RAGNAROK: THE AGE OF FIRE AND GRAVEL
Book Details + Condition: D. Appleton and Company (New York). First Edition, 1883. 452 pages and illustrated, followed by publisher ads at rear. "Ragnarok: The Age of Fire and Gravel" is a companion to the more well-known work by Donnelly, "Atlantis: The Antediluvian World." In "Ragnarok," Donnelly argues that an enormous comet hit the earth 12,000 years ago, resulting in widespread fires, floods, poisonous gases, and unusually vicious and prolonged winters. The catastrophe destroyed a more advanced civilization, forcing its terrified population to seek shelter in caves. As cave-dwellers, they lost all knowledge of art, literature, music, philosophy, and engineering. He indicates many legends and myths from various cultures, such as Zoroastrian, Pictish, Hindu, and Ancient Greece, that are all suggestive of a comet striking the earth, the earth catching fire, poisonous gases choking people, and floods and tidal waves swamping large areas. He also discusses early culture's tendency to heliotheism, which he said evolved from gratitude to the Sun, after so many horrific days without it. In very good condition: tight binding; very light wear to boards; bright gilt and boards; text is clean and unmarked.
