Written in 1910, The Apocalypse Unsealed attempts to prove that the so-called "Revelation" of John (which in the original Greek was really named "The Apocalypse: The Initiation of John") is in reality a gnostic work that shows an individual's path to enlightenment and peace. Pryse shows how all of the symbols and mysterious figures in The Apocalypse (666, the Dragon, etc) are really (not so) hidden puzzles and clues, that once discovered and solved will enable the reader to use the book as a helpful guide in conquering the material world.

But if this is just a helpful guide, why is it so occultic? Pryse claims that John knew the church would one day get rid of it's esoteric foundation and become more exoteric - the 1958 discovery of portions of a so-called "Secret Gospel" of Mark, which was possibly kept hidden by the Church alone prove this, not to mention the Church's total subjugation of the gnostic sects. So John wrote his book in a code that could be understood by those with the gnosis, the knowledge, and he even made sure that it wouldn't be butchered by future editors by inserting a warning that the text should be left alone, in order to avoid God's wrath.

Some of the things Pryse uncovered are very interesting, such as his claim that 666 is nothing but the numerical transliteration of "he phren," ancient Greek for "the lower mind." The Lamb, 888, is Iesous (Jesus - be prepared for Pryse's usage of the original Greek names for all New Testament figures), the higher mind, whereas 1,000 is "ho nikon," Greek for "the conquerer." There are other numbers besides, such as 777: "stauros" - the Cross, and Pryse shows that there is a numerical chart hidden in the Apocalypse, showing in numbers the progress of a man's journey, from the lowest reaches of his carnal desires (333, "akrasia" - sensuality) to his total mastery over them, and return to his true spiritual self - "ho nikon," the conquerer. This number chart is one of the more interesting aspects of the book; ancient Greeks and Hebrews used letters for numbers, and so by figuring out the word equivalents to the numbers in the Apocalypse, and vice versa, Pryse was able to crack one of the book's many codes.

As I said, this was written in the early 1900s, and it shows. Pryse is about as prudish as an old maid. This book can be read as a code of its own, one which totally sneers at sex. For Pryse, sex is contemptible and profane; he very much has the celibate attitude of an old-school mystic. He also has that old-school mystic disregard for women. In ancient times, women were considered to be the source of all ills, for tempting men away from the pursuit of spirituality. Pryse is an adherent to this pattern of thought. For a better, more modern view of Pryse's thoughts, one which refutes his no-sex, anti-women beliefs, I would recommend Michael Wassil's "Dance of Ecstacy," which is available for free on-line. All you have to do is search for it.

I'm giving this book 5 stars because of the work and scholarship Pryse put into it. If you compare this to the paranoid works of Hal Lindsey or all those other people who put out their "end is near" books in 1999, Pryse's makes a lot more sense. However, I don't agree with all of the things he considers certainties - such as that John was really Jesus, and that Jesus wasn't a person at all, instead just a symbolic reference to the higher mind that lurks within all humans. Pryse also translates the Apocalypse to fit his needs, such as referring to the Seven-Headed Beast that rises out of the waters as a "constellatory Beast," so he can prove that in reality John is referring to a constellation of stars.

I could go on about this book...there are so many ideas and information in it that it's hard to grasp until you've read it at least a few times. It's also hard to explain what Pryse has written, unless you're talking to someone who's read the book. Also, I don't particularly like Kessinger's version of this; they're just selling a cheap-looking photocopy of the original manuscript. You might be better off finding a used copy of the original edition, or the 1972 trade paperback re-release, which will look a little better on your bookshelf.

I have a copy of the 1918 first printing of this book which I read for the first time when I was eleven years old. The story follows a young boy on his own in the Yukon territory of Canada and how he becomes a member of the Royal Canadian Mounted Police. His adventures are gripping, educational and inspiring. Not politically correct by today's standards especially regarding Native Americans. But, as a young boy becoming a young man 20 years ago, this was the book that launched me into the world of reading. I continue to search for the 5 other titles in the Connie Morgan series

This thin book (175 pages) provides the newcomer or graduate student with an illustrated introduction to geometric measure theory: the basic ideas, terminology, and results. The author has included a few fundamental arguments and a superficial discussion of the regularity theory, but his goal is merely to introduce the subject and make the standard text, "Geometric Measure Theory" by Federer, more accesible. This second edition includes updated material and references, corrections, and a new chapter on soap bubble clusters.

Its contents are: Measures, Lipschitz functions and rectifiable sets, normal and rectifiable currents, the completeness theorem, area-minimizing surfaces, the approximation theorem, regualrity results, monotonicity and oriented tanget cones, flat chains, varifolds, minimal sets, soap bubble clusters.

Includes excercises, plenty of illustrations, and extensive references.

Highly useful for advanced undergraduate and graduate students in analysis and geometry. The "next step" for fractal geometers.

If you want to buy it maybe it should be better to wait for the third edition to appear by June 2000.

Please check my other reviews (just click on my name above).

This deluxe volume covers each of the courses on the PGA Tour and has several full color pictures of key holes on each course covered. Since some PGA tour events are replaced by new ones, the book may become slightly dated but, nonetheless, it is a great spectator's guide for those who watch the tour each week on TV or who occasionally attend tour events in person. The volume also includes a great map of each course covered. This is useful because it puts the course in perspective, For example, I have seen the famous 13th hole at Augusta National on TV many times but never appreciated how sharp a dogleg it is until seeing the map. Also, the map shows the direction each hole runs in relation to other holes. For example one hole may go out and the next hole come back in the opposite direction. The maps give you this perspective. Another great feature of the book is a short piece written by a golfer who has won the tournament played on that course. I highly recommend this wonderful book.

James Madison on the Constitution and the Bill of Rights by Robert J. Morgan is as the author says a work where, "Madison provided us with an unmistakable key to understanding his thought and actions as a constitutional reformer, when he said that the rights of man are the foundation of just governments, but manknd had deduced only defective superstructures of government as of 1776."

The book is divided into two parts, as such each has chapters grouped according to relevance. Part one labeled Power, with chapters of: To Improve and Perpetuate the Union, A Proper Energy in the Executive, The True Principles of Republican Government, and Supporting and Restraining the Executive.

Part two labeled Rights with chapters of: Political Liberty, A Few Obvious Truths, The Very Essence of Free and Responsible Government, and The Framer's Muse.

James Madison was kind of unique in that he believed in a republican form of government like Thomas Jefferson, but he also became a constitution reformer because he wanted to expand the federal powers, but only, to preserve this republican government as to keep this form of government strong enough to fulfill America's unique destiny. Madison had a very keen grasp, an insight if you will, of the enormous difficulties entailed in creating the office of president and maintaining it over time. This, I believe, was one of the downfalls Madison had with his own Presidency. Madison struggled as President. He believed and would later say, "would any single person be endowed with such singular talents and superior devotion to the common good as to be chosen to excerise power without challenge by his peers."

Madison as with Jefferson were both well read, especially with the European thinkers, Hume, Adam Smith, Edmund Burke and Immanuel Kant. With Thomas Paine of Virginia espousing his anti-constitutional views, holding a lot of political backing, Madison at first didn't want the Bill of Rights. But, Madison was a man of reflection, and in order to get a greater backing for the Constitution of the United States, the Bill of Rights was adopted.

This book gives the reader insight into the thinking of Madison, his motives and meanings, and gives us that Madison's political thought as clear and gives us a simple interpretation that Madison speculated very little. The book is well documented and written with an easy readable style and explains Madison.

John Adams and James Madison both believed in the misfortune of history... how would they be remembered... by deeds and the handling of great events.

There are many books around now, that talk about the kind of environmental problems that could wipe out humanity; comets, viruses, you name it, we could succumb to it! Very few books though, focus on our role in the risks that threaten us; the complicated, contradictory thing that is human nature and the unpredictable effects it has when you aggregate it up to 6.5 billion humans all living, deciding, acting and reacting on one planet. This book made me think again about how many of my decisions had unanticipated effects and about the way we could all make the decision to improve our chances of not being the last generation. There is some hope - according to James Morgan - his suggestion that eight "big hitter" nations could work together to protect the environment and our dependence on the environment, is an intriguing one. I was impressed by the suggestion and wonder what it would take for such an E8 to happen.

Despite the math phobia that afflicts so much of the population, it is limited in extent. All but the most committed hater of mathematics understands how valuable it is and respects those who can use math. This book is a catalog of questions submitted to a call-in show, which is certainly one of the most unusual ways to solicit mathematics problems. The world seems to be overpopulated with call-in shows, some of which get downright weird. To many people, discussing personal problems over the airwaves is the preferred way to deal with them. This is clearly a case of a call-in show that adds something to society rather than airing some of the ills that afflict it.
The problems presented in the book are fascinating, in that they start with simple ideas concerning how the world works. My two favorites are "Do Airplanes Get Lighter as Passengers Eat Lunch?" and "Can a Computer Have Free Will?" These are the type of problems that kindle the interest of lay people. Interesting, sometimes profound questions where the answers require a bit of deep thought. Some of the best brain teaser problems with simple solutions that you will ever find are in this collection. I have used a few of them as test problems to try the patience of my students.
It is gratifying to see such an endeavor succeed. Mathematics has so much to offer our society, but like artisans throughout history it is truly the society in general that supports the practitioners. Programs like this convince us all that, despite the occasional spouting of math phobia, our society does indeed respect mathematics as a pillar of human achievement.

Hey everyone!! I LOVED this book. It's about a unicorn named Misty Morgan and a Princess slave. This is one of the MANY Serendipity books. All of the serendipity books are filled with amazing creatures and also morals for little kids. Trust me, this book is Sooooooooooooooooo worth it! And the illustrator, amazing! TRULY AMAZING!

Perfect for children who tend to throw temper tantrums, as a young girl throws a fit when a unicorn beats her at her own game. The illustrations are unavoidably beautiful, and the association with the unicorn may help children become more receptive to the message. I also recommend Morgan and Yew, Morgan Morning, Misty Morgan, Morgan and Me, and The Gigglesnitcher.

This was the first Serendipity book I was introduced to, and I love it! It is a deeply emotional story of a young colt who disobeys his mother and must live with the consequences. This is the beginning of the Morgan saga (Morgan is a unicorn who also appears in Morgan and Me, Morgan and Yew, Morgan Mine, and The Gigglesnitcher), and anyone who enjoys horses and unicorns will love this charming tale.