Acalan [Hardcover]

Anthony Conforti (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: May 1, 2001

A thousand years before Nostradamus began writing his prophecies, the ancient Maya recorded their own prophecy of time and formulated a great plan for their own future survival. ACALAN by Anthony Conforti tells the story of the only ancient Native American writer we know by name, Mac Chaanal. Mac Chaanal was the great scribe of Copan, America's Homer. His story relates to this ancient prophecy of the Maya, a prophecy that is still unfolding as we count down to the end of the Mayan age in 2012. In a parallel and converging storyline, ACALAN also recounts the adventures of F.A. Mitchell-Hedges, an early 20th century British explorer and real life prototype of the Indiana Jones character. Mitchell-Hedges made significant discoveries pertaining to the Maya including the acquisition of a mysterious crystal skull. Mitchell-Hedges worked for William Randolph Hearst, rode with Pancho Villa and was caught up in the intrique of the Mexican Revolution, World War I and the War of the Witches.

Editorial Reviews

From the Publisher

ACALAN is the first part of a trilogy. It has been written as a historical novel though it could be more properly characterized as a nonfiction novel. All the characters are real and their story has been meticulously researched. ACALAN is an epic story, in the classical sense of the genre and combines rich historical detail in a compelling and entertaining format. ACALAN would be particularly appealing to readers interested in history, anthropology, archaeology, and Hispanic and Native American cultures.

About the Author

Anthony Conforti lives in Albuquerque, New Mexico. He has spent the last twenty years working as a television news and documentary producer. Beginning in 1987, he began a continuing effort to video document various traditional Native American dances, rituals and traditions. Much of this work focused on the Maya and he has become the foremost chronicler of the Mayan prophecy as it relates to the end of the Mayan 5000 year calendar and the end date 2012. Conforti and his associate, John Francis have accumulated an extensive library of rare, never before seen footage and have developed a considerable network among Native American elders, healers and shaman. They are currently developing a body of material which they define as tranformational media, media intended to transform the spirit and well as inform the mind. In the course of their work, they rediscovered the archaeological site of Plan Grande, on the island of Guanaja, in the Caribbean. The site was an important ancient ceremonial site, a place of healing and has been called a New World Stonehenge. A renewed investigation of Plan Grande is currently underway.

Product Details

• Hardcover: 872 pages
• Publisher: Putun Pr (May 1, 2001)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0970391307
• ISBN-13: 978-0970391308
• Product Dimensions: 9.2 x 6.1 x 2.3 inches
• Shipping Weight: 3.1 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (7 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #2,444,638 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

9 of 11 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Can't wait for the next part of the trilogy, June 6, 2001

By 

C. L. Sams (Hastings UK) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Acalan (Hardcover)

I've been interested in the Maya and fascinated by the Crystal Skull for more than 12 years and this book brings the ancient world and magic of the Maya dramatically to life. Then it overlays the true story of Austin Mitchell-Hedges and Pancho Villa to give a fascinating insight into the pre World War One manoeuvrings in Mexico of the Germans, Americans and British, (very reminiscent of Riddle of the Sands in atmosphere). I enjoyed the balance between the cold political reality of prewar espionage and its counterpart in ancient Maya times which was infused with a real sense of magic that never came across as airy-fairy or spooky, just everyday spiritual power. Having worked with the Maya in Belize I understand how matter-of-fact they are about what we call magic and felt the book really captured this. On top of it all, this is a really pacey and suspenseful read. At 780 pages I was glad that I was on vacation when I read it so that I could power through it and not have to wait too long to get back between its covers. Looking forward to the next part of the trilogy.

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars good read with many facts of the Maya culture, May 6, 2007

By 

Dennis A. Beebe (Florida) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Acalan (Hardcover)

I found this book compelling as to it's historical content. I agree with a previous report that it is in need of serious editing. There are many duplications I found unnecessary.
Despite the need of editing I found the intertwining plots refreshing and broke up the course the book takes into the history of different periods.
I especially enjoyed the factual information about the characters and locations many of which I have visited.
I recommend the book for anyone interested in historical fiction for this region on the world.
I do hope the author uses a good editor for the following books.

9 of 13 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A finely detailed blend of history and art, August 9, 2001

By 

Midwest Book Review (Oregon, WI USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Acalan (Hardcover)

Acalan is the meticulously researched historical novel of the 20th century British explorer F.A. Mitchell-Hedges, who made noteworthy discoveries about the Maya culture in Central America. Since Mitchell-Hedges was the prototype for the fictional Indiana Jones character, devotees of the Indiana Jones silver screen mythos will find this glimpse behind the framework of their favorite stories particularly fascinating. Acalan also features the story of the most famous ancient Native American writers, Mac Chaanal, who was the great scribe of the Mayan city of Copan. In striving to answer the mysteries of why the Maya abandoned their civilization, and the nature of 2012 as a Mayan figure that signifies the end of one age and the beginning of a new age, author Anthony Conforti did so much hands-on research that he made an archaeological discovery - he unearthed a site called Plan Grande on an island off the coast of Honduras! As a finely detailed blend of history and art, or an epic novel of compelling prose, Acalan is highly recommended.