1412 book gavin menzies debunked

The year china discovered the world has recently uncovered a copy of an 18th century map which definitively records the exploits of a chinese explorer whose fleets roamed the oceans between 1405 and 1435. Gavin menzies royal navy submarine commanding officer, retired first went to china in 1937, where he spent the first two years of his life. Menzies noticed that they kept encountering the year 1421 and, concluding that it must have been an extraordinary year in world history, decided to write a book about everything that happened. The year china discovered america, that a chinese fleet launched in 1421, embarked on a tour around the world, discovering all major points before europeans and leaving artifacts, has already been generally debunked by numerous sources. Gavin menzies is a retired british submarine commander turned amateur historian, but his authorship of1421. The year china discovered the world bantam new edition by menzies, gavin isbn. By march 2006, the results of the c 14 dating had been obtained and a press conference was held by messrs menzies, liu and thompson at a beijing book shop. This time, though, i think 1421 merits further explanation because of the sensational success it has experienced worldwide. Gavin menzies would have us believe that he is a multitalented naval commander who has taught himself all about early maps, ancient voyages and numerous other esoteric studies. Gavin menzies had the idea to write his first book after he and his wife marcella visited the forbidden city for their twentyfifth wedding anniversary. This book is dedicated to my beloved wife, marcella. His next book, coming in fall 20, is who discovered america.

I wish there where more people with the time, ambitions and not the least the financial resources to try and rewrite bits of history gavin menzies book certainly made a far more interesting read. He joined the royal navy in 1953 and served in submarines from 1959 to 1970. In some quarters, the fact that the earth is a globe is regarded as a modern discovery, and there are few things people trying to attack the supposed backwardness of the medieval period like more than claiming they all thought the earth was flat. Whole websites sprang up devoted to debunking his claims. Gavin menzies is a spectacularly imaginative and prolific writer of psuedohistory with a long record of spinning historical fantasy out of a few factoids, a colorful writing style, and a. Nov 25, 2003 gavin menzies would have us believe that he is a multitalented naval commander who has taught himself all about early maps, ancient voyages and numerous other esoteric studies. I detail some of the outrageous fiction perpetrated within the volume. Ten years ago, jay windley was stuck on a bus with his fellow members of the utah symphony chorus.

Debunking every single 911 conspiracy theory, one at a time. The year china discovered america illustrates the historical process perfectly. Take me to 1434 reading like a reallife indiana jones story the lost empire of atlantis takes us on an epic journey around the world to finally uncover the truth behind the mystery of. Gavin menzies has lectured at melbourne university and is invited to attend conferences around the world. This video talks about a famous example of bad history. To answer your question, maybe it hasnt been debunked yet because debunkers havent found a way yet to make their sht stick. In his follow up book 1434 he claims that the european renaissance was sparked by the chinese.

The new york times bestselling author of 1421 offers another stunning reappraisal of history, presenting compelling new evidence that traces the roots of the. If the chinese had a presence in the americas prior to christopher columbus, then why isnt their mark left indelibly. Did he discover america in 1421 argument by gavin menzies in 1421 ming travels from his 2112 at georgia institute of technology. The year china discovered the world, published by transworld, on the basis that it was classified as history in their catalogue. Now, in a controversial sequel, gavin menzies says they also sparked the renaissance. Free delivery on book orders dispatched by amazon over. Did he discover america in 1421 argument by gavin menzies in. I am of two minds about this book by gavin menzies. During the dedication ceremony, emperor justinian put aside formalities of state and entered the church excitedly, to say a prayer of thanks to god for allowing him to fulfill his dearest wish. Every bookshop in britain is presenting a book called 1434 by gavin menzies as a major history title. Like the olympic spectacular, menzies book celebrates chinese history.

Rowan gavin paton menzies born 14 august 1937 is a british author and retired submarine. So if he is a liar, which i think he must be, why hasnt anyone debunked it yet. The lost empire of atlantis 1421 1434 gavin menzies. The first book was great, this one has way more informatiion and is one of several that gavin has out on the voyages. He was born in england and served as a submarine captain in the royal navy between 1953 and 1970. Gavin menzies director of tour office of the prime. On the 8th of march, 1421, the largest fleet the world had ever seen sailed from its base in china. Their mission was to proceed all the way to the end of the earth to collect tribute from the barbarians beyond the seas. To nobodys surprise, the carbon date, obtained from a waikato university laboratory. I was enthralled with gavin menzies book but after i researched it i have some. Hes been debunked by just about everyone, so he can be treated as fringe theory. Sep 08, 2008 every bookshop in britain is presenting a book called 1434 by gavin menzies as a major history title. The year china discovered america paperback june 3, 2008. They were headed from salt lake city to jackson hole, wyo.

A detailed reading of the text revealed that the work is a fairtytale and fiction of the worst kind. From its introduction in 2003, gavin menzies 1421 theory has come under assault. Reading like a reallife indiana jones story the lost empire of atlantis takes us on an epic journey around the world to finally uncover the truth behind the mystery of. Reading like a reallife indiana jones story the lost empire of atlantis takes us on an epic journey around the world to finally uncover the truth beh. Review of 1421, the year china discovered america rpgnet. I have enjoyed gavin menzies previous books and this one did not disappoint either. Gavin menzies has been a youth and development worker for the city of edinburgh council for over ten years, working in a wide variety of areas including holiday clubs, developing youth centre and school based programmes as well as delivering sports and activities to charities and after school clubs. Free shipping and pickup in store on eligible orders. As it happens, even i have a limit for how much illinformed speculation im willing to carefully parse in one.

The year china discovered the world which claims that the chinese admiral zheng he discovered america in 1421. His first book claimed that the chinese discovered america. Knowing little of these things myself, but being fascinated by apparent historical anomalies, i leapt into this book on my kindle, possibly not the best way to read. Who discovered america the untold history of the peopling. Youve heard what the history books have to say about the discovery of america. In 1421, he claims china discovered america, australia, antarctica, and took siberia home. The year a magnificent chinese fleet sailed to italy. May 21, 2016 gavin menzies is a spectacularly imaginative and prolific writer of psuedohistory with a long record of spinning historical fantasy out of a few factoids, a colorful writing style, and a great deal of imagination. Dr geoff wade of the national university of singapore believes this is a violation of the british trade descriptions act of 1968. Gavin menzies has also written a book about the european renaissance called 1434. The 1421 theory claims that the chinese specifically, the fleet of the admiral zheng he reached the americas in 1421 before christopher columbus, and that various native american peoples descend from the chinese and speak chinese.

How accurate is gavin menzies book who discovered america. Jan 01, 2002 im happy to see that gavin menzies thesis in 1421. One question perhaps looms largest when approaching the 1421 theory. Conspiracy theories, urban legends, and evil plots of the 21st century roeper, richard on. He began his historical odyssey when he looked at a map that predated columbus yet seemed to accurately map islands in the caribbean and wondered how that. Based on theories put forward by noted historian and bestseller gavin menzies, this thoughtprovoking take on conventional history proposes that it was admiral zheng who led european explorers to the west a whole 71 years after first setting foot on american soil.

The year china discovered america william morrow, gavin menzies claims that a massive chinese fleet of huge junks and support ships made a twoyear circumnavigation of the. View gavin menzies profile on linkedin, the worlds largest professional community. The year a magnificent chinese fleet sailed to italy and ignited the renaissance. In this book gavin sums up conclusions and hypotheses hes come to about areas of the americas that he feels have been influenced by or even settled by early asian explorers. The book 1421, the year china discovered america is a fairytale and a fiction.

Chinese sailors beat christopher columbus to the americas by more than 70 years. Id rather just drop a book unworthy of finishing and move on to a new one. In 1434, gavin menzies offers a stunning reappraisal of history, presenting compelling new evidence on the european renaissance, tracing its roots to china. This is not to be an indepth analysis of menzies work, research or conclusions. The year china discovered america publishers weekly. There is a melancholy in this work because he indicates this may be his last book.

I have just began reading 1421 and have been surprised at the information concerning the chinese knowledge of the world and the influence of chinese maps on the journeys of european explorers. Find all the books, read about the author, and more. Shop amongst our popular books, including 8, 1421, who discovered america. See the complete profile on linkedin and discover gavins connections and jobs at similar companies. It took five years, ten months and four days, from february 23rd 532 to december 27th 537. The year china discovered america, british amateur historian gavin menzies turns the story of the europeans discovery of america on its ear with a startling idea.

I think thats the best answer i can give you at this time. The chinese carried with them silks, fine porcelain, and thousands of slave girls who eventually melded. As it happens, even i have a limit for how much ill. Every college world history textbook discusses the early 15th c. Oct 14, 20 gavin menzies royal navy submarine commanding officer, retired first went to china in 1937, where he spent the first two years of his life. The year china discovered america gavin menzies, author. The writing that seeks to disprove menzies is at least as long as his book. As detailed in the economist and recent headline news, gavin menzies author of 1421. Ce chinese naval expeditions, commissioned by the ming emperor zhu di and commanded by. Everyday low prices and free delivery on eligible orders. Here is a list of resources on debunking the 1421 hypothesis by gavin menzies. The only source for queen victorias famous catchphrase is a book published in 1919 by one of her courtiers, caroline holland.