Not a new theory about the Minoans, but Menzies revives it and makes it fun to read. He makes a lot of jumps to conclusions that may seem logical but are not always supported by evidence. Still, it's intriguing to contemplate.

I don’t recall where I got to know about this book, but I had it in my wish list. When I got my hands on it finally, it was amazing how the book took hold of me.

Gavin Menzies takes us on his journey to rediscover the Lost Empire of Atlantis. He builds up on his theory that the Minoan empire was more accomplished that it is assumed. He tries to bring together facts and goes on to try to prove that the Minoan civilization had extensive sea faring abilities and that they might have discovered America way before Christopher Columbus. He challenges some of the accepted notions of the lost civilizations.

I have no real knowledge of history, so I would not be in a position to say whether all that he says, could actually be true or not, but he sure does paint a very convincing picture.

The manner in which he relates it, makes it a fascinating read. It left me wanting more, at the end of the book. To me, the added interest was that I had visited Thera(Santorini), which has an important role to play, and it helped me visualize things a bit better. I had also read about how it is assumed that Atlantis might have been there, before the mighty volcanic eruption ended it all.

I think it would make interesting reading for anybody who likes historical research of this sort. I had not known that I enjoyed it before I read this book. And maybe if someone with a better grasp of history read it, they could tell me how much of it is fiction and how much could be reality?

For me, it was a fantastic read. I will be reading it again, to absorb it better, and maybe do some other related reading as well, to understand it better. And yes, I will try to get hold of his other books. I really enjoyed his style of writing and his obvious enthusiasm for his subject.

Interesting theory

Quite enjoyed this. An angle I've not read about before for Atlantis. If you want a level headed theory on Atlantis this is worth a read

Some good research here, but some leaps as well. However there are some amazing facts uncovered, which, when put together provide a strong case for the Minoans having got much of their copper from America. It sounds outlandish, because it doesn't sit well with traditional history, yet there are some very good pieces of physical evidence - and anyone who doesn't like it has to explain the Minoan votive carvings on the Mississipi and around Lakes Michigan and Superior. And also, where the missing 100,000 tons of copper went from the smelt works next to the lakes, between 2500-1500 BC... and the stone circle on Beaver Island... I could go on.

The humanising parts of the book bored me however. I don't care about your boat trips and sight-seeing, Mr Menzies!

It is only really the final chapter that puts the Atlantis link in, and apart from the close correlations to Plato's description, I am not wholly convinced. Maybe because this book was actually about the Minoans and what they were capable of doing, and how far their trading empire stretched. If there was more study on the Atlantis bit... but then to be fair, all we have are Plato's fairly short descriptions of this mythical place. What is there to say? And will it ever be enough to show with more conclusiveness than in this book where Atlantis really was?

Very interesting. Love the history. He did a lot of research and it supports his supposition.