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danskfred's review against another edition
2.0
Although this book was really interesting and intellectually stimulating, in terms of rethinking history that’s been drilled into us. It was very long and I think it could have been condensed into a few hundred less pages. The evidence it gives is overwhelming and seemingly indisputable. But by the end of the book I was just waiting for it to be over, feeling exhausted. I felt like I was being given the same information in almost all of the book. Maybe that’s an issue with how it was formatted? As evidence in each region is pretty similar. I would recommend a read or even just a look into the history it talks about, but stamina is required to keep your brain engaged for the entire book.
wyvernfriend's review against another edition
4.0
Note: Some extra information is on the website http://1421.tv/
It's an interesting thesis. The idea that in the 15th Century, just before the emperor decided that a thunderstorm and tragic fire were a sign that he was doing something wrong and that exploration was out, that Chinese explorers had made it to America and to Australia and mapped it all out. It does pose some questions about some of the accepted theories, but, and it's a bit but, a lot of it is conjecture and based on secondary sources. Unfortunately some of the primary sources were destroyed when the Emperor decided that isolationism was a good thing, so we may never know the truth of the thesis.
It's an area that needs more research, still, it was possible that others also found America, the Brendan Voyage and other experiments prove that America may have been found several times but not exploited fully.
It's not a bad read, and it's interesting to have a view from a person who is familiar with the seas about the topic, a person who experienced the tides and the changes and some of the ways things are not always as they seem on water. Still needs more research and backing for it. I did find the refer to website and paperback references a bit jarring and his leaps of faith were almost on par with those in the Holy Blood and the Holy Grail. I did find it readable and it reminded me not to always take history at face value which is an important reminder in my mind.
It's an interesting thesis. The idea that in the 15th Century, just before the emperor decided that a thunderstorm and tragic fire were a sign that he was doing something wrong and that exploration was out, that Chinese explorers had made it to America and to Australia and mapped it all out. It does pose some questions about some of the accepted theories, but, and it's a bit but, a lot of it is conjecture and based on secondary sources. Unfortunately some of the primary sources were destroyed when the Emperor decided that isolationism was a good thing, so we may never know the truth of the thesis.
It's an area that needs more research, still, it was possible that others also found America, the Brendan Voyage and other experiments prove that America may have been found several times but not exploited fully.
It's not a bad read, and it's interesting to have a view from a person who is familiar with the seas about the topic, a person who experienced the tides and the changes and some of the ways things are not always as they seem on water. Still needs more research and backing for it. I did find the refer to website and paperback references a bit jarring and his leaps of faith were almost on par with those in the Holy Blood and the Holy Grail. I did find it readable and it reminded me not to always take history at face value which is an important reminder in my mind.
gemmak's review against another edition
4.0
This is a thoroughly well-researched piece of history, though I think it becomes overly defensive in protecting its hypothesis. Ultimately, it proves that established history is difficult to overturn, if not impossible.
However, it encourages us to think about culture and human history in a unique and different way. I really hope this is true, and I think it's worth a read for anyone who isn't afraid of considering alternatives to the established narrative.
However, it encourages us to think about culture and human history in a unique and different way. I really hope this is true, and I think it's worth a read for anyone who isn't afraid of considering alternatives to the established narrative.
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