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

by John Major Jenkins

From the pioneering author who helped introduce the question of 2012 into the global spiritual community comes an epic exploration of the authentic origins and meaning of this portentous date.

Drawing from his own groundbreaking research (including his involvement in the modern reconstruction of Mayan 2012 cosmology), John Major Jenkins has created the crucial guide to 2012, surveying its roots in Mayan cosmology, modern astronomy, ancient prophecy, and metaphysical philosophy and exploring why it has become a focal point for millions today.

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

497 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 2009

Reviews

[annesea]

Just skimmed, not very good.

[Gretchen]

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]

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]

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]

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]

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]

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]

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.

[Ramona]

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]

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]

Didn't make a lot of sense.

[Rhonda]

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]

Very informative,Jenkins tells you how it is.

[Barbara]

Very informative and nicely written.

[Jennifer]

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

[Mazen Alloujami]

Don't waist your time with this book ..

[Indah Threez Lestari]

762 - 2013