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Exodus Lost
Exodus Lost reopens cold cases from antiquity and applies cutting-edge science, classical scholarship, and tenacity to solve them. The adventure begins with Aztec and Mayan chronicles of an epic voyage across the Atlantic Ocean. By mapping the details within these texts, the author tracks down their lost homeland and corroborates the local traditions of an ocean-crossing long before Columbus. This discovery leads to new insights into the origins of Mexican and Western civilizations, the Bible (including new archaeological evidence for two major biblical events), the alphabet, and much more. Enter a world of exploration and discovery, mystery and revelation. Whether your passion is archaeology or religion, history or simply a great adventure, Exodus Lost delivers. Beautifully illustrated with 126 photos, maps, and engravings.
344 pages, Kindle Edition
First published November 24, 2010
88 people are currently reading
574 people want to read
About the author
S.C. Compton
2 books3 followers
Stephen Compton
is a writer on Mesoamerican history. He obtained his undergraduate education from Shimer College and, via Shimer's Oxford study abroad program, Oxford University. He subsequently obtained master's degrees from the University of Chicago and Northwestern University. In his book Exodus Lost (2011), based on 14 years of research, Compton advanced a controversial but pathbreaking thesis on the origins of the Olmec civilization, adducing powerful evidence to link the Old and New Worlds. (from Shimer College Wiki)
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 54 reviews
May 8, 2014
When the Spaniards arrived in the New World, the Aztecs treated them like returning gods, mistaking them for Quetzalcoatl and handing over their empire. In Exodus Lost, S C Compton asks why.
In my younger days, I loved bits of possible history like this book so it was a no brainer when it popped up on my FreeBooksy email a couple weeks ago.
In Exodus Lost, S.C. Compton builds a convincing case that people from the Middle East visited the Olmecs and their descendants in what are now Central and South America. For instance, both cultures used the same laborious process to make purple dye from sea snails. Both the Quetzalcoatl and the Egyptian Pharaohs use the feathered serpent as a symbol. Throw in shared alphabetic characters and commonalities in language and mythology and it's off to the races.
But wait! There's more! Tobacco and cocaine, both substances native to the New World, has been found in Egyptian Mummies. Both the Egyptians and Mezoamericans used a calendar with the same amount of days. Both had dog headed gods of the Underworld. And architectural similarities! And similar religious practices!
Compton postulates that Quetzalcoatl was Egyptian and that both the Hyksos and the Nubians visited the new world in antiquity and does a pretty convincing job, in my opinion. There were so many similarities that I had a hard time discounting what he was saying as mere coincidence. Since Thor Heyerdahl crossed the Atlantic in the 1970's on a boat made of reeds, how hard is it to believe that other cultures did the same thing?
There are some lengthy digressions in the book but they eventually tie back into the main topic. There was probably more Hyksos talk than was necessary and there was a lot of things linking some Old Testament events to real world history but I found those fairly interesting. There's a meteor crater beneath the Indian Ocean miles across that Compton theorizes shot so much water vapor into the stratosphere that it caused the Bibical Flood, which I found intriguing.
One tidbit I learned that's not integral to the book but I found interesting/horrifying was that the Olmecs practiced penile bloodletting as part of religious ceremonies! That's not even the worst part. The worst part is that the chosen technique, using a stingray's barb, was hard to remove without extreme pain so it was easier just to push it all the way through and pull it out the other side. Try forgetting that image.
Four out of five stars. If you're interested in outside influences on Mezoamerican culture, I would highly recommend giving this a shot.
In my younger days, I loved bits of possible history like this book so it was a no brainer when it popped up on my FreeBooksy email a couple weeks ago.
In Exodus Lost, S.C. Compton builds a convincing case that people from the Middle East visited the Olmecs and their descendants in what are now Central and South America. For instance, both cultures used the same laborious process to make purple dye from sea snails. Both the Quetzalcoatl and the Egyptian Pharaohs use the feathered serpent as a symbol. Throw in shared alphabetic characters and commonalities in language and mythology and it's off to the races.
But wait! There's more! Tobacco and cocaine, both substances native to the New World, has been found in Egyptian Mummies. Both the Egyptians and Mezoamericans used a calendar with the same amount of days. Both had dog headed gods of the Underworld. And architectural similarities! And similar religious practices!
Compton postulates that Quetzalcoatl was Egyptian and that both the Hyksos and the Nubians visited the new world in antiquity and does a pretty convincing job, in my opinion. There were so many similarities that I had a hard time discounting what he was saying as mere coincidence. Since Thor Heyerdahl crossed the Atlantic in the 1970's on a boat made of reeds, how hard is it to believe that other cultures did the same thing?
There are some lengthy digressions in the book but they eventually tie back into the main topic. There was probably more Hyksos talk than was necessary and there was a lot of things linking some Old Testament events to real world history but I found those fairly interesting. There's a meteor crater beneath the Indian Ocean miles across that Compton theorizes shot so much water vapor into the stratosphere that it caused the Bibical Flood, which I found intriguing.
One tidbit I learned that's not integral to the book but I found interesting/horrifying was that the Olmecs practiced penile bloodletting as part of religious ceremonies! That's not even the worst part. The worst part is that the chosen technique, using a stingray's barb, was hard to remove without extreme pain so it was easier just to push it all the way through and pull it out the other side. Try forgetting that image.
Four out of five stars. If you're interested in outside influences on Mezoamerican culture, I would highly recommend giving this a shot.
August 16, 2013
For those you love history, this book is a catch!Exploring the ancient history makes the book very interesting. And to think that the writer has the skills to keep the reader's interest up, till the end is a plus!
October 7, 2018
Fascinating and the author certainly creates a convincing case regarding the origins of the Mesoamerican civilizations. It's an easy read even if anthropology and archaeology are not your usual literary cup of tea (like me!).
July 31, 2012
First I have to start by saying that this book has so many gorgeous illustrations, pictures and maps, that you just may want to actually have a paperback copy if you plan on buying it!!
History has always been one of my favorite topics in school, and we even enjoy the History channel, as a family, so this was definitely a very interesting book!
I am just fascinated with this author and how he took so much time and effort to make this book happen! 14 years of researching and studying, and the final project, truly shows all of his hard work!
This is a stunning book, with so many footnotes, maps and gorgeous color pictures, several illustrations, and tons of research, evidence, and ideas and suggestions that are not the norm. It does bring this whole part of history, into a new light and definitely makes you think!
Growing up I always was thrilled to learn about this time when we would start this chapter or section in our school history books, but I never read a book that was so intriguing and that taught me so much about this time! I believe the biggest difference is that this book is nowhere near a bore, and you are reading it, and learning at the same time, without even knowing. Even our 8 year old sat in front of the computer learning about the alphabet, and checking out the illustrations and asking all sorts of questions!
I feel privileged being able to read a book that somebody worked so hard on, to gather the facts and new discoveries. I don't think we ever were told in school anything about 2 different civilizations having so much in common, I don't think anybody asked nor was it ever even discussed.
You will be shocked over and over again with this book, very fast paced and the author just jumps right in, I love it! You probably will not be putting this book down for a while, not that you would want too!
Every page you turn, you think, "He can't possibly beat that!", but he does, and the more interesting and weirder it gets with each page.
If you enjoy history, ancient civilizations, Biblical times, and an intense read, this is certainly the perfect choice!
SC Compton, is an excellent writer, he will keep you on your toes, very engaging and never boring!
** I received a copy of this book in return for my honest review **
History has always been one of my favorite topics in school, and we even enjoy the History channel, as a family, so this was definitely a very interesting book!
I am just fascinated with this author and how he took so much time and effort to make this book happen! 14 years of researching and studying, and the final project, truly shows all of his hard work!
This is a stunning book, with so many footnotes, maps and gorgeous color pictures, several illustrations, and tons of research, evidence, and ideas and suggestions that are not the norm. It does bring this whole part of history, into a new light and definitely makes you think!
Growing up I always was thrilled to learn about this time when we would start this chapter or section in our school history books, but I never read a book that was so intriguing and that taught me so much about this time! I believe the biggest difference is that this book is nowhere near a bore, and you are reading it, and learning at the same time, without even knowing. Even our 8 year old sat in front of the computer learning about the alphabet, and checking out the illustrations and asking all sorts of questions!
I feel privileged being able to read a book that somebody worked so hard on, to gather the facts and new discoveries. I don't think we ever were told in school anything about 2 different civilizations having so much in common, I don't think anybody asked nor was it ever even discussed.
You will be shocked over and over again with this book, very fast paced and the author just jumps right in, I love it! You probably will not be putting this book down for a while, not that you would want too!
Every page you turn, you think, "He can't possibly beat that!", but he does, and the more interesting and weirder it gets with each page.
If you enjoy history, ancient civilizations, Biblical times, and an intense read, this is certainly the perfect choice!
SC Compton, is an excellent writer, he will keep you on your toes, very engaging and never boring!
** I received a copy of this book in return for my honest review **
August 22, 2012
Really, how often does a history book read like accomplished storytelling? As someone who eagerly devours history tomes and biographies with fervor, I can honestly say that doesn't happen nearly as often as I'd prefer. Often, the information received is the reward, not necessarily the journey of its deliverance. With "Exodus Lost", however, readers will find themselves engrossed in a highly-readable book that breaks the rules of the history book rut and launches readers on a path that takes them far beyond the status quo of accepted history. Author S.C. Compton refers to the book as "an inquiry into the genesis of civilization", a description that accurately illustrates the depth and true comprehensiveness of the information given.
No matter their passions, history buffs are sure to discover new insights on studied topics. From an exploration of Quetzacoatl and the Olmecs to the Aztec/Mayan calendars and clues hidden in the glacial ice caps of the Peruvian Andes, the thread of civilization weaves through a wide scope of subjects with surprising backstory connections. In the style of an accomplished storyteller, Compton offers readers a page-turning account of the events surrounding the origins, key events, and fascinating entanglement of Egyptian, Mexican, and Western civilization. The information is delivered as mysteries in real-time discovery: readers will discover the twisting evolution (and juxtaposition) of the written alphabet and the class-conscious use of heiroglyphs over the alphabet in such a way that they will feel proud somehow... as if they had trekked with Compton through the journey; as if they had uncovered those patterns themselves. It's a strange, exhilirating feeling.
With an engaging style and an authoritative voice,the amount of information presented in "Exodus Lost" is nearly encyclopedic despite its readability - an offbeat handbook that fully belongs on the ready reference shelf. Highly readable, and highly recommended!
No matter their passions, history buffs are sure to discover new insights on studied topics. From an exploration of Quetzacoatl and the Olmecs to the Aztec/Mayan calendars and clues hidden in the glacial ice caps of the Peruvian Andes, the thread of civilization weaves through a wide scope of subjects with surprising backstory connections. In the style of an accomplished storyteller, Compton offers readers a page-turning account of the events surrounding the origins, key events, and fascinating entanglement of Egyptian, Mexican, and Western civilization. The information is delivered as mysteries in real-time discovery: readers will discover the twisting evolution (and juxtaposition) of the written alphabet and the class-conscious use of heiroglyphs over the alphabet in such a way that they will feel proud somehow... as if they had trekked with Compton through the journey; as if they had uncovered those patterns themselves. It's a strange, exhilirating feeling.
With an engaging style and an authoritative voice,the amount of information presented in "Exodus Lost" is nearly encyclopedic despite its readability - an offbeat handbook that fully belongs on the ready reference shelf. Highly readable, and highly recommended!
February 19, 2012
This book is an exploration of whether there might be a connection between the ancient Egyptian and Central American cultures, based not only on the fact that both constructed pyramids, but on a number of other parallels argued convincingly by the author. (My apologies in advance if in this review I miss some of the finer points of geography or historical timelines – these are not my strong points, and any errors fall to me, and not the author!)
It’s an exciting, impassioned, and inquisitive romp through ancient history, ranging across disciplines from linguistics to anthropology to art, Biblical studies, and cross-cultural explorations, all told in a style that is engaging and informative. I really loved this cross-disciplinary approach, and although I am a subject expert in none of these areas, by the time I finished reading I was overwhelmed by the number and varieties of correlations between these two cultures that the author draws out. Some were more convincing (or perhaps understandable!) to me than others, but by the end the sheer number of them was another persuasive point in the author’s favor.
The book is well-documented with an impressive number of footnotes and source references, and is also beautifully illustrated with black-and-white photographs, maps, and etchings, which add both to the reading experience and the strength of the thesis. Additionally, the author quotes liberally from a number of sources, ranging from classic literature to popular films, adding to the intellectual zest and excitement that he clearly feels about his subject.
Great stuff, and highly recommended!
It’s an exciting, impassioned, and inquisitive romp through ancient history, ranging across disciplines from linguistics to anthropology to art, Biblical studies, and cross-cultural explorations, all told in a style that is engaging and informative. I really loved this cross-disciplinary approach, and although I am a subject expert in none of these areas, by the time I finished reading I was overwhelmed by the number and varieties of correlations between these two cultures that the author draws out. Some were more convincing (or perhaps understandable!) to me than others, but by the end the sheer number of them was another persuasive point in the author’s favor.
The book is well-documented with an impressive number of footnotes and source references, and is also beautifully illustrated with black-and-white photographs, maps, and etchings, which add both to the reading experience and the strength of the thesis. Additionally, the author quotes liberally from a number of sources, ranging from classic literature to popular films, adding to the intellectual zest and excitement that he clearly feels about his subject.
Great stuff, and highly recommended!
July 29, 2016
I don't think that I can say anything in my review that hasn't already been said, and much more eloquently by other reviewers, but I feel like I must make an attempt. I have to preface this by saying, I have an undergraduate degree in History, so I always approach history books with some trepidation, hoping that they will be accurate.
I was absolutely thrilled with this book, and in no way shape or form disappointed. This work by Mr. Compton is in a word, Amazing. Not just the enormous amount of research and time that was obviously poured into this work, but it that aside, it is just so well written!
Really, how often does a book written on history, read like a fiction novel written by an accomplished storyteller? As someone who has read literally hundreds, if not more, books written on history, I can say unequivocally, it does not happen very often. I only wish my own thesis would have read this well!
This book absolutely turns everything you believe you know about history books upside down. It reads like fiction, but you're actually learning! As I said, I have a degree in history, and I learned so much from this book. I'm considering ways of incorporating parts of it into my classroom teaching, it's THAT good.
The depth and breadth of the information presented within this book is absolutely mind boggling. The writing is stellar, and Mr. Compton succeeds in making something that might not be very exciting to most people read like a best seller! I just can not recommend this book highly enough.
I was absolutely thrilled with this book, and in no way shape or form disappointed. This work by Mr. Compton is in a word, Amazing. Not just the enormous amount of research and time that was obviously poured into this work, but it that aside, it is just so well written!
Really, how often does a book written on history, read like a fiction novel written by an accomplished storyteller? As someone who has read literally hundreds, if not more, books written on history, I can say unequivocally, it does not happen very often. I only wish my own thesis would have read this well!
This book absolutely turns everything you believe you know about history books upside down. It reads like fiction, but you're actually learning! As I said, I have a degree in history, and I learned so much from this book. I'm considering ways of incorporating parts of it into my classroom teaching, it's THAT good.
The depth and breadth of the information presented within this book is absolutely mind boggling. The writing is stellar, and Mr. Compton succeeds in making something that might not be very exciting to most people read like a best seller! I just can not recommend this book highly enough.
August 20, 2013
Exodus Lost is a truly remarkable work that encompasses an impressive body of research into Mesoamerican history. S. C. Compton demonstrates the mastery of his subject with incredible attention to detail. What makes this book unprecedented is Compton’s ability to embed such rich history within the framework of an engaging narrative. Far from dry, it is an interdisciplinary magnum opus that transgresses genre boundaries and captivates the reader, luring them into a world of ancient civilizations that grows more interesting with each page.
The book is lavishly illustrated, and this sets it apart as a definitive compendium of comprehensive knowledge. The abundance of visual data lends greater authority to the text, and enlivens the subject matter such that the reader is able to thoroughly grasp the content. Considering the vast range of topics covered, from volcanology to philology, religion, and virtually everything in between, this book is one to which I shall return countless times, as one reading is not enough to truly appreciate the body of research. As a linguistics enthusiast, I particularly loved the detailed analyses of ancient writing systems.
S.C. Compton has clearly translated a passion for Mesoamerican history into a thoroughly researched and referenced book that combines the authority of an academic text with an accessible writing style. I highly recommend Exodus Lost and eagerly anticipate future books by this polished and sophisticated author.
The book is lavishly illustrated, and this sets it apart as a definitive compendium of comprehensive knowledge. The abundance of visual data lends greater authority to the text, and enlivens the subject matter such that the reader is able to thoroughly grasp the content. Considering the vast range of topics covered, from volcanology to philology, religion, and virtually everything in between, this book is one to which I shall return countless times, as one reading is not enough to truly appreciate the body of research. As a linguistics enthusiast, I particularly loved the detailed analyses of ancient writing systems.
S.C. Compton has clearly translated a passion for Mesoamerican history into a thoroughly researched and referenced book that combines the authority of an academic text with an accessible writing style. I highly recommend Exodus Lost and eagerly anticipate future books by this polished and sophisticated author.
June 17, 2014
I must begin with an admission: This is not the type of book I usually read as I usually focus my attention on fiction rather than history.
Surprisingly I really enjoyed this, I found myself picking it up and putting it back down again and again to look things up to see if the author had been accurate with the facts he used, and I was shocked to find that everything was indeed factual, the sheer volume of research that went into this book is absolutely astounding.
Even more shocking for me was the writing style of this book - generally when I do happen to pick up a history book, I find myself getting incredibly bored very quickly; however, Compton wrote so fluidly that I found myself getting wrapped up in the story and I got to a certain point in the book (somewhere around 60%) I gave up researching his facts and just let myself be caught up in the authors indepth justification of each point he made.
Admittedly, as a person who is not a history buff, I found the maps and photographs very helpful in grasping certain parts of what was going on, and I found that it helped create a picture in my mind.
I will definitely reread the book more than once because if I'm completely honest, there was no way I could absorb all of it in one read through.
Don't ask me how but S.C. Compton makes learning genuinely interesting. If you haven't read it, I'd definitely recommend you pick up a copy.
Surprisingly I really enjoyed this, I found myself picking it up and putting it back down again and again to look things up to see if the author had been accurate with the facts he used, and I was shocked to find that everything was indeed factual, the sheer volume of research that went into this book is absolutely astounding.
Even more shocking for me was the writing style of this book - generally when I do happen to pick up a history book, I find myself getting incredibly bored very quickly; however, Compton wrote so fluidly that I found myself getting wrapped up in the story and I got to a certain point in the book (somewhere around 60%) I gave up researching his facts and just let myself be caught up in the authors indepth justification of each point he made.
Admittedly, as a person who is not a history buff, I found the maps and photographs very helpful in grasping certain parts of what was going on, and I found that it helped create a picture in my mind.
I will definitely reread the book more than once because if I'm completely honest, there was no way I could absorb all of it in one read through.
Don't ask me how but S.C. Compton makes learning genuinely interesting. If you haven't read it, I'd definitely recommend you pick up a copy.
July 20, 2014
An interesting book, but I definitely think he has a tendency to force the evidence to support his views at times, or to see a stronger connexion than is necessarily warranted from the available archaeological evidence. Mesoamerican archaeology isn't my forté, I admit, and I wouldn't be surprised at some contact with the Near East. However, some of his connexions seem reminiscent of attempts to show an absolute parallel between Catholicism and Egyptian religion. Some parts of the book are stronger than others. As long as he is just talking about Egypt, or just talking about the Hyksos, or just talking about Mesoamerican culture, he does fairly well, though sometimes seems to contradict his own theories a little. There are a few times where he has a theory and then presents evidence, instead of first looking at the evidence, it seems. The latter chapters are worse about this than the earlier ones.
December 20, 2015
Looking for a book about Ancient Aliens? Or a last minute read about the 2012 "Mayan Apocalypse?" This is not that book. In Exodus Lost, S.C. Compton makes a carefully researched and, I believe, very plausible case that the ancient Olmec civilization of Mexico, the cultural ancestors of the Mayans and the Aztecs, was founded by seafarers or castaways from Ancient Egypt. Exodus Lost is serious scholarship only masquerading as popular non-fiction. But it is a fascinating and ground breaking read nonetheless.
April 18, 2019
This book was extremely interesting but way over my head. OK, that sounds wrong...it's not that I didn't understand it but it was quite detailed talking about many different things that happened during the time of the Egyptians, the Aztecs, the Olmec civilization and others. So taken a piece at a time, extremely interesting, taken whole...way too much for me to remember. But if you're interested in history and challenging widely help opinions, this might be the book for you.
September 5, 2019
This was a very thought-provoking book. I don't know how much of this author's conclusions to believe, but I found his ideas interesting. The connections between Egypt and Mexico are fascinating, and, based on other books I've read he may well be on the right track. I did not agree with his long-ages timeline, but the similarities between the Phoenicians and the Maya are unmistakeable.
September 25, 2019
Really, really interesting stuff! My favorite part was about the alphabet. But interesting thoughts on the Red Sea flooding and possible pre-Columbian contacts between Egypt and Central American civilizations.
March 13, 2023
Very intriguing and interesting reading
This book has some very new ideas and the author seems to have the evidence to back up his claims. The book is worth the read if the reader keeps an open mind. Otherwise, it will seem only like reading a fairytale.
This book has some very new ideas and the author seems to have the evidence to back up his claims. The book is worth the read if the reader keeps an open mind. Otherwise, it will seem only like reading a fairytale.
April 1, 2019
Some parts were more difficult reading. However this author presented very interesting comparisons of cultures and theories of origins. I may refer back to this in later r ads.
September 23, 2020
Well researched and presented.
June 2, 2014
Wow, I can tell just by reading this book that a lot of work went into creating it. I’m not a professional by any means, but I have studied history in my undergraduate degree. And though anthropology has interested me recently, I didn’t expect to be so captivated by a book like this. I consumed it in a little more than one day, despite its length and complexity.
The language is straightforward and to the point, something I admire. It may seem dry to some readers, but I happen to think it was intelligently and thoroughly written across a variety of topics that kept my interest, as someone not involved in a related field of study. The quotes at the beginning of every chapter were also a nice addition, and I liked that the quotes were sourced from various subjects, either science or literature or philosophy. Plus, each chapter was separated by subheadings that made it even easier to read and understand, especially when everything eventually came full circle in the interconnected data and theories.
I loved the whole concept of the entire book, that these ancient cultures from Mesoamerica could be related to or descendants of the people from ancient Northern Egypt. I had never heard of the Olmecs in Mesoamerica, as precursors to the Maya and Aztec civilizations, and I had never heard of the Hyksos people and empire that ruled Egypt and its neighboring countries for so long before apparently disappearing. I learned so much that I didn’t know before reading this book. And I didn’t stop at the text, I even continued reading through all of the endnotes.
This book went into so much detail, from geography and locations to archaeology to mythology and religious rituals, and even thorough comparisons of writing systems, all to compare the cultures of Mesoamerica to those in ancient Egypt and similar places to find a deeply rooted connection that must be more than coincidence. These cultures can’t have had so much in common and still evolved in complete isolation, it wouldn’t make sense. So I am on board the theory that the Hyksos people, the “Purple People” of ancient Northern Egypt could have traveled across the Atlantic, just as they traveled in their trading routes along their empire. It is not only a feasible theory but a believable and practical theory that I hope gets more attention in the future.
I especially appreciated using various Bible passages and accounts to help compare timelines, making the connections between other ancient texts and apparently real people and events throughout history. That made it all the more interesting when I had never truly considered that events recounted in the Bible might have actually had a foundation in the real world. And the notion that varying cultures had such similar mythos and ideas of life and death, right down to having practically the same creation myths is astounding. For separate civilizations to have such a parallel evolution, it must have a deeper meaning, hence the author’s intriguing theory.
Overall, this book was truly fascinating, and I enjoyed every minute of reading the thorough details and accompanying photographs. The author’s intriguing theories and related discoveries have great implications for the future understanding of the Mesoamerican and ancient Egyptian cultures that were not only parallel but seemingly directly connected by their ancestors. I loved reading about all the different methods and data from varying disciplines that went into supporting the author’s theory, and I certainly hope this book, the author, and his theory receive more positive attention and further interdisciplinary research.
I definitely recommend reading this book to anyone in a related field of study, or someone simply interested in history and anthropology and new understandings of the ancient world and its implications for our past and our future as interconnected peoples.
The language is straightforward and to the point, something I admire. It may seem dry to some readers, but I happen to think it was intelligently and thoroughly written across a variety of topics that kept my interest, as someone not involved in a related field of study. The quotes at the beginning of every chapter were also a nice addition, and I liked that the quotes were sourced from various subjects, either science or literature or philosophy. Plus, each chapter was separated by subheadings that made it even easier to read and understand, especially when everything eventually came full circle in the interconnected data and theories.
I loved the whole concept of the entire book, that these ancient cultures from Mesoamerica could be related to or descendants of the people from ancient Northern Egypt. I had never heard of the Olmecs in Mesoamerica, as precursors to the Maya and Aztec civilizations, and I had never heard of the Hyksos people and empire that ruled Egypt and its neighboring countries for so long before apparently disappearing. I learned so much that I didn’t know before reading this book. And I didn’t stop at the text, I even continued reading through all of the endnotes.
This book went into so much detail, from geography and locations to archaeology to mythology and religious rituals, and even thorough comparisons of writing systems, all to compare the cultures of Mesoamerica to those in ancient Egypt and similar places to find a deeply rooted connection that must be more than coincidence. These cultures can’t have had so much in common and still evolved in complete isolation, it wouldn’t make sense. So I am on board the theory that the Hyksos people, the “Purple People” of ancient Northern Egypt could have traveled across the Atlantic, just as they traveled in their trading routes along their empire. It is not only a feasible theory but a believable and practical theory that I hope gets more attention in the future.
I especially appreciated using various Bible passages and accounts to help compare timelines, making the connections between other ancient texts and apparently real people and events throughout history. That made it all the more interesting when I had never truly considered that events recounted in the Bible might have actually had a foundation in the real world. And the notion that varying cultures had such similar mythos and ideas of life and death, right down to having practically the same creation myths is astounding. For separate civilizations to have such a parallel evolution, it must have a deeper meaning, hence the author’s intriguing theory.
Overall, this book was truly fascinating, and I enjoyed every minute of reading the thorough details and accompanying photographs. The author’s intriguing theories and related discoveries have great implications for the future understanding of the Mesoamerican and ancient Egyptian cultures that were not only parallel but seemingly directly connected by their ancestors. I loved reading about all the different methods and data from varying disciplines that went into supporting the author’s theory, and I certainly hope this book, the author, and his theory receive more positive attention and further interdisciplinary research.
I definitely recommend reading this book to anyone in a related field of study, or someone simply interested in history and anthropology and new understandings of the ancient world and its implications for our past and our future as interconnected peoples.
April 13, 2013
The Olmecs were an ancient people that just suddenly appeared in Mexico. There has been no archeological findings of them developing their technology. They arrived with this knowledge and subsequently influenced both the Mayan and Aztec cultures. But where did they come from?
Due to high acidity levels in the soil and the rain forest environment, archeologists don't have much to work with. Human remains and even most ceramics haven't survived these harsh conditions. Compton hypothesizes that this society migrated from Egypt. He goes to great lengths comparing many aspects of Egyptian culture to what is known of the Olmecs. Religion, funerary beliefs, sacrificial traditions, architecture, even clothing is similar and lends credence to his theory. How could two cultures, separated by an ocean be so similar without being related somehow?
Compton points out that the Olmecs sacrificed to a rain god. He ponders as to why a society in a rain forest would offer sacrifices to appease a god that is most traditionally worshiped by desert people who pray for rain. While it is most likely that he is correct with his conclusion that this rain god was "grandfathered" into the Olmec society from their desert dwelling ancestors, another aspect occurred to me. Now I don't profess to be an expert on ancient gods, but it seems to me that an angry rain god has two extreme options to punish his subjects, drought or flood. I ponder if it is likely that while the Olmecs adopted this god from their ancestors they may have wanted to appease him in times of great storms to stop the rain and not that they were praying for rain to come. It has been raining here for three days now, I might be willing to sacrifice a goat in the hopes that the rain would stop.
While the author is describing Egyptian times, he also touches on biblical stories. Truth be told, I'm not a very religious person. I was raised in parochial school and am familiar with various biblical stories but again, I am no expert. However, I find it fascinating when archaeology and historians find proof that the Bible is not just a story but actual history. Compton cites cases of tree circles and polar cap borings that support the story of Joseph's seven years of plenty followed by seven years of famine, as well as credible explanations and hypotheses of additional biblical stories.
I found this book interesting on so many levels. Those with a Kindle Fire can enjoy the multitude of pictures and drawings in full color. Readers that own an e-reader with a touch screen can easily access the end notes as they are referenced, which I highly suggest. The footnotes contain more than just information that cites the books being referenced but also sometimes contains the exact quote from said book as well as further clarification of the point being made.
I highly recommend this book to anyone with even the remotest interest in ancient history, Egyptian history, or even biblical history.
Due to high acidity levels in the soil and the rain forest environment, archeologists don't have much to work with. Human remains and even most ceramics haven't survived these harsh conditions. Compton hypothesizes that this society migrated from Egypt. He goes to great lengths comparing many aspects of Egyptian culture to what is known of the Olmecs. Religion, funerary beliefs, sacrificial traditions, architecture, even clothing is similar and lends credence to his theory. How could two cultures, separated by an ocean be so similar without being related somehow?
Compton points out that the Olmecs sacrificed to a rain god. He ponders as to why a society in a rain forest would offer sacrifices to appease a god that is most traditionally worshiped by desert people who pray for rain. While it is most likely that he is correct with his conclusion that this rain god was "grandfathered" into the Olmec society from their desert dwelling ancestors, another aspect occurred to me. Now I don't profess to be an expert on ancient gods, but it seems to me that an angry rain god has two extreme options to punish his subjects, drought or flood. I ponder if it is likely that while the Olmecs adopted this god from their ancestors they may have wanted to appease him in times of great storms to stop the rain and not that they were praying for rain to come. It has been raining here for three days now, I might be willing to sacrifice a goat in the hopes that the rain would stop.
While the author is describing Egyptian times, he also touches on biblical stories. Truth be told, I'm not a very religious person. I was raised in parochial school and am familiar with various biblical stories but again, I am no expert. However, I find it fascinating when archaeology and historians find proof that the Bible is not just a story but actual history. Compton cites cases of tree circles and polar cap borings that support the story of Joseph's seven years of plenty followed by seven years of famine, as well as credible explanations and hypotheses of additional biblical stories.
I found this book interesting on so many levels. Those with a Kindle Fire can enjoy the multitude of pictures and drawings in full color. Readers that own an e-reader with a touch screen can easily access the end notes as they are referenced, which I highly suggest. The footnotes contain more than just information that cites the books being referenced but also sometimes contains the exact quote from said book as well as further clarification of the point being made.
I highly recommend this book to anyone with even the remotest interest in ancient history, Egyptian history, or even biblical history.
February 28, 2013
This is the kind of book you will want to read with a friend, or even better, a group of friends, because it is going to ‘start’ a lot of conversation. When you draw on your memory of all the things you learned about ancient history, ancient peoples, and all your bible belt, and other religious history, you will have at least a dozen or so ‘Aha’ moments, and historical reality checks, out of just the first dozen chapters. So what is the difference between this book and ancient history books of old? Science! About a dozen sciences actually, for example: geomorphology, global tree ring science, cartography and the study of river evolution, radio carbon dating of newly uncovered artifacts, the new archeology and its current theoretical discussion, physics, astronomy, and navigation, volcanology, and current DNA testing of ancient artifacts, to name only a few of the sciences that S.C. Compton employs to build his theoretical base for ancient history construction, or more accurately, reconstruction. A theoretical base that academically and factually connects the dots for hitherto grand ancient mysteries and dismantles many theories of just 20 to 50 years ago, let alone those theorized a hundred or two hundred years ago. Compton is tackling the big mysteries and lays and builds on a clear foundation for a different interpretation in regard to the origins of the Aztecs that leads straight back to amazing ancient biblical roots and connects with other great global mysteries, such as Stonehenge, Atlantis, and the great flood. I purchased the book in its Kindle edition but that is truly insufficient for this book. I will absolutely have to get my hands on a hardback. This is not a book you read just once. This is a top shelf real time Avant-Garde thinking about the nature of science application to ancient history. On top of the empirical academics as laid out and well documented, Compton is clearly an extraordinary story-teller who has accomplished a gifted-work and removed the jargon–speak so the intriguing connections can be made clear. As I read through this book I became so enthralled I needed to learn more about the author himself and so I did a Google search. I found an excellent interview at this surprising link:
http://jbridgerwriting.blogspot.com/2... . I also found a Facebook page with the book’s title ‘Exodus Lost’, for current discussion and relevant conversation that I highly recommend a visit too. Congratulations and accolades Mr. Compton on this important contribution and grand scale accomplishment.
http://jbridgerwriting.blogspot.com/2... . I also found a Facebook page with the book’s title ‘Exodus Lost’, for current discussion and relevant conversation that I highly recommend a visit too. Congratulations and accolades Mr. Compton on this important contribution and grand scale accomplishment.
May 14, 2014
For over 500 years since the Spanish Conquistadors destroyed the Aztec civilization, scientists have tried to establish the society’s antecedents. Prior to the Aztec there appears to have been two other empires in the same Central American area. One was the Mayans, and the other was the Olmecs. Unlike the Mayans who were located on the Yucatan Peninsula and whose Temples were found surrounded by jungle the Olmec’s cities were buried.
The main Olmec city, which is now called San Lorenzo, is located 50 miles upriver from the Caribbean coast of Mexico. It flourished in the years 2000-1000BCE and then the rivers shifted and silted up and the people fled into the interior and later merged with the tribes that became the Aztecs. What made the Olmecs special was that they had no precursor in the area and no pre-Olmcec societies have been found.
Why is this unusual? The Olmecs seem to have devised an alphabet (with no pseudo language antecedent) and developed sculpture of massive size without any prior trial period. They built aqueducts and irrigation systems of stone. All other societies that have been studied have periods where there was testing and failures before they were able to create a viable alphabet (usually symbols of things like in Chinese) before they devised a letter alphabet.
No society has shown that it was able to go directly to the use of massive sculpture without first making small pottery statues and carved wooden statues before carving stones that weighed tons. Compton makes the point that these abilities could only have come from an advanced society. But who?
Could the teachers of the Olmecs/Mayans/Aztecs be the survivors of a mass migration from Lower Egypt?
The Phonecians were known to have sailed around the Cape of Good Hope and to have gone to Britain. The Norsemen are known to have planted colonies in North America. Could the Aztec myth of white ancestors coming from the East have been Egyptians on ships piloted by Phonecians?
Using all the scientific weapons at the hands of today’s forensic archeologist, Compton makes a strong case for how much of the Olmec alphabet matches the Egyptian of the same time. Using comparisons of the words for certain numbers, alphabet letters and other he makes his case. This is a phenomenal theory and should be read with a grain of salt but still seems plausible.
Zeb Kantrowitz
The main Olmec city, which is now called San Lorenzo, is located 50 miles upriver from the Caribbean coast of Mexico. It flourished in the years 2000-1000BCE and then the rivers shifted and silted up and the people fled into the interior and later merged with the tribes that became the Aztecs. What made the Olmecs special was that they had no precursor in the area and no pre-Olmcec societies have been found.
Why is this unusual? The Olmecs seem to have devised an alphabet (with no pseudo language antecedent) and developed sculpture of massive size without any prior trial period. They built aqueducts and irrigation systems of stone. All other societies that have been studied have periods where there was testing and failures before they were able to create a viable alphabet (usually symbols of things like in Chinese) before they devised a letter alphabet.
No society has shown that it was able to go directly to the use of massive sculpture without first making small pottery statues and carved wooden statues before carving stones that weighed tons. Compton makes the point that these abilities could only have come from an advanced society. But who?
Could the teachers of the Olmecs/Mayans/Aztecs be the survivors of a mass migration from Lower Egypt?
The Phonecians were known to have sailed around the Cape of Good Hope and to have gone to Britain. The Norsemen are known to have planted colonies in North America. Could the Aztec myth of white ancestors coming from the East have been Egyptians on ships piloted by Phonecians?
Using all the scientific weapons at the hands of today’s forensic archeologist, Compton makes a strong case for how much of the Olmec alphabet matches the Egyptian of the same time. Using comparisons of the words for certain numbers, alphabet letters and other he makes his case. This is a phenomenal theory and should be read with a grain of salt but still seems plausible.
Zeb Kantrowitz
May 7, 2014
Exodus Lost by S.C. Compton puts forward the theory that Egyptian and Nubian cultures migrated to Central America and influenced the Olmec civilization, predecessor of the Mayan and Aztec civilizations.
The civilizations of Central America have been an enigma. Where did they come from? Where did they go? From land bridges to aliens, many theories have been promulgated through the years. S.C. Compton has invested a lot of time researching these "Where" questions. He gives mention to other theories when relevant, but belittles none. Where popular theories directly oppose his view, he simply states his supporting evidence without challenge.
Compton is very thorough, covering everything from language to clothing, architecture to religion, and more. The material is presented in a factual and methodical manner. Resources are cited for those who wish to investigate further.
At the end of the book, the author states that it took 14 years to write it. In one or two chapters, I felt it would take almost that long to read it. Other chapters were so interesting, I raced through them - then went back and reread them, convinced that I must have missed something to have finished so quickly (which I had not).
I was very disappointed that my Kindle (Keyboard) was not able to show the exhibits well at all. The alphabet letters were all but invisible, photographs showed no detail, and murals had no color. Perhaps newer Kindles and Kindle for PC have no such problems.
Overall, Exodus Lost is really quite fascinating, very well-written, and well supported. I learned a great deal about the cultural development of a country neighboring mine, things I had never known before. Read this book and you will find yourself saying "Who would have thought it?"
The civilizations of Central America have been an enigma. Where did they come from? Where did they go? From land bridges to aliens, many theories have been promulgated through the years. S.C. Compton has invested a lot of time researching these "Where" questions. He gives mention to other theories when relevant, but belittles none. Where popular theories directly oppose his view, he simply states his supporting evidence without challenge.
Compton is very thorough, covering everything from language to clothing, architecture to religion, and more. The material is presented in a factual and methodical manner. Resources are cited for those who wish to investigate further.
At the end of the book, the author states that it took 14 years to write it. In one or two chapters, I felt it would take almost that long to read it. Other chapters were so interesting, I raced through them - then went back and reread them, convinced that I must have missed something to have finished so quickly (which I had not).
I was very disappointed that my Kindle (Keyboard) was not able to show the exhibits well at all. The alphabet letters were all but invisible, photographs showed no detail, and murals had no color. Perhaps newer Kindles and Kindle for PC have no such problems.
Overall, Exodus Lost is really quite fascinating, very well-written, and well supported. I learned a great deal about the cultural development of a country neighboring mine, things I had never known before. Read this book and you will find yourself saying "Who would have thought it?"
August 22, 2012
Really, how often does a history book read like accomplished storytelling? As someone who eagerly devours history tomes and biographies with fervor, I can honestly say that doesn't happen nearly as often as I'd prefer. Often, the information received is the reward, not necessarily the journey of its deliverance. With "Exodus Lost", however, readers will find themselves engrossed in a highly-readable book that breaks the rules of the history book rut and launches readers on a path that takes them far beyond the status quo of accepted history. Author S.C. Compton refers to the book as "an inquiry into the genesis of civilization", a description that accurately illustrates the depth and true comprehensiveness of the information given.
No matter their passions, history buffs are sure to discover new insights on studied topics. From an exploration of Quetzacoatl and the Olmecs to the Aztec/Mayan calendars and clues hidden in the glacial ice caps of the Peruvian Andes, the thread of civilization weaves through a wide scope of subjects with surprising backstory connections. In the style of an accomplished storyteller, Compton offers readers a page-turning account of the events surrounding the origins, key events, and fascinating entanglement of Egyptian, Mexican, and Western civilization. The information is delivered as mysteries in real-time discovery: readers will discover the twisting evolution (and juxtaposition) of the written alphabet and the class-conscious use of heiroglyphs over the alphabet in such a way that they will feel proud somehow... as if they had trekked with Compton through the journey; as if they had uncovered those patterns themselves. It's a strange, exhilirating feeling.
With an engaging style and an authoritative voice,the amount of information presented in "Exodus Lost" is nearly encyclopedic despite its readability - an offbeat handbook that fully belongs on the ready reference shelf. Highly readable, and highly recommended!
No matter their passions, history buffs are sure to discover new insights on studied topics. From an exploration of Quetzacoatl and the Olmecs to the Aztec/Mayan calendars and clues hidden in the glacial ice caps of the Peruvian Andes, the thread of civilization weaves through a wide scope of subjects with surprising backstory connections. In the style of an accomplished storyteller, Compton offers readers a page-turning account of the events surrounding the origins, key events, and fascinating entanglement of Egyptian, Mexican, and Western civilization. The information is delivered as mysteries in real-time discovery: readers will discover the twisting evolution (and juxtaposition) of the written alphabet and the class-conscious use of heiroglyphs over the alphabet in such a way that they will feel proud somehow... as if they had trekked with Compton through the journey; as if they had uncovered those patterns themselves. It's a strange, exhilirating feeling.
With an engaging style and an authoritative voice,the amount of information presented in "Exodus Lost" is nearly encyclopedic despite its readability - an offbeat handbook that fully belongs on the ready reference shelf. Highly readable, and highly recommended!
February 15, 2015
This book was both interesting and exciting for me to read. It was both odd and pleasant to find out the possible origins of my mother's ancestry. I have traveled in Southeast Asia, and having seen similarities, I had simply accepted the land bridge theory...but that answer never fully satisfied me. I never would have known how to do all of the research this author has undertaken, and I am very thankful for his sharing his findings.
Even as a child, I would ask where my Mother's ancestors REALLY came from. She is of Mexican origin, family traditions hold that we are both of Aztec and Apache bloodlines. People would impatiently say "She's from Mexico, of course!" when I was younger, then the land bridge theory is what I was told when I visited Mexico for myself.
I'm thankful that the author went into such detail with all of the illustrations and the thorough way he covered even the most unpleasant of subjects that give insight into who these Mesoamericans may have been. I can now smile when I look at the Bible and read of the Canaanites (as unpleasant as they may have been through the lens of scripture) and know that God had a purpose for redeeming them, even in the time of the Old Testament.
I know who I am, but sometimes it's nice to know who my ancestors may have been. It would be nice to know for certain - and this book gives as sound an explanation as any. I started reading it with great skepticism, but finished it off with a sense of sadness that the story stopped where it did. This book is well worth the read. Sometimes it gets a bit dark, sometimes it nearly breaks your heart as the author simply lays out the best explanations available for some dark moments of human history. Yet, when you're finished reading it, you feel as if you walked through a living museum. I am very thankful that a dear friend loaned this book to me, it's not a book you will soon forget.
Even as a child, I would ask where my Mother's ancestors REALLY came from. She is of Mexican origin, family traditions hold that we are both of Aztec and Apache bloodlines. People would impatiently say "She's from Mexico, of course!" when I was younger, then the land bridge theory is what I was told when I visited Mexico for myself.
I'm thankful that the author went into such detail with all of the illustrations and the thorough way he covered even the most unpleasant of subjects that give insight into who these Mesoamericans may have been. I can now smile when I look at the Bible and read of the Canaanites (as unpleasant as they may have been through the lens of scripture) and know that God had a purpose for redeeming them, even in the time of the Old Testament.
I know who I am, but sometimes it's nice to know who my ancestors may have been. It would be nice to know for certain - and this book gives as sound an explanation as any. I started reading it with great skepticism, but finished it off with a sense of sadness that the story stopped where it did. This book is well worth the read. Sometimes it gets a bit dark, sometimes it nearly breaks your heart as the author simply lays out the best explanations available for some dark moments of human history. Yet, when you're finished reading it, you feel as if you walked through a living museum. I am very thankful that a dear friend loaned this book to me, it's not a book you will soon forget.
July 15, 2012
This book looks at history and archaeology in a very different way. It also attempts to put dates to several Biblical events.
In the early 1500s, the Aztec leader Montezuma told hernan Cortes and his men that the Aztec civilization was not native to Mexico, but had arrived there from somewhere else across the ocean. According to the author of this book, that "somewhere else" was ancient Egypt.
In Mesoamerica (ancient Mexico), the Olmec civilization showed evidence of, for instance, aqueducts, burial pyramids, paper production and the world's oldest magnetic compass. There were not the usual incremental improvements over centuries; these appeared abruptly and fully formed. Meantime, their neighbors still lived in huts.
The Phoenicians were known to be master sailors, circumnavigating Africa more than two thousand years before the Europeans. There are accounts of Phoenicians reaching a large land mass many days sailing across the Atlantic Ocean (America).
Recent drug tests on Egyptian mummies showed that they tested positive for tobacco and cocaine. Both are indigenous to America and were supposed to be unknown in the Old World before Columbus. There are many other connections between Olmec and Egyptian cultures.
The Biblical Flood has been dated at approximately 3180 BC. On the floor of the Indian Ocean, a giant crater, consistent with a meteor strike, has been found. Independent scientific evidence has been found of a huge, and very quick, drop in global temperatures at that time. Also, the amount of water vapor kicked into the atmosphere by such a meteor strike could easily have caused forty days and nights of rain.
Here is a fascinating book, very well-researched, that will get the reader thinking in a whole new way. It may not be for everyone, but, for any sort of ancient history reader, it is highly recommended.
In the early 1500s, the Aztec leader Montezuma told hernan Cortes and his men that the Aztec civilization was not native to Mexico, but had arrived there from somewhere else across the ocean. According to the author of this book, that "somewhere else" was ancient Egypt.
In Mesoamerica (ancient Mexico), the Olmec civilization showed evidence of, for instance, aqueducts, burial pyramids, paper production and the world's oldest magnetic compass. There were not the usual incremental improvements over centuries; these appeared abruptly and fully formed. Meantime, their neighbors still lived in huts.
The Phoenicians were known to be master sailors, circumnavigating Africa more than two thousand years before the Europeans. There are accounts of Phoenicians reaching a large land mass many days sailing across the Atlantic Ocean (America).
Recent drug tests on Egyptian mummies showed that they tested positive for tobacco and cocaine. Both are indigenous to America and were supposed to be unknown in the Old World before Columbus. There are many other connections between Olmec and Egyptian cultures.
The Biblical Flood has been dated at approximately 3180 BC. On the floor of the Indian Ocean, a giant crater, consistent with a meteor strike, has been found. Independent scientific evidence has been found of a huge, and very quick, drop in global temperatures at that time. Also, the amount of water vapor kicked into the atmosphere by such a meteor strike could easily have caused forty days and nights of rain.
Here is a fascinating book, very well-researched, that will get the reader thinking in a whole new way. It may not be for everyone, but, for any sort of ancient history reader, it is highly recommended.
February 19, 2012
This book is an exploration of whether there might be a connection between the ancient Egyptian and Central American cultures, based not only on the fact that both constructed pyramids, but on a number of other parallels argued convincingly by the author. (My apologies in advance if in this review I miss some of the finer points of geography or historical timelines – these are not my strong points, and any errors fall to me, and not the author!)
It’s an exciting, impassioned, and inquisitive romp through ancient history, ranging across disciplines from linguistics to anthropology to art, Biblical studies, and cross-cultural explorations, all told in a style that is engaging and informative. I really loved this cross-disciplinary approach, and although I am a subject expert in none of these areas, by the time I finished reading I was overwhelmed by the number and varieties of correlations between these two cultures that the author draws out. Some were more convincing (or perhaps understandable!) to me than others, but by the end the sheer number of them was another persuasive point in the author’s favor.
The book is well-documented with an impressive number of footnotes and source references, and is also beautifully illustrated with black-and-white photographs, maps, and etchings, which add both to the reading experience and the strength of the thesis. Additionally, the author quotes liberally from a number of sources, ranging from classic literature to popular films, adding to the intellectual zest and excitement that he clearly feels about his subject.
Great stuff, and highly recommended!
It’s an exciting, impassioned, and inquisitive romp through ancient history, ranging across disciplines from linguistics to anthropology to art, Biblical studies, and cross-cultural explorations, all told in a style that is engaging and informative. I really loved this cross-disciplinary approach, and although I am a subject expert in none of these areas, by the time I finished reading I was overwhelmed by the number and varieties of correlations between these two cultures that the author draws out. Some were more convincing (or perhaps understandable!) to me than others, but by the end the sheer number of them was another persuasive point in the author’s favor.
The book is well-documented with an impressive number of footnotes and source references, and is also beautifully illustrated with black-and-white photographs, maps, and etchings, which add both to the reading experience and the strength of the thesis. Additionally, the author quotes liberally from a number of sources, ranging from classic literature to popular films, adding to the intellectual zest and excitement that he clearly feels about his subject.
Great stuff, and highly recommended!
August 19, 2013
Exodus Lost is a truly remarkable work that encompasses an impressive body of research into Mesoamerican history. S. C. Compton demonstrates the mastery of his subject with incredible attention to detail. What makes this book unprecedented is Compton’s ability to embed such rich history within the framework of an engaging narrative. Far from dry, it is an interdisciplinary magnum opus that transgresses genre boundaries and captivates the reader, luring them into a world of ancient civilizations that grows more interesting with each page.
The book is lavishly illustrated, and this sets the book apart as a definitive compendium of comprehensive knowledge. The abundance of visual data lends greater authority to the text, and enlivens the subject matter such that the reader is able to thoroughly grasp the content. Considering the vast range of topics covered, from volcanology to philology, religion, and virtually everything in between, this book is one to which I shall return countless times, as one reading is not enough to truly appreciate the body of research. As a lover of linguistics, I particularly loved the detailed analyses of ancient writing systems.
S.C. Compton has clearly translated a passion for Mesoamerican history into a thoroughly researched and referenced book that combines the authority of an academic text with accessible writing. I highly recommend Exodus Lost and eagerly anticipate future books by this polished and sophisticated author.
The book is lavishly illustrated, and this sets the book apart as a definitive compendium of comprehensive knowledge. The abundance of visual data lends greater authority to the text, and enlivens the subject matter such that the reader is able to thoroughly grasp the content. Considering the vast range of topics covered, from volcanology to philology, religion, and virtually everything in between, this book is one to which I shall return countless times, as one reading is not enough to truly appreciate the body of research. As a lover of linguistics, I particularly loved the detailed analyses of ancient writing systems.
S.C. Compton has clearly translated a passion for Mesoamerican history into a thoroughly researched and referenced book that combines the authority of an academic text with accessible writing. I highly recommend Exodus Lost and eagerly anticipate future books by this polished and sophisticated author.
February 6, 2014
The author makes a very strong argument for the Olmec culture the oldest in the New World to have been strongly influenced by "Egyptians" that visited North America more than 3000 years ago. Linguistics, religious practices, architecture, funeral customs, clothing, art, pottery are all shown to have substantial and not possibly random relationships. He also has very interesting chapters on the development of the alphabet and alternative views of Biblical occurrences and interpretation. The Olmec are indeed a mystery. However, IMHO the author's claims about the ease of seafaring of the "Egyptians" to cross the Atlantic round trip based upon the ships they used for river and coastal trade, his conflict with or at least lack of support with current DNA analysis of native Americans, his conflating the Hebrew, Canaanites, Hyksos, Phoenician, Carthaginian, Nubian and Egyptian as one culture to influence the Olmec, and what I believe are time and cultural conflicts should be considered. Intentional colonization does not seem to have been possible and it is hard to believe that isolated or random contacts could have had such a strong influence on the Olmec culture. A very good book that raises a lot of questions that still need to be answered.
May 20, 2014
As a lover of history books I was immediately drawn to this intriguing work. Having purchased it I began to read and spent many hours completely engrossed. The effort the author has put in to joining the dots and working everything out is extremely commendable. The outcome is a fascinating picture painted by a man with true passion and dedication for this subject.
Each claim made in the book is meticulously covered, this is no guesswork. Many books like to make sensationalistic claims but often they don’t have the evidence to back up their theories so it was refreshing to read something that was an exception to this bad habit. A special mention has to go to the photos and maps included. I’ve always felt that visually learning stuff was the best way and the breathtaking pictures shed light on the subjects that were being covered.
Overall I can’t recommend this book enough. It was a true eye opener full of startling discoveries. Great for young and old alike to broaden their knowledge!
Each claim made in the book is meticulously covered, this is no guesswork. Many books like to make sensationalistic claims but often they don’t have the evidence to back up their theories so it was refreshing to read something that was an exception to this bad habit. A special mention has to go to the photos and maps included. I’ve always felt that visually learning stuff was the best way and the breathtaking pictures shed light on the subjects that were being covered.
Overall I can’t recommend this book enough. It was a true eye opener full of startling discoveries. Great for young and old alike to broaden their knowledge!
August 20, 2014
An engaging bit of pop history. Well documented (over 700 end notes) investigation into the possible link between pre-Columbian Mesoamerican cultures and contemporary Old World cultures, specifically the Hyksos and Egyptians. Compton exhaustively explores his many links connecting the dots for the reader.
It all sounds good until you notice that some of the critical paragraphs have no end notes; those are Compton’s speculation. He does this a lot in his discussion of the linguistic parallels. It may be just as he says, but his documentation is not quite air tight.
Having read books like African Genesis and Naked Ape in the 1960s, I’m shy about jumping on this very attractive bandwagon. The wheels of academia turn slowly. So far they haven’t caught up with Compton.
If you’ll at all interested in cross-cultural pollination, do read this book. Compton makes an excellent case for his theory.
It all sounds good until you notice that some of the critical paragraphs have no end notes; those are Compton’s speculation. He does this a lot in his discussion of the linguistic parallels. It may be just as he says, but his documentation is not quite air tight.
Having read books like African Genesis and Naked Ape in the 1960s, I’m shy about jumping on this very attractive bandwagon. The wheels of academia turn slowly. So far they haven’t caught up with Compton.
If you’ll at all interested in cross-cultural pollination, do read this book. Compton makes an excellent case for his theory.
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