Rage and the Word: Gilgamesh, Akhenaten, Moses and the Birth of the Metaphysical Age Paperback – December 20, 2014

An interesting exploration of the religious visions of Akhenaten, Gilgamesh, and Moses, and the way their dissatisfaction with established religious structures and systems (their rage in other words) led them to pivotal "axial age" revelations regarding the individual's self-salvation which would of course later become the foundations for major (western) world religions.

This is a small book/long essay on the history of consciousness. It is less accessible than the other books Ebert wrote, but it is worth the energy if you like Gilgamesj, Moses and the Egyptians. Ebert is still more readable than most scholars on these ancient themes! And, it inspires, generates ideas! The book is deepening out the Jaspers-thesis of the Axial Age, 800-200 B.C., when the Big Ideas were introduced, from Buddhism and the Pre-Socratics up to Taoism. Now Ebert shows that our mind-sets made some fundamental changes in the centuries before the Axial Age.In a way, the ideas reminded me of Charles Taylor, although Ebert has a complete different point of view, dealing more with religion and postmodern philosophy. Already in the nice book Art after Metaphysics, Spengler faded away and Heidegger (and Sloterdijk) became prominent in Ebert's writing. Personally, I think his ideas on language would be more interesting if discussed with Spengler's.But ok! There are enough in-depth ideas in the book, especially the interpretation of Moses and the internalization of consciousness. I also like the references to ancient cosmology in his reconstruction of Gilgamesj. Don’t expect anything close to Jung or Liz Green. Ebert knocks on the doors of astrology, but only enters the rooms of philosophy.The book is a nice essay.

Amazing book

Excellent book, I can highly recommend this work. The author has an the ability to perceive the obvious that very very few others are able to see, and present those ideas and concepts in a form and structure that is interesting and dynamic. The overlaid analysis of the various hero/saviour/change catalyst role and highlighting the commonalties I found very interesting along with the impact and changes those made to the evolving macro-spheres. I liked the use of analogies and the intelligent and informative historical references. It reads on several levels, so works too for those who like a good framed story. Well for those who are allowed to read it that is.

Very well written without the academic jargon which tends to plague a subject well researched. A great introduction into Ebert's body of work. It can be read in an afternoon. Ebert refers to this work as a "broken torso," intending it to cover more (life happens); so it does feel a bit incomplete, but barely perceptible. I love the brevity of this piece. You will experience interesting and intelligent insights into the consciousness of ancient man.

This is an unusual book about three founding figures of Western civilization. It was originally intended as the early part of a much larger work that for reasons Ebert explains (rages about) in the preface, wasn't completed. In that regard, it feels like an incomplete work - a glimpse into a much larger story, and could have used an index, notes, and citations.Ebert is clearly influenced by William Irwin Thompson and other "panoramic thinkers." His approach is not intended to be "fact," but a kind of "poetic telling" of perspectives - ala Thompson's "mind-jazz." Definitely worth a read if you are into early history and philosophy in a non-textbook sort of way.