The Chalice of Magdalene: The Search for the Cup That Held the Blood of Christ

This is one of the most interesting books I have ever read about the Grail legend. It answers many questions that most books on the subject fail to address. Chiefly amongst these is how the Grail tradition ties up with the legend of King Arthur. In the first half of the book, the author takes the reader on a fascinating step by step investigation into the origins of the Arthurian story, identifying an historical figure behind the myth. In the second half of the book, he examines the development of the Grail legend and how the relic may have been an historical artifact which he rediscovered hidden in central England. Unlike many authors on the subject of the Holy Grail, Graham Phillips examines the original sources for the legend, and presents his conclusions in a logical and readable fashion. This is an excellent historical investigation into a complex and controversial subject.

Mary, Mary, Quite Contrary In the Bible, Mary Magdalene is a mysterious follower of Jesus about who almost nothing is revealed. No wonder then that for almost 2000 years most people did not regard her as important enough to write entire books about. That all changed in the 1980s after the publication of Holy Blood: Holy Grail by three British authors who proposed that she was really the bride of Christ and that they had children whose descendants are alive today. In the 1990s Mary again slipped into obscurity until the publication of Dan Brown's Da Vinci Code made her the historical buzz word of the early third millennium. In the last couple of years dozens of books have been written about the enigmatic female disciple who may have been the sinful woman that Jesus saved from a stoning. However, in my opinion, none of these books actually produce solid, physical evidence to support their various claims about her - except one - this book by Graham Phillips. In the Chalice of Magdalene the author claims to have found a cup that was made in first-century Palestine and was used by Mary to collect a few drops of Christ's blood. This, Phillips argues, was the original Holy Grail, the sacred cup of the early Christian faith. This book requires a few leaps faith by the reader itself, but it is an entertaining and thought-provoking experience. Even if you don't accept the authors claim to posses the original Grail then the book is still worth a read. It's a mine of information about the development of the Grail legend throughout history.

I found this book fascinating, whether the chalice Mr. Phillip's found really is the grail or not, the way he deciphered the clues left to the where abouts of this item was incredible to read. How he took you on an investigative quest that unfolded itself made you feel you were right there beside him. I thought the way it was written along side the history of the Arthurian times was easy to comprehend, and it was illuminating to discover King Arthur may actually have been a real man and not just a myth. Thank you Mr. Phillips, keep writing these books, truly inspiring.

I recently saw a documentary about this book on the Discovery Channel and doubted that anyone could really have found the Holy Grail in this day and age. When I read the book I was expecting it to be some kind of New Age mystery adventure. I could not have been more wrong. Phillips' claim to have found the Chalice of Magdalene (a contender for the original Holy Grail) is a serious historical investigation. What's more: this book also includes the latest archeological discoveries that may have uncovered a real Camelot and a geophysics survey of what may be the grave of King Arthur. I recommend this book to anyone who is interested in the Arthurian enigma.

I have read nearly all of Graham Phillips' books and have always been enthralled by his exciting and new approach to historical mysteries. In this book he searches for an ancient chalice that may have been the original Holy Grail. Whether or not it was is open to debate. Nevertheless, it is a truly fascinating historical adventure story, full of secret codes hidden in old books, statues and a stained-glass window. If Mr. Phillips is right then the search for the Grail is finally over.