Author Robert Feather talks about historical mysteries, causing controversy and witnessing history.
Robert Feather is a Chartered Metallurgist, an experienced journalist/broadcaster/lecturer, and has written a number of books and numerous articles and appeared in TV documentaries on archaeology, ancient history and religion.
Feather’s book, The Mystery of the Copper Scroll of Qumran, was published by Inner Traditions, of America, in June 2003. A BBC TV documentary, entitled The Pharaoh’s Holy Treasure, based on the book, was first screened in March 2002 and the author participated in a BBC/Discovery documentary entitled The Spear of Jesus in 2003. A sequel to the documentary, co-presented by Robert Feather, was screened by National Geographic at Christmas 2010 in America. A Biography of Jozef Milik entitled Doyen of the Dead Sea Scrolls, co-authored with Z.J.Kapera, was published in 2011, and A Clash of Steel, published by Copper Scroll, 2012.
Getting to know Robert Feather
Q: When you were younger, what career did you imagine yourself having?
A: Surgeon.
Q: What is an average day in the life of Robert Feather like?
A: Rise very early, perform ablutions, exercise for about 30 minutes, breakfast, bath. Check e-mails start research or writing. Logistic activities, usually play some chess to relax, bed rarely before 12.00pm.
Q: How does the writing process work for you? Do you set yourself goals when writing?
A: When in the mood work for 5 or 6 hours at a time. Break for a bite and often resume pm. Much of my inspiration comes when I am asleep or half awake. Much more motivated by a deadline.
Q: Your writing in the past has caused controversy in academia, do you ever shy away from a subject or do you have to re-write sections to avoid such controversy?
A: I am usually careful not to insult people, but like to challenge unsound theories. Continually re-write my work to try and get it as good as possible, usually by reading it out aloud.
Q: If you could go back and witness one event in history – what would it be and why?
A: That’s an amazingly difficult question. Maybe watching and meeting Joseph and Jacob with Pharaoh Akhenaten and his Queen Nefertiti in the Great Temple to the Aton at Amarna.
Q: What are you currently working on?
A: Planning my next non-fiction book provisionally entitled ‘Where Moses Stood’.
Q: You tend to write about diverse subjects, is there anything you’d love to write a book on but haven’t?
A: The answer is linked to the previous one. I believe if you would love to write on a subject, the best thing is to get on and actually do it. Apart from the answer to the above question, plan further books related to Joseph, Kaballah, Response to the God Delusion people like Dawkins, a faction book on the 10 Commandments, Vic Lewis’ Life in Cricket and Charity Work, —a Musical!
Q: What historical mystery would you love to see solved in your lifetime?
A: There are mysteries for which I have a good idea about answers, but it would be nice to have absolute proof of the burial place of Jesus, and more of the treasures I located at Amarna.
Find Robert Feather books and discover more great non-fiction reads covering subjects of religion, history, philosophy and archaeology.
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