Digging for the Truth: One Man's Epic Adventure Exploring the World's Greatest Archaeological Mysteries [Hardcover]

Josh Bernstein (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: November 23, 2006

Josh Bernstein, host of The History Channel’s hit series Digging for The Truth, takes readers beyond the cameras for an even closer look at his adventures through some of the most intriguing, remote, and physically challenging locations on the planet as he explores the world’s greatest ancient mysteries.

No location is too dangerous, no terrain too rough, no culture too exotic for explorer and survival expert Josh Bernstein. With his unique hands-on approach, he travels the globe, seeking answers to some of the most enigmatic mysteries of the ancient world. Digging for the Truth shares Josh’s personal stories, journals, and insights, revealing the risks and dangers of what went on behind the scenes in shooting the show, and the fascinating details about what he uncovers along each adventure. Readers are right in the action as he:
• Discovers who built Egypt’s pyramids and learns what secrets may be buried below the Sphinx.
• Follows the trail of the Lost Ark of the Covenant to the remote monasteries and churches of Ethiopia.
• Explores the journey of a potential Lost Tribe of Israel and examines DNA evidence that could make or break their claim.
• Visits the ancient site of Stonehenge, witnesses a Druid ceremony, and learns what purpose the stone circles may have served.
• Sails a Viking ship on a quest to determine if the Vikings landed in the New World five hundred years before Columbus.
• Lives with a remote and mostly naked tribe in the Amazon to search for hidden cities and learn the fate of one of the world’s great explorers.

Readers will have access to all the inside details that viewers never see—everything from food poisoning and spider bites to the logistical challenges of shooting in some of the most remote places on earth. Complete with four-color photographs, Digging for the Truth will appeal to fans of the show as well as armchair travel and adventure readers.

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

TV show host and first-time author Bernstein is a real-life Indiana Jones: rugged, stubbled, khakied and capped with a familiar-looking hat ("It's not a fedora"), he might look silly if he didn't have the chops to back it up. Fortunately, he does: CEO of an outdoor survival school, Bernstein also has anthropology and psychology degrees from Cornell, as well as a lifelong love for the wilderness. It all combines to crowd-pleasing effect in this passionate volume, a companion to his popular History Channel series of the same name. After a brief autobiography, chapters describe how episodes were filmed in locations like Ethiopia, Italy and Austria, Egypt, Peru and Easter Island. Along the way the explorer rappels down Alpine cliffs, dives into mysterious Mayan cenotes and, yes, even searches for the Lost Ark of the Covenant, joined by colorful local experts like prickly Egyptian archaeologist Dr. Zahi Hawass. Illustrated with full-color location and crew photos, chapters also include interesting side bar lessons on wilderness survival-how to start a fire and put together an explorer's med kit among them. Bernstein glosses over neither dangers nor consequences, and it's clear throughout that he loves his job and knows how lucky he is to have it (despite the nightmare travel schedule and severe parasitic infections), making this an exciting, addicting read for fans of the show, present and future.
Copyright © Reed Business Information, a division of Reed Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Review

The best thing for archaeology’s image since Harrison Ford cocked his hat and starred in Raiders of the Lost Ark. (The New York Times)

Digging for the Truth is not a traditional archaeology show—it’s the very best in armchair adventure. Bernstein inspires his viewers, taking them on a hands-on journey into the past. (Success Magazine)

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Hardcover: 208 pages
• Publisher: Gotham; Mti edition (November 23, 2006)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1592402771
• ISBN-13: 978-1592402779
• Product Dimensions: 9.1 x 7.5 x 0.8 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.2 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 4.6 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (29 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #911,247 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

13 of 13 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars You feel as though you are there with Josh having a conversation about his adventures., November 28, 2006

By 

Patricia Waldbillig "Serious Janeite" (Cincinnati, Ohio,USA) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: Digging for the Truth: One Man's Epic Adventure Exploring the World's Greatest Archaeological Mysteries (Hardcover)

I found when I received this book yesterday I could not put it down. It is well written, the pictures are very good. After having watched the series it helps to fill in the background. I found the information about what Josh carries, clothes, etc. to be interesting. It seemed as though it was more of a conversation with you than "just facts in a book". I would hope that many would read this book. It will make the new series in January come more alive as I shall be curious to see where the adventure leads. It would be my hope that Josh will write more about his adventures, especially the back stories. Again, great job!

11 of 11 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A great read ... and longer would be good as well., December 14, 2006

By 

Alex Lovejoy "Alex" (USA) - See all my reviews

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This review is from: Digging for the Truth: One Man's Epic Adventure Exploring the World's Greatest Archaeological Mysteries (Hardcover)

I've enjoyed Josh's show, "Digging for the Truth", since it first aired on the History Channel, so when I found he'd written a book about his adventures, I was excited to read it.

In addition to providing some personal background about the host of the show, the book gives us some insight into what it's like to be the host of a highly successful TV program that just happens to require that each episode be filmed in an exotic and often far flung location. His shooting and travel schedule is ... well ... crazy. Josh thinks he has the greatest job in the world, and it shows when you watch him in action and read his thoughts about his adventures. But personally, I'm glad HE is the one running him self ragged to make these wonderful shows and all I have to do is watch them. :)

Josh gives us a nice blend in this book of a) "technical" insights into some of his favorite episodes, b) a glimpse into what he personally experienced while creating them, c) some fun photos and anecdotes of his life on the road, d) a closer view of some of the other personalities we see both on camera and those behind the scenes and e) enjoyable reflections on what creating this show means to him personally.

All in all, it's a very enjoyable read. My only disappointment was that it wasn't longer. :) I'll look forward to a follow up.

Great job, Josh ... keep it up. Though I'd suggest you take a break first.

14 of 15 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A Fun and educational adventure, November 29, 2006

By 

Stacy ~ "book lover" (Chicago 'burbs) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Digging for the Truth: One Man's Epic Adventure Exploring the World's Greatest Archaeological Mysteries (Hardcover)

Josh Bernstein brings his own brand of humor and knowledge to this fun, interesting and hectic portrayal behind the scenes of this top-rated t.v. show of the same name. At times he ends up in dangerous situations, and you're not quite sure how he does it, but the telling of it will keep readers caught up in each adventure. He also uses the head on his shoulders, not putting himself unnecessarily into the path of danger, but thinking through his decisions and using his own curiosity to guide him.(He also runs himself pretty ragged, so I hope the poor guy will get some rest)!

The recaps are told in simple yet captivating passages, and readers with a taste for travel and exploration will feel almost like they are right there alongside him. I highly recommend this book, and can't wait to read more. There were moments that were poignant, and others that were sweet and funny. Josh has a way with words. He also has a deep appreciation of the earth and a strong respect for the people who live on it, no matter what culture or belief system they hold dear. It's something we could all learn from.

This would no doubt make a wonderful gift for several people on your list.