The Dawn of Genius: The Minoan Super-Civilization and the Truth About Atlantis

by Alan Butler

The Dawn of Genius puts back into the place the missing pieces of the puzzle that is Europe prior to a massive watershed in population and culture that took place after 2,000 BC. A cataclysmic volcanic eruption in the Eastern Mediterranean destroyed an almost totally forgotten infrastructure that encompassed an entire continent, and opened Europe to an unparalleled invasion of much less sophisticated people from the East. The book recreates the culture and religion and scientific knowledge that was shattered in an instant and which plunged the world into a dark age from which it has taken over 3,000 years to emerge.
This is probably the most comprehensive explanation of mysteries from a truly ancient world that has ever been written. Those interested in exploring the genuine origins of the modern world are certain to be enthralled.

Genres: Nonfiction, History

256 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 2014

About the author

Alan Butler is an established author, historian, and researcher with a career spanning several decades. His work primarily focuses on uncovering historical mysteries, especially those related to ancient civilizations, astronomy, astrology, and comparative religion. Early in his career, Butler worked as an engineer, a background he credits with shaping his meticulous approach to historical inquiry. Over time, he transitioned to writing and researching full-time, exploring topics such as the Knights Templar, goddess worship, Freemasonry, and the role of astronomy in ancient societies.
Butler has co-authored several influential books with Christopher Knight, including Civilization One, which examines ancient measuring systems, and Who Built the Moon?, which delves into the Moon's unique characteristics and its connection to Earth's history. His solo works include The Knights Templar: Their History and Myths Revealed, The Virgin and the Pentacle, and Sheep, a unique exploration of the cultural significance of sheep throughout history.
Apart from writing, Butler has written plays for BBC Radio and participated in television documentaries. He lives in Northern England with his wife, where he continues his research and writing on historical enigmas. Butler is also a noted speaker at seminars and events focused on ancient studies and esoteric topics.

Reviews

[MeriBeth · Rating 1 out of 5]

At first glance, Dawn of Genius, comes across as an informative tome of real history and historical study written to be accessible to the layman rather than the academic. However, if you spend any time comparing the conclusions drawn in this book to those of other scholars the realization quickly dawns that the author has a particular agenda to pursue without regard to full academic scholarship. After reading about half of the book, I became quite frustrated with it and had to set it aside as it contradicted so much accepted scholarship or pushed only portions which fit the author’s ideas. So, accessible book but likely more pseudoscience than real historical interpretation.

Book received from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

[Steven Hatfield · Rating 1 out of 5]

Nothing new here, can tell a book by its cover

Disappointed
Sorry I bought the book
Just other books I have read in different sentences
Sorry bought the book
Steven

[A Reader's Heaven · Rating 3 out of 5]

(I received a free copy of this book from Net Galley in exchange for an honest review.)

The modern world looks back towards Ancient Greece for the start of its philosophy, for the origins of its science and even for the foundations of its excursion into democracy. But is this either correct or fair? Was there something long, long before the City States of Greece flirted with geometry, astronomy and inclusive politics from which Greece itself developed, merely as a pale reflection?
Alan Butler has put together his most exhaustive and yet most compelling presentation of how we came to be what we are today. The Dawn Genius explores the genius that was the Minoan civilization and shows how accounts of the fabled Atlantis were actually memories of a worldwide catastrophe that occurred around 1600 BC.
The Dawn of Genius puts back into the place the missing pieces of the puzzle that is Europe prior to a massive watershed in population and culture that took place after 2000 BC. A cataclysmic volcanic eruption in the Eastern Mediterranean destroyed an almost totally forgotten infrastructure that encompassed an entire continent, and opened Europe to an unparalleled invasion of much less sophisticated people from the East. The book recreates the culture and religion and scientific knowledge that was shattered in an instant and which plunged the world into a dark age from which it has taken over 3,000 years to emerge.
This is probably the most comprehensive explanation of mysteries from a truly ancient world that has ever been written. Those interested in exploring the genuine origins of the modern world are certain to be enthralled.

Wow! I am still a little overawed by the information in this book although I finished reading it a few weeks ago. I was hoping that a little time away from it before reviewing it might help - but now that I am sitting here looking at the screen, I can remember all that information being thrown at me from within the pages of this book.

Is this a good book? It absolutely is. It is highly detailed and well-researched. It is one of those books that I wish I had read slower - even though the work was presented in a more accessible, less scholarly way, I still felt like I was missing something along the way.

I think one of the real issues I had with this book was the "Read it, believe it" attitude the author presented. There were no footnotes, no references to other work (except his plugs for his own work) which really made for tough reading as I like to look at other material to substantiate the claims of authors, especially in these types of fields.

The ultimate question to answer is this: would I recommend it? That is hard. If you have an interest in history, if you are willing to read and believe, if you love to know more about early civilisation...then, yes, I would. If you are a casual reader looking for something to get you through til the next great book - this isn't for you.


Paul
ARH

[Elentarri · Rating 4 out of 5]

Interesting.

[Richard Martin · Rating 3 out of 5]

A fascinating study of a little known civilization. The discussion of the Phaistos Disc was particularly interesting as was the overview of Crete and its history.

[Mandi Almaguer · Rating 5 out of 5]

hella cool read. lots to learn in here