The 2012 Story The Myths, Fallacies, and Truth Behind the Most Intriguing Date in History

by John Major Jenkins

On December 21, 2012, the Mesoamerican Long Count calendar, a 5,125- year cycle calendar system pioneered by the Maya, will come to an end. At the same time, the earth, the sun, and the center of the galaxy will come together in an extremely rare cosmic alignment. More and more people believe that the world as we know it will experience a transformation in 2012, but few are aware of the complete history or significance of the date. John Major Jenkins, among the most authoritative voices of the 2012 movement, has written a definitive explanation of one of the most thought-provoking phenomena of our time. Drawing from his own groundbreaking research (including his involvement in the modern reconstruction of Mayan 2012 cosmology) and more than two decades of extensive study of Mayan culture, Jenkins has created the crucial guide to understanding the story of 2012-an essential overview of the history, theory, cultures, and personalities that have brought this extraordinary idea into modern awareness. Jenkins provides illuminating answers to some of the most-asked questions about 2012, - How did the early Maya devise the calendar that gives us the cycle ending in 2012, and how does it work? - How did the calendar come to be rediscovered and reconstructed in our era? - What controversies and intrigues surround the topic, and what do scholars and researchers have to say about them? - How can we cut through all the noise about 2012 and gain true wisdom from the Mayan teachings about this moment?

Genres: Nonfiction, History, Science, Occult, Bodies, Astronomy, Belief

Paperback

First published January 1, 2009

Reviews

[annesea · Rating 1 out of 5]

Just skimmed, not very good.

[Gretchen · Rating 3 out of 5]

Not recommended as a casual read. The book is extremely thorough and academic, which would put many off the heart of the story. Maya scholars, social reformers, and doomsdayers will all find food for thought. But go into it knowing what you are looking for so you can skim past what is not in your wheelhouse.

I appreciated many principles laid out in this book, though, being on the opposite political/religious spectrum I would disagree with application. But that is fine; the points need to be made and the general message of the completion of the Maya calendar cycle is one for our times.

Personally, I knew the works would not end on December 21, 2012, but it was fascinating to see the precision with which the Maya calendar has been studied and preserved to measure back or forward different ages and turning points. And I have certainly seen, within the framework of the religious viewpoint to which I hold, how things in the world seem to have “sped up” in the near-decade since the launch of the Mayan new cycle.

The calendar itself needs mention as an astronomical masterpiece, capable of measuring and dividing time into different turning points, rooted in the creation story. The complexity and preservation of the calendar is remarkable, gratifying to a high level of civilization achieved in Central America.

I appreciated that the author worked to connect and apply the principles of the Long Count calendar to his current day events and that he provided a how-to at the end for defeating one’s inner “Seven Macaw.” Too often authors call for reform without indicating what should actually be done. Again, I would point to different applications and provide different steps, but the big ideas are well worth exploring.

[Billy · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book is what I was looking for when I ordered The Mystery of 2012: Predictions, Prophecies, and Possibilities, which was painful to read. That book was a major disappointment as it brought no science or history to the story, which I might accept due to the title, but without even the astronomical parts, it was too little and a very frustrating read.

This book is what I should have ordered instead. Jenkins, with plenty of self promotion (but I don't blame him as the number of scholars that look at this upcoming date realistically is little), offers his version of the truth, supported by archaeology, historical facts, a few non-scholarly works and several scholarly works.

This book presents the story from the beginning, not chronologically, and it offers every piece of the puzzle needed to understand that this upcoming date does indeed have some sort of signifigance but not necessarily the kind of signifigance that would require everyone to make hats out of tin foil and await the mother ship, as basically is suggested (or something as insane just the same) in The Mystery of 2012.

I enjoyed this read and highly recommend it to anyone that is interested in the HISTORY, the SCIENCE or the ASTRONOMY behind this upcoming date.

[Jaime · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book is well-written but not for the casual reader. It is not the author's fault that the topic of the Mayan Calendar and the 12/21/12 date requires a scholarly knowledge of the Mayan culture, the Long Count, Mayan cosmology, MesoAmerican archeology and historical analysis. He plods through a ton of information which tested my patience. I am somewhat proficient in Mayan history, which helped to understand what Mr. Jenkins point was in writing the manner in which he did. One comes away with an appreciation of the complexity that surrounds the topic of the end of the Mayan Long Count Calendar. Another slow portion of the book is the middle of the book which turns into a debate of and defense of Mr. Jenkins perspectie and standing as a Maya scholar. There is much time spent on New Age misinterpretation of the maya clanedar and the significance of the 12-21-12 date. In the end, I rate the book slightly above-average only for its depth of facts and inclusion of the populaist views.

[Owen Spencer · Rating 3 out of 5]

I respect this author's scholarship, but this book was disappointing. The author, a Mayan culture and 2012 investigator since the 1980s, understands the Mayan calendars better than most, and he makes a convincing case for the importance that Mayans attributed to the date 2012. However, he waffles back and forth about the date's relevance to the world. He states that the 2012 era (the decades preceeding and following 2012) is more important than the exact date itself. But then, sometimes, he says that the precise date of 12/21/2012 may also turn out to be world changing. This indecision can be forgiven, but certain chapters of this book are tedious, and I found myself skimming and skipping rather large sections. There is too much criticism of other people's research and too much preaching about the Perennial Philosophy. Half the book is excellent, but the other half (mixed in throughout) is boring.

[Jeff Hanlen · Rating 4 out of 5]

For what this book sets out to achieve, it does remarkably well. Jenkins has an undisputed passion for understanding the Mayan culture, and of course the significance of the mysterious 2012 date.
It is heavy going, but a rewarding read - if you, like the author, are intrigued by Pre-Columbian civilizations. I found that I was satisfied by the end of the first section. Part 2, in which the author attempts to demonstrate how the Mayan's were making predictions, not unlike Nostrodamus, using their astronomically-based calendar is where he lost me.
I finished this book half way through, but that was just fine by me. The metaphysical aspects of the 2012 date were far too long a bow for the author to draw, and felt like typical new age rhetoric.
Onto my next book!

[Sam Dowd · Rating 1 out of 5]

This was easily one of the most painfully boring books I've had the poor fortune to attempt to read. Now, to give the author some credit, this book was immaculately researched. This clearly shows in all of the pages. But, this book would probably more aptly named as "The History of the Mayans in Mexico City and the Land around it", or something like that. I read through fifty gruelling pages, and it still was talking about conquistadors. If you are looking for some information about some current 2012 theories, Wikipedia probably has more info than this book. This is not a book that I would recommend to anyone.

[Mckinley · Rating 1 out of 5]

The first part of this is a lot about the short and long calendars (more than I as a casual reader cared about). He also introduces his theory of Galactic Alignment and it's impact of the transformation of consciousness.

The second half should be a separate book. It is a hodgepodge of his interpretations of spiritual ideas to align with his Galactic Alignment idea. Including conspiracy theory ideas such as describing corporations as "cannibalizing virus". He bases his knowledge on his experience in an isolation tank while on LSD. He takes shots at others' work and ideas throughout especially when they disagree with him or don't give him, in his opinion, his due.

[Julia · Rating 1 out of 5]

I read the introduction and thought, "Hmm, this sounds kind of out there," but I figured I'd read on and give it a chance. I read about another 5 pages, then decided to stop reading about Mayan history (not what I wanted to know about) and just skip to the meat. I would say that if he wants to write a book about Mayan culture, that's fine, but if he wants to write a book about what's supposed to happen in 2012, he could save himself a lot of time and trouble and just publish a pamphlet.

[Ramona · Rating 3 out of 5]

So far a bit dry and I really don't know if I care to read commentary on old authors who's books are not really on the book shelves anymore??? I'm giving him a chance & will continue reading in hopes some interesting facts may rise....
OK.... I put the book down, it's long winded, I think he could have easily said this was a reference book, I'm not sure this will be picked up again. Got 1/2 way through then lost interest.. maybe if he had his own stuff to write about?

[Michael A. Sherbon · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is well-researched, deep, and insightful. Although other ancient cultures have a time-line or prophecy about 2012, (Egyptian, Cherokee, Hopi) the 2012 prophecy is mostly from Mayan history. The cosmology is described within the context of the perennial philosophy.
The scholarly and cultural critique is right on, drawing predictable reactions.

[Lauriepopwell · Rating 1 out of 5]

Didn't make a lot of sense.

[Rhonda · Rating 2 out of 5]

Very hard to read. Granted, it is a complex subject, but wasw tedious to say the least. Could have saved a lot of time by just reading the last third of the book.

[P.G. Meyer · Rating 3 out of 5]

Very informative,Jenkins tells you how it is.

[Barbara · Rating 5 out of 5]

Very informative and nicely written.

[Jennifer · Rating 5 out of 5]

I though it was great story to 2012. Very detailed and amazing.

[Mazen Alloujami · Rating 2 out of 5]

Don't waist your time with this book ..

[Indah Threez Lestari · Rating 3 out of 5]

762 - 2013