THE GNOSTIC GOSPELS (Deluxe Folio Society Edition) - Ed. Marvin Meyer (Folio Society, 2008)

The Gnostic Gospels: The Sacred Writings of the Nag Hammadi Library, The Berlin Gnostic Codex and the Codex Tchacos -  (Deluxe Folio Society Edition) - Ed. Marvin Meyer (Folio Society, 2008)

Deluxe Folio Society Edition. Quarter leather bound edition with printed cloth boards, gilt to spine and slipcase. 724 pages.

"In 1945, thirteen papyrus books that had lain buried since the 4th century were discovered in an earthenware jar near Nag Hammadi, in Upper Egypt. Over 1,500 years of neglect, however, was nothing compared to what happened to them upon discovery: the books were burned in an oven, confiscated and sold on the black market, before they were eventually deciphered. It is a miracle in itself that they survived. What they revealed stunned the world.

These were the Gnostic Gospels, alternative Christian texts – poems, myths, philosophy and gospels – which challenge those of the New Testament at every turn. The Gospel of Thomas records sayings of Jesus unlike any we have ever heard; that of Philip describes Mary Magdalene as Christ's companion 'whom he loved more than all the disciples'. One text tells the story of the Garden of Eden from the serpent's point of view, while another casts God as partly feminine. Lyrical and powerful, there is no doubting the passion and devotion that created this poetry."

Condition : Very Good / Excellent. Light edge-wear to boards, otherwise clean, tight, unread copy. Minor shelf-wear to slip case. Overall excellent.