The Shroud Codex

I seldom have the time to read fiction, but this one caught my attention. Warning: you will not be able to put this one down. Much of the story is told in dialog, making for a lively read. The masterful blend of science and religion makes this book one that will spark inner soul searching as well as lots of conversation. Well researched and informative as well as entertaining. You'll be thinking about this book long after you finish reading. Hope to see this one in film someday.Obamanutz: A Cult Leader Takes the White House

I must admit I knew very littled about the Shroud before reading this book. I knew it was an ancient relic that some believed to be the burial shroud of Jesus. I also thought this belief had been debunked by scientists years ago. The Shroud Codex is a fascinating and informative book that I couldn't put down once I'd started it. It was filled with information, both pro and con regarding the authenticity of the Shroud all "woven" together through the story's main character, a psychiatrist hired by the Vatican to investigate a priest who had recently exhibited signs of stigmata. Dr. Castle happens to be an avowed atheist who assumes that a logical explanation exists for the stigmata and the priest's subsequent exhibition of the passion suffered by Christ and visible on the Shroud. This books is a must read for anyone who loves historical fiction because it is that in it's best and purest form.

The Shroud Codex is a novel, but a novel you can learn from. Just as you can learn a great deal of history from well-written historical novels, you can learn a great deal about the Shroud of Turin from The Shroud Codex. If you know everything there is to know about the Shroud, it is still a wonderfully gripping, enjoyable novel. Read it for fun. You will be glad you did.

The scientific evidence which supports the authenticity of the shroud continues to grow. Literally hundreds of thousands of hours of scientific study and scrutiny have been poured into discovering the mystery of the shroud, yet there has never been any credible evidence which debunks its veracity except for the carbon 14 dating in the 1980's. This book covers such evidences and even has an anti-hero which tries to demonstrate that the shroud is but a masterful hoax. It covers a plausible explanation about why the carbon 14 dating shows a medieval date as well. Mr. Corsi is a catholic man and, as a result, he gives proper respect to the Catholic Church and its leaders. Even as a protestant, I was in harmony with his doctrines and beliefs woven throughout his storyline. This is a work of fiction, however, and all of its content cannot be taken as pure gospel. I do recommend this book. Not only does it have an intriguing plot but I also learned even more about the shroud, especially as it relates to quantum and particle physics.

Pope John-Paul Peter I has a serious headache. Fr. Paul Bartholomew, a parish priest in New York City, has just resumed his duties after spending three years recovering from a near-fatal accident. Since his return, Bartholomew claims to talk to Jesus directly and has quickly gained a reputation for being able to heal people in the confessional. He has also started to look very much like the image of the man in the famous Shroud of Turin. While celebrating mass one day, Bartholomew begins screaming in agony and blood starts pouring from his wrists, until he collapses on the church floor in front of the altar. Those in the pews immediately start taking photos and videos which quickly spread via the internet. The Pontiff is concerned both for the health of this priest as well as for the health of the Church. He directs the Archbishop of New York to bring in Dr. Stephen Castle, a well-known surgeon and psychiatrist, to take the case. Perhaps most importantly, Castle is an atheist, someone certain not to look for a religious explanation. In "The Shroud Codex," New York Times bestselling author Jerome Corsi, Ph.D. has woven an incredible tale of science and faith. This is a "DaVinci Code" for believers. It is important to note that this is a novel, but it is based heavily on solid research. Corsi does provide his sources at the end of the book for those who wish to study further. The book features many photographs of the Shroud of Turin taken in 1978 by Barrie Schwortz who edits the [...] website. Dr. Castle plays the devil's advocate in this book, the scientific mind always searching for the logical explanation. As Fr. Bartholomew continues to suffer injuries consistent with the man on the Shroud, a team of experts struggles to make sense of it all. Not only are they attempting to discover what is causing the wounds, they are also attempting to understand all the evidence surrounding the Shroud. Is it actually the burial cloth of Jesus Christ or a brilliant medieval forgery? Does it, as Fr. Bartholomew maintains, hold a great secret for humanity? Will the whole experience cause Dr. Castle to question his atheistic beliefs? "The Shroud Codex" has the potential to raise many questions and will no doubt encourage debate about the famous Shroud and what it means. The publication of this book coincides with the first public display of The Shroud of Turin in 12 years. For anyone interested in the Shroud, the mystery of the Resurrection, or simply looking for a good scientific mystery, "The Shroud Codex" is the must-read novel of 2010.