Lost Civilizations: The Secret Histories and Suppressed Technologies of the Ancients (The Real Unexplained! Collection)

"Lost Civilizations" is a useful and fascinating compendium of standard and speculative archaeology, clearly designed as a guidebook for readers seeking a foundation in ancient-civilization facts and mysteries. One other reviewer criticized author Willis for simply citing other known writers in the field, but I find this to be one of this book's strengths. In discussing numerous "lost" civilizations, Willis summarizes current findings and speculation -- providing adequate source data in the process -- so the interested reader knows where to go for pursuing the topic in greater depth. To do otherwise would give several topics short shrift or result in a totally unwieldy volume. Of course Willis presents his own speculation on several of the broad issues the book contains, but he wisely avoids dogmatics. And I have to give Willis a lot of credit for not avoiding the more controversial speculation usually found in the topic of lost civilizations, such as the "ancient alien" theory, which he presents matter-of-factly for the reader's own deliberations. Finally, I appreciate Willis's approach of dividing his discussion of ancient civilizations into the "stone" or physical aspects, as well as the "story" or mythological legend aspects. Willis put a lot of good research into his book and presents it well.

This book is comprised of extensive quoting from other authors, such as Collins, Schoch, Hancock, Foerster, West, Bauval, and many others. From reading over 600+ pages, I had found only 3 (yes 3) new facts!The author has a rather anti-religious, snarky, New Age outlook, which I find off- putting and tiresome. When I say "author", I can only believe he actually authored a s!all portion of this book.

I marvel at the author's ability to research and accumulate a myriad of facts and then offer them cogently. This book is a great study highlighting the many civilizations that have vanished from the earth while leaving behind archaeological, DNA, Mythical Writings, and megalithic wonders. He weaves his research in these areas so well leaving the reader with a grasp of antiquity that he never had before! Interestingly, he does all that in a very readable presentation. In many places, his observations are laced with humor that makes one smile. Read this book..., with so much information packed on every page, it will heighten one's knowledge of history and pre-history

All I can say is, amazing, p. 385, akashic records! Read this page, it will blow your mind, one of the best books I’ve read in some time, and I have read a lot of books on this topic! Enjoy, you won’t be disappointed

Some interesting accounts of lost cities and lost civilizations. Unfortunately, the author’s continuous virtue signaling and constant imprinting of his lofty moral standards on societies about which we know virtually nothing, detracts from the book.

Forget your bullwhip and fedora. Lost Civilizations: The Secret Histories and Suppressed Technologies of the Ancients by Jim Willis is a globetrotting adventure exploring the true origins of the human race. Discover these archeological mysteries without encountering spiders, scorpions, poison darts or snakes.Thoughtful and thought-provoking, Jim Willis compassionately examines archeology (the scientific evidence in stone and artifacts) and mythology (the evidence in stories that attempts to explain meaning and purpose). He presents a gentle style of writing that betrays the significance of his words.Who are we? Where did we come from?Lost Civilizations follows information where it leads rather than where we have been taught it should go. Willis writes, “The problem doesn’t come from lack of evidence. The problem lies in how the evidence is interpreted.” It is a matter of people “looking at history through their own prejudiced lenses.” Experts see what they want to see and then write the textbooks that train those who follow. We don't think about it. We assume it to be true.Which brings us to one theme of Lost Civilizations. “It’s becoming plain that we are not the pinnacle of civilized success. Others have come before us. They have seen the destruction of their civilization. Sometimes it happened gradually. Sometimes almost overnight. But they saw it rise. And they saw it fall.”Do civilizations come with a shelf life?Willis asks, “When intellectual capacity outstrips the ethical and moral ability to behave responsibly, is the end in sight?“Only by a study of the past will we find out.”Civilizations might end for any number of reasons: catastrophes and calamities, economic inequalities and internal strife, war, assimilation, and, believe it or not, even climate change.The reader is drawn deeper and deeper into antiquity and beyond. There is no escape. Torch in hand, Jim Willis leads us to amazing places. Many of our civilizations are older than anyone ever imagined. Much older.Tomorrow's technologies are revealing the secrets from our ancient past. Satellites and all manner of penetrating energies are locating lost cities in jungles, underground, and underwater. DNA studies are telling tales.Why did we build the great megaliths? What reason was sufficient for us to go to all that trouble over a very long, long period of time? Why?Willis keeps us awake at night. “We are a species suffering from amnesia. How can we possibly figure out where we're going if we don't know where we've been? Why have we forgotten such a monumental motivation that obviously meant so much to our ancestors? Why was the reason allowed to die out? Why can't we remember?”Why? Why? Why?Humanity has lost something. We are retracing our steps in order to find it. Where did we lose something that was once so important to us?Lost Civilizations: The Secret Histories and Suppressed Technologies of the Ancients by Jim Willis is an amazing asset in our search for answers. It is richly illustrated, and its helpful bibliography and extensive index add to its usefulness. Highly recommended.

Used this book to gain other people’s views, their thoughts and beliefs on this subject. Very well written and easy to follow