title: The Gnostic Gospels
author:  Elaine Pagels 
description: "The first major and eminently readable book on gnosticism benefiting from the discovery in 1945 of a collection of Gnostic Christian texts at Nag Hammadi in Egypt." --The New York Times Book Review<br><br><br><i>From the Trade Paperback edition.</i>
zlib_text: “Clear and luminous translations that capture the essence and poetic beauty
  of these iridescent texts. Essential Gnostic Scriptures provides further
  stepping-stones for seekers of wisdom and knowledge beyond the canonical
  testaments, or for those who are simply moved by great sacred poetry.”
  —Jeffrey Henderson, Editor, Loeb Classical Library
  “Fresh and remarkable readable translations of some of the most important
  gnostic books discovered in modern times, including the newly released
  Gospel of Judas. With its clear and up-to-date introduction to gnostics and
  their religion, Essential Gnostic Scriptures will be an invaluable resource for
  anyone interested in one of the most important religious movements of the
  ancient world.”
  —Bart D. Ehrman, author of Jesus, Interrupted and Lost Christianities
  ABOUT THE BOOK
  The people we’ve come to call gnostics were passionate advocates of the
  view that salvation comes through knowledge and personal experience, and
  their passion shines through in the