For some reason, after reading Gods From Outer Space first, I was not impressed with Von Daniken; I found the read to be disorganized, cluttered, and overall, cocky. But for some reason, I thought that the first book would be better. Maybe he just got cocky from the popularity of Chariots of the Gods. Maybe his success boosted his ego too much, and besides, Gods From Outer Space seemed more like a smattering of unfinished personal notes instead of an actual book.

 

Well, apparently, I was wrong. So, so very wrong. Von Daniken is perhaps even more cocky in this one, so far. That whole "conventional science dogma" thing is so wrong and close-minded, but because Von Daniken had an idea in the shower one day, it's "undoubtedly" true! Literally. It's not "here's a thought", it's "this is the one and only single logical conclusion that can be drawn".

 

The thing that shows this the most is how dated this text is. Which is funny, considering he's talking about events that took place thousands of years ago, so you'd think it'd be timeless. But no, most of his evidence is comparing descriptions of things in the past with technology in present day, i.e. 30 years ago. Obviously the alien astronauts would have antenna, even though nothing we use has them anymore. Obviously their propulsion systems would be rockets, despite the fact that this seems completely unreasonable for traveling interstellar distances. Obviously spacesuits would look like our suits. And it goes on, for everything. Nothing is merely left at "This seems strange, maybe it's something we don't know". It has to be exactly like what we have now.....er, then.

 

The thing I find most offensive is how hypocritical Von Daniken is. He repeatedly -almost bitterly- decries how dogmatic the normal scientific approach, because it approaches scenarios assuming that it knows everything. And yet that's exactly what he does. Obviously ancient people were savages (who therefore obviously believed the magic sky-people were gods), so if there was something that they did that we don't know how they did, it must have been aliens. "I completely reject archaeology's explanation for how this ancient civilization made this thing, yet I will use their expertise in saying that the civilization didn't have the technology to make it, ergo it must be aliens."

 

 

To be clear, I'm not against the theory. Not at all. I find it fascinating. But the amount of conviction that is held within this book for what is literally nothing other than mere speculation is quite revolting.

This book explores the changes in the Mediterranean during the late 13th and early 12th centuries BCE. This was an exciting time when well established city states and cultures fell, and the Iron Age arose. The mysterious Sea Peoples were at the center of many of these changes.

I have long been fascinated by the Sea Peoples and will probably go on being fascinated by them because they will always remain something of a mystery. This book does an excellent job of giving an over view of what is known and what is guessed (in an educated fashion) about the Sea Peoples. Indeed, they were a collection of tribes and peoples and they came in more than one wave. Sometimes, some of them hired out as mercenaries and occasionally they fought on both sides of the same battle. Their origins are still in dispute, however descendants of some of the tribes that eventually settled have been verified through linguistical and archaeological analysis.

The most fascinating thing I learned was that these invaders brought iron weapons and whole new way of fighting with them. These two things revolutionized the whole area over a short amount of time. For instance, some well established civilizations, like Egypt, were still battling with chariots. Chariots take a lot of care and maintenance, not just for the wheeled contraption but also for the horses. Plus they also need a flat plain on which to be effective. The Sea Peoples with their iron age weapons and advanced fighting techniques, put the charioteers to shame.

If you haven’t read extensively on the Sea Peoples or simply want a refresher, then this is an excellent source. It’s a great lunch time break, feeding the mind while you feed your body.

The Narration: Jack Chekijian did a great job with this book. He came off as scholarly without being dry or stuffy. Plus there are several difficult to pronounce tribal names and personal names in this book – Chekijian nailed them all. 

I'm torn when it comes to this book.

I loved Dan and Tom as a couple. I have a soft spot for friends to lovers stories. And I loved the friendship between them as well as the romantic relationship. It was lovely and I would have loved more of the two of them together.

I also really loved the setting, Israel. And I loved learning more about the culture.

I'm also a huge fan of military stories, so that was something I really enjoyed about this book, too.

And the sex scenes were really steamy and emotional, which I love. I think what added to the sex scenes for me was already loving these guys and just wanting them to be together.

The one thing that brought this book down for me was the fact Tom was with someone else for part of this book. It added some angst to the story that I didn't really like.

I have to admit, I own a copy of this, signed by the author, moreover.

It is pure bunkum, but it will deceive the credulous. If you see it, cross the street to avoid it. Buy a lottery ticket if you want to put your faith in something ridiculously unlikely.