesis of Joseph Smith's thought and theology by actually documenting which books were available at what bookseller in the vicinity of Smith's early home.
Having said that, I enjoyed Talisman very much for the historical documentation.
One point that he lighted on without stressing, and which I think is very important, is the relationship between St Augustine and Manicheanism. Hancock is onto something here when he draws this connection, but he fails to make the point that the Doctrine of Original Sin, which was bequeathed us by Augustine, was probably a Gnostic vestige. It was Augustine's notion that Original Sin is passed down through sex (semen); this jives with the Manichean conviction that the world, and all the flesh therein, is inherently evil.

[Tony · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is perhaps the most comprehensive book I have ever read on religious traditions and symbolism. More specifically, the book deals with alternative/shadow western religious followings, from the Egyptian Goddess, Isis, to Christian Gnostics to Christian Cathars of the Middle Ages to the Knights Templar who came out of Cathar traditions to Masonic Traditions in Europe and later in the United States. The book draws parallels to many religious symbols in cities across the western world, particularly obelisks in Alexandria, Egypt, Vatican City, Paris, New York and Washington, DC. No book could be a better source of information for novelist Dan Brown, and I would be surprised if he has not read or used Talisman to gather information for much of his writings.

[Bettie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Took me a while as it was too interesting just to skim. Well worth the time spent.

The planning and laying out of the city of Paris and how the ideas spread to US via Brotherhoods

[Carol · Rating 1 out of 5]

I actually gave up on this book.
My main thought while reading was was "So what?"
I just couldn't haul together enough interest to bother finishing it, so I have put it aside and may (or may not) come back to it another time.

[Scott DeVogelaere · Rating 5 out of 5]

If you want to learn the basic tenets of gnosticism and how it pervades in and out of history, 'Talisman' makes for an intriguing read. Although Hancock can be considered controversial at times for his historical sleuthing, I have yet to really see anyone debunk the research that he has done. Much of the information in this book ties together ideas and people that I have always thought had something to do with each other, but never could put my finger on. The connections between old-school gnosticism, Catharism, Rosicrucians, alchemists and secret societies is something out of Indiana Jones, but I am convinced that there is something more here other than conspiracy theory. Hancock has written a well-researched book that satisfies the fan of hidden history. Many stuffy historians will not like the subject matter of a book like this, but you need to keep an open mind when studying history. There is much in the world that remains hidden, as we have seen during the past week of me writing this review (Julia Child was outed as an ex-spy for the CIA!).

[Julie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Overall I really liked this book. There is so much information contains in it, that it takes a while to really *read* it and understand the sequence of events and epochs covered.

I would recommend this to anyone interested in the history of the Roman Catholic Church's persecution of other religions that disagreed with its dogma (Gnostic, Christian as well as Pagan).

Folks interested in secret societies (Templars, Freemasons, etc...) as well as those interested in the the reasons some cities/monuments were planned and plotted the way they have been will find this book enjoyable.

[Helén Szőke · Rating 3 out of 5]

Such a large convoluted subject covering so many different traditions cannot easily be covered in-depth and as such it is a well researched but superficial skimming of religious dogma.The sheer amount of research done for this must have been over-whelming at times. That said, it's a great tome for allowing the reader to discover, question and awaken a thirst to delve further into secret societies and such. I really enjoyed it but it could be a hard haul at times and in the end it didn't tell me enough .

[Allan · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book is a kind of unified field theory focussed on secret and heretical societies throughout history. I'm impressed by the authors meticulous documentation which tends to curb some of the excessive claims promulgated by many of their colleagues. But in the end ,for me, it all comes down to the ancient Egyptians and the source of their knowledge . Thanks to the burning of the Library of Alexandria by a mob of crazed Christians we'll probably never know the answer to that burning question.

[Jaime · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book is very slow moving in the first 25% because it spends much time on the early days of Christianity and Gnosticism. It picks up when it covers hereticism and deviations of the Christian faith. The middle part picks up speed and adds to the mystery. The latter part of the book is more comspiracy but the endng is only good. It leaves many questions but is thought-provoking.

[Grover · Rating 4 out of 5]

Exhaustive research and very intriguing but superficial when it comes to mystic elements and symbolism therein. A touch-point for deeper research on the sacred feminine and Sirius' significance in ancient and modern esoteric practices.

[Alexander Kennedy · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book will open up your mind to a lot of so called "heretical" forms of Christianity. It will show you how diverse Christianity really was. The book also touches on topics such as Freemasonry, the Hermetica, and the city of the sun

[Almir Olovcic · Rating 5 out of 5]

Although I did not know that this is going to be a book about free masonry history and ideas, and since I am not really interested in that topic, I have to admit that I was impressed by the amount of information and details that writers put into making this book.

[John Holcomb · Rating 5 out of 5]

hings are not what they seem to be.

[Anna · Rating 4 out of 5]

Fantastic. One wants to know more about the ancient secret socities and thier affect to today.

[Aleksandra · Rating 2 out of 5]

boring, unfinished

[Pat Allen · Rating 2 out of 5]

very long, very scientifically written. Not a gripper but if you can get through it, it's very interesting.

[Jonathan Hockey · Rating 3 out of 5]

A lot of interesting information in this one, but not always very well coordinated into a coherent perspective.

[Chris Craddock]

Graham Hancock is a favorite author of mine who writes about esoteric subjects but documents his research with footnotes and references. He admits to being inspired by Indiana Jones movies -- but even if he puts out a lot of far-fetched theories and wild-eyed speculations, he backs it up with evidence, leaves things he can't prove up to the reader to decide, and this book is no exception.

Talisman is basically about the Freemasons, and how they influenced the French and American Revolutions, and how they influenced the architecture of Paris, London, and Washington D.C. And all the many digressions that lead away and back to this premise. But, as Holden Caulfield observed: "Sometimes the digressions are the best part."