The Gods Were Astronauts: The Extraterrestrial Identity of the Old Gods Revealed - Paperback

by Erich Von Däniken (Author)

Bestselling author Erich von Däniken explores the evidence of ancient visitors treated as gods in religious scripture and mythology. His findings shake the foundations of both science and faith.

Why do nearly all the world's major religions share similar myths and legends? Whether it's the Old Testament, ancient legends, or the creation myths of New Zealand's natives, you come across similar stories everywhere. Erich von Däniken, author of the international bestseller Chariots of the Gods, believes he knows the answer--and it is as wondrous and awe-inspiring as it is controversial: The winged angels populating the Bible, the Koran, and other religious texts from cultures the world over were, in reality, extraterrestrials who visited the Earth in ages long past.

Who were the gods of ancient lore? How can the contradictions in the Bible be explained? Why are the pagodas of Myanmar (formerly Burma) so amazingly similar to space-capable rockets? Erich von Däniken provides convincing new and surprising interpretations and answers that fundamentally contradict both the teachings of religion and current science. His astonishing conclusion: The gods were not metaphysical beings that humans created in their imagination, but extraterrestrial intelligences that have left their traces all over the Earth. He offers persuasive evidence that actual living beings inspired the legends that became the basis for many of our religious traditions.

Author Biography

Erich von Däniken is arguably the most widely read and most-copied nonfiction author in the world. He published his first (and best-known) book, Chariots of the Gods, in 1968. The worldwide bestseller was followed by 40 more books, including the recent bestsellers The Gods Never Left Us, Confessions of an Egyptologist, Eyewitness to the Gods, Twilight of the Gods, History Is Wrong, Evidence of the Gods, Remnants of the Gods, and Odyssey of the Gods. His works have been translated into 28 languages and have sold more than 65 million copies. Several have also been made into films. Von Däniken's ideas have been the inspiration for a wide range of television series, including the History Channel's hit Ancient Aliens. His research organization, the A.A.S.R.A./legendarytimes.com (Archaeology, Astronautics & SETI Research Association), comprises laymen and academics from all walks of life. Internationally, there are about 10,000 members. He lives in Switzerland but is an ever-present figure on the international lecture circuit, traveling more than 100,000 miles a year.