BRILLIANT GODS, a five-volume cycle, begins with an essay about Greek Polytheism, the ancient religion still valid today. Each of the other books tells a moral tale focusing on a single goddess or god. ORACLE AND SUN is the final volume. For more than a thousand years, a god spoke to humans at Delphi. Through his Oracle, Apollo gave good counsel and answered every sort of question. Some of his answers were clear; some ambiguous; all were taken seriously. Delphi was called "the navel of the earth." In the fourth century after Augustus, a new religion captured the Roman Empire. Its priests valued faith more than reason and obedience more than autonomy. Certain that theirs was the only true belief, believers burned "pagan" books, murdered "pagan" teachers, and closed down the Oracle forever. Well, not quite forever. For just over twelve years now, Apollo has been in touch. ORACLE AND SUN is a guidebook to his new sanctuary in California. It takes you on a tour of the grounds and buildings. It quotes related passages from an ancient philosopher. It repeats a number of responses given by the new Oracle. It invites you to come to Mount Tamalpais with questions of your own.