David H Turner

Genesis Regained is the fourth book in a series that began with Life Before Genesis (Peter Lang, 1985), and was followed by Return to Eden (Peter Lang, 1996), and Afterlife Before Genesis (Peter Lang, 1997). In this volume, David Turner takes a key concept critical to the Australian Aboriginal way of life, namely Renunciation, and explores the implications for interpreting other major religious traditions, particularly Judeo-Christianism. Aspects of Hinduism, Buddhism, and Islam are explored along with the terms of Canadian Confederation and Sunday Morning Hockey. Renunciation is seen as a subordinate subtheme in the major religious traditions and in history.

"Afterlife Before Genesis" is the final volume in a trilogy that began with "Life Before Genesis" and was followed by "Return to Eden." Here David H. Turner focusses on what the Aborigines of the Groote Eylandt area of northern Australia take to be the foundations of their way of life, namely musical Forms. Their music, like their way of life, incarnates from -Nothing- as differences (songLines) which are -renounced- from -owners- to -non-owners- to connect rather than divide. This music is a complex polyphonic interplay of didjereedoo (their hollow log instrument) and voice which not only transcends but also heals. This the author documents by recounting how he learned to play the didjereedoo."