Merlin and the Discovery of Avalon in the New World

by Graham Phillips

Book Overview

The first book to present the true identity of the mythic figure Merlin * Uncovers historical evidence that the legend of Merlin was based on the life of a real man * Reveals that Avalon, Merlin's final resting place, was an island in the United States The legendary figure Merlin is known throughout the world as the wizard of Camelot who was counselor to King Arthur and helped that monarch create the Round Table. Through the course of a 20-year investigation...

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 159143047X
• ISBN13: 9781591430476
• Release Date: October 2005
• Publisher: Bear & Company
• Length: 256 Pages
• Weight: 0.98 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.7" x 6.1" x 8.9"

Customer Reviews

Merlin and the Discovery of Avalon

I brought this book for my sister's birthday, she was Merlin in a past lifetime. She loved the book.

Merlin aka the son of a Roman counsel

Merlin is well known as a Camelot wizard involved with King Arthur, but here's a different take from Graham Phillips, who spent twenty years uncovering evidence that Merlin was actually based on the life of the son of a Roman counsel who was the last of them to rule Britain in the 5th century A.D. Rather than ending his life in the mystical Avalon, Phillips argues that Merlin actual journeyed to the New World via the Arctic Sea: MERLIN AND THE DISCOVERY OF AVALON IN THE NEW WORLD provides the researched evidence to prove this point, and will be a 'must' for any Arthur/Merlin researchers.

Fascinating blend of historical detection and Dark Age myth

I picked this up as a follow-on from the author's previous works involving Arthur in British myth and his identity as a real historical figure. As thought-provoking as these ideas were, I was initially very sceptical as to the possibility of a similarly convincing identification of Merlin. Happily my first thoughts proved unfounded. Despite reading more like a Dan Brown novel than an academic discourse, the threads of a variety of sources are skilfully blended together to form a coherent argument as to Merlin's historical identity. The picture of a Britain descending into a post-Roman, invasion-plagued land, held briefly in check by the two figures that have become known as Arthur and Merlin, is both vivid and revealing. The notion that Merlin also voyaged to the New World seems ridiculous. However, the author demonstrates that there is a sequence of locations in the rather fanciful and elaborate Dark Age saga, 'The Voyage of Mael Duin's Boat', that is linked to the Merlin legend (however incongruously) that appears to describe a route to the north-eastern United States via Iceland (the route later taken by the Vikings). Although the term proof can never be ascribed to this idea, it does have an air of plausibility. The final theme explored in the book is on safer ground. Assuming that the real historical identities of Arthur and Merlin discovered by the author are true (as seems likely given the mounting evidence compiled in both this and the earlier work - and the lack of evidence for any other theory), then family trees for the ruling House of Windsor in the UK clearly demonstrate a link between the heir to the Heir Apparent to the throne (that would be Prince William then via the late Diana Spencer) and both Arthur and Merlin. Certain to provoke many academics, this work could be easily dismissed as just another alternative history work. However, what cannot be easily dismissed are the arguments put forward by the author and the evidence he uses to back them up. Did I also mention that it's a real page-turner too?

magnificent discovery!

This book of 'Merlin and the Discovery of Avalon' was such a magnificent historical insight into a legend we are all so familiar with - the Magician Merlin from the Arthurian legends. Mr. Phillip's theory to whom the 'real' Merlin may have been is both enthralling and fascinating and the historical man is even more interesting than any fantasy writer has written. And how the royal line may actually be linked to the present day British royality through Lady Diana and the possible future King is quite remarkable to say the least. If you are interested in King Arthur and all of his legends and true impacts he had on history - this is a book to not miss!