Human Devolution: A Vedic Alternative to Darwin's Theory by Michael A. Cremo

Human Devolution: A Vedic Alternative to Darwin's Theory Reviews

• 
  Maurice

  Thorough and convincing research of primary literature and digs, evidencing extreme antiquity of anatomically modern human remains.
  Stylistically accessible and entertaining archeology and history of science.
  The foundation of Darwinian 'up from the apes' is a shambles, while the theory remains enshrined in scientific materialism, which exhibits the traits of other fundamentalist belief systems, specifically, vicious hostility toward anomalous data-barers.
  I think this is a must read for those intent on recovering from institutional education and religion.
• 
  David

  The author convincingly argues that contrary to Darwin’s theory, Human beings didn’t evolve from matter, but devolved from spirit. This book progresses logically, at each stage presenting a multitude of evidence, cases and witness testimonies. It’s extremely thought provoking; the five sense material world is only a very tiny piece of a much larger picture.
• 
  Sanja Džalto

  Certainly one of the greatest books I've ever read. First it is completely logical, unlike the theory of evolution which has never made sense to me, no matter what I was taught at school, and, second, there's a proof for every claim.
  I consider it as a great challenge for all those who are willing to see beyond their own perspective.
• 
  GrahamJA

  This book presents startling evidence that contradicts Darwin evolution and archaeology It is thorough , studious and well referenced. Very convincing.
• 
  David

  Firstly, I read the Kindle eBook. This was horribly formatted. The font sizes kept changing, full justification did not work (and it should have), and there were typos throughout my edition.
  
  With that said this book was really not a coherent theoretical foundation for 'Forbidden Archaeology' (which it purported to be). Mostly it was a collection of anecdotes and, mostly, dated research which is never brought together in more than a vague whole with a pathetic conclusion.
  
  I will never read Cremo again.
  
  Do not waste your time on this...doesn't matter if your a Hare Krishna or not...dreck is dreck.
  
  I should have given this book one star but there were occasional, accidental?, moments of clarity and amusement in this tome...but these were few and far between.
• 
  Mike S

  I loved this book, just as much as I loved his other book Forbidden Archaeology. It amazes me how much integrity and attention to detail Cremo brings to his books, he is unfailingly thorough and completely trustworthy, he doesn't shy away from any facts, he examines every subject from every angle, giving plenty of attention to arguments of detractors and whether they hold merit. Cremo is one of my favorite authors when it comes to metaphysical books, this book approaches encyclopedia status. I liked reading about Vedic cosmology, and I will definitely read anything else Cremo writes.
  
  I liked Maruice and David's reviews (currently at the top of the list of reviews). They expressed my thoughts and feelings very well.
• 
  James Hunyar

  It's difficult to rate a book that represents such an arduous research task (I am lumping Forbidden Archaeology in with this, as to me they are more interesting as a set). For his effort, I would give Cremo 5 stars alone. What disappointment though that the author did so with such a specific goal in mind, to present (clumsily) all of his findings as absolute proof of his specific religious beliefs. The research compiled is at times fascinating and even page-turning (in part because of the strong Indiana Jones and the Crystal Skull vibe where aliens just might lurk around the corner of the next archaeological dig). Certainly the more you relate to The Lone Gunmen of the X Files the better, but even a skeptic can marvel at the possibility it represents: that modern humankind has existed far longer than previously understood, that there may be more to the origin of our species than science yet knows, or that the predominant religions hold. I think about this book from time to time since my enthusiastic reading of it as a teenager and wonder if time might prove any of Cremo's postulations true, but given the breadth of his evidence (and a reluctance on his part to doubt seemingly anything he comes across), I doubt it.
• 
  Shaun McNamara

  Firstly, let me say that this is not an easy read, as its chock full of a lot of fairly dry (if extremely interesting) data. So, if you are expecting something akin to a Graham Hancock or Michael Tellinger (et al) type of read, you might find this slightly harder work. This should not detract too much from a book that really is something of a masterpiece, though. It amasses A LOT of interesting, impeccably sourced and perspective stretching info regarding human origins though. Recommended if you want the real juice, but are not frightened off by a slightly more arduous read. Not a book to be read on a long haul fight, shall we say, where pure entertainment is the order of the day. Probably best read a chapter at a time, when you are in the mood. Highly recommended if you are interested in this subject.
  
  It only missed out on a fifth star due to it not being a particularly easy read.
• 
  Pak

  It can be a slog to get through but that's on account of this being an encyclopedic compilation of evidence. You'll have to see for yourself if it is convincing but lack of research is not a flaw of this book.
• 
  Maggy

  Un livre qui sort des sentiers battus. Très bon.