Customer Reviews

Lost Cities & Ancient Mysteries of the Southwest (Lost Cities Series)

5 star:		(9)
4 star:		(3)
3 star:		(2)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

One more outstandingly fun and thought-provoking volume of his Lost Cities series. This one was particularly enjoyable for me as it covers a lot of territory that I am familiar with, at least much moreso than some of the other volumes. I cannot imagine anyone who has read any of his other work not purchasing this. The same fascinating stories, archaelogical enigmas and mysterious legends(?) are recounted here in a casual, easy, light book that inspires the reader to dig deeper for other sources and maybe even go desert-sleuthing himself. As some one who usually has about ten books going at once this one jumped to the top of the pile and was read cover to cover with very little interuption. Highly recommended!

On a side note, I have read so many of his books now that the typos and grammatical errors have become almost charming. This book is, of course, filled with them.

Note to Mr. Childress: a book focusing on California alone would be a great next project in my opinion and, as it is such a populous state, would most likely be somewhat more financially rewarding. Just a thought. Either way, keep up the good work!

I remember when I was a kid, there was an undeveloped canyon not far from my house. Of course, it was more than a canyon over those years. It was a place of adventure. A place of exploration, a place where mysterious creatures could dwell, and where all of us kids could go to live out the dreams and amazing exploits of our heroes.

I loved that canyon.

But then we all grew up. The canyon got turned into condos and most of us were turned into people who buy them. For all of us who may occasionally lament at the loss of wide-eyed childhood imagination, we have David Hatcher Childress, who never actually lost any of his.

Maybe you took your kids to the Grand Canyon. Did you know there is a lost cavern full of mysterious artifacts, closely guarded by a government who doesn't want you to know the truth? Did you try to learn more, at great peril? Or did you just take a couple of pictures and go home?

You would think that the Southwestern United States would be pretty clear of any serious mysteries, but it isn't. Not if you see it through the eyes of David and his ever - present partner, Jen. Nope, to these two, the southwest is still unexplored territory, full of lost mines, buried cities, the footprints of giants and the shadows of flying monsters.

I suppose I could mention that the book is well researched, full of rare photos and all that stuff, but really, that isn't why you should read it.

You should read it because it will awaken something in you that may have been lost for a long time. Maybe you can't drive through the Superstition Mountains and actually spend time looking for lost gold and tracking colorful characters a hundred years gone. But David can, and he does. And he does it for all of us who remember what it is like to do it too, even if only in a canyon near our childhood home.

Experience the Southwest in a while new way. Then be sure to check your own back yard for buried treasure, mummies and maybe a bigfoot track.

I found this book to be an interesting read but found many of his theories have very little basis. Although I believe there are many things we don't know about early civilizations in America and the southwest it seemed like he was "reaching" to fill the book. He "authenticated" many of his stories by quoting newspaper stories about them. Of course we all know newspapers "never lie" or sensationalize. That really gave me confidence in their validity! If nothing else, it makes me want to read more about some of the mysteries he talks about. And maybe that is really the motive behind the book. Is so, he succeeded.

Petroglyphs and lost cities and ancient nations of the Southwest always fascinate me. With this book you go on a road trip with David and his wife. The trip is down to Mexico, west Texas, New Mexico (entire state) and Arizona. For example, he talks about the town of Ajo arizona and it's history as a mining town as far back as 1100. What the town meant to the Spanish , Mexican,and Tohono O'odham nation.
Did you know there is an carved stone head with an Egyptian headdress in the Ajo museum?

This is just some of the interesting items he mentions and discusses to get you thinking "maybe, just maybe?"

He also has other books. I have to look at them.

David Hatcher Childress never lets you down if you are in search of the history, religion and customs that never makes it into travel books. Mystical, insightful and with enough kitsch to make it a book you cannot be without.

This is the newest of the Lost Cities series and best out of three I've read. Maybe its because Childress is back in the U.S. (mainly), or maybe because its more about the sites and less about his travels. Childress fans know that he often lifts verbatim (or nearly so) excerpts from his other books in creating new ones. This one is no exception. Readers of Lost Cities of North & Central America (The Lost City Series) will notice familiar material, though he does add to it. I wish he'd do some more hardcore research into some things, like the Grand Canyon ruins. He brings up the "Coso Artifact" again. It doesn't even look like a geode! In fact, it's essentially been discredited. See Hidden History for a good explanation. He doesn't delve into off the wall explanations as much as in other books, but does bring up UFOs a lot. But this is still a great survey of Southwest mysteries and legends that should inspire research and exploration.

This is one in a series of books by the author about local legends and stories. This particular books talks about stories from the American Southwest, great reading if you're doing some traveling in the area and want to add some spice to the trip. Who knows, it might even get you to actually look for some of these legends!!

This new book is top rated of the southwest ancients mysteries and cities..I have lived there and know alot of the area...but this book brings out many new things of this area that I even wasnt aware of..I very strongly think that this book is in a field of its own,,,james

The Native American Indians had their own culture and customs, and our ancestors weren't enlightened enough to preserve this culture. "Lost Cities & Ancient Mysteries of the Southwest" is a metaphysical journey into the American Southwest looking for lost mysteries and superstitions throughout this region. From lost Native American civilizations, to Western ghost towns, and ancient American mummies, "Lost Cities & Ancient Mysteries of the Southwest" is a must for those who relish the legends and ancient history of America.

This book is full of information and I only have two minor criticisms.

One wonders why the author choses to write in the first-person narrative style because he rarely strays far from his car. Most of his stops are at restaurants which seem to be the daily highlight of his trips. I have driven the route he took through Mexico and Texas, as well as some of the other routes, and there are many places to stop and explore. For instance, he drives straight through Big Bend National Park and doesn't even bother to stop in the Tornillo Creek area where the Big Bend tablet was found. If he had, he could have shared with his readers that the hot spring on the bank of the Rio Grande is open if you care to soak in the foundations of the old bath house that was swept away by a flood. Also, there are so many trivial details (we showed our passports to customs - we went back to the car to get our coats - I left a tip - etc.) that you get the feeling the author was including these just to increase the word count of his manuscript.

The other irritating thing are the quotes from popular music songs scattered throughout the book. They seem out of place. If that's what he listens to on the road, I'm glad I'm not along for the ride.

But these are minor irritations, and the only reason I did not give it five stars. It is an interesting and enjoyable read. This guy has really done his homework. It is obvious that he did a lot of reading before his trips. The best thing about the book is the large number of photos, documents and drawings. They really make the stories come to life. it must have been quite a job to gather them all together and get permission to publish them.