Overview

This work unravels the whole Atlantis mythology, starting with the first reference to it in the works of Plato in about 360BC. It follows the evolution of the idea through classical times and the Middle Ages, and shows how the modern approach to the story was pioneered by an Italian poet in 1530.

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9780750935180

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Reviews

Readers of a certain age will recall a 1980s TV series called The Man from Atlantis. Starring Patrick Duffy, it was not very good. The Atlantis Syndrome, on the other hand, is good. What is more, it is well written and interesting. In it, Paul Jordan sets out to investigate the history of Atlantis and the myths and legends that have evolved from its first mention in the writings of Plato. Plato's description of the island ...larger than Libya and Asia put together.. is the source of all the stories of Atlantis since. From Jules Verne to Marion Zimmer Bradley, novelists have used Plato's Atlantis as the basis to create a range of 'lost worlds' that and enthralled their readers. Jordon has no problems with them. But he is very much against the money spinner that is Atlantology - those writers who believe that Atlantis was somehow linked to the parting of the Red Sea and the biblical plagues; to civilisations in outer-space; that there is some ancient wisdom waiting to be found to solve all the evils of the world, and make a lot of money out of it. Jordan does an excellent job of, one by one, taking these theories, pointing out their failings and contradictions and basically showing them as being complete bunkum. A worthwhile, and often very amusing, read. (Kirkus UK)

Author Information

Paul Jordan read Archaeology and Anthropology at Cambridge University and was for many years a writer and producer of television programmes about science, history and archaeology with both the BBC and Independent Television. He is the author of Neanderthal, Early Man, Riddles of the Sphinx, The Face of the Past (Batsford) and Egypt the Black Land (Phaidon) .He lives in Spain.

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