Lost Lands, Forgotten Realms: Sunken Continents, Vanished Cities, and the Kingdoms That History Misplaced

By Bob Curran

Book Overview

There are places that turn up in literature or in film--mystical and legendary places whose names may be familiar but about which we know little. We nod knowingly at the reference, but are often left wondering about places such as Atlantis, the lost land overwhelmed by the sea, or El Dorado, the fabulous city that vanished somewhere in the South American jungles. Other names are more evocative--Mount Olympus, the Garden of Eden, the mystic Isle of Avalon, and Davy Jones' Locker. But did such places actually exist and if so, where were they, and what really happened? What are the traditions and legends associated with them? In the fascinating new book, Lost Lands, Forgotten Realms, historian Dr. Bob Curran sets out to find the answers by journeying to the far-flung corners of the world and to the outer reaches of human imagination.

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 1564149587
• ISBN13: 9781564149589
• Release Date: November 2007
• Publisher: New Page Books
• Length: 272 Pages
• Weight: 0.99 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.7" x 6.0" x 9.0"

Customer Reviews

I must have read this cover to cover in the bookstore

And when I went to buy it, despite reading it thoroughly, well Morphy's law it disappeared. So, I'll probably get it from here. Now, IMHO, it's a real awesome read for people who like the concept, the romance of "Lost Lands". It isn't just the cliche Atlantis + Lemuria, not that they aren't cool, it goes through a lot of other lost places most have never heard of, like Irem:-) So, if you like this stuff, this book is a very good read with nice illustrations.

Very complete

The author did an impeccable at researching the myths and lore that have fascinating people for ages. At the same time he never loses the magic and wonder of these stories. These book is for anyone who wants to know how these stories began, why they continue to be told, and how they are related to actual reality.

If you enjoy the enigmatic.. buy this book!

Not only is this book incredibly well written (as well as illustrated fantastically), the material presented is riveting. It's almost a magical experience reading about these well known and obscure lost lands alike. This is a light and breezy read, filled with an abundance of information without the dull and headache inducing jargon of a textbook.

Well-researched, competently-presented "histories" that could turn culture on its ear

Welsh in pre-Columbian Alabama? Ancient Amer-Indian Zuni language closely related to Japanese? Egyptian artifacts, including a river barge, in the Western US? These are just a few intriguing factoids gleaned from Dr. Curran's research. This book is well-illustrated as well as annotated, so the curious reader can conduct his or her own studies. He is less specific on the legendary sunken continents, but the intermingling of European and American Native populations more than compensates for this uneveness. What you do miss in reading the book, is Dr. Curran's thick, but charming Irish brogue. This is mind-expanding material. Miss it at your own peril.

Ian Daniels provides excellent illustrations throughout.

Any new age collection strong in ancient mythology will appreciate LOST LANDS, FORGOTTEN REALMS, a survey of legendary places that turn up in literature. Historian Dr. Bob Curran surveys world literature and famous mythic places from Shangri-La to Lemuria and the Hollow Hills, surveying the historical facts and legends surrounding them. Ian Daniels provides excellent illustrations throughout.