The Dead Sea Scrolls Deception by Michael Baigent / Richard Leigh   Paperback (April 1993) Touchstone Books ISBN: 0671797972 Bookshelf Categories Christian Mysticism Essenes

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Synopsis:

The oldest Biblical manuscripts in existence, the Dead Sea Scrolls were found in caves near Jerusalem in 1947, only to be kept a tightly held secret for nearly fifty more years, until the Huntington Library unleashed a storm of controversy in 1991 by releasing copies of the Scrolls. In this gripping investigation authors Baigent and Leigh set out to discover how a small coterie of orthodox biblical scholars gained control over the Scrolls, allowing access to no outsiders and issuing a strict "consensus" interpretation. The authors' questions begin in Israel, then lead them to the corridors of the Vatican and into the offices of the Inquisition. With the help of independent scholars, historical research, and careful analysis of available texts, the authors reveal what was at stake for these orthodox guardians: The Scrolls present startling insights into early Christianity -- insights that challenge the Church's version of the "facts." More than just a dramatic exposé of the intrigues surrounding these priceless documents, The Dead Sea Scrolls Deception presents nothing less than a new, highly significant perspective on Christianity.

Reviews:

Anti-Catholic Hate Literature	4/20/2001
Reviewer: A reader from NYC
Written in the popular tradition of those who, being inferior scholars themselves and unable to attain academic honors, decide to write sensationalist hit pieces for the gullible public. This book is about as plausible and well-meaning as "The Protocols of the Elders of Zion". Any anti-Catholic bigot or prejudice is given full credence by these "researchers" who never even make a show of getting the other side's perspective. If wild-eyed conspiracy literature is the kind of reading which helps you forget that you're unemployed and living in your parent's basement, by all means buy this book. If you feel that the Dead Sea Scrolls are important and you want to approach them in a measured, objective and scholarly way, look elsewhere.

Michael Baigent, Richard Leigh and Robert Eisenman	4/2/2001
Reviewer: Edward from High River, Alberta Canada
...Michael Baigent and Richard Leigh do a masterful job in telling the difference between just older versions of religious text that we already have and the more important sectarian writings. Depending on the date attributed to these extra biblical texts, many may have to re think what they think they know about, not only Christianity, but Judaism and Islam as well. The authors seemed to rely much on the prominent scholarship of one Robert Eisenman, who they admit is the force behind their investigation. I think the author's greatest achievement is putting the scholarship of Robert Eisenman into a form that is more digestible to the lay person...The information contained should be available to the masses and not just the scholarly stuffy types. For anyone who disagrees with Michael Baigent and Richard Leigh's conclusions, I am interested in reading diametrically opposed works.

Interesting to a novice, but who knows	10/9/1999
Reviewer: Timothy from Saipan, Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands
I enjoyed the book, but have little to draw upon for critique. Like any other conspiracy book, the authors could easily be manipulating the facts or leaving some out to cause me to believe their thesis. I chose this book as the first book on the subject matter and now feel the need to read more books on the scrolls to verify for myself whether the book is just good reading or an accurate account. I expected nothing more from it as I don't take anything at face value. It definitely got my attention and made me want to explore more books on the subject. For that, I would give it an A+, but back off on the fifth star until I can confirm its accuracy.

Very Well Written	5/5/1999
Reviewer: A reader from Boston, MA
The authors have produced a very good book. The writing is clear and crisp, and covers all aspects of the Dead Sea Scrolls, and how much of the research concerning them has been mismanaged in the past. The detail is rich, and the authors clearly and efficiently provide evidence for their arguments. It was an excellent read, and definitely opened my eyes to the Dead Scrolls and their significance.