History's Greatest Mysteries and the Secrets Behind Them

by Bill Price

Explore the most baffling puzzles, conundrums and secrets from throughout the ages. The world is full of grey areas, enigmas and unsolved mysteries, which can fascinate, intrigue and occasionally annoy in equal measure. From the gruesome murders committed by Jack the Ripper to the mystery of the missing Nazi gold, this book sheds light on these questions, some of which may never yield definitive answers.

The Greatest Mysteries ... Ever! takes a look at those baffling puzzles, conundrums and secrets that have defied explanation through the ages and attempts to crack history's greatest riddles.

- It tries to establish the truth behind well-known legends, including Atlantis, King Arthur and the abominable snowman.
- It looks at questions of identity, such as who sat for the Mona Lisa? Who wrote Shakespeare's plays? And who does the Turin Shroud show?
- And it sifts through the evidence if some unexplained disappearances, including Amelia Earhart, the crew of the Mary Celeste and the Zodiac Killer.

Of course, the solution often remains tantalizingly just out of reach. But, in the end, it is exactly this sense of mystery that attracts us to these unfinished stories in the first place.

Genres: History, Nonfiction, Mystery

144 pages, Paperback

First published December 31, 2012

About the author

Bill Price is originally from Herefordshire and now lives in North West London. After working in various areas of the UK book trade for fifteen years, he become a full time freelance writer and is now the author of ten books. Most of these have reflected his interest in the history of the nineteenth and twentieth centuries and, in particular, the First World War.

Reviews

[Siobhan · Rating 3 out of 5]

If the truth is to be told, this book doesn’t fall into my usual reads.

The book was handed to me by a relative as a general interest kind of read, as something she thought I might enjoy. It was interesting, I will say that, but I cannot see myself going out of my way to read it again and again or to read that many more books like it.

It was simply something different to pick up and read.

[Miliya · Rating 4 out of 5]

At first, I thought that I learn about famous mysteries, like Atlantis or the mystery death of Marilyn Monroe. But, it consist more on the mysteries that I don’t even aware that it is a mystery. Honestly, I don’t even know half the mysteries in this book. The format of presentation making it easier to understand. Like state the mystery, who is the protagonist and what is the outcome after investigation. Not all mysteries have an answer, and sometime it is even a hoax. The book also categories the mysteries accordingly, making it tide and neat. My favourite mysteries from this book are ‘The Lost Continent of Atlantis’ and ‘The Mary Celeste’, which can’t be solve until today. If this book written recently, I bet MH370 also could include in this book under category of ‘Unexplained Event’.
Personally, I recommend for people who love to read the real mystery and history.

[Chase Parsley · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was a satisfying, easy-to-read book about some of history's unsolved and solved mysteries. The reader reads about stuff like the Holy Grail, the Priory of Sion, the Loch Ness Monster, Roswell/Area 54, Amelia Earhart, and the assassination of JFK. Some of these "mysteries" are real and some are myths, and each covers around 3 pages. The author, Bill Price, is skeptical throughout the book and he seems to have no patience for crackpot theories (to my amusement). It is also interesting just to read what the basic arguments are for these mysteries. For example, Price goes over the major theories of the identity of William Shakespeare and Jack the Ripper; it is educational to see it laid out.

[Peter · Rating 5 out of 5]

Since childhood days I'm absolutely into mysteries. Of course I couldn't resist picking up this mouth watering book: the first humans, Atlantis, Stonehenge, King Arthur, who wrote the Shakespeare Plays, Yeti, the Franklin Expedition, Mary Celeste, Lourdes, Glenn Miller and his missing in action, Roswell, Bermuda Triangle, the assassination of JFK, the Zodiac Killer, Jimmy Hoffa... and many more intriguing stuff. This keeps me fascinated ever since. Many photos and maps included. Highly recommended.

[Kate · Rating 3 out of 5]

An interesting read and useful addition to my reference library, although a lot of the entries and information contained therein are so well known that I didn't really learn very much. Main bugbear is that the author is scathingly dismissive of conspiracy theories and theorists, and anything pertaining to the belief in extraterrestrial life. Without this needless authorial scorn I might have given this book another star.

[Mallory Mac · Rating 2 out of 5]

Parts of it were interesting, but I found several inaccuracies which made me question the author's reliability. The tone was also inconsistent - the author was fairly objective towards some entries, while for others he asserted some pretty strong opinions about what he felt was plausible.

All in all, I don't regret reading it because I did pick up some interesting tidbits here and there, but I'd take everything you read with a grain of salt.

[Maria Watkins · Rating 2 out of 5]

History’s Greatest Mysteries, and the secrets behind them
256 pages
⭐️⭐️

I expected this book to have actually secrets behind the mysteries, but most of the information in the mysteries, I already knew. Each mystery had three to five pages of text, and a few photos, but I wish that it was expanded more.

Overall this was a little of a disappointment. I’ll be donating it, and I hope that someone else can find enjoyment out of it.

[Nicole · Rating 3 out of 5]

Some of these were really interesting, but others didn’t add anything to the existing conspiracies surrounding the mystery. There were also a few that I just didn’t care for, but this was an interesting look at some cool mysteries.

[Axel Matfin · Rating 3 out of 5]

A fine catalogue of some of the world's great mysteries. Worth it for the reference shelf.

[Himanshu Shooter · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great

[Tze Ong · Rating 3 out of 5]

I just finished reading History's Greatest Mysteries and the Secrets Behind Them,a book about history and its events by Bill Price.In this book it explained the theories and facts about many unsolved mysteries throughout history from infamous crimes to unexplained events.In my opinion,this books has some theories that some people don't agree with and it does not have enough evidence to support it,that is why i give it 3 stars out of 5 stars.I would recommend this book to anyone that likes theories and history,even though i don't really like it i believe everyone is entitled to their own opinion and if you like theories this is a book worth checking out.

[Martin · Rating 2 out of 5]

This book is a collection of 50 short essays attempting to explain various mysterious happenings throughout recorded history, from the Arc of the Covenant and The Holy Grail to the JFK assassination and even the true author of the works of Shakespeare. Take from that what you will.

By short, I mean each chapter – or “entry” as the author calls them – is no longer than three or four pages, and this is by no means enough space to handle the complexities of the subjects covered. The author, Bill Price, clearly has a passion for history, especially medieval and Victorian history, but he is less than charitable with more contemporary topics.

He is disdainful in his treatment of anything that resembles a conspiracy theory, often dismissing out of hand any theory that doesn’t match up with his orthodox world view. Take Roswell for instance; a highly complex and well-studied mystery among the Fortean community. Price dismisses all possibility of alternate explanations and swallows the government story, hook, line and sinker. What’s worse is, he suggests that the reader should too. The Roswell situation is by no means resolved, in anyone’s eyes, and for an author purporting to explain and celebrate the mysteries of the world, his methods leave something to be desired.

One wonders why he would have included such topics as the Bermuda Triangle or the Yeti if he had little regard for the many theories offered by learned men and women the world over. But, it is conceivable that editors and literary agents might have pressured him to include topics that would generate interest from a younger, more internet savvy demographic.

Given his treatment of these more esoteric subjects, one might hesitate to accept his conclusions regarding other, more traditional mysteries (if there is such a thing). To quote the book, I suspect that many of his conclusions are nothing more than a “load of nonsense.” He offers no new information, and gives no sources to inspect for any of his “facts”. Though the book does offer a “further reading” list, which is also quite short, but still appreciated.

To point out the silver lining in this storm cloud, I will say that his literary style is charming and witty, and that I would consider reading any of his other books on European history and other subjects for which he has an obvious passion.

In the end, I recommend that you pick up this book from your local library, if you can find it, rather than wasting money and being disappointed.

[Ted · Rating 1 out of 5]

I'm glad this book was in the bargain bin.  It's has a lot of tantalizing subjects that it covers, but it is by no means a history book.  There are some things in it that are just plain wrong and show where the author didn't do his research on the subject.  The part I found unacceptable for a book posing as a history book was his obvious disdain for alternate theories on some of the subjects. For instance the chapter on the Nazca Lines where he opens up with calling Erich Von Daniken a fraud and goes on to say anyone that shares his views must be on drugs.   Completely out of line for a book posing as a historical and scientific look at mysteries.  In short, if you do purchase the book, get a book with real facts afterword to get a more accurate view of the mysteries.

[Anjanette · Rating 5 out of 5]

Interesting and very humorous compilation of unusual and unexplained events throughout history.

read more on my blog: http://readerhayworth.blogspot.com/

[Margret · Rating 5 out of 5]

It's interesting and I enjoyed reading it. Well written and easy to read. I already read it a couple of times and I loved all the mystery involved in history. Fascinated!