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The Hollow Earth
The author claims that this book proves that there exists on the inside of the earth's crust, which is about 800 miles thick, a New World, and that Admiral Byrd's polar expeditions penetrated a total distance of 4,000 miles into this land beyond the North and South Poles, where there exist immense openings leading to the subterranean world in the hollow interior of the earth, home of a super race and super civilization, who are the creators of the flying saucers.
116 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 1964
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Displaying 1 - 27 of 27 reviews
January 1, 2018
Wow. Okay. So... Raymond Bernard (A.B., M.A., Ph.D.) makes the case that the Earth is hollow. Where there should be a north pole and a south pole, there are actually gaping holes (1,400 miles across) leading into an interior earth with its own continents and waters and a dimly lit sun that keeps everything at a balmy 76 degrees. The cover teases the question: "Is this the greatest discovery in history?" The answer is no.
This volume is dated 1969, but other sources inform me that Bernard initially published The Hollow Earth in 1964. Granted, no one had landed on the moon yet and there was much yet to be discovered on the topics he discusses, but even then this theory would have been easy to debunk. The chief argument presented is that notable explorer Rear Admiral Richard E. Byrd allegedly said before departing on a flight across the North Pole: "I would like to see that land beyond the Pole. That area beyond the Pole is the center of the Great Unknown." Then, supposedly he flew past the North Pole by 1,700 miles (a statistic repeated to a comical degree - almost once per page for the first third of the book) before having to turn back. In another trip, he flew 2,300 miles past the South Pole. On those flights, he witnessed greenery, a living mammoth, and other sights indicating he'd rounded the lip of the polar holes and entered the lush interior of the planet.
This book is horribly (again, comically) repetitious. The same quotes and arguments and passages are oft-repeated, and I suspect the chapters may have originally been published separately and then combined without any editing or pruning. Here are some highlights:
- All planets in the solar system were formed in the same way: miniature suns surrounded by discs of matter. We can see occasional glimpses through telescopes of the stars inside other planets like Mars, Venus and Mercury (but not Uranus, which has a 98 degree tilt?). Even comets are former planets that are breaking apart so we can see their mini-suns.
- Navigators have been confused about whether they've reached the poles because the magnetic north and south poles are not points, but rings surrounding the rim of the holes at the poles. That's why compasses go haywire as you approach them.
- If you continue past these lips, you are still held down by gravity, which will double your weight at the point in between the outside and inside surfaces. The Earth is a torus shape, about 800 miles thick, and it is that 800-mile-thick shell that accounts for gravity as we experience it.
- The aurora borealis (and australis) are just light shows from the interior sun, which is swathed in clouds.
- This theory explains the presence of life at these extreme latitudes, especially in abundant qualities. Supposedly many of them have wandered from their homes in the interior. This explains why mammoths can be found in ice - not because they've been frozen for millennia, but because they froze in the interior and the ice blocks flowed out to the exterior.
- This also explains why glaciers and icebergs can be made out of freshwater, because they were formed in the interior.
- There are various other conclusions drawn from the existence of colored snow near the poles (guess they didn't know about the algae responsible), the presence of rocks and boulders (from interior vulcanism), and mysterious migration patterns of certain animals (which I looked up, and they are well-established on the outside of the Earth).
- Many tales exist of explorers having wandered beyond the polar regions only to find warmer temperatures, and even another race of advanced humans. Never mind that sometimes they're described as giants, sometimes as small, sometimes as blonde and other times as "brown".
- Of course government's in on this conspiracy (this part reminded me very much of Flat Earth arguments and logic) and has been doing it's darndest to keep anyone from discovering these other civilizations and resources before they can lay claim to it. The advanced civilizations in the interior alternately do and don't want us to know about them, depending on which story is being told.
- "Eskimos" and Chinese people may be descended from the interior dwellers, because they are unrelated to the rest of us and have unusual eyes.
- Many ancient texts talk about ideal, perfect societies under the Earth. They are all referring to this place, which has millions of inhabitants and a king who rules all. They also live forever (they are free from cosmic radiation and practice perfect nutrition) and in perfect harmony because their civilization is some 11,500 years old. They are escaped Atlanteans and Lemurians. And they are the ones who invented UFOs and occasionally fly them out to our side.
Those are the main points. There are some long asides about UFOs and the author's theory about how they are propelled (the ancients mastered gravity AND inertia, which are connected - TADA!). There is also extensive review of ancient tales of perfect societies and heavens/shangri-las/"walhallas"/Shamballahs/Aghartas that all refer to this place.
It's a wild, silly, and poorly-organized ride that's rather fun if you enjoy crazy theories as much as I do. It's a quick read, too, even with all the repetition.
This volume is dated 1969, but other sources inform me that Bernard initially published The Hollow Earth in 1964. Granted, no one had landed on the moon yet and there was much yet to be discovered on the topics he discusses, but even then this theory would have been easy to debunk. The chief argument presented is that notable explorer Rear Admiral Richard E. Byrd allegedly said before departing on a flight across the North Pole: "I would like to see that land beyond the Pole. That area beyond the Pole is the center of the Great Unknown." Then, supposedly he flew past the North Pole by 1,700 miles (a statistic repeated to a comical degree - almost once per page for the first third of the book) before having to turn back. In another trip, he flew 2,300 miles past the South Pole. On those flights, he witnessed greenery, a living mammoth, and other sights indicating he'd rounded the lip of the polar holes and entered the lush interior of the planet.
This book is horribly (again, comically) repetitious. The same quotes and arguments and passages are oft-repeated, and I suspect the chapters may have originally been published separately and then combined without any editing or pruning. Here are some highlights:
- All planets in the solar system were formed in the same way: miniature suns surrounded by discs of matter. We can see occasional glimpses through telescopes of the stars inside other planets like Mars, Venus and Mercury (but not Uranus, which has a 98 degree tilt?). Even comets are former planets that are breaking apart so we can see their mini-suns.
- Navigators have been confused about whether they've reached the poles because the magnetic north and south poles are not points, but rings surrounding the rim of the holes at the poles. That's why compasses go haywire as you approach them.
- If you continue past these lips, you are still held down by gravity, which will double your weight at the point in between the outside and inside surfaces. The Earth is a torus shape, about 800 miles thick, and it is that 800-mile-thick shell that accounts for gravity as we experience it.
- The aurora borealis (and australis) are just light shows from the interior sun, which is swathed in clouds.
- This theory explains the presence of life at these extreme latitudes, especially in abundant qualities. Supposedly many of them have wandered from their homes in the interior. This explains why mammoths can be found in ice - not because they've been frozen for millennia, but because they froze in the interior and the ice blocks flowed out to the exterior.
- This also explains why glaciers and icebergs can be made out of freshwater, because they were formed in the interior.
- There are various other conclusions drawn from the existence of colored snow near the poles (guess they didn't know about the algae responsible), the presence of rocks and boulders (from interior vulcanism), and mysterious migration patterns of certain animals (which I looked up, and they are well-established on the outside of the Earth).
- Many tales exist of explorers having wandered beyond the polar regions only to find warmer temperatures, and even another race of advanced humans. Never mind that sometimes they're described as giants, sometimes as small, sometimes as blonde and other times as "brown".
- Of course government's in on this conspiracy (this part reminded me very much of Flat Earth arguments and logic) and has been doing it's darndest to keep anyone from discovering these other civilizations and resources before they can lay claim to it. The advanced civilizations in the interior alternately do and don't want us to know about them, depending on which story is being told.
- "Eskimos" and Chinese people may be descended from the interior dwellers, because they are unrelated to the rest of us and have unusual eyes.
- Many ancient texts talk about ideal, perfect societies under the Earth. They are all referring to this place, which has millions of inhabitants and a king who rules all. They also live forever (they are free from cosmic radiation and practice perfect nutrition) and in perfect harmony because their civilization is some 11,500 years old. They are escaped Atlanteans and Lemurians. And they are the ones who invented UFOs and occasionally fly them out to our side.
Those are the main points. There are some long asides about UFOs and the author's theory about how they are propelled (the ancients mastered gravity AND inertia, which are connected - TADA!). There is also extensive review of ancient tales of perfect societies and heavens/shangri-las/"walhallas"/Shamballahs/Aghartas that all refer to this place.
It's a wild, silly, and poorly-organized ride that's rather fun if you enjoy crazy theories as much as I do. It's a quick read, too, even with all the repetition.
January 24, 2013
Did you know that the earth, much like the moon, was totally hollow? well, now you know! Of course, I never took this seriously even as a kid, but as an adult I find myself increasingly drawn back to the crazier themes in "unexplained mysteries" type literature - especially concepts like a hollow earth and Richard Shaver's evil dark Deros, lurking in the caves beneath your feet in order to ruin your life - but from the point of view of examining it through the lens of (unintended) twentieth century folklore (although the hollow earth is a much older concept than that)
Anyway - may have to dip into this again.
Anyway - may have to dip into this again.
February 17, 2022
Though of course I am not a proponent, I do find the Hollow Earth theory quite fascinating; likewise the "Flat Earth" hypothesis. I like conspiracies just as much as the next guy, some being reasonably or even quite convincing, others entirely ludicrous. While especially some elements of the Flat Earth argument are interesting, I do not, to the great relief of my wife, put any faith in it. In the same way I will pick up a Jules Verne book, or something about aliens (I refrain from mentioning ghosts out-of-brackets as I do believe in them), I am willing to enjoy an earnest (if deceived) descent into conspiratorial madness.
This book, for the most part, offers this. It doesn't get too bogged down with science, pseudo or otherwise. It shamelessly, un-ironically devolves into Swiftian lunacy with satisfying regularity. The honest belief of the author has a charm to it, and in many ways is the most fascinating aspect, more so than the ridiculous claim of a semi-divine race of advanced beings - "little brown people" - living within the caverns of this earth, flying around in saucers being peacekeepers for the human race.
You know, I didn't mean to come across as patronising in this review, but I fear I have done after all. But, look ... is the book worth reading? I would say yes - if you are into this theory, if you actually believe it or are just intrigued by the concept. For anyone who feels nothing but derision for the ideas, however, this is probably best avoiding. If you don't find it a mind-blowing revelation, you will at best (as I did) find it enjoyably preposterous.
At worst, it is insultingly stupid.
This book, for the most part, offers this. It doesn't get too bogged down with science, pseudo or otherwise. It shamelessly, un-ironically devolves into Swiftian lunacy with satisfying regularity. The honest belief of the author has a charm to it, and in many ways is the most fascinating aspect, more so than the ridiculous claim of a semi-divine race of advanced beings - "little brown people" - living within the caverns of this earth, flying around in saucers being peacekeepers for the human race.
You know, I didn't mean to come across as patronising in this review, but I fear I have done after all. But, look ... is the book worth reading? I would say yes - if you are into this theory, if you actually believe it or are just intrigued by the concept. For anyone who feels nothing but derision for the ideas, however, this is probably best avoiding. If you don't find it a mind-blowing revelation, you will at best (as I did) find it enjoyably preposterous.
At worst, it is insultingly stupid.
January 27, 2022
A internet materializou uma entidade que sempre existiu em torno da Terra, a Infosfera (ou Akasha, como os antigos chamavam). Hoje tudo é objeto de dúvida. Tudo é criticado. Os semi-sábios (conhecidos como cientistas) não aprovam que todos questionem tudo. É liberdade demais, até pra eles. Mas o tempo das fogueiras acabou e a Terra oca de Bernard voltou com força total. O livro é um libelo do realismo fantástico (?) que pretende (se não provar, pelo menos abrir um portal) que o nosso planeta é oco e tem uma civilização avançada (in)habitando sua superfície interior, eternamente iluminada por um micro-sol central. Uma de-lí-cia do começo ao fim.
April 28, 2016
Total bunkum. Quite entertaining. I give this four stars just for the great pleasure the book gave me as a child, because even then, I said "This is a great read, but No Way!"
Starting age 12, I had a subscription to "Fate" magazine, paid out of my meagre weekly allowance. I did not believe the articles, I just loved the entertainment. I actually sent for "Hollow Earth" with my thrifty savings - I got $1 dollar a week allowance back then! I made extra $ weeding a neighbor's garden.
Back in those days, a person could send a quarter in the mail and get weird and entertaining brochures and catalogs in the mail. (Including a catalog for something called "Men's Cosmetics", something I visualized as some type of makeup for men as seen in movies from the early 1930's - - but it was really a euphemism for a catalog of sex toys. That was an education for an adolescent girl!)
Ah, young folks today - spoiled by easy internet access - you do not comprehend how we had to *wait* until late Saturday Night to watch great old horror movies on "Creature Features", or record music off the radio onto cassette tapes, or sneak furtive views of naughty things from our father's hiding places!
Or...rather than today's instant internet gratification, the vicarious joy of sending a quarter, even a WHOLE DOLLAR through the mail for weird and entertaining literature on witchcraft, UFO's, psychic phenom, voodoo & witchcraft supplies, and Anomalies and Curiosities of Medicine
Starting age 12, I had a subscription to "Fate" magazine, paid out of my meagre weekly allowance. I did not believe the articles, I just loved the entertainment. I actually sent for "Hollow Earth" with my thrifty savings - I got $1 dollar a week allowance back then! I made extra $ weeding a neighbor's garden.
Back in those days, a person could send a quarter in the mail and get weird and entertaining brochures and catalogs in the mail. (Including a catalog for something called "Men's Cosmetics", something I visualized as some type of makeup for men as seen in movies from the early 1930's - - but it was really a euphemism for a catalog of sex toys. That was an education for an adolescent girl!)
Ah, young folks today - spoiled by easy internet access - you do not comprehend how we had to *wait* until late Saturday Night to watch great old horror movies on "Creature Features", or record music off the radio onto cassette tapes, or sneak furtive views of naughty things from our father's hiding places!
Or...rather than today's instant internet gratification, the vicarious joy of sending a quarter, even a WHOLE DOLLAR through the mail for weird and entertaining literature on witchcraft, UFO's, psychic phenom, voodoo & witchcraft supplies, and Anomalies and Curiosities of Medicine
February 21, 2019
I would have given this book a better rating if the author didn't consantly keep repeating himself!! I went into this book knowing it was bunk, but that is not why I enjoy fringe. I typically love books like this based soley on their entertainment value. This book has it, but only in the last few chapters.
August 10, 2021
Interesting. Soooooo repetitive.
October 2, 2022
Couldn't even get through the first part. I swear he says the same 3 quotes from Admiral Byrd at least 50 times about "Land beyond the poles" "Enchanted lands" etc. Just rambling nonsense. If this book actually makes you believe the Earth is hollow you need to step back and take a good look at how hollow your own life is.
March 12, 2023
Hollow earth theory books are fun, though this one gets a star removed from being so hopelessly, downright desperately repetitive.
Did you know the Roma are so restless om earth because they originate from inside it? Or that there are no more Incas, they all moved outer to inner earth? Yeah…
Did you know the Roma are so restless om earth because they originate from inside it? Or that there are no more Incas, they all moved outer to inner earth? Yeah…
December 25, 2023
Quite amazing. The concept of a hollow earth is fascinating. However, this book relies on 19th and early 20th century science, which is not bad in itself, but in my opinion, is a little bit questionable nowadays.
February 14, 2019
Read this back in high school. The book presents a theory that the earth is hollow with large openings at the poles. I thought this was quite interesting at the time.
Read
June 20, 2019OK
April 5, 2020
Stunning!
September 8, 2021
An interesting Pre-Space Race look at the mysteries of what lay at and beyond the Poles.
March 19, 2024
I knew it!
September 6, 2020
Embora antigo é atual, necessitando atualizar a parte da ovinologia, pois existem naves não apenas intraterrena.
March 12, 2014
This was one of those near-legendary counter-culture books that I always wanted to read. Unfortunately, it was pretty much a letdown on all counts.
The whole basis of the book seems to be predicated solely on two things that a prominent explorer said almost in passing about his trek over one of the Poles. From that there's a lot of bad suppositions, bad pseudo-science, and a lot of jumping to conclusions. Most of the book quotes from other works, particularly the works of Raymond Palmer, rather than trying to make any proper explanations. And the same five or six points are endlessly repeated nearly every chapter, like the author himself had to keep them going as a mantra so he could believe them himself.
Dr. Bernard's book doesn't even remotely resemble a scholarly text, and his conclusions are incredibly flimsy. Considering most of his other work was in more paranoid exposes of the government (which is, of course, poisoning us with fluoridation), I suppose this shouldn't have been much of a surprise.
I can't understand how this book still has the reputation that it does. Even for a pseudo-science fan like myself, this was a wasted effort.
The whole basis of the book seems to be predicated solely on two things that a prominent explorer said almost in passing about his trek over one of the Poles. From that there's a lot of bad suppositions, bad pseudo-science, and a lot of jumping to conclusions. Most of the book quotes from other works, particularly the works of Raymond Palmer, rather than trying to make any proper explanations. And the same five or six points are endlessly repeated nearly every chapter, like the author himself had to keep them going as a mantra so he could believe them himself.
Dr. Bernard's book doesn't even remotely resemble a scholarly text, and his conclusions are incredibly flimsy. Considering most of his other work was in more paranoid exposes of the government (which is, of course, poisoning us with fluoridation), I suppose this shouldn't have been much of a surprise.
I can't understand how this book still has the reputation that it does. Even for a pseudo-science fan like myself, this was a wasted effort.
November 10, 2015
I like a good conspiracy story, even if none of it is true, it at least makes for an interesting sci-fi or fantasy read. I have researched the hollow Earth theory beyond this book. There are many ancient references as well as some modern. Bottom line is, if you trust that the governments, news organizations, educational and religious institutions, and any other "official" source of information is telling you the truth, the whole truth, and nothing but the truth, then ignore books like this. If you are like me and have found numerous reasons to question and doubt authority figures and institutions as to the whole story of the reality we are currently partaking in and are open to non-mainstream ideas of our planet, then I suggest to consider reading The Hollow Earth. Maybe, just maybe, we will see just how far the rabbit hole goes.
February 3, 2019
Starting this book i didn’t know what to expect it being my first book on the subject. But I must say there is some very very compelling evidence that suggests not only that our earth is hollow but that all planets are formed in the same way resulting in polar opening and an internal sun. Some of the information in the first couple chapters is pretty repetitive but beyond that it’s a very interesting read ! I do recommend !
April 15, 2012
This book made me fall in love with the Hollow Earth theory and I still look into new articles and books about it all the time. The argument in this book I found to be pretty repetitive and a but of a strawman argument. It did give a lot of other sources which I've looked into which provided more information.
March 3, 2008
The jist of this book is that the Lost Tribes of Israel areliving inside the earth. That there is an opening in one of the poles to get in. Also UFO's come from them inside the earth. Oh and the earths core acts like a sun for these people.
January 30, 2008
This book is ... really something.
September 8, 2008
People who don't know physics should refrain from writing books that involve physics. The author would have been better off if he had tried to push this book as fiction.
June 8, 2012
VERY INTERESTING! VERY RARE READING MATERIAL!
August 27, 2012
Interesting tale.
February 3, 2013
Curious
November 13, 2012
Perversely entertaining.
Displaying 1 - 27 of 27 reviews