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Blink 3 of 8 - The 5 AM Club
by Robin Sharma
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America Before summary
The Key to Earth’s Lost Civilization
31 mins
Brief summary
America Before by Graham Hancock explores compelling evidence of a forgotten advanced civilization that predated the Ice Age, challenging mainstream history and providing a new perspective on humanity's past.
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America Before
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The archeological establishment has often been wrong on when humans first reached North America.
The exact point when humanity first set foot in North America has long been a battleground in archeology. And the official academic position has not always been in line with the evidence. Let’s explain.
A hundred and twenty years ago, most scholars believed that there had been no human presence on the North American landmass until 4,000 years ago – the view of an influential scholar, Aleš Hrdlička. The head of anthropology at the Smithsonian Institute’s National Museum of Natural History, Hrdlička made life miserable for any scholar who disagreed with him. A colleague, Frank H. H. Roberts, later admitted that discussing early humanity in North America became so taboo that no academic serious about his career would go near it.
However, in the 1920s and 1930s, evidence emerged which showed that there has been human life in America since at least 12,000 years ago. And it was so compelling that even the most conservative academics had to pay attention.
At a site near a town called Clovis in New Mexico, researchers found beautiful and distinctive projectiles, clearly human-made. They were found next to and in creatures like sabre-toothed cats that had been extinct for over 12,000 years. Here, excitingly, was proof that humans had been present in North America for at least that length of time. Further research led to the discovery of as many as 1,500 Clovis sites, as they came to be known, all across North America.
But instead of seeing Clovis as a starting point, the academic community treated it as an immutable truth. Soon a consensus known as Clovis First emerged – the idea that no older human cultures in America would ever be found.
Dissenters faced ridicule. By 2012, the behavior of the Clovis First brigade was so nasty that the editor of the journal Nature stated that the debate about the earliest Americans had become among the most acrimonious and least productive in all science. When a Canadian archeologist presented fascinating evidence of human activity in caves in the Yukon, 24,000 years ago, he was laughed at.
So, when the archeological community pours scorn on an idea when they reject new theories about earlier humans in the Americas, you shouldn’t just bow to their expertise. They’ve been proved wrong time and time again. And with that healthy commitment to open inquiry in mind, let’s take a look at the evidence for much, much earlier life in America.
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What is America Before about?
America Before (2019) is a mind-expanding quest for an ancient and lost way of life. Drawing on lesser-known DNA and archeological evidence, it proposes the existence of a great, early civilization based in North America. Lost to history in the aftermath of a cataclysmic comet strike, this civilization is visible today only in the traces it left in Egyptian, Native American and other great ancient cultures.
America Before Review
America Before (2019) by Graham Hancock explores the hidden history of the Americas and challenges the conventional narrative of human civilization. Here's why this book is worth reading:
- With meticulous research and wide-ranging evidence, it presents a compelling argument for sophisticated ancient civilizations existing before recorded history.
- By examining archaeological findings and drawing on scientific breakthroughs, the book offers fascinating insights into the origins of humanity and our interconnected past.
- Through captivating storytelling and thought-provoking theories, America Before brings a sense of wonder and curiosity, making it a captivating exploration of our shared human history.
Best quote from America Before
The influence of the lost civilization declares itself repeatedly in the commonalities shared by supposedly unconnected cultures.
—Graham Hancock
Who should read America Before?
- Anyone looking for an imaginative adventure into the past
- Historians and archeologists willing to challenge the established view
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America Before FAQs
What is the main message of America Before?
The main message of America Before is that there is a hidden history of ancient civilizations in the Americas.
How long does it take to read America Before?
The reading time for America Before varies depending on the reader's speed, but it typically takes several hours. However, the Blinkist summary can be read in just 15 minutes.
Is America Before a good book? Is it worth reading?
America Before is a fascinating read for anyone interested in ancient history. It presents compelling evidence and challenges conventional theories.
Who is the author of America Before?
The author of America Before is Graham Hancock.
What to read after America Before?
If you're wondering what to read next after America Before, here are some recommendations we suggest:
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