Rating: 
Summary: Definitely Interesting
Review: Although they seem a little far fetched, especially in this consumerist world where one will only believe that which is placed in front of him as "proof", I highly enjoy reading Erich Von Daniken's theories relating to the possible origins of human civilization. I mean think about it for a minute, what if the theories were in fact, true? Would you then believe?Von Daniken's first book "Chariots of the Gods?" fascinated me when I read it in high school, not because of his writing style (which he really should have worked on), but rather the fact that it was putting out new ideas which were completely "taboo" at the time. Yes, the UFO craze was in full force with everyone, and their mother writing about "visitors" from "spaceships" doing everything from experimenting on humans to impregnating females, but this was the first time that someone created a theory that human civilization could have indeed been founded by these ancient "gods" in their "flying machines". I'm not saying that any of it is true (nor his other works), but I get him credit for creating a theory that would go on to influence everyone from Graham Hancock to Robert Temple. Pick this up, and read with an open mind.
Rating:
Summary: Dogma?
Review: When Aliens are mentioned people look around for the crazy guy who mentioned the "A" word. That subject gives people discomfort and a sense of skepticism. Daniken presents, in laymans terms his theory of Paleo-Seti. There is enough evidence to state that there is some validity in the book. From almost every culture have gods that decend from the sky and give Knowledge to the masses. There are buildings all over the world that couldn't have been built by such a primitive cultures Giza for one or almost every Maya Building ever created. Scientist hold on to there Dogma of how the world should be of course because we know everything about the past. We know that MAN is the greatest thing ever to exist. MAN is master of his domain nohing out anywhere is better than MAN. But to open minded people who can't find very much wrong with his book fall upon ridicule from the very people who should be interested in finding facts...Scientists. I know this book is hard to swallow what it says to me is we aren't alone, and we never where. Dogma is hard to overcome by any means No matter what you clucth when your faith is tested a cross or an beaker, There is more in heaven and Earth than we will ever know.
Rating: 
Summary: Fun, but misleading
Review: The book mainly talks about the Authors journey to the pyramids of Egypt. Not much else.
Rating: 
Summary: Psuedo science for the gullible
Review: I was about to write a review when I discovered one that said everything I wanted to say, except to note that Erich was a fraudster and convicted embezzler, and reprinted it below.
- Primitive savages (i.e. non-Europeans) weren't intelligent enough to create these monuments, and their own great civilizations for that matter, all on their own. Thus, those outside influences that created these civilizations MUST have been aliens who, coincidently, looked much like Europeans. -
It's not difficult to counter Von Daniken's claims. From a scientific standpoint, he has a theory and twists "evidence" to support it; evidence that would counter his hypotheses is conveniently ignored. In fact, he rarely uses any evidence at all. He merely dismisses the accepted ideas out of hand, and then floats his own ideas as if these constituted evidence itself. When he did try to present physical evidence, as he did with pottery depicting flying saucers, these were proven to be frauds ("Nova" found the potter and Von Daniken had to admit the fraud he perpetrated when confronted). This, boys and girls, ain't science.
I'm torn in rating this book. On the one hand, I found myself laughing a great deal, so in that respect it provided me with a great deal of entertainment. However, it has also contibuted to a lack of scientific understanding of many people today. There are those who accept it without question, and I find this fact scary as hell.
Here, here.
Rating: 
Summary: Biscuit Barrel
Review: This is a great classic documentary. Regardless of what you may think about the origins of the pyramids and monoliths, there are undeniably here, and the origins of these mysterious wonders of the world, and how they were built and transported great distances, since the weight of the stones were astronomical, are as of yet largely unexplained and mysterious. The scenery of the film is fantastic and thought provoking. I would have given it a five star rating if the music/sound track were a bit better. The movie gets far more interesting after the first ten minutes and there are amazing shots of areas such as Easter Island. I would recommend this movie to anyone who would enjoy seeing many wonders of the world in many areas. I am glad that I purchased this DVD and did enjoy watching it. Have a pleasant day, everyone.
Rating:
Summary: Were the Pyramids built by aliens?
Review: Were these Aliens also humanities ancestors? If so why did they desert us?
Forty some years ago author Erich von Daniken laid out his case that many ancient construction feats that surpassed the technology of the alleged builders were actually accomplished by on in conjunction with ancient astronauts, people who may have been our ancestors.
Von Daniken lays out a very persuasive theory as he addresses unexplained phenomena around the world postulating that these mysteries can only be explained by assistance from a superior civilization.
To make his case von Daniken takes us to Mexico, South America, Easter Island, North America and of course Egypt.
Von Daniken's heretical hypothesis may be true or it may be erroneous but it does offer an explanation for many mysteries of antiquity and either way it makes those with an open mind, think.
Rating:
Summary: A Happy Nostalgic Surprise
Review: I can remember watching this movie in my grammar school when I was 10 years old. I was pretty enthralled back then, although I didn't care so much about the scientific part. After watching it some 25+ years later, it still holds that special wonder for me. Film enthusiasts will trash the quality of the DVD--the transfer is a joke (there is lint on the film throughout) and the sound quality goes from varying volumes of loud and soft to outright wobbly. But face it, if you're (like me) watching this movie, you aren't doing it for the THX experience! Although his arguments aren't very convincing, and his leaps in logic are neck snapping to say the least, Von Daniken's film is still a wonderful travelogue. Particularly catching are the shoots of the Mayan civilizations, especially the Temple of the Sun. Whether or not you buy into his theory of ancient civilizations being visited by extra-terrestrials Von Daniken's arguements will still make you scratch your head and say 'gee' (especially his breakdowns of various pyramid constructions); it seems as though he took a page from the likes of Aquinas and other Christian philosophers--since the existence of ETI visitations to earth can't be proved to have not happened for sure, it would be and is equally valid to assume that they did. Still, this is not a movie to be watched for it's intellectual stimulation so much as it is for it's exotic beauty.
Rating:
Summary: Different way of thinking.
Review: Despite what any of you may think, I rated "Chariots of the Gods," as a "5" because it distracts your mind from the main stream if only for a second. Throughout history, there has always been people not willing to except the way that things are said to be. It is in my opinion that no matter whether you feel that this book is based on facts or not, that it will leave you doubting mainstream theories. I am in no way saying that this book in itself will change anything but that it left me feeling refreshed of the traditional historical writings and made me wonder, if only for a second, if everything is as "most" people say. Or, could the far "history" be just a fanciful story?
I don't know and neither do any of you, so just read the book. Even if you only read it as its own fanciful history, just read it and let your imagination run free for the first time in years.
Rating:
Summary: Infinitely watchable
Review: CHARIOTS OF THE GODS? based on Erich Von Daniken's book puts forth the supposition that earth and its early inhabitants were visited in remote times by superior alien intelligent beings and were technologically assisted by them. In CHARIOTS Daniken transports the viewer on a global exploration visiting many exotic and ancient cultures; in particular, he focuses on their many beguiling and puzzling architectural constructions. This speculative documentary is beautifully filmed and even if Daniken's thesis is dubious, that's missing the point. It's infinitely watchable.
Rating:
Summary: A Curious Theory...
Review: Erich Von Daniken's "Chariots of the Gods" puts forward the theory that man was aided in his evolution by intellegent beings from across the galaxy, and that evidence of this can be found all over the world, from the Great Pyramid of Egypt, to the abadoned cities of the Maya, and even between the pages various religious texts.
It stirred a lot of controversy in it's time, and a lot of mockery. One of the main reasons, I think, is because of the uncompromising way Daniken has written the book. He pretty much bangs you on the head with his views, then attacks the archaelogical establishment then encourages us all to follow him. This style works both as a blessing and a curse, I think. It's refreshing to read an academic who isn't wishy washy or unsure of their views, but on the other hand, readers who are even the least bit sceptical are going to be put off by Daniken's heavy handed, sometimes fanatical, approach. The chapter on "Biblical Evidence", for example, was a bit offputting for me. He seems to be drawing entirely from his own interpretations of scripture, without consultations from any biblical scholars (Jewish or Christian) who may have been able to shed additional light onto the quotes that he uses.
A lot of the time (again, this can be seen as charming or offputting) it seems that Daniken is drifting from one topic to another, then back again, as if he'd forgetten about it and remembered. He does this particularly toward the end. Perhaps he was so determined to get his message out there, he just sat on his typewriter with his references and just banged out the book as it came to him.
As for the evidence, some of it is actually quite compelling. Well, not the evidence as such so much as the questions Daniken poses. The evidence and pictures put forward just make the questions all the more curious. Why is the Great Pyramid where it is? How did they build it? Why do so many civilations mention a flood in their religion or mythology?
Personally, I do think Daniken is onto something, but he was jumping to the wrong (and way too many) conclusions. There have been many books published on ancient anachronisms and anomalies since each with their own opinions. (One of my favourites is "Dead Men's Secrets" by Australian archaelogist Jonathan Gray). The thing is, though, Daniken was the first of these to speak up and say "Hey, something doesn't quite add up here". Say what you like about his spacey theory, (and it is only a theory, after all) but he was brave for putting his views out there. All he wanted was his questions answered.
Even if you don't agree with it, it's worth picking up just to read what all the fuss was about back then. I'm sure this book was responsible for inspiring a LOT of science fiction from that time on. (Doctor Who and the X-Files in particular)
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