The 2012 Story: The Myths, Fallacies, and Truth Behind the Most Intriguing Date in History [Hardcover]

John Major Jenkins (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: October 15, 2009

On December 21, 2012, the Mesoamerican Long Count calendar, a 5,125-year cycle calendar system pioneered by the Maya, will come to an end. At the same time, the earth, the sun, and the center of the galaxy will come together in an extremely rare cosmic alignment. More and more people believe that the world as we know it will experience a transformation in 2012, but few are aware of the complete history or significance of the date. John Major Jenkins, among the most authoritative voices of the 2012 movement, has written a definitive explanation of one of the most thought-provoking phenomena of our time. Drawing from his own groundbreaking research (including his involvement in the modern reconstruction of Mayan 2012 cosmology) and more than two decades of extensive study of Mayan culture, Jenkins has created the crucial guide to understanding the story of 2012—an essential overview of the history, theory, cultures, and personalities that have brought this extraordinary idea into modern awareness. Jenkins provides illuminating answers to some of the most-asked questions about 2012, including:
- How did the early Maya devise the calendar that gives us the cycle ending in 2012, and how does it work?
- How did the calendar come to be rediscovered and reconstructed in our era?
- What controversies and intrigues surround the topic, and what do scholars and researchers have to say about them?
- How can we cut through all the noise about 2012 and gain true wisdom from the Mayan teachings about this moment?

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

Anthropologist Jenkins (Galactic Alignment) has been investigating Mayan culture since 1985, helping unveil the Mayan calendar system that predicts a once-in-26,000-years "astronomical alignment"-the solstice sun and the Milky Way with the galactic center-occurring on December 12, 2012, a date that's gained an apocalyptic reputation in the popular consciousness. Jenkins believes that the Mayans, just like their Greek, Indian, Babylonian, and Egyptian contemporaries, have much to teach us, but nothing about a global cataclysm. Applying the concepts of Mayan cyclical cosmology-in particular, a transformation-and-renewal creation myth not unlike other religions'-he suggests that 2012 "basically represents a shift from one World Age to the next" occurring over decades, not hours: "The world is in a crisis. Systems need to be transformed and spiritually centered social activism is called for." He believes that the Indian idea of an "indigenous mind" offers an alternative to modern materialism, "oriented more to... maintaining balance with a sustainable value system." He also finds hopeful signs in farming, beer brewing, energy innovation, and health-food communities, as well as the popularity of meditation and other ways of freeing oneself from "the tangled knot of illusion." This introduction to Mayan culture, from the scientist who uncovered much of it, replaces silly disaster scenarios with something both truthful and provocative.
Copyright © Reed Business Information, a division of Reed Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Review

"By far the best and most authoritative guide to the 2012 phenomenon. I doubt it will be followed by anything better."
-Richard Smoley, Quest magazine

"One of the most popular author in the 2012 category, [John Major Jenkins] helped usher in this craze."
-Lisa Miller, Newsweek

"As much as Jenkins has made a place for himself in the 2012 discussion through his independent research on the Maya and precession, he has made an even greater impact by applying academic rigor to the theories of his contemporaries and exposing...their inconsistencies with established Mayanist scholarship."
-Benjamin Anastas, The New York Times Magazine

"The most global and erudite voice of a swelling chorus of Galactic Center theorists. By framing the subject in the context of the Primordial Tradition, he raises it to a new level of seriousness and of reassurance."
-Joscelyn Godwin, Colgate University

"A fascinating journey through the history of the ancient Maya...Combining impeccable scholarship with incisive critical intellect, the author dispels the misconceptions and sensational speculations."
-Stanislav Grof, M.D., author of Psychology of the Future

--This text refers to the Paperback edition.

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Reading level: Ages 18 and up
  
• Hardcover: 496 pages
• Publisher: Tarcher; First Edition edition (October 15, 2009)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1585427667
• ISBN-13: 978-1585427666
• Product Dimensions: 9 x 6.2 x 1.7 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.7 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 3.8 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (36 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #505,239 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

I am an independent researcher devoted to reconstructing ancient Mayan cosmology and philosophy. Since 1986, I've traveled to Mexico and Central America many times. In 1990 I helped build a school in San Pedro, near Lake Atitlan in Guatemala. In 1994 I delivered relief supplies to a Quich' Maya community in the Western highlands of Guatemala. Since beginning my work with the Maya, I've authored dozens of articles and many books.

I also facilitated the translation of The Key to the Kalevala by Pekka Ervast, editing and writing the introduction for it. This classic text on Finnish mythology was published with Blue Dolphin Publishers in 1999. In 1995 I was appointed literary executor for Eino Friberg, Finnish-American poet and translator of The Kalevala, the national epic of the Finnish people.

As a visiting scholar, I've taught classes at The Institute of Maya Studies in Miami, The Maya Calendar Congress in Mexico, The Esalen Institute, Naropa University and many other venues both nationally and abroad. I wrote the preface to Geoff Stray's book Beyond 2012, and have been interviewed on numerous radio and television shows, including the Discovery Channel, the History Channel, and the recent documenary 2012: The Odyssey. Currently working on 2012 documentaries with Mystic Fire Video and Vision Quest Productions.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

47 of 50 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars One Volume, Many Books, September 10, 2009

By 

Lee & Steven Hager - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)   

This review is from: The 2012 Story: The Myths, Fallacies, and Truth Behind the Most Intriguing Date in History (Hardcover)

(What's this?)

Several years ago, I had the privilege of studying for several semesters with Maya scholar Matt Looper. As a result of class discussions on 2012, I never took the rants of new-age hucksters seriously. I was very pleased to read Mr. Jenkins' clear-headed scholarly discussion of the subject and very happy to see that Matt Looper was referenced in the material. There are actually several books contained in this volume. A historical overview of the culture and a history of early explorers and scholars lay the foundation for discussions of the long count calendar system. Mr. Jenkins then tackles just about every new-age and sensationalist misunderstanding currently circulating in the 2012 world. His explanations and rebuttals of erroneous information get a little tedious at times, but all-in-all, most of it is necessary if the air is to be cleared on this subject.

As Mr. Jenkins so clearly points out, "Many of the most significant breakthroughs continue to be made by independent outside-the-field thinkers" who are willing to look at ancient cultures without preconceived notions. Sadly, many scholars cling to the mistaken view that these cultures lack the sophisticated thinking of modern man. As a result, they are looked upon as child-like and pre-rational rather than the trans-rational beings they actually are. Their mythology is dismissed because scientists do not understand the language of symbols. Happily, Mr. Jenkins is not one of those scholars, and he gives Maya culture the respect it deserves.

As a proponent of the perennial philosophy and experiential gnosis, I was thrilled to see that Mr. Jenkins included these subjects in the second part of the book. It should be no surprise that the tenets of the perennial philosophy show up in the Popol Vuh's tale of One Hanahpu, Seven Macaw and the hero twins. Some readers may not feel comfortable with Mr. Jenkins' application of the myth to current politicians and corporations, but they are apropos. A section at the end of the book discusses the relevancy of the Popol Vuh in our time, and gives some suggestions for sharing the opportunity for transformation that follows the close of each cycle.

One section of the book addresses the current "Maya renaissance" that has helped introduce Maya culture to the world. Jenkins also includes a glossary of terms and a timeline of the 2012 story. Both are helpful and add to the value of the book. Jenkins challenges his readers with the opportunity to use this period of cyclical change in a positive way. His far ranging expertise makes this a very interesting read for anyone who wants to bypass the ruckus and get to the real meaning of 2012. Lee & Steven Hager are the authors of Quantum Prodigal Son: Revisiting Jesus' Parable of the Prodigal Son from the Perspective of Quantum Mechanics

24 of 25 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Intriguing!, September 22, 2009

By 

Ann Lee (Pittsburgh PA) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)   

This review is from: The 2012 Story: The Myths, Fallacies, and Truth Behind the Most Intriguing Date in History (Hardcover)

(What's this?)

I'm a history buff, but when it comes to science--not so much. One of the things I liked best about this book is that the author "lured me in" with history that read like the stuff of novels. I found myself wanting to know more about the science of it all, too. I enjoyed learning about the specific people who helped create the current world view of these lost civilizations. The documentation provided, the photographs/illustrations, and the time line at the end of the book were interesting and helpful.

As a child I was told about the secret prophecies of Fatima, and that the world would likely end in 2000. Since the world survived the turn of the century, I've taken the gloom and doom surrounding 2012 with a grain of salt. I found Mr. Jenkins' book to be reassuring, that while the world will always face dangers, the end is not necessarily near.

With so much "new age" propaganda from so many sources, I appreciate having more insight into the facts. After reading the book, I feel as though I've had a college course on the subject. I liken the experience of reading this book to running "2012" through Snopes.com, to sift the wheat from the chaff.

What I did not expect was the call for a personal involvement at the close of the book. In the end, what seems to be asked of us is what mankind SHOULD have been doing all along. But it's still good to be reminded.

33 of 37 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Wow, Huh?, and Beware! - Interested in 2012? U Need 2 Read This, August 27, 2009

By 

blue jaguar (USA) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)   

This review is from: The 2012 Story: The Myths, Fallacies, and Truth Behind the Most Intriguing Date in History (Hardcover)

(What's this?)

John Major Jenkins, or JMJ as his moniker goes, has written an exhaustive tome on all things 2012. When I think about other books on the subject few are as accessible or thorough as this one. Many folks hawking 2012 wares are in it for the personality rush or have little meaningful to say. (I recall Pinchbecks book on 2012 was a major dissapointment and a bummer.) But JMJ is not toting this to gather groupies around him at Burning Man nor to write tons of fluff like others. Here is a serious researcher who takes a view at so many angles of 2012. You get views of the Mayan calendarics behind the date, how this is being viewed by and is affecting our society, and other impacts that really tell a complete story. So for just being a wide ranging book that has lots of good stuff to say this book gets the Wow.

Now for the Huh? from the review title. There is so much detail here that JMJ slogs through intricate details of the major players in the 2012 world. Who said what, and who wrote what, down to the play by play, email to email posting. In the middle of some parts of the book you have to slog through thinking 'John, that's nice, but I did not need to know the minutiae of why you think your are right and Calleman or others are not right'. Up to a certain point I don't care about the mini details. Much of this could have been left out. But even with carrying these blemishes I can see how the topic would not be complete without it.

Finally onto the Beware! There are alot of folks and movies who are hyping the end of the world at 2012 with the tsunamis coming over the Himalayas and all that. The largest dangers we face around this time are not from a rocking and rolling planet but from the ego, the shadow, as depicted by a character from the Maya named Seven Macaw. In this book JMJ shows how Seven Macaw as a controlling energy is manifesting more and more in governments and is a real and present danger. There are quotes from Brezinski who says that in a technology-society freedoms are extravagances. Brezinski The Grand Chessboard: American Primacy And Its Geostrategic Imperatives and Kissenger and others named and nameless are behind our current strategy of dominating Eurasia for the oil and control of the chessboard. JMJ also nails it when he shows that it is the [eternal] corporations with the ability to influence all aspects of governnment [skirt laws, etc] and to condition/program the populace through advertising and other mechanisms, that are as much a danger as uncontrolled government.

Seven Macaw is active as the dark force [1984 continued] in bankrupting economies, playing up flu hoaxes [see JANE BURGERMEISTER and the flu case dot com], basically twisting and turning the populace at will to be manipulated away from freedom and to fear and to accept more control. And just as the folks who are pulling strings are making money there are also those who are making money playing off the fear on the info warrior side. [Auditing the FED is only the start in cutting the puppet strings.]

Many folks in the metaphysical communities have said that there would be an increase in polarities of light and dark during this time. What JMJs book does is to show you how the Maya understood these energies as part of the transition that the Mayan (really Izapan/Olmec, etc.) Calendar and 2012 all tie together. So for the important information the book contains about these times of transition the book does grab the 'Beware and pay attention' review tagline.

If I were to footnote JMJs book I would add that the manifestation of One Hunapu is by living the path of love, trust, and gratitude. While there will be many things going on in this 2012 process it is love, trust, gratitude, and a discrimination/wisdom that will get you through. If you are spiritually/mystically inclined the you should also check out Robert E. Cox as in The Pillar of Celestial Fire: And the Lost Science of the Ancient Seers. This book will give you a deeper perspective of the changes going on at the earth during this time.

In summary the book is a good read. A bit long and a bit tied up in details up the wazoo. But then again it's not schlock-ware like so many other 2012 books. Most folks with higher than average IQs will get alot out of it.