Voices from the Dust: New Insights into Ancient America a Comparative Evaluation of Early Spanish and Portuguese Chronicles, Archaeology and Art History, the Book of Mormon

by David G. Calderwood

Book by Calderwood, David G.

Genres: Religion, History, Lds, Church, Archaeology

Hardcover

First published May 1, 2005

Reviews

[Matt · Rating 4 out of 5]

Pretty good book. The writing was organized by topics and then for each topic a run down of the corresponding Book of Mormon passages juxtaposed against early Spanish chronicle writers and some archaeological evidence. The main drawback of this organization is that some of the evidences get repeated. The two main cultures focused on are the Mexican and Yucatan natives and the Chavin civilization of ancient Peru.

One thing that wasn't very clear was how the author felt about which of the two geographically distinct Mesoamerican and Chavin civilizations best correlated to the Book of Mormon peoples. Being much more familiar with the Mesoamerican people, I was surprised and enlightened by the degree of similarity in the Southern Hemisphere.

Another thing that would be nice would be a summary of the Early Spanish and Portugese chroniclers, perhaps a summary table or section that would allow easy reference. The same three or four chroniclers account for probably 80% of all Chronicler references in the book.

Overall I liked the book and the author's comparisons are very compelling and interesting, although as one would expect, far from conclusive.

[Kathy · Rating 3 out of 5]

Very interesting material. I did get lost in the Spanish and native American names. Very dense with lots of dates. For those unfamiliar with the Book of Mormon, Calderwood provides lengthy summaries and explanations of pertinent passages and events found therein. Nevertheless, a fascinating comparison of early Spanish and Portuguese chronicles, archeological findings, and native artifacts with Book of Mormon stories.

[Kyle Roode · Rating 2 out of 5]

Calderwood is clearly very passionate about New World history, and especially so in regards his Mormon faith. However this is the achilles heel to an otherwise promising book. Calderwood clearly has been blinded by his zeal for Joseph Smith, and so has written this book, not as a work of scholarship, but as a way to justify his beliefs per se. Rather than present the whole of the evidence, Calderwood has apparently chosen only those which would lend credence for the authenticity of The Book of Mormon. There are numerous abuses of the Bible, vastly overstated explanatory scope of BoM texts, and a clear bias toward proving it right (rather than letting the evidence speak for itself). On top of all that, the book is riddled with typos which distract from the text and in a few cases made it ambiguous.

[Daniel Jansky · Rating 5 out of 5]

I am Catholic, not LDS, so there are some chapters (mostly in the beginning and end of the book) in which I would disagree.

That said, this is perhaps the most detailed compilation of New World customs, myths, and archeology that shows similarities to Christianity. For that alone, it gained 5 stars in my rating.

Most of the early chroniclers of the New World were Catholic, and Calderwood is respectful of that. In many examples in the book, I would argue that they demonstrate more of a Catholic worldview than a strictly LDS one.

[Carol Guthrie · Rating 4 out of 5]

I may not agree with all of the authors assertions, but I found this book to be interesting and thought provoking.

[Emmy · Rating 4 out of 5]

We went into a bookstore next to the Dallas temple and the author was there for a book signing. He enthusiastically told us about his life and research and the book. As this was a topic that already interested me and as I love to hear people talk about something that they are passionate about, we bought a copy. I started to read it out loud to Matt as we drove home and we both are excited about continuing the read.

[Joey · Rating 5 out of 5]

An outstanding book to read. Provides very detailed research/explantations of the various groups that populated North, Central, and South America; how developed/advanced that they where; as well as debunking the sole theory of the crossing of the Bering Straights as being the only way that the America's were settled. A must read for anyone interested in Pre & Post Columbia America.

[James Mcdougal]

Fascinating?! Mr Calderwood has been collecting historical records, lost in Spanish and Portuguese libraries for centuries regarding the legends and oral histories, written by the Conquistadors, of the pre-Columbian Indians and their similarities to the Book of Mormon.

[Selma · Rating 3 out of 5]

Excellent information on Mesoamerica! I met the Author at the LDS Bookstore in Dallas and found him delightful! I could listen to him for hours.

[Mikey · Rating 4 out of 5]

I loved the book. I thought it was really well done. I liked how it focused more on oral tradition of the ancient Americans.

[Kcastro · Rating 5 out of 5]

Scholarly. Took awhile to read. I met the author at the library in Nauvoo.

[Keisha · Rating 5 out of 5]

I read this a little at a time so I could actually retain some of the information instead of just finishing. It's very well researched and written and I learned a lot. Some day, I'll read it again.

[Elizabeth]

I have only just begun this one