1421 Islington-based author tackles Atlantis mystery
�A controversial writer, who says the Chinese discovered America before Columbus, tackles Atlantis in his latest project.
Gavin Menzies, who lives in Canonbury Road, Islington, sparked controversy with 1421 The Year China Discovered the World, which effectively re-wrote western history. It has since sold more than a million copies in 60 editions.
His new book, The Lost Empire of Atlantis, claims the Greek island was an empire with cultured civilians who excavated copper from North American mines.
He will speaking about Atlantis at Waterstone’s book shop in Islington Green on October 27.
Mr Menzies, 75, said: “I hope this will get the same reaction as 1421 because historians hate my guts and it actually becomes a huge selling point.
“The ordinary reader wants to decide for themselves and see what all the fuss is about.”
“But I have not made a statement never suggested by a professor.”
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Submarine
Mr Menzies, married to Marcella with two daughters Vanessa and Samantha, has lived in Canonbury Road for more than 40 years.
He said: “Islington has wonderful theatres and pubs. And our area near the New River is like a forest.
“It is the nicest place anyone could possibly hope to live.”
Mr Menzies enjoyed a 17-year Navy career and worked as a submarine commander before he moved to London and became a merchant banker.
When he researched Chinese naval history, he came across a mysterious map in an American museum published 70 years before Columbus set sail which showed the Caribbean islands.
In 1421, he writes that a 107-strong armada of ships from China reached Latin America and Australia, leaving wrecks, artefacts and established colonies.
More than 2,000 people on average visit the book’s accompanying website every day.
n For more information on the event at Waterstone’s, which starts at 7pm, contact 0843 290 8411.
