Read this Scientific Article:

HLA genes in Macedonians and the sub-Saharan origin of the Greeks:

http://www.blackwell-synergy.com/doi/abs/10.1034/j.1399-0039.2001.057002118.x

------
3) Greeks are found to have a substantial relatedness to sub-Saharan (Ethiopian) people, which separate them from other Mediterranean groups. Both Greeks and Ethiopians share quasi-specific DRB1 alleles, such as *0305, *0307, *0411, *0413, *0416, *0417, *0420, *1110, *1112, *1304 and *1310. Genetic distances are closer between Greeks and Ethiopian/sub-Saharan groups than to any other Mediterranean group and finally Greeks cluster with Ethiopians/sub-Saharans in both neighbour joining dendrograms and correspondence analyses. The time period when these relationships might have occurred was ancient but uncertain and might be related to the displacement of Egyptian-Ethiopian people living in pharaonic Egypt
---------------

If I look at you and see no pigmentation than you are white. If there is pigmentation than you are black. Indians, Chinese, koreans, italians, and needless to say africans, african americans peresians and Iraquians and the list goes on. So the significance of a stolen history not only refer to blacks, but all who claim not to be black.

Having read a good deal of the reviews on this title, it is clear that most mis-understand the importance of this work. First Professor James puts fourth some very important facts which he supports with cross-references to historical text. There are some who call this a flawed work yet they fail to point out just where and with what they have taken exception to. If it is doctrinal in relation to Kemet then I would have to disagree, I would also ask as to whom they are referencing when making these claims. Is it Rosalie David? Howard Carter? Or some other self-confessed Egytologist? Or is it simply much easier to criticize a work they don't understand? The importance of this work is to let Black "men and women," know that you have been called to a higher standard of living than we currently recognize. Whereas it is considered honorable and righteous to worship and ascribe all that we achieve to a deified version of ourselves. I would ask how can we save our selves and "if God is no respector of persons," then how can one man earn the distinction of saviour of the world?

Well he couldn't, but what if we all ascribed to a higher standard of living under a system which requires a long period of self-examination, disciplined study and self-sacrafice? Then could we advance not only our culture but civilization as a whole? It doesn't take long to view the current state of the world to see that the accepted doctrines be it Judaism, Christianity, Islam or any other you may deem relevant, lack the power and insight to inspire man to a higher standard of living. It just might be that the reason for this lack of power, insight and influence lies in the fact that they are all copies of something much more profound. Something born of a devotion to a communal way of living. A way of life where the development and advancement of universal ideals are much more important than individual achievement and promotion.

So would you qualify as a candidate for admission into the mystery system? Did you recognize the character of Jesus was proving his worthiness as a student of the mysteries when he rebuked his disciple "Peter" and accepted his fate not as a human sacrifice but as a demonstration that he had become "Godlike," through self-denial of external needs and cultivation of his mind. So in essence if Jesus were to return he would have failed in his quest to escape the ten bodily fetters and the curse of transmigration. There is more evidence supporting the theory that Jesus was indeed a student in the mystery system than any notion that he was god in the flesh delivered up as a sacrifice for the sins of the world.

lies lies lies lies lies lies lies lies lies lies lies,stop trying to steal culture that is not your afrocentrism is racist,and keeps trying to steal cultures which are not theres study sub saharan africa that is where your ancestors come from.

This book is packed with knowledge which most Afrikans already knew that we are the first people who created the foundation of this NOW society. However, our founding fathers/mothers Auar, Heru, and Auset of Kamit had a strong foundation of the Tree of Life and 42 commandments of Maat that western man cut down to ten and we still do not adherd to them. This book is very much worth your investment to read again and again to unlock the massive destruction the powers that be has done negatively to the masses. Man is on a self distructive path as we continue to pollute our environment, breathing toxins from the air the food we eat and the negative images the of media! We are the only animal that doesn't respect the laws of nature. We are the "intellegent" one of the species?!?!?

Having read all of the previous 74 reviews the resemblance of controversy along skin color lines towards the O.J.Simpson case becomes clear. That alone should give food for thought. As a RastafarI I am not that fond of arguing for the sake of winning in an US debate class. I like to "reason".

What the book is about: It swiftly dismantles the (supposed) pseudo-achievements of ancient Greek philosophy by thoroughly (or not) proving its much older Black Egyptian origins. Socrates, Plato, Aristotle and the other "great Greek philosophers" were persecuted for introducing alien to Greece (somewhat corrupted along the accused plagiarism) knowledge and thoughts, they acquired by various means from the people which build the pyramids.

Which is most interesting for RastafarI as Rasta tradition rejects a focus on ancient Greek culture as Eurocentrism. After reading this book, I-n-I may adjust to embracing Greek philosophy - as of Black African origin. What a challenge! What a potential twist! As the Oregonians say (and whoever before them): "Never assume someone to be wrong, it may turn out later, they were right, too."

Personally, I would say, for a book written in 1954, only minor adjustments, such as corrections, would have to be made. (Compared to much newer books, yet in need of much more updating.) As controversial as this book is, white-conditioned folks cry "Lies!" I find the challenge of it alone very rewarding. A zillion lies have been told by white downpressors about black skinned people. A zillion more false scientific fantasies have been uttered in the same vein. Nobody got upset, not really. But when the racist-conditioned can't deal with the possibility of a reversed truth, they hit the ceiling, when the proof might be a bit lacking. Instead of appreciating that work and enhancing it further to find out even more of the truth. (The complete truth of anything we will never learn of course.)

A challenge very necessary. As I write this, a movie will soon open in my country of living, in which black sororities and fraternities at an African American college uses exclusively Greek alphabet letters for their names ("Stomp the Yard"). Exactly, what George G.M. James advised against 53 years ago, in order to emancipate. One of the reviewers of this book suggests now, to let comparisons with Greece go and rather concentrate on the black African achievements. Sure! All the centuries of colonialism, black skinned people GOT compared to Greece, driven into an inferiority complex, and now, that the tides have turned, Blacks are paternalised to let go of Greece. Ok, I can do that. I will concentrate on ancient Black Egypt then and totally forget about Greece...

The "philosophy" controversy: Linguistically relevant isn't so much, wether there are other words in ancient Greek containing word-parts of that, but wether the previous language did and wether ancient Egyptian did instead. Which I am told respectively no and yes, but personally I cannot confirm.

The Alexandria library controversy: I have read other sources referencing a library in existence before the Greek invasion (which would make much sense, I may add). But again, personally, I cannot confirm.

In any case, even if one or the other statement is not 100% correct or even false, the book has many more to offer. And is not describing Aristotle's plagiarism alone, but of basically all the other Greek philosophers as well. This smells like specific criticism intended to discredit the entire book. Which actually confirms the overall message of the book: For if the racist-conditioned COULD disprove ALL the allegations of the book, we could be sure they WOULD.

It is hilarious to claim, the Egyptians wouldn't have known any philosophy. Because supposedly no records would have been found. Like what: All the tons of books available (on this website) about religion and wisdom of the ancient Egyptians are what - I figure of the imagination? This book is describing very religious philosophy and nobody upfull/honest would dare to suggest, the Egyptians didn't have any. How far do people go? Unbelievable.

Maybe this hilarious claim is to be overstood as more specific philosophy according to the later Greek version. Nobody serious in the science community doubts the religious influence of Egypt over ancient Greece. E.g. "Black Isis and Child" is the image, from which "Black Mary and Child" was derived (later to be turned white-skinned). There's not enough space to list all of the religious path of development. Maybe it's not so much about plagiarism, but rather missionising, converting, influencing, adjusting, going the path of religious evolution.

The art controversy: Maybe the Greeks didn't build any pyramids, as it is claimed there is no architectural similarity between the two countries. Well, probably, they couldn't. I've read somewhere, the Japanese attempted to rebuild a pyramid in the 20th century and failed. Which is exactly a point: Even today, we can only GUESS, how the Egyptians build the pyramids. We simply do not know. There are no records left, whatsoever. Yet, nobody would claim, because those records aren't there, the pyramids aren't there. (Also being as precise geometrically and astronomically as with today's sophisticated gadgetry.) Also: The ancient Egyptians were able to diagnose certain bone fractions, today's doctors can't without x-ray. We only know, they could do it, but not how!
After Alexander the Great, the Greeks DID absorb any art they encountered. Paintings of Egyptian and Indian styles became Hellenised and vice versa. Of course, how else?!

For this purpose I advise reading African Origins Of Freemasonry: Treatise Of The Ancient Grand Lodge Of Khamet. Written in 2005, it references this book and updates a bit on the controversy, mentioning that discreditors of the book have been disproven in turn in the meanwhile. It also says, Freemasonry derives from the Ancient Egyptian Philosophy/Religion. Yet, this book doesn't say anything about Freemasonry. Why? Because of an oath of secrecy. Which of course was the same back then. Why? Priests are more powerfull, when only they can perform and have the knowledge. Please compare that to the Vatican which in the Dark Ages closed all institutes of education, destroyed all Greco-Roman texts it could, made its priest the only literate and did not translate the Bible into the local languages. They could interpret whatever they wanted! By the way: The Egyptians DID reveal the plagiarism : As soon, as they were able to - after all the successive occupations making that impossible before. Today, as in this book does. And experience the resistance of the establishment! (Also, some knowledge is dangerous, that's why e.g. certain Buddhist monks today do not reveal their fighting technics, whith which they wouldn't only win any Olympics, but could do considerable harm.)

The Black Egyptian controversy: Gee, I thought, we were past that "controversy". Currently, human knowledge doubles every 5 years. Part of that is, that the ancient Egyptians were black skinned. Not some, but most, even all in the early times. Read some of the older Ivan Van Sertima books or the 2006 When We Ruled: The Ancient and Medieval History of Black Civilisations proving that. For the DNA-resemblances to the Sumerians etc., guess what: They and the so called Hittites and other early peoples in the vicinity were black also. As were some ancestor-peoples of peoples called Semitic today. So that argument was a boomerang.

Also read one or the other recent book on genetics. Then you will find out, that EVERY single human, who lived at the times of the ancients, who left a surviving line of descendents, is one of the ancestors of EVERY human living today. Not a single exception. Which is true in turn for the time of the ancient Greeks in reference again to the times of the early Egyptian dynasties. There simply isn't such a thing as race, but a constant and complete mixing of anything. There is only appearances. Get over that! Both sides of the argument. That will enlighten your philosophy and spirituality. As everything from ancient times is OUR history, from ALL THE SIDES. Or "I-and-I" history, as Rastas would say. I.e. no matter, who invented that certain philosophy, they were the ancestors of ALL of I and I.

Having read all of the previous 74 reviews the resemblance of controversy along skin color lines towards the O.J.Simpson case becomes clear. That alone should give food for thought.

The book swiftly dismantles the (supposed) pseudo-achievements of ancient Greek philosophy by thoroughly (or not) proving its much older Black Egyptian origins. Socrates, Plato, Aristotle and the other "great Greek philosophers" were persecuted for introducing alien to Greece knowledge and thoughts they acquired from the people which build the pyramids.

Which is most interesting for RastafarI as tradition rejects a focus on ancient Greek culture as Eurocentrism. After reading this book, I-n-I may adjust to embracing Greek philosophy - as of Black African origin. What a challenge! What a potential twist! As the Oregonians say (and whoever before them): "Never assume someone to be wrong, it may turn out later, they were right, too."

Personally, I would say, for a book written in 1954, only minor adjustments would have to be made. White-conditioned folks cry "Lies!" I find the challenge of it alone very rewarding. A zillion lies have been told by white downpressors about black skinned people. A zillion more false scientific fantasies have been uttered in the same vein. Nobody got upset, not really. But when the racist-conditioned can't deal with the possibility of a reversed truth, they hit the ceiling. Instead of appreciating that work and enhancing it further.

A challenge very necessary. As I write this, a movie will soon open in my country of living, in which black sororities and fraternities at an African American college use exclusively Greek alphabet letters for their names ("Stomp the Yard"). Exactly, what George G.M. James advised against 53 years ago, in order to emancipate. One of the reviewers of this book suggests to let comparisons with Greece go and rather concentrate on the black African achievements. Sure! All the centuries of colonialism, black skinned people GOT compared to Greece, driven into an inferiority complex, and now, that the tides have turned, Blacks are paternalised to let go of Greece. Ok, I can do that. I will concentrate on ancient Black Egypt then and totally forget about Greece...

The Alexandria library controversy: I have read other sources referencing a library in existence before the Greek invasion (which would make much sense, I may add). But again, personally, I cannot confirm.

In any case, even if one or the other statement is not 100% correct or even false, the book has many more to offer. And is not describing Aristotle's plagiarism alone, but of basically all the other Greek philosophers as well. This smells like specific criticism intended to discredit the entire book. Which actually confirms the overall message of the book: For if the racist-conditioned COULD disprove ALL the allegations of the book, we could be sure they WOULD.

It is hilarious to claim, the Egyptians wouldn't have known any philosophy, for supposedly no records would have been found. Like what: All the tons of books available (on this website) about religion and wisdom of the ancient Egyptians are a figure of the imagination? This book is describing very religious philosophy and nobody upfull would dare to suggest, the Egyptians didn't have any. How far do people go?

Nobody serious in the science community doubts the religious influence of Egypt over ancient Greece. E.g. "Black Isis and Child" is the image, from which "Black Mary and Child" was derived (later to be turned white-skinned). There's not enough space to list all of the religious path of development. Maybe it's not so much about plagiarism, but rather missionising, converting, influencing, adjusting, going the path of religious evolution.

The art controversy: Maybe the Greeks didn't build any pyramids - as it is claimed there is no architectural similarity between the two countries - because they couldn't. I've read somewhere, the Japanese attempted to rebuild a pyramid in the 20th century and failed. Which is exactly a point: Even today, we can only GUESS, how the Egyptians build the pyramids. We simply do not know. There are no records left, whatsoever. Yet, nobody would claim, because those records aren't there, the pyramids aren't there. (Being as precise geometrically and astronomically as with today's sophisticated gadgetry.) Besides, the first columns in the world were built in pre-Greek Egypt, respective temples DO resemble later Greek temples (even Washington, DC monuments and buildings!) After Alexander the Great, the Greeks DID absorb any art they encountered. Paintings of Egyptian and Indian styles became Hellenised.

For this purpose I advise reading African Origins Of Freemasonry: Treatise Of The Ancient Grand Lodge Of Khamet. Written in 2005, it references this book and updates a bit on the controversy, mentioning that discreditors of the book have been disproven in turn. It also says, Freemasonry derives from the Ancient Egyptian philosophy/religion. Yet, this book doesn't say anything about Freemasonry. Why? Because of an oath of secrecy. Which of course was the same back then. Why? Priests are more powerfull, when only they can perform and have the knowledge. Please compare that to the Vatican which in the Dark Ages closed all institutes of education, destroyed all Greco-Roman texts it could, made her priests the only literate and did not translate the Latin Bible into the local languages. They could interpret whatever they wanted! By the way: The Egyptians DID reveal the plagiarism: As soon, as they were able to - after all the successive occupations making that impossible before. Today, as in: This book does. And experience the resistance of the establishment! (Also, some knowledge is dangerous, that's why e.g. certain Buddhist monks today do not reveal their fighting skills, with which they wouldn't only win any Olympics, but could do considerable harm.)

The Black Egyptian controversy: I thought, we were past that "controversy". Currently, human knowledge doubles every 5 years. Part of that is, that the ancient Egyptians were black skinned. Not some, but most, even all in the early times. Read some of the older Ivan Van Sertima books or the 2006 When We Ruled: The Ancient and Medieval History of Black Civilisations proving that. For the DNA-resemblances to the Sumerians etc., guess what: They and the so called Hittites and other early peoples in the vicinity, including ancestors of some of todays "Semites" were black also.

Read one or the other recent book on genetics. Then you will find out, that EVERY single human, who lived at the times of ancient Greece, who left a surviving line of descendents, is one of the ancestors of EVERY human living today. Not a single exception. Which is true in turn for the time of the ancient Greeks in reference again to the times of the early Egyptian dynasties. There simply isn't such a thing as race, but a constant and complete mixing of anything. There are only appearances. Get over that! Both sides of the argument. That will enlighten your philosophy and spirituality. As everything from ancient times is OUR history, from ALL THE SIDES. Or "I-and-I" history, as Rastas would say. I.e. no matter, who invented that certain philosophy, they were the ancestors of ALL of I and I.

"For centuries the world has been misled about the original source of the Arts and Sciences; for centuries Socrates, Plato and Aristotle have been falsely idolized as models of intellectual greatness; and for centuries the African continent has been called the Dark Continent, because Europe coveted the honor of transmitting to the world, the Arts and Sciences," writes George G.M. James, in his landmark study of the true authors of Greek philosophy, the Egyptians.

Initially published in 1954, the book shows yet again how war for the truth is waged on a battlefield, this one being Alexander's conquest of Egypt and the military policies to gain from Egyptian Priests information concerning Egyptian history, philosophy and religion & the plundering of libraries. That became the starting point for the plagarized writings of Socrates, Plato and Aristotle, with this false history being continually taught in classrooms, from elementary schools to colleges.

James focuses on the Egyptian Mystery System, which was the foundation for the arts & sciences and how these doctrines found in Greek writings are traced back to the Egyptian origin.

Particularly interesting are the chapters where James gives a brief biography of a Greek author and then - with an impressive listing of resources - points to major discrepencies in their lives and the doubts surrounding the authorship of their "original" works.

And please note that James wrote his book with a larger mission in mind: "Consequently this theft of the African legacy by the Greeks led to the erroneous world opinion that the African Continent has made no contribution to civilization, and that its people are naturally backward. This is the misrepresentation that has become the basis of race prejudice, which has affected all people of color."

It is only right for wrongs to be correctly rewritten and the truth be told. Stolen Legacy began that process more than 50 years ago and it continues today, one reader at a time.

Stolen Legacy by George James

Someone said "stop hatin". I agree. When the truth begins to come to light, the myth makers begin to make big "wahala." Did grandmama nem say "that a hit dog barks the loudest." I guess we got some hit dogs up in heah!

Egypt is one of those places that conjure up images of beautiful and magnificent ancient people who built the pyramids and created a great African culture.

I have been fascinated with Egypt since I was a young child. I was also enamored of Greek mythology. However, when I discovered that there is no such thing as Greek mythology, but Egyptian/African mythology in disguise; I felt compelled to try to learn the truth.

The book is only one book of many that should be read, that is, if you want the truth.

Stolen Legacy by George James

Someone said "stop hatin". I agree. When the truth begins to come to light, the myth makers begin to make big "wahala." Did grandmama nem say "that a hit dog barks the loudest." I guess we got some hit dogs up in heah!

Egypt is one of those places that conjure up images of beautiful and magnificent ancient people who built the pyramids and created a great African culture.

I have been fascinated with Egypt since I was a young child. I was also enamored of Greek mythology. However, when I discovered that there is no such thing as Greek mythology, but Egyptian/African mythology in disguise; I felt compelled to try to learn the truth.

The book is only one book of many that should be read, that is, if you want the truth.

THE GLOBAL AFRICAN COMMUNITY

H I S T O R Y N O T E S


By RUNOKO RASHIDI

DEDICATED TO DR. PETER DAWSON AND DR. ALFRED M. LIGON

-------------------------------------------------------------------------
The following information will be of interest to all who appreciate the work of George G. M. James. As we all know, very little is published about Professor James. The following information came to me via the Internet. I have decided to republish it here because it has some precious information about Prof. James.
This information is quite appropriate to describe the book that i first reprinted in 1989 - long after the death of Mr. James. But since i was the first publisher to 'mass' produce, and satisfy the great demand for the book, it is the only one in print that also has a photograph of the Author. [...]
"The term Greek philosophy, to begin with, is a
misnomer, for there is no such philosophy in
existence."

Dr. George Granville Monah James was born in
Georgetown, Guyana, South America. He was the son of
Reverend Linch B. and Margaret E. James. George G.M.
James earned Bachelor of Arts, Bachelor of Theology
and Master of Arts degrees from Durham University in
England and was a candidate there for the D. Litt
degree. He conducted research at London University
and did postgraduate work at Columbia University where
he read for his Ph.D. Dr. James earned a teaching
certificate in the State of New York to teach
mathematics, Latin and Greek. James later served as
Professor of Logic and Greek at Livingston College in
Salisbury, North Carolina for two years, and
eventually taught at the University of Arkansas, Pine
Bluff.

Dr. James was the author of the widely circulated
Stolen Legacy: The Greeks Were Not the Authors of
Greek Philosophy, But the People of North Africa,
Commonly Called the Egyptians--a controversial text
originally published in 1954 and reprinted a number of
times since. Professor William Leo Hansberry reviewed
Stolen Legacy in the Journal of Negro Education in
1955, and noted that:

"In Stolen Legacy an author with a passion for justice
and truth champions a startling thesis with which most
of the little volume's readers--Hellenophiles in
particular--will no doubt strongly disagree. In this
work Professor James dares to contend and labor to
prove, among others, that 'the Greeks were not the
authors of Greek philosophy', that 'so-called Greek
philosophy' was based in the main upon ideas and
concepts which were borrowed without
acknowledgement--indeed 'stolen'--by a few wayward and
dishonest Greeks from the ancient Egyptians."

Stolen Legacy was written during Dr. James' tenure at
the University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff. As of
today, there is not even a copy of the book in the
University library. There is no statue or bust of Dr.
James on the campus. There is no plaque of Dr. James
adorning the campus walls. There is not even a
certificate to note Dr. James' existence or that he
even lived. This is at an historically Black college!


Dr. James's tragic death, under mysterious
circumstances, reputedly, came shortly after Stolen
Legacy's publication. To date, no significant
biography of James has been presented.

SOURCES:
Stolen Legacy, by George G.M. James
Nile Valley Contributions To Civilization, by Anthony
Browder

THE GLOBAL AFRICAN COMMUNITY

H I S T O R Y N O T E S


By RUNOKO RASHIDI

DEDICATED TO DR. PETER DAWSON AND DR. ALFRED M. LIGON

-------------------------------------------------------------------------
The following information will be of interest to all who appreciate the work of George G. M. James. As we all know, very little is published about Professor James. The following information came to me via the Internet. I have decided to republish it here because it has some precious information about Prof. James.
This information is quite appropriate to describe the book that i first reprinted in 1989 - long after the death of Mr. James. But since i was the first publisher to 'mass' produce, and satisfy the great demand for the book, it is the only one in print that also has a photograph of the Author. [...]
"The term Greek philosophy, to begin with, is a
misnomer, for there is no such philosophy in
existence."

Dr. George Granville Monah James was born in
Georgetown, Guyana, South America. He was the son of
Reverend Linch B. and Margaret E. James. George G.M.
James earned Bachelor of Arts, Bachelor of Theology
and Master of Arts degrees from Durham University in
England and was a candidate there for the D. Litt
degree. He conducted research at London University
and did postgraduate work at Columbia University where
he read for his Ph.D. Dr. James earned a teaching
certificate in the State of New York to teach
mathematics, Latin and Greek. James later served as
Professor of Logic and Greek at Livingston College in
Salisbury, North Carolina for two years, and
eventually taught at the University of Arkansas, Pine
Bluff.

Dr. James was the author of the widely circulated
Stolen Legacy: The Greeks Were Not the Authors of
Greek Philosophy, But the People of North Africa,
Commonly Called the Egyptians--a controversial text
originally published in 1954 and reprinted a number of
times since. Professor William Leo Hansberry reviewed
Stolen Legacy in the Journal of Negro Education in
1955, and noted that:

"In Stolen Legacy an author with a passion for justice
and truth champions a startling thesis with which most
of the little volume's readers--Hellenophiles in
particular--will no doubt strongly disagree. In this
work Professor James dares to contend and labor to
prove, among others, that 'the Greeks were not the
authors of Greek philosophy', that 'so-called Greek
philosophy' was based in the main upon ideas and
concepts which were borrowed without
acknowledgement--indeed 'stolen'--by a few wayward and
dishonest Greeks from the ancient Egyptians."

Stolen Legacy was written during Dr. James' tenure at
the University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff. As of
today, there is not even a copy of the book in the
University library. There is no statue or bust of Dr.
James on the campus. There is no plaque of Dr. James
adorning the campus walls. There is not even a
certificate to note Dr. James' existence or that he
even lived. This is at an historically Black college!


Dr. James's tragic death, under mysterious
circumstances, reputedly, came shortly after Stolen
Legacy's publication. To date, no significant
biography of James has been presented.

SOURCES:
Stolen Legacy, by George G.M. James
Nile Valley Contributions To Civilization, by Anthony
Browder

"The wisdom of the Egyptians was a proverb with the Greeks, who felt themselves children beside this ancient race." Plato, Timaeus, 22B, Quoted from Will Durant, the Story of civilization: I



Egyptian Civilization:
"Historians of philosophy have been wont to begin their story with the Greeks. It may be that we are all mistaken; for among the most ancient fragments left to us by the Egyptians are writings that belong under the rubric of moral philosophy. The Egyptians were the light of the ancient world. They produced many early medical instruments, designed the world's first step pyramid, and laid the empirical groundwork for scientific reasoning. Akhenaton, ..., is cited as "the Father of Monotheism." Eugene Holley Jr.
Gerald Massey's work; 'Book of the Beginnings,' is an essential reading for seekers of a balanced understanding of human origins, religious thought and belief, and the role of Egyptian civilization in world history. Massey, born in England in 1828, was a radical Egyptologist, who maintained that Africa was the source for "the greatest civilization in the world." According to Massey, all evidence cries aloud its proclamation that Africa was the birthplace of the non-articulate and Egypt the mouthpiece of articulate man.

Egyptian Moral Heritage:
Herodotus, has demonstrated that Greece borrowed from Egypt all the elements of her civilization, and that Egypt was the cradle of civilization. "Egypt is the mother of all (the civilized) world," says the popular proverb, to which responded the Late Nobel laureate, Naguib Mahfouz, "Egyptian civilization was beyond any doubt a great culture that encompassed the entire ancient world. The fact that we may have come to know it once more through the mediation of Western explorers and scientists does not make it any less ours. How could it be? It is the heritage of all humanity."
Morally, Ancient Egypt was far ahead of 18th century Europe, as testified by Diodoros (Hellene historian, 1st cent. BC) who specified that Solon had adopted an Egyptian law according to which everybody had to declare the source of their income. In I.79.3 Diodoros specified yet another Solonic law supposed to derive from Egypt, his famous 'Seisachtheia,' "shaking off of debts" according to which a man could not be imprisoned or enslaved for debt. Whether or not Diodoros' claims are correct, has been treated seriously in the 20th century.

Egypt: Greece Alma Matter?
'But now that we have examined these matters, we must enumerate what Greeks, who have won fame for their wisdom and learning, visited in ancient times, in order to become acquainted with its customs and learning. For the priests of Egypt recount from the records of their sacred books that they were visited in early times by Orpheus, Musaeus, Melampus, and Daedalus, also by the poet Homer and Lycurgus of Sparta, later by Solon of Athens and the philosopher Plato, and that there also came Pythagoras of Samos and the mathematician Eudoxus, {note 1} as well as Democritus of Abdera and Oenopides {note 2} of Chios. As evidence for the visits of all these men they point in some cases to their statues and in others to places or buildings {note 3} which bear their names, and they offer proofs from the branch of learning which each one of these men pursued, arguing that all the things for which they were admired among the Greeks were transferred from Egypt. (DIODORUS OF SICILY, C.H. Oldfather, translator, Harvard University Press (Loeb), Cambridge Ma. 1968.)

M. Bernal wrote, "Her (Lefkowitz) general truth is that Greece did not derive any significant part of its civilization from Egypt. In this, she not only flies in the face of Greek and Roman tradition but even goes further than most of her classicist colleagues. For instance, she is extremely doubtful that Plato ever went to Egypt because, she maintains, references to the visit only appear in the late Hellenistic period (1st century BC). However, according to recent scholarship on the issue, the tradition of the journey goes back to Speusippos, Plato's nephew and his successor as head of the Academy." Bernal Review; Not Out of Africa

Stolen Legacy:
"The term Greek philosophy, to begin with, is a misnomer, for there is no such philosophy in existence." is such a harsh statement for Dr. James to start his introduction, and very bold for a book written in 1954 Arkansas. The compatibility of Greek philosophy with Egyptian Wisdom is in intense debate for the last two decades. If Lefkowitz rogues' gallery targeted above all George James (as Bernal stated), it is because they are both polarizing figures, was the reason I acquired the book recently, and attempted to review it.
Over on athena-discuss, Scott A. Simmons wrote, "I would readily grant "tribute" as opposed to "theft", if the "wholesale appropriation" were acknowledged by those whose names now attract credit that is not theirs. If they (Archimedes, Aristotle, Thales, etc.) took from the Egyptians without acknowledging it, then by definition, plagiarism is committed."
Professor William Hansberry reviewed Stolen Legacy in the Journal of Negro Education in 1955, and noted that: "In Stolen Legacy an author with a passion for justice and truth champions a startling thesis with which most of the little volume's readers, Helleno-philes in particular, will no doubt strongly disagree. In this work Professor James dares to contend and labor to prove, among others, that 'the Greeks were not the authors of Greek philosophy', that 'so-called Greek philosophy' was based in the main upon ideas and concepts which were borrowed without acknowledgement, indeed 'stolen,' by a few wayward and dishonest Greeks from the ancient Egyptians."

Dr. George G. M. James:
"Mary Lefkowitz dislikes the whole gamut. ...However, her principal objection is to the 20th century group that ... some refer to as "Nilocentric," ... I too am included in her attacks but her rogues' gallery consists of ..., and above all George G. M. James." Martin Bernal

Dr. George Granville James, son of Reverend Linch James, earned BA, and MA degrees from Durham University in England. He conducted research at London University and did postgraduate work at Columbia University where he read for his Ph.D. James later served as Professor of Logic and Greek at Livingston College in Salisbury, NC, and eventually taught at the University of Arkansas.

The great classic work by the great George G.M. James, like a precious jewel, appreciates with age. While some argue that the book's title (Stolen Legacy) and the author's primary assertions, tending to totally discredit Greek civilization, may be academically counterintuitive; and while I can somewhat concur, James's work remains an invaluable educational tool in the Black struggle. Detractors may as well zip their lips and relax because this book is not going to go away! It is another great book for the ages.

There is a whole lot going on here, and for that reason it's not the most relaxing read, but it is highly informative and profoundy inspiring. Black Freemasons especially, cannot afford to overlook this work. Much of the book focuses on the ancient Egyptian Mystery System, the father of Freemasonry. And for that matter, the Mystery System was also the forerunner model of organized religion.

Without charging into all of the controversies and polemics--let them rage as they may--I do advance this opinion: a scholar's ken isn't required to discern that Egypt (Kempt or Khemit) profoundly impacted Greece and her philosophers, and be that as it may, James's work does present a valid argument; the Greek philosophers did at least extract much from Egyptian culture, because much of what they espoused vividly reflects ancient African thought. There should be no argument with that fact because scholars know that the philosophers themselves admit that their knowledge was acquired through Egyptian tutelege. Moreover, readers must Bear in mind that in ancint times (and what often confuses readers today), Egypt was an Occidental generic term for the whole of Africa, not just the North African country.

Moreover, much of what is generally glorified today about ancient Egyptian civilization was an outgrowth spawned from within the African interior; ancient Egypt was actually the flowering of a much larger cultural influence. For James, then, as well as other notable scholars and Egyptologists, Egypt is simply an historical marker for Africa's ancient brilliance and unquestionable contribution to civilization.

And if James aimed to totally discredit Greece, he may have consciously reacted to the fact that the world had totally discredited Africa. It is conceivable that James put forth a somewhat racist argument to augment his prime argument, that Africa contributed significantly to civilization, anticipating a racist reaction from a biased academia. Reverse racism--perhaps? Sometimes it's the only way to snag a Racist's attention. All that notwithstanding, James beautifully presents his own closing remarks about his purpose for writing Stolen Legacy:

It is also going to mean a most important change in the mentality of the Black people: a change from an inferiority complex, to the realization and consciousness of their equality with all the other great peoples of the world, who have built great civilizations. With this change in the mentality of the Black and White people, great changes are expected in their respective attitudes towards each other, and in society as a whole.

So, there you have it. Stolen Legacy is recovered history.