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Humans Are Not from Earth: A Scientific Evaluation of the Evidence
The Neanderthals had brow ridges to keep the sun out of their eyes, but why don't we? When a leading scientist walked into a wall and broke his nose, he decided to find out. In this fascinating and wide-ranging book, Dr. Ellis Silver examines the evidence that's all around us ... and discovers that we evolved on a world distinctly different from the one we live on today. Here's what you'll 53 factors that prove we couldn't have evolved on Earth Why we're here on Earth, and how and when we got here Where our true home planet is, and what it's like to live there Why valid evidence is ignored, denied and covered up by scientists and governments. (There's actually a very good reason.) What we really know about extraterrestrials and their spacecraft Dr. Silver also The origins of RNA and DNA, and how life evolved - on Earth and elsewhere A more accurate timeline of human evolution - without the gaps and mistakes Why the Theory of Evolution is wrong - and how to fix it Why the Out of Africa theory is wrong - and what really happened And much, much more Each topic is discussed in depth and backed up with concrete evidence. There are testimonies from expert witnesses, including former world leaders, astronauts, pilots, military personnel, and business leaders; and over 100 pages of references.
If you're interested in discovering the truth about humankind’s origins, this mindblowing and compelling book is a must-read. This book is also available as a paperback.
If you're interested in discovering the truth about humankind’s origins, this mindblowing and compelling book is a must-read. This book is also available as a paperback.
648 pages, Kindle Edition
First published June 23, 2013
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3106 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 89 reviews
February 19, 2014
Humans are not from Earth: a scientific evaluation of the evidence was a bit of a left-field choice for my reading list I’ll admit. The self-published book by ‘U.S. ecologist Ellis Silver’ (more on that later) caught my attention at the back end of last year when it was discussed on the Skeptics with a K podcast.
The book exploded into public consciousness when it was covered on the Daily Fail, and shared at the last count 58,000 times, and from the looks of it, parroted and linked to on countless conspiracy theory websites, including Alex Jones’ notorious Prison Planet.
I bought it as it was only 77p on my Kindle and then completely forgot about it. I found it again as I was tidying up my Kindle and putting together a list of my next ten books, and, remembering that it was only supposed to take a couple of hours to read, decided to give it a shot.
Ellis’ thesis is that humans did not evolve along with the rest of life on earth but that we were planted here by aliens (either fully formed or after being interbred with Neanderthals, he can't decide which), possibly to punish us for being war-mongering and horrible.
Here are his genuine reasons:
The sun hurts our eyes
The sun kills us (gives us skin cancer)
Some people suffer from seasonal affective disorder (SAD)
We commonly suffer from bad backs
We have 223 apparently unique genes
There no 'missing link' the fossil record
We lack the ability to sense the Earth's magnetic fields (and use to get a sense of direction)
We lack body hair
Some people suffer from hay fever and asthma
We like eating tasty food that is sometimes bad for us
We breed too much, resulting in overpopulation
We lack natural defenses against large predators
We're destroying the environment
The technological leap from protohumans to modern day is just too great
We suffer from a host of chronic illness.
So, basically: I don't understand; therefore aliens.
As Ellis’ friend, Dave Haslett, says: “there are far too many coincidences for it to be a coincidence.’ (This is genuinely used as an argument in the book.)
Ellis' ridiculous arguments have been dismantled by others so I won't bother doing it here.
I’m not actually convinced that Humans are not from Earth isn’t just a massively successful hoax. The best writers at the Onion couldn’t have written a more convincing parody of conspiracy theory/poor science literacy/vanity publishing literature.
To check that it wasn’t actually just someone taking the piss, I did a little search for ‘Dr’ Ellis Silver and his academic background; he was referred to as an 'expert' in several reports on the book, although it was never clear what of - self-publicity perhaps? I can’t find much of anything that suggests that Ellis Silver is even a real person, nevermind one with a doctorate in ecology from a US institution. Nothing turns up on Google Scholar for an academic and a regular google search just turns up countless links to the book and to the publisher’s webpage, i4w2. There’s also nothing on the Amazon author’s page, and on an inactive twitter account for Ellis Silver, ‘ecological consultant and author’, there are just a handful of tweets referring to the book's publisher. *Alarm bells ringing*
Hoax or not, I think Humans are not from Earth would actually make a great learning resource: you could play name that logical fallacy, learn how not to formulate an argument, and, if you want to teach someone about evolution, going through everything this book gets wrong would actually be a pretty good place to start.
Anyone with a basic understanding of biology/who's heard of Occam’s Razor might laugh at this batshit crazy stuff, but the uncritical Daily Mail article, the way this tripe spread unchecked across the net, and the 10 five-star reviews for the book on Amazon (if they're not also parodies), are all pretty dispiriting.
The book exploded into public consciousness when it was covered on the Daily Fail, and shared at the last count 58,000 times, and from the looks of it, parroted and linked to on countless conspiracy theory websites, including Alex Jones’ notorious Prison Planet.
I bought it as it was only 77p on my Kindle and then completely forgot about it. I found it again as I was tidying up my Kindle and putting together a list of my next ten books, and, remembering that it was only supposed to take a couple of hours to read, decided to give it a shot.
Ellis’ thesis is that humans did not evolve along with the rest of life on earth but that we were planted here by aliens (either fully formed or after being interbred with Neanderthals, he can't decide which), possibly to punish us for being war-mongering and horrible.
Here are his genuine reasons:
The sun hurts our eyes
The sun kills us (gives us skin cancer)
Some people suffer from seasonal affective disorder (SAD)
We commonly suffer from bad backs
We have 223 apparently unique genes
There no 'missing link' the fossil record
We lack the ability to sense the Earth's magnetic fields (and use to get a sense of direction)
We lack body hair
Some people suffer from hay fever and asthma
We like eating tasty food that is sometimes bad for us
We breed too much, resulting in overpopulation
We lack natural defenses against large predators
We're destroying the environment
The technological leap from protohumans to modern day is just too great
We suffer from a host of chronic illness.
So, basically: I don't understand; therefore aliens.
As Ellis’ friend, Dave Haslett, says: “there are far too many coincidences for it to be a coincidence.’ (This is genuinely used as an argument in the book.)
Ellis' ridiculous arguments have been dismantled by others so I won't bother doing it here.
I’m not actually convinced that Humans are not from Earth isn’t just a massively successful hoax. The best writers at the Onion couldn’t have written a more convincing parody of conspiracy theory/poor science literacy/vanity publishing literature.
To check that it wasn’t actually just someone taking the piss, I did a little search for ‘Dr’ Ellis Silver and his academic background; he was referred to as an 'expert' in several reports on the book, although it was never clear what of - self-publicity perhaps? I can’t find much of anything that suggests that Ellis Silver is even a real person, nevermind one with a doctorate in ecology from a US institution. Nothing turns up on Google Scholar for an academic and a regular google search just turns up countless links to the book and to the publisher’s webpage, i4w2. There’s also nothing on the Amazon author’s page, and on an inactive twitter account for Ellis Silver, ‘ecological consultant and author’, there are just a handful of tweets referring to the book's publisher. *Alarm bells ringing*
Hoax or not, I think Humans are not from Earth would actually make a great learning resource: you could play name that logical fallacy, learn how not to formulate an argument, and, if you want to teach someone about evolution, going through everything this book gets wrong would actually be a pretty good place to start.
Anyone with a basic understanding of biology/who's heard of Occam’s Razor might laugh at this batshit crazy stuff, but the uncritical Daily Mail article, the way this tripe spread unchecked across the net, and the 10 five-star reviews for the book on Amazon (if they're not also parodies), are all pretty dispiriting.
March 8, 2019
Note PhD reviewer to PhD writer. More of a peer review than a popular review. Overall though very disappointing. Its writing and thinking are similar to what I get from first year non science majors rushing an assignment the night before. Most of the thinking is incomplete and/or incorrect.
Silver’s hypothesis is that humans were brought (As is) to earth. But cannot completely rule out gene splicing.
His evidences
Lack of radio contact does not mean aliens not out there. Means different technology and/or ignoring us. Likely. I have heard Nick Pope say something similar.
Silver has to defend this is not humans natural environment. His 17 are below
1 sun hurts our eyes. (But does not take into account imperfect evolution of eye and assumes evolution always progress which it does not)
2 sun kills us. (Only misconception here is why no fur... need no fur to cool. But that also proves his point.)
3 seasonal affective disorder. (I have to agree with him here too. Good point about Africa too with more consistent sun. Sumer also.)
4. Bad backs. Better nutrition to bigger is correct. But back structure is already weakened due to changes for bipedalism so his case is weak here.
5. Alien hybridization. 223 novel genes true. Alien though is a leap without looking at any gene duplications and mutations. Argument weakened relating 24 pairs of chimp chromosomes to human Down Syndrome. Totally different cytogenetic basis.
6. Lack of fossil record. Does not understand how difficult it is to form and find fossils so lack of is not proof. Also needs to explain if humans and chimps are so different why the skeletons have the same number of bones in nearly the same orientation.
7? Though good points about being maladapted to environment and surviving it by brain power.
8. Lack of body hair. He refuted ok the more accepted hypotheses and the outlier aquatic ancestor one ok this time. But also nothing convincing of an alien origin.
9. Hay fever and asthma. Perhaps.
10. Diet. Maybe ok.
11 overpopulation. No. All species will do that if left alone with unlimited supplies. Says past our limit. But has anyone really calculated limit? Culling yes will happen, but does not need aliens
12. Lack of defensive capabilities. Ok here until tried to say migration was into Africa because that does not fit DNA and fossil evidence. But good case on lack of defense. And pockets of humans rather than 1 population also likely correct.
13. Destroying the environment. All true but does not mean alien. Humans can simply be stubborn or stupid. And recall Sitchin`s idea. Aliens were here for gold to save their environment.
14. Technological advances. Ok points but maybe just positive feedback.
15. Chronic illness. Perhaps valid.
16. Unhappiness and depression. Valid observations.
17. Self destruction. Also good observations. But 15, 16, 17 could also be no direction to evolution. Best fit for problem at time, too bad about the other consequences.
Where did we come from?
At least consistent with above ideas (and incomplete thinking.)
Correct about 25 hrs as natural rhythm
Rest speculative.
Forgets about natural disasters as explanation for sudden abandonment of settlement. Like Lesser Dyads recent. Same comment for civilizations gain and loss. Though some evidence for evidence for regionalism exists.
Humans did breed with Neanderthals. End of book even more speculative. Misuse theory when mean hypothesis.
More correct score on his ideas plausibility and evidence. 3.
Silver’s hypothesis is that humans were brought (As is) to earth. But cannot completely rule out gene splicing.
His evidences
Lack of radio contact does not mean aliens not out there. Means different technology and/or ignoring us. Likely. I have heard Nick Pope say something similar.
Silver has to defend this is not humans natural environment. His 17 are below
1 sun hurts our eyes. (But does not take into account imperfect evolution of eye and assumes evolution always progress which it does not)
2 sun kills us. (Only misconception here is why no fur... need no fur to cool. But that also proves his point.)
3 seasonal affective disorder. (I have to agree with him here too. Good point about Africa too with more consistent sun. Sumer also.)
4. Bad backs. Better nutrition to bigger is correct. But back structure is already weakened due to changes for bipedalism so his case is weak here.
5. Alien hybridization. 223 novel genes true. Alien though is a leap without looking at any gene duplications and mutations. Argument weakened relating 24 pairs of chimp chromosomes to human Down Syndrome. Totally different cytogenetic basis.
6. Lack of fossil record. Does not understand how difficult it is to form and find fossils so lack of is not proof. Also needs to explain if humans and chimps are so different why the skeletons have the same number of bones in nearly the same orientation.
7? Though good points about being maladapted to environment and surviving it by brain power.
8. Lack of body hair. He refuted ok the more accepted hypotheses and the outlier aquatic ancestor one ok this time. But also nothing convincing of an alien origin.
9. Hay fever and asthma. Perhaps.
10. Diet. Maybe ok.
11 overpopulation. No. All species will do that if left alone with unlimited supplies. Says past our limit. But has anyone really calculated limit? Culling yes will happen, but does not need aliens
12. Lack of defensive capabilities. Ok here until tried to say migration was into Africa because that does not fit DNA and fossil evidence. But good case on lack of defense. And pockets of humans rather than 1 population also likely correct.
13. Destroying the environment. All true but does not mean alien. Humans can simply be stubborn or stupid. And recall Sitchin`s idea. Aliens were here for gold to save their environment.
14. Technological advances. Ok points but maybe just positive feedback.
15. Chronic illness. Perhaps valid.
16. Unhappiness and depression. Valid observations.
17. Self destruction. Also good observations. But 15, 16, 17 could also be no direction to evolution. Best fit for problem at time, too bad about the other consequences.
Where did we come from?
At least consistent with above ideas (and incomplete thinking.)
Correct about 25 hrs as natural rhythm
Rest speculative.
Forgets about natural disasters as explanation for sudden abandonment of settlement. Like Lesser Dyads recent. Same comment for civilizations gain and loss. Though some evidence for evidence for regionalism exists.
Humans did breed with Neanderthals. End of book even more speculative. Misuse theory when mean hypothesis.
More correct score on his ideas plausibility and evidence. 3.
Want to read
November 13, 2016
“We are all chronically ill,” says Silver. “Indeed, if you can find a single person who is 100% fit and healthy and not suffering from some (perhaps hidden or unstated) condition or disorder (there’s an extensive list in the book) I would be extremely surprised – I have not been able to find anyone.”
“I believe that many of our problems stem from the simple fact that our internal body clocks have evolved to expect a 25 hour day (this has been proven by sleep researchers), but the Earth’s day is only 24 hours. This is not a modern condition – the same factors can be traced all the way back through mankind’s history on Earth.”
September 25, 2018
How can I start with this book?
This book is pretty good, makes you question things you already know from school or what other people tell you about history, about humans, about Earth.
I believe the main purpose of this book at least in me is that helps you have an open mind, investigate more, don't take everything from granted.
For me the most interesting chapter is the 2nd, I believe is the largest chapter in the book, and makes you think about the human kind and their history.
I think this book's intention is not for you to believe evrything it says, but to question and research more.
Besides the purpose of the book once you read it you can take with you a lot of things you didn't know about. One of the most surprising things for me that I wasn't aware of is the Gombe chimpanzee war.
For sure I take with me more than a few books to read from this. Also, you can tell that this book has a lot of research on the background, nearly 20% of the book are the resources of the information talked.
This book definitely makes you think.
This book is pretty good, makes you question things you already know from school or what other people tell you about history, about humans, about Earth.
I believe the main purpose of this book at least in me is that helps you have an open mind, investigate more, don't take everything from granted.
For me the most interesting chapter is the 2nd, I believe is the largest chapter in the book, and makes you think about the human kind and their history.
I think this book's intention is not for you to believe evrything it says, but to question and research more.
Besides the purpose of the book once you read it you can take with you a lot of things you didn't know about. One of the most surprising things for me that I wasn't aware of is the Gombe chimpanzee war.
For sure I take with me more than a few books to read from this. Also, you can tell that this book has a lot of research on the background, nearly 20% of the book are the resources of the information talked.
This book definitely makes you think.
February 24, 2018
Thought provoking. My only complaint is that it's really repetitive.
Currently reading
February 6, 2023Through 2 chapters, the overall evidence has felt thin and I'm not able to draw the same conclusions as the author. There hasn't been any substantial evidence presented that would possibly have me looking down the rabbit hole.
Some interesting information presented (will update as I read):
- Everyone with blue eyes has a common ancestor who had a genetic mutation that turned out the eyes ability to produce melanin. I have blue eyes so thought this was neat. I remember reading about this elsewhere too
Some interesting information presented (will update as I read):
- Everyone with blue eyes has a common ancestor who had a genetic mutation that turned out the eyes ability to produce melanin. I have blue eyes so thought this was neat. I remember reading about this elsewhere too
August 4, 2020
Todo es posible, no me convencen muchas de las cosas qué hay aquí pero todo puede ser, hay que tener una mente abierta para este libro.
P.d. Mi sexto libro en inglés 🥳
P.d. Mi sexto libro en inglés 🥳
November 5, 2021
The first two chapters in the book was interesting but overall I felt the author jumped to conclusions far to quickly, phrased the arguments solely to proof he's point and cited little evidence to support he's assumptions.
Some of it was interesting but overall not for me.
The last few chapters are a little ridiculous in how many things are cited as "evidence" to substantiate the opening chapters. The writing was also so repetitive that I skipped over sections.
Some of it was interesting but overall not for me.
The last few chapters are a little ridiculous in how many things are cited as "evidence" to substantiate the opening chapters. The writing was also so repetitive that I skipped over sections.
October 23, 2021
Humans are not from earth?! Then should we call us alien?
Dr. Silver draws some worryingly common sense conclusions that man denies the possibility of evolution on Earth. This is undoubtedly an interesting reading that makes me think a little differently about evolution and adaptation. Even though we were already aware of the issues in our Islamic religion, his arguments sounded very good, and really made me think anew.
You should read once if you want to read a different kinda book. Happy reads.
Dr. Silver draws some worryingly common sense conclusions that man denies the possibility of evolution on Earth. This is undoubtedly an interesting reading that makes me think a little differently about evolution and adaptation. Even though we were already aware of the issues in our Islamic religion, his arguments sounded very good, and really made me think anew.
You should read once if you want to read a different kinda book. Happy reads.
April 26, 2018
I will say that this is an interesting book.
Beyond that, it's one that leaps to conclusions and makes lots of assumptions that may or may not be correct.
The author's belief is that human beings, as we are today, are not from the Earth but from another planet, brought here several times by aliens. Natural disasters killed off some groups so others had to be brought in.
His assmption that we are not native to this planet is based on human biology and difficulties with our bodies.
As to our supposed home planet, it has 25 hour days, no seasons, not very nutritious plant food and a gravity near ours. He lists various stellar systems that we could be from.
There are mentions of the Grenada Treaty. (Look it up on Google.) There are various species of extra-terrestrials including the Grays, the Reptilians, the Nordics, the Tall Whites and a variety of others. Not all of them are friendly and two of the groups are at war with each other. There have also been human/alien hybrids.
Whether or not they plan to take over the planet is not determined.
He also does somewhat support certain creationist ideas, especially the one pointing out the lack of fluent evolution, there being no species of humanoids halfway between the Neandetrthal and Homo Sapiens, for example. Humans ended up with no brow ridges, he points out. He also strongly suports the cover-up theories for why people don't know about all the alien types.
He does cite references for many of his statements. Still, I don't agree with his conclusions. I think there is adequate scientific evidence for humans actually evolving on the Earth.
He says that our solar system is sort of in the boodocks of the galaxy, for example, so why would there be so many different alien species coming here?
Oh, he also holds that the Earth might be a prison planet for those that they brought here. Sort of a galactic Australia (if you don't know what I'm referring to, look up British history in relation to Australia.)
(Interestingly enough that also is related to C. S. Lewis's fictional books about the Earth.)
Beyond that, it's one that leaps to conclusions and makes lots of assumptions that may or may not be correct.
The author's belief is that human beings, as we are today, are not from the Earth but from another planet, brought here several times by aliens. Natural disasters killed off some groups so others had to be brought in.
His assmption that we are not native to this planet is based on human biology and difficulties with our bodies.
As to our supposed home planet, it has 25 hour days, no seasons, not very nutritious plant food and a gravity near ours. He lists various stellar systems that we could be from.
There are mentions of the Grenada Treaty. (Look it up on Google.) There are various species of extra-terrestrials including the Grays, the Reptilians, the Nordics, the Tall Whites and a variety of others. Not all of them are friendly and two of the groups are at war with each other. There have also been human/alien hybrids.
Whether or not they plan to take over the planet is not determined.
He also does somewhat support certain creationist ideas, especially the one pointing out the lack of fluent evolution, there being no species of humanoids halfway between the Neandetrthal and Homo Sapiens, for example. Humans ended up with no brow ridges, he points out. He also strongly suports the cover-up theories for why people don't know about all the alien types.
He does cite references for many of his statements. Still, I don't agree with his conclusions. I think there is adequate scientific evidence for humans actually evolving on the Earth.
He says that our solar system is sort of in the boodocks of the galaxy, for example, so why would there be so many different alien species coming here?
Oh, he also holds that the Earth might be a prison planet for those that they brought here. Sort of a galactic Australia (if you don't know what I'm referring to, look up British history in relation to Australia.)
(Interestingly enough that also is related to C. S. Lewis's fictional books about the Earth.)
May 17, 2016
A must read for inquiring minds
Thought provoking work from a very open minded original thinker. Some of the evidence was a surprise for me, although I was familiar with both anthropology studies and anatomical works. The bodily adaptations for aquatic life that we share were surprising such as our kidneys being similar to marine mammals in filtering out salt make you think, while I was aware of the lack of body hair and subcutaneous fat controversy for evolution. Dr. Silver favors a alien intervention theory but he includes numerous alternatives along with presenting the cracks in the current evolutionary dogma. Whether you are entranced by any of the theories presented is not as important as the questions that are raised in this most intriguing book. True scientists will have to address these issues and adapt their theories to accommodate the answers.
Thought provoking work from a very open minded original thinker. Some of the evidence was a surprise for me, although I was familiar with both anthropology studies and anatomical works. The bodily adaptations for aquatic life that we share were surprising such as our kidneys being similar to marine mammals in filtering out salt make you think, while I was aware of the lack of body hair and subcutaneous fat controversy for evolution. Dr. Silver favors a alien intervention theory but he includes numerous alternatives along with presenting the cracks in the current evolutionary dogma. Whether you are entranced by any of the theories presented is not as important as the questions that are raised in this most intriguing book. True scientists will have to address these issues and adapt their theories to accommodate the answers.
June 9, 2023
Interesting read but...
I agree that human has so many different attributes than the other forms of lives. Yet, it is really hard to grasp that there is alien intervention. The writer tries to point out some of the factors but could not manage to create strong arguments on favour of those.
Overall, it seems like a premature argument of 'What if' with a slice of hesitancy-creating science.
I agree that human has so many different attributes than the other forms of lives. Yet, it is really hard to grasp that there is alien intervention. The writer tries to point out some of the factors but could not manage to create strong arguments on favour of those.
Overall, it seems like a premature argument of 'What if' with a slice of hesitancy-creating science.
March 7, 2014
Intresting and this book widens ones horizon and thinking. Keep it up !!
April 4, 2025
This book is a rambling spiel of misinformation and pseudoscience based on no science, just vibes.
I am not convinced that Ellis Silver has a high school diploma, let alone a doctorate in ecology. For that matter I am not convinced that Ellis Silver is a real person. I could not find a single reference to "Dr." Silver that was not in some way directly tied to this book. Generally when someone claims to have a doctorate on a nonsense pseudoscience book I can look them up and find that they do have a doctorate but it's in a completely unrelated field.
This book is nonsense. Complete and utter nonsense.
The impression is that the author has never taken a single class in genetics or evolutionary biology let alone ecology.
The author repeatedly goes off on unnecessary tangents for no reason.
The science is sketchy at best and almost none of the cited sources are reliable. One "source" is a now defunct satire website.
Humans are from earth. We evolved here. We are from here.
At best this book is pseudoscientific nonsense and wild speculation based on fundamental misunderstandings on Silver's part to understand the evidence that we have. At worst the book is dangerous misinformation that includes antisemitic conspiracies.
None of this book is real. It's all nonsense.
I am not convinced that Ellis Silver has a high school diploma, let alone a doctorate in ecology. For that matter I am not convinced that Ellis Silver is a real person. I could not find a single reference to "Dr." Silver that was not in some way directly tied to this book. Generally when someone claims to have a doctorate on a nonsense pseudoscience book I can look them up and find that they do have a doctorate but it's in a completely unrelated field.
This book is nonsense. Complete and utter nonsense.
The impression is that the author has never taken a single class in genetics or evolutionary biology let alone ecology.
The author repeatedly goes off on unnecessary tangents for no reason.
The science is sketchy at best and almost none of the cited sources are reliable. One "source" is a now defunct satire website.
Humans are from earth. We evolved here. We are from here.
At best this book is pseudoscientific nonsense and wild speculation based on fundamental misunderstandings on Silver's part to understand the evidence that we have. At worst the book is dangerous misinformation that includes antisemitic conspiracies.
None of this book is real. It's all nonsense.
February 2, 2024
Dr. Silver's book explores genetic anomalies suggesting extraterrestrial origins for humanity, challenging conventional views. Despite having scientific backing, it lacks broader consensus and empirical evidence, leaving readers intrigued but in need of more proof. The hypothesis prompts reflection on human evolution, adaptation to Earth, and the influence of external factors, yet its speculative nature leaves questions unanswered. Despite having a compelling story, the book struggles to fully meet the scientific rigor required by the larger community.
July 15, 2019
I really tried to read this book. I think the title is thought provoking and I was very interested to read. However, I had a really hard time getting through his writing style. Obviously, it's a self-published book, which means it has the potential to be really rough. A good editor could really whip this book into shape.
With that said, I can see how he makes his conclusions and I don't think they are totally baseless. There are things about our bodies don't seem to be as adapted to this planet as we should be if we were born here. It's something to think about.
With that said, I can see how he makes his conclusions and I don't think they are totally baseless. There are things about our bodies don't seem to be as adapted to this planet as we should be if we were born here. It's something to think about.
November 19, 2020
Good
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
April 27, 2023
Thoughts provoking and interesting but not much supporting evidence.
June 26, 2020
A lot more interesting than you might imagine. A well laid-out series of points where human evolution does not match up to the human environment/experience here on Earth when by all of Darwin's laws we should not have turned out the way we have as a species if we'd been evolving here all along. Obvious stuff like the human head being too large for the female birth canal, causing a high percentage of maternal death pre-modern medicine, a huge evolutionary disadvantage. Our inability to cope with our sun in various ways (a little thing like squinting is discussed) and lots of other things that make you go 'hmmmm'.
So if you're into questioning 'settled' evolutionary science, you'll enjoy this book tremendously.
So if you're into questioning 'settled' evolutionary science, you'll enjoy this book tremendously.
October 24, 2017
Nice assumptions and research ,worth breaking our heads rather than being materialistic
Lot of good research points.
Worth thinking about including all the human race.
Not specific to a particular race in general to all human.
Lot of good research points.
Worth thinking about including all the human race.
Not specific to a particular race in general to all human.
October 14, 2015
The fact this is even being called scientific is laughable. I did find it amusing though.
May 2, 2024
Some interesting ideas but pushed further than the evidence warrants.
Humans are not perfectly designed for the world in which they live. For example, the sun dazzles our eyes, but it doesn’t dazzle other creatures. And we have a range of limitations and illnesses which evolution over time might have been expected to have improved. The author concludes that humanity must have been designed with a different world in mind. For example, human internal clocks run at about a 25 hour day, so our original planet of origin must have had a 25 hour day.
These are interesting ideas, and the book contains a fascinating catalogue of human limitations. But does it really mean that humanity must have come from a different planet? Yes, human eyes are not optimized for the sun (with nictitating membranes), but nor are other primates. The author deals with that inconvenient piece of evidence by saying that primates lived in shady jungles so they didn’t need to deal with the sun, unlike humans. But if humans and primates share an evolutionary journey (in some sense) doesn’t the fact that that Primates and Humans have the same eye features suggest that they both evolved in the same place, ie on planet Earth?
Generally the book’s use of evidence was questionable. To illustrate that point here are three claims that occur at the same place (ie 25% into the book). We are told that Scientists have banned Space Ships landing on Mars in the places most likely to contain life, in order to not-contaminate it. That claim is evidenced by reference to a Newspaper story.
Then we are told that ‘some’ non-mainstream geneticists think alien DNA was spliced into human DNA. Really? Who are the ‘some’ geneticists? But no names or details are provided.
Then we’re told that ‘there’s plenty of evidence of external interference in our genome’ (25%). No, there are features which can be interpreted as evidence with an appropriate argument for doing so, or those features can be not-interpreted as evidence. A sound argument cannot just jump from an apparent similarity in the appearance of splicing in DNA to a conclusion that splicing has occurred.
The book’s appeal to other sources is also questionable in places. We are told that the book Forbidden Archaeology ‘proves beyond question’ that humans have been on earth for at least two million years (34%). Really? Peer review rejects that idea. The author accepts that mainstream science calls the book ‘pseudo science’ and then he adds ‘although it absolutely isn’t.’ But there is no evidence provided to prove that it ‘absolutely isn’t?’ And there is no evidence provided to show that mainstream science is ‘indoctrinated’ against the author’s views, because professional scientists are afraid of losing funding (88%).
The author’s use of Scientific evidence is also problematic. He cites the 1907 experiment to prove that humans have souls by weighing dead bodies to show that they lose mass when the soul departs (53%). That was debunked almost at the time, as it was found to be impossible to replicate the experiment.
By the end of the book the author believes that there is a ‘staggering amount of evidence’ (60%) which proves that humans did not (or could not?) have evolved on Earth. But the claims in the book are not evidence. They are at most hypotheses which need further evidence in order to be substantiated.
One of the core problems in the book is that it analyses human appropriateness for planet Earth, feature by feature, so a properly evolved human with fitness for Earth environment should have features which are optimized individually as X, Y, Z. But perhaps a properly evolved human is the totality of features (X, Y, Z). To put it another way, perhaps the limitations and problems humans face are by products or side-effects of other advantages? The interplay of genes is so complicated that it is almost impossible to argue that humans could, or should, have not had the specific defects which the author cites, if they had really evolved on planet Earth.
Overall, this is an interesting book when it focuses of the limitations of humanity. Those sections raise genuinely interesting puzzles about why humans have evolved as they have. But when the book jumps to conclusions that humanity has come from a different planet, it ends up advancing hypotheses as if they are evidenced theories.
(These comments are based on the Second Edition, Kindle version of the book).
Humans are not perfectly designed for the world in which they live. For example, the sun dazzles our eyes, but it doesn’t dazzle other creatures. And we have a range of limitations and illnesses which evolution over time might have been expected to have improved. The author concludes that humanity must have been designed with a different world in mind. For example, human internal clocks run at about a 25 hour day, so our original planet of origin must have had a 25 hour day.
These are interesting ideas, and the book contains a fascinating catalogue of human limitations. But does it really mean that humanity must have come from a different planet? Yes, human eyes are not optimized for the sun (with nictitating membranes), but nor are other primates. The author deals with that inconvenient piece of evidence by saying that primates lived in shady jungles so they didn’t need to deal with the sun, unlike humans. But if humans and primates share an evolutionary journey (in some sense) doesn’t the fact that that Primates and Humans have the same eye features suggest that they both evolved in the same place, ie on planet Earth?
Generally the book’s use of evidence was questionable. To illustrate that point here are three claims that occur at the same place (ie 25% into the book). We are told that Scientists have banned Space Ships landing on Mars in the places most likely to contain life, in order to not-contaminate it. That claim is evidenced by reference to a Newspaper story.
Then we are told that ‘some’ non-mainstream geneticists think alien DNA was spliced into human DNA. Really? Who are the ‘some’ geneticists? But no names or details are provided.
Then we’re told that ‘there’s plenty of evidence of external interference in our genome’ (25%). No, there are features which can be interpreted as evidence with an appropriate argument for doing so, or those features can be not-interpreted as evidence. A sound argument cannot just jump from an apparent similarity in the appearance of splicing in DNA to a conclusion that splicing has occurred.
The book’s appeal to other sources is also questionable in places. We are told that the book Forbidden Archaeology ‘proves beyond question’ that humans have been on earth for at least two million years (34%). Really? Peer review rejects that idea. The author accepts that mainstream science calls the book ‘pseudo science’ and then he adds ‘although it absolutely isn’t.’ But there is no evidence provided to prove that it ‘absolutely isn’t?’ And there is no evidence provided to show that mainstream science is ‘indoctrinated’ against the author’s views, because professional scientists are afraid of losing funding (88%).
The author’s use of Scientific evidence is also problematic. He cites the 1907 experiment to prove that humans have souls by weighing dead bodies to show that they lose mass when the soul departs (53%). That was debunked almost at the time, as it was found to be impossible to replicate the experiment.
By the end of the book the author believes that there is a ‘staggering amount of evidence’ (60%) which proves that humans did not (or could not?) have evolved on Earth. But the claims in the book are not evidence. They are at most hypotheses which need further evidence in order to be substantiated.
One of the core problems in the book is that it analyses human appropriateness for planet Earth, feature by feature, so a properly evolved human with fitness for Earth environment should have features which are optimized individually as X, Y, Z. But perhaps a properly evolved human is the totality of features (X, Y, Z). To put it another way, perhaps the limitations and problems humans face are by products or side-effects of other advantages? The interplay of genes is so complicated that it is almost impossible to argue that humans could, or should, have not had the specific defects which the author cites, if they had really evolved on planet Earth.
Overall, this is an interesting book when it focuses of the limitations of humanity. Those sections raise genuinely interesting puzzles about why humans have evolved as they have. But when the book jumps to conclusions that humanity has come from a different planet, it ends up advancing hypotheses as if they are evidenced theories.
(These comments are based on the Second Edition, Kindle version of the book).
March 7, 2022
Wherenare we From ?
In school we were taught that man evolved on this planet and was descended from hominids. The first human appear around 100 thousand to 300 thousand years ago and it was not only 10 to 12 thousand years ago that we began making civilizations. All that’s sounds really good but.....
If man evolved on this planet first from apes and then later from hominids like homo erectus and homo hibilis then that would mean our entire evolution happened on this planet that we should be so well adapted that we should not have the sicknesses that we have. The author states that humans are too fragile for like on earth and that we are the least well suited organisms to survive. We have sickness that the other animals do not have. We have higher rates of cancer, and other sicknesses that other animals do not seem to have. Our skull shape is different than tha of other hominids. They also have thick eyebrows to protect them from the sun. Other animals have a membrane that protects their eyes from the sun but we humans do not have them.
Archaeology is finding anomalies that are throwing the timeline askew. Artififacts like tin cups or hammers are found buried in rock formations millions of years old or at least before mankind was know to exist either on earth or in that area. In other words the archaeology is older than mankind. How can that be and how did it get there? Good question.
Dr. Ellis Silver seems to believe that aliens deposited us here on this planet at different intervals over time. Some of the population made it and some did not. His speculate that they may have put us here as part of a prison planet. Or they were putting us here because there planet was dying or it was an experiment. Not sure if I buy the whole alien theory. I mean why would they go to the trouble to alter our genes so we could live her especially if this was a prison planet?
HE also believes that our government is working with different types of aliens and that so0me species maybe harmful to us while others are beneficial.
The theory has some strong points. The universe or space is too large for there not to be life on other planets. High probability they checked our planet out. But them creating us or splicing our genes or having them work with our governments then where is the proof? No smoking gun.
True we are more fragile than most animals but there are animals who get sunburned, get cancer and experience some of our other ailments. Do not think that is extraterrestrial .b Interesting theory but I have to say no dice.
In school we were taught that man evolved on this planet and was descended from hominids. The first human appear around 100 thousand to 300 thousand years ago and it was not only 10 to 12 thousand years ago that we began making civilizations. All that’s sounds really good but.....
If man evolved on this planet first from apes and then later from hominids like homo erectus and homo hibilis then that would mean our entire evolution happened on this planet that we should be so well adapted that we should not have the sicknesses that we have. The author states that humans are too fragile for like on earth and that we are the least well suited organisms to survive. We have sickness that the other animals do not have. We have higher rates of cancer, and other sicknesses that other animals do not seem to have. Our skull shape is different than tha of other hominids. They also have thick eyebrows to protect them from the sun. Other animals have a membrane that protects their eyes from the sun but we humans do not have them.
Archaeology is finding anomalies that are throwing the timeline askew. Artififacts like tin cups or hammers are found buried in rock formations millions of years old or at least before mankind was know to exist either on earth or in that area. In other words the archaeology is older than mankind. How can that be and how did it get there? Good question.
Dr. Ellis Silver seems to believe that aliens deposited us here on this planet at different intervals over time. Some of the population made it and some did not. His speculate that they may have put us here as part of a prison planet. Or they were putting us here because there planet was dying or it was an experiment. Not sure if I buy the whole alien theory. I mean why would they go to the trouble to alter our genes so we could live her especially if this was a prison planet?
HE also believes that our government is working with different types of aliens and that so0me species maybe harmful to us while others are beneficial.
The theory has some strong points. The universe or space is too large for there not to be life on other planets. High probability they checked our planet out. But them creating us or splicing our genes or having them work with our governments then where is the proof? No smoking gun.
True we are more fragile than most animals but there are animals who get sunburned, get cancer and experience some of our other ailments. Do not think that is extraterrestrial .b Interesting theory but I have to say no dice.
July 11, 2019
Humans are not from Earth is an immensely intriguing and stimulating subject, yet it provokes heavy criticism. Dr. Ellis Silver offers an extensive scientific evaluation of the evidence for and against man’s evolution on Planet Earth. Not only does Dr. Silver answer the most controversial questions involving man’s evolution, but there are links to websites and many sources supporting his claim.
There are 53 factors that prove that humans couldn't have evolved on Earth as to even explain why we are here on Earth and even more importantly how we got here. Therefore, if we are not from, Earth, Dr. Silver has some suggestions as to where is our true home planet is and what type of environment we actually evolved.
The biggest question is why is this not well known or accepted. Basically, all valid evidence is ignored or denied and usually covered up by scientists and governments as conspiracy. He also covers everything from the DNA science and archaeology to the conspiracies and known extraterrestrial species. All of the 53 factors are very convincing though the most interesting and most compelling is our inability to adapt to our environment. The Sun dazzles and damages our eyes and skin without protection of sunglasses and SPF skin lotion whereas all other creatures on Earth have evolved to avoid these problems with nictitating membranes for their eyes or thick hair or fatty skin. We don’t respond to the four seasons like other animals; furthermore, seasonal changes cause some real problems for us, and naturally, we don’t have any methods of coping with the dramatic changes in the seasons. Our diet is an interesting topic as well because based on our physiology, we were never meant to eat meat. Ancient ancestors diet were plant based. Many people believe our heavy meat diets contribute to our chronic ailments. Dr Silver compares carnivores and herbivores attributes as to why we were never meant to eat meat, so we probably started eating meat because the plants on Earth are not as nutritious as on the home planet or we copied the native hominins.
Dr. Silver goes into great detail in this book proving that humans are not from Earth. It is a very enjoyable book that covers all the topics involving this highly controversial subject. Overall, if the truth of our origins is intriguing, then this book is a must read.
There are 53 factors that prove that humans couldn't have evolved on Earth as to even explain why we are here on Earth and even more importantly how we got here. Therefore, if we are not from, Earth, Dr. Silver has some suggestions as to where is our true home planet is and what type of environment we actually evolved.
The biggest question is why is this not well known or accepted. Basically, all valid evidence is ignored or denied and usually covered up by scientists and governments as conspiracy. He also covers everything from the DNA science and archaeology to the conspiracies and known extraterrestrial species. All of the 53 factors are very convincing though the most interesting and most compelling is our inability to adapt to our environment. The Sun dazzles and damages our eyes and skin without protection of sunglasses and SPF skin lotion whereas all other creatures on Earth have evolved to avoid these problems with nictitating membranes for their eyes or thick hair or fatty skin. We don’t respond to the four seasons like other animals; furthermore, seasonal changes cause some real problems for us, and naturally, we don’t have any methods of coping with the dramatic changes in the seasons. Our diet is an interesting topic as well because based on our physiology, we were never meant to eat meat. Ancient ancestors diet were plant based. Many people believe our heavy meat diets contribute to our chronic ailments. Dr Silver compares carnivores and herbivores attributes as to why we were never meant to eat meat, so we probably started eating meat because the plants on Earth are not as nutritious as on the home planet or we copied the native hominins.
Dr. Silver goes into great detail in this book proving that humans are not from Earth. It is a very enjoyable book that covers all the topics involving this highly controversial subject. Overall, if the truth of our origins is intriguing, then this book is a must read.
February 19, 2019
Humans are not from Earth: a scientific evaluation of the evidence (2nd Edition) Kindle Edition
by Ellis Silver
This was an enjoyable, thought provoking book.
Dr. Silver lays out each of his arguments carefully and presents his evidence. He also more than adequately gives us end notes to look at. Unfortunately, and this is so not the author's fault, the new Amazon scrolling system makes it hard to look at the end note and get back to where you were in the main text.
The breadth of his knowledge is amazing and they depth that he argues to his point with that knowledge bowled me over. He was able to continue the line of thought of the Earth environment and oxygen aren't necessarily healthy for us by using the gas mixture deep sea divers use right after using the First Great Die Off that was caused by bacteria that emitted too much oxygen. No matter how far or deep he reached to present evidence, Dr. Silver's presentation was simple to follow as well as prepare questions. Those questions were sometimes answered, even though it might take a few chapter and at times, the questions you have hang there, forcing you to research on your own.
Going into this book with an open mind is required because if you don't, revelations such as Dr. Silver met aliens or the chapter on the types of aliens might make you give the book a side eye.
I am so glad that this was an e-book! If it were paper, all my notes and highlighting would make it a big mess. I had so many questions and ideas put into the notes.
It was great that Dr. Ellis covered the objections and ideas that were sent to him from his first edition. Dr Silver is also very kind and welcomes some questions. This is a plus
This book is also jam packed with ideas for writers of speculative fiction.
With all of these pluses, I can't help but highly recommend the book
5 stars out of 5
https://smile.amazon.com/Humans-are-n...
by Ellis Silver
This was an enjoyable, thought provoking book.
Dr. Silver lays out each of his arguments carefully and presents his evidence. He also more than adequately gives us end notes to look at. Unfortunately, and this is so not the author's fault, the new Amazon scrolling system makes it hard to look at the end note and get back to where you were in the main text.
The breadth of his knowledge is amazing and they depth that he argues to his point with that knowledge bowled me over. He was able to continue the line of thought of the Earth environment and oxygen aren't necessarily healthy for us by using the gas mixture deep sea divers use right after using the First Great Die Off that was caused by bacteria that emitted too much oxygen. No matter how far or deep he reached to present evidence, Dr. Silver's presentation was simple to follow as well as prepare questions. Those questions were sometimes answered, even though it might take a few chapter and at times, the questions you have hang there, forcing you to research on your own.
Going into this book with an open mind is required because if you don't, revelations such as Dr. Silver met aliens or the chapter on the types of aliens might make you give the book a side eye.
I am so glad that this was an e-book! If it were paper, all my notes and highlighting would make it a big mess. I had so many questions and ideas put into the notes.
It was great that Dr. Ellis covered the objections and ideas that were sent to him from his first edition. Dr Silver is also very kind and welcomes some questions. This is a plus
This book is also jam packed with ideas for writers of speculative fiction.
With all of these pluses, I can't help but highly recommend the book
5 stars out of 5
https://smile.amazon.com/Humans-are-n...
April 9, 2024
An amazing book, it really supports by a bunch of evidence that humans have been specially created in some extraterrestrial place.
And as a Muslim we already believe that the same thing actually happened, Allah Almighty( God) has created man ( not any mysterious alien). He tells in the Holy Qur'an that He created the first man Hazrat Adam (AS) and his wife Hawwa [Eve] (AS) in Heaven ( as told here that humans belong to some lavish place.)
Then Allah told Adam from to live peacefully and luxuriously in Jannah( heaven) and do whatever you want, except that, don't eat the fruit of a particular tree.
But due to satan's misleading he made a mistake of eating the fruit and he was removed from heaven as a punishment for this transgression, and was sent to earth. ( And to our amaze, Mr. Silver used the same words of "punishment" in the book.
Then man was told that this earth doesn't belong to you, you have to live here for worshipping Allah, and you will live a scanty life here compared to the infinite life in heaven, (and as earth doesn't mean to man, he is in a constant rush of achieving ultimate pleasure, which he will never get before Hereafter, because we see not even the whealtheist people are fully satisfied with their life, everyone feels some gap in his being, {and we muslims get it filled by worship, it indeed removes all the worries and uneasiness from self.... }And same has been told by the author). And many other evidences that prove the Islamic concepts of human origin true.
SubhanAllah!
And as a Muslim we already believe that the same thing actually happened, Allah Almighty( God) has created man ( not any mysterious alien). He tells in the Holy Qur'an that He created the first man Hazrat Adam (AS) and his wife Hawwa [Eve] (AS) in Heaven ( as told here that humans belong to some lavish place.)
Then Allah told Adam from to live peacefully and luxuriously in Jannah( heaven) and do whatever you want, except that, don't eat the fruit of a particular tree.
But due to satan's misleading he made a mistake of eating the fruit and he was removed from heaven as a punishment for this transgression, and was sent to earth. ( And to our amaze, Mr. Silver used the same words of "punishment" in the book.
Then man was told that this earth doesn't belong to you, you have to live here for worshipping Allah, and you will live a scanty life here compared to the infinite life in heaven, (and as earth doesn't mean to man, he is in a constant rush of achieving ultimate pleasure, which he will never get before Hereafter, because we see not even the whealtheist people are fully satisfied with their life, everyone feels some gap in his being, {and we muslims get it filled by worship, it indeed removes all the worries and uneasiness from self.... }And same has been told by the author). And many other evidences that prove the Islamic concepts of human origin true.
SubhanAllah!
August 24, 2025
Not a good read but lots of facts and references for research purposes
Confusing, rambling, disorganized, contradictory, a jumbled mass of facts and references formed into mere conjecture with no logical structure resulting in a wild ride through an Alice in Wonderland of extraterrestrial related human origin. I attempted to keep an open mind throughout, I am a strong believer in a possible, even probable extraterrestrial origin or intervention of human evolution and there were many interesting facts and possibilities to consider, however, in the end, the ideology is too hard to follow as it is more granular and topical than it is cohesive and there is no overarching vision tying the points together. It felt “lost” from beginning to end and I was definitely disappointed which I rarely am with books. I am not deterred from looking for other books on similar topics that may be a bit more well written but I cannot recommend this book unless you are looking for lots of facts and references formed into mere your own research or book. That it has in spades with a thorough reference section following the book, links, and even an archived version of all of the linked articles which is a nice touch since, as we all know, the internet is a living document and can move, change, and disappear on a dime.
Confusing, rambling, disorganized, contradictory, a jumbled mass of facts and references formed into mere conjecture with no logical structure resulting in a wild ride through an Alice in Wonderland of extraterrestrial related human origin. I attempted to keep an open mind throughout, I am a strong believer in a possible, even probable extraterrestrial origin or intervention of human evolution and there were many interesting facts and possibilities to consider, however, in the end, the ideology is too hard to follow as it is more granular and topical than it is cohesive and there is no overarching vision tying the points together. It felt “lost” from beginning to end and I was definitely disappointed which I rarely am with books. I am not deterred from looking for other books on similar topics that may be a bit more well written but I cannot recommend this book unless you are looking for lots of facts and references formed into mere your own research or book. That it has in spades with a thorough reference section following the book, links, and even an archived version of all of the linked articles which is a nice touch since, as we all know, the internet is a living document and can move, change, and disappear on a dime.
October 15, 2023
Well-researched and presented
"A scientific evaluation of the evidence," indeed! I was impressed by the author's thoroughness and attention to detail. He presented in a way that clearly stated his beliefs and understanding while leaving room for discussion, faith, and admitting what's unknown. It was refreshing.
I am a person of faith, but that neither negates my belief in science or extraterrestrial life. After all, God created all things. I'm also not arrogant enough to think humans are the center of anything. I don't know what the answers are, but it's fun trying to learn about them, and this book did a wonderful job adding to my wealth of knowledge!
There's so much to love with this title. The concepts are deep and vast. The organization is beautifully crafted with a timeline of events. Honesty is breathed into the words, telling fact from opinion and what theories prevail and why. Credit is given when due, and in all this academia, there's an engaging read.
I recommend this book. It has a lot to offer - insight, archeological and biological data, truths about biases in science... Whatever you believe, it's an eye-opener while still being enjoyable, entertaining, and engaging.
"A scientific evaluation of the evidence," indeed! I was impressed by the author's thoroughness and attention to detail. He presented in a way that clearly stated his beliefs and understanding while leaving room for discussion, faith, and admitting what's unknown. It was refreshing.
I am a person of faith, but that neither negates my belief in science or extraterrestrial life. After all, God created all things. I'm also not arrogant enough to think humans are the center of anything. I don't know what the answers are, but it's fun trying to learn about them, and this book did a wonderful job adding to my wealth of knowledge!
There's so much to love with this title. The concepts are deep and vast. The organization is beautifully crafted with a timeline of events. Honesty is breathed into the words, telling fact from opinion and what theories prevail and why. Credit is given when due, and in all this academia, there's an engaging read.
I recommend this book. It has a lot to offer - insight, archeological and biological data, truths about biases in science... Whatever you believe, it's an eye-opener while still being enjoyable, entertaining, and engaging.
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