Our beloved Earth looked like a completely different planet hundreds of millions of years ago. Species of plants and animals would likely look alien to us today. Nevertheless, historians, anthropologists, and other science types have discovered and analyzed evidence that could show us the amazing evolution that life has taken. But what about pieces that have no obvious explanation? While industry professionals might see such discoveries as an exciting challenge, it opens a larger gateway into conspiracy culture. Lemuria: A True Story of a Fake Place by Justin McHenry is a nonfiction piece in which McHenry examines how one question, “How did Lemurs end up on Madagascar?”, went from historical speculation to science fiction to a cabal movement.
Book
Due to Madagascar’s isolation, it is home to many species of animals that are not found anywhere else on Earth – including lemurs. Some theories suggest that their ancestors traveled from Africa on floating patches of vegetation – but that journey would have been a long one, with those patches disintegrating along the way. So others surmised that a “land bridge” existed at some point, enabling animals to migrate to the present-day island. Over time, such musings evolved that ranged from plausible to downright outrageous.
The Lost City of Atlantis was somehow related. The science fiction genre got new material. Native Lemurians moved oceans in these theories, somehow living in a hidden city inside Mt. Shasta in California. And the propaganda just kept coming. Fast forward to today, and users on 4chan/8kun insist that Lemuria was destroyed by God because the inhabitants had fallen too far from His plan. No theory is too far-fetched when it comes to the “missing” land.
Review
McHenry certainly did his research while constructing Lemuria, and he has the receipts. The history about Lemuria goes back thousands of years, and the author leaves no stone unturned. Readers learn about notable figures from all over the world, over many generations, and their contributions to myth and facts alike. And in today’s world of digital information and sharing, we’re reminded just how quickly the increasingly outlandish theories can travel.
Justin McHenry joins the Cantina Book Club Podcast to talk about his experiences putting together this book and what’s next. Keep an ear out for the interview on an upcoming episode and pick up a copy of Lemuria: A True Story of a Fake Place, available now.
