History's Greatest Mysteries delves into the grey areas to examine the imponderable and sometimes unlikely stories of actual events and real people. From the gruesome murders committed by Jack the Ripper to the whereabouts of Lord Lucan, and from the loss of an entire continent to the case of a missing racehorse, we take a canter through history in an effort to shed a little light on to questions which, in all honesty, are never going to yield definitive answers. Some of the stories related in the following pages are deadly serious, some rather less so. There are cases of determined individuals who have struggled against the odds in an attempt to unravel the truth, while in others people have not let the facts get in the way and have made up any old nonsense by way of an explanation.
*Includes pictures. *Explains the history of the Shroud. *Includes the arguments made for and against the Shroud's authenticity. *Includes a bibliography for further reading. For centuries, professional historians have labored through the painstaking task of documenting history as accurately as possible, but even with modern technology, archaeology, and records, some questions have eluded attempts to answer them. From the origins of Atlantis to the Lost Colony of Roanoke, the mysteries behind some of history's most famous people and events have fascinated countless generations. In Charles River Editors' History's Greatest Mysteries series, readers can discover the known, the unknown, and the possible answers to history's most enduring questions in the time it takes to finish a commute, while learning interesting facts long forgotten or never known. Critics call it one of the greatest pieces of fraud in religious history. Believers call it one of the most important artifacts in Christianity. Everyone agrees that it's mysterious, interesting and controversial. The Shroud of Turin has been a controversial relic from the time it was first publicly displayed in northern France in the 14th century until the much-awaited Carbon 14 tests were performed on the cloth in 1988. One group consisting of religious believers and agnostic scientists has argued vehemently that this Shroud represents the actual burial cloth of Jesus of Nazareth, while another group of religious believers and critical scientists and scholars has argued that the Shroud of Turin is a medieval forgery created by an artist for Geoffrey de Charny or one of his ancestors in 14th century France. Indeed, the position one takes on the Shroud seems to cut across the usual divisions of creedal affirmation or general education level; some church leaders have decried it as a forgery, while a few have marveled at its authentic character. In some cases, the data that each side presents is different. For example, different experts have analyzed the cloth with the same scientific question and come up with a different result. In most cases, however, the data itself is identical, with the only difference being the interpretation given to the data. Writer John Walsh may have put it best when he stated, "The Shroud of Turin is either the most awesome and instructive relic of Jesus Christ in existence...or it is one of the most ingenious, most unbelievably clever products of the human mind and hand on record. It is one or the other; there is no middle ground." (Walsh, 1963, 8) As Walsh's comment notes, perhaps the most amazing thing about the Shroud is that while the radioactive carbon dating on the cloth suggests it dates back to medieval times, there's no consensus on just how the image got onto the cloth. Even back in the late 14th century, religious authorities considered it a fraud, yet modern science hasn't been able to explain how the artist responsible for the image rendered it. To this day, the Catholic Church has taken no definitive stance on its authenticity, with Pope Francis stopping short of that by stating "the Man of the Shroud invites us to contemplate Jesus of Nazareth." Given the arguments regarding the Shroud of Turin, and the questions that remain unanswered, it's only fair for a work on the Shroud to present the varied and contradictory evidence within the narrative of each respective side. History's Greatest Mysteries: The Shroud of Turin provides a brief physical description of the Shroud and then looks at the arguments that assert the Shroud is authentic, as well as the arguments that it is a brilliant medieval forgery.
Is the world-famous Shroud of Turin an authentic relic of the Passion and death of Jesus Christ or is it the product of one of the most cunning hoaxes ever perpetrated? In 1978, scientists established that the relic's image was not created by paint, and, in 1988, the relic's fabric was radiocarbon-dated to late-medieval times, a conclusion which was subsequently determined to be unreliable. In this book, Jack Markwardt, an internationally-renowned Turin Shroud historian, discloses and discusses the relic's entire hidden history, from the time of its discovery in Jesus' tomb to the time of its first exhibition in Western Europe, detailing why and how its history became obscured and negating the dubious 1988 radiocarbon-dating results.
Christianity was born nearly two thousand years ago in ancient Palestine. It has shaped the course of human history. Yet historians still cannot say how it really began. How did a first-century Jew called Jesus manage to spark a new religion? It is one of the biggest and most profound of all historical mysteries. This extraordinary book finally provides a convincing answer. Traditionally, the birth of Christianity has been explained via the miracle of the Resurrection. After Jesus died he was raised from the dead by God and appeared to his disciples, telling them to spread the gospel. Once they saw the Risen Jesus, nothing could shake their belief. Within a few generations Christianity had spread throughout the Middle East and Europe; within a few centuries it had taken over much of the world. But historians have been unable to account for Christianity’s remarkable success without the Resurrection to spark it. If no one really saw the Risen Jesus, how were his followers convinced that he was their immortal Messiah? Art historian Thomas de Wesselow has spent the last seven years deducing the answer to this puzzle, and in doing so he has pieced together an entirely new picture of the birth of Christianity. Reassessing a familiar but misunderstood historical source and reinterpreting many biblical passages, de Wesselow shows that the solution has been staring us in the face for more than a century. The Shroud of Turin, widely thought to be a fake, is in fact authentic. And it holds the key to the greatest mystery in human history.
*Includes pictures. *Explains the history of the Shroud. *Includes the arguments made for and against the Shroud's authenticity. *Includes a bibliography for further reading. For centuries, professional historians have labored through the painstaking task of documenting history as accurately as possible, but even with modern technology, archaeology, and records, some questions have eluded attempts to answer them. From the origins of Atlantis to the Lost Colony of Roanoke, the mysteries behind some of history's most famous people and events have fascinated countless generations. In Charles River Editors' History's Greatest Mysteries series, readers can discover the known, the unknown, and the possible answers to history's most enduring questions in the time it takes to finish a commute, while learning interesting facts long forgotten or never known. Critics call it one of the greatest pieces of fraud in religious history. Believers call it one of the most important artifacts in Christianity. Everyone agrees that it's mysterious, interesting and controversial. The Shroud of Turin has been a controversial relic from the time it was first publicly displayed in northern France in the 14th century until the much-awaited Carbon 14 tests were performed on the cloth in 1988. One group consisting of religious believers and agnostic scientists has argued vehemently that this Shroud represents the actual burial cloth of Jesus of Nazareth, while another group of religious believers and critical scientists and scholars has argued that the Shroud of Turin is a medieval forgery created by an artist for Geoffrey de Charny or one of his ancestors in 14th century France. Indeed, the position one takes on the Shroud seems to cut across the usual divisions of creedal affirmation or general education level; some church leaders have decried it as a forgery, while a few have marveled at its authentic character. In some cases, the data that each side presents is different. For example, different experts have analyzed the cloth with the same scientific question and come up with a different result. In most cases, however, the data itself is identical, with the only difference being the interpretation given to the data. Writer John Walsh may have put it best when he stated, "The Shroud of Turin is either the most awesome and instructive relic of Jesus Christ in existence...or it is one of the most ingenious, most unbelievably clever products of the human mind and hand on record. It is one or the other; there is no middle ground." (Walsh, 1963, 8) As Walsh's comment notes, perhaps the most amazing thing about the Shroud is that while the radioactive carbon dating on the cloth suggests it dates back to medieval times, there's no consensus on just how the image got onto the cloth. Even back in the late 14th century, religious authorities considered it a fraud, yet modern science hasn't been able to explain how the artist responsible for the image rendered it. To this day, the Catholic Church has taken no definitive stance on its authenticity, with Pope Francis stopping short of that by stating "the Man of the Shroud invites us to contemplate Jesus of Nazareth." Given the arguments regarding the Shroud of Turin, and the questions that remain unanswered, it's only fair for a work on the Shroud to present the varied and contradictory evidence within the narrative of each respective side. History's Greatest Mysteries: The Shroud of Turin provides a brief physical description of the Shroud and then looks at the arguments that assert the Shroud is authentic, as well as the arguments that it is a brilliant medieval forgery.
Unravel the Puzzles of the Ages Step into the captivating world of unsolved mysteries and historical enigmas with "Unsolved Mysteries Book 100 Short Stories of History’s Greatest Unsolved Mysteries.” This compelling anthology invites you on an exhilarating exploration through the most perplexing and enduring enigmas that have intrigued and puzzled humanity for generations. Within these pages, you will delve deep into the heart of these unsolved mysteries, each one a tantalizing puzzle waiting to be unraveled. From the shadowy recesses of ancient civilizations to the modern-day conundrums that continue to baffle experts, this collection offers a thought-provoking and immersive experience. Real Historical Events, Meticulous Research The tales presented here are grounded in real historical events and have been meticulously researched to provide an accurate representation of the mysteries discussed. However, to protect the privacy and identities of individuals involved, certain details and names have been altered or fictionalized. Unearthing the Secrets of the Past In the depths of history lie countless mysteries, each one a tantalizing enigma waiting to be unraveled. From the towering stones of Stonehenge to enigmatic manuscripts like the Voynich Manuscript, these unsolved puzzles have captivated the human imagination for centuries. Twists and Turns That Defy Explanation Join the quest to solve the unexplainable as you venture into the heart of mysteries that continue to baffle experts and enthusiasts alike. From vanished civilizations to unsolved murders, from cryptic manuscripts to paranormal phenomena, these stories will keep you on the edge of your seat. Unveil the Unsolved As you turn each page, you'll journey through time and across continents, immersing yourself in the world's most confounding enigmas. Was Shakespeare who we think he was? What happened to the lost colony of Roanoke? Who was the real Jack the Ripper? With each tale, you'll be drawn deeper into the mystique of history's greatest unsolved mysteries. Are you ready to dive into the unknown? Prepare to embark on a journey like no other. "Unsolved Mysteries Book 100 Short Stories of History's Greatest Unsolved Mysteries" is your ticket to a world of intrigue, where the answers remain elusive, and the mysteries endure. Dare to uncover the truth if you can. Unearth the secrets. Explore the Enigmas. Discover the unexplained.
In this captivating collection of stories, you are taken on a journey through the shadowy corridors of history's most perplexing mysteries. "The World’s Greatest Unsolved Mysteries" travels the earth and spans the decades, exploring cases that have puzzled experts and mystery enthusiasts alike. Delve into the curious case of the Circleville Letters, where an entire town was gripped by fear of an unseen menace, ponder over what really happened at Area 51, and read about the haunting disappearance of the Yuba County Five, a case that defies all logical explanation. Each story is meticulously crafted, inviting readers to ponder the endless possibilities that lie just beyond the edge of the known world. Prepare to be enthralled by these tales of mystery, where history, science, and legend intertwine, creating a tapestry of the unexplained. "The World’s Greatest Unsolved Mysteries" calls you to lose yourself in a world where the line between the known and the unknown blurs, and draws you into mysteries that have captivated minds and sparked debates for decades. The fascinating stories in this book include: The Disappearance of Amelia Earhart Jack the Ripper The Voynich Manuscript The Bermuda Triangle The Dyatlov Pass Incident The Tunguska Event The Disappearance of Flight MH370 Leonardo da Vinci, the Knights Templar, and the Priory of Sion The Nazca Lines The Fate of the Roanoke Colony The Shroud of Turin The Zodiac Killer The Wow! Signal Stonehenge The Lost Colony of Paititi The Rongorongo Writing of Easter Island The Oak Island Enigma Hollywood's Dark Rose The Loch Ness Monster The Lost City of Atlantis The Location of Cleopatra's Tomb The Tale of the Smalls Lighthouse Dark Matter and Dark Energy The Taos Hum D.B. Cooper The Isdal Woman UFO Sightings The Easter Island Statues The Fate of the Roman Ninth Legion The Man in the Iron Mask The Beale Ciphers The Mary Celeste The Pioneer Anomaly The Hessdalen Lights The Placebo Effect Animal Mass Die-Offs The Mothman The Mysterious Death of Marilyn Monroe The Bell Witch The Chupacabra The Tamam Shud Case The Authorship of Shakespeare's Works The Scream Painting Theft The Secret of Rennes-le-Château The Disappearance of the Amber Room The Princes in the Tower The Sea Peoples The Disappearance of the Flannan Isles Lighthouse Keepers
What constitutes historical truth is often subject to change. Joe Nickell demonstrates the techniques used in solving some of the world's most perplexing mysteries, such as the authenticity of Abraham Lincoln's celebrated Bixby letter, the 1913 disappearance of writer and journalist Ambrose Bierce, and the apparent real-life model for a mysterious character in a novel by Nathaniel Hawthorne. Nickell also uses newly uncovered evidence to further investigate the identity of the Nazi war criminal known as ""Ivan the Terrible.""
Two decades after radiocarbon dating declared the Turin Shroud a mediaeval fake, brand-new historical discoveries strongly suggest that this famous cloth, with its extraordinary photographic imprint, is genuinely Christ's shroud after all. In 1978 in his international bestseller The Turin Shroud Ian Wilson ignited worldwide public debate with his compelling case endorsing the shroud's authenticity. Now, 30 years later, he has completely rewritten and updated his earlier book to provide fresh evidence to support his original argument. Shroud boldly challenges the current post-radiocarbon dating view - that it is a fake. By arguing his case brilliantly and provocatively, Ian Wilson once more throws the matter into the public arena for further debate and controversy.
