BOOK REVIEW - Atlantis Beneath the Ice

[Mike]

Atlantis Beneath the Ice The Fate of the Lost Continent by Rand &
Rose Flem-Ath © 2012 Bear and Company
ISBN: 978-1-59413-137-4 Paperback 240 Pages $16.00 (U.S.) $17.95
(Canada)
ISBN: 978-1-59413-895-3 Ebook 240 Pages $16.00 (U.S.) $18.99
(Canada)

This is a revised and expanded edition of When the Sky Fell: In
Search of Atlantis (which originally appeared in 1995). In the
intervening 15 years there has been a lot of interest in both the
subjects of Atlantis and climate change. This book addresses both of
these topics in a thought-provoking manner.

For those who dismiss either (or both) of these topics as being
unscientific, there is nothing here which will change their minds.
The evidence which is laid out will be seen as happenstance,
coincidence, or simply hand-picked to fit the theory of the authors.
Those who support their theory will be seen as inconsequential or
deluded (hard to do, in my opinion, when one of them was Albert
Einstein). So they will gain nothing from this book, and may safely
leave it on the shelf of the bookstore.

The mainstream of scientific thought acknowledges that polar
displacement (or polar wander, as it is termed) does occur, but
disputes the concept of rapid occurrences. Of course, mainstream
science once disputed the earth's rotation around the sun, so their
disapproval of a theory may be subject to later revision. If you
access articles about earth crust displacement on the internet you
will find numerous references both pro and con. It is for you to make
your own decision regarding the validity of the theory.

One problem have with this book is that, with the revision and
expansion, a certain level of sloppiness has crept in. In a number of
instances significant section of paragraphs were reproduced in close
proximity, suggesting that one paragraph represents the revision and
that the other was slated for deletion, but not acted upon. While
this may be disconcerting (and it was to me), it in no way invalidates
the ideas conveyed.

Quite honestly, I'm not sure how much faith I have in the proposals
laid out by the authors of this book, in support of the theory
proposed by Charles Hapgood. That uncertainty does not, however,
lessen the challenges to conventional thinking they espouse. Readers
may agree with some of the points raised. It is unlikely, however,
that any except the most die-hard fanatics will either accept or
reject the entirety of their arguments, and that is sure to stimulate
continued discussion.

There have been some additions at the end of this book which help to
bring it up-to-date. And there is an appendix which presents a global
climatic model.

This book will have appeal to a fairly small audience, since it does
not contain any wild speculation about the products of the “advanced
civilization” which many postulate, nor does it harken to the
destruction of the civilization by angry gods. It relies on
(controversial) scientific speculation and repetition of historical
facts to establish their theory. It is interesting and well
presented. If speculation concerning Atlantis, and its possible
continued existence, interests you, you may find this book to be very
informative.