A gripping account of one man's quest to find the oldest Bible in the world and solve the riddle of the brilliant; doomed antiquities dealer accused of forging it. In the summer of 1883; Moses Wilhelm Shapira--archaeological treasure hunter; inveterate social climber; and denizen of Jerusalem's bustling marketplace--arrived unannounced in London claiming to have discovered the world's oldest Bible scroll. Written centuries earlier in the barren plains east of the Dead Sea and stashed away in caves; the mysterious scrolls called into question the divine authorship of the scriptures; taking three thousand years of religious faith and turning them upside down. When news of the discovery leaked to the excited English press; Shapira became a household name. But before the British Museum could acquire them; Shapira's nemesis; French archaeologist Charles Clermont-Ganneau; denounced his find as a fraud. Humiliated; Shapira fled the country. Six months later he was dead. With the discovery of the eerily similar Dead Sea Scrolls in 1947; investigators reopened the case; wondering whether the ill-fated merchant had; in fact; discovered the first Dead Sea Scroll; decades before the rest. But by then Shapira's scrolls had vanished. Tigay; award-winning journalist and son of a renowned Bible scholar; set out to find the scrolls and determine Shapira's guilt or innocence for himself. The globetrotting hunt that follows vibrates with the suspense of a classic detective tale. Weaving meticulous research into fast-paced storytelling; Tigay spins a remarkable tale of history and theology; intrigue and scandal; greed; ambition; and the struggle for authenticity. With a brilliant eye for detail; Tigay takes us from restricted storerooms at the Louvre to musty English attics to a flooded Jordanian gorge--and to the German countryside where he meets Shapira's aggrieved descendants. At once historical drama and modern-day mystery; The Lost Book of Moses brings to life 19th century London and Jerusalem and a cast of rogues; reverends; and relic hunters at whose center sits Moses Wilhelm Shapira; a flamboyant; ingenious; and ultimately tragic personality.
#268036 in Books Hoffman Carl 2015-03-10 2015-03-10Original language:EnglishPDF # 1 8.00 x .76 x 5.31l; .0 #File Name: 0062116169336 pagesSavage Harvest A Tale of Cannibals Colonialism and Michael Rockefeller s Tragic Quest
Review
1 of 1 people found the following review helpful. Incredible and convincingBy The Painting LadyThis is a well written; interesting and convincing investigation into a famous and mysterious death. I had never read about New Guinea and the reasons that some people practiced cannibalism. It is fascinating that it is such a spiritual practice. I'm so glad that I read this book and now will probably read more on the subject. I also feel sadness and sympathy for so many native people who have had their way of life ripped away from them by "civilized" (usually white Europeans) that think the only correct way to live is their way.1 of 1 people found the following review helpful. First person account; history and discoveryBy cmcbrooksI loved this book; it was like participating in author's journey of discovery; then reviewing the events leading up to Michael Rockefeller's disappearance. He does an amazing job of taking you to the Asmat villages; their daily experiences; their daily lives; their need for balance in the world; and their long memories.By the end of the book the author seems to write it off as the triumph of the Western world; but I don't think so. I am unsettled having finished the book; that balance has not yet been restored. I see Michael Rockefeller's killing as a revenge killing; but it wasn't enough to restore balance fir the 4 military leaders killed by Lapre back in 1958. So - I think their unsettled spirit will live on.I was fascinated by the Dutch colonial power; how Christanity entered in; all of this was new territory for me and quite interesting.3 of 3 people found the following review helpful. going to great lengths to get the story here and "solve" this ...By Bill SmithFor fans of extreme travel narrative and anthropological true crime. Hoffman is an engaging writer and an intrepid traveler; going to great lengths to get the story here and "solve" this historical whodunit. In interspersing his own travels to these remote island civilizations with the real life journey of Michael Rockefeller; he builds suspense throughout the book. His manner of viscerally presenting cultural insights and the clash of civilizations here bring the reader face to face with the taboo topic of cannibalism - yet he does so with nuance and historical clarity making the practice (almost) understandable. That may be the most chilling achievement of this excellent book.
