Lost Cities and Ancient Mysteries of South America (Lost Cities Series) (Paperback)

~ (Author) "I have always loved a good mystery..." (more)

Editorial Reviews

Product Description

Childress takes the reader on journeys deep into deadly jungles, windswept mountains, and scorching deserts in search of lost civilisations and ancient mysteries. Explore stone cities high in mountain forests and fantastic tales of Inca treasure, living dinosaurs, and a mysterious tunnel system. Whether he is hopping freight trains, searching for secret cities or just dealing with the daily problems of food, money, and romance, the author keeps the reader spellbound.

Product Details

• Paperback: 375 pages
• Publisher: Adventures Unlimited Press; 1st edition (October 1986)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 093281302X
• ISBN-13: 978-0932813022
• Product Dimensions: 8.3 x 5.5 x 1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.2 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 3.7 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (11 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #132,098 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

10 of 13 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars A tour of mystery and speculation, August 3, 2001

By	Ian Vance (pagosa springs CO.) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

Through the high altitude ruins of Peru and the dust-dry deserts of Chile, across the fertile range of Argentina and the carnival-infested streets of Rio, David Childress seeks the unknown, the undetermined, the secretive and the source of strange rumors; of vanished cities and twelve-foot-tall giants; and though he finds relatively little in the way of closure for the mysteries presented in _Lost Cities and Ancient Mysteries of South America_, one must remember it is the trip, not the destination, that buoys the author along...and for the casual reader, there is much to learn.

Despite his hyperbolic claims, Childress is definitely not an archeologist, a profession that tends to be dry, dusty, and for the most part dull-rather, he is a shoestring traveler with a yen for history and adventure. Which suits this material fine: instead of a `professional' report detailing one particular society as it lived and co-existed in its environment, Childress' breezy travelogue takes us through a dozen different societies, ancient and modern, with a fair amount of speculation that most academics wouldn't touch with a ten foot pole: the lost continents of Atlantis and Mu and how they relate to the rise of Inca civilization; supposed alien visitors; Amazon dinosaurs still on the prowl; a tunnel system spanning the American continent; a half-dozen myths of missing gold-hordes... nothing here that would impress the professor, but it certainly is an entertaining read, and the theories about South America's ancient colonies, including the Irish (!), Egyptians and Romans, are fun to ponder over.

Moreover, Childress' tone throughout places his book above the usual alternative-history exhortations, for he takes each and every story/legend with a grain of salt, even discrediting some by pointing to obvious discrepancies. By compiling these theories, he lets the reader sort through it all rather than try to hammer in a belief structure. The good-natured ease of the author's voice as he distills these legends/theories makes this tome a pleasant affair rather than tedious or obnoxious.

One thing did bother me: because of a variety of problems, including low funds, low energy, and the dangers involved in trekking through out of the way regions (snakes, mountain cats, cocaine smugglers), Childress doesn't actually visit the majority of the sites/cities he writes about. This is rather disappointing, as are the numerous typos and grammatical mistakes. One star deduction.

Recommended to those interested about South America and/or alternative history.

9 of 12 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars who's the archeologist?, February 17, 2000

By	Plaku "plaku" (BRONX, NY USA) - See all my reviews

The book makes a great read, same as DHC's other books of the "Lost Cities" series. Very entertaining, thought provoking, and well written. One thing though: I don't get why the author keeps calling himself "a rogue archeologist": someone has to explain to him what archeologists do. DHC is no archeologist, whatever he might think; he's a traveler, a gossip gatherer, and a free spirit, but all this has little to do with archeology. I enjoyed his open-mindedness, and the relativism with which he judges most of the theories and hypotheses considered. Going through his whole opus, I can't help noticing that this writer is a really great guy, and that his travel companions and friends must have been lucky to have met him, but archeologist? Please, give me a break. And use some proofreader, for the next edition.

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Funny and interesting travel review of South America, June 10, 1999

By	[e-mail] ( Scott ) (Miami, Florida, USA) - See all my reviews

I thought the author gave much thought of the mysteries associated with South America. As an amateur adventurist I could share experiences with the author. His travels are much like my own so I imagine that I'm biased but...it made for a very interesting read. The folklore and myths combined with his perception, well...just read it for yourself!