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+"The Winds of Time is a mesmerizing narrative of civilization’s journey thus far. DiSilvio is a fervent scholar of the past with a refreshing outlook rooted in common sense and practical analysis.

He successfully debunks the current trend today among some scholars of negating the profound influence of the Renaissance because the era was confrontational in spirit and counter to contemporary pacifist ideology. DiSilvio’s research and creative touches turn what often is a droll exercise by narrow minded scholars into what history is and ought to be; “The Winds of Time” is a great story.

I thoroughly enjoyed this incredible book. Thumbs up all the way.”- Truby Chiaviello, publisher of Primo magazine

The Winds of Time : Shakespeare’s “What’s past is prologue” postulates that what has happened in the past sets the scene for the greatness that follows if one builds on the lessons of history. But this greatness can be either good or evil as accurately defined by DiSilvio in The Winds of Time. No one denies the evil greatness of Hitler, or of his polar opposite, Washington. Both played world-tipping roles that helped shape western civilization, and the knowledge learned from studying their influence as well as others detailed in the book, should be re-visited often to ensure our compass remains pointed due North.

DiSilvio points out that many of the same conditions and circumstances from the past have formed again and critical decisions have to be made. It will take a titan to lead us safely through the land mines if our western civilization, our way of life, is to survive. DiSilvio’s precise analysis lights the path – will we follow it? A great, engaging read! - Ben Furman, Black Hawk Press

+"The Winds of Time", by Rich DiSilvio is 736 pages of history and historical analysis. It is rooted in the idea that the Grecophiles of historical commentary are mistaken in their notions of the debt Western History owes to the Greeks. He posits that it was from the more stoical and practical Romans that Western Civilization owes its success. He lays out a good case for this notion, revealing how modern forms of government and economy are based more on the structure of the late Roman Republic and the Early Roman Empire.

Rich DiSilvio uses some interesting forms throughout the book. It is rather a collection of "Commentaries, Biographies, and Narrative Vignettes" than a cohesive history. Yet the value of the "Winds of Time" does not lie in its style, but in its perspectives. The revelations are not derived from new primary sources, but rather from a fresh view of events and how events more than a thousand years past can influence our lives today. Though I did not always agree with Rich DiSilvio, his writing made me think. I was especially interested in his views on Christianity, which are neither apologetic nor revisionist.

A single book encompassing the span from ancient to present can not possibly cover all history in-depth, and it is well that he largely adheres to a theme. Rich DiSilvio picks and chooses characters and events revealing a progress of ideas rooted in Roman pragmatism. He skips over much of the Medieval period. He does, however, dwell on the American founding, and his biographical review of the major players of this seminal event makes the knowledgeable reader pause.

Being politically attuned to the current culture, I generally read with an eye to the political tendencies of an author, looking for axes being ground, hunting for gratuitous asides and fatuous commentaries. Reading the "Winds of Time" I did not get the feeling that DiSilvio had a political agenda, even though he certainly has a perspective and perhaps an historical agenda (purging notions about Greek influences, for one thing). On the whole, "The Winds of Time" is well written. The facts and analyses are interesting and thought-provoking. Worth a read. - W. J. Rayment - Conservative Bookstore

YouTube reviews of The Winds of Time trailer

It is a shame man's social, moral and ethical development fails to keep pace with his technological advances. This book does an excellent job of demonstrating quite clearly how today more than ever, American Society is repeating the mistakes of past civilizations rather than learn from them. If you wonder why it seems as though the 80s was America's last great decade, this book will help explain it to you.

Like the video, but loved the book! This is not your high school teachers' history book. This is an important book for those who want to understand our place in history and how we can avoid repeating the mistakes of the past.

(+ Excerpt)



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Contents

ix. – FOREWORD: An Important Note about
this Book’s Unique Format

13. – 48 BC. PRELUDE: A New Dawn

31. – I. AD 14. AUGUSTUS - The Birth of the
Roman Empire
Roman Republic vs. Greek Democracy | Transition and Octavian’s Rise to Power | The New Age of Augustus | Commentary on the Roman and American Empires | Augustus Reprise

115. – II. AD 73. VESPASIAN & SONS - New Blood
Titus – Masada and Judaism | Polytheism vs. Monotheism
Rome & Religion - Judea & Jesus |JESUS | St. Paul and Irenaeus

196. – III. AD 122. HADRIAN - The Need for Borders

217. – IV. AD 325. CONSTANTINE - Conversion of a Man, an Empire, and Ultimately Western Civilization
Christianity: The Rise and Domination of the Roman Catholic Church | The Interpretation of Scriptures | The Influences of Greek Philosophy and Pagan Traditions | Analyzing Christianity | Constantine Reprise and Final Assessment | Who Truly is God?

314. – V. PART 1: 1320 – 1600. MIDDLE AGES and
the AGE OF REBIRTH
The Spark at Dawn
Dante – Morals
The Radiant Light
Da Vinci – Intellect amongst Ignorance
Debunking Modern Revisions of the Renaissance
The Medici: True Architects of the Renaissance
Gutenberg – Dissemination
Brunelleschi – Engineering
Columbus – Exploration
A New World - Its American Name - Its Detractors
King Ferdinand – Spanish Empire
Queen Elizabeth I – English Empire
Shakespeare – English Literature
Galileo – Mathematics & Censorship

408. – PART 2: 1480. POPES, the BORGIAS,
and the MEDICI
Nepotism and Corruption
The Borgias: The Pernicious Pope and Devious Duke
Niccolo Machiavelli: Pragmatic Political Guru
Martin Luther: Protestant against Catholic Corruption
The Medici: In the Crosshairs of the Catholic Church
Savonarola: Transient Theocratic Ruler and
Precursor to Martin Luther

429. – VI. 1492 – 1812. AMERICA: The New World –
The New Rome
The Founders: Samuel Adams, Thomas Paine,
George Washington, John Adams, Thomas Jefferson,
James Madison, Alexander Hamilton and Ben Franklin

487. – VII. 1800 – 1900. DARWIN, MARX, and FREUD
Evolution, Revolution, and Psychological Sciences
Communism: Marx, Lenin and Stalin
Psychological Sciences: Sigmund Freud
Evolution vs. Creation: Charles Darwin

511. – VIII. 1900 – 1937. MARCONI - Radio and Wireless, Global & Space Communications

519. – IX. 1889 – 1945. HITLER- Poverty, Propaganda,
Power and Hatred
The Influences of Art and Music

550. – X. 1933 – 1945. ROOSEVELT & CHURCHILL –
Saviors of Western Civilization

581. – XI. 1880 – 1955. EDISON & EINSTEIN – 
The Electro-Atomic Age
Volta, Tesla, Westinghouse and Bell | Fermi & Braun

614. – XII. 1950 – 2007. KENNEDY & McCARTHY –
The Charade of Camelot and the Fear of Communism |
From Communism to Islam
John F. Kennedy: Charismatic yet Reckless Leader
Joseph McCarthy: The Fear and Paranoia of Communism
African Americans: Slavery and Civil Rights
Modern Presidents: Strength vs. Weakness
Richard Nixon: Scandal and the Scapegoat
Jimmy Carter: Given the Reins after a Republican Debacle
Ronald Reagan: Reviver of a Demoralized Nation
Osama bin Laden: Islamic Jihad and American Weakness
Bill Clinton: Dismantler of State Security + Moral Vacuum = Disasters
George W. Bush: Prejudged by Speech and Academic Grades | Understanding Islam |Religious Cowboy vs. Religious Fanatics

The Impetus for Great Leadership &
Closing Commentary for Americans


About the Book
Contents    View the Trailer!

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"DiSilvio is a fervent scholar of the past with a refreshing outlook rooted in common sense and practical analysis."- Truby Chiaviello, publisher of Primo magazine

In this groundbreaking work, author Rich DiSilvio posits bold new perspectives on key figures of history and the primary cultures that shaped the Western world. Moreover, this robust work was written "From and For a New American Perspective," as many insights about America's birth, growth, and current quagmires are addressed.

Unlike most books on Western civilization that only reiterate history, The Winds of Time analyzes key people, cultures, and eras to connect the dots that have been missed, intentionally or mindlessly revised, or even omitted. Moreover, with America's future and very survival in mind, the author reveals many lessons and warnings that only the past can provide.

Proceeding chronologically, The Winds of Time carries the reader up through the ages in a coherent fashion, while taking periodic respites to reveal crucial correlations to other eras, and to America in particular. The book covers great political and religious leaders and famous thinkers; including Plato - Aristotle - Julius Caesar - Augustus - Jesus Christ - St. Paul - Irenaeus - Constantine - Dante - Da Vinci - Brunelleschi, Machiavelli - Columbus - King Ferdinand - the Medici family - Pope Julius II - Pope Alexander VI - Queen Elizabeth - Shakespeare - Gutenberg - Martin Luther - George Washington - Thomas Jefferson - Ben Franklin and the other founders - Darwin - Marx - Freud - Edison - Einstein - von Braun - Marconi - Hitler - Stalin, and a healthy assortment of American presidents leading up to George W. Bush.

Beyond organizing, retelling, and analyzing a wealth of historical data, The Winds of Time introduces a new and captivating methodology for teaching history. This is perhaps best summed up in the book's Foreword.

 

Foreword

The historical stage of Western civilization is filled with a dazzling cast of megastars. They have all lived their lives full throttle, for good or evil, and have not only changed the ideologies and societies of their own time, but have also laid the framework for shaping future ones. Their stories, therefore, are crucial for all generations to study.

As such, this book was written in hope of appealing to a broader audience, beyond those who already have an appreciation of history and propensity to read about it. It appears that books nowadays face a much harder task of attracting readers, being pitted against countless cable TV channels, the Internet, and numerous other rich forms of media. Therefore, this book was designed to shed light, in a variety of new and engaging ways, upon the characters and occurrences that made earth-shattering contributions to history; namely by infusing three methodologies together: commentaries, biographies, and narrative vignettes.

This book primarily consists of informal commentaries that examine and assess various individuals, cultures, and eras. With the common vernacular being the language of blogs, chat rooms, and media gurus’ books, it seems this approach is more attractive to today’s readers. These commentaries shall include rebuttals to contemporary viewpoints, as well as positing provocative philosophies. The intent of the latter is to challenge fixed ideologies that have profoundly conditioned the modern mind and civilization in general. There will be frequent moments of reflection that draw upon previous or future events to illustrate new correlations worthy of consideration, quite often to compare and contrast past events or individuals with those of modern America. Infused within these commentaries will be condensed and more formal biographies of select figures.

Finally, perhaps the most unique feature of this book will be the inclusion of special semihistorical scenes—which I call narrative vignettes. These literary creations are not nonfiction or novellas that tell a complete story with a beginning, middle, and end, but rather are like tiny windows in time through which the reader can experience a brief moment or scene in the life of a famous character. Although the majority of dialogue has been created—actual quotes were used if and where appropriate—the objective was not to fabricate dense storylines or a plethora of characters that may distract or distort the account.

These scenes feature evocative settings for atmosphere creating a time, place, mood, and our main characters engaged in either historical or ordinary moments in their lives. The intention is to immerse the reader briefly into the past so that they can sense the character’s personality, interests, assets, quirks, tactics, or ultimate goals. The focus is on analyzing each character within their specific environment, not on the author’s creative storyline.

NOTE: The Winds of Time has also been released in a new Master Edition which is intended for those who prefer straight nonfiction. The semihistorical narrative vignettes have been deleted and replaced with new historical facts and essays. Moreover the Master Edition offers more photos and illustrations that are informative as well as nostalgic.

When drawing up the blueprint for this work, certain figures were selected above others for their significant actions that have directly influenced or intrinsically mirrored modern events. Naturally, there have been far too many people and influences to include between the covers of this book, necessitating major extractions from this sweeping tale and focusing on events that were deemed most crucial to our civilization’s progress. Likewise, these highlights feature lessons that are the most relevant to modern minds, particularly those of Americans, who are the prime target of this work.

It is critical that Americans learn from history in order to avoid the pitfalls of the past, as well as emulate our forebears’ most effective solutions. In essence, many of the difficulties that we face today, to some degree, mirror those of the past, for sadly enough, history does repeat itself.

This book’s intent, however, is also to make us pause and reflect upon how real and influential so many characters of history were—brilliance, foibles, and all—for their influence still has the power to motivate us.

It is my belief that the winds of time, which carry both influences and warnings, bear the most crucial aspect of the human story, for without being influenced by someone or something from the past, one cannot be motivated to move forward to build a better tomorrow. Therefore, may the winds begin.

 


The WINDS of TIME by Rich DiSilvio

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Standard Edition: Features semihistorical vignettes.
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