After a chance conversation in Egypt in 2008, bestselling historian Gavin Menzies launched himself on a quest that would reveal the truth behind the mystery of Atlantis and her destruction. Through an examination of documentary and academic research, metallurgy, ancient shipbuilding and navigation techniques, artefacts and DNA evidence, Menzies slowly and painstakingly reveals a trading empire that spanned from the Great Lakes in North America to Kerala in India. And in doing so finally explains the incredible reality behind the legendary civilisation described by Plato and its disappearance. Reading like a real-life Indiana Jones story as ex-Royal Navy submarine captain, Menzies travels round the world in pursuit of his goal, this is epic, iconoclastic popular history.

About the Author

Gavin Menzies served in the Royal Navy between 1953 and 1970. His knowledge of seafaring and navigation sparked his interest in the epic voyages of Chinese Admiral Zhang He. He lives in London.

Prizes

The bestselling author of 1421: The Year the Chinese Discovered the World uncovers the truth behind the mystery of Atlantis.

Reviews

In his latest speculative work, Menzies (1421: The Year China Discovered America) takes on the much celebrated topic of the fabled Atlantis. Through several generally entertaining chapters, Menzies-who served many years in Britain's Royal Navy-points out the numerous bits of evidence that culminate in his belief that the Minoan people of Crete and Thira were technologically advanced enough during pre-Hellenic times to travel to western Europe and beyond. He contends that these deft seafarers established trading posts in places ranging from the British Isles to the Great Lakes region of North America. As in his previous works, Menzies does not employ the historical method and insists that his revisionist history is accurate. He is a gifted storyteller and displays in his work the passion of a believer. In spite of this, it must be remembered that history and archaeology are disciplines ruled by solid evidence rather than by unprovable statements. VERDICT If you are in need of a good yarn in the vein of an Indiana Jones film, this is the book for you; however, if you do not care for mostly fictional works cloaked in the mantle of verity, avoid it. [See Prepub Alert, 3/14/11.]-Brian Renvall, Mesalands Community Coll., Tucumcari, NM (c) Copyright 2011. Library Journals LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.