Chariots Of the Gods? Anyone read it?

rock · 04-19-2010, 01:58 PM

I am not far into it, but I see some potential in it.

Product Description:
Erich von Daniken's Chariots of the Gods is a work of monumental importance--the first book to introduce the shocking theory that ancient Earth had been visited by aliens. This world-famous bestseller has withstood the test of time, inspiring countless books and films, including the author's own popular sequel, The Eyes of the Sphinx. But here is where it all began--von Daniken's startling theories of our earliest encounters with alien worlds, based upon his lifelong studies of ancient ruins, lost cities, potential spaceports, and a myriad of hard scientific facts that point to extraterrestrial intervention in human history. Most incredible of all, however, is von Daniken's theory that we ourselves are the descendants of these galactic pioneers--and the archeological discoveries that prove it...
* An alien astronaut preserved in a pyramid
* Thousand-year-old spaceflight navigation charts
* Computer astronomy from Incan and Egyptian ruins
* A map of the land beneath the ice cap of Antarctica
* A giant spaceport discovered in the Andes
Includes remarkable photos that document mankind's first contact with aliens at the dawn of civilization.

______________________________________

I usually like reading this stuff to see what far out ideas people can come up with. I saw that the History channel has a show debuting on Tuesday, and they talk about this book on their website.

3 chapters in and I am amazed at some of the things he is predicting in 1968 about space travel and how close somethings are to reality in our space program, ans some way off (like being able to travel at the speed of light).

Anyways wonder if anyone read this before, and if it gets better. It seems the first few chapters is trying to open up the readers mind, because I guess in those times it was much different.

ngrant · 04-19-2010, 02:28 PM

Hi rock

I read all the von Daniken ("extra-terrestrials were here") books when they first came out, and enjoyed them tremendously. Okay I was a teenager then, and fairly gullible I suppose... but they make one think of what may have happened, and what's possible! Here's the author's website if you want to know more.
http://www.daniken.com/e/index.html
By the way, my very smart Dad (who passed away last year age 93) told me at the time -- "well, he [meaning von Daniken] may be full of hooey but he sure does tell a good story". So whether or not you are a believer, the books make for grand reading!

rock · 04-19-2010, 02:34 PM

yeah I can already tell he is very good story teller.

I will say some of the stuff does make sense though.

He says we been around a million years, but only have 8000 years of history what's up with that. It makes you think about it.

wayrad · 04-19-2010, 05:13 PM

After you get done with that, may I suggest Flim-Flam, by James Randi? He has a very amusing analysis of von Daniken's theories, IIRC, among other topics. (The chapter about Conan Doyle and the Cottingly Fairies is worth the price of admission by itself in my opinion. Sadly, I don't think it's out in ebook.)

HistoryWes · 04-19-2010, 07:03 PM

I read it (and several other von Daniken's books) as a kid. I was really into ancient alien visitors when I was twelve. Then I went to college and took some anthropology classes and realized how he picked out the images and facts that seemed to fit his story and dumped the rest. Great story telling though--I do admit.

HistoryWes · 04-19-2010, 07:05 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by rock

yeah I can already tell he is very good story teller.

I will say some of the stuff does make sense though.

He says we been around a million years, but only have 8000 years of history what's up with that. It makes you think about it.

Most of that would be some pretty boring history.
"Today Otag found a rock."

"Today Otag hit me with his rock."

"Today I found my own rock."

"Today I was going to his Otag with my rock but he was eaten by one of those pussycats with the big teeth."

"Today Omlat found a different rock."

lilac_jive · 04-19-2010, 07:15 PM

NOOOooooOOOOooooOOOO!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Please don't, or the archaeologist in me will die a little

Steven Lyle Jordan · 04-19-2010, 07:23 PM

I read CotG when it came out, too. It went well with the physiological, psychological and sociological studies I was into back then (along with anatomy and most religions), to help me understand why people believe what they do. In fact, the book (and its popularity at the time) says more about human nature than it does about Von Daniken and his theories.

jgaiser · 04-19-2010, 10:49 PM

Ain't it funny how Erich von Daniken appeals to teenagers (or teenager mentality)? I too read nearly all of Erich's books when I was about 12/13. Thought he wrote a good story then and probably half-believed most of it. Then I grew up.

lene1949 · 04-20-2010, 03:04 AM

I have always believed this (in bold) to be the case.

Maybe my belief came after seeing UFO's checking us out... I was only in my early twenties then, but since then I'm sure they have something to do with us being here.

[QUOTE=rock;877349]I am not far into it, but I see some potential in it.

Product Description:
Erich von Daniken's Chariots of the Gods is a work of monumental importance--the first book to introduce the shocking theory that ancient Earth had been visited by aliens. This world-famous bestseller has withstood the test of time, inspiring countless books and films, including the author's own popular sequel, The Eyes of the Sphinx. But here is where it all began--von Daniken's startling theories of our earliest encounters with alien worlds, based upon his lifelong studies of ancient ruins, lost cities, potential spaceports, and a myriad of hard scientific facts that point to extraterrestrial intervention in human history. Most incredible of all, however, is von Daniken's theory that we ourselves are the descendants of these galactic pioneers--and the archeological discoveries that prove it...
* An alien astronaut preserved in a pyramid
* Thousand-year-old spaceflight navigation charts
* Computer astronomy from Incan and Egyptian ruins
* A map of the land beneath the ice cap of Antarctica
* A giant spaceport discovered in the Andes
Includes remarkable photos that document mankind's first contact with aliens at the dawn of civilization.

HarryT · 04-20-2010, 03:14 AM

Drivel. Utter drivel. Preudo-science of the worst kind. Moreover, I actually find the idea that our ancestors were incapable of large-scale engineering projects without the assistance of "aliens" to be somewhat offensive. Their achievements were even more astounding when you consider that it was all done without the aid of sophisticated machines.

TGS · 04-20-2010, 03:51 AM

I always thought of von Daniken's books as a useful part of that adolescent search for meaning in the universe and the "what are we doing here" part of growing up - a bit like Herman Hesse but not as well written! I didn't realise grown-ups read them.

neilmarr · 04-20-2010, 04:12 AM

***Erich von Daniken's Chariots of the Gods***

In the mid-seventies, one of my jobs as European corr of a big US paper was to check out UFO stories. I interviewed Erich several times and used to attend the annual meetings of his organisation 'The Society of Ancient Astronauts'. He was great company, as was his wife, Elizabeth, and the eccentrics who used to surround them.

But I also found him a plausible rogue.

Much of his 'research' was tailored to suit his theory and his second book, especially, contained things (even pictures) that were brazenly fake beyond a doubt. Like all pseudoscholarship, his work is great fun ... but it should be taken with a shovel of salt, as should most of the similar books that his success spawned.

Neil

Conor · 04-20-2010, 05:40 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by rock

* A giant spaceport discovered in the Andes

Even if the "runways" weren't on soft sandy ground, why would an advanced technology need runways several miles long?

ardeegee · 04-20-2010, 06:58 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jgaiser

Ain't it funny how Erich von Daniken appeals to teenagers (or teenager mentality)? I too read nearly all of Erich's books when I was about 12/13.

I was probably around that age (in the 1980s) when I read COtG/tGfOS-- and Velikovsky's crap, too.

04-19-2010, 01:58 PM	#1
rock Addict Posts: 240 Karma: 18772 Join Date: Oct 2009 Device: Nook, Astak EZ Reader Pocket, iPhone 3g, Droid	Chariots Of the Gods? Anyone read it? I am not far into it, but I see some potential in it. Product Description: Erich von Daniken's Chariots of the Gods is a work of monumental importance--the first book to introduce the shocking theory that ancient Earth had been visited by aliens. This world-famous bestseller has withstood the test of time, inspiring countless books and films, including the author's own popular sequel, The Eyes of the Sphinx. But here is where it all began--von Daniken's startling theories of our earliest encounters with alien worlds, based upon his lifelong studies of ancient ruins, lost cities, potential spaceports, and a myriad of hard scientific facts that point to extraterrestrial intervention in human history. Most incredible of all, however, is von Daniken's theory that we ourselves are the descendants of these galactic pioneers--and the archeological discoveries that prove it... * An alien astronaut preserved in a pyramid * Thousand-year-old spaceflight navigation charts * Computer astronomy from Incan and Egyptian ruins * A map of the land beneath the ice cap of Antarctica * A giant spaceport discovered in the Andes Includes remarkable photos that document mankind's first contact with aliens at the dawn of civilization. ______________________________________ I usually like reading this stuff to see what far out ideas people can come up with. I saw that the History channel has a show debuting on Tuesday, and they talk about this book on their website. 3 chapters in and I am amazed at some of the things he is predicting in 1968 about space travel and how close somethings are to reality in our space program, ans some way off (like being able to travel at the speed of light). Anyways wonder if anyone read this before, and if it gets better. It seems the first few chapters is trying to open up the readers mind, because I guess in those times it was much different.

04-19-2010, 02:28 PM	#2
ngrant Gadget Lover Posts: 457 Karma: 4674904 Join Date: Nov 2009 Location: MS, USA Device: Oasis 2, Mobiscribe Origin, Fire HD tablets	Yes, read them all! Hi rock I read all the von Daniken ("extra-terrestrials were here") books when they first came out, and enjoyed them tremendously. Okay I was a teenager then, and fairly gullible I suppose... but they make one think of what may have happened, and what's possible! Here's the author's website if you want to know more. http://www.daniken.com/e/index.html By the way, my very smart Dad (who passed away last year age 93) told me at the time -- "well, he [meaning von Daniken] may be full of hooey but he sure does tell a good story". So whether or not you are a believer, the books make for grand reading!

04-19-2010, 05:13 PM	#4
wayrad Fanatic Posts: 551 Karma: 1121392 Join Date: May 2008 Location: USA Device: HTC One M8	After you get done with that, may I suggest Flim-Flam, by James Randi? He has a very amusing analysis of von Daniken's theories, IIRC, among other topics. (The chapter about Conan Doyle and the Cottingly Fairies is worth the price of admission by itself in my opinion. Sadly, I don't think it's out in ebook.) Last edited by wayrad; 04-19-2010 at 05:21 PM.

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04-19-2010, 02:34 PM	#3
rock Addict Posts: 240 Karma: 18772 Join Date: Oct 2009 Device: Nook, Astak EZ Reader Pocket, iPhone 3g, Droid	yeah I can already tell he is very good story teller. I will say some of the stuff does make sense though. He says we been around a million years, but only have 8000 years of history what's up with that. It makes you think about it.

04-19-2010, 07:03 PM	#5
HistoryWes Teacher/Novelist Posts: 632 Karma: 2274466 Join Date: May 2008 Location: Nevada Device: Nook STR, iPad	I read it (and several other von Daniken's books) as a kid. I was really into ancient alien visitors when I was twelve. Then I went to college and took some anthropology classes and realized how he picked out the images and facts that seemed to fit his story and dumped the rest. Great story telling though--I do admit.

04-19-2010, 07:15 PM	#7
lilac_jive Grand Sorcerer Posts: 5,870 Karma: 27376 Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: Pennsylvania Device: PRS-505	NOOOooooOOOOooooOOOO!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Please don't, or the archaeologist in me will die a little

04-19-2010, 07:23 PM	#8
Steven Lyle Jordan Grand Sorcerer Posts: 8,478 Karma: 5171130 Join Date: Jan 2006 Device: none	I read CotG when it came out, too. It went well with the physiological, psychological and sociological studies I was into back then (along with anatomy and most religions), to help me understand why people believe what they do. In fact, the book (and its popularity at the time) says more about human nature than it does about Von Daniken and his theories.

04-19-2010, 10:49 PM	#9
jgaiser Omnivorous Posts: 3,281 Karma: 27978909 Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: Rural NW Oregon Device: Kindle Voyage, Kindle Fire HD, Kindle 3, KPW1	Ain't it funny how Erich von Daniken appeals to teenagers (or teenager mentality)? I too read nearly all of Erich's books when I was about 12/13. Thought he wrote a good story then and probably half-believed most of it. Then I grew up.

04-20-2010, 03:04 AM	#10
lene1949 Wizard Posts: 1,952 Karma: 213930 Join Date: Oct 2009 Location: Middelfart, Denmark Device: Kindle paper white	I have always believed this (in bold) to be the case. Maybe my belief came after seeing UFO's checking us out... I was only in my early twenties then, but since then I'm sure they have something to do with us being here. [QUOTE=rock;877349]I am not far into it, but I see some potential in it. Product Description: Erich von Daniken's Chariots of the Gods is a work of monumental importance--the first book to introduce the shocking theory that ancient Earth had been visited by aliens. This world-famous bestseller has withstood the test of time, inspiring countless books and films, including the author's own popular sequel, The Eyes of the Sphinx. But here is where it all began--von Daniken's startling theories of our earliest encounters with alien worlds, based upon his lifelong studies of ancient ruins, lost cities, potential spaceports, and a myriad of hard scientific facts that point to extraterrestrial intervention in human history. Most incredible of all, however, is von Daniken's theory that we ourselves are the descendants of these galactic pioneers--and the archeological discoveries that prove it... * An alien astronaut preserved in a pyramid * Thousand-year-old spaceflight navigation charts * Computer astronomy from Incan and Egyptian ruins * A map of the land beneath the ice cap of Antarctica * A giant spaceport discovered in the Andes Includes remarkable photos that document mankind's first contact with aliens at the dawn of civilization.

04-20-2010, 03:14 AM	#11
HarryT eBook Enthusiast Posts: 85,544 Karma: 93383043 Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: UK Device: Kindle Oasis 2, iPad Pro 10.5", iPhone 6	Drivel. Utter drivel. Preudo-science of the worst kind. Moreover, I actually find the idea that our ancestors were incapable of large-scale engineering projects without the assistance of "aliens" to be somewhat offensive. Their achievements were even more astounding when you consider that it was all done without the aid of sophisticated machines.

04-20-2010, 03:51 AM	#12
TGS Country Member Posts: 9,058 Karma: 7676767 Join Date: Feb 2010 Location: Denmark Device: Liseuse: Irex DR800. PRS 505 in the house, and the missus has an iPad.	I always thought of von Daniken's books as a useful part of that adolescent search for meaning in the universe and the "what are we doing here" part of growing up - a bit like Herman Hesse but not as well written! I didn't realise grown-ups read them.

04-20-2010, 04:12 AM	#13
neilmarr neilmarr Posts: 7,215 Karma: 6000059 Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: Monaco-Menton, France Device: sony	*Erich von Daniken's Chariots of the Gods* In the mid-seventies, one of my jobs as European corr of a big US paper was to check out UFO stories. I interviewed Erich several times and used to attend the annual meetings of his organisation 'The Society of Ancient Astronauts'. He was great company, as was his wife, Elizabeth, and the eccentrics who used to surround them. But I also found him a plausible rogue. Much of his 'research' was tailored to suit his theory and his second book, especially, contained things (even pictures) that were brazenly fake beyond a doubt. Like all pseudoscholarship, his work is great fun ... but it should be taken with a shovel of salt, as should most of the similar books that his success spawned. Neil