The Lost World of the Old Ones: Discoveries in the Ancient Southwest Paperback – Illustrated, April 25, 2016

Many fascinating vignettes about the builders of Mesa Verde (whatever is PC to call them now--maybe "the Moqui"?). Detailed yet flowing writing style. A bit more 'technical' that "House of Rain" by Craig Childs, another excellent tale of the Anasazi.Minimal tut-tutting about the author's personal bugaboos, but I must say I don't see the harm of a dog going inside one of the ruins, as long as they don't poop there, but David Roberts went ballistic about it. Sure, people are slobs, agreed.My one serious criticism concerns the statements, which seem almost racist, about how Indians (in this case the Navajo) can have a "special relationship" with the Earth/Nature that White people can never understand or have themselves. This is baloney, especially for the Navajo who have lived only a few centuries in the area of their present reservation. Didn't farmers and hunters in ancient Europe have similar relationships with Nature? It's arrogant to suggest otherwise.

David Roberts books are always intelligently written and equally entertaining. This particular book serves more or less as an update to the 1990s vintage "In Search of the Old Ones." While making apologies to the readers for the unexpected success of the older book, Roberts works equally well to avoid revealing locations of specific ruins sites that he visits in the book as a way to help preserve these valuable places across the Southwest for future generations. Nevertheless, his descriptions are so alive that you almost feel you are there when he enters an alcove. Roberts is knowledgeable about the spectrum of theories on the origin and progression of the ancient cultures that occupied and disappeared from the Southwest. He has his own thoughts on which ones have the most credence. He doesn't try to disguise his writing as scientific literature but rather represents it as the adventures of a knowledgeable journalist interacting with the academics as well as the rancher-archeologists and investigating a the amazing finds in the canyons of the Southwest. It is rare to read material about such an arcane subject and feel the emotion and excitement of the hunt while realizing how much you are learning. If you read "In Search of the Old Ones," this book will be a valuable addition to your collection, but be prepared to entertained.

The story is not in calendar order but jumps around enough to bother me. The narrative is part biography/reminiscences and part a narrative history of archaeology of the American Southwest principally Utah but parts of Arizona and New Mexico.

Any current human who has had the privilege of time and curiosity to walk in the absolutely beautiful spaces and homes of the Old Ones, like my self and my husband, I believe would love this book.I get such a thrill reading David Roberts books. Lost World of The Old Ones is no exception. They are the next best journey to actually be walking in these glorious, haunting, transformative places. Thank you for your beautiful books. Be well.

Cliff dwellings, petroglyphs, pictographs, rock art, ancient cultures, etc...truly a fascinating read.David Roberts’ noble quest for hiking, searching and probing the canyons, ravines and chasms of the American Southwest to further our knowledge of these previous civilizations is a mesmerizing trip into the past.With a dignified and gracious writing style, Roberts serves up a delicious recipe for adventure, exploring and amazement.

I heard about this book from a radio show hosted by John Batchelor. I was fascinated by the stuff Mr Roberts spoke about on the show and immediately purchased this book after the interview. This is such an interesting book! I was born in Vernal Utah. Some of the stories Mr Roberts referenced I was actually told about by my Grandfather and him by his grandfather before. Butch Cassidy and the Hole in the wall gang, local Indian legends and even some of the farmers that explored many of the ruins around Utah and Colorado.My family owns a cabin on Lake Valicito in Durango Colorado and reading about all the stuff I didn't know was around me was surprising.The climbing aspects are very intriguing as well especially considering the heights and difficulty involved. The writing style is very readable and keeps you interested. I imagine this was a hard book to write and bring all the history and personal experiences together. In addition to the other intriguing information presented the author goes over the Chaco Meridian theory developed by Archeologist Stephen H. Lekson.I recommend this book to anyone that lives in the four corners area or just anyone that loves exploring old ruins and archaeology sites.