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The World Before: Arthur Ford and the Spirit Guides Reveal Earth's Secret Past and Future!
In A World Beyond, Arthur Ford gave Ruth Montgomery six predictions. Every one has come true! Now he returns with secret lore of the past and startling glimpses of the future.
Here is the extraordinary story of Creation and the fabulous lost worlds of Atlantis and Mu, the past lives of Winston Churchill, Franklin Roosevelt, Jackie Onassis, Richard Nixon, Elizabeth Taylor, Richard Burton, and other celebrities. The World Before forecasts things to come, among
• A solution to the world’s energy problem
• A reduction in crime throughout America
• The rise of a new national leader—in Germany
The World Before is a dramatic and exciting book that will capture the imagination of everyone who seeks a deeper understanding of the mysteries of life.
Here is the extraordinary story of Creation and the fabulous lost worlds of Atlantis and Mu, the past lives of Winston Churchill, Franklin Roosevelt, Jackie Onassis, Richard Nixon, Elizabeth Taylor, Richard Burton, and other celebrities. The World Before forecasts things to come, among
• A solution to the world’s energy problem
• A reduction in crime throughout America
• The rise of a new national leader—in Germany
The World Before is a dramatic and exciting book that will capture the imagination of everyone who seeks a deeper understanding of the mysteries of life.
288 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 1976
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Displaying 1 - 11 of 11 reviews
September 26, 2023
Ruth Montgomery was one of the best journalists of her day, serving in the press corp in Washington and as a writer and reporter in politics and world affairs. She combines her strong, logical journalist brain with her ability to step into the intuitive brain as a channel/medium. Easily dismissed by the post-Modern as "woo-woo" this resonated strongly with me. The art of prognosticating is sketchy but there is more of interest that comes out right than otherwise. Written in 1976, this is an old gem -- but only for the advanced student perhaps someone familiar with David Wilcock comes to mind.
April 25, 2016
Wow. Serves more as a cultural time capsule than anything else. I now understand where some of my fifty something New Age friends picked up their crazier ideas, including a certain defeatist belief there was nothing we could do to avert various social and politcal disasters. Also explains why more than a few of them thought it was possible to (energetically) travel to 'other planets' as this is a big portion of what Montgomery's so-called spirit guides are doing in the book. (For what it's worth, this was an interesting discussion of the metaphysical 'nature' of each planet in our solar system and helped me understand why a few started-in-the-'70s astrologers I've met think the planets have distinct personalities.)
Can't say I buy into any of what is speculated about in this one...but I did note with interest Montgomery's claim of a man rising up out of 'Abyssinia' circa the mid-'70s who bears an eerie resemblance to a future Soviet-linked tyrant later known to many as...well, you probably know who I mean.
Seriously, this book must have been like The Secret of its day. It had such a far flung impact that I don't think there's a single part of this I didn't feel I'd heard regurgitated in some New Age bookstore at some point...
Can't say I buy into any of what is speculated about in this one...but I did note with interest Montgomery's claim of a man rising up out of 'Abyssinia' circa the mid-'70s who bears an eerie resemblance to a future Soviet-linked tyrant later known to many as...well, you probably know who I mean.
Seriously, this book must have been like The Secret of its day. It had such a far flung impact that I don't think there's a single part of this I didn't feel I'd heard regurgitated in some New Age bookstore at some point...
December 24, 2018
This is a fascinating book of supposed history of the beginnings of the world and the great powers in Lemuria and Atlantis. Ruth Montgomery is aided by spiritual guides over a 16 year time span. It is a lesson in spiritualism and conservationism as well as futuristic predictions from the time of the book's copyright in 1976. It's fascinating to read the predictions and how they turned out based our actual history. The spiritual Guides also talked about the past lives of many public figures of the time and how some had early lives on Lemuria or Atlantis and how that carried over or into their more recent lives.
September 21, 2017
A fascinating read for a perspective on the 1970s New Age beliefs. Originally, I had picked up a stack of Ruth Montgomery's books from a very discounted Senior Center bargain basement sale. She wrote about a variety of things from spirit guides and reincarnation to the past world and the world to come back in the 70s and 80s.
I did really enjoy finally getting the chance to read about the people from Atlantis and Lemuria. I have only happened upon brief excerpts of the myths through various documentaries and a few books that only remain vague in my mind so this opportunity came to me at a good time. Take it all with a grain of salt, of course.
She did a form of automatic writing in which her "guides" fed her information to translate and distribute to her readers. A lot of it is very believable and interesting and some of it I found discardable, as with any source of information that you're not able to prove.
Overall, though, I found it very fun to read through. It just took me ages to get around to poring through it all. Lots of other books have taken priority over the years. I will definitely read through the rest of my stack of her books over time. I'm sure they will all be just as interesting. I'm glad I stumbled upon them.
I did really enjoy finally getting the chance to read about the people from Atlantis and Lemuria. I have only happened upon brief excerpts of the myths through various documentaries and a few books that only remain vague in my mind so this opportunity came to me at a good time. Take it all with a grain of salt, of course.
She did a form of automatic writing in which her "guides" fed her information to translate and distribute to her readers. A lot of it is very believable and interesting and some of it I found discardable, as with any source of information that you're not able to prove.
Overall, though, I found it very fun to read through. It just took me ages to get around to poring through it all. Lots of other books have taken priority over the years. I will definitely read through the rest of my stack of her books over time. I'm sure they will all be just as interesting. I'm glad I stumbled upon them.
May 25, 2024
MONTGOMERY’S “GUIDES” GO FROM PREHISTORY, TO THE 2ND COMING
Ruth Shick Montgomery (1912-2001) was a journalist and syndicated columnist in Washington, DC., who later became a psychic who wrote a number of metaphysical books (sometimes through ‘automatic writing’), and claimed that she could communicate with medium Arthur Ford after his death.
She wrote in the Foreword to this 1976 book, “This book marks the culmination of the most ambitious project that my spirit Guides have yet undertaken. Commencing with creation they trave the evolvement of Planet Earth from its gaseous beginnings, describe the advent of homo sapiens first in shadowy form and then in physical body, and recount his struggles with the elements, with gargantuan creatures of past ages, and with his own imperfect nature. They record man’s loves, foibles, vicissitudes, and eternal reach for God, climaxing with a kaleidoscopic view of the coming decades leading into the twenty-first century and the Second Coming of Christ. I have been extremely reluctant to undertake a project of such sweep and magnitude, and were it not that the Guides refused to take no for an answer, this book would never have been written.” (Pg. 9)
In the chapter, ‘A Prehistoric World-Tour,’ she states, “Unfortunately my Guides are neither physicians nor scientists; otherwise perhaps they could explain this process in more exact details. From my reading in the psychic field I am aware that the etheric body referred to is the aura, sometimes seen clairvoyantly, which surrounds a person from birth and is said to be the perfect pattern from which the physical body was formed.” (Pg. 151)
She acknowledges, “The Guides make no claims to the exactness of their dating, repeatedly stressing that earth time has little meaning in the realm of spirit, but with apologies for possible errors they state that ‘man made his advent on earth (the Adams and Eves) approximately four million years ago, Amelius in light andronynous form several million years earlier, and the Things many millions of years before that.’ It is to be hoped that if and when archaeologists dig up the fossilized remains of one of those Things, they will not conclude that it is the ‘missing link.’” (Pg. 172-173)
Ih the chapter, ‘Cycles of Rebirth,’ she states, “The Guides, having completed their fireside tour of prehistoric cultures, began morning session by declaring, ‘Let us proceed with the next phase of the book, which is the effect of these currents on today’s world. Lemurians are rather between cycles at this phase of history…The Renaissance in Europe… and the American struggle for independence … were primarily the works of Lemurians who reentered physical being to assist at crucial stages in world thought. Thomas Jefferson, Benjamin Franklin, and George Washington had been Lemurians…” (Pg. 188)
She says, “Since I am an inveterate Agatha Christie fan, I next asked about the grand old lady of English suspense novels. To my delight they said that as a small child I knew her, when Agatha was ‘an old man.’” (Pg. 202)
She acknowledges, “Some readers of my books have complained that the Guides only report on celebrities, and that they seem to have been ‘important’ in previous lives as well. On the first point the fault, if any, is mine. The Guides have told me about scores of others, but since they are unknown to the general public, I have felt that the subject matter would be of insufficient interest to readers of my books… Sometimes I make an exception to this rule, however, when information about the life of an individual contributes to our understanding of that period we are examining.” (Pg. 205)
She says, “Because of their remarkable record for accuracy, I asked the Guides for further predictions to include in this book, and although they themselves state that human beings have the power to alter seemingly irreversible trends, they diligently brought answers to my lists of questions. In the remainder of this chapter I will not use quotation marks, because all of the material is in the words of the Guides. But since at times my unseen friends have a tendency to editorialize, perhaps I should follow the lead of television networks and issue a disclaimer: The opinions expressed herein are not necessarily those of this station.” (Pg. 255)
She states “[Author’s note: Because of this reference to the return of Jesus, I asked about Biblical predictions that the anti-Christ would come first. Their reply follows.] The anti-Christ will be born within the next few years, and will be a threat to all when he grows to manhood. This is a real danger, for he will woo with silken voice and smooth manners, touting himself as the Messiah.” (Pg. 272)
She concludes,” later in the twenty-first century Jesus is planning to return to earth in a supreme try to restore God’s kingdom here. The anti-Christ will by then have been slain, opening the way to the real Messiah… when all is in readiness the Master will come again as a babe, to Mary… it is impossible to pinpoint the exact spot of his emergence from Mary’s womb, although it seems to be in the Eastern Hemisphere… many will be drawn… to this exalted soul, who will step forward to lead men back to God and establish peace on this war-torn globe… Yes, earth will survive, and so will man, to be given yet another chance by a patient and loving Creator.” (Pg. 288)
Those who enjoyed Ms. Montgomery’s previous works attributed to the ‘Guides’ will probably similarly enjoy this very wide-ranging one.
Ruth Shick Montgomery (1912-2001) was a journalist and syndicated columnist in Washington, DC., who later became a psychic who wrote a number of metaphysical books (sometimes through ‘automatic writing’), and claimed that she could communicate with medium Arthur Ford after his death.
She wrote in the Foreword to this 1976 book, “This book marks the culmination of the most ambitious project that my spirit Guides have yet undertaken. Commencing with creation they trave the evolvement of Planet Earth from its gaseous beginnings, describe the advent of homo sapiens first in shadowy form and then in physical body, and recount his struggles with the elements, with gargantuan creatures of past ages, and with his own imperfect nature. They record man’s loves, foibles, vicissitudes, and eternal reach for God, climaxing with a kaleidoscopic view of the coming decades leading into the twenty-first century and the Second Coming of Christ. I have been extremely reluctant to undertake a project of such sweep and magnitude, and were it not that the Guides refused to take no for an answer, this book would never have been written.” (Pg. 9)
In the chapter, ‘A Prehistoric World-Tour,’ she states, “Unfortunately my Guides are neither physicians nor scientists; otherwise perhaps they could explain this process in more exact details. From my reading in the psychic field I am aware that the etheric body referred to is the aura, sometimes seen clairvoyantly, which surrounds a person from birth and is said to be the perfect pattern from which the physical body was formed.” (Pg. 151)
She acknowledges, “The Guides make no claims to the exactness of their dating, repeatedly stressing that earth time has little meaning in the realm of spirit, but with apologies for possible errors they state that ‘man made his advent on earth (the Adams and Eves) approximately four million years ago, Amelius in light andronynous form several million years earlier, and the Things many millions of years before that.’ It is to be hoped that if and when archaeologists dig up the fossilized remains of one of those Things, they will not conclude that it is the ‘missing link.’” (Pg. 172-173)
Ih the chapter, ‘Cycles of Rebirth,’ she states, “The Guides, having completed their fireside tour of prehistoric cultures, began morning session by declaring, ‘Let us proceed with the next phase of the book, which is the effect of these currents on today’s world. Lemurians are rather between cycles at this phase of history…The Renaissance in Europe… and the American struggle for independence … were primarily the works of Lemurians who reentered physical being to assist at crucial stages in world thought. Thomas Jefferson, Benjamin Franklin, and George Washington had been Lemurians…” (Pg. 188)
She says, “Since I am an inveterate Agatha Christie fan, I next asked about the grand old lady of English suspense novels. To my delight they said that as a small child I knew her, when Agatha was ‘an old man.’” (Pg. 202)
She acknowledges, “Some readers of my books have complained that the Guides only report on celebrities, and that they seem to have been ‘important’ in previous lives as well. On the first point the fault, if any, is mine. The Guides have told me about scores of others, but since they are unknown to the general public, I have felt that the subject matter would be of insufficient interest to readers of my books… Sometimes I make an exception to this rule, however, when information about the life of an individual contributes to our understanding of that period we are examining.” (Pg. 205)
She says, “Because of their remarkable record for accuracy, I asked the Guides for further predictions to include in this book, and although they themselves state that human beings have the power to alter seemingly irreversible trends, they diligently brought answers to my lists of questions. In the remainder of this chapter I will not use quotation marks, because all of the material is in the words of the Guides. But since at times my unseen friends have a tendency to editorialize, perhaps I should follow the lead of television networks and issue a disclaimer: The opinions expressed herein are not necessarily those of this station.” (Pg. 255)
She states “[Author’s note: Because of this reference to the return of Jesus, I asked about Biblical predictions that the anti-Christ would come first. Their reply follows.] The anti-Christ will be born within the next few years, and will be a threat to all when he grows to manhood. This is a real danger, for he will woo with silken voice and smooth manners, touting himself as the Messiah.” (Pg. 272)
She concludes,” later in the twenty-first century Jesus is planning to return to earth in a supreme try to restore God’s kingdom here. The anti-Christ will by then have been slain, opening the way to the real Messiah… when all is in readiness the Master will come again as a babe, to Mary… it is impossible to pinpoint the exact spot of his emergence from Mary’s womb, although it seems to be in the Eastern Hemisphere… many will be drawn… to this exalted soul, who will step forward to lead men back to God and establish peace on this war-torn globe… Yes, earth will survive, and so will man, to be given yet another chance by a patient and loving Creator.” (Pg. 288)
Those who enjoyed Ms. Montgomery’s previous works attributed to the ‘Guides’ will probably similarly enjoy this very wide-ranging one.
April 26, 2020
Ruth Montgomery introduced me to some concepts that were alien to me before coming across her books.. such as Walk-ins. I started reading her books in the late 70's or early 80's. I read them all. I just finished re-reading The World Before — about 40 years after my first reading of the book — so, it's not new information. But since few of us remember everything we learn, it's nice to go back sometimes and glean the forgotten bits. For example..
.. the parts about Atlantis, dinosaurs, the Lemurians, and prior to that — the origins of man — were very enriching in light of other information I have come across in other books and sources over the decades. It served to supplement or reinforce more recent, similar research. In fact, I am surprised how much information her automatic writing imparted at that time in history (the 70's) — a time when very few people knew anything about life after death, reincarnation, ufology, psychics, Atlantis, spiritual awareness, and so forth.
The only thing that turned me off was, at the end, where commentary attributed to the spirit guides, had a blatant bent towards Conservative politics and against Liberals. In my experience with other spiritual literature, spirit beings (unless lower types) typically refrain from making such judgments. Perhaps Ruth's filters subconsciously colored the information. Or, it could be a case of her non-corporeal sources being limited in their own vibrational evolvement, having retained too much of their earthly biases. Even on the Other Side spirits are not all on the same level.
.. the parts about Atlantis, dinosaurs, the Lemurians, and prior to that — the origins of man — were very enriching in light of other information I have come across in other books and sources over the decades. It served to supplement or reinforce more recent, similar research. In fact, I am surprised how much information her automatic writing imparted at that time in history (the 70's) — a time when very few people knew anything about life after death, reincarnation, ufology, psychics, Atlantis, spiritual awareness, and so forth.
The only thing that turned me off was, at the end, where commentary attributed to the spirit guides, had a blatant bent towards Conservative politics and against Liberals. In my experience with other spiritual literature, spirit beings (unless lower types) typically refrain from making such judgments. Perhaps Ruth's filters subconsciously colored the information. Or, it could be a case of her non-corporeal sources being limited in their own vibrational evolvement, having retained too much of their earthly biases. Even on the Other Side spirits are not all on the same level.
October 2, 2025
This was my first introduction to Ruth Montgomery. It took me a bit to get into this book, maybe because I hadn't read her earlier works or the works she referenced throughout the book.
I did not grow up in a religious household and was taught to have an open mind. Throughout adulthood, Ive explored religion and took a dive into Christianity which included reading the Bible in its entirety.
This book does have some Christian themes but I would not call it a Christian book.
The ideas and theories proposed based off of spiritual guides are thought provoking and interesting. People with devout and strong faiths, may not enjoy this book but for those with open minds and hearts who might being questioning some of life's unanswerable questions, this might be a good book for you.
I cant say I fully believe in the stories told, or the theories proposed, but this book certainly made me look at humans, the Earth/universe, and time in a different perspective.
I have gotten my hands on a few of Montgomerys books and plan to continue reading her work.
Fair warning, this book is almost 50 years old with a some predictions that did not turn out accurate. Some things may seem dated due to the exponential advancement of society since 2000.
For anyone questioning their faith or having an existential crisis, this book might provide some guidance and give you a different look at some of your beliefs.
I did not grow up in a religious household and was taught to have an open mind. Throughout adulthood, Ive explored religion and took a dive into Christianity which included reading the Bible in its entirety.
This book does have some Christian themes but I would not call it a Christian book.
The ideas and theories proposed based off of spiritual guides are thought provoking and interesting. People with devout and strong faiths, may not enjoy this book but for those with open minds and hearts who might being questioning some of life's unanswerable questions, this might be a good book for you.
I cant say I fully believe in the stories told, or the theories proposed, but this book certainly made me look at humans, the Earth/universe, and time in a different perspective.
I have gotten my hands on a few of Montgomerys books and plan to continue reading her work.
Fair warning, this book is almost 50 years old with a some predictions that did not turn out accurate. Some things may seem dated due to the exponential advancement of society since 2000.
For anyone questioning their faith or having an existential crisis, this book might provide some guidance and give you a different look at some of your beliefs.
May 31, 2021
Some interesting concepts with some dated language. Glad the prediction about the axis shift didn't come to pass the way they mentioned it here!
This is one of a handful of books my dad sent me before he passed away. Finally trying to work my way through them.
This is one of a handful of books my dad sent me before he passed away. Finally trying to work my way through them.
October 10, 2017
Entertaining read for writers looking for ideas for Nanowrimo. If you believe in Mediumship I think it a fine example of how we need to be careful about what we believe because bias, judgment, experience, ego and many other factors can influence those who tell you they have the skill. Maybe they do but I think that a majority of what was written here came from the depths of the author’s mind and psyche. Still, great fodder for creative writing ideas 👍
January 31, 2014
Very interesting. Many parts agreed with what I've already learned about Atlantis/Lemuria and the soul.
April 26, 2016
Do not remember exactly when I read this, but it was sometime in the early 1970s. I was fascinated by her series of books though.
Displaying 1 - 11 of 11 reviews