Read Online The Secret Architecture of Our Nation Capital The Masons and the Building of Washington DC David Ovason 9780060953683 Books

Product details Paperback 530 pages Publisher Harper Perennial; Reprint edition (March 26, 2002) Language English ISBN-10 9780060953683

The Secret Architecture of Our Nation Capital The Masons and the Building of Washington DC David Ovason 9780060953683 Books Reviews

• Very interesting book about some "not so hidden" secrets about the architecture of buildings, street layout and monument layout and design of our nations capital. Very interesting, makes me want to go for a visit, which I will probably do in the next few years both because I have been wanting to anyway and because this book has peaked my curiosity. If you are interested in this you may want to also check some materials from Scott Onstott who has a web page and You Tube videos that are very interesting, he is actually a mathematician and unlike some other weird videos his opinions have merit. It was actually through his recommendation that I got this book.
• This book is a one of a kind for its depth and breadth. There's nothing else out there that I've read that gets into the details of how the city of Washington was built, rebuilt, and then rebuilt again. It gets five stars just for the amount of information David Ovason put together to make this. BUT, the book's narrative is so meandering that it can be hard to follow at times. Even for someone who knows the history of DC, I found myself going back and rereading whole passages before moving on because of the nagging feeling that I was missing something.
  
  To his fault, Mr. Ovason takes for granted that the reader knows a lot about both astrology and astronomy. Pop quiz, quick! What's an azimuth?? What's the order of the Zodiac? Which came first, the Age of Virgo or the Age of Leo? Suffice it to say that you'll enjoy this book a lot more if you already know something about astrology and architecture.
  
  My recommendation? Before you read "The Secret Architecture of Our Nation's Capital" read "The Power of Stars How Celestial Observations Have Shaped Civilization" by Bryan Penprase. Penprase's book is a step-by-step guide to the zodiac and how it has played a role in architecture from ancient times until modern times.
  
  Once you're done with "The Power of Stars," read "The Secret Architecture of Our Nation's Capital." You'll enjoy it a lot more when you know what Mr. Ovason is talking about. Because of how it's organized, and for getting me lost half way through every chapter, I gave "The Secret Architecture of Our Nation's Capital" three stars. It's worth reading but you need some prep first!
• A remarkable amount of research has gone into this book. The previous reviewer complained that it was "undocumented" but why does the author need to document a road, a building, or a statue if it exists in plain sight and is common knowledge? This proves that the author's thesis touches a raw nerve to those who are comfortable only with conventional understandings of history that sugar coat the past and pull the wool over our eyes. Clearly, there was a powerful cult behind the formation of the United States. They were not devout Christians, but were committed only to the esoteric ideals of their own secret society. Ideals that apparently originate in ancient Egypt, not Jerusalem. The author, however, coming from a Christian background and perspective dances around this truth. He prefers to view them as Christians who were simply outside the mainstream. Their obssession with "Virgo" proves this, because as everyone knows Virgo represents the Virgin Mary, right? Wrong.
  
  The author fails to grasp this nettle and meanders into a neverland that maintains Washington's "Christianity," so we'll have to wait a while longer for the real story.
• Fascinating and engaging analysis, which must be reinforced by visiting the capital and literally seeing what the author is talking about. As a play must be seen (and not only read), in the same manner this book acquires a different feel and has a more powerful effect on the intellect when the text is visually juxtaposed to the real city.
• Very good information on our Captial and monuments. Do further research to clarify most of the information in this book. Very good resource.
• I just discovered the key to selling a new book, put the word Secret in the title. Currently books with the Secret are selling like Gangbusters, The Secret by Rhonda Bryne and the sequels, The Secret Life of Bees, according to , there are over 74,725 book with Secret in the title.
  Okay so let's talk about this book, it is a comprehensive history which is why I gave it 3 stars instead of 2. The book moves slowly, the author did his research and I have no quibble with that - I know this topic; however, the significance of why the Freemasons chose to do things that have been done, in the manner that they did is just not revealed, I was really disappointed because there is some terrific information out there and I am well versed in this topic based on my own research. I am wondering if this is because he wasn't allowed to "get to the point", no pun intended. I think the true reason he left out answers to why (Astrology is important but he didn't say why among other points never addressed is because Mason's aren't allowed to share the key precepts of their faith or beliefs to the uninitiated - that leaves out all females and many men.
  There are many good books out there to understand the significance of Masonry -you won't find them by doing an internet search using the word - avoid the publications that will come up will give you books written by Masons (who often don't share that information, up front) these books reveal much of the same stuff rehashed, instead try books by William Schnoebelen, John Ankerberg, David Weldon, Tom C. McKenney, or anything Published by Chick Publications all provided excellent, well documented, significant information -though Ankerberg is very dry.
• Somewhat pedantic this book is facinating with its connections both real abd co-incidental in DC. Whether or not the assumptions are valid the detail included lease good evidence for the reader to make a decision.
• Great read it gives you a objective knowledge of religion