I remember buying this book years ago when looking for something outlandish to read, but when I finally got around to reading it, I realised that I'd misjudged it - well, partly. The authors don't hide the fact that they are open to many of the subjects discussed - alien contact, the pyramids of Mars, Atlantis - but most of the book adopts quite an agnostic approach to these central questions. However, it's most interesting aspect is that it provides a fascinating account of how various intelligence agencies, cults and organisations have manipulated - perhaps even created - the so-called New Age for their own agenda (sometimes 'spiritual', but often political or even military). Furthermore, the links it makes between these various individuals and organisations are often not conjectural, but documented fact - which is quite worrying, really. Do people in high places really think that aliens built the pyramids, or created life on Earth? Or is it all just some elaborate social experiment to road-test a new means of social control? The authors, to their credit, remain relatively open minded - which was, for someone with a sceptical disposition, something of a pleasant surprise for me! Saying that, their tracing of the endless and intricate web of connections may leave some readers cold.

Gareth Southwell is a philosopher, writer and illustrator.

The authors are probably on to something - especially regarding the world shadow government or whatever you want to call it. But the text in the book bounces all over the place and is a rather tedious read. ( )

When I read this book, it was difficult for me to imagine a view of the world in this book.
I think extraterrestrial exist somewhere.
I want to investigate extraterrestrial, too.

A different angle on the peacelovedove daze. who the hell was Harry Smith? or Jack Parsons? or Arthur M. Young? Makes you think twice about the12 Bauvel and that ilk. ( )

Pure, unadulterated crap. It makes the writings of Edgar Cayce look positively authoritative by comparison. ( )