When the Sky Fell: In Search of Atlantis

Book Synopsis: The classic 1995 edition of WHEN THE SKY FELL which introduced the theory that Atlantis became Antarctica when the earth’s crust shifted. The theory of earth crust displacement was developed by the American scholar Charles Hapgood with the enthusiastic support and guidance of Albert Einstein. The Flem-Aths corresponded with Charles Hapgood from 1977 until his death in 1982. On August 3, 1977 Hapgood wrote that their research …is the first truly scientific exploration of my work that has ever been done. You have found evidence for crustal displacement that I did not find.” This evidence includes the exciting discovery that world mythology preserves the legend of Atlantis around the globe. Explore the ancient stories that speak of a falling sky and a Great Flood. Enter the world of maverick characters such as janitor, James Croll, who made a breakthrough about the Ice Ages while reading books in the library he was supposed to be cleaning. Meet Athanasius Kircher the Jesuit priest and hieroglyphic expert who discovered a long lost Egyptian map of Atlantis. Or travel with Tungus chief Ossip Shumakhov as he searches for ivory in the isolated wilderness of Siberia and is astonished to discover, complete with preserved hair and flesh, the ice-encapsulated carcass of a mammoth. …even the most sceptical reader will admit after reading this book it is difficult to deny the existence of a lost continent, Atlantis, buried under the Antarctic ice…condense[s] centuries of Atlantis fact and myth into a landmark work of scholarship. Ottawa Citizen 9 April 1995

The Flem-Aths' contribution to Atlantis research is their rediscovery and interpretation of the 1665 Athanasius Kircher map of Atlantis, brought from Egypt by the Romans, which identifies Atlantis as being the present-day continent of Antarctica. The Flem-Aths point out that the map, which corresponds in remarkable detail to present-day Antarctica, was published almost three centuries before scientists knew the true ice-free shape of the frozen continent. …The book is a lively and topical Atlantis update, blending science, mythology, and ancient history to shed fresh light on this most enduring of mysteries. Vancouver Sun 22 April 1995

So how convincing is the authors' argument? Well, more plausible than Eric von Daniken's theory that civilization was born from aliens. …The authors' most interesting theory lies in mythology. If we accept that the exploits of the gods and goddesses of ancient times were simply exaggerated tales of the real deeds of former kings, queens, and rulers, then clearly myths become a signpost to the past. Manchester Evening News 21 July 1995

…a convincing case for Atlantis … the Flem-Aths examine other mysteries such as mass extinctions in certain areas of the world, perfectly preserved mammoths discovered in the Siberian ice, the true age of the Sphinx and remarkably accurate maps of the Americas and ice-free Antarctica that date from long before European explorers ever reached those shores. … It is a compelling argument… Birmingham Post 5 August 1995

Written in a scholarly but easy to understand manner, it offers a simple hypothesis. Antarctica is Atlantis… This is more than just science. It is an entire history lesson dating to the dawn of man's ability to remember events. Ocala Star-Banner 10 December 1995

Canadian librarians Rand and Rose Flem-Ath have assembled a daring and extremely convincing argument that the location of the lost civilization of Atlantis is the Antarctic continent. …Combining mythology with a wealth of scientific and historical information, the Flem-Aths' research will shake a few foundations. Nexus 1996