Lost Continents: Difference between revisions
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{{Infobox Book | <!-- See [[Wikipedia:WikiProject Novels]] or [[Wikipedia:WikiProject Books]] --> |
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| name = Lost Continents: The Atlantis Theme in History, Science, and Literature |
| name = Lost Continents: The Atlantis Theme in History, Science, and Literature |
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| translator = |
| translator = |
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| image = [[Image: |
| image = [[Image:Lost continents gnome.jpg|200px]] |
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| image_caption = Dust-jacket for ''Lost Continents'' |
| image_caption = Dust-jacket for ''Lost Continents'' |
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| author = [[L. Sprague deCamp]] |
| author = [[L. Sprague deCamp]] |
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{{About|the book|general information on lost continents and other lost lands|Lost lands}} |
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'''''Lost Continents: The Atlantis Theme in History, Science, and Literature''''' is a 1954 study by [[L. Sprague de Camp]], first published in book form in 1954 and updated in 1970. It is one of his most popular works. |
'''''Lost Continents: The Atlantis Theme in History, Science, and Literature''''' is a 1954 study by [[L. Sprague de Camp]], first published in book form in 1954 and updated in 1970. It is one of his most popular works. |
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==Overview== |
==Overview== |
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L. Sprague de Camp enjoyed debunking doubtful history and [[Pseudoscience|pseudoscientific]] claims. In ''Lost Continents'' he is at his best. The work provides a detailed examination of theories and speculations on [[Atlantis]] and other [[lost lands]], including the [[Scientific method| |
L. Sprague de Camp enjoyed debunking doubtful history and [[Pseudoscience|pseudoscientific]] claims. In ''Lost Continents'' he is at his best. The work provides a detailed examination of theories and speculations on [[Atlantis]] and other [[lost lands]], including the [[Scientific method|scientific]] arguments against their existence. |
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He explains the origins of the Atlantis legend in [[Plato]]'s ''[[Timaeus (dialogue)|Timaios]]'' and ''[[Critias (dialogue)|Kritias]]'' [[Socratic dialogues|dialogues]] and how it has been continued, developed and imitated by later theorists, speculators, scientific enquirers, enthusiasts, occultists, quacks, and fantasists throughout history. Major speculative locales as Atlantis, [[Mu (lost continent)|Mu]] and [[Lemuria (continent)|Lemuria]] are covered in depth, with the origins of lesser-known ones such as [[Thule]], [[Hyperborea]] and [[Rutas]] also treated. The work shows how the misinterpretation of [[Maya civilization|Maya]]n writings created the [[Mu (lost continent)|Mu]]-myth, and how the name [[Lemuria (continent)|Lemuria]] originated from the [[geology|geological]] hypothesis about a [[land bridge]] between [[India]] and [[South Africa]]. Modern usage of the concept in [[speculative fiction]] is gone into, as are the various attempts to discover the "real" Atlantis. |
He explains the origins of the Atlantis legend in [[Plato]]'s ''[[Timaeus (dialogue)|Timaios]]'' and ''[[Critias (dialogue)|Kritias]]'' [[Socratic dialogues|dialogues]] and how it has been continued, developed and imitated by later theorists, speculators, scientific enquirers, enthusiasts, occultists, quacks, and fantasists throughout history. Major speculative locales as Atlantis, [[Mu (lost continent)|Mu]] and [[Lemuria (continent)|Lemuria]] are covered in depth, with the origins of lesser-known ones such as [[Thule]], [[Hyperborea]] and [[Rutas]] also treated. The work shows how the misinterpretation of [[Maya civilization|Maya]]n writings created the [[Mu (lost continent)|Mu]]-myth, and how the name [[Lemuria (continent)|Lemuria]] originated from the [[geology|geological]] hypothesis about a [[land bridge]] between [[India]] and [[South Africa]]. Modern usage of the concept in [[speculative fiction]] is gone into, as are the various attempts to discover the "real" Atlantis. |
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==Importance== |
==Importance== |
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De Camp's work is still one of the most reliable sources on the lost continent theme. Lost continents or ancient civilizations sunk by a [[Deluge (mythology)|deluge]] are a common theme in the scriptures of doctrines of many modern (pseudo-)[[religion |
De Camp's work is still one of the most reliable sources on the lost continent theme. Lost continents or ancient civilizations sunk by a [[Deluge (mythology)|deluge]] are a common theme in the scriptures of doctrines of many modern (pseudo-)[[religion]]s or [[cult]]s. Well-known instances include [[James Churchward|James Churchward's]] books on [[Mu (lost continent)|Mu]], or the [[Theosophy|Theosopical]] portrayals of [[Hyperborea]], [[Lemuria (continent)|Lemuria]] and [[Atlantis]], and even the [[Nazi]] mythologizing about [[Thule]]. As authors of these materials tend not to state (or mis-state) their sources, works like that of de Camp are quite useful to anyone interested in [[Objectivity (journalism)|objective]] information. |
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==Publication history== |
==Publication history== |
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[[Image: |
[[Image:Lost Continents.jpg|thumb|upright|left|''Lost Continents'', 1970 [[Dover Publications]] edition]] |
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''Lost Continents'' was originally written in 1948, and first published serially in the magazine ''[[Other Worlds (magazine)|Other Worlds Science Fiction]]'' in 1952-1953; portions also appeared as articles in ''[[Astounding (magazine)|Astounding Science Fiction]]'', ''[[Galaxy Science Fiction]]'', ''[[Natural History (magazine)|Natural History Magazine]]'', and the ''[[Toronto Star]]''. It was first published in book form by [[Gnome Press]] in 1954. De Camp revised the work for its first book publication and for a later edition published by [[Dover Publications]] in 1970. |
''Lost Continents'' was originally written in 1948, and first published serially in the magazine ''[[Other Worlds (magazine)|Other Worlds Science Fiction]]'' in 1952-1953; portions also appeared as articles in ''[[Astounding (magazine)|Astounding Science Fiction]]'', ''[[Galaxy Science Fiction]]'', ''[[Natural History (magazine)|Natural History Magazine]]'', and the ''[[Toronto Star]]''. It was first published in book form by [[Gnome Press]] in 1954. De Camp revised the work for its first book publication and for a later edition published by [[Dover Publications]] in 1970. |
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==References== |
==References== |
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{{No footnotes|date=October 2009}} |
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*{{cite book | last=Laughlin | first=Charlotte | coauthors=Daniel J. H. Levack | title=De Camp: An L. Sprague de Camp Bibliography | location=San Francisco | publisher=Underwood/Miller | pages=76–77 | date=1983}} |
*{{cite book | last=Laughlin | first=Charlotte | coauthors=Daniel J. H. Levack | title=De Camp: An L. Sprague de Camp Bibliography | location=San Francisco | publisher=Underwood/Miller | pages=76–77 | date=1983}} |
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*{{cite book | last=Chalker | first=Jack L. | authorlink=Jack L. Chalker | coauthors=Mark Owings | title=The Science-Fantasy Publishers: A Bibliographic History, 1923-1998 | location=Westminster, MD and Baltimore | publisher=Mirage Press, Ltd. | date=1998| page=303}} |
*{{cite book | last=Chalker | first=Jack L. | authorlink=Jack L. Chalker | coauthors=Mark Owings | title=The Science-Fantasy Publishers: A Bibliographic History, 1923-1998 | location=Westminster, MD and Baltimore | publisher=Mirage Press, Ltd. | date=1998| page=303}} |
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Revision as of 01:29, 10 October 2009
 Dust-jacket for Lost Continents | |
| Author | L. Sprague deCamp |
|---|---|
| Cover artist | L. Robert Tschirky and Ric Binkley |
| Sprache | Englisch |
| Subject | Atlantis |
| Publisher | Gnome Press |
Publication date | 1954 |
| Publication place | Vereinigte Staaten |
| Media type | Print (Hardback) |
| Pages | 362 pp |
| ISBN | NA Parameter error in {{ISBNT}}: invalid character |
Lost Continents: The Atlantis Theme in History, Science, and Literature is a 1954 study by L. Sprague de Camp, first published in book form in 1954 and updated in 1970. It is one of his most popular works.
Übersicht
L. Sprague de Camp enjoyed debunking doubtful history and pseudoscientific claims. In Lost Continents he is at his best. The work provides a detailed examination of theories and speculations on Atlantis and other lost lands, including the scientific arguments against their existence.
He explains the origins of the Atlantis legend in Plato's Timaios and Kritias dialogues and how it has been continued, developed and imitated by later theorists, speculators, scientific enquirers, enthusiasts, occultists, quacks, and fantasists throughout history. Major speculative locales as Atlantis, Mu and Lemuria are covered in depth, with the origins of lesser-known ones such as Thule, Hyperborea and Rutas also treated. The work shows how the misinterpretation of Mayan writings created the Mu-myth, and how the name Lemuria originated from the geological hypothesis about a land bridge between India and South Africa. Modern usage of the concept in speculative fiction is gone into, as are the various attempts to discover the "real" Atlantis.
Importance
De Camp's work is still one of the most reliable sources on the lost continent theme. Lost continents or ancient civilizations sunk by a deluge are a common theme in the scriptures of doctrines of many modern (pseudo-)religions or cults. Well-known instances include James Churchward's books on Mu, or the Theosopical portrayals of Hyperborea, Lemuria and Atlantis, and even the Nazi mythologizing about Thule. As authors of these materials tend not to state (or mis-state) their sources, works like that of de Camp are quite useful to anyone interested in objective information.
Publication history
Lost Continents was originally written in 1948, and first published serially in the magazine Other Worlds Science Fiction in 1952-1953; portions also appeared as articles in Astounding Science Fiction, Galaxy Science Fiction, Natural History Magazine, and the Toronto Star. It was first published in book form by Gnome Press in 1954. De Camp revised the work for its first book publication and for a later edition published by Dover Publications in 1970.
The 1970 edition was updated to reflect the rehabilitation of Alfred Wegener's continental drift theory and investigation of the ancient volcanic eruption of the Aegean island of Thera. This eruption is considered by many who think that Plato's account of Atlantis' destruction had an underlying historical basis, to be that basis.
References
 | This article includes a list of references, related reading, or external links, but its sources remain unclear because it lacks inline citations. (October 2009) |
- Laughlin, Charlotte (1983). De Camp: An L. Sprague de Camp Bibliography. San Francisco: Underwood/Miller. pp. 76–77.
{{cite book}}: Unknown parameter|coauthors=ignored (|author=suggested) (help) - Chalker, Jack L. (1998). The Science-Fantasy Publishers: A Bibliographic History, 1923-1998. Westminster, MD and Baltimore: Mirage Press, Ltd. p. 303.
{{cite book}}: Unknown parameter|coauthors=ignored (|author=suggested) (help)