Basic point is valid but numerous errors mar the book.August 30, 2008 1 out of 1 found this review helpful
Graham Fancock's basic point is valid. Numerous artifacts have been found which show there were advanced civilizations prior to our historical records. Unfortunately he tarnishes his work with authoritative statements based on shoddy scholarship. One example is that he states Plato's Atlantis could not have been in the Atlantic Ocean because the the ocean floor has been mapped and no trace of a city has been found. Yet the mid-Atlantic ridge which goes past the Azores is home to many volcanos and earthquakes. In the early 1800's undersea volcanos spewed so much lava that a new island, Sambrina, appeared in the Azores. It was claimed by Great Britian but the new island later sank beneath the waves. While I am not saying Atlantis was near the Azores, if it was there the city would now be covered with huge amounts of silt and lava. Of course it would not be picked up by devices scanning the ocean floor. Another defect in this book is that Hancock is an Egyptophile. While Egyptian monuments are important, Hancock ignores the older monolithic works found in Britian and Ireland. Radiocarbon dating of material at the site of Newgrange, in County Meath in Ireland, has shown that ancient structure is older than the Saqqara pyramid. It is unfortunate that these problems mar the book. We need to learn more about our prehistory but the quest needs to be based on solid scholarship. Jack Farrell, Middletown, MD
Read with skepticismJuly 8, 2008 1 out of 2 found this review helpful
Very entertaining and well written book, though the author fails to adequately examine the evidence, instead preferring the more sensational theories that fit his theory. Though he does raise several interesting questions, his lack of caution in drawing conclusions and his scorn for those who disagree with him take away from his credibility and place this book firmly within the realm of psuedoscience. That said, it is a good and thought provoking read, as long as one remembers to take the author's claims with a healthy dose of skepticism.
Interesting, but outdated to even Mr. Hancock's beliefsJune 24, 2008 What I respect most about Graham Hancock is his dedication to the truth and not his own ego gratification. I have read that since the writing of this book, he has veered away from his Antarctic-Atlantis connection and "really old pyramid" theories. The sequel, "Underworld" takes a more realistic approach to the question of a great lost civilization.
So what are we left with? A fine, well written travelogue and discourse on historical anomolies. The book captivated me until the end, then I stopped being captivated when he brought up the whole Antarctic civilization thing. It was just too darn silly. Pick up a copy if you're into travel journals or tips on how to gain access to...how should I put it? "Off-limit activities" (like climbing the pyramids of Giza).
No number too high for this bookMarch 29, 2008 1 out of 2 found this review helpful
First I wonder if Mr. Michael Bulger is on the government payroll what with his skepticism of the Hancock book. I am not a scientist by any means but have always found conventional scientific theories more than lacking in any credible explanations. Fingerprints of the Gods, whether Hancocks theories are correct or not, presents more credible evidence than traditional views. And who in the end will know who is actually correct after all since there is no proof from the 'established scientific community' (who are all fearful of not getting their tenures), so why is Mr Bulger so critical that Mr. Hancock is expressing his opinion when others have expressed theirs but without the credibility attached to it. I LOVED the book, my son is reading it now and cannot put it down, my husband will read it next.......I found it more than interesting, I can barely sit and tolerate listening to the traditional academics whose viewpoints make absolutely no sense at all (the egyptians carried 200,000 ton stones over miles; these stones can't even be lifted by cranes today........)........This reminds me of the government whistleblowers who are thrown out of their jobs, blacklisted and called unpatriotic if they say anything against the corruption of the govt)...this is what is happening here, those scientists on the govt payroll denigrating valid opinions.........Michel West, NYC
I F@(KIN LUV THIS BOOK!!!March 7, 2008 In a feild that is often full of eccentric ideas and discredited theory's this book stand's alone for it's purely scientific approach. First you have to get all the piece's of the puzzle, then, slowly but surely, as you peice them together, you will get a glimpse of the picture that Graham Hancock has so beautifully painted for us. One that our accepted 'history'(and religion for that matter)is incongruent & incompatible with. For those of us with a keen intrest in 'the unexplained', this book will undoubtedly tantalize the intellect & quite possibly change the way you veiw the world...YOU CAN NOT PUT A PRICE ON THAT!!!
