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Son of the Sun: The Life and Philosophy of Akhnaton, King of Egypt
Son of the Sun: The Life and Philosophy of Akhnaton, King of Egypt, written during World War II, while the author remained in India, far from the calamity in Europe, anxiously watching the tragedy of her movement. The text is a thorough examination of Akhnaton’s life as an apostate Pharaoh and the details of his cult of the solar power, the Aton. It is divided into three sections: a description of the King’s early life, up to and including his ascension and his replacement of the national religion; a discussion of the particulars and implications of Atonism; and an exposition of the resultant decline of Egypt due to Akhnaton’s refusal to compromise his beliefs, which concludes with a chapter considering the lessons for people today to be gleaned from Akhnaton’s life and religion. The final chapter reveals Savitri Devi’s ultimate purpose, which she states herself, namely to present for consideration the intellectual work of a forgotten hero: an ancient, but strikingly contemporary belief system which she believed had the potential to light the way beyond the impasse of the modern mindset, crippled by the severance of science (or rationality) and religion, broadly conceived.
323 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 1946
About the author
Savitri Devi
23 books113 followersSavitri Devi Mukherji (September 30, 1905 – October 22, 1982) was the pseudonym of the French writer Maximiani Portas.
She was a pioneering animal-rights activist and proponent of Hinduism and Nazism, synthesizing the two, proclaiming Adolf Hitler to have been sent by Providence, much like an avatar of the Hindu god Vishnu. Her writings have influenced neo-Nazism and Nazi mysticism. Although mystical in her conception of Nazism, Savitri Devi saw Nazism as a practical faith that did not need metaphysics. Among Savitri Devi's ideas was the classifications of "men above time", "men in time" and "men against time". She is credited with pioneering neo-Nazi interest in occultism, Deep Ecology, and the New Age movement. She influenced the Chilean diplomat Miguel Serrano. In 1982, Franco Freda published a German translation of her work Gold in the Furnace, and the fourth volume of his annual review, Risguardo (1980–), was devoted to Savitri Devi as the "missionary of Aryan Paganism".
Her works, in conjunction with those of Julius Evola, have been major influences on activist Bill White. Far-rightist Italian and self-described "Nazi Maoist" Claudio Mutti was influenced by reading her work Pilgrimage as an idealistic teenager. As a young bodyguard for Colin Jordan, David Myatt enthusiastically embraced the values expressed in her work The Lightning and the Sun. In the U.S., National Socialist James Mason (whose Universal Order bears a strong resemblance to the sentiments of Savitri Devi) paid tribute to her in his work, Siege. Lynette "Squeaky" Fromme of the Charles Manson group has endorsed The Lightning and the Sun. Revilo P. Oliver wrote that he saw the potentiality of a future religion venerating Adolf Hitler "in the works of a highly intelligent and learned lady of Greek ancestry, Dr. Savitri Devi."
She was also one of the founding members of the World Union of National Socialists.
She was a pioneering animal-rights activist and proponent of Hinduism and Nazism, synthesizing the two, proclaiming Adolf Hitler to have been sent by Providence, much like an avatar of the Hindu god Vishnu. Her writings have influenced neo-Nazism and Nazi mysticism. Although mystical in her conception of Nazism, Savitri Devi saw Nazism as a practical faith that did not need metaphysics. Among Savitri Devi's ideas was the classifications of "men above time", "men in time" and "men against time". She is credited with pioneering neo-Nazi interest in occultism, Deep Ecology, and the New Age movement. She influenced the Chilean diplomat Miguel Serrano. In 1982, Franco Freda published a German translation of her work Gold in the Furnace, and the fourth volume of his annual review, Risguardo (1980–), was devoted to Savitri Devi as the "missionary of Aryan Paganism".
Her works, in conjunction with those of Julius Evola, have been major influences on activist Bill White. Far-rightist Italian and self-described "Nazi Maoist" Claudio Mutti was influenced by reading her work Pilgrimage as an idealistic teenager. As a young bodyguard for Colin Jordan, David Myatt enthusiastically embraced the values expressed in her work The Lightning and the Sun. In the U.S., National Socialist James Mason (whose Universal Order bears a strong resemblance to the sentiments of Savitri Devi) paid tribute to her in his work, Siege. Lynette "Squeaky" Fromme of the Charles Manson group has endorsed The Lightning and the Sun. Revilo P. Oliver wrote that he saw the potentiality of a future religion venerating Adolf Hitler "in the works of a highly intelligent and learned lady of Greek ancestry, Dr. Savitri Devi."
She was also one of the founding members of the World Union of National Socialists.
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Displaying 1 - 9 of 9 reviews
August 24, 2015
This book tries to be too much. It first tries to be a hagiography, yet constantly reminds the reader of how little information is known of Akhnaton and his Rule. It tries to be a research paper proposing theories of Akhnaton's belief system and goes way too far with what little is known. The author's sympathies and dedication to the world of animals (a worthy cause) comes out in the writings to an extent that far surpasses what we know of Ankhaton. Finally this book puts forth the foundational beliefs of Theosophy, and spends way to little time discussing these to really make anything other than a passing introduction. As the author tries to do all and fails at all miserably creating a book that comes across to the reader as a piece of fictionalized historicity. Any value of truly philosophical thought is utterly bludgeoned to death with the heavy weight of the rest of the writings. This coupled with the author's dubious past associating with German Nazi's is enough to make me place this one on the - not of interest for further study shelf.
October 24, 2013
Anyone used to true objective histories will find the liberties that this author has taken in amplifying what amount to merely a handful of tomb wall eulogies on this admittedly interesting pharaoh into a 15 hour soap opera, complete with his mother's most intimate thoughts, intolerable.
January 7, 2024
I was very sceptical about reading a book authored by Savitri Devi and its connection to neo-nazism.
As you can see from other reviews , a lot of people doubting the facts on this book.
Although Devi did not give a single fact at all , it only gives speculations and a way to meditate and think about the interesting Akhnaton’s.
After all the doubts, I enjoyed this book. Regardless of the writer's history.
As you can see from other reviews , a lot of people doubting the facts on this book.
Although Devi did not give a single fact at all , it only gives speculations and a way to meditate and think about the interesting Akhnaton’s.
After all the doubts, I enjoyed this book. Regardless of the writer's history.
November 23, 2020
Insight on one of my favorite pharaohs
This book had a lot of information on a misunderstood king. His prayers are beautiful. If you have the time, read the entire book.
This book had a lot of information on a misunderstood king. His prayers are beautiful. If you have the time, read the entire book.
July 23, 2022
Speculative Recipe
The author takes a pinch of archaeology, a dash of science, a heaping cup of new age thought and stirs in a gallon of opinion to get this sometimes interesting speculation on the life and philosophy of Akhenaten. It’s a stretch to say the least and certainly is designed to support the author’s own beliefs in the modern world as being both Egyptian and ancient. If you’re really into this subject, you might like this book. Or you might laugh if you’re an Egyptologist.
The author takes a pinch of archaeology, a dash of science, a heaping cup of new age thought and stirs in a gallon of opinion to get this sometimes interesting speculation on the life and philosophy of Akhenaten. It’s a stretch to say the least and certainly is designed to support the author’s own beliefs in the modern world as being both Egyptian and ancient. If you’re really into this subject, you might like this book. Or you might laugh if you’re an Egyptologist.
September 19, 2018
I gave it 3 stars for the simple fact that the author has surpassed all attempts to create a lot of facts from a lot of assumptions. He has given us a lot of creative thought around a few very hazy historical facts and made it into an entirely new? ideology. That takes some doing! It also takes a lot of energy to read through it all. Well done to anybody brave enough to get through it all. I skipped a lot of pages but I do not think I missed a lot!!!
July 11, 2021
Good points, lengthy writing
October 22, 2021
The writer is long winded but it was informative.
July 17, 2021
An interesting and insightful book on the Egyptian king who made an obvious impression on the author. I mainly read this as it was written by Devi and wanted to get a better idea of who she was as a person as she is now remembered as a controversial public figure rather than an author of mystic literature.
Displaying 1 - 9 of 9 reviews