Customer Reviews

Odyssey of the Gods

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In "Odysey of of the Gods" Erich Von Daniken has crafted a well reasearched, provocative, and intriquing naritive concerning the notion that the gods of mythology, especialy Greek mythology, were extraterestrial beings. This coupled with Von Daniken's charismatic writing style makes this book engrossing, the two chapters discussing Atlantis were espescialy cogent. If you find this subject interesting I would also recomend Zacharia Sitchen's "Earth Chronicles" series begining with "The Twelfth Planet".

This book deals with reconciling Greek mythology with Von Daniken's research of extraterrestrials visiting our planet in ancient times and influencing man's development. That was a recurring theme in Dr. Who, (q.v. The Daemons.)

The aliens who came down to Earth were worshipped as gods, as they flew in their craft. These gods intermixed with the natives, who became demigods, but possessing the same technological knowhow.

Von Daniken's book opens with an account of the Argonautica, the voyage of Jason, and straight off, there are aspects that bely alien origins--a ship that talks, specialists hired for the voyage, Talos, who was probably a giant robot, and the Golden Fleece as some form of advanced technology that enabled one to fly.

What about giants? Gilgamesh and Enkidu encountered the giant Humbaba, David and Goliath, and the offspring of Cain's daughters? Isn't it possible that these giants were aliens or descended from them? There is more, including the possibility that the head of the Medusa was some sort of superweapon.

There is a section where he explains the difficulties involving where Atlantis was. It's tied to the fact that from Atlantis is derived the Atlantic Ocean, Mount Atlas, and even Aztlan, which in turns is the derivation of Aztec. This discounts Troy, Malta, Santorini, and Crete, because they are in the Mediterranean. And if Troy was Atlantis, surely there'd be some record of it? No, Troy was called Tros and Ilion, but not Atlantis. That in turn is also explored in the section on Heinrich Schliemann and the different Troys found. There are also excerpts from Plato's Dialogues where Critias tells the story of Solon and how Solon learned of Atlantis.

Included in this text are colour photos of the places mentioned, such as the Acropolis, Delphi, and Troy. Getting this book makes me want to check out his earliest book on the subject, Chariot Of The Gods, and this is certainly an interesting twist on Greek mythology.

Gods were rather..."Frisky" in ancient times.The Argonaughts were all "sons" of God Jason,Hercules had the genes.Right away I a comparison to the Epic of Gilgamesh, he was a "Son" of God also and guess what he had a quest too. Robots, Fire protected ointment, submarines, Strange creatures of the Reptilian persuation? this story was written Thousands of years ago from even older sources. This is Star Wars Written very long ago.Daniken can see through the surface of what and gives an idea about what it could be.

Atlantis has been around in our collected thought for many years and Daniken goes through Two chapters on the theory. Daniken writes with such clarity, that he can give an idea foundation. A scientist said that Atlantis was really Troy and has some really poor examples, and Daniken pounces all over it! Daniken likes history to be correct, and to any body who gave creedence to Atlantis SHOULD at least check out the last two chapters.

Daniken also brings up again some puzzling things he has found in his research. The Anticythera machine, a mechanism which is a very precise Astronamical Calender, one that shouldn't exist...but does. The Piri Reis map is also a mystery, a map written five Hundrd years ago had very detailed picture of Antartica. Now you might say "So what"? I would say that too but Antartica wasn't discovered until a couple hundred years after Piri drew the map. The map has parts of Antartica found during the ninteen fifties our era, parts covered in a MILE of ice.

Daniken again delivers a well documented read. one that should at the very least inspire to think "maybe it could have happened"?

I met Daniken and have been entergized to his theories even more now than before.

If I could the book would get SIX STARS.

This book is another great book by the master. If you have some background knowledge of Greek mythology, this will only make the content better. I found it to be a good book, but unfortunately it is not one of his best books. I have read 3/4 of all his books and this book is therefor not as great as the others, but not far from it. Don't take my word for it, or anyone elses for that matter. Read it and then decide for your self. We who write these reviews are only saying what we think. What you think is up to you. So read it, and then write what you thought about the book.

Odyseey is a worthy read for any history buff. Daniken reads through the Argonaughts story and shows us what made him scratch his head. Things that sound like submarines, space craft, Talking boards(RADIO), Giant metal fire breathing dragons.The Argonaughts were all SONS of God, special above all others....why? Daniken also states his opinion on the THEORY of Altantis, and why it could not have been Troy like experts have said.

Daniken again proves why he is a best selling author, he isn't a charlitan.... he sees it in another light.

Judging from his/her very shallow review, Yo "Yo" does not seem to possess much ability to use intelligence him/herself.

"Stupid people piss me off" - his/her statement. But honestly on what basis is the observation stupid? Erik has done years of research and the evidence is presented piece by piece, with comprehensive research material, in the many books written by him. Isn't it totally unfair to discredit years of intelligent industry with childish judgements like Yo "Yo"'s? It strikes me as very immature.

I am not saying this just because I am a fan of Erik, but because it was exactly this kind of adolescent narrow-mindedness that got many thinkers tortured and killed by the Inquisition etc. One states with conviction what one gathers from evidence. If I were to tell you that a piece of unfolded, pristine light paper will fall to the ground as fast as hot iron rod, you'd laugh me right off my face - but that is exactly what would happen in the absence of atmosphere.

To call someone retarded because they are willing to cast an open-minded look into enquiry - that judgement itself is retarded.

All in all, I'd say Erik's books have at least opened a chapter into investigating the strange similarities that exist among different human groups. I may not agree with all of his conclusions, but his methods I find without flaw.

Regards



Subra V S

Erich von Daniken's books are entertaining, informative, and controversial. With over 2 dozen books now, each one adds a piece to the unraveling puzzle of ancient man's myths, legends, and sites. This book specifically uses Greek mythology as a guide on von Daniken's search for Ancient Astronauts. Fans of his works may also be interested in visiting his website [ URL] for current news events from many other websites.

In Odyssey of the Gods, Mr. Daniken talks about Greek mythology and the legend of Atlantis. He explains how Troy could not have been Atlantis, since (a) it isn't an island, (b) it never sank beneath the ocean, (c) it's too small, and (d) it doesn't have canals. He suggests that Atlantis might've been an American civilization instead. He also shows how the sacred sites of Greece are actually built on top of earlier sites, presumably from when Gods existed. All of this points back to a golden age when aliens or Gods inhabited the earth.

This book is about Greek myths connected to E.T's. Greek mythology probably came from an older source, but you still learn something new in each of his books.

Three points about Von Daniken's arguments: 1. Atlantis is simply a literary device of Plato's which serves as a background in which to expound his philosphy. 2. The Pillars of Hercules are on the mainland of Greece; my reference is "The Pelopennesian War" by Donald Kagan .The Peloponnesian War. 3. By sailing past the Pillars of Hercules, you are in the Mediterranean, not the Atlantic. This puts Santorini and Crete right in the center of the bullseye for possible origins of Plato's Atlantis.