The Orion Mystery: Unlocking the Secrets of the Pyramids [Paperback]

You just have to visit Giza to realize there is something very strange, very impressive and so much beyond our understanding about Khufu, Khefren and Menkaure pyramids. You can even go to Meidum, Saqqara, or visit the Bent pyramid and the Red one to strenghten the impression about the Giza pyramids: they are simply unique, and that is really difficult to answer the questions like when and why were they constructed.

The Bauval's theory is well-shaped and rather smart enough. It may be one to entertain readers, or it may be true - one can hardly find out the truth right away. But it is really strong and explains so many things that were never explained before.

The importance of the theory, and the book as the whole, however, is in the different field: it shakes up the mainstream Egyptology, it wakes it, as well as other people, up, and it opens our eyes making us see that there is always a place for an alternate reality, and there is always a chance to explain what the official science fails to explain.

The book places a lot of evidence again that the ancient egyptians, or the people lived there before them, possessed the knowledge so much underestimated by modern egyptologists, the knowledge that was really huge and comparable with a today's one. That makes the book another breakthrough in the process of discussing the history of humankind.

The book will remind you now that it is not an easy way to argue with, or contradict the established scientific theory. The saddest story of all times is Gantenbrink's tries to solve some of the Great pyramid's puzzles: since 1994 nobody, including egyptian egyptologists, has ever let him continue his investigations, no matter how hard he tried to get the permission, or how perfect his robot finally became.

The Orion Mystery may be considered another brick in the building of the real science. A must-read for everyone who does not feel indifferent to the problems of history and modern science.

Bauval shows how the pyramids were arranged so precisely because they were creating a heaven on earth--they reflect the patterns of Orion's belt on the ground. This had deep significance to a race of people who believed ''as above, so below.''

The reader who claims that Bauval now refutes his own Orion theory is sadly misinformed. Anyone who is interested can go read Bauval's letter to the BBC at www.grahamhancock.com. Apparently, the ''Horizon'' program, in its zeal to knock both Hancock (not a pseudo-scientist but a talented journalist)badly mis-represented Bauval's theories to the British viewing public.

But read it for yourself. I think the sequel, ''The Message of the Sphinx,''is even better.

I was convinced without a doubt that the pyramids were built with measuring tools that have yet to be discovered. This books lays claim to one such tool although the actual physical device has proved elusive and only drawings exist to date.

The book leaves you hanging for a part II, which shows new convincing evidence that yet another hidden chamber, may exist in one of the pyramids that may contain the designs and the signature of the king who built it. As of the writing of this book, the door to this room was discovered but not yet opened. (An investigation was planned for 1994, but no details of this project have been given in this book.)

You will also see that the mathematics behind the pyramids are nothing less that electrifying. The relationship between the angles used and the rising sun and the relationship to other cities that may reference other stars, will keep you glued till the end. It doesn't take a scientist to figure out that the pyramids are a well-planned map of the stars...but you be the judge.