Product Description
A Harvard-trained independent scholar looks at the numerous ways Advanced Beings--Von Ward's term for angels and extraterrestrials--have been influencing human history since the dawn of time. Using biblicial and other ancient sources, along with modern scientific and achaelogical findings, he unearths new information about AB'scontributions to humanity including the roots of language, technology, math, science, and more.

"Gods, Genes, and Consciousness" ties this new historical information to the present day by revealing the ways in which our cultural memories of ABs as well as records of AB involvement have been systematically suppressed in order for government and church officials to control the population. This provocative book culminates with a stirring call for the U.S. government to stop the cover-up and tell the truth about AB involvement. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (34)

Of Great Importance!
Paul Von Ward has written a phenominal version of human origin and history, treating the "alien intervention" theory, specifically that of the Annunakis, as a given near-fact, his argument makes total sense of so many unsolved loose ends that have been kicked around by scholars and historians for years. Human civilization, and everything such as mathematics, language, science,even the alphabet, all that we take for granted, originally came from the gods who created us. As Von Ward shows us, traditional religion ,which has been the basis for countless bloody conflicts through history, has it's roots in the god cults that developed during the later years of their "colonized" time on earth. Since then, their impact on humanity has been equally profound but perhaps less"direct",certainly not so apparent in our daily lives. "Nonhuman intervention in human history", as the subtitle says, is a story of profound significance throughout our history and just as much today. We're truly a species of great importance to the divine forces which surround us. In fact,we are of divine nature,for all the good (and bad) that brings to us. Highly recommended!

I must be missing something...
I'm hesitant to review this book yet because I'm only about halfway through it.But after seeing so many positive reviews, I really think I must be missing something.

I've always found the concept of ancient aliens a fascinating one.I'm familiar with some of the material that Mr. Von Ward references, but I find myself reading very slowly as I double-check facts because I don't really trust what I'm reading.I see a LOT of wild speculation - which wouldn't be so bad if it was at least backed up by some real evidence - but I don't see any of that.

What I see is the author relying quite heavily on the interpretations of Zechariah Sitchin - whose translations have (from what I can tell) largely been proven false - not by people who disagree with him, but by the ancient Sumerians themselves.Dictionaries/lexicons from the time prove his translations to be largely incorrect.Using a freely available Sumerian lexicon, you can check his translations yourself and see how off-base they are.Not to mention that none of his cosmology is corroborated by modern astronomy.

Then there's the inclusion of so much 'channeled' information and 'alternate forms of knowing.'How can you use as evidence phenomena that has not yet even been proven to be real - even if there ARE a lot of people who believe without proof?"My psychic said so" doesn't strike me as scientific evidence.

Now, don't get me wrong.I think there's a lot of value in going back and looking at ancient texts and asking the questions "What if they're more than just myth?What if the authors are relating actual experiences in the best way they can describe them?"I also think that the 'anomolies' that science currently has not explained may be more important than the things we have explained, but I expected to see more actual evidence & more hard facts.Maybe they're all packed into the second half of the book.(I'm not holding my breath.)

Even if this guy is partially correct, without any real solid evidence all we have is speculation and more questions.I'll keep reading, but I'm not sure I see the value.

interesting alternate history
The author's premise that extra terrestrials were involved in human affairs in the past was well argued.I liked that the viewpoint was not as limited as that of Sitchen and his admission that more research needs to be done. It was worth the time it took to read and the price for a 400 page treatise was reasonable.

Book
Another Book to read. Sometimes there are things here that make more sense than what conventional wisdom does.

Brilliant
I found this book to be brilliant ... but I have done a lot of research and reading on the subject. If you research it yourself you will find mountains of evidence exist to support this so called alternate human/ET history.Besides the ancient texts there is a lot of proof in the history of our DNA. This book is not trying to convince you of anything. It is written for those of us who have already done our research.... If you are serious read the books the author lists in the back of the book.

It is brilliant because he has put all the pieces together in a context that literally explains everything. He has answers to questions ranging from "why do people kill each other for having a different religion?" to " why have we been taught we are sinners?" or "Why does the roman catholic church teach ideology that seems so different from Jesus' words?"" Why does the God of the old testament tell us to make war?"
The development of conflicting thought systems in our various cultures are explained. No one else has put it in this context ..it is amazing

Also,I like what he says because he does not deny a supreme divine consciousness, or our own divine power. I have always felt this energy is very different fromthe many multidiminionals beings out there who we have worshipped as Gods. I do believe there are many beings who seemingly have supernatural powers ...BUT that does not make them a God or especially our God. I think this is really about developing your personal creative and divine power; your personal connection with the divine source of everything without going through other people, false churches or demi gods. ... Read more

Product Description
The discovery of life on other planets would be perhaps the most momentous revelation in human history, more disorienting and more profound than either the Copernican or Darwinian revolutions which knocked the earth from the center of the universe and humankind from its position of lofty self-regard. In Here Be Dragons, astronomer David Koerner and neurobiologist Simon LeVay offer a scientifically compelling and colorful account of the ongoing search for life beyond Earth.

The authors survey the work of biologists, cosmologists, computer theorists, NASA engineers, SETI researchers, roboticists, UFO enthusiasts and debunkers as they attempt to answer the greatest remaining question facing humankind: Are we alone? From their "safe haven of skepticism" the authors venture into the "rough seas of speculation," where theory and evidence run the gamut from hard science to hocus pocus. Arguing that the universe is spectacularly suited for the evolution of living creatures, Koerner and LeVay give us ringside seats at the great debates of Big Science.The contentious arguments about what really happens in evolution, the acrimonious UFO controversy, and the debate over intelligence versus artificial intelligence shed new light on the wildly divergent claims about the universe and life's place in it. The authors argue that while no direct evidence of extraterrestrial life yet exists, habitats and chemical building blocks for life abound in the universe. A wealth of new astronomical techniques and space missions may provide this evidence early in the next century.

Lucidly written and scientifically rigorous, Here Be Dragons presents everything we know thus far about the emergence of intelligent life here on earth and, perhaps, beyond.Amazon.com Review
"Experts in many diverse disciplines have come together to form a newscience: astrobiology," report astronomer David Koerner andbiologist-writer Simon LeVay.

It is a fundamentally new enterprise, a focus of intenseexcitement and energy, and a recipient of huge government resources. Thisscience has just one ambition: To understand Life in its universal contextand, in doing so, to understand ourselves.

Koerner and LeVay have no particular thesis to advance about astrobiologyand extraterrestrial life, no axe to grind: they have talked to everybodyfrom Stephen Jay Gould and Robert Weinberg to the (human) denizens of Area51. Their evenhanded overview moves from the origin of life on Earth tothe search for life in our solar system to the search for planets aroundother stars to SETI, UFO-logy, and the anthropic principle. Since each of these topics can easily take up a whole book (or a shelf-full), theirs is something of a roller-skate tour, but one that misses no major issues. Balanced between the Copernican "principle of mediocrity" and the rare earth hypothesis of Peter Ward and Donald Brownlee, Here Be Dragons is an accessible,engaging guide to a deeply stirring question: "Is there anybody out there?"--Mary Ellen Curtin ... Read more

Customer Reviews (12)

The dragons cannot be slain...yet
I have been looking for something along this line for some time - a summation of the current thinking in the scientific world on the subject of extraterrestrial life.The authors approach the problem two ways.First is a description of the various sciences involved, then an examination of conflictingviewpoints by leading scientists.

As the authors state, when one speaks of Extraterrestrial Life the underlying meaning is INTELLIGENT life - not microbes, bacteria or even insects.But since all current life evolved from microbes the authors correcly examine the most basic issues - what is life and how did it arise on Earth? They then asked if Earth's example was unique or common. Along the way we discover new schools of thought challenging traditional views of evolution, organic matter in space, carbon-based life and the wonder of water. In a more philosophical vein, the authors tackle subjectivity in science, the deeper meaning of quantum theory and finally, our own future. The discussions on the factors that made life necessary on Earth (large moon, large outer planets, right distance from the right kind of star, etc) are not new but were integrated with the rest of the story.

The one disappointment - and perhaps this is not the province of this book - was lack of discussion on consciousness. When we speak of intelligence, consciousness is implied.Yes, it would be nice to find a planet rich with microbes, better yet animal life.But unless true intelligence existed, our quest would not be considered complete.I have serious doubts about SETI (due to the increasingly rapid changes of our own techology)and even the existence of intelligent life elsewhere because of the uniqueness of conciousness which is not a result of "getting smarter" but something much more profound, something...human.A wonderful, sobering text.

A well-written introduction and overview
Like several other books on extraterrestrial life and intelligence, this one surveys habitats and requirements for life, the nature of evolution, the evolution of the solar system and the search for life there, searching for life beyond our solar system, the modern scientific search for extraterrestrial intelligence, possible exotic forms of life including machine intelligence, the Anthropic Principle, and UFOs.Here Be Dragons stands out from the others because it is interestingly written, with numerous well-chosen quotes from scientists.The book includes a few color plates and black and white illustrations.

Koerner and LeVay conclude that the search will be rewarded, and soon.One wishes that they had offered more speculations about what would happen after contact.

What Is Life?
The book presents, chapter after chapter, the points of view of differents scientists (and a few pseudo-scientists) on the subject of life: its nature, definition, origin, rules, etc. The underlying subject is extraterrestrial life, but, in order to discuss it properly, the text does not focus on SETI only, for example, but asks renowed biologists, mathematicians, roboticists and Artificial Life experts what their work about life is all about.

You end up with a very well written text, that gives some speech-time to everyone, including (regrettably, IMHO) creationnists and ufologists.

Funny thing: in the end, you probably still won't know what life is!

Only time will tell (or maybe it won't).
Perhaps extraterrestrial life is common, as the authors suggest. Perhaps it's rare, as Ward and Brownlee suggest in "Rare Earth". Both books are worth reading if you find the debate interesting. But who is right? If "Rare Earth" is, we'll never know because we'll just keep looking for something that isn't there. If "Dragons" is right, it may be centuries or millenia before we make contact with extraterrestrial species. (And bear in mind the argument that has been made by several writers before: If there are intelligent species in the galaxy, many of them would be tens or hundreds of thousands of years more advanced than we. Presumably, then, some of them would have found us by now. Yet all of them choose to remain hidden -- why? Just another question without an answer).

Personally, I think Fermi got it right.
This book's been on my shopping list for a while, so I was delighted to find it while strolling through a small bookstore in downtown Astoria.I put it in my shopping bag, along with "The Search for Life on Mars," (Malcolm Walker, Perseus Books, 1999).This is the sort of book that almost anyone with an interest in science and/or astronomy will enjoy.It's easy reading, and doesn't really require any prerequisite knowledge.

The book isn't about dragons.It's about the scientific search for extraterrestrial life.The title's taken from a phrase used by old cartographers to indicate unexplored regions of the earth.The play on words, obviously, is that the search for extraterrestrial life takes us into uncharted territory.

"Here be dragons" is a little like "Rare earth," (Ward, Brownlee, Copernicus press, 2000) with a different slant, and a different opinion held by the authors.While Ward and Brownlee are of the opinion that intelligent life is extremely rare in the universe, Koerner and LeVay tend toward the opinion that "...the resulting pressures [of evolution] may commonly foster a trend toward complexification and the ability to react and learn."In line with the hopes of SETI, Koerner and LeVay are of the opinion that "intelligence and technology is common in the galaxy."They find the Fermi Paradox (if intelligence were common in the galaxy, where are the extraterrestrials) "poorly conceived," though they admit their views may be grounded in faith as much as in reason.

The book's flow is both logical and predictable.It begins by describing the theories of the origin of life on earth, including hyperthermophiles and life at the extreme, near mid-ocean vents and hot springs.There's a brief review of Stanley Miller's experiment in the 50's, and how he synthesized many important organic compounds by simulating what he thought, at the time, was a realistic approximation of earth's early atmosphere.But our understanding of the early atmosphere has changed since then, and it looks like the experiment Miller performed doesn't match atmospheric conditions, as we understand them today.This has led scientists to look at other possibilities for the origin of life.For example, organic compounds have been found in space, so there is some speculation that the initial ingredients for life might have been extraterrestrial.Also, recent evidence suggests that our earliest common ancestors were hyperthermophiles, so deep-sea vents may be where life first arose.

Recent discoveries of the extreme conditions in which life exists on earth has led to new speculation about its possible existence on other planets.Mars, for example, might harbor life today, deep under ground (as it is found on earth).During a warmer and wetter past, Mars might even have supported life on its surface.

Throughout the book, the authors act as scientific investigative reporters.They use the book to teach, but also to give a representative view of what different scientists and researchers in various fields are doing.Ordinarily, I'd prefer to see authors be a little more forceful in presenting an idea or opinion, and then working to defend it.But the situation with Koerner and LeVay is different.Exobiology, unlike other branches of science, is one in which the principal subject of research has not been shown to exist.The field is so new that speculation and widely divergent opinions abound.In view of this state of flux, I think it's particularly valuable for their book to sample the broader spectrum of ideas.

After describing the conditions under which life arose on earth, and how it might exist on other planets, the authors proceed to describe the direction of evolution.The point of this discussion is whether evolution has any tendency toward greater levels of complexity, and specifically whether it drives toward the evolution of beings intelligent enough to build a radio transmitter.They sample the opinions of three scientists: Simon Conway Morris, Stephen Jay Gould, and Stuart Kauffman.While these scientists share common ground, they also draw different conclusions and place emphasis in different ways.Personally, I think Stephen Jay Gould comes closest to the truth.It seems obvious to me that the chances of finding intelligence on other planets (where "intelligence" means being able to design and build a system that can communicate with earth) is about as likely as finding a woodpecker (an example used in the book) or an elephant.Humans - in spite of the inflated opinion we have of ourselves - are not the end product of evolution.Our species represents a single point in a morphological phase space of nearly infinite expanse.While I suspect there are strange attractors in this space, it seems less than obvious to me that intelligence (of the sort possessed by humans) is so close to one of these strange attractors as to ensure its evolution during the lifetime of a given planet.

The authors have a pretty interesting chapter on SETI, as well as one about science and the religion of UFOs.They end the book with some exotic extrapolations and speculation of life on other planets, complete with philosophical discussions about cosmology, the anthropic principle, many worlds, multiple universes, and a whole bunch of other subjects that are as easily tossed about by novices and experts, alike.

The book is sparsely illustrated, with an ample index and extensive list of additional reading material.It's well written, easy to read, and entertaining.It's pure speculation (of course) about what we shall find of extraterrestrial life.The real scientific value is in its descriptions of the origin of life on earth, aspects of evolution, and the way it sets the mind to wondering. ... Read more

Product Description

For over fifteen centuries the mysterious crop circles have been mentioned in academic and religious texts. In the 1890s farmers and military personnel witnessed them being created in seconds by tubes of light and other luminosities.

But around 1980 the phenomenon went into overdrive and exploded worldwide, with some10,000 reports spread over 29 countries. A major controversy erupted followed by a pre-designed debunking campaign through the media. But the 80 eyewitness accounts clearly tell another story that a genuine phenomenon is at work. So what are crop circles, why are they here and what is responsible?

This book by veteran researcher and international best-selling author Freddy Silva is the most comprehensive account of the mystery ever published, much of it from personal and hands-on experience.

Written at enormous personal sacrifice, Silva brings you the complete history of the phenomenon, the anomalies that defy the present boundaries of science, and the deliberate official efforts to discredit it and manipulate the public s opinion.

Copiously illustrated with over 400 images and diagrams, he delves into the hard evidence and describes how the designs may be created by sound, plasma and the manipulation of local magnetic fields. He dissects their sacred geometry, their known meanings, hidden messages, connections with ancient symbols, and how they are energetically linked to ancient sacred sites such as Stonehenge and the Giza pyramids.

Ultimately he comes face-to-face with the source of the real crop circles including a photo of a Circle-maker and discovers how the glyphs are associated with the upcoming cycle of earth changes, and how they are working energetically to influence the future direction of human consciousness.

The message in this comprehensive and critically-acclaimed work will surprise and humble you. For the crop circles are a guide to where we have been, and a signpost to where we are headed.

Customer Reviews (31)

Did Freddy Silva even WRITE chapter 8?
Prior to chapter 8, the book was quite interesting. But then, Silva, or SOMEBODY, tries their hand at ordinary science...strike that...ordinary DEFINITIONS...and things start falling apart. For example, here is an EXACT QUOTE from his book, in chapter 8, in the section called Electromagnetics and the Energy Grid.

"the number of times a wave occurs in one second along a given length (the wavelength) determines its frequency..."[parentheses HIS]

The clause "along a given length (wavelength)" is incorrect and should be eliminated. The statement SHOULD read "the number of times a wave occurs in one second determines its frequency".

On page 129, figure 8.18 shows a drawing of the Torus Ring crop glyph, with eleven radiating fins coming from the central circle and fanning out to the outer circle. Eleven. Superimposed on this 11 "sided" figure is a so-called Star of David. A triangle and an inverted triangle over it. The caption say's "and it's encoded hexagonal geometry". Except, there IS no encoded hexagonal geometry. There are ONLY eleven simple fins radiating outwards. How do you get 6 out of 11?Superimposing such a six sided figure onto the eleven finned glyph is as arbitrary as superimposing a 5 sided, 7 sided or 8 sided figure onto it. Or even a picture of MICKEY MOUSE! Did Silva KNOW someone did this to his thesis?

Immediately to the left of figure 8.18 is figure 8.19, a glyph that resembles a magnetic grid. It is bilateral and one could even BROADLY interpret this as quadrilateral by overlooking the fact that it is ONLY bilaterally symetric. But Silva goes so far as to superimpose a PENTAGRAM over it. There is NO CORRESPONDENCE WHATSOEVER aside from the trivial fact that both the magnetic grid and the pentagram fit neatly inside A circle.

There are a number of other pronouncements he makes that singlehandedly RUINS his credibility and makes him look like some New Age flake. Its irritating. I have a 40% suspicion that Freddy Silva may himself be one of the persons on the government payroll whose goal is to disrupt serious research and consideration of crop circles as genuine non-human artifacts.

Who can deny this evidence?
If you have no knowledge of the mystery of crop circles then this is your book!It's thorough, it's well-written, it's non-speculative, and boy oh boy the diagrams and images are everywhere!I don't understand how this subject can still be considered a hoax phenomenon with this book in print.Mr. Silva doesn't claim to know all the answers, but he does exhibit more than enough evidence to prove that the official explanation is a complete joke.

Thank you, Freddy Silva
As a photographer, I've always enjoyed the beauty of crop circles, but haven't noticed much about them in mainstream media since the mid 80's, except a blip when the movie "Signs" came out.Thanks to Google's wonderful graphics around the anniversary of the "War of the Worlds", I came across sites with photos of recent crop circles.I've always wondered at the nay-sayers commenting that "9 out of 10 crop circles are hoaxes".So ... what about that other ONE?If it's not a hoax, what on earth is it?Freddy Silva apparently dedicated years of his life (not to mention his marriage) in search of meaning behind these anomalies; this book is a treasure trove of knowledge from a wide variety of scholarly and personal research.I personally know many artists who use the environment as their canvas, yet none could pull off such elaborate patterns in the dark for years on end without someone else discovering them (inadvertently or through boasting) let alone with such finesse as I've seen exemplified in numerous crop formation to date.Regardless, this book contains many thought provoking concepts as to be wonderful for anyone interested in crop circles (historic and modern) as well as music, light study, geometry, philosophy and mysticism."Secrets in the Fields" portrays a wonderful examination of existence within the vast cosmic dance of light, sound, and the extraordinary beauty abounding on Earth.Buy this book, read it all, and wonder:what do the crop formations imply to you?

Crop Circles revealed
This is a comprehensive study of crop circles by someone who obviously has dedicated time and interest to this subject. He describes some fascinating experiences he has personally had and also the reactions of various people to the crop circles.

The vast majority appear in an area of England connected to sacred sites, leylines sound and music. There are a vast number of beautiful illustrations in colour and explanations of the geometries, and proportions of many of them. He gives scientific and mystical explanations of their origins and compositions. There are the findings of mystics and researchers and details of their experiences.

In the media they are largely ignored and misrepresented.In other cultures there are varied responses to them.In Africa they celebrate the appearance of crop circles for days with music and dancing and ceremony. The farmers on whose lands the crop circles appear have varied responses to them but the Hamish people destroy them instantly.
He gives information on the area where the crop circles usually appear and its connection with ancient sites and along a very special line, called the Michael and Mary line, because of all the churches and temples which have been built there from the earliest tims.
there is a detailed bibliography and index for further study.It is a book which should stand the test of time and deserves a place on the bookshelves of anyone interested in these amazing formations.

The area where they appear most often is

Highly Recommended!
This wonderful book contains a wealth of information and analysis.I am grateful to Freddy Silva for producing it, and I also recommend his other works.

In my opinion, this book is a must have for healers, consciousness explorers and anyone interested in Earth energies. ... Read more

Product Description
Under the mask of developing a new type of thinking useful for making business decisions, the author alleges that forty-two of the Nostradamus prophecies were known in Jewish mystic circles during medieval times, including thirty-two that were called the Paths of Wisdom. In this book he provides in-depth analysis of most of the thirty-two Paths in the light of prophecy of contemporary events. ... Read more