28/12/2024
Rivers of Life
General James Forlong’s chart in his great 1883 work - Rivers of Life, Or, Sources and Streams of the Faiths of Man in All Lands
As an inveterate book collector and book lover, this work is one that got away, and which I’ve always regretted.
Many years ago, I missed my opportunity to purchase the original edition of this monumental work. The asking price was $300, and back then, I was young and money was tight (as it was for all of us, and still is for everyone starting out in life with a young family). I knew it was worth every penny! Why? Because General Forlong was applying archeological and scientific analysis to dates and periods of events.
Over the years, as my means increased, I recreated my father’s collection of books that I grew up with (and sadly left behind - it is scattered now, given away, lost or borrowed and never returned) then greatly expanded it - my basement is wall to wall bookshelves filled with books - many are rare and old publications.
But this book never left my mind. Copies are still available but the original edition is now $2500-$3500 depending on condition. Luckily, it’s in the public domain now so you can find digital versions and reprints.
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Volume 1
https://hermetic.com/_media/93beast.fea.st/files/section1/forlong/forlong_-_rivers_of_life_1_.pdf
Volume 2
https://hermetic.com/_media/93beast.fea.st/files/section1/forlong/forlong_-_rivers_of_life_2_.pdf
Chart - this was published along with the two volumes, and has its own slipcase
https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/0/0e/Forlong-Rivers-of-Life-big-chart.pdf
