Lost Cities Of Africa & Arabia (Lost Cities Series)

Frankly, I would have preferred a little less of the personal poetry and recounting of the author's sexual escapades and close calls, and a lot more information on the subject that the title of the book indicated would be covered. While there was some information on lost cities and ancient mysteries, for a guy who bills himself as an archaeologist, it was frankly pretty unscientific and colloquial. He provides no evaluation of possible data, simply repeating every conceivable theory as if it were equally likely. The cities and locations he describes actually exist -- he's standing in them -- but then he finds it necessary to discuss their "Muvian" or "Atlantean" origins or whatever, as if that were an agreed upon thesis. Speaking as someone who at one time trained to be a Geophysicist, I think I can pretty conclusively say that while some speculation on sinking land masses may be valid, entire continents in the middle of the Pacific and Atlantic oceans simply aren't borne out by the geology or by any of the undersea mapping that has occurred in the locations these supposed continents existed. I can believe that it is at least possible that the Laccadive and Maldive Islands are the remnants of a mountain range in a relatively large area that may have subsided or been flooded by the same processes that eliminated the Aleutian land bridge and separated the British Isles from the rest of Europe, but a giant continent where the mid-Atlantic ridge now is doesn't really pass the giggle test.Believe me, this stuff on lost cities, temples and possible earlier dates for rising civilizations can stand as "mysterious" on it's own account without unnecessary embellishment by quoting Madame Blavatsky or other obviously irrelevant sources. There are a couple of points in the book where he almost describes certain fictional sources (i.e., H. P. Lovecraft, August Derleth, etc) as if they were scientific theories as well.Overall, lacks perspective, and lacks much in the way of hard data. Lots of speculation, though. And lots of stories about riding Indian trains and Pakistani buses. And poetry; can't forget the poetry. Frankly, I only give it as many as three stars because on those occasions when he does talk about the actual topic, he provides some interesting information that will lead me to do more research on my own. Still, the whole book could have easily been reduced by a hundred pages or more and retained the parts of interest. Definitely not what I was hoping for or expecting based on the title.

Childress once again gives us a survey of lost cities, this time in Africa and Arabia. He really doesn't do a lot of original research or exploration, merely interjects the findings of others. But its better than having to read all of those other books. Almost 20 years old now, maybe Childress will someday update this series. The section on Solomon is the same as I've read in at least 2 other of his books. This series is probably a guilty pleasure to scholars who aren't allowed - or would be shunned - if they explored some of these topics. Of course, maybe more scholars would pay attention to some of these interesting sites if Childress would lay off the "levitation" and "E.T." musings. I don't know what to make of his travel stories. All true? Embellished? I'd like to think that there are still people out there adventuring and maybe these books will inspire others. He did found a World Explorers Club to these ends. But for all of his travels, he sure doesn't have a lot of firsthand photos in his books.

The Lost Cities series is always delightful yet informative.

Easy to read, Lots of insight. Keeps your interest. Does not just tell you what to think but lets you reach your own conclusions.

What I most enjoy about Childress' books is his cheerful narrative that makes the reader feel as though s/he is along for the ride. Though full of details, Childress' story-telling never gets bogged down. A very fast-paced, enjoyable travelog.

I purchase this book base on the title didn't it was in novel form so to speak if he indeed travel to this places why didn't he revealed that the orginal inhabitants of Arabia/Northeast Africa were Cushites Arabs pure Jet black with kinky hair not those imposters Mulatto-Arabs in Lebanon,Syria,Arabia (today),Jordan and Egypt Turkish Armenian European puesdo-Arabs!I will keep the book to prove European have no intentions to reveals the only real Arabs pure and Assad (Black)!Muhammadu Rashīdu Aliyu

Poorly written.

This David H. Childress book, is slightly different from the others that I read on the lost cities series, as it has less time devoted to the cities themselves because in Africa and Arabia there is less access to the sites themselves, also less information. The book has interested me a lot, as it tells a great deal about the situation in Africa and in part of the Islamic world in the end of the nineties. He visited amazing places and countries that have up to today very limited access, so it is well worth a reading, the archaeological part, though it is small is quite interesting too.

I like to read books by this author, it appeals to the traveller in me. The book has lots of interesting information in but reads like my granddaughter has written some parts of it. Never the less, I would recommend the read.

There cannot be many authors who get as many facts, figures, superstitions, theories, names, places and events onto a page as David Hatcher-Childress!You know he has personally turned every stone, walked the last mile through desert and jungle, gone hungry and cold in the pursuit of his evidence, which is presented in a no-nonsense way, treading over ideas presented or even deliberately hidden by the so called experts because the evidence doesn't support the established and printed history or chronology, or what was written in the Bible.His writing style is exciting, and enthusiastic, and because his books are about real hard evidence rather than fiction, and because truth is stranger than fiction every time, I can hardly put his books down.I can forgive the poor diagrams, the mis-spellings, because the subject is SO gripping. Recommended.