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The godfather of the bestselling genre of historical quests that seek for the 'truth' behind ancient myths and faiths. The Independent
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The 2000-year-old mystery solved
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Most Helpful Customer Reviews
6 of 7 people found the following review helpful
This further book By Ian Wilson on the Shroud of Turin is essential reading for all who have an interest in this great icon of Christ imprinted on a piece of linen now residing in Turin and which has been seen by millions, including myself.
Wilson gives a very full and detailed historical survey, which is more, detailed than any other I have read. His method of presenting his facts draws one into the details of Shroud history beginning from the time of Christ. Some of the early history is speculative but good reasons are always given for any surmises he makes- he is an historical detective and an interesting one at that.
In addition to the history Wilson also gives and excellent description of the Shroud and art: in particular he shows that the face on the Shroud has in some was been the precursor of all painted portraits of Christ
My recommendation to the would be reader is purchase this book without delay
Wilson gives a very full and detailed historical survey, which is more, detailed than any other I have read. His method of presenting his facts draws one into the details of Shroud history beginning from the time of Christ. Some of the early history is speculative but good reasons are always given for any surmises he makes- he is an historical detective and an interesting one at that.
In addition to the history Wilson also gives and excellent description of the Shroud and art: in particular he shows that the face on the Shroud has in some was been the precursor of all painted portraits of Christ
My recommendation to the would be reader is purchase this book without delay
11 of 14 people found the following review helpful
I admit to a long-standing interest in the Turin Shroud, as it featured in a book of 'Great Mysteries' that was a favourite of mine as a child. When news of the carbon dating of the Shroud came out in 1988 I was, despite being quite staunchly atheistic, rather sad to hear that it was a forgery from the Middle Ages. It was a little like that moment when one finds out that Santa doesn't exist - a little bit of magic seemed to have gone from the world. But as this book testifies the 1988 test wasn't the end of the story, and twenty-two years on the Shroud remains an enigma.
Ian Wilson has become something of a Turin Shroud specialist over the years and this book contains quite a bit of information and extracts from earlier works. This is no bad thing, as it's a complicated topic. His position is undoubtedly pro-authenticity, but I don't think that should be a problem for those with an open mind. He simply states the facts as they are known, speculates on some plausible possibilities and occasionally suggests answers. All historians do this. They also provide evidence of meticulous research, and the notes section here is very thorough indeed. There aren't any headline-grabbing sensationalist theories or revelations, but Wilson's quietly scholarly style makes for an absorbing read. The bulk of the book is concerned with the history of the Shroud, which Wilson suggests is one and the same as the 'lost' Orthodox 'Image of Edessa'. One can dismiss this identification, but even if one does we're still left with a fascinating look at the religion, politics and intrigue of two thousand years.
What even the biggest skeptic should come away with after reading this is that if the Turin Shroud is a medieval forgery, it's a work of unparalleled genius and totally undeserving of the dismissive scorn with which it is greeted in some circles. No-one has yet managed to replicate the subtlety of the image or the bloodstains - and Wilson provides photographs of the various efforts so far attempted so we can judge this for ourselves. The most successful 'replica' is a kind of primitive photograph. So the incredible evidence so far discovered suggests that if the Shroud is not genuine it must be the only surviving evidence that photography existed 400 years before the traditional date of its invention. Pretty mind-blowing, either way.
What is most refreshing about Wilson's work, especially compared to the whackier theories on both sides, is that he appears happy to meet problems head on. For example, whilst it is important for his case that he throws doubt on the 1988 carbon dating tests that seemed to establish that the Shroud is a medieval forgery he does not subscribe to the rather overly-convenient theory that the sample tested came from a medieval repair. Instead he makes a more subtle case for the contamination of the sample through the years in which the Shroud was indubitably over-handled. Similarly, Wilson examines in some detail the so called 'D'Arcis Memorandum', a 14th Century document written by a bishop who claims that his predecessor Henri de Poitiers had investigated and found the Shroud to be 'cunningly painted', which is again often used as damning evidence against its authenticity.
Highly recommended to those with an open mind.
Ian Wilson has become something of a Turin Shroud specialist over the years and this book contains quite a bit of information and extracts from earlier works. This is no bad thing, as it's a complicated topic. His position is undoubtedly pro-authenticity, but I don't think that should be a problem for those with an open mind. He simply states the facts as they are known, speculates on some plausible possibilities and occasionally suggests answers. All historians do this. They also provide evidence of meticulous research, and the notes section here is very thorough indeed. There aren't any headline-grabbing sensationalist theories or revelations, but Wilson's quietly scholarly style makes for an absorbing read. The bulk of the book is concerned with the history of the Shroud, which Wilson suggests is one and the same as the 'lost' Orthodox 'Image of Edessa'. One can dismiss this identification, but even if one does we're still left with a fascinating look at the religion, politics and intrigue of two thousand years.
What even the biggest skeptic should come away with after reading this is that if the Turin Shroud is a medieval forgery, it's a work of unparalleled genius and totally undeserving of the dismissive scorn with which it is greeted in some circles. No-one has yet managed to replicate the subtlety of the image or the bloodstains - and Wilson provides photographs of the various efforts so far attempted so we can judge this for ourselves. The most successful 'replica' is a kind of primitive photograph. So the incredible evidence so far discovered suggests that if the Shroud is not genuine it must be the only surviving evidence that photography existed 400 years before the traditional date of its invention. Pretty mind-blowing, either way.
What is most refreshing about Wilson's work, especially compared to the whackier theories on both sides, is that he appears happy to meet problems head on. For example, whilst it is important for his case that he throws doubt on the 1988 carbon dating tests that seemed to establish that the Shroud is a medieval forgery he does not subscribe to the rather overly-convenient theory that the sample tested came from a medieval repair. Instead he makes a more subtle case for the contamination of the sample through the years in which the Shroud was indubitably over-handled. Similarly, Wilson examines in some detail the so called 'D'Arcis Memorandum', a 14th Century document written by a bishop who claims that his predecessor Henri de Poitiers had investigated and found the Shroud to be 'cunningly painted', which is again often used as damning evidence against its authenticity.
Highly recommended to those with an open mind.
6 of 8 people found the following review helpful
This is the third book I have read on the subject of the Turin Shroud by Ian Wilson and while there is no doubt that excellent research has been done, I felt too many times that I was just reading the same thing over and over again. There are many things to admire about 'The Shroud' but in all honesty I was a little disappointed with it when I had finished.
As with his other books, the main arguments put forward by Ian Wilson are that the Shroud and the Image of Edessa are one and the same. He goes to great lengths to convince the reader of this fact and he presents his arguments in a very persuasive way. The trouble is that he has covered this ground several times before and I was hoping for many new arguments to come to the fore. In fact I actually became bored reading about this again which is a shame but it did feel like a rehash of his earlier books. There are some new theories put forward, indeed new discoveries have been made, but for the first time I thought that Wilson seemed a bit desperate in his writing.
The Shroud is an astonishing item and to this day there is no concrete proof as to how it was created even if it is a fake from around 1350. As mentioned earlier, the author has done a fantastic amount of research and he convinced me that the shroud at least dates back to 1130 when it was mentioned for the first time as being a full body imprint. As much as he argues though, it is incredibly difficult to prove that the Image of Edessa is one and the same and I personally remain unconvinced despite his best efforts. One other argument that he consistantly puts forward as proof of the Shroud's authenticity is the number of portraits of Christ that appeared around the fifth and sixth century as looking very similar to the face on the Shroud. He hints very strongly that this proves that the Shroud was around then when in all honesty this could also mean that the Shroud itself may have been copied from one of these portraits.
I actually feel a little guilty as it may seem that I am having a go at the author and that isn't my intention at all. I admire him for his investigative reserch and his books having got me interested in the subject. I just feel though that this latest offering doesn't add enough for anyone that has read his previous books. In all honesty, if this is to be the first book you are going to read about this incredible religious 'miracle' then I recommend it without question. If like me you have read his other works, then you might just as well give it a miss.
As with his other books, the main arguments put forward by Ian Wilson are that the Shroud and the Image of Edessa are one and the same. He goes to great lengths to convince the reader of this fact and he presents his arguments in a very persuasive way. The trouble is that he has covered this ground several times before and I was hoping for many new arguments to come to the fore. In fact I actually became bored reading about this again which is a shame but it did feel like a rehash of his earlier books. There are some new theories put forward, indeed new discoveries have been made, but for the first time I thought that Wilson seemed a bit desperate in his writing.
The Shroud is an astonishing item and to this day there is no concrete proof as to how it was created even if it is a fake from around 1350. As mentioned earlier, the author has done a fantastic amount of research and he convinced me that the shroud at least dates back to 1130 when it was mentioned for the first time as being a full body imprint. As much as he argues though, it is incredibly difficult to prove that the Image of Edessa is one and the same and I personally remain unconvinced despite his best efforts. One other argument that he consistantly puts forward as proof of the Shroud's authenticity is the number of portraits of Christ that appeared around the fifth and sixth century as looking very similar to the face on the Shroud. He hints very strongly that this proves that the Shroud was around then when in all honesty this could also mean that the Shroud itself may have been copied from one of these portraits.
I actually feel a little guilty as it may seem that I am having a go at the author and that isn't my intention at all. I admire him for his investigative reserch and his books having got me interested in the subject. I just feel though that this latest offering doesn't add enough for anyone that has read his previous books. In all honesty, if this is to be the first book you are going to read about this incredible religious 'miracle' then I recommend it without question. If like me you have read his other works, then you might just as well give it a miss.
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