The Sword of Heaven
A Five Continent Odyssey to Save the World
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3.5 • 2 Ratings
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- $23.99
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- $23.99
Publisher Description
“Any attempt at peace must be attended by a knowledge of self,” discovers writer and photographer Mikkel Aaland, who grew up with a bomb shelter for a bedroom, in terror of nuclear war. At the height of the Cold War, Aaland finds himself drawn into a mysterious Shinto priest’s plan to save the world. Traveling from Norway to the Philippines, Iceland to South Africa, he places pieces of a sacred Shinto sword in key power spots around the world. Along the way, he comes face to face with his deepest childhood fears of war and destruction, encounters the compelling and mysterious Shinto religion, struggles with the uncertainties of love, and learns to face life with an open heart.
The Sword of Heaven tells the extraordinary true story of a journey in which all boundaries are pushed—geographical, cultural, and personal—and in which the healing of the world and the healing of one man appear to be inextricably linked.
Customer Reviews
Mikkel Aaland not a master of photography
But, his words drew me. I’ve seen his masterful prints at Codex, near the Rosie the Riveter museum in Point Richmond, CA. However, my first time reading one of his books was over 20 yrs ago, at a senior software engineer’s house in Albany, CA - which was more than just a book of pictures, it was his thoughtful captions. Immediately, after Codex, I had to read The Sword of Heaven; and I couldn’t put it down. I am fascinated not only by Japanese culture, but Norwegian culture as well. My grandfather spent a lot of time traveling for business in Japan when I was a child. Reading this book gave me some in sight, and to travel through words; like a fly on the wall experiencing someone else’s journey was beautiful. Aaland is a masterful writer, this book as well as his subsequent book are a couple of my personal favorite’s. But, like all Art … It’s a matter taste and personal preference. I am fan of this book and his others. A true, creative gem.
The Description seemed interesting
The fact that the author visited five countries in order to place some touchstones related to the Shinto religion seemed exciting,but the story wasn't really very good after all.Traveler's Tales is a favorite series of mine.I recommend any of the country specific books,the cooking related books and the humorous books as being really great.Some I have read twice.The book Storm was also really good.Which chronicles a motorcycle trip around the Baltic.The setting was rather dreary,since it rained a lot,but it was overall a decent book.