Meet Me in Atlantis

September 1, 2015

When Adams (Turn Right at Machu Picchu) became interested in the sunken city of Atlantis, he immersed himself in the world of Atlantis enthusiasts, both living and deceased. He interviewed people who had made finding it their life's ambition, including scientists, archaeologists, philosophy professors, and a medical doctor. First and foremost, intimate knowledge of Plato's Timaeus and Critias, as well as The Republic, was essential for clues to the true location and demise of Atlantis. Among the experts were those who believed that the sunken city was a fabrication of Plato's imagination, but most believed that it existed and is yet to be discovered, whether it's in the Atlantic, the Mediterranean, somewhere in the Americas, or elsewhere. Narrator Andrew Garman articulates the adventure with expert pronunciation and accents from across the globe. VERDICT A fascinating introduction to the topic for Atlantis novices. ["Adams's excellent examination frames much of Atlantis research on an intimate level. In its own right, this work serves as an important contribution to the search for Atlantis. Readers of history, adventure, travel, scientific inquiry, or the history of science will find this book provocative and entertaining": LJ 2/1/15 starred review of the Dutton hc.]--Ann Weber, San Jose, CA

Copyright 2015 Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.

January 12, 2015
Adams (Turn Right at Machu Picchu) joins the ever-popular field of “Atlantology,” exploring the evidence and the diverse cast of characters in his chronicle of the hunt for the lost city of Atlantis. He begins with a layman’s guide to the origin material, Plato’s notoriously difficult Timaeus and Critias, before laying out his plan to visit the four most likely locations: remote islands in Greece, Spain, Malta, and Morocco. Additionally, his investigation takes detours to Minnesota, to visit the library of an especially eccentric Atlantologist, Ignatius Donnelly; Massachusetts to learn about satellite archaeology; and Athens, where a renowned geophysicist discusses the ultimate conundrum: did the island even exist, or did Plato intend it as an allegory? This is an exhaustive account and the material is dry at points, but Adams’s informal prose acts as a remedy, transforming an academic topic into a work of travelogue, investigative journalism, and serious philosophical examination. Agent: Daniel Greenberg, Levine Greenberg Rostan Literary Agency.