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Title: Ancient Mysteries by Peter James, Nick Thorpe ISBN: 0-345-43488-9 Publisher: Ballantine Books Pub. Date: 30 October, 2001 Format: Paperback Volumes: 1 List Price(USD): $20.00 |
Average Customer Rating: 4.24 (17 reviews)
Rating: 5
Summary: Excellent source of scientific and factual information
Comment: I decided to read this book as a way to understand what "mainstream" scientists say about Graham Hancock's theories about ancient civilizations, and how these scientists would counter his arguments. This book is excellent for that because it addresses some of his ideas and writings point-blank.
As a whole, this book is truly fascinating. In addition to shedding a sober light on the Egyptian pyramids, Mayan culture, and other Hancock favorites, the book addresses quite a few other intriguing mysteries like "Who was the Minotaur", "Who was King Arthur", "What was the Star of Bethlehem" and Stonehenge.
Each subject is approached in a rational, scientific manner, and is discussed using facts and commentary from respected sources. This book very much reflects what today's respected academic field believes. The breadth of the book is truly amazing when you consider that each subject is discussed in adequate detail to prove or disprove certain hypotheses. And finally, it is well written and easy to follow.
So for its research and ambition in addressing so many fascinating subjects, the book is a gem. For people interested in ancient history, this book will be invaluable.
As far as Hancock debunkery goes, in some areas they completely debunk him, in other areas the hypotheses and evidence they present is good and insightful, but not necessarily any more persuasive or powerful than what Hancock presents. In some areas, I still believe Hancock has it right. In the end, hypotheses are just that, and it comes down to your own beliefs.
At any rate, this book is fascinating and I couldn't put it down.
Rating: 4
Summary: This Book's Gonna Tick Off New Agers
Comment: First off, I believed in a good amount of the theories that "Ancient Mysteries" firmly ground into the dust. For the first few chapters as my beliefs were gently yet intelligently corrected, I could feel my anger rising - I didn't want to read it anymore!
But something remarkable happens when people are allowed to open their eyes further, as mine were. I found myself hungrily eating up page after page to find out the latest theories, discoveries and finds; I was becoming enamored to the idea of scientific enlightenment. So often "Sci Enlight" encompasses closed-eyes-ears of the sci community; often ignoring obvious discrepancies in polished theories; James & Thorpe engage in none of the usual classical scholar dismissals - information is put forth clearly and teams with a thorough bibliography.
However, by the middle of the book; observant readers can tell by the first few paragraphs of a new chapter if it's theory/history that the authors agree with. There's a slight derogatory tone with theories that they are about to smash; excited hyperbole with theories they agree with.
But all in all, read the book! It's a wonderful read.
Rating: 4
Summary: Seemingly accurate, but authors are a bit too confident
Comment: As someone not well educated on ancient history I have to take James and Thorpe's views with a certain level of authority. Besides, I was never one to believe the whole Atlantis nonsense. Likewise, much of the Bible comes off as myth to me. So much of what the authors present here is seemingly logical.
However, in the very first chapter on page 16 the authors write: "Two decades ago some scientists were predicting the impending arrival of a new Ice Age - despite global warming. (One British scientist, with astounding carelessness, predicted both effects in consecutive radio interviews within two days."
This is troubling because it so clearly disregards certain theories that do indeed have legitimacy in pointing towards _both_ global warming and a new Ice Age. For example, there are scientists who believe that the melting ice caps (caused by global warming) are lowering the temperature of ocean water around Europe which could cause a form of an Ice Age for the region. One can't be certain as to the scientist they're mocking, but the quick dismissal of this view is troubling because recent evidence suggests that both are distinctly possible without contradicting each other.
Have the authors, in their rush to judgement, made the same mistakes elsewhere in the book? I have no idea.
So much of this kind of history is theory so I can't be too hard on the authors. However, I do think one needs to have a little bit of skepticism in the portions of the book where the authors are too quick to dismiss a viewpoint without fully explaining why its wrong. And oddly enough, they seem to spend quite a bit of effort going after theories that most people, at least that I'm aware of, don't put much stock into in the first place.
The theory of Atlantis, for example, is given quite a bit of ink. This seems odd because it is rather a fanciful theory to begin with. The evidence put forth by the author's here is enjoyable to read and logical.
I leave the other gaps in the book to those with more knowledge. Suffice to say, I could do without some of the authors' tone in the book which was at times a little too arrogant. But still, it's a good read and a _start_. Given their views about weather patterns, I'd recommend doing further research before taking their views as the end of the debate.
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Title: Ancient Inventions by Peter James, Nick Thorpe ISBN: 0345401026 Publisher: Ballantine Books Pub. Date: 01 November, 1995 List Price(USD): $21.00 |
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Title: The Seventy Great Mysteries of the Ancient World: Unlocking the Secrets of Past Civilizations by Brian M. Fagan ISBN: 0500510504 Publisher: Thames & Hudson Pub. Date: October, 2001 List Price(USD): $40.00 |
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Title: The Ancient Engineers by Lyon Sprague De Camp ISBN: 0345320298 Publisher: Ballantine Books Pub. Date: 01 September, 1980 List Price(USD): $6.99 |
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Title: Fingerprints of the Gods by Graham Hancock ISBN: 0517887290 Publisher: Three Rivers Press (CA) Pub. Date: 01 March, 1996 List Price(USD): $18.95 |
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Title: The Seventy Wonders of the Ancient World: The Great Monuments and How They Were Built by Christopher Scarre, Chris Scarre ISBN: 0500050961 Publisher: Thames & Hudson Pub. Date: 01 October, 1999 List Price(USD): $40.00 |
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