In 701 B.C. the Assyrian empire was in its ascendancy. It had already vanquished the kingdom of Israel to the north including the capital at Samaria. It then prepared an assault on Judah and its capital at Jerusalem.
But in one of those significant events that changes the course of world history, Assyria was repelled. Jerusalem was saved until 586 B.C. when the Babylonians sacked the city, forcing its leadership class into exile.
Henry Aubin, in a major feat of scholarship, determines that Jerusalem was aided by a Kushite army from Africa which had marched northeast from the Nile valley. While the Bible attributes the Assyrian retreat to an angel and secular commentators cite pestilence, Aubin, in a meticulously documented work, demonstrates that an alliance with the African nation of Kush bolstered Jerusalem’s defences.
Kush, also known as Nubia, was located in what is now southern Egypt and northern Sudan. A monarchy that existed for more than 1000 years, from 900 B.C. to A.D. 350, Kushites held sway over Egypt from 712 B.C. to about 660 B.C. Of Egypt’s 31 dynasties, this, the 25th Dynasty, is the only one that all scholars agree, was black.
The commander of the Kushite expeditionary force was Taharqa (or as the Bible calls him Tirhakah). This Kushite prince, who had his own interests in halting Assyrian expansion, likely caught the aggressors by surprise as they prepared their siege of Jerusalem.
Aubin offers a thrilling military history and a stirring political analysis of the ancient world. He also sees the event as influential over the centuries.
The Kushite rescue of the Hebrew kingdom of Judah enabled the fragile, war-ravaged state to endure, to nurse itself back to economic and demographic health, and allowed the Hebrew religion, Yahwism, to evolve within the next several centuries into Judaism. Thus emerged the monotheistic trunk supporting Christianity and Islam.
Praise for The Age of Persuasion
“The charm behindThe Age of Persuasion is that it is written from the perspective of two people who love what they do…Using anecdotes about specific ad agencies and branding campaigns, they give us a kind of “behind the curtain” peek at what makes advertising successful.”
Winnipeg Free Press
“A terrific look into how advertising, marketing and culture are all inexorably intertwined. A great read for anyone interested in branding . . . a must read for any student of advertising.”
Rick Boyko, Director of the Virginia Commonwealth University Brandcenter, Ex-Chief Creative Officer, Ogilvy North America
“If there’s one brand that advertising has failed miserably at making people understand, it’s advertising itself. This book goes a long way in correcting that, now if they could only do the same for car dealers.”
Bob Kuperman, former President and Chief Executive of DDB Worldwide division
“Language is art. Advertising is art. Terry O’Reilly and Mike Tennant really deliver on that in this book. The Age of Persuasion made me stop, think and realize that everything we do as marketers (day in and day out) can matter . . . and should be better. Because, in the end, advertising is not just about persuasion. It’s about the stories we tell and how they connect with real people and what those real people do with those stories. The Age of Persuasion is one of those great stories.”
Mitch Joel, President of Twist Image and author of Six Pixels of Separation
“As a public broadcaster, I’m contractually obligated to despise advertising, and by extension to despise those who create it. Somehow two ad men—Terry O’Reilly and Mike Tennant—slipped through my defenses. The Age of Persuasion will be enjoyed by those inside the ad world, but it’s more than an insider’s guide. It’s a funny and fascinating window into a part of our culture that’s too little considered by outsiders like me.”
Jesse Thorn, Host & Producer, PRI’s The Sound of Young America
“I loved this book. I thought I had a pretty good idea of everything that’s happened in the history of American advertising, but I didn’t. I do now. The book is thorough without being heavy-handed, fun without being flippant, full of fascinating facts that fill in some voids that needed to be filled in. The only thing that might make it better would have been to include a few more quotes from me. Keep it by your bed.”
Bob Levenson, Chairman and International Creative Director, DDB International; Vice Chairman, Saatchi & Saatchi, New York and Scali McCabe Sloves, New York
“Just when I thought I heard all of the cool stories about the grand old world of advertising, Terry and Mike have created a intriguing read that will fascinate both everyday people absorbed with the ad game as well as dyed in the wool ‘mad men’ and women.”
Ignacio Oreamuno, President IHAVEANIDEA and Portfolio Night
“The Age of Persuasion provides a wonderful romp through the history and inner workings of advertising. I am not sure what I enjoyed more, the insight and wisdom about the ad business or the wit and charm of the storytelling; either way it’s a great read for all of us living in the Age of Persuasion.”
Doug Checkeris, CEO North America MediaCom
“Terry O’Reilly and Mike Tennant blend history, stories, wisdom, hundreds of facts and just plain fun into an original, compelling, entertaining and insightful perspective on the impact of creative communication on our culture and on our everyday lives. It is a terrific book!”
Bob Schmetterer Chairman and CEO (Retired) Euro RSCG Worldwide.
“The Age of Persuasion must be read by anyone in the business of marketing goods and services, creating or placing advertising and those who aspire to such noble things. This book is a fun read and a wonderful combination of historical and contemporary context.”
John P. Hayes, Jr., CEO Third Avenue Media
