W. Scott-Elliot (1849–1919)

I came across The Story of Atlantis and The Lost Lemuria by W. Scott-Elliot during a stop at a small cafe in Canada on our RV trip to Alaska in 2023. The book, sitting on a book swap shelf, caught my eye with its promise of exploring lost civilizations. Despite its age and speculative nature, it turned out to be an engaging read that sparked more than a few interesting discussions along the way.

The book is split into two parts. "The Story of Atlantis" dives into the rise and fall of the show more mythical Atlantis, a civilization described as far advanced in both technology and spirituality. Scott-Elliot presents Atlantis not just as a lost continent but as a cautionary tale about the dangers of moral decline and hubris.

In "The Lost Lemuria," Scott-Elliot explores another mythical land, Lemuria, which he portrays as the birthplace of an ancient race that predates even Atlantis. The Lemurians are depicted as early spiritual beings, laying the groundwork for human evolution before their continent was swallowed by the sea.

While modern science dismisses the existence of these lost lands, Scott-Elliot’s narrative taps into that same sense of wonder you get from shows like Star Trek and Stargate. Just as those series explore unknown worlds and higher states of existence, this book invites readers to consider the mysteries of our past and the potential for civilizations lost to time.

What stood out to me most was how this book introduced me to the concept of Theosophy, a philosophy blending spiritual evolution with ancient wisdom. It’s a far cry from the rational, objective approach I usually take, but it was intriguing to explore these ideas and consider their influence on modern storytelling.

The Story of Atlantis and The Lost Lemuria may be more fantasy than fact, but it’s a fascinating piece of speculative history. It’s the kind of book that doesn’t just tell a story; it encourages you to think about the possibilities of what might have been, and how those ideas continue to appear in the science fiction and fantasy we enjoy today.

If you’re into exploring ancient mysteries or just enjoy a good speculative tale, it’s worth a read. show less

Ink inscriptions on front free end paper: "Lucie Dales - 1910, Bob & Lucy Smith 1954"
Stamped in ink inside front cover: "Bertrand Smith - Ac[res of] Books - 14[0?] Pacific Ave.- Phone [?????] - Long Beach, Cal."
Binding is loose.
Four maps cited in the sub title not found in the volume.

With Two Maps Showing Distribution of Land Areas at Different Periods
Gummed label affixed inside front cover: "Sold by Oriental Esoteric Center, 1413 Q Street NW, Washington, D.C."
Pencil marginalia on page 3 relating to definition of "chorography" and "chorological."

L' «Atlantide», ce royaume englouti, a-t-il vraiment existé? La question est posée, l'auteur Walter Scott-Elliot nous fait voyager en direction de l'Atlantide. Son récit nous décrit la situation géographique, les diverses races, sous-races, les moeurs et pratiques quotidiennes qui ont pu exister à l'époque où l'Atlantide aurait existée. Mythe ou réalité, même si tous ces faits restent hypothétiques, rien n'empêche de penser qu'il y eut en d'autres temps un endroit et une show more civilisation disparus dans un cataclysme. show less