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33 of 34 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
A well-written, logical and intriquing exposition., March 29, 2003
It's true that this book assumes the basic veracity of Sitchin's work, and employes it as the underpinnings of his treatment. While other reviewers note this with muted criticism, the fact is that Sitchin has never been refuted. Criticized greatly, yes, but not effectively refuted. Given this, there is no valid reason not to accept Sitchin and the others cited in this book in an evidential manner. If mainstream science can adopt specious, illogical assumptions as the basis for much of what becomes "conventional wisdom", it is reasonable to embrace alternative, but more internally logical, interpretations on which to build a case. If one accepts this, then indeed the author has made the case for "scientific proof of flesh and blood gods."Whether one agrees with Alford's book or not, 'Gods of the New Millennium' does reconcile many disparate elements (religions, myths, archeological and geological records, etc.) into a cohesive whole, something not done by any other writer (to my knowledge, anyway). Add to this the fact that the book is imminently readable and absolutely absorbing, and it becomes difficult to fathom what more a book can offer. Among the many fascinating notions put forth by Alford (with skillful logic) is that the "gods" (aliens) "operate in eras of 2,160 years", and that we have been in a "hands off" period. Alford speculates that the next active era (of involvement of the gods in man's affairs) would commence somewhere between the turn of the 21st century and 2012. He poses the question as to what might indicate that the gods have re-engaged themselves in our lives. Although the book was published in 1996, the author's comments seem either amazingly coincidental or chillingly prophetic: "Life might appear to carry on as normal, but with a new political agenda. We might detect their presence in inexplicable events, changes in government policy or acts of war that don't quite make sense, and perhaps an increase in government secrecy."
Those intrepid souls who dare to consider alternative origins for man will find an exhilarating, thought-provoking and persuasive offering in 'Gods of the New Millennium'. Highly recommended.
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31 of 38 people found the following review helpful:
2.0 out of 5 stars
good reading on a winter's night, January 8, 2002
In this book, Alford examines the idea that human culture and indeed human genes may have been planted onto this planet by extraterrestrial intelligences. Following the pioneering explorations and speculations by his predecessors von Daeniken and Sitchin, Alford examines several "unexplained mysteries" - from ancient Sumeria, pharaonic Egypt, Baalbek to Stonehenge, Nazca and Peru. He points out the unlikelyhood that the monumental buildings, found at those sites, could have been constructed with simple Iron Age technologies. To support this thesis, A. provides interesting information, especially on less conventional research which tends to be omitted from the "classical" anthropological and historical work. I found his take on pharaonic records and Giza pyramids especially intriguing; moreover, Sitchin's work on Sumerians is given due credit . While unfailingly interesting, the book has noticeable shortcomings. Alford's uncritical approach to published (and unpublished) literature is troublesome. He is quite happy to take a flimsy idea and present it as fact while conveniently ignoring other contradictory evidence (especially if it is "conventional"). He is also prone to citing, in the same breath, data from reliable and accepted studies and highly speculative notions based on hunches and zero evidence. Sitchin's work is accepted a bit too uncritically and with too much reverence which ultimately hobbles the book. Thus, in his enthousiasm to prove the extraterrestrial connection, Alford tries to do too much and, for me, undermines the credibility of his main idea. Still, if you are an aficionado of this genre, you will find a lot of food for thought. Which, ultimately, is what counts.
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22 of 27 people found the following review helpful:
4.0 out of 5 stars
An accessible review of scientific and 'historic' theory, October 27, 1999
By A Customer
Alford leans heavily on the research of Zecharia Stichin to write this entertaining and thoughtful book. He has obviously read extensivly in the areas of pre-history civilisation. While he doesn't seem to lend the same scientific gravitas as other writers in this field, he does lend an understanding which makes him emminently more accessible. He seeks to bring together the theories expounded in recent times, and like others, his conscoius or subconscoius desire to find a single theme can be a failing point.If you enjoy being forced to question your beliefs and are prepared to read and analyse before forming an opinion, then read "Gods of the new millenium"
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by Alan F. Alford
