The Real History of the End of the World (2010 Newman), non-fiction
The Real History of the End of the World (2010) is a book by Sharan Newman.
Abstract
"Ever since people realized that things have a beginning and an end, they have wondered if the world was fated to end. Explore the various theories of world destruction from ancient times to present day-- theories that reveal as much about human nature as they do about the predominant historical scientific, and religious beliefs of the times."--Publisher description
"From the author of The Real History Behind the Templars--the origins and stories behind end-of-the-world predictions throughout history, from Revelations to 2012... In entertaining and sharp prose, historian Sharan Newman explores theories of world destruction from ancient times up to the present day- theories which reveal as much about human nature as they do about the predominant historical, scientific, and religious beliefs of the time. Readers will find answers to the following end-of-times questions: Did the Mayans really say the world will end in December 2012? ... How have the signs in the New Testament Book of Revelations been interpreted over the years? ... How did ancient Egyptians, Norse, and Chinese think the world would end? ... When did Nostradamus predict that the last days would come? ... Does the I Ching reference 2012? ... Why didn't the world end in Y2K? ... Are meteors, global warming, super-volcanoes, and the threat of nuclear war signs that the end is near?"--Publisher description.
Editions
Published in New York, NY: Berkley Books, 2010.
Translations
Contents
Before the Common Era. Nothing but humankind and the stars ; Akkadians, Babylonians, and Hittites, oh my! ; Ancient Egypt : keeping the world in balance ; Thus spake Zoroaster : the ancient Persian cosmos ; India : the Great Mandala ; The Book of Daniel -- The first five centuries of the Common Era : defining the end. Apocalypses everywhere The first Christians ; John of Patmos and his revelation ; Chinese millennial movements I : the Yellow Turbans : Montanism ; Augustine and the Apocalypse -- The Middle Ages. The calm between the panics ; The prophecies of Merlin ; Setting the clock : the Maya ; Messiahs, the Antichrist,and the Apocalypse in early Islam ; Joachim of Fiore : monk, prophet, and superstar -- All hell breaks loose : the Renaissance and Reformation. Any minute now : the millennial Renaissance and Enlightenment ; The Hussites and Taborites : a scandal in Bohemia ; Savonarola and decadent Florence ; Nostradamus ; Sabbatai Sevi : almost the Messiah ; The Russian old believers, or, "If it was good enough for Grandpa--" ; The fifth Monarchy ; The founders of modern science -- The millennial nineteenth century. Heaven on earth ; The Cherokee Ghost Dance of 1811-1812 ; The Millerites ; The United Society of Believers in Christ's Second Coming : the shakers ; The Mummyjums ; Chinese millennial movements II : Jesus little brother ; The doomsealers -- Doomsday just around the corner : the nervous twentieth century. The new apocalyptic age ; Modern Mahdi : the guided One in world Islam ; Cargo cults, messiahs, and the end of the world : millennial activity in Melanesia ; The fifth world : Hopi prophecy and 2012 ; The Branch Davidians ; The bible Code ; Y2Y : apocalyptic technophobia ; The Rapture, or, "If you hear a trumpet, grab the steering wheel" -- Still waiting for the end. End-time scenarios ; The end of the end.
External links
- [ Google Books]