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Coral Castle: The Mystery of Ed Leedskalnin and His American Stonehenge
New - Signed By Rusty McClure
- GenresNonfictionBiography
192 pages, Hardcover
First published January 1, 2009
4 people are currently reading
133 people want to read
About the author
Rusty McClure
8 books38 followersRusty McClure, is the New York Times bestselling author of Crosley, Cincinnatus, Coral Castle, and Codename: Blackjack.
He has a Master of Divinity degree from Emory university and a Harvard MBA.
An advisor and investor in numerous entrepreneurial projects, Rusty teaches the entrepreneurial course at his undergraduate alma mater, Ohio Wesleyan university.
He is the son of Ellen Crosley McClure, who is the daughter of Lewis Crosley and direct descendant of the Crosley brothers.
Rusty resides with his wife and daughters in Dublin, Ohio.
Rusty has served as a PGA scoring observer for twenty years.
He has a Master of Divinity degree from Emory university and a Harvard MBA.
An advisor and investor in numerous entrepreneurial projects, Rusty teaches the entrepreneurial course at his undergraduate alma mater, Ohio Wesleyan university.
He is the son of Ellen Crosley McClure, who is the daughter of Lewis Crosley and direct descendant of the Crosley brothers.
Rusty resides with his wife and daughters in Dublin, Ohio.
Rusty has served as a PGA scoring observer for twenty years.
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Displaying 1 - 20 of 20 reviews
February 20, 2017
A very interesting book about the Coral Castle in Florida and the man who built it. It does make you wonder how he managed to build suck a complex by himself. Will definitely read again.
April 5, 2016
When we visited Coral Castle last week our excellent tour guide gave a very detailed summary of the main points also outlined in this book, but this is still essential reading for anyone whose imagination has been sparked by the story of Ed and his impressive and mysterious construction.
The book does a lot of work establishing the reliability of certain historical sources, and also tours the various more or less outlandish theories (ALIENS!) about how it was done, without getting into too much technical detail.
The story works because Ed is as fascinating a subject as his castle; a singularly talented yet tragic and confounding figure.
The book does a lot of work establishing the reliability of certain historical sources, and also tours the various more or less outlandish theories (ALIENS!) about how it was done, without getting into too much technical detail.
The story works because Ed is as fascinating a subject as his castle; a singularly talented yet tragic and confounding figure.
June 3, 2025
3.5!
Just a simple book about a fascinating topic! Of course it’s going to be great. I wished I read this before visiting Coral Castle for my birthday since I would’ve had a greater appreciation for all of the history around the place!!! When I visited, I had a tour guide named Willy who faked an accent in order to catch people’s attention LMAO, but was genuinely so passionate about the topic. It was amazing to see really. I loved the tour he gave and I will always remember him and the silly theories he’d throw out there to enlighten the guests of the different perspectives of Ed’s achievements. One of the more memorable ones was, “The Grays.” Which is basically just a slang term for Aliens that have gray skin😭 Idk why I found it so hilarious… AND EVEN MORE INTERESTING, was the fact that in our tour, we had Latvians in our group! So many talking points were made around that. Super unique experience without a doubt and I highly recommend seeking out Willy to be your tour guide if you ever go!
Just a simple book about a fascinating topic! Of course it’s going to be great. I wished I read this before visiting Coral Castle for my birthday since I would’ve had a greater appreciation for all of the history around the place!!! When I visited, I had a tour guide named Willy who faked an accent in order to catch people’s attention LMAO, but was genuinely so passionate about the topic. It was amazing to see really. I loved the tour he gave and I will always remember him and the silly theories he’d throw out there to enlighten the guests of the different perspectives of Ed’s achievements. One of the more memorable ones was, “The Grays.” Which is basically just a slang term for Aliens that have gray skin😭 Idk why I found it so hilarious… AND EVEN MORE INTERESTING, was the fact that in our tour, we had Latvians in our group! So many talking points were made around that. Super unique experience without a doubt and I highly recommend seeking out Willy to be your tour guide if you ever go!
July 5, 2024
A fascinating look into an incredible mystery! I visited the Coral Castle in 2017 and was blown away, now having read about it I am only more baffled.
January 1, 2015
Great book about an amazing man that only came to light to me, through some relatives who were in that area just a few years ago.
How did he lift those massive Florida stone rocks into place. The gate, which weights many tonnes, could be swung with the gentleness of a finger.
Truly this man was genius, but only his worldly views are quite disturbing, in a brief description of a booklet he published way back when.
This book is good, but I only wished the author would have gone into more detail about certain elements in the book. All in all, a very interesting read.
How did he lift those massive Florida stone rocks into place. The gate, which weights many tonnes, could be swung with the gentleness of a finger.
Truly this man was genius, but only his worldly views are quite disturbing, in a brief description of a booklet he published way back when.
This book is good, but I only wished the author would have gone into more detail about certain elements in the book. All in all, a very interesting read.
January 20, 2010
Amazing comprehensive look at this South Florida wonder. There are all these strange theories about how Ed Leedskalnin built Coral Castle. Did he really uncover the building secrets of the ancient Egyptians or harness the powers of anti-gravity, etc.
In any case, a very intersting read and an excellent overview of all of the theories surrounding Ed Leedskalnin's monument to lost love.
In any case, a very intersting read and an excellent overview of all of the theories surrounding Ed Leedskalnin's monument to lost love.
February 29, 2024
This is one of those fake skeptic books that appear to dismiss the many outlandish claims of unexplained phenomenon. Except afterwards he continues to point out things that leaves open the possibilities that those claims can be true. This is most evident with a pie-shaped stone that once balanced a heavy gate without crumbling. The author mention how it was supposedly analyzed by a university which determined that the stone was of unknown origins. The author uses the word alleged then mentions how they couldn't get a hold of the university to confirm. Another author is then mentioned who also couldn't reach the university hinting at the idea of a conspiracy. Pages later this analysis that probably isn't true is brought up but this time the author writes about it as being true. The only decent part would be the history and creation of the garden but even that is questionable. There's little information, the creater if the castle was a liar, and people who claimed to know him seems to have done so for 15 minutes of fame. The image of this place in my mind has changed and now this place doesn't seem to be that interesting or exciting.
March 23, 2018
A decent read about Leedskalnin's bizarre creation. When I visited the castle in person last month, it seemed a little absurd and kitschy, but the mystery behind the place is undeniably interesting. This book was a nice supplement to what I gleaned from the tour. I don't buy into the theories of magic powers or otherworldly intervention; rather I think this man was an adept and masterful mason who had lots of time, sufficient labor assistance, and a strange vision.
June 13, 2018
It's a great "journalist" interpretation....from propaganda to fact..research and science are only missing every part.....but u can't sell what u can't bottle or see....( I read that in an article in a magazine)
June 12, 2023
Very well researched book about a fascinating place. I picked this up in the coral castle gift shop after my visit there. The man behind the whole place seems very peculiar yet interesting. Worth the read for anyone interested in coral castle and every Floridian should visit it at least once
February 24, 2025
I’m inspired to see Coral Castle in person, although I’m not persuaded by the author that there’s any sort of metaphysical anomalies or supernatural elements explaining how Ed Leedsknin built these heavy stone structures. Nonetheless, an interesting piece of regional history in Homestead Florida.
February 20, 2025
A great man from Latvia, Edvards, demonstrates what true love can do, even on the other side of the world.
June 10, 2025
Very interesting and a easy read
November 7, 2013
Many of the popular tourist destinations in Florida have never appealed to an introverted guy like me enough as to motivate a desire to one day visit them. Coral Castle, I discovered, is quite the exception.
How an overwhelming work of art, built solely by a small and simple man of a poor and foreign background, managed to stay under the radar of (what I like to think) an educated adult like myself, prior to reading this work, is almost as much a mystery to me as the origin stories surrounding the work itself.
This book provides a decent summary on what is known on the topic. It documents the history of the site itself and its rather peculiar architect, Ed Leedskalnin, the various posited theories for how it was built (ranging from scientific ingenuity which Ed could not properly articulate - or perhaps kept to himself - to the harnessing of supernatural forces), and a visual, descriptive tour of the site as it presently stands, unblemished decades later by natural elements as oppressive as even tropical storms.
In this day and age, it can be hard to find an unbiased third party source to talk levelheadedly on a topic as fun, mystic, and controversial as Coral Castle. But this book fits the mold, calling attention to various schools of thought and testimonials, as well as the merits and limitations of claims following from such, and leaving the reader to make up their own mind on the matter. You may not find yourself convinced, as some are, that there is anything extraterrestrial going on here - I sure wasn't - but that does nothing to detract from one's marvel at the ultimate product. Whatever it was at work, Coral Castle is indisputably a remarkable sight to behold.
My only suggestion for the authors would be to incorporate more visual aid into some of the technical discussion, for some of the less scientifically adept (or visually challenged) readers like myself. I was fascinated by the material relating to, for example, Ed's perpetual motion machine, as well as methods for effortlessly moving multiple ton blocks, but had a hard time visualizing them at work.
How an overwhelming work of art, built solely by a small and simple man of a poor and foreign background, managed to stay under the radar of (what I like to think) an educated adult like myself, prior to reading this work, is almost as much a mystery to me as the origin stories surrounding the work itself.
This book provides a decent summary on what is known on the topic. It documents the history of the site itself and its rather peculiar architect, Ed Leedskalnin, the various posited theories for how it was built (ranging from scientific ingenuity which Ed could not properly articulate - or perhaps kept to himself - to the harnessing of supernatural forces), and a visual, descriptive tour of the site as it presently stands, unblemished decades later by natural elements as oppressive as even tropical storms.
In this day and age, it can be hard to find an unbiased third party source to talk levelheadedly on a topic as fun, mystic, and controversial as Coral Castle. But this book fits the mold, calling attention to various schools of thought and testimonials, as well as the merits and limitations of claims following from such, and leaving the reader to make up their own mind on the matter. You may not find yourself convinced, as some are, that there is anything extraterrestrial going on here - I sure wasn't - but that does nothing to detract from one's marvel at the ultimate product. Whatever it was at work, Coral Castle is indisputably a remarkable sight to behold.
My only suggestion for the authors would be to incorporate more visual aid into some of the technical discussion, for some of the less scientifically adept (or visually challenged) readers like myself. I was fascinated by the material relating to, for example, Ed's perpetual motion machine, as well as methods for effortlessly moving multiple ton blocks, but had a hard time visualizing them at work.
January 4, 2013
It was very interesting to learn about the life of skilled stonemason Ed Leedskalnin, who built his own castle out of the heaviest limestone/coral rocks that weigh tons and tons. He orginally built this for his "sweet sixteen", he really put his heart and soul into building this modern day stonehenge.I first found out about Ed and his Rock Gate Park (later renamed "Coral Castle")in a documentary about mysterious structures and the question relating to each one, how were they built? Could Ed have known the secret of how the pyramids were built like he claimed and used that to build his own astounding masterpiece?? I definitely plan on making the trip to Homestead,Florida one day to go on a tour to see this amazing coral castle with my own eyes. I really want to take pictures of it as well :)
October 22, 2013
This book portrays facts about the Coral Castle, an interesting and intriguing place of history located in Homestead, Florida. Edward Leedskalnin, Latvian immigrant, was an eccentric engineer and stone mason who worked alone with primitive tools to quarry, carve, and set more than 1,100 tons of coral rock into his stonehenge creation. The authors interviewed experts and researched the validity of the possibility of one man being able to accomplish this feat on his own.
As a Floridian, I could identify with the location. It also provided many lessons in history.
As a Floridian, I could identify with the location. It also provided many lessons in history.
July 17, 2012
The documented and factual account of Edward Leedskalnin. This book explains the theories of how he moved giant slabs of coral rock but does not come to any conclusions. Good background info for following books.
December 25, 2015
Probably the best factual book on the Coral Castle, but it's still unpolished. There a many spelling errors and it has a number of contradictions. If there's a revised version, I'd expect it to be much better.
November 21, 2017
i found this book very interesting. It talked about Ed Leedskalnin's history, his immigration to America, and the stone estate that he created. He was supposedly able to move huge masses of stone with a pulley system because he was able to harness the magnetic powers of the earth.
September 22, 2015
This was a quick fun read about a very mysterious guy and a place I'd like to visit.
Displaying 1 - 20 of 20 reviews