There is not one single footnote or hint of historical documentation in the entire book, although the author leaves commentary on his own writing, as if it were chapter and verse. Anyone familiar with Josephus or Pliny the Elder's writings would find this silly and unresearched. The author has started his own "School of Light" church around 1991,and this book is an expression of his philosophy- not a history of the Essenes. If you are looking for words like "Cosmic Intelligence" and "Universal Brotherhood", and like to sit in the Lotus position in a tai-chi uniform chanting and burning incense, then this is the book for you. Otherwise, the author would have you believe that Jesus was an Essene based on his underwear (p.2,3& John 19:23). On the upside, if you buy the book, you can send off for a free "Cabalistic Oracle" method to "determine your destiny"(yipee)