In the Shadow of Babylon

by John Schwartz

In The Shadow of Babylon is a mythical story incorporating parables handed down over several millennia. The demands of our modern multitasking lives often distract us from applying these proven life lessons that create a more satisfying, happy and fulfilled life. It is an intriguing myth with a powerful philosophical core that speaks to the importance of ... creating ones own destiny through visualization ... living in the present moment ... controlling emotions and eliminating grief and sadness. Baghdad is in chaos. Sunni and Shia, free from the dictator Hussein, revive their religious hatred. Then, without warning, the children of Iraq rise up in protest against the killings. In the Shadow of Babylon is a powerful story from the past and how its message changes the present. During the reign of the last ruler of Babylon, Saddam Hussein, a crypt lined with engraved gold panels protecting an ancient scroll (pre-dating Hamrabi by thousands of years) is discovered--it is the oldest writing in the world. After the liberation of Iraq Alexandria Darshi, an Iraqi doctoral student and Bryan Feroz, a handsome professor of Middle Eastern studies at the University of Chicago, translate the autobiographical scroll of a warrior poet named Ayuba. When it is read during two worldwide television documentaries, moderate Arabs embrace the ancient warrior's secular voice. Threatened by the message, radical Islamists set out to kill the messenger. Ayuba, orphaned at age nine, wanders for two years in a barren desert inhabited by violent tribes. He is brutally enslaved by a band of reed gatherers. His rescue and adoption by a prominent tribal leader sets him on a course of adventure, war and fame. The courage, kindness and passion of a man who existed in 11,000 BCE touches the hearts of thousands of modern-day Iraqi children. Moved by Ayuba's wisdom and leadership they stand in peaceful protest against the raging jihadists. Many are slaughtered but, in the end, their example inspires the women of Iraq to join them in a nationwide demonstration of unity. In the Shadow of Babylon follows an ancient warrior/poet's dramatic life via a high-tension timeline that is both exciting and inspiring, and at times humorous and heartbreaking.

Genres: Historical Fiction, Fiction, Thriller, Amazon, Middle East

337 pages, Kindle Edition

First published August 11, 2011

About the author

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Reviews

[Moira Hutchins-Fuhr · Rating 5 out of 5]

I think this book is an excellent one.
It brings wisdom, hope and great storytelling together.
How your heart and mind receive this, is how you dream life to be.
It is in your hands...

[John Schwartz · Rating 5 out of 5]

I wrote it so, of course, I love it!!!

[John Schwartz · Rating 5 out of 5]

The book is an epoch-spanning thriller that is part academic mystery and part historical fantasy. This time-traversing story opens in 11,000 B.C. Ayuba, a clansman shepherd from a time just outside of recorded history, relates the terrible destruction of his family. Ayuba’s story continues throughout, but it is the discovery of this man’s poem (the oldest writing in the world) that incites the events in 2004.
Ayuba’s narrative is essentially a fantastic hero story. After the dissolution of his people, he travels into the Beyond relating his experiences and the strange encounters of a world lost to history. The author deftly weaves the romantic experiences of a pre-historical shepherd into an extended homily that punctuates the trials of the Middle East as the contemporary narrative plunges along in the best page-turner fashion. Many readers will be convinced that a literary discovery of this magnitude really might change the course of contemporary politics, so confident and convincing is the vision of the novel. KIRKUS Review says…” A wonderfully written, provocative novel that utilizes two distinct genres to promote progressive cultural messages”.

[Amanda · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was an imaginative tale of an archaeological discovery altering the beliefs about the beginning of civilization, and how modern society reacted to the new discoveries.

[Kathy Green · Rating 4 out of 5]

Not the sort of book I usually read but...

Once I started this story I couldn't it down . I read till after midnight several nights. An epic read!

[Barry Morris · Rating 5 out of 5]

Deep powerful dream

An incredible song needed desperately for our sad times. We can take hope on singing a song of redemption and love.

[Kristin · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was a decent read. I felt it ended rather abruptly. In the last 50 pages, the author introduced another conflict, but then did nothing to resolve it. But, I liked the story. Though, not sure why the author felt he needed to tell an ancient story and then a modern story in the same book. The story of the oldest recorded writing in the world would have easily stood on its own. There were definitely slow parts, but overall, a decent read.

[Rachel · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book was beautifully written! I loved that about it. I also LOVED the world that the author created, a world before recorded history 11,000 years ago. The world seemed so real and so beautiful. The reason I gave it four stars is the modern part of the novel, in present-day Iraq, was very short and poorly developed. I felt like if there was goign to be this part of the story as well, it should be better developed. But this novel was amazing!

[Steve · Rating 5 out of 5]

This outstanding tale appeals on on a multitude of levels - the philosophical, the pre-religious, the story teller's art, politics, fantasy, and dreams.

Woven in contemporary and ancient times, two casts of the brave more towards their destinies.

The philosophical reflections shared from the ancient times, and from time guiding even those times from further back in time, touch upon the bravery of the contemporary.

Recommended.

[Gottesburen · Rating 5 out of 5]

A beautifully written novel that inspires one to dream of a future without violance.

While a fiction novel, it would be so great if it was non-fiction. The story is of a simple shepherd boy grows to lead a group of people in the past and in present day to thoughts of peace and tolerance for differences. One can only hope in today's day and age that we could aspire to such simple truths.

[Fahad · Rating 3 out of 5]

The historical Parts were fantastic. There is a drastic contrast between the Current Story and the story of Ayuba. The author makes a great effort to connect the two stories but he fails. This book reminds me of Mark Mustin's Ganderme but does a fantastic job at connecting the historical along with the present. Read it for the history not for fun.

[Steph Flynn · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved this book. Yeah, it's a little corny with some obvious life lessons thrown around, but it also caused me to consider a few things from a new perspective. The modern day story was unnecessary; the real heart of the story lies in the fictional life of Ayuba and his relationship with his father. Lots of highlighting in this one.

[Barbara Bergeron · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent

This book touched me on so many levels. The stories of simple and ancient wisdom were not new but still so very true. The one about "attitude" , particularly struck a chord with me. The overall message, however was the one that should resonate with everyone. This should be required reading.

[Johnee Schwartz · Rating 5 out of 5]

Smartly written first novel that opens the heart to the simplest and most powerful lessons about life and how we can control our attitude under any circumstance.
(full disclosure: the author is my father)

[Jack · Rating 3 out of 5]

A historical (or more accurately, prehistorical) novel with a contemporary bit of window dressing.

[Chris Wiegman · Rating 3 out of 5]

Interesting, yet bizarre. At times it was excellent and at times was one of the worst books I've read in a while.

[Sam Usher · Rating 5 out of 5]

I could not put this down. I shed tears and smiled at the victories. The lessons in this story are timeless. I highly recommend this book

[Sandra Gilbert · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent story with much to consider about how we live our lives.

[Andy Coleman · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book seems to fly under the radar for most people, but it a great read! Following the main character as he acquires his name is a fantastic story.

[karen g swass · Rating 5 out of 5]

Interesting and hard to put down

A very interesting and well written story of the ancient world. The narrative is captivating It was hard to put down