Customer Reviews:
 proof of vedic culture October 2, 2006
9 out of 12 found this review helpful
This is an easy to read book, full of interesting information for those interested in spirituality and the history of religions.
It uses examples that are not always scientifically proven, and yes, the claims are so amazing that even if only one tenth of them would be true, it still would mean a radical new view on world history.
But science is not absolute, and so called scientists have been known to cover up the truth. I, for one, am glad to be able to read about some other perspectives on world history.
Some reviewers mentioned that comparing languages on the basis of similarity in writing is not acceptable, and they gave some examples.
I would like to give some counter-examples that I found rather convincing, such as the names of the months - Saptamber, Ashtamber, Navamber, Dashamber in Sanskrit - the analogies between Krishna and Christ, Abraham and Brahma in their contextual meaning, and the fact that the Lithuanian language still contains so much Sanskrit.
The book has a militant undertone and after reading about the Taj Mahal it is easy to understand why. This magnificent Vedic palace - like much of the Vedic culture - has been appropriated by conquerors and up to today is still widely considered the summum of Islam civilisation. Even though there is ample evidence that this is not the case, we are still taught to believe the false stories fabricated by occupiers.
It is time that the world learns the truth about this.
 An impressive book with a militant undertone May 27, 2006
8 out of 12 found this review helpful
This is an easy to read book, full of interesting information for those interested in spirituality and the history of religions.
It is bound to be less popular with the more fanatic adherents, especially of Christianity and Islam.
It uses examples that are not always scientifically proven, and yes, the claims are so amazing that even if only one tenth of them would be true, it still would mean a radical new view on world history.
But science is not absolute, and so called scientists have been known to cover up the truth. I, for one, am glad to be able to read about some other perspectives on world history.
Some reviewers mentioned that comparing languages on the basis of similarity in writing is not acceptable, and they gave some examples.
I would like to give some counter-examples that I found rather convincing, such as the names of the months - Saptamber, Ashtamber, Navamber, Dashamber in Sanskrit - the analogies between Krishna and Christ, Abraham and Brahma in their contextual meaning, and the fact that the Lithuanian language still contains so much Sanskrit.
The book has a militant undertone and after reading about the Taj Mahal it is easy to understand why. This magnificent Vedic palace - like much of the Vedic culture - has been appropriated by conquerors and up to today is still widely considered the summum of Islam civilisation. Even though there is ample evidence that this is not the case, we are still taught to believe the false stories fabricated by occupiers.
It is time that the world learns the truth about this.
 Pseudo-Linguistics, Pseudo-History April 19, 2006
9 out of 29 found this review helpful
Most of this authors "evidence" is demonstrably false. His comments regarding the relationship between the ancient Egyptians and Hebrews are anti-semitic. On no other "proof" than similarity of words...false cognates...he imagines the Jews to worship an ancient Vedic king Yayati (thats a real stretch...the tetragramaton is not even close). The Egyptians he paints as the descendants of the Puravas because it looks like pharoah. Don't buy this book unless you want to be a fool. There are indeed instances of Vedic influence of the ancient world, but you won't find the actual examples or evidence in this utterly ignorant book.
 Worthwhile but academically weak February 9, 2006
10 out of 16 found this review helpful
This book is a sort of first-of-its-kind and is written from outside the Christian-colonial viewpoint, which includes the "Aryan Invasion Theory" (AIT) view of Vedic culture and language.
Knapp's position is misunderstood, due to a lack of academic technique but his book has some validity, and I can say that there are two good reasons why Sanskrit is wrongly thought to be a more recent language by most academics in linguistic studies.
Firstly, what modern linguistics scholars ignore is the fact that those Christian-colonists who invented the AIT (which is only a theory) were partaking of the archaic and mistaken idea that the earth is only 5,000 years old, as per their interpretation of the Bible. Thus, they would have rejected the idea that the earth came into existence after Sanskrit did but it is an interesting thought since some think that "speaking in tongues" is the same as speaking Sanskrit...(another research idea?)
Secondly, on top of this prejudice was added a second, irrational presumption that the Christian's own scripture **must** be older than some "Hindu" texts, in order to claim the prestige of 'absolute anteriority' for their western religion.
Mark Twain said that, (paraphrase) Prejudice is the ink with which history is written...
Yet, the "proof" of Vedic India is out there. Just to pik your interest: For example, Angor Wat is a "Hindu" temple located in Cambodia but it is an undeniable example of a remnant of Vedic culture still existing **outside** of India, which offers some proof of a global Vedic culture. Some deluded academics may try to claim that Angor is merely a indication of an early Vedic "influence" in Cambodia, but...just consider, this is the world's largest religious complex. Even today, it is the world's largest religious complex.
We can also consider how fair it would it be if at some time in the future, someone were to claim that the World Trade Center was built due to an "outside" influence. Ridiculous and unmistakably condescending, isn't it?.
(One note: Buddhists have now kindly taken over managing the Angor Wat temple, which leads to some confusion, but Ankor is still a functioning Vedic "Vishnu" temple).
I would suggest reading this book **only** in conjuction with, "Searching for Vedic India" which is a better example of a well researched, and more authoritative book on the subject.
Historical Facts October 19, 2005
17 out of 23 found this review helpful
Linguistic comments by negative reviewers should not deter one from reading this book. The notes on non standard linguists are pure rubbish. Non standard according to whom? and defined by whom?
Theories about Sanskrit and Indian culture written by European 'Historians'and experts with an agenda which are taken as Gospal should not be a factor. History is written by the winners to distort their world view. This book is an honest attempt to rebut the distorted theories taken as fact in the western world which should be disputed.
I would urge the reader to read with an open mind without allowing those with a hidden agenda to poison the well.
A good attempt at exposing Vedic ideas. Not fully sold on all aspects of the book, but certainly a much more honest attempt then prevailing theories put forward by Colonial quacks.
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