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REVIEWS ©& least a mini ice-age to beset the planet with- in 100 years, and are not descriptive of a global warming trend. As an associate member of Spaceguard UK, Milne has a par- ticular interest in near-Earth asteroids, so he devotes space to this study and the latest mathematical models that utilise complexity theory, probability theory and risk analysis to determine the chances and effects of a "doomsday missile" striking the planet. Milne brings a well-balanced, rational approach to his highly readable examination of catastrophe science, and he is pragmatic in his warnings about future disasters. least a mini ice-age to beset the planet with- _ reserved only for adepts in the mysteries. B oO oO K S in 100 years, and are not descriptive of a Thus, Alford says, the Assyrian, Egyptian, global warming trend. As an associate Babylonian, Greek, Hebrew and Christian DOOMSDAY: The Science of member of Spaceguard UK, Milne has a par- __ religious traditions all stemmed from this i ticular interest in near-Earth asteroids, so he —_ ancient knowledge but perpetrated only half- brantony Wie devotes space to this study and the latest truths. The story of Jesus, the Son (Seed) of «char: A mathematical models that utilise complexity Man, was a rewrite of this catastrophe and Publisher: Praeger Publishers, USA, 2000 th a . : pe 4 : eory, probability theory and risk analysis was re-enacted in his day as an esoteric pas- ISBN: 0-275-96747-6 (198pp he) . to determine the chances and effects of a sion play, Alford maintains. Price: £52.50; USD$55.00 + p&h; "doomsday missile" striking the planet. These traditional cover-ups are no longer NLGf149,90 Milne brings a well-balanced, rational good enough for today's educated, rational, Sources: UK—Eurospan, tel 020 7240 approach to his highly readable examination _curious minds that want to unlock the keys 0856; Europe—NEXUS Office, tel +31 321 of catastrophe science, and he is pragmatic —_ and get to the facts. Alford laments that 380558; ; USA—Praeger, tel (203) 226 in his warnings about future disasters. mainstream science today is still too slow to 3571, website www.praeger.com acknowledge alternative catastrophe theo- atastrophism was once the mainstay of WHEN THE GODS CAME DOWN ries, e.g., that of astronomer Tom van 18th-century geologists steeped in bibli- by Alan Alford Flandern, whose observations have led him cal tradition centred on the Great Flood. Publisher: Hodder & Stoughton, 2000 to conclude that the asteroid belt is the result And as British science writer Antony Milne —_|§BN: 0-340-69616-8 (484pp he) of a planetary explosion, or possibly a colli- shows in his eighth book, Doomsday, the Price: AUD$54.75; NZD$69.95; £20.00; Sion between two planetary bodies. competing theory, uniformitarianism, can NLG78,90 , , , By analysing the ancient texts with a fresh hardly stand up in the face of modern scien- goyrges:’ Aust—Hodder Headline; NZ— “PPfoach, Alford explodes the myths that tific knowledge of the Big Bang, black Hodder Moa Beckett: UK—Hodder & are intrinsic to religious beliefs. His thesis holes, or comet and asteroid impacts. The Stoughton, tel 020 7873 6000: Europe— deserves attention, but be warned: you'll study of catastrophic events is now relevant NEXUS Office, tel +31 321 380558 never look at religion the same way again. in disciplines as diverse as anthropology, biology, climatology, mathematics, physics, religions lies an esoteric truth that's palaeontology as well as geology. been withheld from the masses through the Without getting unduly carried away by ages, says Alan Alford in When the Gods t the core of ancient mythologies and Al fc arel "end of the world is nigh" hype, Milne Came Down. His hypothesis is that this explains that catastrophes are an intrinsic truth originally described the explosion of a part of the Earth's history, and some of them planet in our solar system between Mars and are recorded in ancient texts and oral tradi- Jupiter, which caused a catastrophic raining tions around the globe. He looks at the lat- down of meteorites to Earth. The explosion est research into mass extinctions, massive came to be interpreted as God or Heaven floods, ice ages, seismic and volcanic seeding the Earth with life. events, solar and cosmic physics as well as The Sumerians may have recorded this statistics showing that natural disasters are event on their stone tablets, but the creation on the increase globally. He also highlights and heroic myths and religions that derived evidence suggesting that recent climatic from them were embellishments designed changes are precursors of an ice age, or at for popular consumption, the whole truth 72 ¢ NEXUS reserved only for adepts in the mysteries. Thus, Alford says, the Assyrian, Egyptian, Babylonian, Greek, Hebrew and Christian religious traditions all stemmed from this ancient knowledge but perpetrated only half- truths. The story of Jesus, the Son (Seed) of Man, was a rewrite of this catastrophe and was re-enacted in his day as an esoteric pas- sion play, Alford maintains. These traditional cover-ups are no longer good enough for today's educated, rational, curious minds that want to unlock the keys and get to the facts. Alford laments that mainstream science today is still too slow to acknowledge alternative catastrophe theo- ries, e.g., that of astronomer Tom van Flandern, whose observations have led him to conclude that the asteroid belt is the result of a planetary explosion, or possibly a colli- sion between two planetary bodies. By analysing the ancient texts with a fresh approach, Alford explodes the myths that are intrinsic to religious beliefs. His thesis deserves attention, but be warned: you'll never look at religion the same way again. AUGUST - SEPTEMBER 2000