The Oera Linda Book

by C. Over de Linden

Other authorsWilliam R. Sandbach (Translator), Jan Gerardus Ottema
Book, 1876

Status

Available

Call number

299

Publication

London: Trübner & Co., 1876

Description

The Oera Linda Book: From a Manuscript of the Thirteenth Century first came to the attention of scholars in the mid nineteenth century, and the controversy it caused is still sending out ripples today. Originally in an antiquated Old Frisian, a Germanic language in use for almost a millennium, the unusual manuscript was translated into English by William R. Sandbach and it contained what seemed to be stories of historical and religious import. They spanned a period that covered from around 2000 BC to 800 AD. After an initial honeymoon period of widespread acceptance the controversy surrounding the work began to increase and to this day a lively debate about the source of the text exists. The identity of the original author is shrouded in mystery along with the design and purpose of the work. Many believe that the work may even be the creation of Cornelis Over de Linden, a Dutch man, in collaboration with his associates. A crucial question for every reader will undoubtedly be whether this book was created by a writer seeking to record sense or court sensation. While that question is one that each reader must answer for themselves as they assess its merits there is no doubt that the alternative history of Europe as a matriarchy under an unfamiliar association of Gods is one which provokes thought, its use by the Nazi party as a prop for their occultism in particular leaves one driven to investigate. About the Publisher Forgotten Books publishes hundreds of thousands of rare and classic books. Find more at www.forgottenbooks.com This book is a reproduction of an important historical work. Forgotten Books uses state-of-the-art technology to digitally reconstruct the work, preserving the original format whilst repairing imperfections present in the aged copy. In rare cases, an imperfection in the original, such as a blemish or missing page, may be replicated in our edition. We do, however, repair the vast majority of imperfections successfully; any imperfections that remain are intentionally left to preserve the state of such historical works.… (more)

User reviews

LibraryThing member Nicole_VanK
A load of crock, but a fascinating 19th century fabrication of early Germanic life and such. It puzzles me that, apparently, some people still believe in its authenticity. It fits way too well into what late 19th century people thought to know about antiquity. But, ah well, I guess you can fool
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some of the people all of the time.

Book got a bad reputation because of Nazi adoption of it later on. That can't be blamed on the book though.
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Language

Original language

Dutch

Original publication date

1872

Physical description

25 p.; 23 cm

Local notes

"From a manuscript of the thirteenth century with the permission of the proprietor C. Over de Linden, of the Helder." Hoax presented as genuine. Adopted by Nazi Hermann Wirth as Ura Linda Chronik
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