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The Oracle: Ancient Delphi and the Science Behind Its Lost Secrets

PDF The Oracle: Ancient Delphi and the Science Behind Its Lost Secrets by William J. Broad in History

Description

A firsthand account of Scott's disastrous Antarctic expeditionThe Worst Journey in the World recounts Robert Falcon Scott’s ill-fated expedition to the South Pole. Apsley Cherry-Garrard—the youngest member of Scott’s team and one of three men to make and survive the notorious Winter Journey—draws on his firsthand experiences as well as the diaries of his compatriots to create a stirring and detailed account of Scott’s legendary expedition. Cherry himself would be among the search party that discovered the corpses of Scott and his men; who had long since perished from starvation and brutal cold. It is through Cherry’s insightful narrative and keen descriptions that Scott and the other members of the expedition are fully memorialized.For more than seventy years; Penguin has been the leading publisher of classic literature in the English-speaking world. With more than 1;700 titles; Penguin Classics represents a global bookshelf of the best works throughout history and across genres and disciplines. Readers trust the series to provide authoritative texts enhanced by introductions and notes by distinguished scholars and contemporary authors; as well as up-to-date translations by award-winning translators.


#702691 in Books William J Broad 2007-01-30 2007-01-30Original language:EnglishPDF # 1 8.50 x .80 x 5.50l; .67 #File Name: 0143038591336 pagesThe Oracle Ancient Delphi and the Science behind Its Lost Secrets


Review
0 of 0 people found the following review helpful. Required reading before visiting DelphiBy Michael PoleyThis is an interesting book. The first part covers the history of the Oracle at Delphi; doing a great job of presenting what it is that makes Delphi special. There were many shrines and temples in Ancient Greece where you could ask about the future; but Delphi was only for momentous questions. The second part of the book is an academic adventure story that follows a geologist and an archaeologist that refuted a French study that claimed that there weren't any hallucinogenic gasses ot vapors emitting from the ground at Delphi. In fact; though there were trace amounts of ethelyn (an early drug used for anesthesia) - enough to get the oracle "high" - it was only 1 part of a larger mystical experience that Delphi pilgrims would have participated in.Having been to Delphi this past week; this book did a great job of putting me in the frame of mind to appreciate the archaeological site and to imagine what it might have been like. There's still a lot we don't know. 4th century Christians have done their best to eliminate any trace of our "pagan" pasts. But damn. Delphi is still a deep spiritual place that might be the center of the universe.0 of 0 people found the following review helpful. Excellent!By StormlaughterWhat an interesting book! The science was fascinating and the conclusions were useful. I imagine that the overall slightly skeptical tone may have been editorial but it didn't distract me from thoroughly enjoying it. This one will be a reference book for me.2 of 2 people found the following review helpful. A fascinating blend of science; history; and philosophyBy MICHAEL W DEANI looked for books about the Oracle after watching a History Channel documentary about the scientific search for a fault and evidence of intoxicating gasses beneath the temple of Apollo (I show it to my philosophy students).I expected this book to tell the same story in detail; which it does; but it also provides interesting historical context; and has a well-written chapter that considers relevant epistemological issues (philosophical issues about knowledge; how it is gained; what counts as legitimate knowledge; etc.).I gave it four stars because I wished it were longer; and just provided more of the same kinds of content.

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