Books published by publisher Onus Books

The Star of Bethlehem: A Skeptical View is an analysis of the astronomical portent found in the Gospel of Matthew which supposedly led the Magi from the East to the birthplace of Jesus. Throughout history, people have tried to connect the Star to real, naturalistic phenomena, as well as to explain it in other ways. Adair takes a thorough look at all of these explanatory attempts, using the tools of science and astronomy, and finds them fundamentally wanting. Take a trip through the heavens above with Adair as he critically explores many centuries of flawed hypotheses, looking to answer the question "Did the Star of Bethlehem really exist?" This book is at the conjunction of science and religion. "Well researched, scientifically reasoned, elegantly concise, this book will long be required reading on the 'Star of Bethlehem'. Full of fascinating historical facts, and better informed and more careful than any other book on the subject, this should be on the shelf of everyone interested in that legendary celestial event." Richard Carrier, Ph.D., author of Proving History: Bayes's Theorem and the Quest for the Historical Jesus."A fascinating and readable feat of hardcore historical legwork and keen scientific analysis." David Fitzgerald, author of The Complete Heretic's Guide to Western Religion: The Mormons. "...tightly-argued, well-reasoned.... Adair masterfully demonstrates why every effort to rationalize the Star thus far has failed.... A concise and rigorous must-read for anyone interested in religion, history, and modern efforts to understand the past." Jason Colavito, author of The Cult of Alien Gods.

The nativity of Jesus is an event that carries much cultural recognition. However, is it a narrative which commands much support in the academic world? Is it a story which holds much historical truth? Or were the two biblical accounts of the birth of Jesus an opportunity for the authors to impart a theological truth or otherwise?These are the sort of questions that are often asked of the nativity accounts and questions which are answered in this concise and yet well-researched and informative book. Some twenty arguments are looked at and presented in a clear and detailed manner, building a cumulative case for the objection to the historical nature of the Gospel accounts. The author also questions what purpose these stories do serve if indeed they do carry little or no historical truth. With reference to a wide array of contemporary and iconic works on the subject, Pearce has created a compendium of critical arguments against the historicity of a story which still remains a vital piece of our collective cultural and religious tapestry. “For anyone beginning to doubt the reliability of the gospels as eyewitness accounts, Pearce's "The Nativity" will teach you everything you need to know to move past the limitations of biblical infallibility and explore the complicated process that went into the gospel narratives of Jesus Christ.” - Derek Murphy, author of Jesus Potter Harry Christ"excellent" - David Fitzgerald, author of Nailed

There is a world, or perhaps a heaven, of deities outside of the Greco-Roman context, and this book looks to take you on a divine ride through those cultures to meet the gods and goddesses of ancient eras. David Fletcher, with the help of an array of sumptuous illustrations, weaves the ancient with the modern, giving a humorous and current commentary on the otherworldly of yesteryear. Many wonderful, fascinating, gruesome and downright weird (not to say oftentimes borderline inappropriate) tales and their protagonists are captured in a volume that deserves to adorn the shelves of both the armchair mythologist and interested reader, as well as the seasoned expert.

There is a world, or perhaps a heaven, of deities outside of the Greco-Roman context, and this book looks to take you on a divine ride through those cultures to meet the gods and goddesses of ancient eras. David Fletcher, with the help of an array of sumptuous illustrations, weaves the ancient with the modern, giving a humorous and current commentary on the otherworldly of yesteryear. Many wonderful, fascinating, gruesome and downright weird (not to say oftentimes borderline inappropriate) tales and their protagonists are captured in a volume that deserves to adorn the shelves of both the armchair mythologist and interested reader, as well as the seasoned expert.

The Star of Bethlehem: A Skeptical View is an analysis of the astronomical portent found in the Gospel of Matthew which supposedly led the Magi from the East to the birthplace of Jesus. Throughout history, people have tried to connect the Star to real, naturalistic phenomena, as well as to explain it in other ways. Adair takes a thorough look at all of these explanatory attempts, using the tools of science and astronomy, and finds them fundamentally wanting. Take a trip through the heavens above with Adair as he critically explores many centuries of flawed hypotheses, looking to answer the question "Did the Star of Bethlehem really exist?" This book is at the conjunction of science and religion. "Well researched, scientifically reasoned, elegantly concise, this book will long be required reading on the 'Star of Bethlehem'. Full of fascinating historical facts, and better informed and more careful than any other book on the subject, this should be on the shelf of everyone interested in that legendary celestial event." Richard Carrier, Ph.D., author of Proving History: Bayes's Theorem and the Quest for the Historical Jesus. "A fascinating and readable feat of hardcore historical legwork and keen scientific analysis." David Fitzgerald, author of The Complete Heretic's Guide to Western Religion: The Mormons. "...tightly-argued, well-reasoned.... Adair masterfully demonstrates why every effort to rationalize the Star thus far has failed.... A concise and rigorous must-read for anyone interested in religion, history, and modern efforts to understand the past." Jason Colavito, author of The Cult of Alien Gods.

The nativity of Jesus is an event that carries much cultural recognition. However, is it a narrative which commands much support in the academic world? Is it a story which holds much historical truth? Or were the two biblical accounts of the birth of Jesus an opportunity for the authors to impart a theological truth or otherwise?These are the sort of questions that are often asked of the nativity accounts and questions which are answered in this concise and yet well-researched and informative book. Some twenty arguments are looked at and presented in a clear and detailed manner, building a cumulative case for the objection to the historical nature of the Gospel accounts. The author also questions what purpose these stories do serve if indeed they do carry little or no historical truth. With reference to a wide array of contemporary and iconic works on the subject, Pearce has created a compendium of critical arguments against the historicity of a story which still remains a vital piece of our collective cultural and religious tapestry. "For anyone beginning to doubt the reliability of the gospels as eyewitness accounts, Pearce's "The Nativity" will teach you everything you need to know to move past the limitations of biblical infallibility and explore the complicated process that went into the gospel narratives of Jesus Christ." - Derek Murphy, author of Jesus Potter Harry Christ"excellent" - David Fitzgerald, author of Nailed

J.B. Priestley is considered by many to be an old-fashioned playwright whose work is locked in a pre-war world of provincialism and whose ideas are way past their sell-by date. In Time and the Rose Garden, internationally recognised author Anthony Peake re-assesses the plays and novels of this fascinating writer. In doing so, Peake argues that Priestley should be recognised as one of the most prescient of all middle century playwrights and that his ideas on time, consciousness and mortality can be found in hugely popular blockbusters such as The Matrix, Vanilla Sky, Deja Vu, Sliding Doors, Butterfly Effect and many others.

“For those who love mermaids, this book is not a fairytale, It’s a dream come true.” Prince Mario Max zu Schaumburg-LippeIn Iceland, the Huldufolk, or elves still dwell. Deep within the caverns of their last stronghold the Alfaborg, the old magic still lives. Lord Klaus, a healer among his people seeks a powerful magic to heal the wounds of war between the races of man, dwarfs and elves. A magic so old, it was lost in time with the fall of Atlantis. Despite the combined magic of elves and dwarfs, it is beyond their reach. They fear that no one can find an island destroyed by the gods. But one young mermaid princess believes anything is possible with the help of her odd ball group of magical creatures and friends.

J.B. Priestley is considered by many to be an old-fashioned playwright whose work is locked in a pre-war world of provincialism and whose ideas are way past their sell-by date. In Time and the Rose Garden, internationally recognised author Anthony Peake re-assesses the plays and novels of this fascinating writer. In doing so, Peake argues that Priestley should be recognised as one of the most prescient of all middle century playwrights and that his ideas on time, consciousness and mortality can be found in hugely popular blockbusters such as The Matrix, Vanilla Sky, Deja Vu, Sliding Doors, Butterfly Effect and many others.