Alternative History

The Jesus Papers: Exposing the Greatest Cover-Up in History

by Michael Baigent

Average Rating:

"Mr. Baigent has recycled a very old idea that Jesus was a mere human being who plotted his own crucifixion. This has been done before and much better in Hugh Schonfield's "The Passover Plot" (1965) which has the added pleasure of reading like a novel. Neither of these books has ANY definitive proof for their suppositions but merely read between the lines of the gospels for a very creative interpretation of John, Mark, Luke and Matthew. "The Jesus Papers" claims secret long-lost documentation (but the rest of the world has never seen it). Mr. Baigent and Mr. Schonfield start from the premise that the resurrestion is an impossible event and attempt to create a human explaination for the "myth." For the reader interested in genuine Bibical scholarship on the historical facts concerning Jesus, I recommend either John Meier's three volume set (so far) of "A Marginal Jew" or Ray Brown's "The Death of the Messiah.""

Publisher: HarperOne | More reviews: amazon.com

Atlantis and the Kingdom of the Neanderthals: 100,000 Years of Lost History

by Colin Wilson

Average Rating:

"I loved the book, finished it in a day and a half. I think his basic theory about neanderthals having been the source of much of the knowledge of ancient civilization has a lot of merit.

HOWEVER, so much of the book seems to have little or nothing to do with any of this. He goes on for a long time about Christianity and the Merovingians and I can't tell you what any of that has to do with Neanderthals or Atlantis. It seemed, at times, more like a collection of recent writings than a concerted work.

He spent a lot of time summarizing other books (Which I have already read and are not all of relevance to the point) and not enough giving us anything new.

If he couldn't come up with anything more to say that was new. I would have at least enjoyed it if he had spent some time giving us more, even basic, information on Neanderthals; where they have been found, theories on why they died out (Did they die out?), maybe spend some time comparing and contrasting them physically with humans, discussing how we are related to them and what we may know about when we split off. Perhaps hints in mythology that back up his thesis? The section actually on them (While extraordinarily interesting) was almost unforgivably brief compared to the length of the whole work.

I wanted more neanderthals!!!

Beyond that, he spoke a lot about intuitive knowledge and I thought that this was all very interesting, but had to wonder if it worked against his main thesis. That is to say, he provided us with another explanation for the source of ancient knowledge that didn't require resorting to neanderthals.

I am, however, giving the book 4 stars. The thesis is extremely interresting and revolutionary. It is an enjoyable read. I just wish...well...I would have liked him to talk more about neanderthals and less about Christ and other topics that didn't belong organically in this book."

Publisher: Bear & Company | More reviews: amazon.com

The Lost Treasure of the Knights Templar: Solving the Oak Island Mystery

by Steven Sora

Average Rating:

"A truly well-written and compelling piece of work. Sora gives both a good overview of what's known about the Knights Templar and a good amount of well-thought-out conjecture about what we think we know about the Knights, the Sinclairs, Oak Island, and the bloodline of Jesus. He's also very good about distinguishing between what is known and what is just theory.The only criticism I have of the work is that when it comes to the bloodline of Jesus and the geneology of the house of David, the author tends to rely too heavily on Holy Blood, Holy Grail, so that at times his chapter reads like a summary of that other book.Overall, a great read and an invaluable piece of writing for anyone who's interested in the Knights Templar."

Publisher: Destiny Books | More reviews: amazon.com

The Destruction of Atlantis: Compelling Evidence of the Sudden Fall of the Legendary Civilization

by Frank Joseph

Average Rating:

"Any quick search either here at Amazon or in google about books dealing with Atlantis will show that there's a vast number of them out there. The reason i picked this one was that I'd previously read another book by this author (Synchronicity and you) which I found mindblowing.I was rewarded beyond my expectations. "The Destruction of Atlantis" is nothing short of absolutely fascinating. Frank Joseph takes all the latest research results available to us, especially those that have been aided by modern technology and combines them masterfully with geological data and -of course- mythology accounts to provide overwhelming evidence not only of the existence of Atlantis but of thorough details of its civilisation and the characteristics of its inhabitants. But more impressively, the account on how Atlantis was destroyed is hair-raising. These days it's not more a scientific crime to utter the dreaded A-word. Well, not for the most openminded scientists out there. Atlantis is being again revisited and re-researched with a vengeance by a new generation of historians, geologists and astronomers, especially those that understand the concept of looking at mythology as a definitive account of history and not a collection of allegories. The theory presented here in entirely convincing manner is that Atlantis was located where today's present day Canary Islands are and that it was devastated by the cataclysmic force of a cosmic storm. That included the raindown of asteroids very probably originating from the Taurides. An asteroid of massive size that fell in the Atlantic was responsible for global catastrophe of unimaginable proportions. Tsunamis that rose to 300-500 meters and oblitarated not only that island but most of the coastal civilisations of Greece and Egypt coupled with powerful chain-earthquakes and intense volcanic activity resulting in millions of dead and the freezing of those civilisations. This would then account for the up-to-now puzzling gaps we have about the Bronze age era. Atlantis itself sank really in one day and night -as Plato had described in "Kriteas"- taking down with it one of the most compelling civilisations of those times. Reading about such an event is at the very least humbling. Inevitably it makes you think about our current arrogance as a species and the parallels with the arrogance that the Atlanteans themselves had displayed are chilling. Frank Joseph happens to be incredibly charismatic not only as a researcher but as an author as well. Normally, books dealing with such issues are not always easy to read. Many are riddled with heavy erudite overscholarly styles and dry language, but Joseph's language and descriptive style is a sheer treat. He provides his own account of that macabrely monumental day when Atlantis went down already in the opening of the book complete with his version of the Atlanteans trying to flee only to be engulfed by behemoth walls of water or to boil alive from the volcanoes on the island spilling surreal amounts of lava into the sea. He then goes on to detail about the latest data we have concerning the theory he puts forward. His inevitable listing of global myths commemorating a world-deluge is absolutely necessary as it concretely shows that the "allegory approach" of such accounts is naive. The first parts of this book are already capturing but even as you reach the middle and the end of it it only gets better and more intimidating. The idea of a cosmic disaster of such a magnitude was, is and will remain one of the biggest threats humanity has to face. Recent evidence from the crashing of comet Levy-shoemaker have emphatically demonstrated the type of danger we are dealing with and how powerless we might be against it ultimately. But coming back to Atlantis, this issue remains one of tremendous importance as it is eventually bound to change the dogmas about ancient history in a rather uncomfortable way for those who approach history in the dry monodimensional way it has been dealt with up to now. The legacy of that civilisation is seemingly haunting in a very interesting way. It dissapeared but never really died. Its implications remain as significant as hey could ever be. A chilling, intimidating wonderfully researched and presented book and a must for anybody with interest in "alternative archaelogy" even if that term is beginning to lose the quotation marks by now. There's nothing "alternative" about the existence of Atlantis. Nor with other even more intimidating matters. Reality was never "alternative" but it's everfascinating..."

Publisher: Bear & Company | More reviews: amazon.com

Genesis Revisited: Is Modern Science Catching Up With Ancient Knowledge?

by Zecharia Sitchin

Average Rating:

"I am an amateur astronomer, so I was very interested as well as concerned when I first started to read this book. To start off, I agree with the premise we are not the only beings out there, (or even within our solar system). But, his knowledge of Ancient Sumerian does nothing for his astronomy. For one thing,Uranus & Neptune & Pluto & Charon(Plutos moon-oh yes, it has one) are not made of H2O, but of Methane, Ammonia & other very toxic gases. Uranus was indeed known in ancient times, & there is the possibility its phases (like Venus) were viewed. There are several Egyptian & Babylonian & Greek & Chinese astronomy charts that show it moving across the sky, although in some cultures it was not thought of as a planet. After all, there was no such thing as our infamous-- Light Pollution. The other idea of Nabiru being twice the orbit of Pluto, & the planet not only being there, but viable for life, is unlikely in the extreme. Although, as Pioneer I & II and Voyager I & II showed, truth is usually stranger than fiction. He does though save his best for last, especially his comments on the unusual features of Mars. I truly wish it would show ancient pyramids with compounds of jet fighters & all sorts of alien apparatus & the Face! My lord, what a Face! This book is a little outdated, as the real Face showed up recently under the Mars Surveyor. It did not look like anyone I would care to know. But all in all, what he does do is get a lot of people excited to start looking into astronomy,(NASA has a great web site by the way, and you can download lots of incredible pictures, from Hubble and others) religion & our past. That is not a bad thing. And it is interesting, that the further into the past we go, the more advanced mankind was. Like many readers I am sure, it was difficult to put down. One piece of advice, he is so enthusiastic about his subject, and the reader can get very carried away, so .... keep your head. As one famous British Astronomer is reported to have stated, Every self-respecting Alien, should turn left at Pluto and keep right on going."

Publisher: Bear & Company | More reviews: amazon.com

The Temple of Man

by R. A. Schwaller de Lubicz

Average Rating:

"R.A. Schwaller de Lubicz spent 15 years at Luxor attempting to solve the riddle of Egytpian civilization. His final considerations are expounded fully in The Temple of Man. Lovingly translated by Robert Lawlor, this book is at long last available in English.From his premise the Ancient Egytpian Civilization was more advanced and complex that modern research admits, Schwaller uses the Temple Complex at Luxor to expound his theory of Sacred Science, a science based on Natural Law and personal discovery.The information in this book requires a deep dedication to comprehend. It challenges the reader not only to diversify their own knowledge base, but also to look at the world through new eyes with a new heart.Time will tell if Schwaller de Lubicz is right, already many of his notions are being realized as possible, and many researchers are beginning to look seriously at his work.As his magnum opus, The Temple of Man presents his work as it was meant to be. Fully and completely. This book is destined to become a classic of independent research into the mysteries of the development of human thought."

Publisher: Inner Traditions | More reviews: amazon.com

Gods of Eden: Egypt's Lost Legacy and the Genesis of Civilization

by Andrew Collins

Average Rating:

"After his sensational "debut" with "From The Ashes To Angels", Andrew Collins gets one step further with this well-structured, well-planned and well-presented study on the apparent existence of a "lost and advanced civilization." Walking on the similar paths with Graham Hancock, Robert Bauval and John Anthony West, Collins traces the footprints of the ancient knowledge and proposes an "antediluvian" civilization which could well be the roots of the now-lost wisdom, Ancient Egyptians once had.The books starts with some basic facts and "anomalies" of the most enigmatic monuments of the ancient world: Great Sphinx, Valley Temple and the enormous pyramids of Giza plateu. Quoting the pioneer Egyptologists' accounts on the subject (such as W. Flinders Petrie) he underlines the perfect craftsmanship of these monuments without apparent existence of essential tools to form the hard and large stone blocks which weighted hundreds of tones.Then he presents an alternative explanation for this excellent masonry: Probable usage of now-lost "sound technology" to levitate the giant stone blocks. He goes on with convincing arguments, supported with some "enigmatic" verses from the Old Testament. His conclusion is an ancient (probably "antediluvian") technology which was preserved by some cults in Ancient Egypt (in Heliopolis and Thebes) then somehow obtained by Biblical Moses, who was supposedly raised by Egyptians. During the course of his work, Collins also suggests his dating of Biblical Exodus.Though I personally disagree on a number points with Collins (including the existence of Moses as a real personality and the dating of Exodus), and I found his "sound technology" theory just an interesting "fantasy", I must admit that "Gods of Eden" is definitely a very impressive book which deserves a careful reading. Furthermore, it includes a well-written, detailed panorama of Ancient Egyptian sacred cults which is somehow unique among contemporary works on the subject. If you are somehow interested with the Ancient Egyptian culture, this book should be on your bookshelf."

Publisher: Bear & Company | More reviews: amazon.com

Underground!: The Disinformation Guide to Ancient Civilizations, Astonishing Archaeology and Hidden History

by Preston Peet

Average Rating:

"I'm a big conspiracy buff, have read quite a bit of alternative news and views, and I must say this book is a huge dissappointment. In fact, it's disspointing to the point of being suspect.

The articles included here in this collection are neither "astonishing" nor "hidden." There is little information to back up the claims of the authors, and nothing noteworthy is delivered in their promises of hidden knowledge.

A perfect example is the article on the 33rd parallel and ancient to modern anomalies regarding this phenomenon. Of course, the author just lays out the "syncronicities", but doesn't go so far as to even attempt to illuminate the reader of ideas surrounding it's significance. They don't go into details of links between the Knights Templars and modern masonry, historical numerology, occult tie-ins, or contemporary theories involving the Illuminati.

The Disinfo guide delivers what it promises, half-baked leads with no end in sight, and enough disinfo regarding ancient history to make you swear off researching the topic for good. Avoid this, and any other Disinfo book, as this one indicates the author takes his job of spreading disinfo seriously."

Publisher: The Disinformation Company | More reviews: amazon.com

The Return of the Serpents of Wisdom

by Mark Amaru Pinkham

Average Rating:

"This book is a historical and cultural survey of serpents, dragons, and some other really strange things. The premise of the book was supposed to be (from what I understood) the Return of the Serpents of Wisdom (a group of enlightened beings possibility of extraterrestrial origin). That's not what this book is about. The author says he was initiated into an order of serpent wisdom from Mesoamerica by Anton Ponce De Leon Paiva (see The Wisdom of the Ancient One: An Inca Initiation). So you would think this book is information about the *Return* of those people to the earth either literally or figuratively. Instead this book talks about all manner of cultural appearances of snakes, serpents, and dragons regardless of the degree of their association to the serpent masters. There are even some very dark figures in this book such as the magical dragon baphomet whom monotheistic readers would object to as a blatant depiction of satan (who is not usually considered an enlightened being). Although the book shows very serious research it looses much credibility by including things like a copy of the supposed image of Sananda (Jesus) taken in Mexico by an archeologist in 1961 (which in this reviewers opinion is clearly a painting). It causes this book to associate to the same level of authenticity as the Cottingly fairy hoax of the 1920s.So while the breadth of this book as a historical survey of all things serpenty is admirable, it's ability to stay within the context of a group of enlightened masters has failed. The associations the author attempts to make with any appearance of a snake, serpent, or dragon to some universal brotherhood of enlightened masters ranges from possible to tenuous to fictional.If you want up to date information on the serpent masters there are much better works out there. Amoung them is Return of the Children of Light: Incan and Mayan Prophecies for a New World by Judith Bluestone Polich. This book is a better blend of myth, history, current scientific research, and future esoteric possibilities. Books by the mentor of this author (Anton Ponce De Leon Paiva) may also do a better job."

Publisher: Adventures Unlimited Press | More reviews: amazon.com

Opening the Ark of the Covenant: The Secret Power of the Ancients, the Knights Templar Connection, And the Search for the Holy Grail

by Frank Joseph

Average Rating:

"This book takes you from Atlantis to the Holy Grail and bloodline. A very interesting idea about a crystal formation that was the power source for the Ark of the Covenant and use in building the Pyramids. The crystal resonated just right over land areas that were in turmoil regularly because of eathquake or volcanic activity. This would allow humans to attain a euphoric or trance like state. The wise men, holy men, shamans of the world were the keepers of the secret of how these crystals worked. The path of the crystal starts in Lemuria (Atlantis) and passes to other areas of the world with the catastrophic demise of Atlantis.
And if anything it was a fun read."

Publisher: New Page Books | More reviews: amazon.com