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Customer Reviews (14)

Im seriously starting to question the author and some of his hidden demons.
I was really excited to get this book, I waited for almost a year for it to be released when It finally arrived I couldn't wait to start in reading....Im very familiar with Graham Hancock and have read several of his other books, this is his first fiction book and I must say im pretty disgusted...I understand the development of characters and that everything is not always perfect but his focus on Rape and child Rape at that, goes way to far. Every time I turn the page one of the two characters is about to be raped or is reminiscing about being raped by her father as a 12yr old...Its one thing to mention it once or twice but every page, every chapter over and over again...Im just not that interested in hearing about young girls being raped by their father or youths in the clan. Big thumbs down and huge let down, im really kinda curious as I noticed the author thanked his wife in the acknowledgments for reading and giving input, personally if someone I know gave me this to read I would have my doubts about them being anywhere near my kids....

couldn't set Entangled down; great read
When I finished Entangled, I got up and walked around the room looking for Entangled II.
I was enthralled with this time twisting thriller; a work of fiction based on two girls from vastly different lives and times coming together to fight evil and evil spirit with the help of an good intermediary. I didn't find this book weird and while going beyond most people's common knowledge, does fit the Neanderthal - Modern Man time-line and framework of knowledge that we have today. There are elements of the book test our perception of the normal every day world, but, in my opinion, that's the job of a good piece of fiction. Graham points out that his experiences with Psychedelics influenced Entangled. Psychedelics, in this case Ayahuasca, influencing art is neither weird nor new and in fact has been happening for decades, or tens of thousands of years, depending on what evidence one is ready to look at and accept.
As Graham puts together the plot and story of Ria and Leoni, each episode is like a breath of fast action. In the context of an incomplete story this I can accept this first installment that did leave me wanting more and can't wait until the second book is in my hands. My only regret is that I must wait sometime between the two.
A mind tightly constrained to current historical and societal views may have a harder time with this book. People with a more open mind with find this book enjoyable and entertaining. While Graham's first fictional work is, as other first time fictional writers have experienced, not perfect I had no reason to put the book down and thought it was greatly entertaining read and hung onto the book tightly until I finished.

Pleasantly surprised
I am a great fan of Graham Hancock's non-fiction and I was very slow to pick up this book. I didn't want him to stop writing Non-fiction! I am a truth seeker as he is and I felt like writing fiction would be a major cop out for Graham Hancock. But I was wrong!

There is still much to be learned in his fiction. As he travels through present day Peru you can see and smell and hear the towns and jungles we go through. Going around with Ria 24,000 years ago you can tell that Hancock has done what he is famous for, serious in depth research to the point of overkill, to make sure that the past comes alive for us.

I feel that most times fiction is a waste of intellectual time, but that would be an erroneous statement when it comes to this book. It is exciting and nail biting at the same time as making the reader a little smarter about history, archaeology, shamanism and psychodelic drugs that lead us into a higher plane of consciousness.

I am ready for the sequel! IT clearly is going to tell the reader more about megalithic circle structures and their possible uses in the past. Exciting! And not wildly speculative because I trust Graham Hancock to keep his work in the realm of well researched and documented truths.

Good Job!

An enthralling page turner!!!!
As soon as I started reading, I couldn't stop.If I didn't have to eat and sleep, I probably would have finished this book in about a day.The action is fast-paced and non-stop.Following the parallel adventures of Leoni and Ria is a great narrative device, as well.It's great to read a work of fiction grounded in hard science and "spiritual" (in a very limited sense) perspectives.As a follower of Graham's other work, this is a wonderful departure and a treat for anyone interested in his other subjects.This is the first in a series of 3 books, I believe.

A bit too much
I value Hancock's work with "forbidden history" and what actually happens when psychotropics are ingested ... but this tale was too full of violence, rape, abuse and gore for me to finish it. "Action-packed" means I'm packing it off to the swap table. ... Read more

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Customer Reviews (71)

Breakthrough..
This book is a breakthrough.If you have read Hancock's earlier works you will see that this is a start to unraveling vast mysteries as well as an apogee in Hancock's writings.He takes on a subject other writers can't or won't; making available to us a better understanding of the human experience -- regardless of the correctness of his conclusions.Accolades for his honesty in relating his own experiences.Try to find another author with his renown who would deal with this subject while exposing their own personal role in exploring these phenomenon. A must read.Supernatural is a great first mile for anyone who wants to study this subject. If you haven't read Heaven's Mirror you should give it a try as well.

The Aliens We've Been Looking For Might Just Be Inside Us
Graham Hancock is the king of speculation. His books will either convince you there's a lot more to human history or make you scoff at his speculation. Regardless, it is damn entertaining. One of the first books I ever bought was his Fingerprints of the Gods (1996) which discussed how anomalies associated with ancient monuments tend to indicate a wide-spread ancient advanced civilization. Even though I was intrigued by the way Hancock tied all those threads together I'm still deeply skeptical of his overall thesis. And yet, I've been completely hooked by his 2007 book Supernatural. This one is deeply convincing because anyone can follow his thesis with a little supplemental research. Using the bitterly accepted idea proposed by anthropologist David Lewis-Williams, that ancient art depicted what early humans saw in altered states of consciousness, Hancock weaves a story that gets at the very heart of what it means to be a member of our species. Where academics might be starting to accept Lewis-Williams' idea, they are far from ready to use the same plants and rituals that produced these early trance states. This is where Hancock picks up, by starting taking the iboga vine, the plant that enables men to see the dead, and follows with the sacred ayahuasca brew of the Amazon.

Where I'm sure I would have been more sympathetic to Hancock's other works if I had actually been to the monuments he describes, I can follow the writing here because of my own exposure to these ancient plants. Before I knew the themes and details in this book, my own experiences were eerily similar to those described in Supernatural. I've been the archetype of the wounded man and had interactions with serpents. Reading the story of someone thousands of years ago describing something that happened to me (along with its "mystical" significance) is a chilling synchronicity. Hancock's sketch on p. 52 of the beings he encountered while doing his field research were exactly the same things I've seen, and as I learned by reading, have been seen for thousands of years by scattered native groups across the world accessing these same states through various means.

Hancock ties the similarities of the modern UFO/abduction phenomena to experiences that indigenous tribesmen have in altered states to the mythology of the medieval fairies. In doing so, he uncovers that throughout human history our species has been describing the same thing from different angles. Whatever this phenomena is, it appears to be changing over time, evolving and advancing. Hinting at a form of intelligence. All of these encounters have similar themes, particularly in encountering entities with an interest in human sexuality and reproduction mechanisms. That fairies allegedly impregnated and abducted women or danced around in circles to fly into the sky draws more than a few parallels to modern UFO lore. While the case Hancock lays for these similarities takes up the first half of the book, it is in the second half of Supernatural where the mind gems really shine through.

All human languages have a direct, exact, unvarying mathematical relationship between the rank of a word and the actual frequency of occurrence of that word. This relationship is known as Zipf's Law, named after linguist George Zipf and has proved to hold true for every human language. Oddly enough, when the non-coding regions of DNA are analyzed according to Zipf's Law a perfect linear Zipf Law linear plot emerges. In fact, the chemical "writing" of the non-coding regions of DNA appear to have all the features of a language, and may in fact be a language. Perhaps it is this language that ancient plant based sacrements tap into. Hancock brings to light the evidence that our interactions with `the other' could be enabled by ancient plant substances because these chemicals allow us to access information encoded in the 97% of our DNA we currently think of as `junk DNA'. Further work in this area was done by Dr. Jeremy Narby in his book The Cosmic Serpent, which Hancock touches on briefly, specifically regarding the presence of snake constituted helixes in nearly every culture. That the snake in mythology is often a reference to DNA.

Since Hancock published Supernatural, the knowledge that Francis Crick discovered the shape of DNA while using LSD has become widely known. What is less well known is that Crick later published a book where he explains that DNA is so complex no mechanism of evolution could have produced it on this planet, concluding it must have originated elsewhere in the universe. Strangely, the mythology of many tribes in the Amazon tell the exact same story, of serpents falling from the sky and living inside us. While anthropologist Michael Harner ingested ayahuasca in 1961 he reported seeing, "dragon-like creatures that came to earth from deep in outer space after a journey that had lasted for eons." These dragons explained that they hid in the multitudinous forms life and that humans were the receptacles for these creatures. Similar encounters have been described by other scientists ingesting these ceremonial brews and ancient cultures are inundated with related stories. Hancock hesitates from drawing any sort of conclusion other than that these ancient myths and timeless sacraments may be far more interesting than we could ever guess. Personally I agree.

Even stranger is that psilocybin (the active ingredient in magic mushrooms) is essentially orally active DMT, an indole compound with a phosphorylated functional group which exists nowhere else in nature. If this pattern exists nowhere else in nature, where could it have come from? What if the alien we've been searching for has been here inside us all along? A chilling prospect to consider, but after reading through Supernatural you'll be forced to confront this possibility in all of its grandeur.

an investigation
This book was not what I expected.It is a thorough investigation, but limited to the lower rungs of the dimension ladder.

Interesting but misguided
It's too bad I couldn't give this book a better review, as there is a lot of fascinating information in it, and I agree with several of Hancock's conclusions. For example, his criticism of David Lewis-Williams' view of the nature of visionary experiences and therianthropic forms. Also, his "filter" view of consciousness, which is culled from the work of Myers, James, Huxley, and Sheldrake. However, the poor parts of the book really detract from its overall value. He consistently speculates and then uses that speculation to form later arguments as if it were valid premises. For example, while he repeatedly mentions that a small percentage of the population experience visionary states naturally, he just as often suggests that paleolithic art MUST have been inspired by drug-use. In other words, not only does he overvalue the worth and validity of drug-induced hallucinations and undervalue the naturally cultivated and experienced shamanic experience, he forms theories based on little more than his own pet theories and biases. He does not give adequate space to more well-argued counter-positions. For example, he doesn't even present the idea that modern shamanism is a corruption of earlier, paleolithic shamanism. He doesn't consider that it is possible to naturally develop these abilities. Interestingly, he repeatedly quotes Mircea Eliade, who argues this very point, and yet fails to even bring up this point.

While I agree with his conclusions as to the relationship between the "alien", "fairy", "demon", and "gods" phenomena of past and present times, his speculations are overly simplistic and it's obvious he is not very well read on the topics. While he repeatedly mentions the obvious violations of individuals free will by these "beings", not once does he condemn it, which smacks of Stockholm Syndrome, to me. He also states that the phenomena described are obviously presented in terms specific to the time and place of the individual, which is reasonable. But then he goes on to conclude that the "evolution" he sees in the phenomena (using such ambiguous evidence as fairy circles and circular craft) is a result of an actual change in the technology and abilities of the "others" and not simply a result of the different "screen memory" or projection used by the beings in question. Commenting that while fairies abducted some humans permanently, and "aliens" do not, he hypothesizes that they must have changed their tune, but he does not even consider that this activity may still be taking place. He should read John Keel's, Rich Dolan's and Laura Knight-Jadczyk's work for a more comprehensive look at the subject.

While the above may be nitpicky, I think the worst thing about the book is his naive and wholly irresponsible promotion of the use of hallucinogens as a means of accessing the "spirit realm". From his own descriptions, it's obvious he's had some "bad trips", and this is something of a no-brainer considering what the sufi Ibn al-'Arabi has said of the dangers of the spirit realms. Hancock is like a babe in the woods in this department, and it's troubling to read of his own recklessness in this regard. Rick Strassman, the subject of an interview included as an appendix, has a somewhat more responsible approach, although I do not think hallucinogens are a necessary ingredient for shamanic experiences. What is needed is training, personal development, and an immense knowledge of the possibilities and probabilities of the spirit world.

So, interesting ideas, irresponsible and simplistic presentation.

Awesome Book
Graham Hancock raises deep questions about the nature of realty, and human consciousness. This book describes the long history of human encounters with the supernatural. Its a good read that will open your mind. ... Read more

Product Description
Thinkers at the forefront in alternative theories on history, the origins of civilization, technology, and consciousness

• With contributions by Graham Hancock, Robert Bauval, Mark Booth, Richard Hoagland, Robert Schoch, John Anthony West, and others

• Topics range from quantum philosophy and paranormal phenomena to the secret history of NASA, instant polar shifts, and ancient Martian civilizations

• Explores where our present time fits into the cycle of human existence

A revolution of thought is under way in our world, fostered by decades of research and well-documented evidence by alternative theory pioneers such as Graham Hancock, John Anthony West, Robert Bauval, and Robert Schoch. These provocative, cutting-edge scholars now represent a direct challenge to the academic establishment as the paradigms of science and history shift and their ideas gain acceptance.

Representing the latest, often controversial findings in scientific and historical research, this anthology of essays commissioned by Graham Hancock, bestselling author of Fingerprints of the Gods, covers the forefront in alternative theories on history, the origins of civilization, technology, and consciousness with topics ranging from quantum philosophy and paranormal phenomena to the ancient use of electromagnetism, the effect of cosmic rays on human evolution, and NASA’s cover-up of ancient Martian civilizations. Recognizing that many recent discoveries are actually rediscoveries of lost knowledge from past civilizations, these authors seek to understand where, within the bigger picture of human knowledge, our present time fits into the cycle of human existence.
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Customer Reviews (2)

Great book!
If you're skeptical about the subject, go ahead and buy this book. You will be enlightened, and maybe even inspired. TRY IT!!

Interesting theories
Reviewed by Irene Watson for Reader Views (10/10)

In the introduction Glenn Kreisberg states "This collection of essays...provides astounding, yet compelling proof of an approaching shift in our perspective regarding human origins and roots of civilization."This statement alone spiked my interest. The compilation of essays by knowledgeable contributors is worth the read and certainly worth the contemplation.Are their theories and research correct?Did the sixth astronaut that went into space encounter a living form?Or, did civilization actually start on the coast of India?

Topics covered in "Lost Knowledge of the Ancients" are parapsychology and paranormal, ancient mystery school, the Egypt code, esoteric philosophy, and much more.Each contributor has a theory, based on research and documentation, which is very convincing to those that are open to considering other possibilities of how our existence came to being.

The most fascinating theory for me was by Gary A. David, an independent researcher and author.He claims that the Hopi Indians migrated in the Southwest using the Orion template.David provides a map showing placements of the settlements in exact proportion of Orion.Even though this migration occurred over thousands of years, the grid was completed. He ends his chapter by saying "The word zona, as in the name Arizona, is particularly significant. From classical times onward, it has literally been defined as `The girdle [or belt] of Orion.'"

Fascinating!That's how I found the theories in "Lost Knowledge of the Ancients."I don't believe we can discount any of the theories presented but certainly encouraged to do further research and contemplation. What other aspects of history are we being protected or shunned away from?Is the control by our government or religious entities preventing us from discovering the truth?I encourage you to see for yourself and consider reading "Lost Knowledge of the Ancients." ... Read more

Product Description
What secrets lie beneath the deep blue sea? Underworld takes you on a remarkable journey to the bottom of the ocean in a thrilling hunt for ancient ruins that have never been found—until now.

In this explosive new work of archaeological detection, bestselling author and renowned explorer Graham Hancock embarks on a captivating underwater voyage to find the ruins of a mythical lost civilization hidden for thousands of years beneath the world’s oceans. Guided by cutting-edge science, innovative computer-mapping techniques, and the latest archaeological scholarship, Hancock examines the mystery at the end of the last Ice Age and delivers astonishing revelations that challenge our long-held views about the existence of a sunken universe built on the ocean floor.

Filled with exhilarating accounts of his own participation in dives off the coast of Japan, as well as in the Mediterranean, the Atlantic, and the Arabian Sea, we watch as Hancock discovers underwater ruins exactly where the ancient myths say they should be—submerged kingdoms that archaeologists never thought existed. You will be captivated by Underworld, a provocative book that is both a compelling piece of hard evidence for a fascinating forgotten episode in human history and a completely new explanation for the origins of civilization as we know it. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (45)

Bad even for Hancock
If you know anything about Graham Hancock then you know his basic thesis: there were relatively advanced human civilizations much earlier than (almost) anyone acknowledged. These civilizations were wiped out during the several periods of global "flooding" (sea level rises would probably be more accurate) that occurred during the last 20,000 years. OK, I accept the thesis as being plausible and Hancock does come up with what it as least circumstantial evidence to support this theory. This book, however, contributes very little other than pointing out some unexplained underwater archeological sites and explaining the basics of glaciation and what happens when glaciers melt. If you don't know anything about Hancock be warned: the guy really has no scientific credentials. Keep that in mind when he makes his bold assertions.

Much of the rest of the book reads like a travelogue or personal journal peppered with Hancock's usual typical abundance of inferential leaps.

Even if you (tentatively) accept the premise of the book, Hancock just is not a good writer.

Not recommended.

Fascinating
Yet another excellent work by the author. Mr. Hancock has made an exceptional study of "pre-civilizations" in areas that are rarely if ever covered in the common media.He makes a great case for the possible and probable origins of our civilization in areas not relatively acknowledged in "mainstream" publishing.

As you read this work you will be accompanying him on his trips, not just reading dry facts as to how he derived his opinions and theories.As previously noted in the reviews of his other works, he is an excellent and interesting writer.He writes in great depth so you can understand the; who, what, when, where, how and why of his research and opinions. This book is typical to his writing in that regard. Good comparisons of the various opinions of how our cultures have mysteriously come from "nowhere" to a heavily advanced state "overnight". It is definitely another pass around book! Well worth your time.

Good Idea's but over written.
First I am a fan of Graham Hancock I really liked many of his books like Heaven's mirror and Fingerprints of the Gods. That being said this is a interesting book but could have been told in about 400-450 pages. I did gain insight and liked chapters on Malta but the book turned from enjoyment to work. I am a person who MUST finish a book when I start one and this book got a little tough twords the end. I would only buy this if your a Hancock fan. Try Fingerprints if you have never read his work.

Historical amnesia
I've been an avid reader of Hancock's work for some time. He used the term "historical amnesia" in a documentary. Underworld explores what should be fairly obvious, that when the ice age glaciers melted, sea levels rose, obliterating civilizations that lined the ocean shores. However, archeaologists for many reasons (including a lack of funding) have confined their research to mainland structures. There is still much to learn about unrecorded, ignored or misinterpreted human history.
I am still reading the book. For newcomers to Hancock, be prepared for personal recollections and extremely detailed analysis and reporting on the cultures he encounters. Well worth your time.

Underworld the Mysterious Origins of Civilization
Underworld is a very well documented and thoughtout text. Graham Hancock lays out a very persuasive argument for the development of high civilization prior to the last ice age. He has collected a wealth of information and hands on fact finding. Fascinating read. ... Read more

Product Description
The bestselling author of The Sign and the Seal reveals the true origins of civilization. Connecting puzzling clues scattered throughout the world, Hancock discovers compelling evidence of a technologically and culturally advanced civilization that was destroyed and obliterated from human memory. Four 8-page photo inserts. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (282)

Solid Book By A True Believer
This is a very thorough and comprehensive book that discusses many ancient mysteries such as the Nazca lines, the pyramids, mythologies, catastrophe myths, etc..As the title implies Hancock tries to find the common origins or fingerprints between all of these things.

The information is well researched and backed up by Hancock's experiences visiting these places and by interviews and discussions with other famous researchers like Robert Bauval.

The book includes extensive information about the relationships between the pyramids and other monuments around the world and the stars and constellations.The subject of precession is discussed heavily.The theory is the Giza necropolis was created to form a snapshot of how the stars and constellations appeared in the skies over Egypt in 10,500 BC.The age of Leo the lion.

Another main point is that gods appeared many thousands of years ago in different parts of the world and brought enlightenment to the primitive savages who were already living on earth.Just as one example Viracocha taught people how to grow cotton of many different colors without having to dye it.

He talks a lot about what Cortez and the Spanish conquistadors and zealous monks did in Mexico.I was reading about this while at a diner and I literally started to feel sick to my stomach.Sadly this is just one of the many cases of vandalism, looting, and desecration of the world's priceless and irreplaceable treasures.

Hancock also realized that the Great Pyramid was at one time a working machine like a sort of nuclear power plant or giant crystal.

I don't agree with all of the conclusions in the book though.Hancock thinks for example that the woolly mammoths went extinct almost instantly and the La Brea tar pits were created by a volcano.Him and Bauval think construction for the pyramids at Giza began in 10,500 BC but was finished 8,000 years later.That's not an intelligent thing to say really.

But the big thing I disagree with him about is his theory that Atlantis is under Antarctica.

There is probably no historical document that is more often quoted but then immediately contradicted than Plato's Atlantis story.Well guess what.Plato meant what he said.Atlantis is down under the Atlantic ocean.Hancock mentions in the references that there is no evidence whatsoever that the Egyptians ever confused months with years in their writings as some people imply to push up Plato's date for the destruction.

Atlantis was I believe destroyed as a result of black magic and sorcery and the misuse of the awesome forces that were generated inside of some sort of pyramid or temple.Plato tells us an entire continent was destroyed in about a day which isn't easy to do at all.

As far as who built the pyramids in Egypt, when, and why, Edgar Cayce stated that he himself as the Atlantean priest Ra Ta together with Thoth and Horus were involved with building these monuments back in 10,500 BC.Horus provided the sacred geometry.

Edgar Cayce was the reincarnation of the Egyptian god Osiris I believe.The ancient Egyptians associated Osiris with the super conscious mind. This apparently explains Cayce's strange ability to tap into that universal consciousness when he was put into a hypnotic state.

Jeff Marzano

Edgar Cayce's Story of the Origin and Destiny of Man

The Mystery of the Crystal Skulls: Unlocking the Secrets of the Past, Present, and Future

The Giza Power Plant : Technologies of Ancient Egypt

Fulcanelli: Master Alchemist: Le Mystere des Cathedrales, Esoteric Intrepretation of the Hermetic Symbols of The Great Work (Le Mystere Des Cathedrales ... of the Hermetic Symbols of Great Work)

Initiation

Initiation in the Great Pyramid (Astara's Library of Mystical Classics)

Edgar Cayce's Atlantis

Edgar Cayce's Atlantis and Lemuria: The Lost Civilizations in the Light of Modern Discoveries

Forbidden History: Prehistoric Technologies, Extraterrestrial Intervention, and the Suppressed Origins of Civilization

Edgar Cayce's Egypt: Psychic Revelations on the Most Fascinating Civilization Ever Known

Formidable!
Having wanted to read this book for the past ten years, I am glad to have finally succeeded.Make no mistake, this is a formidable book, and though very readable, will make more thoughtful readers pause to ponder the possibilities Mr. Hancock frequently evokes.

This tome merits five stars essentially because it sets a new standard in revisionist ancient history.The mass of cited references and bibliography leads me to believe that the claims are both thoroughly researched and documented.The arguements are generally supported by these citations, although at times I thought the evidence too weak to reach the same conclusion, or there were possibly other explainations which were overlooked by the author.

In brief, the thesis of the book is that ancient artifacts, structures and myth all contain more-or-less consistent evidence of an "unknown" civilization, which perished about twelve-thousand years ago.To demonstrate this, the author ties together a universal catastrophe myth (Noah's Flood); megalithic engineering in Egypt, Mexico and South America; the presence of precessional numbers in a number of ancient tales; and the shifting crust hypothesis of Charles Hapgood.

All of this is supplemented by very expressive writing, intriguing conjectures, and a survey of ancient cultures and accomplishments.Mr. Hancock rightly takes to task the conventional views of anthropologists that the development of human civilization was essentialy a linear progression from dumb ape to urbane couch potato.Also imperiled is the myopic conclusions of mainstream egyptologists by geologists and archeo-astronomers.The Sphinx is shown to be older than the Egyptian dynasties which supposedly created it, and happens to face the vernal equinox.The fact that it may have been a lion, indicates that it may have been constructed long ago, when the vernal equinox was located in the lion-shaped constellation of Leo.

Yet as great as this book truly is, it is also a bit dated by more recent discoveries.A few years ago, archeologists discovered evidence for a cometary explosion or impact that wiped out mega-fauna in North America and Siberia, and likely caused tsunamis and a rising ocean level, about 9850 B.C.And the Shifting Crust hypothesis does seem very unlikely, especially when it is used to suggest that Atlantis, the Lost Civilization in question, was located on a then more northerly Anartica.

In all, this book would make a good starting point and reference for future researchers, and for readers with an interest in what exactly happened before the dawn of currently recorded history.

NOW
One of the most interesting books I have ever read. Do yourself a favor and dig in!!!

Brain candy
This is an outstanding read.Hancock takes you into a world of history and science that most are never exposed to.His conclusions can be debated but his approach to revealing fascinating historical facts leaves the reader wanting more.Very few writers could make some of his areas of discussion as intriguing as he does.It's a must read for the intellectually curious.

Is it a good read?
I will keep it simple. Did I enjoy reading this book, yes. Was it hard to make it through to the next page, no. The author has a couple of far fetched theories, but as long as you remember to leave them on that page and keep reading then no loss. the book is an adventure and I enjoyed it. A glimpse into various ancient cultures and mysteries. ... Read more

Product Description
In this riveting account of historical and archaeological investigation, the authors present hard evidence that the Sphinx, the Pyramids, and the other monuments at Giza are of far more ancient origin than previously believed. Complete with evidence of a conspiracy between the Egyptology establishment and various confidential organizations to keep the secrets of the Pyramids from the world, The Message of the Sphinx is also a modern-day detective story. of photos. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (80)

Review thoughts
I read this book some time ago and found it fascinating.Unable to get it at the local library, I decided to purchase it to reread at my leasure.I have found your service very good and hope other readers will enjoy this book also.

Message of the Sphinx
This is the second book on Egypt that I have read by Robert Bauval. I would recommend reading the first, The Orion Mystery, before starting this as it occassionally references back to topics written there, and I found it very helpful to have the background on the pyramids discussed in The Orion Mystry.

The Message of the Sphinx moves away from the Great Pyramids a bit and centers on the meaning, purpose and age of the Great Sphinx. Newer theories (1996) suggest that the Sphinx is much older than originally thought and also suggest a new purpose for the anciet monument. These discoveries are based in science and lead to a very compelling argument for the writers' theories.

If you are interested in Egyptology, this book should be on your must read book. Even if we choose not to believe the authors' theories, it shows a new picture of the ancients that helps piece together how and when they lived, specifically their religion and funeral rites. The writing gets a littel overly scientific for easy reading so I've been picking it up on and off all year.

4/5

NOT SCIENTIFIC!?!?OPEN YOUR CLOSED MINDS AND READ!
These arguments about being non scientific boggle my mind.People claiming to be this and that - history teachers, whatever.I'm blown away by the blindness and willingness to follow the orthodox herd of the drinking of the not so COOL-AID KEEP THE POPULOUS DUMB AND WORKING DRINK.If anything, this book represents more scientific evidence for a pre-dynastic Egypt than almost anything I have read on the subject - mainstream and not so mainstream. The main argument being that it's trying to rob Egypt of it's culture? HOW SO? IT'S IN EGYPT! Moving on - It's funny people are so quick to shoot at the barn sized easy target of the spooky metaphysical and point out the short chapter on Edgar Cayce (who if you actually DO some research will find is a true enigma and has scientific scrutiny by the balls because he did and said things that people are not supposed to say and do - leaving those in need of linear understanding discouraged and bitter about it) and cast doubt upon the work that has been done here while failing to face the REAL SCIENCE of Boston Universities highly respected geologist, Robert Schochs' work on the weathering of the Sphinx and surrounding temples!Yeah, that's objective! Then there's all the lies and contradictions of the frontmen Zahi Hawass and Mark (the Traitor) Lehner, the latter of who became involved BECAUSE of the Cayce Foundation and later fell victim to (and no doubt well compensated for) the OBVIOUS cover up of our human heritage and truth of pre-dynastic civilizations where the understanding of science and physics are concerned - because the history books will then most definately have to be rewritten and things like the Bible and old scientific scholars getting fat on stagnant ideas will have to be moved aside a little to make way for it. Back to science - how do you argue with the alignments of the pyramids, the mathematically complex "ventilation" shafts and the Sphinx itself to constellations and sun positions only matching to the epoch of 10,500 BC, arguing quite unintelligently against the natural clockwork of the stars through the discovery of contemporary computer research!?!hahahahahahhaha! Man this is funny!I don't know if every point in this book hits the mark of fact.Some things just can't be summed up just yet and I for one am not the type to scrutinize someones efforts just because they don't have all the answers I feel I need to compensate my time and money in the reading of a book with so profound implications. We're only beginning to understand what we are and where we come from through new ways of research and understanding. The more we look back the more we are perplexed at how we came to be.People are afraid to look at the way they THINK things have been and notice something askew and different, and then admit it to themselves because it means that the comfort zone we've felt so cozy and cradled in is in fact full of thorns.This is the way things have always been and the sooner we stop believing that we have nothing else to learn about the mysteries of our being here (Remember, there once was a time you were killed for believing the earth was round!) the sooner we'll wake up to our true human potential which is currently only running on a little less than 10% of it's capability - and yes, that's a current scientific fact!READ THIS BOOK AND BROADEN THE WAY YOU SEE YOURSELF, THE UNIVERSE AND THE FUTURE OF HUMAN CIVILIZATION.

Graham could have done this book in just a few chapters.
Sorry, but this book is incredibly repetitive....complaints about Hawass and his lack of "understanding woo-woo" in finding hidden rooms/buried treasure/buried religious rituals, complaints about calculations of the stars...chapter after chapter saying the same thing, particularly about Edgar Cayce's prophecy about the Sphinx.

(Spoiler) 10,500 B.C. was the "start" date of this civilization, according to the author.

Save your bucks....it's not worth the effort to plow through, and the photos are very old, nothing up-to-date.

Secrets of the Giza plateau
This book by Graham Hancock was pretty good but in my opinion his "Fingerprints of the Gods" was a better read. The parts I liked best about "Message of the Sphinx" were the parts where Hancock / Bauval explain in great detail what amazing structures there are on the Giza plateau. Not just the three large pyramids & the Sphinx but also the underground tunnels & various temples. The precision with which all of these were built still puzzles people to this day.

I think Graham Hancock is a fascinating person & I have heard him in several radio interviews as well. He is a very intelligent person who makes you question conventional history. I did find some of his theories of how certain stars aligned in certain dynasties a little hard to understand. I have a hard-cover version of this book but some of the sketches could have been more clearly illustrated. This is a four star book if you like this type of subject. ... Read more

Product Description
An asteroid transformed Mars from a lush planet with rivers and oceans into a bleak and icy hell. Is Earth condemned to the same fate, or can we protect ourselves and our planet from extinction?

In his most riveting and revealing book yet, Graham Hancock examines the evidence that the barren Red Planet was once home to a lush environment of flowing rivers, lakes, and oceans. Could Mars have sustained life and civilization?

Megaliths found on the parched shores of Cydonia, a former Martian ocean, mirror the geometrical conventions of the pyramids at Egypt's Giza necropolis. Especially startling is a Sphinx-like structure depicting a face with distinguishable diadem, teeth, mouth and an Egyptian-style headdress. Might there be a connection between the structures of Egypt and those of Mars? Why does NASA continue to dismiss these remarkable anomalies as "a trick of light"? Hancock points to the intriguing possibility that ancient Martian civilization is communicating with us through the remarkable structures it left behind.

In exploring the possible traces left by the Martian civilization and the cosmic cataclysm that may have ended it, The Mars Mystery is both an illumination of our ancient past and a warning--that we still have time to heed--about our ultimate fate.Amazon.com Review
Mars holds a special fascination for us, because it is themost Earth-like planet we've yet encountered. As we continue toexplore the red planet, geological evidence mounts that long ago waterflowed freely across its surface, begging the question: If there waswater, was there life? Graham Hancock thinks so. In fact, Hancock, aformer journalist and the author of several books, including Fingerprints of theGods, believes that certain formations on the Martian surfaceare the remnants of an ancient civilization--one strikingly similar toancient Egypt--that was destroyed by a cataclysmic deepimpact. Further, Hancock claims that NASA's reluctance to givecredence to "The Face," "The Pyramids," and otherthings people see in images of the Martian surface is evidence thatthe U.S. space agency is motivated by cold war paranoia andmistrust. Hancock seems to be more fair-minded than many NASA critics,stating that, "what we see is a mindset, here, not aconspiracy." And indeed, one is hard-pressed to imagine why NASAisn't agreeing wholeheartedly with Hancock, since his ultimate pointis that we should be paying more attention to our planetary neighborsand the skies above, lest we suffer the same fate as the Martians.Hancock raises many intriguing questions in this synthesis ofunorthodox Mars theory, but those looking for applications of Ockham'srazor had best search elsewhere--Hancock's theories require a leap offaith as surely as NASA's do. --Therese Littleton ... Read more

Customer Reviews (55)

Another good read from Hancock
I enjoyed reading 'Fingerprints of the gods' a lot. this book is very good as well.

No Pyramid, No face, No evidence of Life on Mars
1. Dr. David McKay analyzed the Meteorite ALH84001 and said, "There is not any one finding that leads us to believe that there was past life on Mars. Rather it is a combination of many things that we have found...These include an apparently unique pattern of organic molecules, carbon compounds that are the basis of life. We also found several unusual mineral phases that are know products of primitive microorganisms on Earth. Structures that could be microscopic fossils seem to support this. The relationship of all of these things in terms of localization - within a few hundred thousands of an inch of one another is the most compelling evidence"

2. The biological evidence of life was not found. Mineral evidence of life was circumstantial and provide a possible correlation.

3. Mars temperature ranges from minus 23 Celsius to minus 137 Celsius. Mars has no electromagnetic shield. For Mars to have life, it must have water.

4. Olympus Mons is 27 kilometeres above datum and the floor of the canyon system is known as Valles Marineris. Olympus Mons has 700 km lava scab, 80 km summit caldera, and a outer edge of the lava scab of 5,000 km in diameter.

5. Valles Marineries chasm is 7 km deep and 200 km wide, four times deeper and six times wider and ten times longer than the Grand Canyon. The Valles Marineries run across the floor of the Chryse Planitia basin.

6. Argyne, Hellas, and Isidis meteorites transformed Mars. Argyre crater is 3 km deep and 630 km wide impacted by 36 km object. Hellas is 5 km deep and 2,000 km wide impacted by a 1,00 km object. Isidis is 1,500 km wide impacted by a 50 km object. Mars has over 3,305 craters that are wider than 30 km and 93 percent lie south of the line of dichotomy.

7. Mars gravitational pull could have broke up a passing body into fragments. The lack of a strong atmosphere would increase the likelihood of impact and may have trigger volcanic eruptions on the opposite side of Mars. Large fragments of Mars surface could have been ejected into space.

8. The D&M pyramid on frame 70A13 is 1.6 miles long and has more than a cubic mile of material with the apex nearly a half mile height. D&M is a five sided pyramid and sits on the 40.8 latitude mark. D&M has three edges spaced 60 degrees apart.

9. No dune will ever form a symmetrical polyhedron. D&M is characterized with flat side and straight edges. Local reverse airflow can cut a flat surface perpendicular to the wind direction

Quote
Former larger debris aprons might have been covered by later lava flows in the surrounding area; the Western wall of the face moved downslope as a coherent mass. The location of the detachment zone is reflected by a large scarp extending from North to South. The results of large mass wasting, or downslope movement of rock, are also visible at the foot of the pyramid-like formations.
---Quote---
Source:
[...]

10. Cydonian hills (mounds) appear to look like a "Face", an produce of light and shadow and rock/ice formation.

11. Cydonia adjacent regions have sloping areas surround by hills or reliefs known as debris aprons.

12. Debris aprons form at the foot of the mounds and most likely consist of rocky debris and ice.

13. Debris aprons are controlled by talus formation, a sloping mass of rock debris at the base of the cliff, and the landslides.

14. Former larger debris aprons might have been covered by later lava flows.

Mars Gets Left Out In The Cold
After the first several sections, Mars isn't mentioned again until the last several sections. Graham Hancock should have entitled this "Lessons In Comets and Their Orbits". No secrets between Mars and Earth were forthcoming. He threw in his usual spiel about the age of the pyramids, where they're located, etc, etc. With a dash of his precession theories. Not a very good book to read it you are looking for any relationship between Mars and Earth. A big disappoint! Could have been summed up by just saying, we're not sure if that's a face or not - end of book.

Interesting
Another excellent work by the author. Mr Hancock is an excellent and interesting writer.He writes in great depth so you can understand the who, what , when, where, how and why of his research and opinions.This book is typical to his writing in that regard. If you are knowledgeable on what he has written the books may cover a lot of ground you have trod in previous times.If you however are a novice in his field of research, you will be amazed at the amount of information he conveys. It is definitely another pass around book!

surprisingly enlightening!
You could read the title as "A warning from history that could save life on earth" or you could read the book and justify that it should have read "A rambling from conspirators that could ignite paranoia on earth."

Joke beside, this was actually very enlightening. I just thought it's be some crackpot ideas about Mars. I was 95% sold on the idea when they got into the mathmatics, which match those of ancient earth monuments. Reading that part alone sent me into shivers with a wide-eyed gaze. The second part which grabbed me was the section on camets and astroids. The truth is straight told and this alone will leave you wide-eyed. Getting into the speculation will just send your eyes drooping from their sockets.

So, the mathmatics and the comets were the best parts of the book. The rest was just filler - getting from one point to another. ... Read more

Product Description
Using sophisticated computer simulations of the ancient skies to crack the millennial code that the monuments transcribe, Bauval and Hancock set out a startling new theory concerning the Pyramid Texts and other archaic Egyptian scriptures. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (2)

Read It!
Years of research compressed into a very readable exploration of what may well prove to be the true history of ancient Egypt - and an insight into the origins of human 'civilisation'.Fascinating and thought-provoking.

Geoffrey Arnold

A Remarkable Journey.
I re-read this sometimes dense book and was able to take it in much more easily. There's simply too much here to absorb in one read through. The central thesis of the Great Pyramid complex having an astronomical and astrological function is gradually revealed through a wide ranging discussion of its historical discovery on the one hand, and on the other, more recent explorations by miniature motorised robot and other hi-tech methods. Essentially the picture of the Pyramid complex being a great time machine, is very convincingly proven. Every time I look up at Orion from the Australian bush as I have done recently I think of the Egyptians in antiquity and am strangely moved. ... Read more

Product Description
Is a roller coaster intellectual journey through the back streets and rat runs of history to uncover the traces in architecture and monuments of a secret religion that has shaped the world. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (15)

Talisman is an impressive and worthy composition.
Talisman : Sacred Cities Secret Faith

Though the iconic Statue of Liberty is recognized by many, my decision to read this book rested more with several intriguing questions posed on the back cover. The historical significance of the statue had never previously occurred to me. The question that really hooked me was the one regarding Franklin Roosevelt's commissioning of the glowing pyramid on the one-dollar bill. I have never held a dollar bill, but have wondered about the curious symbolism on British currency.
It is no understatement to say the breadth, depth, and volume of information presented, was at times overwhelming.With a reference section occupying nearly sixty pages, the authors appear to have taken pains to present this work in the light of other works.
Encapsulating this substantial reading and learning experience into a succinct and meaningful review is proving a challenge. One of the many difficulties faced by the authors is illustrated by a passage appearing on page 287 -
~~
The Sacred Cities, Emergence of the invisibles - Before Freemasonry came out - "The origins of Freemasonry are veiled behind such a mass of legends and pseudo-history that the subject has become a nightmare for even the most dedicated of researchers. The problem lies in the fact that today Freemasons define themselves as a `society with secrets' whereas once, and no one actually knows for how long, they were a secret society that went to great lengths to be `invisible'. We've noted before that successful secret societies are by definition, hard to trace in the historical record. "
~~
Talisman explains how historic texts, events, and architecture, reveal compelling evidence of a belief system with ancient origins; that is identifiably manifest in contemporary life.
There is a tendency throughout the book to present a line of reasoning based on an intricate web of historical events. It is my view that the authors conducted considerable research to support and develop their ideas. Whether or not, the conclusions drawn and presented from the research is accurate; is a matter of opinion. Though consistent effort is made to avoid voicing outright opinion; this is inevitable, because opinion does comes through; if not in direct statements; then in the general line of reasoning chosen. As a reader, I admired the author's consistent attempts to justify leading conclusions. I also appreciated the efforts of authors who appear to be deeply knowledgeable; to both educate and inform the readers in a wide range of topics that warrant considerable research and learning individually.
It is no surprise the undertaking took twelve years to complete. Started in 1992 and completed in 2004; the finished article provides a rich source of learning and intrigue for the uninitiated. If you are asking "Uninitiated into what ? ", I would thank you for your question, and refer you to the respective co-author websites for an answer or answers.
For my part as reviewer; may I draw your attention to key phrases at the start and end of the work.
~
At the start - Robert Bauval - "This unusually long period reflects not only the complex nature of the subject matter but also the strong and enduring working relationship and friendship that I have with my co-author Graham Hancock, a master of the trade par excellence. "

At the end - "On 11 September 2001Al Qaeda struck its major direct blow against the `Crusaders'. It may not be the last ..."
~
OK - a number of unsettling facts have come to light since 9/11. Some of these facts are both 100% concrete, and impossible to dispute. Some of them may weaken the case against Al Qaeda. While the full truth, behind the events of 9/11 remain shrouded, and questions remain unanswered; justifiable conclusions may be equally elusive.
Winston Churchill famously said "History is written by the victors". A discussion of "the philosophy of history" can be found in Wikipedia. Interestingly enough; a section detailing "History as propaganda"; paraphrases the quote, and also contains the phrase "par excellence".
If there is any truth in Winston Churchill's quote, could there also be truth in another idea? One that claims "Manuscripts are written or dictated by authors with their own unique perspectives and agendas".
Some readers may feel the validity of this book's final statement is questionable. It appears to directly reveal the sympathies and therefore bias of the author(s).Whether this statement enhances or detracts from the validity of the manuscript as a whole; is debateable.

The reading experience was intermittently engaging and tawdry. That said; in light of the complex nature of the subject matter presented, the work is surprisingly accessible and readable. Overall I found the effort rewarding and informative. I have read work by other authors who are critical of Robert Bauval and Graham Hancock. I guess it is up to researchers of this genre to come to their own conclusions based on wider reading. Whatever the politics of the authors, I am deeply grateful for this introduction to a subject matter that is both complex; and significant in contemporary life today. Thank you for this work! Recommended reading!

TALISMAN is written without knowledge of Esotericism!!!
Hancock and Bauval have done some great work in the past and that can not be denied.However, their reach is into areas of esotericism and literature they have no knowledge of or expertise in disminishes there reputation as serious students of the esoteric science.

The Knight Templars and Cathar question is a case in point.My personal take on the crusade against the Cathars was merely a displacement or force relocation of the masses.

The Knight Templars could not have been heretics if what they believed is precisely what the Church was teaching at the time.Most of the cathedrals of Europe were built by the year 1307.In particular Chartres Cathedral, and Dante Alighieri was well into writing his La Divina Commedia, and two centuries later Michelangelo would used the same mathematical system (Dante used to write his Commedia) to fresco the ceiling and Altar wall of the Sistine Chapel.Incorporated into all these art forms, archetecture, literature, and fresco painting is the same science used to write the sacred scriptures.The very things that are called occult practices are incorporated into these genres of thought.This same belief system is what was believe by the Templars and Cathars.

Those that doubt this argument should read my recently published paper: THE SISTINE CHAPEL: A Study in Celestial Cartograpy (published by the ROSE CROIX JOURNAL June 2006) where it is demonstrated that the Kabbalistic Tree of Life and much of the esoteric science comes directly from the first chapter of Genesis in which the fresco painters of the Sistine Chapel were well aware.This paper without mentioning Hancock or Bauval names destroys their argument in TALISMAN because of the scientific evidence that was marshalled to validate the paper's arguments.

Hancock and Bauval argue that the Templars and Cathar had this esoteric knowledge and that is why they were destroyed.Why would the Church destroy the very organizations that it and the bible's teachings created?That would be insane and ludicrous.This is where Hancock and Bauval fail in their reasoning process.They act as if the Church is totally ignorant of the Esoteric Science and does not use it in their teachings.Both Hancock and Bauval have a very very limited understanding of the Esoteric Science or what it is all about.

For me I believe that for the most part the Knight Templars and the Cathars are merely mythological spiritual stories similar to the legends of the Holy Grail.Yet, these stories have come down to us as if they were actual historical events.Remember that the Church had absolute control over what was historically written.It should be considered that the legends of the Templars, Cathars, Crusades, Holy Grail, La Divina Commedia and other such documents are a rehashing esoterically of the sacred scriptures knowledge of Esotericism.

The hatred that Hancock and Bauval have towards the Catholic Church is quite obvious and evident by the first part of the book - they are without shame in their rhetoric: "A study in Catholic Bashing" should be considered AS A REHEADING for the first section of TALISMAN.

All in all TALISMAN is the worst book these previously VERY GOOD THINKERS and researchers have ever done.

Can I give something a "minus star" rating?
I can't even say the book was entertaining as fiction, it was boring. As non-fiction, it is another poorly researched rehash of the usual Gnostic, Templar nonsense. This "information" has been circling like a vulture since the 1970's, ENOUGH.

Supplies a Missing Piece of "The Puzzle"
For the serious, or just curious, student of "alternative" theories of our Western Cultures history.
Know going in, that the ideas and thories expressed in this book, were published in this book, because they would not be allowed to be taught in accepted, scholastic circle, liberal or conservative.
Whether one ascribes to the Accidental, or Conspiratorial Theories of history, Bauval and Hancock's "Talisman" will give serious pause for thought.
The books major contribution, is the linking, once and for all, with one of our Western Cultures foundation stones of the Talismanic religion practiced by the Ancient Egyptians.
The accepted norm, that Western Culture has only Greco-Roman underpinnings, (put forth by Berlin schools of thought in the nineteenth and twentieth centuries when Berlin, not New York was the World City), have been modified somewhat, correctly, in seeing the vast contributions of those people that the Greeks called the "Keltoi","wanderers",(known to history as the Celts).
From the Militians of Spain, the Gauls of France, (referred to in the New Testament as the Galatians), the Daanan tribe of Ireland, the Welsh, Scythians (Scots), to the Danes and Vikings these people, bloodied but unbowed by Rome,form a foundation stone as well as the Greeks and Romans, obvious now, though hidden for centuries.
What the reader interested in history will find out in "Talisman" is, that the last foundation stone stands revealed, as Egypt.
Whether or not Egypt's culture can be found to be based on an earlier one is not for this review, or Hancock and Bauval's book.
Egypt, seen in Biblical history, and Biblical typology as representing raw, idolotrous, worldly culture, at odds with the "God of the Bible" and His designs for human destiny, in "Talisman" is seen for what it may really be. The real forcebehind the millenia old "culture war" that Jews and Christians have been supposedly fighting.
Lastly, this book, if true, as it purports to be, lays to rest the reactionary and revisionist view held by the Christian Coalition, that our countries origin is Evangelical. Talisman correctly tells us that it is Masonic, at best, and Gnostic at worst.

An Investigative Triumph!
This is yet another brilliant journey of discovery in the company of Hancock and Bauval. After a lot of historical background the authors bring to light the Egyptian roots in the design (or wished for design) of cities such as Paris and London. The esoteric idea behind this is that the cities will become transmitters of (Divine)energy in the world and provoke wisdom in humanity in the same fundamental way that the ancient Egyptians once did through their temples or pyramids. The first example of the attempt to draw on the ancient Egyptian influence was Alexander the Great and his founding of Alexandria. A later example is Christopher Wren in London. The main historical themes which the authors focus are the Dualism of Gnostics, Cathars on the one hand and the Hermeticism of the Renaissance on the other, with idealists such as Tomasso Campanella and Athanasius Kircher being two important players. The Masons (or Freemasons) base their rituals on the rebuilding of Solomon's ancient temple (esoterically, rebuilding the temple represents cultivating oneself spiritually) and this is shown to be incorporated in the way planners and architects have thought in terms of city design. ... Read more

Product Description
In Heaven's Mirror, author Graham Hancock continues the quest begun in his international best-seller Fingerprints of the Gods: to rediscover the hidden legacy of mankind and to reveal that "ancient" cultures were, in fact, the heirs to a far older forgotten civilization and the inheritors of its archaic, mystical wisdom.

Working with photographer Santha Faiia, Hancock traces a network of sacred sites around the globe on a spectacular voyage of discovery that takes us from the pyramids and temples of ancient Egypt to the enigmatic statues of Easter Island, from the haunting ruins of pre-Columbian America to the splendors of Angkor Wat. It is a journey through myth, magic, and astounding archaeological revelations that forces us to rethink the cultures of our lost ancestors and the origins of civilization.

The first fully illustrated book by Graham Hancock, Heaven's Mirror is a stunning and illuminating tour of the spirituality of the ancients--a search for a secret recorded in the very foundations of the holiest sites of antiquity.Amazon.com Review
It could be true! That's the enthusiasm that author andscholar-mystic Graham Hancock counts on--in himself and in hisreaders--as he lays down his theories of an ancient (Atlantean,perhaps?) civilization that disseminated a sophisticated religion ofground-sky dualism and a "science" of immortality. Hancock's previouswork, including the popular and controversial Fingerprints of theGods, has drawn criticism for its leaps of faith and allegedlypseudoscientific conclusions, but Heaven's Mirror proves atleast a little more substantial. His chief thesis is that numerousancient sites and monuments--the pyramids of Mexico and Egypt, theruins of Angkor Wat in Cambodia, the monuments of Yonaguni in thePacific, and the megaliths of Peru and Bolivia--are situated in such away, geodetically, that they point towards some separate and uniforminfluence, some lost civilization or "invisible college" ofastronomer-priests. And that civilization, as evidenced in themathematics and architecture of the sites, points towards somegnosis, or body of knowledge, that would allow humanity totranscend the trap of mortality, a worldview in which theknowledge-giving serpent of Eden is not a villain but a hero.

Whatever you think of Hancock's ideas and theoretical musings inarchaeo-astronomy, Heaven's Mirror is a gorgeous book, thanksto the photography of Santha Faiia. Lush, evocative photos of themonoliths on Easter Island and temples deep in the Cambodian jungleare enough to set the mind to introspective wandering--maybe, justmaybe, Hancock's got it right after all. --Paul Hughes ... Read more

Customer Reviews (53)

The Matrix of Precessional Knowledge
Generally, this a beautiful, almost coffee-table book, presentation of Hancock's research into sacred archaeology and ancient history. Unlike some of his other books this one is clearly organized, succinctly written and beautifully illustrated.

Specifically, this is an amazing presentation of the astronomical/mathematical precision and display of ancient cultures (expressed in the mirroring of constellation patterns in various pyramids and megalithic monuments), coming across like a true-to-life conspiracy theory/detective story (way more deep and vast than Dan Brown's popular novels, which may be serving to prep the masses for the truths Hancock has helped collect and synthesize), connecting ancient cultures of Central and South Americas, Egypt, Cambodia and the Pacific around a common and simple astronomical fact (the 1 degree "precession" of the heaven's in relation to the earth every 72 years), and a communicated specific date (10,500 BC, which possibly marks the destruction of an advanced civilization at the end of the last ice age). This research convincingly shows that the ancient's were both bright and aware (these are not the calculations and buildings of primitive cave men, or even egoistical god-kings!), and willing to go to great lengths to preserve and communicate this knowledge to us (whatever it's spiritual and historic significance may be). It is truly amazing to see the precision and dedication of these efforts (spanning the globe and thousands of years), laid out so clearly in this book's drawings, photos and explanations.

When I wonder about the impact of the secret and encoded knowledge on us today (and our jaded, complacent and distracted attitudes and sensibilities), I just remember how much effort the ancients put into preserving/transmitting it (15 million tonnes of stones used in the Great Pyramid of Giza, and a single dressed block in Bolivia weighs an estimated 477 tonnes!), and I let the weight and sincerity of those efforts sink in through my modern sensibility. What I'm left with is a vast and powerful feeling of connectedness that makes individual cultures and traditions (ie. specific religions and academic disciplines) seem petty and limited. I'm left feeling open and awed by our human experience and history.

Fingerprints of the Gods redux
This book is essentially a poor rehash of Fingerprints of the Gods with better pictures.If you are really interested in Hancock's theory of a common knowledge source for ancient civilizations, you will probably enjoy Fingerprints of the Gods better.However, the pictures and overall presentation of this book is far better.If you found Fingerprints too difficult to get through, but liked the premise, then perhaps this book would be a better choice for you.

Alternate theory of spiritual development compellingly written
While I will reserve judgment on the factual merits of this book, it engaged me in a way few books do; I took extensive notes while reading it and plan to do additional research into some of the statements made.

Hancock travels the world, exploring the ancient religions and traditions of several disparate cultures, only to find shocking similarities, especially when combined with an astronomical background.

A fascinating, must-read for anyone exploring our distant past, interested in alternate spirituality or just curious about whatever crosses their hands.

Good summary --reffer book.
I have this book in my native language. But it does not matter. One time my friend let me borrow it from him, i read it really fast (only at home, cause he won't harm the book at all) For me it was like looking to "factography" about the interesting areas, complexes, chambers, pyramids and so on. Some of the facts were already presented by Discovery and NationalGeography channels (Orion mystery document) I was looking forward this document, but with no luck. So this really suprise me, that there are same volume of facts and even more. If you are new in this type of books (2012, prophecies, ancient civs; ...and so on.) It is good start to take this book. Also there is combo with "Fingerprints of Gods" Style of authors are easy to read, few drawings/figures are also there, so imaging of facts is easier.
Some other scholars reffer to this book and this book refer to some others. Like it is usuall. But i recommend to read few of them and collect the facts/myths by own selves. John Major Jenkins's books for instance are also good ones to make bigger picture.
You can use "google earth" and some other software to simulate some viewings mentioned in the book, prety exiting, really.
So finally i found this book in our book store and bought it. Read it again (with my comments written in the book, some notices and i use it as reffer book) I am not happy that this book has brother (fingerprints of gods) and it is not translated to my language.
Nevermind i learn little bit more so English books are no longer problematic for me. So thank to Amazon i got the Graham's combo book :))
I am not going to confirm or be against the facts mentioned in this book. It is up to reader to valuate the facts not me. I already did and i found it generally usefull. But none is perfect so be sure you valuate the facts across the books/documents/your own research.
I think it is not wasting of money to buy this book.
-keep it readin'-
cheers
-vh-

Mirror, Mirror on the Floor...
"Heavens Mirror" is a lush book of alternative ancient history from Graham Hancock, author of "Fingerprints of the Gods", a book I really enjoyed. Though I definitely did find it interesting, it left me with a bad taste in the mouth after I read it, if that makes sense.

Graham Hancock believes that long ago there was a civilization as sophisticated and thoughtful as ours, wiped out by the last ice age (around 10,500 BC), and whose influence can be seen in cultures round the world. He put forward this theory in his book "Fingerprints of the Gods", a well presented, heavily researched book. Graham is still writing about this lost culture, but rather than focusing on it's apparent influence like he did in "Fingerprints", he focuses on their beliefs and rituals. He finds a lot of things in common between certain cultures of the world. There's the idea of a "navel of the world", the idea of an afterlife world in the sky, references to the procession of the equinoxes, temples and structures in the form of certain constellations. Jumping from continent to continent, he tries to piece things together, hopefully coming to a conclusion.

First of all, I must say, this is a well presented book, just like "Fingerprints of the Gods". Hancock's wife, Santha Faiia, provided the photography, and there are some fantastic shots of famous ancient monuments, taken from angles and distances I have never seen before. It's almost as if you are there. They were a treat to look at, and she rightfully gets co-authorship of the book because of it. There are diagrams, which really, REALLY helped with the astronomical and mathematical elements. The content of the book, the studies on ancient beliefs, was also fascinating to read.

That's not to say this is a book without flaws. Graham doesn't seem to know who he is writing to here, newcomers to his books or old regulars. Sometimes he assumes we've read his books, and other times he repeats himself. He repeats himself in a few ways, actually. He'll make the same point a couple of times, which I found a little bit annoying, and it caused my eyes to wander from the page more than once. He seems a little more intense in his writing that he does in "Fingerprints of the Gods" too, and I can't say it's the most inviting feel to have. Plus, there are hardly as many references as his last books.

I felt a little bit uneasy reading this book, and I couldn't quite put a finger on why. It started when I noticed Graham Hancock was using the word "initiate" frequently when talking about the ancient learned people. The last alternative history book I read that used the word "initiate" frequently descended into obsessive nonsense very quickly, and was almost impossible to comprehend (let alone believe or consider). "What was Graham getting at here?" I thought. I got a little more uncomfortable when he started throwing the the words "gnosis" and "gnostic", and started mixing beliefs together.

Graham had been making all these links, pointing out these common factors, but not really stopping to explain why. The conclusion, when he finally got to it, came as something as a shock, though I felt it coming. He claims to believe that the ancient people were onto something in their rituals. He quotes gnostic gospels of the Christian era as if they were not only correct, but influenced by this ten thousand year old culture he claims existed. Then, came this sentence, wedged within the final paragraph:

"Modern religions, like modern science, have let us down, offering us no nourishment or guidance. Perhaps our only hope ... [is] when certain ideas come to life again, and we should not deprive our grandchildren of a last chance at the heritage of the highest are farthest-off times"

That says it all about why I felt so uneasy about the book, I think. Rejecting basically everyone in favor of his mish mash of ancient beliefs. It's one thing to say that civilizations have things in common, it's quite another to say that they have the answers for the future, if you know what I mean.

It was a very interesting look at ancient cultures, I do agree, very well presented with some fantastic pictures. That's the reason I give it four stars. Graham Hancock's conclusions, however, are rather worrying. I hope he doesn't get too sucked into these kind of theories. ... Read more

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On an odyssey stretching from the pyramids of ancient Egypt to South American ruins, from Easter Island to Angkor Wat, the authors put forward compelling evidence to suggest that cultures we term ancient were in fact the heirs to an older lost civilization, and the inheritors of its archaic wisdom. ... Read more

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By the author of "The Sign and the Seal". This book describes the quest for the whereabouts, nature and few surviving traces of a lost civilization that was destroyed long ago and obliterated from human memory, long before any of the cultures of historical antiquity rose to prominence. While Hancock does not believe that this civilization was Atlantis, he taps into the same current of human yearning that has made the Atlantis myth such a powerful one. He mixes physical exploration of dramatic and sometimes dangerous locations in his pursuit of the hints and scraps of evidence that point to a great and unsolved mystery. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (1)

Science may not have all the answers
This book presents very compelling circumstantial evidence for Earths ancient history.Graham Hancock & Robert Bauval have provided varying scenarios concerning; the building of the pyramids, ancient mapmakersrepresentation of the earth and lost civilizations.They have woven theevidence together in such a way as to suggest our past is not as it ispresented today, even going so far as to suggest who really built thepyramids and what really happened to Atlantis.This book makes you thinkabout the immensity of our 'unknowledge' and the brevity of our own lives. ... Read more

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The fact of the Lost Ark of the Covenant is one of the grant historical mysteries of all time. To believers, the Ark is the legendary vesel holding the stone tablets of the Ten Commandments. The Bible contains hundreds of references to the Ark's power to level mountains, destroy armies, and lay waste to cities. The Ark itself, however, mysteriously disappears from recorded history sometime after the building of the Temple of Solomon.

After ten years of searching through the dusty archives of Europe and the Middle East, as well as braving the real-life dangers of a bloody civil war in Ethiopia, Graham Hancock has succeeded where scores of others have failed. This intrepid journalist has tracked down the true story behind the myths and legends -- revealing where the Ark is today, how it got there, and why it remains hidden.

Part fascinating scholarship and part entertaining adventure yarn, tying together some of the most intriguing tales of all time -- from the Knights Templar and Prester John to Parsival and the Holy Grail -- this book will appeal to anyone fascinated by the revelation of hidden truths, the discovery of secret mysteries. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (85)

The arch iswhere it belongs
This book came to me. Unexpected at 1$! It is priceless.
The opening chapter is magnificent whereas the end is a little bit fuzzy.
The other chapters repeat themself a lot. Nevertheless, the book
leaves you with a lot of open questions and your own quest.
A must for the reader in between.

Excellent book
Excellently written overview of extensive research into the various issues of interest, specifically: Templars, Ark of the Covenant, etc. Highly recommended!

Entertaining and informative, but could be just a big, crazy make-'em'up
Right off the bat, let me say that Hancock spins a good yarn, but whether or not that yarn rings true is quite another matter.

Hancock has, over time, been vilified by archaeologists the world over for his lack of scholarship . . . and they might be correct in doing so, but Hancock does fabulous job of engaging the reader.His writing skill is top-notch, as is his storytelling ability.Although his theories and scientific approach might be considered more imagination and myth, he covers a lot of interesting information, including but not limited to religion, Europe, the Crusades, the Knights Templar, the Chartres Cathedral, Chretien de Troyes, Jerusalem, the Dome of the Rock, Egyptian technological advancement, Moses, etc.The hodgepodge of weird and interesting stuff you heard about and saw as a kid all comes together here.

That's what really keeps you reading: Hancock's concentration of interesting information, all tied up with a bow.Secret societies, freaky ancient technology, the ark that burns off Nazi faces, hidden symbols and clues, exotic locales.All there, along with the investigative travels of Graham Hancock.It's like investigative fringe history . . . and it's all interrelated.

The only downside to the book is the ending which, after all Hancock's searching, leaves the reader dissatisfied.To paraphrase Hancock's closing chapter: "I've pinpointed the location of the ark, but I'm not allowed in to see it.In fact, no one is.The end."Me, I would have considered hiring a few mercs to bust on in, to see what's what, sacrilege aside.

You'll definitely learn quite a few things when you read "The Sign and the Seal."Definitely worth a look.

Where Is The Ark?
Devil's Verse: Natasha Azshatan Unlocks Ancient Mysteries, Reveals Secrets, And Wrestles With Demons As She Fights To Stay Alive

In The Sign And The Seal, Journalist and explorer Graham Hancock takes the reader along on his real life quest to find the legendary ark of the covenant.He follows clues in the bible and in other ancient writings, including the legend of the holy grail, which Hancock asserts is actually a literary map which leads to the ark's location.He uncovers clues left by the Knight Templers that were carved in stones across Europe and eventually to Axum Ethiopia where a secluded tribe of Ethiopians claim to posses the Ark inside their temple. This is a fun read.Whether the ark is in Axum or not, the journey is epic.

Great Seller!!!
My book was delivered as advertised and is a great read too! Thank You Very Much!! ... Read more

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Not as described
There was no dustcover for this book.This should have been disclosed before selling. ... Read more

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Customer Reviews (13)

God's Paintbrush
This beautiful book is a magic carpet ride for the intellect and the soul. Throughout millennia, the sacred sites so exquisitely photographed by Martin Gray have been imbued by human devotion as places of power and spiritual connection. He not only captures their essence with his camera, but his commentary illuminates the holiness of each site with an extraordinary combination of scholarship and mysticism.

Gray set out to record the great spiritual art of the ages before it was lost through decay or destruction, and to reawaken a sense of reverence and connection to the living earth. He hoped that readers would share his sense of "a larger involvement in the growing community of conscious, life-serving people of the world." He invites us to recognize in the art and architecture of these "places of peace and power" a universal yearning for mystical union that unites humanity around the world and across the ages.

In the preface, Gray describes an early revelation that his mission in life was to be "a paintbrush in the hand of God." What a fine one he has become; if I hadn't received a review copy of this lavish coffee table book, I would definitely have to go out and buy it.

A wonderful and insightful book - highly recommended
Martin Gray's wonderful book on his 20 years of pilgrimages to the world's sacred sites, Sacred Earth, underlines two great unifying truths revealed in the age of Dwapara Yuga: the great astronomical knowledege built into the designs of the sites and their syncrenistic nature: each new wave of religion taking over the sites and holy dates of the previous one, literally building on the old foundations of pre-existing holy/high energy locations.

Sexist Sacred Earth
I have a problem with the fact what I've seen of Martin's work seems to ignore or deny the feminine face of god in many of the sacred places he writes about.Even in sacred places where he might talk in depth about the importance of Goddess in ancient and contemporary times and give the Great She her just due, he chooses not to.Perhaps it's a reflection of his time spent in a Buddhist monastary, but this ommission perpetuates the patriarchal view diminishing the Divine Feminine and by association women.

Sacred Earth: Places of Peace and Power
Wow. Spellbinding, magnificent, beautiful. Let this pilgrim take you on a journey you'll never forget. There are places in this book I didn't even know existed. Now I feel like I've been there. Martin Gray is not only an impeccable photographer, he is a brilliant and gifted writer. I highly recommend it. I've also given it as a gift and several friends have commented on how they treasure it.

Fantastic book AAAAAAA+++++++
I have used his web site for our travels around the world for years now, I have purchased 5 of these books last year for Christmas for pressys and for us too, it is so beautifully presented and full of Sacred Sites all over our wonderful globe. The pictures are stunning. ... Read more

Product Description
In Sun of gOd, cultural pioneer and philosopher Gregory Sams takes a fresh look at our solar benefactor. As Sams sees it cultures throughout the ancient world were right to recognize the Sun as a living, conscious being. The implications of a conscious provider in the sky are startling, though often obvious -- and in harmony with science, logic and common sense.

Sun of gOd explores exciting new ground, adding a crucial piece to the jigsaw-puzzle picture we have of the cosmos. In the light of a conscious Sun, Sams looks at our hard-wired tendency for religion, notions of god and divinity, our place in the firmament, star formation, intelligent light, electromagnetism, feedback, chaos theory, free will, the four elements, and the near-universal self-organization of systems from the bottom up.

"Could it really be that the universe waited 13.7 billion years -- until we came along -- to manifest the phenomenon of consciousness and made ours the only type of vessel able to experience it?" Sams thinks not. Citing David Bohm's discovery that even on the subatomic level of electrons there appears to be intention and choice, Sams goes on to suggest that creative intelligence may be a bot¬tom-up system in which "everything, from a molecule of water to a neuron in our brain to the Sun itself, is a part of the bottom that is subtly steering a greater whole."From this perspective, he smoothly joins the microcosm to the macrocosm, revealing a Universe incorporating both intelligence and design, with no need for an Intelligent Designer. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (51)

All Rant No Science
Good Stuff
+ There was some research effort
+ Some interesting theories

Improvements/Bad stuff
+ Unfortunately, not enough research
+ Dry and dull writing
+ Lots of rants but argument undefined
+ Multitudes of fallacies

Summary

Where to begin? I was excited to read this book, thinking it would be a new and interesting perspective on religion. Instead, Sams really only bashes religion; and in doing this, he also bashes its rival, modern science. Which is odd, considering this book is a horrible argument for going back to the primitive religions of our human past. That is, going back to worshipping the sun. Oddly, Sams never mentions that ancient people did this, nor does he quite say that he'd like to go about worshipping a nearby star.

This book is meant to be an argument I believe, although Sams never goes into great detail. Probably because the writing was dry enough. He paid no attention to details-I'm not totally convinced that he even knows the details of his arguments. My first suspicion came when he set up a gigantic straw man for himself to kick down, saying how horrid all unconvinced scientists are, pretty much because they don't agree with him. My next suspicion was aroused when he continued not to give proper credence to his own arguments-such as ignoring points, and not giving details. It seems he perhaps went to some general education courses at the local community college, and now calls himself an expert. I was already wary. He doesn't seem to properly grasp the theories of quantum science, chaos theories, and general world history.

This book seems to advocate going back to basic, primitive religions, and forgoing all evidence that will contradict Sams theory. At least, I believe that is a better summary, and all that is needed really. Sams does not understand what he is talking about, nor is he accomplished in persuasive writing. People who are like-minded, perhaps, will love this book, and cherish it as Truth. However, his argument is too faulty to be considered legitimate, in my opinion.

Consciousness is Everything!!!
I had the pleasure of interviewing Gregory Sams for Dreamland Radio about this amazing book. Is CONSCIOUSNESS the underlying principle behind reality? Behind other realities? This mind-boggling book tackles deep subject matter but in a way that any reader can comprehend. From the origins of sun worship and how religion transformed our understanding of reality and ourselves, to the cutting edge discoveries in quantum theory, consciousness studies and the evolution of the Universe, this book is a complete journey across the inner and outer cosmos. The author presents the idea that the Sun is a living,conscious organism from which we find life, and shows how this concept was prevalent in religious thought over the history of humanity. Chaos theory, free will, even the biological phenomenon of microbial life is all examined in terms of better understanding how we, and the Universe, evolved. Sams examines the role of organized religion, the battle between intelligent design and evolution, and how the stars in the sky got to be the stars in the sky, and more in a book that is hard to put down and will certainly expand the mind.
The book itself reads like a road trip through the consciousness of both our species, and our world, even as we learn more about ourselves as individuals and our place in the cosmic order.

Astonishing book ~ a great discovery!
The author wrote me in response to some serious issues I'd blogged about the way Christians "behaved" around me and a person who is a dear friend ~ and also a Christian, who'd been plundered and lied to by other Christians...including his so-called "loving relatives". I'd been shocked by the deceitful behavior, although I'd also been subjected to less than reasonable treatment by these so called "devout people" at various times throughout my life and in a variety of places.

I am a Pantheist. This does not mean I'm into witchcraft or that I'm a "New Ager" and certainly do not respond favorably to having doubt cast upon my character by people whose prime motivation in terming people like myself "Heathens" and is, to be honest, because I'm one of the people who pose a threat to their bank accounts. I'm able to speak logically to religious folk...although I do not believe in the concept of Heaven and Hell but do believe demons are entirely the creation of superstitious human beings. And Gregory Sams wrote these words which essentially asked: "Well, what did you expect...?" What, indeed. And as I followed the link to the author's web site, I found him quite a remarkable man. Yes, the word *brilliant* is an unavoidable pun.

For all the years of work I've devoted to learning about various religions, cults, philosophies, this book opened my eyes to people and events I'd not heard of...and the chapter which looks upon Earthly religion through the eyes of an extraterrestrial described how I, living on Earth, have long perceived much of our current "organized religions". A Pantheist's church is, quite simply, their mind.

I do not understand the people who say this book is dry or lacking in wit. It is quite witty, while being beautifully written and extremely informative. If you lack the intelligence to "get the joke", that is your failure and not the author's. I will, thanks to Gregory Sams, never look at the Sun in the same way...nor the planets, stars, our galaxy. And I also will never feel outrage when a Christian behaves like a maniac or phony and in the process breaks nearly all of their commandments in the act of "looking out for number 1": this is typical. The simple fact is, it's all about greed and keeping people blind to and fearful of the truth. We are not simply creatures of this planet -- we are creatures of the universe. And on this planet, all the natural world around us is sentient, intelligent. I've long believed this to be true, but Gregory Sams reinforced thia awareness.

I now have a much more intimate connection with the Sun than I ever have in past. I make a conscious connection of "Hello", because without the Sun, there would be no me and you, no food sources, no internet. I work outdoors in my high desert garden in early evening, after the hottest part of the day has passed. I'm out there working and stop only to watch the sun set. And I feel gratitude for the lovely sky, the life around me, the glorious energy.

I found great comfort in this book from the gossip of the "good" church-going tormentors. And, in what cannot possibly be a coincidence, I recently had a look at the track record of the Southern Baptists in the state of Arizona: frauds. Crooks. Exploiters of the elderly and infirm, having extorted hundreds of millions of dollars from "believers" to help them in some mission they've no business being involved in in the first place or assist them in building yet another church in another place with hundreds of Christian churches -- there is no need, except for messianic arrogance -- and often these churches are never constructed. The money vanishes.

Here in the little town where I live, the one church exploits people for their time, money and other resources (vehicles, land, logic) and then points fingers at "non-believers" as being untrustworthy. Psychology is referred to as "psychobabble", so people needing psychological help resort to faith-based counseling, which more often then not causes them to become delusional, manic or return to substance abuse because they feel even less self-esteem than they did when they sought "help". Considering what I've learned, I now take the insults of these so-called spiritual leaders as a compliment. This is a book I recommend *everyone* who has a thirst for greater understanding of our chaotic existence and a history of how certain philosophies evolved and gained such dominance buy and read. You will learn (or revisit) healthy connections you've made to the energy of our living universe, understand that we are neither static nor solid and, if you're not willing to be one of the sheep who gets flocked, you'll come away from Sun of gOd understanding why it's far better to be a sheepdog.

Thank you, Gregory Sams, for sharing your genius, your sly wit and your insight with the rest of us. gOd knows, we seek a greater understanding between people and of all within and without us: and your book provides the tools. I salute you *and* the only true Sun deserving of reverence.

Interesting premise, dry delivery
I really wanted to like this book.The premise is fascinating, and clearly the authors did a lot of research.I've read books by both authors, and liked them.But this particular book just didn't connect with me.

For one thing, I thought the authors' writing was so tedious that I wondered if perhaps they lacked passion for their topic.After just a couple of chapters, I had to put the book down and find something more lively for awhile.I returned to the book, and promptly fell asleep.

For another, the writers needed to consider the elegance of verbal economy.In some places, they couldn't resist a paragraph, when just a brief sentence would do as well.

Even so, it was an interesting read.But be prepared to work at it with this book--it's gifts are not easily or quickly revealed.

Brilliant, like Sunlight, vision of Life
This book does a good job of reviving the idea of Sun being a conscious being/spiritual presence in our lives (the author at times critical of limited scientific and spiritual concepts, but also effectively using and expanding those human tools is always coherent, entertaining, and easy to understand), but it quickly goes beyond that scope to embrace Sun's place in our galaxy, and our galaxy in the greater community of galaxies. The result is a unified view of a self-arising, self-creating universe, infused with consciousness, expressed in light, the inconceivable unit of the photon! Sams figures there has to be intelligence in all this (not just in our view of it), and so "intelligent design" is embraced. Yet it is an intelligent design from the ground up, which is an inclusive approach and solution to the polarizing modern debate (I especially like the way he turns the 'Big Bang' on it's head). It also reminds us, that we are not separate from all this. We are conscious (at least to some degree...), and we are composed of star dust. We are a part of the holographic universe...we are part of humanity, of Earth, of Sun, of Life.

This book has helped remind me to be more playful in, thankful and appreciate of Sun. And more expansive in Awareness... ... Read more

Product Description
A physical and intellectual journey, a worldwide exploration diving for the underwater ruins of a lost civilization, this book follows clues in ancient scriptures and mythlogy and in the scientific evidence of the flood that swept the Earth at the end of the last Ice Age. This text explores the question of early humans swept away by the catastrpohe. Who were these populations - pre-civilised hunter-gatherers or more sophisticated peoples altogether? The text is written as a personal adventure involving the reader in the travels, the practicalities and the risks while developing the larger themes along the way, building up to the explosive revelation of a global mystery. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (1)

New light on the past
Graham Hancock continues his pursuit of uncovering lost civilizations, this time under the sea. He takes us on a journey through the Mediterranean, the Arabian Sea, Persian Gulf, Bay of Bengal and the Pacific Ocean around Indonesia, Japan and Taiwan by looking at underwater structures that might be of human origin. I'm pleased to note that the government of India has recently authenticated two of his discoveries off the coast of India. In both cases, these structures are dated between 9000 and 11 000 years before the current era, which supports the hypothesis of a great flood that submerged vast areas of up-to-then habitable land. What I really like about Hancock as author is that he also provides the orthodox view at the same time as his own theories. I cannot but agree with his statement, "There's something wrong with the underpinning of history." Hancock has indicated the most likely places for pre-flood civilizations with the help of Dr. Glen Milne of Durham University who is an expert on glaciation-induced changes in the sea level, and taking into account the plethora of flood-myths found amongst all cultures on all continents. Underworld is lavishly illustrated and well served by a thorough index and extensive bibliography. This gripping text will amply reward the reader who enjoyed Hancock's earlier titles like Keepers of Genesis and Fingerprints of the Gods. ... Read more

Product Description
The author has a highly controversial view of history and his theory of a mysterious, lost civilization that brought knowledge to other people around the world, has attracted a wide audience. In this new large-format edition, Hancock responds to critics and brings readers up to date with developments in the debate. He exposes the eerie network of connections between: the Great Sphinx and pyramids of Egypt; the Andean temples of Tianhuanaco; the Mexican pyramids of the Sun and Moon; the lost continent that lies beneath Antarctica; ancient knowledge of spherical geometry and astro-navigation; the myths and legends of humanity that have remained strangely consistent across geographical and social divides; and new theories concerning the causes of the ice ages. His new evidence suggests not only the "fingerprints" of an unknown civilization that flourished during the last ice age but also horrifying conclusions about the type and extent of planetary catastrophe required to obliterate almost all traces of it. Included are the BBC transcripts to the "Horizon" TV documentary. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (1)

Still a Solid Intro To History's Mysterious Past
I read the first edition of Hancock's book about 9 years ago. In spite of its immense size, I read it in one night. It's a fascinating look at the mysteries of ancient culture. In this edition he doesn't update the main text, but provides some updates and answers to his critics in a new introduction and some new Appendices. Since he first wrote this book, the paradigm has been changing. More scientists and researchers have suggested a greater antiquity in the Americas, larger populations and more pre-Columbus visits. These may explain many of the mysteries Hancock discusses, much better than "Atlantis" or some lost super-civilization, and he admits this in the new intro. However, he does not think these new finds completely eliminate his ancient super civilization. And indeed, there are still many questions, but multiple pre-Columbus visits and settlers is still the best answer.

He also now recognizes that "earth crust displacement" probably isn't the best explanation for the end of the Ice Age and submersion of lands. Sure, readers wish he would have put forth a new text, but with his addendums, this book is still of great value for those interested in ancient history.

Ironiclly, there are two irrational lines of thought that promote the isolationist models of the New World: 1. Those who think that natives became advanced completely on their own and any claims of interference are "racist"; and 2. Those, whom for whatever reason, still can't grasp that mankind has been traveling the seas long before Columbus.

See also 1491: New Revelations of the Americas Before Columbus, 1421: The Year China Discovered America, Who Was Adam?: A Creation Model Approach to the Origin of Man and The Island of Seven Cities: Where the Chinese Settled When They Discovered America for some recent developments on these topics. ... Read more