Earth in Upheaval

by Immanuel Velikovsky

Book Overview

In this epochal book, Immanuel Velikovsky, one of the great scientists of modern times, puts the complete histories of our Earth and of humanity on a new basis. He presents the results of his... This description may be from another edition of this product.

• Format: Hardcover
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0385041136
• ISBN13: 9780385041133
• Release Date: January 1955
• Publisher: Doubleday Books
• Length: 314 Pages
• Weight: 1.05 lbs.

Customer Reviews

Viva Velikovsky

As I reread "Earth In Upheaval" I am struck anew by Velikovsky's disciplined scholasticism and breadth of source material, by his compunction to always include other points of view (and flaws therein), and by his clear writing style. It is understandable why Einstein had "Worlds In Collision" open on his desk when he died, why Clifton Fadiman, who was for many years editor-in-chief of the Reader's Digest, said that Velikovsky wrote about 50 times better than most of his critics, and why it was predicted that 99% of the books on geology, archeology and ancient history would have to be rewritten. I suggest serious Philalethists (lovers of truth) read Velikovsky in his entirety. His day is approaching. Just one question: How can we get some new editions published, maybe on the internet, so students can see for themselves for a change why Velikovsky may well be the (persecuted) Copernicus or Gallileo of the 20th century? A final point: although I had read "Earth In Upheaval" 30 years ago, and I've glanced at it again several times since before my recent re-read, one particular factoid stikes me hard with it's import...Velikovsky refers to beaches and fossils hundreds of feet up off the coast of South America along with aerial views of settlements, untolled numbers of them, UP TO AND EVEN INTO THE PERENNIAL SNOW LINE!!! Now how can you explain that without a catastrophic theory? Philip Neri Lyons goodoldphil@yahoo.com

Earth in Upheaval,

I have read this book as well as others by this author and found it fascinating, well researched. It does challenge established science. Strict guidelines have to be followed when emitting a theory; Mr. Velikovsky seems to have done just that even though his detractors find him sensationalistic to say the least. However, science has to be challenged. That is how new discoveries are made, quite often, at the expense of the scientist's career, especially if he goes agaist the grain of accepted theories or so called "known facts". Unfortunately, Sciences' motives are not always as pure as one would want to believe. Scientists are human, therefore faillible and like everybody else, they like to protect their turf.

Still Unanswered

Velikovsky compiled this huge list of catastrophic data in answer to one of the foolish criticisms of 1950's "Worlds In Collision" -- that it relied on 'tales and stories'. Catastrophists often rely on bits and pieces from this book, perhaps indirectly, but nowhere else can they all be found, except perhaps for William Corliss' catalogs and sourcebooks.The only thing that has happened since "Earth In Upheaval" was published in 1955 is that even more evidence has emerged along with even more outlandish rationalizations and apologia for uniform "explanations". While this 19th century delusional system perishes, its grip on power has slipped away. Catastrophism triumphs everywhere, even in the consideration of celestial disasters in historical times.In 1960 the Chicxulub crater was discovered by PEMEX. In 1970 someone first suggested that the dinosaurs went extinct due to an impact. In 1972 impact was shown to be the dominant force on the lunar surface. In 1980 the Alvarez team suggested it again, supporting their view with the iridium found at the K-T boundary layer. Others found similar iridium in other boundary layers. By 1990 the Chicxulub crater finally came to the attention of the impact theorists. Impact wasn't the fully accepted consensus until the 1994 impacts of Comet Shoemaker-Levy 9's fragments into Jupiter.The text has the same ease and command of Velikovsky's other books, and I found it to be a pleasure to read 20 plus years ago. I highly recommend it, particularly for those considering other books. There is still a great deal of ill-temper, hostility, and ignorance regarding Velikovsky's works, and these often take the form of a single dismissive sentence or paragraph. Living writers seem to go out of their way to dump on him, and this is particularly true among fringe authors.See also Velikovsky's other works (new and used), David Rohl's "Pharaohs and Kings", Peter James' "Centuries of Darkness", Ryan and Pitman's "Noah's Flood", Mary Settegast's "Plato Prehistorian", and Robert Schoch's "Voices of the Rocks".

So many answers, so little recognition

I first read this book perhaps 15 years ago, and I still remember the impact it had on me. Everything clicked in place, and so many questions were answered and substantiated, and so many predictions have been validated as our knowledge of the solar system increases. Despite the fact that the author has been proven right in so many of his theories, recognition from the academic community is still not forthcoming. What is even more ironic is that the majority of his detractors, then and now, have not even read his books!Due to the competition for grants and the decrease in available funds for pure research many scientists relegated new or contradictory ideas to the closet. No one wanted to rock the boat. Now, thanks to space exploration, our discoveries often outpace our theories. Hopefully this will open the door that was shut on a brilliant man years ago. Hopefully, the fact that many of our new discoveries were predicted and substantiated by a man who truly deserves the recognition so deliberately denied him, will be bought to light.In an age when our very existence may well depend on our ability to understand science, as well as understand ourselves, the need for an open mind has never been more important.Sadly, I lost my copy of this book and would be grateful to know where I can find another.

Fascinating

Unlike many authors of alternative history works who jump to gaint conclusions without supporting evidence, Velikovsky make a valiant attempt to peice together the nature of catasphrofies which took place on this planet before the age of modern man. He raises very valid issues which scientists have been unable to explain satisfactorly - such as if the poles have always been where they are today why doesn't siberia, well inside the artic cycle have any effects of glaciation. Why did glaciation start from what is now the equator. Why are human artifacts found alongside animals scientist claim were extinct long before homo sapiens appeared and why do human bones and those of these extinct animals lay intermingled in huge mangled graveyards. This book will not please established science because it dares to offer an alternative view of the world. While he does jump to some conclusions, particularly in respect to 'evolution'' he does on the whole, provide an extremely thought provoking arguement. Until science can properly explain the serious questions raised by Velikovsky the contents of this book cannot be dismissed. Persons who are considering reading this book should first read Velikovsky's other book "Worlds in Collision" first.