Robert K. Wilcox's new book: "The Truth About the Shroud of Turin"

In this exhibition year of the Shroud of Turin, another (besides Ian Wilson's) book on it has just been published.

[Right: Robert K. Wilcox, "The Truth About the Shroud of Turin: Solving the Mystery," Regnery Press, Revised edition, 2010: Amazon.com]

Journalist Robert K. Wilcox has revised and updated his important 1977 book, "Shroud."

Wilcox's new book is available from major online booksellers, including Amazon.com (US$11.53), Barnes & Noble (US$12.20) and Borders (US$16.95). It is also available from Human Events (US$12.95) and AbeBooks (US$11.45).

Here is it's Contents page:

Preface xi

PART I: 1898-1902, THE PHOTOGRAPH
Chapter 1: A Startling Discovery 1
Chapter 2: Vignon and Delage 9
Chapter 3: A Case of Scientific Bias 23

PART II: 1973, A REPORTER'S SEARCH
Chapter 4: An Exposition 33
Chapter 5: Secret Commissions, Evasive Responses 43
Chapter 6: Seeing the Shroud 59
Chapter 7: Face Veils and Visionaries 71
Chapter 8: Hans Naber and Leonard Cheshire 81
Chapter 9: Ancient Images, Crusader Monks 99
Chapter 10: The Shroud in America 113
Chapter 11: What Key Scientists Have to Say 129
Chapter 12: More from the Experts 143
Chapter 13: Mysterious Leaves, Ghostly Photos 151
Chapter 14: Space-Age Science 159
Chapter 15: Back East 169
Chapter 16: Drawing Conclusions 185

Here are Amazon.com's Editorial Reviews about the book:

Product Description The shroud of Turin is one of history's most controversial and perplexing relics. Many believe it to be the genuine burial shroud of Jesus Christ. Some hypothesize the image on the shroud was created through a rare scientific phenomenon. Still others think the shroud is a fake, proven-through carbon tests in 1988-to be a clever forgery. In The Truth About the Shroud of Turin, investigative reporter Robert K.Wilcox-author of the successful Target: Patton-applies his investigative eye and compelling writing style to this mysterious artifact. Featuring new evidence and new chapters, The Truth About the Shroud of Turin offers new insight into this baffling mystery and offers compelling evidence that the shroud is the authentic burial shroud of Jesus Christ.

From the Inside Flap Is the shroud of Turin-an ancient linen bearing the mysterious image of a man, purported to be Jesus of Nazareth-the ingenious work of an artist, or the true shroud of Christ? For centuries, this question has perplexed and enticed the most brilliant minds. Now, in The Truth about the Shroud of Turin: Solving the Mystery, journalist Robert K. Wilcox investigates every aspect of the shroud's history, from the ancient Egyptian weave of the cloth to the possible role of radiation in forming the image on its surface. Drawing on evidence collected over thirty years of travel, interviews with experts, and painstaking research, Wilcox presents the full story of the shroud in astonishing detail. The Shroud of Turin-a clever hoax or the authentic burial cloth of Jesus Christ? Read this reporter's journey and discover the truth.

And here is a media release about it:

New Book Reveals Evidence that Proves Life and Death of Jesus, Christian Newswire, Sally Brock ... WASHINGTON, March 8 /Christian Newswire/ -- The Shroud of Turin, one of history's most controversial and perplexing relics, is set to draw a crowd more than 5 times as big as the Olympic Games in Vancouver. Two million people are expected in Turin, Italy to see the ancient burial cloth when it goes on display in April. While some believe that purported image of Jesus is a fake, investigative journalist Robert K. Wilcox, author of The Truth About The Shroud of Turin: Solving the Mystery, says the authenticity of the burial cloth of is no longer overshadowed by doubt. "For the first time mounting evidence and amazing new technology proves in my mind that the shroud is the burial cloth of Jesus," says Wilcox. "Throughout history the shroud has changed the minds of many hardened scientists and even today many skeptics now count themselves as believers." Wilcox is the only journalist to tackle this controversial subject and examine both the science and the faith fueling the debate. Using his investigative eye and compelling writing style, Wilcox unravels the mystery behind the artifact. While many books cite only studies, The Truth About The Shroud of Turin contains interviews with scientists and researchers using cutting-edge technology to look into the scientific facets of this historical mystery and reveal the latest evidence behind the claim that the shroud is actually the cloth that was placed over Jesus' tortured body. The Truth About The Shroud of Turin exposes new evidence including:

• Skeptics have long cited Carbon 14 tests performed in 1988 as proof the shroud did not belong to Jesus--Wilcox proves that test was done on a small corner of cloth restored in the 13th century.


• Using the latest photographic capabilities and the science of radiation Wilcox reveals the shroud's mysterious photographic properties no medieval or modern forger could create.


• Science shows the images on the shroud were formed from real blood--giving evidence that the shroud covered a real human tortured in the same brutal way Jesus was said to be.


• Amazing new technology helped scientists detect on the shroud the type of thorns left around Jesus' head and the flowers placed on his body--all plants found to bloom only in Jerusalem at the same time of year and day when Jesus was reportedly crucified.

The Truth About The Shroud of Turin not only convinces the reader of the shroud's authenticity and the existence of Jesus, but also exposes the scientific bias that rules today's modern age. Wilcox's research shows how many scientists today base their research on their own desired outcome rather than allowing the scientific method to determine the truth. ...

Here is another review of the book:

"The Shroud of Turin: A medieval fraud -- or the actual burial cloth of Jesus Christ?," Human Events Book Service. The Truth about the Shroud of Turin: Solving the Mystery by Robert K. Wilcox. Is the Shroud of Turin -- an ancient linen bearing the mysterious image of a man, purported to be Jesus of Nazareth -- the ingenious work of an artist, or the true shroud of Christ? For centuries, this question has perplexed and enticed the most brilliant minds. In The Truth about the Shroud of Turin: Solving the Mystery, reporter Robert K. Wilcox (formerly for the New York Times and Miami Herald) investigates every aspect of the Shroud's history, from the ancient Egyptian weave of the cloth to the possible role of radiation in forming the image on its surface. Drawing on evidence collected over thirty years of travel, interviews with experts, and painstaking research, Wilcox presents the full story of the Shroud in astonishing detail: The Shroud of Turin -- a clever hoax, or the authentic burial cloth of Jesus Christ? Revelations in The Truth about the Shroud of Turin:

• The Shroud debunked by Carbon 14 dating -- but then the debunkers themselves are debunked by later analysis The "3-Dimensionality" of the Body image, a quality found elsewhere only in images of deep outer space


• The probable link between the Shroud and the Knights Templar, which fills in the most important gap in the history of the Shroud


• The purely "natural" explanations of the Shroud -- even more outlandish than actual miracles

"I come at this subject as a reporter," writes Wilcox. "I know, from my own sifting of the evidence, what I think to be true. But his book is not an attempt to present you with my opinions as fact. It is an attempt to present a true portrait of one of the most breathtaking relics of the past -- whether one thinks that past takes us into the shop of a medieval forger or to a burial ground in the Holy Land." Follow this reporter's journey and discover the truth.

"Wilcox weaves an intriguing detective story, utilizing over 30 years of research including trips the world over, seeking to unravel the secrets of the world's most intensely-studied artifact, giving readers much evidence to decide if the Shroud is just an elaborate hoax or the actual burial cloth of Jesus." -- Joseph Marino, Shroud scholar

"Bob has taken his 1977 milestone book, Shroud, refined it, expanded it and brought it up to the minute, including details on the latest scientific research and the scientists who performed it." -- Barrie Schwortz, Shroud scholar and editor and founder of The Shroud website

I first learned about this new Wilcox book at Dan Porter's Shroud of Turin Blog: "The Truth About the Shroud of Turin: Solving the Mystery - Exciting New Book" and ordered it immediately (8th March). Hopefully it will arrive next week down here at the Antipodes!

Stephen E. Jones, BSc. (Biology).
My other blogs: CreationEvolutionDesign & Jesus is Jehovah!