Cornuke gives all the credit for heavy lifting to Graham Hancock's "The Sign & the Seal". This book is really all about Cornuke's quest to Ethiopia to discover the facts or the myths for himself.
Before I go any further I should state that I own Cornuke's video on this subject and I also own Cornuke's presentation he made with Chuck Missler on an interactive CD-Rom (very cool!). I say this to clarify that I was already aware of Cornuke's claims, finds and conjectures about whatever is in St. Mary's of Zion church in Axum, Ethiopia.
Let's look at the book first.David Halbrook's style is very readable and at times exciting. The beginning chapter reminded me of something out of James Bond movie, Wealthy billionaire provokes agent of adventure to an incredible quest of Biblical and prophetical significance. The book is helpful in providing scripture references for purposes of discussion and further research into the conjecture of the Ark being in Axum and having a prophetic role.
The photo section is helpful, but I'm glad I have the video to fully see some of the objects that are shown.
I learned a few more things from the book than I'd already heard from Cornuke's video and speech, to me that justifies buying the book.
The book hurts for an index however.
So. Is the Ark in Axum? You'll have a hard time arguing against Cornuke and his evidence. If it went to trial, and I was on the jury... I'd vote for guilt. I'm sure Cornuke, a former cop would like hearing that.
Cornuke's strongest support strangely enough comes from his Scriptural search, not the Archaeology in my opinion. None of the other theories concerning the whereabouts of the Ark seem to have anywhere near the same amount of support in the Bible that Ethiopia does.
As I stated at the beginning, the topic of the location of the Ark seems to bring out great strife amongst Christians. Ron Wyatt's followers seem to disdain Cornuke, Cornuke's followers disdain Wyatt's. Folks who follow Replacement Theology disdain everything about the Ark's existence it seems. What's a poor old Southern Baptist to do? I think I figured out why some of this occurs so I tend not to discuss the Ark with anyone over 40 anymore, just too much drama. The reality of an object like the Ark is more than most folks desire to face. It tends to interfere with the enjoyment of Professional Football, Bass Fishing and shopping at Brand X-Mart.
Even though I'm excited about this particular subject and Cornuke's adventure I have one very big bone to pick with the man. Near the end of the book, he recounts the exploits of a man who says he saw the Ark up close with two other men who subsequently died. Cornuke seems to conviently overlook the fact that his desire to learn about the ark and its appearance may have played a role in this event.