33 of 36 people found the following review helpful
5.0 out of 5 stars
Some fresh material, astounding insights, Aug 28 2004
By econdude "econdude" - Published on Amazon.com
This review is from: The Terracotta Warriors: The Secret Codes of the Emperor's Army (Hardcover)
I am ambivalent about the latest book by Maurice Cotterell. 'The Terracotta Warriors' merits a five star rating but I have some reservations about the book. For those interested in the statues uncovered in China the book is worthwhile. Since I've read several other books by Maurice, it was a bit of a disappointment because he simply continues the theme of reincarnation and how humans escape to enter a higher state of being, or heaven, or however a person wants to phrase it, with a limited amount of new material. The appendices contain nothing new, as I recall. For someone who has not read any books by Maurice, the book will appear to be profound and full of insights that no one but Maurice has realized for hundreds of years (probably with the exception of some limited number of people belonging to secret societies). For someone who has read other books Maurice wrote, they will find a magnificent explanation of the significance of the Terracotta Warriors: the significance of the number of warriors in each pit, the significance of each type of face (representing different Chinese [written] characters), and so on. I also enjoyed tidbits such as a page or two devoted to information about Hitler's quest for esoteric knowledge and search for artifacts such as the Spear of Destiny. Of course, Maurice revealed a profound fact about the number 666 and what humans are made of (perhaps a coincidence, perhaps not).
I highly recommend all of Maurice's books. For those who have not read Cotterell previously, I might recommend 'The Tutankhamun Prophecies' instead. For those who have read some of Cotterell's books, I think 'The Terracotta Warriors' is definitely not a waste of time to read, but I wouldn't be in a rush to buy it. econ
4.0 out of 5 stars
Bought it for a friend, Aug 3 2010
By Catherine Litwin - Published on Amazon.com
This review is from: The Terracotta Warriors: The Secret Codes of the Emperor's Army (Hardcover)
I bought this for a friend who had just seen the Terra Cotta Warrior exhibit in Toronto. I had looked in a couple of bookstores and couldn't find anything. I ordered this book sight unseen based on the other reviews. I only had a chance to skim through it, but my friend was very pleased with it. It's a lot more than just pictures and for those who want to know about the history as well. Going to see the exhibit myself this month.
1 of 2 people found the following review helpful
2.0 out of 5 stars
Really wanted some history., Nov 30 2010
By John J. Wright - Published on Amazon.com
This review is from: The Terracotta Warriors: The Secret Codes of the Emperor's Army (Hardcover)
Well I bought this book becouse there are few books on China's terra cotta wariors. I was hoping for a history lesson with information on China's first emporer who brought about the unification of China and also built the great wall. Instead I got more of Maurice's wierdness. Im all for alt history but this guy goes way to far. He does not ust reach he over extends. With only 183 pages on the terra cotta warriors it was a real disapointment. Dont be fooled by the 300+ page listing. 140 pages of this book are appendixes. It would be OK if these where new and about the terra cotta warriors but the are the same appendixes found in past books. Only one appendix is based on China. Maurice can do better he has a keen mind and if he would stick to just history I think he could be a very credible author,