The Space-Gods Revealed: A Close Look at the Theories of Erich von Däniken

by Ronald D. Story, Carl Sagan (introduction)

The Space Gods Revealed is a book written in 1976 by Ronald Story. It is a careful refutation of the theories & evidence in Erich von Däniken's most famous work, Chariots of the Gods, almost page by page.

Genres: Nonfiction, Science, Skepticism, History, Religion

159 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 1976

About the author

Author on Ufology.

Story has written a couple of books about Erich von Daniken's theory about ancient aliens that started human civilisation.

n 1976, Story founded the original UFO Encyclopedia Project, which resulted in the classic, Encyclopedia of UFOs.

Story has also worked as an consultant on the television series "Ancient Aliens".

Reviews

[Stefanie · Rating 4 out of 5]

While Ronald Story has quite a bee in his bonnet about von Daniken, leading to seriously sassy lines such as "What is amazing here is not the special properties of the iron pillar, but how von Daniken could make four errors in only three sentences." (pp 88), he does an excellent job of following up his refutations of von Daniken's works with photographs, source material, interviews, and snippets from interview with von Daniken himself where he admits factual errors or blatant untruths (of which there are many).

I wish this book had been longer because I would have liked to learn more about the cultures mentioned. One of the most fascinating parts was seeing diagrams of the creation and position of the moai on Easter Island.

The preface by Carl Sagan lends credibility as well, and I found it fascinating that Sagan and other scientists do believe in extraterrestrial life.

[Erik Graff · Rating 2 out of 5]

This was probably a very easy book to write as von Daniken's ancient astronaut theories are so poorly researched and inconsistently argued. Story's major contribution may be to have bothered at all and then to have brought such specialists as Sagan and Heyerdahl into the project to denounce von Daniken's misrepresentations of themselves and their work.

[Paul De Belder · Rating 3 out of 5]

Early skeptical book - their style has improved a lot since then. Still worth reeading in the context of that time, at the start of the skeptic movement.
Interesting expanation of why Jonathan Swift correctly (but accidentally) placed two moons around Mars in Gullivers travels.

[Gerry Haines · Rating 5 out of 5]

A detailed and definitive refutation of all the evidence presented by Von Daniken and others.
The author also goes about showing how the reader can exercise more critical thinking when presented with evidence for anything - the right questions to ask and the things to look for that separate science from pseudo science in any field.

[Edward · Rating 3 out of 5]

Really interesting to see a response to von Daniken published at the time. I found a 1st edition copy in a second-hand bookstore and it was really interesting because a previous owner of the book, who seemed to be in favour of Ancient Aliens had added commentary in the margins.
Drawbacks were that the work was a bit dated and while I think it was an accessible way to unpack Ancient Aliens, I think there were moments where Story doesn't quite go into enough depth with his rebuttal. Would be really interesting to see an updated version of this that accounts for changes in our understandings of history and space

[The Laughing Man · Rating 3 out of 5]

It was good to go over Daniken's bullshit and see it debunked item by item.

[Paul Hargreaves · Rating 3 out of 5]

In today's "post fact" and "fake news" environment, we need books like this. Just a bit dull unfortunately, but he eviscerates that Austrian charlatan Von Daniken nicely.

[Meredith · Rating 4 out of 5]

It's an older book, but the phenomenon that it explores is still current. Scientists need to get the word out to the culture at large about their work. There are much more reasonable explanations than "Aliens" that are out there. Humans can be pretty darned clever! The History Channel is stepping back from presenting these kinds of ideas alongside actual history programs. Good for them! These theories are fun to speculate on, but they are no replacement for verifiable research.

[Gevera Piedmont · Rating 3 out of 5]

I enjoy the absurdities of the whole Ancient Astronaut thing, and this book really lays out exactly why it is all wrong.

[Jesie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved it!!!!!!!!!