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La historia miente: Pruebas Que Demuestran La Existencia de Otro Pasado (Mundo mágico y heterodoxo)
¿Ha oído usted hablar del misterioso manuscrito Voynich cuya escritura aun hoy sigue sin ser descifrada? ¿ Sabe que en el Libro de Enoch, un apócrifo del Antiguo Testamento, se habla de seres celestes que deciden bajar a la Tierra para mantener relaciones sexuales con las hijas de los hombres? ¿ Sabe que en una cueva de Ecuador un sacerdote encontró un tesoro tan insólito como extraordinario respecto a lo que sabemos de nuestro pasado? ¿Sabe que las últimas investigaciones sobre las líneas de Nazca han aportado aun más interrogantes que respuestas? Con nuevas investigaciones y datos sobre estos y otros temas igual de apasionantes, en esta nueva y polémica obra, Erich von Däniken continua con su tarea de demostrar que en un pasado la Tierra fue visitada por seres de otro planeta y que hay muchos testimonios y pruebas que lo demuestran. Pruebas que, según von Däniken, han sido y son olvidadas cuando no ocultadas por la historia oficial, ¿por qué? Con su estilo claro, directo, irónico y provocador von Däniken da una nueva vuelta de tuerca a sus hipótesis en esta obra apasionante logrando dejar en el aire una duda demoledora para nuestra visión del hombre y la historia.
254 pages, Kindle Edition
First published January 1, 2007
166 people are currently reading
1195 people want to read
About the author
Erich von Däniken
322 books892 followersGreek: Έριχ φον Νταίνικεν
Erich Anton Paul von Däniken (1935–2026) was a Swiss author of several pseudoscientific books which made claims about extraterrestrial influences on early human culture, including the best-selling Chariots of the Gods?, published in 1968. Däniken was one of the main figures responsible for popularizing the "paleo-contact" and ancient astronauts hypotheses.
The ideas put forth in his books are rejected by virtually all scientists and academics, who categorize his work as pseudohistory, pseudoarchaeology, and pseudoscience. Early in his career, he was convicted and served time for several counts of fraud or embezzlement, and wrote one of his books in prison.
Erich Anton Paul von Däniken (1935–2026) was a Swiss author of several pseudoscientific books which made claims about extraterrestrial influences on early human culture, including the best-selling Chariots of the Gods?, published in 1968. Däniken was one of the main figures responsible for popularizing the "paleo-contact" and ancient astronauts hypotheses.
The ideas put forth in his books are rejected by virtually all scientists and academics, who categorize his work as pseudohistory, pseudoarchaeology, and pseudoscience. Early in his career, he was convicted and served time for several counts of fraud or embezzlement, and wrote one of his books in prison.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 71 reviews
March 13, 2011
This book was a doozy. Seriously, I had to finish a liter of vodka just to choke this stuff down. Heck, that was after taking the pound and a half of cocaine.
Erich von Daniken started his research asking a couple of cousins and waiters if they knew what the Voynich Manuscript was. As expected, their answers were all in the negative.
Heck, I’m a professional archaeologist and I don’t even know what it is!
But I digress…
After Erich von Daniken asks about a 100 of these goobers he explains that everyone’s lack of knowledge on the subject is indicative of the lack of knowledge of the subject in academic circles. This, and only this, is the only point in this entire book in which I will agree with Erich von Daniken.
The purpose of archaeological studies (as I’ve stated repeatedly) is to enlighten and educate. The Voynich Manuscript is a 15th or 16th century, currently untranslated, document. Shy of a press release dating and marking its provenience, the public wouldn’t have heard anything about the manuscript until it has been interpreted. Instead of jumping on the sane train and saying what I just said, Erich von Daniken instead decides to state that the lack of public knowledge on the subject is instead part of some plot to hide what most academics are too close minded to admit: we can’t decipher it because it was written by aliens.
What?
Yes. Aliens.
Fact: the Voynich manuscript is written in an, as of yet, undeciphered script.
Fact: the Voynich manuscript has detailed star/sun charts.
Scientific conclusion? An as of yet undetermined culture had the mathematical and observational skills to plot star/sun charts.
The Erich Von Daniken conclusion? Our inability to interpret the foreign language implies no failing on our part but instead implies that beings much smarter than us wrote it. Also, the detailed star charts are obviously contrived from mathematics too complex for early man to decipher and are indicative of beings who have grander perspectives than early man.
The Erich Von Daniken conclusion that I just gave you is basically all of “History is Wrong” pertaining to the Voynich manuscript. You’ll also find that when reading this book you come across, repeatedly, two signature pseudoscience tools:
The first of these tools is the “piece it together yourself” questioning. Pseudoscience is opinion based over factual. For this reason, after a pseudoscientist makes a claim he/she will usually follow it up with a question instead of a factual explanation. This is a con man slide. It chooses to engage you in hopes that while contemplating related conclusions you’ll not question the lack of cited evidence. When asked to answer a question, you’re usually too busy answering to take the time to say “Woah…wait a second…that doesn’t make sense.”
Politicians use it too…a lot.
The second, and probably slightly more annoying, tool in the pseudoscientist toolbox is one I like to call “Look at my big friend…” This method is the presentation of proof that you know someone famous instead of proof to your claims. Its a means of von Daniken to say “I must be right because this famous person wrote me a letter.” The major example in this book is the letter from Neil Armstrong, also known as the first man to step on the moon.
In short, von Daniken claims to have been part of an excavation that discovered a metal library within a cave system in Los Tayos, in South America. After the supposed discovery, he claims that the press had covered it up and wouldn’t believe him, he also takes this moment to point out that documentation that would prove his point (photographs, journal entries) are simply missing (at one point, even saying “(my archive is missing)”[page 130 opposite the letter from Armstrong]). He then claims to have just surrendered until he heard that another crew had visited the excavation and brought along Armstrong.
Von Daniken mails Armstrong a letter asking for his take on the alien library in the caves and Armstrong states: “I understand that there have been magazine articles in Germany and Argentina which reported on the excavation and related it to your theories…I was asked in Ecuador whether I had observed any evidence of highly developed societies having been in the area, and I answered that I had not.” He continued the letter stating that he appreciated the offer to accompany von Daniken on an excavation but would have to refuse.
So…Armstrong said no aliens. Pretty clear cut, right?
Erich Von Daniken instead states that the letter is proof that he has been victimized by the media and that Armstrong had given him his full support. Very simply, a celebrity contacted von Daniken in response, and von Daniken is using it to drum up popularity.
This of course follows Erich Von Daniken’s refuting of the comments in the media that he admitted to never actually being in the caves in Ecuador.
I shall answer this one from personal experience.
I, Matt the Spaz, have actually watched the interview in which Erich Von Daniken states that he had never been to the caves. Back in college, in Riddles of the Past 101 with Dr. Marqusee, we watched the whole video and not only does he say that he’s never been to the caves, but also that half of the Nazca lines that he claimed were landing pads for alien beings he had never actually visited. He ended the interview saying that, when he writes his books, he knows he’s writing for an audience and that he brings a large portion of poetic license into each book he writes.
For those of you new to literary parlance, poetic license is “make-believe.”
Finally, the book ends weak. Erich Von Daniken falls into a lull and must have noticed, because he quickly starts just repeating stuff from his other books, all of it can be found in his original, “Chariots of the Gods?“
His book ends on a quote, pleading with the audience one last time to view him as the victim.
“Those who cannot attack the thought, instead attack the thinker.” (Paul Valery 1871-1945)
In response: Erich Von Daniken I don’t see you as a victim of the media or of “mainstream archaeology.” I see you as a person who completely ignores the Scientific Method. I love your “thought.” I think its awesome. Aliens rock. The purposeful bending of scientific evidence to your theories is what I attack. Read the evidence as it is, don’t make it fit your beliefs.
Pseudoscientists are either people who failed to correctly learn the scientific method, or snake-oil salesmen.
I encourage everyone to ignore this book, go out and buy Chariots of the Gods? and laugh your butt off reading that one. In forty years, he has come up with nothing new to write.
Erich von Daniken started his research asking a couple of cousins and waiters if they knew what the Voynich Manuscript was. As expected, their answers were all in the negative.
Heck, I’m a professional archaeologist and I don’t even know what it is!
But I digress…
After Erich von Daniken asks about a 100 of these goobers he explains that everyone’s lack of knowledge on the subject is indicative of the lack of knowledge of the subject in academic circles. This, and only this, is the only point in this entire book in which I will agree with Erich von Daniken.
The purpose of archaeological studies (as I’ve stated repeatedly) is to enlighten and educate. The Voynich Manuscript is a 15th or 16th century, currently untranslated, document. Shy of a press release dating and marking its provenience, the public wouldn’t have heard anything about the manuscript until it has been interpreted. Instead of jumping on the sane train and saying what I just said, Erich von Daniken instead decides to state that the lack of public knowledge on the subject is instead part of some plot to hide what most academics are too close minded to admit: we can’t decipher it because it was written by aliens.
What?
Yes. Aliens.
Fact: the Voynich manuscript is written in an, as of yet, undeciphered script.
Fact: the Voynich manuscript has detailed star/sun charts.
Scientific conclusion? An as of yet undetermined culture had the mathematical and observational skills to plot star/sun charts.
The Erich Von Daniken conclusion? Our inability to interpret the foreign language implies no failing on our part but instead implies that beings much smarter than us wrote it. Also, the detailed star charts are obviously contrived from mathematics too complex for early man to decipher and are indicative of beings who have grander perspectives than early man.
The Erich Von Daniken conclusion that I just gave you is basically all of “History is Wrong” pertaining to the Voynich manuscript. You’ll also find that when reading this book you come across, repeatedly, two signature pseudoscience tools:
The first of these tools is the “piece it together yourself” questioning. Pseudoscience is opinion based over factual. For this reason, after a pseudoscientist makes a claim he/she will usually follow it up with a question instead of a factual explanation. This is a con man slide. It chooses to engage you in hopes that while contemplating related conclusions you’ll not question the lack of cited evidence. When asked to answer a question, you’re usually too busy answering to take the time to say “Woah…wait a second…that doesn’t make sense.”
Politicians use it too…a lot.
The second, and probably slightly more annoying, tool in the pseudoscientist toolbox is one I like to call “Look at my big friend…” This method is the presentation of proof that you know someone famous instead of proof to your claims. Its a means of von Daniken to say “I must be right because this famous person wrote me a letter.” The major example in this book is the letter from Neil Armstrong, also known as the first man to step on the moon.
In short, von Daniken claims to have been part of an excavation that discovered a metal library within a cave system in Los Tayos, in South America. After the supposed discovery, he claims that the press had covered it up and wouldn’t believe him, he also takes this moment to point out that documentation that would prove his point (photographs, journal entries) are simply missing (at one point, even saying “(my archive is missing)”[page 130 opposite the letter from Armstrong]). He then claims to have just surrendered until he heard that another crew had visited the excavation and brought along Armstrong.
Von Daniken mails Armstrong a letter asking for his take on the alien library in the caves and Armstrong states: “I understand that there have been magazine articles in Germany and Argentina which reported on the excavation and related it to your theories…I was asked in Ecuador whether I had observed any evidence of highly developed societies having been in the area, and I answered that I had not.” He continued the letter stating that he appreciated the offer to accompany von Daniken on an excavation but would have to refuse.
So…Armstrong said no aliens. Pretty clear cut, right?
Erich Von Daniken instead states that the letter is proof that he has been victimized by the media and that Armstrong had given him his full support. Very simply, a celebrity contacted von Daniken in response, and von Daniken is using it to drum up popularity.
This of course follows Erich Von Daniken’s refuting of the comments in the media that he admitted to never actually being in the caves in Ecuador.
I shall answer this one from personal experience.
I, Matt the Spaz, have actually watched the interview in which Erich Von Daniken states that he had never been to the caves. Back in college, in Riddles of the Past 101 with Dr. Marqusee, we watched the whole video and not only does he say that he’s never been to the caves, but also that half of the Nazca lines that he claimed were landing pads for alien beings he had never actually visited. He ended the interview saying that, when he writes his books, he knows he’s writing for an audience and that he brings a large portion of poetic license into each book he writes.
For those of you new to literary parlance, poetic license is “make-believe.”
Finally, the book ends weak. Erich Von Daniken falls into a lull and must have noticed, because he quickly starts just repeating stuff from his other books, all of it can be found in his original, “Chariots of the Gods?“
His book ends on a quote, pleading with the audience one last time to view him as the victim.
“Those who cannot attack the thought, instead attack the thinker.” (Paul Valery 1871-1945)
In response: Erich Von Daniken I don’t see you as a victim of the media or of “mainstream archaeology.” I see you as a person who completely ignores the Scientific Method. I love your “thought.” I think its awesome. Aliens rock. The purposeful bending of scientific evidence to your theories is what I attack. Read the evidence as it is, don’t make it fit your beliefs.
Pseudoscientists are either people who failed to correctly learn the scientific method, or snake-oil salesmen.
I encourage everyone to ignore this book, go out and buy Chariots of the Gods? and laugh your butt off reading that one. In forty years, he has come up with nothing new to write.
December 20, 2016
I have already read Twilight of the Gods: The Mayan Calendar and the Return of the Extraterrestrials by the same author, so most of the facts and opinions stated here were nothing new. The author loves to repeat himself almost as much as justify his own mistakes, and that's pretty much all that happens in the second half of the book. He was wronged/misinformed some years ago, regarding some ancient texts, that may have or have not existed and were or were not found in S.America half a century ago.. Pretty hazy, if you asked me, for a book, that claims that somehow our history is wrong.
March 7, 2018
This is the longest "begging the question" fallacy I have ever read.
Or, put another way: just because you can construct an internally consistent argument doesn't make it true.
I took tedious notes for this book - nearly 50 spiral notebook pages - in order to keep up with the logic of Daniken's asinine, racist, alien-seeding propositions. Because a lot of "evidence" were really unfounded propositions presented as facts, background research in conspiracy theory esoterica was required - hence, the notes.
By the way, this is a good place to plug this website in case you are curious about these sorts of archaeological oddities. Honestly, I learned much more from this website than anything in Daniken's book.
I've heard his other books are entertaining. I've heard he's charming on television. All I can tell you is this book is bad in every way a book can be judged. The writing is bad. The logic is bad. It was a slog to get through. Reading this had all the tedious joy of shoveling an endless sidewalk. I'd rather fill a root canal than do this again.
As for all these racist, white idiots who can't fathom that brown people could have completed amazing feats in history... consider the following:
Daniken mentions the metal plates of "Father Crespi" whose metallic library may or may not exist. The logic from Daniken is that no one has been able to study these because Ecuadorians hid them from untrusted white people in favor of good-natured Father Crespi, who suddenly became the repository for all these bizarre metal artifacts.
YOU KNOW WHO ELSE WOULD WANT TO KNOW THE HISTORY OF THESE ARTIFACTS, YOU RACIST NITWIT? HOW ABOUT THE ECUADORIANS YOU PAINT AS BARELY MORE INTERESTED IN HISTORY THAN MONKEYS?
Daniken fails to consider that Ecuadorians, in a country with actual archaeologists in a modern society - the people who actually own these supposedly ancient plates - might themselves have been interested in them not just now, but hundreds of years ago. Like every other group of indigenous people in the Americas.
But no. Daniken is here with his specialized knowledge in basically nothing, armed with a rigorous belief in a very literal interpretation of any Judeo-Christian text he can find - thank goodness he is here to teach indigenous people a lesson about their own people.
Anyway, if you are also one of those indulgent people who refuses to believe the tireless work of hundreds of thousands of professionals in favor of exploring alternatives due to your own lack of knowledge - this is for you. Otherwise, just watch these racist idiots on the History Channel and save yourself the task I foisted upon myself.
Or, put another way: just because you can construct an internally consistent argument doesn't make it true.
I took tedious notes for this book - nearly 50 spiral notebook pages - in order to keep up with the logic of Daniken's asinine, racist, alien-seeding propositions. Because a lot of "evidence" were really unfounded propositions presented as facts, background research in conspiracy theory esoterica was required - hence, the notes.
By the way, this is a good place to plug this website in case you are curious about these sorts of archaeological oddities. Honestly, I learned much more from this website than anything in Daniken's book.
I've heard his other books are entertaining. I've heard he's charming on television. All I can tell you is this book is bad in every way a book can be judged. The writing is bad. The logic is bad. It was a slog to get through. Reading this had all the tedious joy of shoveling an endless sidewalk. I'd rather fill a root canal than do this again.
As for all these racist, white idiots who can't fathom that brown people could have completed amazing feats in history... consider the following:
Daniken mentions the metal plates of "Father Crespi" whose metallic library may or may not exist. The logic from Daniken is that no one has been able to study these because Ecuadorians hid them from untrusted white people in favor of good-natured Father Crespi, who suddenly became the repository for all these bizarre metal artifacts.
YOU KNOW WHO ELSE WOULD WANT TO KNOW THE HISTORY OF THESE ARTIFACTS, YOU RACIST NITWIT? HOW ABOUT THE ECUADORIANS YOU PAINT AS BARELY MORE INTERESTED IN HISTORY THAN MONKEYS?
Daniken fails to consider that Ecuadorians, in a country with actual archaeologists in a modern society - the people who actually own these supposedly ancient plates - might themselves have been interested in them not just now, but hundreds of years ago. Like every other group of indigenous people in the Americas.
But no. Daniken is here with his specialized knowledge in basically nothing, armed with a rigorous belief in a very literal interpretation of any Judeo-Christian text he can find - thank goodness he is here to teach indigenous people a lesson about their own people.
Anyway, if you are also one of those indulgent people who refuses to believe the tireless work of hundreds of thousands of professionals in favor of exploring alternatives due to your own lack of knowledge - this is for you. Otherwise, just watch these racist idiots on the History Channel and save yourself the task I foisted upon myself.
January 17, 2021
რა შეიძლება ითქვას წიგნზე: პირველი ის, რომ თუ დამტკიცდა თურქი ოჯახის კვლევა ვოინიჩის მანუსკრიპტზე, რომ მე-16 საუკუნეში მცხოვრები მოგზაურის მიერაა დაწერილი და ასახავს სხვადასხვა სამედიცინო, ასტრონომიულ თუ ბოტანიკურ რჩევებს, მაშინ წიგნის პირველი ნაწილი აზრს დაკარგავს.
მეორე - წიგნის მეორე ნაწილში სამეცნიერო კვლევებსა თუ ფაქტებზე მეტად საკუთარი თავის გამართლების მცდელობაა ეკვადორში ჩატარებული ექსპედიციის შემდეგ წამოსულ კრიტიკაზე, სადაც შესაძლოა პრეისტორიული metal library ინახებოდეს.
ერთადერთი ღირებული რაც ამ წიგნს აქვს, დამატებითი ცნობები და შედარებებია მოყვანილი The book of Enoch-ის შესახებ.
მეორე - წიგნის მეორე ნაწილში სამეცნიერო კვლევებსა თუ ფაქტებზე მეტად საკუთარი თავის გამართლების მცდელობაა ეკვადორში ჩატარებული ექსპედიციის შემდეგ წამოსულ კრიტიკაზე, სადაც შესაძლოა პრეისტორიული metal library ინახებოდეს.
ერთადერთი ღირებული რაც ამ წიგნს აქვს, დამატებითი ცნობები და შედარებებია მოყვანილი The book of Enoch-ის შესახებ.
January 8, 2015
Author spends too much time defending previous writings.
I have read this author since Chariots of the Gods and in fact still have my copy that I bought as a child. He has opened my eyes to the mysteries of our planet since the beginning. Once again he brings to light ancient books and writings and says look at these and learn to think for yourself and not just follow mainstream thinking. This is why I like the authors books. The only thing that deflects from the book (besides a few editorial problems) is the fact that he feels he needs to defend himself against what other people say. Too many pages are dedicated to this. If the author feels he must do this then use a page a move on. I want to read about the mysteries not about closed minded, greedy people. when I re-read this book again someday I will just skip that part because I do feel this book adds value to the mysteries of our world.
I have read this author since Chariots of the Gods and in fact still have my copy that I bought as a child. He has opened my eyes to the mysteries of our planet since the beginning. Once again he brings to light ancient books and writings and says look at these and learn to think for yourself and not just follow mainstream thinking. This is why I like the authors books. The only thing that deflects from the book (besides a few editorial problems) is the fact that he feels he needs to defend himself against what other people say. Too many pages are dedicated to this. If the author feels he must do this then use a page a move on. I want to read about the mysteries not about closed minded, greedy people. when I re-read this book again someday I will just skip that part because I do feel this book adds value to the mysteries of our world.
February 27, 2011
My own fault for reading this after knowing quite a bit about von Daniken's questionable reputation. I was caught up in the "Chariots of the Gods" craze back yonder about 1974 when that book was translated into English and thought by now von Daniken would have tightened up his theories a little bit, but no, he's still as crazy as ever. He explores some real enigmas and mysteries without giving any credible explanations and as usual, asks a hell of a lot more questions than he answers. A lot of nice pictures though, mostly misinterpreted. I had high hopes for the chapters on the "Voynich Manuscript" but that too disintegrates into babblespeak.
December 4, 2017
Are we (Human Beings) alone on this planet ? the answer is in this book. The book is a successor of The Chariots of The Gods, and what a successor it is. A fantastic detailed research on the Voynich Manuscript, Nazca Lines and so on .... A must read for those who fed up of Romantica and all.
April 7, 2024
Erich Von Daniken, the controversial Swiss author known for his theories on ancient extraterrestrial influence, returns with "History Is Wrong." In this audiobook, Von Daniken challenges conventional historical narratives, asserting that human history diverges significantly from what world religions claim. Armed with intriguing revelations and a flair for unearthing hidden truths, he invites listeners to question long-held beliefs.
The audiobook delves into two enigmatic subjects: the “Voynich manuscript” and the equally mysterious “Book of Enoch.”. The former, an ancient text that has defied decryption since its discovery, serves as a focal point for Von Daniken's exploration. His analysis takes unexpected turns, touching on topics like Nazca lines, underground metal libraries, and terraforming. While some of his claims may raise eyebrows, Von Daniken remains steadfast in his conviction that history has overlooked crucial evidence.
John Allen Nelson's narration complements the material, guiding listeners through Von Daniken's thought-provoking journey. However, be prepared for a toned-down version of the author. Gone is the strident voice of the past; instead, we encounter a more reflective Von Daniken—one who defends himself against accusations of showmanship and con artistry.
The heart of "History Is Wrong" lies in its challenge to the listener: Is Von Daniken a visionary or a charlatan? His examination of the Voynich manuscript offers little groundbreaking insight, but it does reinforce familiar theories. German linguist Erhard Landsmann's quirky conclusion—that "a prophet is thus a pumpkin-shaped spacecraft"—adds a touch of whimsy to the discussion.
In summary, "History Is Wrong" invites intellectual curiosity. Whether you're a skeptic or a believer, Von Daniken's audacious claims will provoke thought. As you listen, consider the possibility that history itself may be the ultimate enigma—one that Von Daniken continues to unravel.
The audiobook delves into two enigmatic subjects: the “Voynich manuscript” and the equally mysterious “Book of Enoch.”. The former, an ancient text that has defied decryption since its discovery, serves as a focal point for Von Daniken's exploration. His analysis takes unexpected turns, touching on topics like Nazca lines, underground metal libraries, and terraforming. While some of his claims may raise eyebrows, Von Daniken remains steadfast in his conviction that history has overlooked crucial evidence.
John Allen Nelson's narration complements the material, guiding listeners through Von Daniken's thought-provoking journey. However, be prepared for a toned-down version of the author. Gone is the strident voice of the past; instead, we encounter a more reflective Von Daniken—one who defends himself against accusations of showmanship and con artistry.
The heart of "History Is Wrong" lies in its challenge to the listener: Is Von Daniken a visionary or a charlatan? His examination of the Voynich manuscript offers little groundbreaking insight, but it does reinforce familiar theories. German linguist Erhard Landsmann's quirky conclusion—that "a prophet is thus a pumpkin-shaped spacecraft"—adds a touch of whimsy to the discussion.
In summary, "History Is Wrong" invites intellectual curiosity. Whether you're a skeptic or a believer, Von Daniken's audacious claims will provoke thought. As you listen, consider the possibility that history itself may be the ultimate enigma—one that Von Daniken continues to unravel.
February 19, 2020
Some interesting information and illustrative evidence was provided, but he spent a lot of time defending himself against accusations about his veracity. I didn't need to hear about the people who more or less betrayed him for whatever reasons. Either you read his theories and accept them, or don't. He doesn't really tell anyone what to believe, he just postulates and leaves the rest to the reader. For this, I thank him. He has given my belief system a whole new universe.
February 11, 2025
This book was easily the biggest pile of shit I’ve read in a long time.
The title could be changed to “Old man yells at cloud”
Pages upon pages of nothing but a man defending himself over nothing.
Read his other works avoid this!
The title could be changed to “Old man yells at cloud”
Pages upon pages of nothing but a man defending himself over nothing.
Read his other works avoid this!
May 14, 2022
From the studios of Epic Hubris and Bloated Bitterness, we bring you “EVERYONE ELSE IS WRONG ABOUT HISTORY AND WHY I WAS UNJUSTLY DEFAMED!” I came to this work for a glimpse of pre-history—like the author, believing that modern man is not at the apex of evolution. The glimpses were spread sparsely over defamation justifications and tirades about how extra terrestrials are history’s only reasonable explanation and why can’t religious types get over themselves to see this! (Plus the book of Moroni might be the closest to correct.) Between the book of Moroni and his Ecuador cave justification, Erich Von Daniken comes across as hoodwink-able.
May 26, 2019
I could not make it through this book. At all.
I wanted something interesting and more realistic, scientific to read as a break between my series marathoning and I grabbed this book because I knew how much my father loved it. And considering me and him have similar tastes about history and stuff like that, I thought I was going to enjoy it.
Boy, was I wrong.
I got 50 pages in before closing the book and setting it down because my brain was screaming at me to spare him from the torture. Daniken made everything so complicated and tangled, I couldn't decipher where it began and where it ended. Not only that, his writing is incredibly boring without bringing anything concrete to the table. It's just random fact after fact that has nothing to do with the topic and it just leaves you overwhelmed with information that isn't even that important.
Every few paragraphs we get his own opinions about it, where it's just him asking random questions in an attempt to make the reader think.
Spoiler alert: it doesn't work.
Incredibly boring writing on such an interesting and fun topic, which should have left me at the edge of my seat, hungrily flipping over the next page. It's a shame because I would love to know more about the topic but I just cannot make it through anymore, without my brain exploding.
Maybe the rest of the book becomes more interesting and less tangled, I wouldn't know. I only made it 50 pages in, but I am not planning on continuing. Maybe in a far far far future, but I doubt it.
I wanted something interesting and more realistic, scientific to read as a break between my series marathoning and I grabbed this book because I knew how much my father loved it. And considering me and him have similar tastes about history and stuff like that, I thought I was going to enjoy it.
Boy, was I wrong.
I got 50 pages in before closing the book and setting it down because my brain was screaming at me to spare him from the torture. Daniken made everything so complicated and tangled, I couldn't decipher where it began and where it ended. Not only that, his writing is incredibly boring without bringing anything concrete to the table. It's just random fact after fact that has nothing to do with the topic and it just leaves you overwhelmed with information that isn't even that important.
Every few paragraphs we get his own opinions about it, where it's just him asking random questions in an attempt to make the reader think.
Spoiler alert: it doesn't work.
Incredibly boring writing on such an interesting and fun topic, which should have left me at the edge of my seat, hungrily flipping over the next page. It's a shame because I would love to know more about the topic but I just cannot make it through anymore, without my brain exploding.
Maybe the rest of the book becomes more interesting and less tangled, I wouldn't know. I only made it 50 pages in, but I am not planning on continuing. Maybe in a far far far future, but I doubt it.
December 9, 2010
I was very hyped about finally reading a Daniken book since he is mentioned by other writers in his genre, if not quoted. Well I must say I was deeply disappointed, he maybe a great theorist, but this particular book was the worst one I could have started with. It was fairly interesting for the first 100 pages, the correlation with religious books like the Tora (Enoch), Mormons (Jared) & Bible (Noah) all retelling flood tails. The idea that "gods" could be early mans impression of extraterrestrials, is completely fascinating and the theories are plausible, but the problem arises after page 105! I must say he complains, whines and out right rants about the wrongs he's had done to him by the press & others in the past... it drags out what could have been a nicely stitched up book of all his earlier theorems with present day archeological evidence, like the metal library in Ecuador. I lost interest and at this point almost forgot about the Voynich manuscript, in my need to rush through this book. I only finished it hoping at some point he'd stop justifying the complaining he was doing, which did him no justice. I think I'll stick to other authors who can keep their emotional rants out of their writing... he sounds like a bitter man, tho he refutes that!
December 25, 2014
Yet another wonderful book from the writer of chariots of gods. Dealing with Extra Terrestrial relations of these Gods with our earth. Detailed evidence from hidden Metal Library of Ecuador
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March 19, 2016
Ko voli da dovodi u pitanje istoriju vere ova knjiga je pravi izbor. Deniken između ostalog pokušava da predstavi svoje ideje o značenju crteža u Naski, Čile, Ogromnim pećinama u Ekvadoru koje unutar svojih odaja kriju zlatnu biblioteku u kojoj je zapisana prava istorija čovečanstva i dokaz da religija nije ono što mislimo sada da jeste. Pročitajte…
August 5, 2021
As a Renowned Expert on being wrong about things, von Däniken might seem to be in a unique position to judge the incorrectness of other things. But his wild wrongness makes every thought he has into gibbering idiocy.
He's history's greatest expert in all sciences and religions. He knows the answer to literally every possible question before it is asked. The answer is aliens. Don't even bother asking. Aliens.
He openly admits to plagiarism and then spends most of the book howling about how *he* is the injured party. He repeatedly admits to vandalism and destruction of the only 'evidence' that would prove his claims. He is Dunning-Krueger syndrome incarnate.
But the worst sin von Däniken commits is being tiresome. If it didn't suck so much, turning a book about how aliens secretly did literally everything that ever happened (obviously) into an unending whine about his own imaginary superiority and the wickedness of the slings and arrows of his critics might be some sort of accomplishment. This makes him worse than the History channel and Whitley Strieber because he's not even laughable.
He's history's greatest expert in all sciences and religions. He knows the answer to literally every possible question before it is asked. The answer is aliens. Don't even bother asking. Aliens.
He openly admits to plagiarism and then spends most of the book howling about how *he* is the injured party. He repeatedly admits to vandalism and destruction of the only 'evidence' that would prove his claims. He is Dunning-Krueger syndrome incarnate.
But the worst sin von Däniken commits is being tiresome. If it didn't suck so much, turning a book about how aliens secretly did literally everything that ever happened (obviously) into an unending whine about his own imaginary superiority and the wickedness of the slings and arrows of his critics might be some sort of accomplishment. This makes him worse than the History channel and Whitley Strieber because he's not even laughable.
April 9, 2024
LOL... Had no idea what I was getting into, if you want the book version of 3 am History Channel specials here it is. You know what that means ALIENS!!!!
Without getting into specifics the books is basically this:
1.) Here are a bunch of unexplained text/artifacts
2.) Here are a bunch of religious texts with similarities
3.) Religion is stupid and aliens are clearly a better explanation
4.) Rants about people/nations/societies not being open to all this and how everyone deserves to know the truth and have access to the information of humanities true past (Therefore, it goes without saying that the author is a hero for what he's doing to expose this)
5.) "If you don't believe me do your own research!" Ahhh the goto pseudoscience answer when challenged... isn't the point of reading your book doing my own research? Translation... he doesn't have a sound explanation
6.) Finally the cherry on top of any pseudoscience explanation... strings of begging the question fallacies. Essentially, all this evidence could mean aliens, and you can't completely disprove that it doesn't, therefore I'm right.
Without getting into specifics the books is basically this:
1.) Here are a bunch of unexplained text/artifacts
2.) Here are a bunch of religious texts with similarities
3.) Religion is stupid and aliens are clearly a better explanation
4.) Rants about people/nations/societies not being open to all this and how everyone deserves to know the truth and have access to the information of humanities true past (Therefore, it goes without saying that the author is a hero for what he's doing to expose this)
5.) "If you don't believe me do your own research!" Ahhh the goto pseudoscience answer when challenged... isn't the point of reading your book doing my own research? Translation... he doesn't have a sound explanation
6.) Finally the cherry on top of any pseudoscience explanation... strings of begging the question fallacies. Essentially, all this evidence could mean aliens, and you can't completely disprove that it doesn't, therefore I'm right.
November 29, 2017
A point of view of realistic value. Ive always thought of iterating the bible using modern times. Ive always known back in the biblical days they didn’t have terms for what they have seen. So it was described in terms they knew, hence the spectacular. But once u think about in modern words it makes sense & this author just beat me to the print. I believe what Jacob, eziekel, enoch have seen is the truth, but in our modern times vocabulary they were EBEs & UFOs. I don’t care what anyone really thinks to the contrary of the phenomenon... it wont change the fact of the events that happened....is happening...and going to happen. For the gov to admit disclosure is admitting to a higher power than the US. And we know how vain these ppl are. For evry 1yr in the civilian world the military advances 60. Since 1947 to now the US military is 4200yrs ahead in technology. My nephew just enlisted in the air force & has top secret clearance, he said the tech they have is far beyond anything in the civilian sector. I already knew this and i can inly imagine what they have.
June 28, 2024
Dude is mad a system designed to keep crazy hypothesis from becoming new religions or established theory kept his hypothesis from becoming a religion or established theory. Daniken doesn't really defeat the people who argue against his model here.
I happen to think the Ancient Astronaut hypothesis isn't a poor one, but I also happen to think the branches of Science/Academia that contend with it aren't wrong for being conservative movers. Defeating them via their own methodology is the only way for all theory and religion moving forward, and we are better people for it.
We can challenge those institutions on willful blindness where they hold authority, but that's about it. The self correcting component of the Scientific Method and Rationalism is about all that will survive this era as we grow in our nature, and I'm not going to stand in the way of reasonable demands for evidence.
That being said History, as it's currently read, is completely wrong.
I happen to think the Ancient Astronaut hypothesis isn't a poor one, but I also happen to think the branches of Science/Academia that contend with it aren't wrong for being conservative movers. Defeating them via their own methodology is the only way for all theory and religion moving forward, and we are better people for it.
We can challenge those institutions on willful blindness where they hold authority, but that's about it. The self correcting component of the Scientific Method and Rationalism is about all that will survive this era as we grow in our nature, and I'm not going to stand in the way of reasonable demands for evidence.
That being said History, as it's currently read, is completely wrong.
June 2, 2021
é,segundo livro do von Däniken q eu pego pra ler
algumas coisas interessantes,mas nem sempre são 100% comprovadas
algumas citações ainda podem ser aproveitadas para pesquisa,de maneira normal
porém assim como "Eram os Deuses Astronautas",parece até teoria da conspiração
achei bastante interessante a questão da "biblioteca de metal"
porém,parece que vai ficar por isso mesmo
os que sabiam morreram,e se tiver alguém que ainda sabe,não quer falar e mesmo que fale,a tal tribo local não permite a passagem
fora que algumas fontes são de dificil consulta,já que são estrangeiras
:(
algumas coisas interessantes,mas nem sempre são 100% comprovadas
algumas citações ainda podem ser aproveitadas para pesquisa,de maneira normal
porém assim como "Eram os Deuses Astronautas",parece até teoria da conspiração
achei bastante interessante a questão da "biblioteca de metal"
porém,parece que vai ficar por isso mesmo
os que sabiam morreram,e se tiver alguém que ainda sabe,não quer falar e mesmo que fale,a tal tribo local não permite a passagem
fora que algumas fontes são de dificil consulta,já que são estrangeiras
:(
January 23, 2019
Interesting
This was an interesting and thought provoking read. The author does it offer specific conclusions to the two main themes of mysteries examined but rather offers methods and questions that can be used in the search for truth. He also takes time to explain at several points that these questions are not about disproving the existence of divinity which existence he seems to accept.
This was an interesting and thought provoking read. The author does it offer specific conclusions to the two main themes of mysteries examined but rather offers methods and questions that can be used in the search for truth. He also takes time to explain at several points that these questions are not about disproving the existence of divinity which existence he seems to accept.
February 26, 2019
Interesting information in the book but it felt like a good portion of the time was the author trying to clear his name while saying he wasn't trying to clear his name. I get it and would likely have done the same but feel like that could have all been lumped into a section at the beginning or end and not dumped in the middle. It's placement was relevant to the topic at that point of the book but it took me out of the moment and left me wondering if I should continue.
March 15, 2019
Similar to Von Daniken's other books, the author makes the reader think and consider what we find and see around us. Archaelogy is changing - long overdue - in the light of the 21st century knowledge of space travel and of what is beyond earth. Von Daniken is prompting the reader to revise past knowledge and beliefs with the knowledge we have today. The future... well, it will most certainly bring more.
November 18, 2020
A very interesting perspective. It gets a person thinking, and I would concede that it's definitely a possibility - rationally as much so as an all-powerful deity's existence. but... von Daniken really goes off on a tangent in the second half of the book, and basically just plugs his other books on the subject and defends some errors he made in the nineties.
I would like this book a LOT more if there were a good editor that trimmed it down to basically the first half of the book.
I would like this book a LOT more if there were a good editor that trimmed it down to basically the first half of the book.
December 12, 2023
Desde Niño he sentido mucho interés por este tipo de temas, relacionados con la intervención de alguna forma de vida extraterrestre a lo largo de nuestra historia, por lo tanto lo que expone Von Danikën en este libro, las fotografías, la información, dejan un buen sabor de boca y provocan curiosidad de querer ahondar más en el tema. Recomiendo esta lectura para quienes, al igual que yo, tienen curiosidad de querer indagar en teorías diferentes a las que ya todos conocen.
July 4, 2020
Once more Eric von Daniken has written an exceptional and well-researched book that puts all the world's religions in the right perspective as it references urtexts as well as mainstream publications.
Thoroughly enjoyable and intriguing read.
Highly recommended for those who have doubts about what religions tells us.
Thoroughly enjoyable and intriguing read.
Highly recommended for those who have doubts about what religions tells us.
December 21, 2022
Sin estar del todo de acuerdo con los postulados del autor si que coincido en algún tema,los historiadores oficiales no quieren salirse del círculo de respetabilidad,por eso tachan de invenciones las investigaciones de Con Daniken,sin pararse a comprobar por ellos mismos que en ocasiones la historia no es como nos la han contado.
June 21, 2019
Warts and all, there is no-one quite like von Daniken, and his theories and stories, as wild as they are, always verge on the mystical for me. I never tire of hearing about the plains of Nazca, either!
July 26, 2018
An adept review of modern theories and long held dogma that doesn't seem to make sense.
August 11, 2018
I read this book when I was younger and regret it. . .It's full of preposterous claims.
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