An amazing secret disguised in the Mona Lisa for 500 years, finally revealed. While working at Washington D.C.'s Smithsonian Castle, forensic linguist Joe Richmond is interrupted by an unexpected early morning visitor, cyber-security expert Gina Bocelli. She brings tragic news that her ex-husband, the Italian Ambassador, was murdered in his Embassy at midnight. Before he died, he sent her hidden clues in a cryptic email. Joe and Gina decipher the Ambassador's clues as they race through Washington D.C. landmarks, a monastery, and a New York City cathedral. Their quest draws them toward an amazing secret involving the biggest struggle of all time. They must find the key before the nameless pathological figure of insatiable greed, can destroy it forever.Joe and Gina realize they are up against a powerful force that will stop at nothing. It committed murders over the centuries to suppress an earth-shattering discovery by Machiavelli and da Vinci. And the only way to defeat that force is da Vinci's 'saper vedere' or 'knowing how to see'.

One of the greatest works of world literature, Dante Alighieri’s The Divine Comedy has, despite its enormous popularity and importance, often stymied readers with its multitudinous characters, references, and themes. But until now, students of the Inferno have lacked a suitable resource to guide their reading. Welcome to Danteworlds, the first substantial guide to the Inferno in English. Guy P. Raffa takes readers on a geographic journey through Dante’s underworld circle by circle—from the Dark Wood down to the ninth circle of Hell—in much the same way Dante and Virgil proceed in their infernal descent. Each chapter—or “region”—of the book begins with a summary of the action, followed by detailed entries, significant verses, and useful study questions. The entries, based on a close examination of the poet’s biblical, classical, and medieval sources, help locate the characters and creatures Dante encounters and assist in decoding the poem’s vast array of references to religion, philosophy, history, politics, and other works of literature. Written by an established Dante scholar and tested in the fire of extensive classroom experience, Danteworlds will be heralded by readers at all levels of expertise, from students and general readers to teachers and scholars.

In the middle of the journey of our life Dante finds himself lost in a dark wood but then he founds a whole lot of literary movements and arguably modernity itself with his Divine Comedy that, nonetheless, inexplicably, didn't make God laugh. This serious absence caused God's non-divine counterparts, humans, to wonder: "Why are we in hell?" "Why is it so funny?" "And why can't I laugh?"

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A survey of how, over the past 4,000 years, religious leaders, poets, painters, and ordinary people have visualized Hell--its location, architecture, furnishings, purpose, and inhabitants.

For thousands of years, people believed the Earth was flat. Similarly, everything we believe about hell, the devil and karma is based on centuries of dogma, illogical beliefs and foolish theories. In this book, Samael Aun Weor demonstrates how to confirm for yourself the reality of the inferior levels of life, and how to avoid them. Although modern culture laughs at the mere mention of the devil and hell while simultaneously indulging deeply in them via popular music, movies, and television, the practical reality remains completely unknown to the general public. Samael Aun Weor discusses his personal, conscious experiences of the inferior worlds and the beings who reside there. By application of ancient techniques preserved by the Gnostic tradition, anyone can confirm with certainty what exists in the subtle dimensions of nature, whether above or below. Learn the true identity of both the Devil and Lucifer, and how to harness the forces of nature in order to be propelled towards a higher way of life. Dispels centuries of beliefs and theories, while explaining the essential truths hidden in ancient symbols Provides practical steps towards acquiring your own experience of the truth Supported by solid science and authentic spiritual traditions