David Hatcher Childress has been called the real Indiana Jones by many.  After reading Lost Cities & Ancient Mysteries of the Southwest, one of several volumes in his Lost Cities series, it’s easy to understand why.  For those of us who will never physically travel to such places as Aztlan, the fabled Zone of Silence, the areas purported to house the fabled Lost Dutchman Mine, the Sky City of Acoma, and scores of other fascinating locations, this is a valuable information tome.

Unlike books which feature only secondhand information, Childress visits the places he tells us about in his text.  When he gets to such areas purportedly hiding subterranean catacombs and lost cities, he provides extensive histories of the sites and it grows clear that various investigators have increased our understanding of the places.

Lost Cities & Ancient Mysteries of the Southwest is part travelogue and part history book.  Childress’s approach works.  It feels as if we’re traveling with him, jetting down miles of endless highways where unusual electromagnetic events and UFO sightings are prevalent; stopping at a tourist trap shack in the middle of the desert to check out an ancient mummy; or staring at a blanket of stars overhead after making camp for the night.

Childress begins his journey in Northern Mexico.  He provides a historical overview of Mexico in order to help us better understand the expansive history of the Southwest.  He discusses the Olmec culture, Tula, the Toltec capital, Aztec jade, turquois, and emerald mines; Montezuma’s gold that was sent north when the ruler was invaded, and much more.

When he treks north to Texas, Childress and his traveling companion, Jennifer, witness the Marfa Lights.  He describes this experience and those of others who have encountered the mysterious orbs in the Lone Star State, then offers several theories which may explain their ongoing presence.

In New Mexico, Childress ventures to Victorio Peak and details various stories about gold caverns.  He provides a riveting history of the Zunis, their myths, beliefs, and lifestyle.

Childress shares his search for the Lost Dutchman Mine, one that has been undertaken by countless others over the years.  Arizona’s Grand Canyon has more than its share of strangeness surrounding it and Childress chronicles many curious stories associated with the site over the years.  One involves an Egyptian city that may be hidden within the Canyon walls.  Utah strangeness is also covered.

Something else that makes the book impressive: Childress is careful to back up what he tells us by documenting his sources.  In fact, he includes over 200 endnotes from almost as many sources.  Not only has Childress visited the places he talks about, but the depth of his research is also impressive.  The endnotes provide the curious with a cache of further reading.

In the end, in spite of its mammoth size, this is a book to savor.  I took time to reflect on Childress’s tales of ancient stone tablets that may belong to an ancient forgotten civilization; Native Americans who may have come in contact with ancient Japanese explorers; remnants of Viking ships that may have been found in American deserts where deep waterways once flowed; giants that may have walked ancient Arizona territories; and many other amazing tales.  Yes, many of the stories are laced with supposition – but there is enough evidence to make one ponder the possibilities.

Lost Cities & Ancient Mysteries of the Southwest is a fascinating exploration of events and lands that may easily be labeled Weird.  I look forward to reading other entries in Childress’s Lost Cities series.

• Oscar De Los Santos

Childress, David Hatcher.  Lost Cities & Ancient Mysteries of the Southwest.  Kempton, Il:

Adventures Unlimited Press, 2009.