Good Introduction

This stuff is ludicrous.. but an enjoyable way to spend a couple of quiet afternoons exploring "alternative" history assertions. I'm convinced that you can only develop critical appraisal skills by listening to the wackiest theories and thinking for yourself (e.g. No, the pyramids in Giza (2500 BC) and the Peruvian pyramids (500 BC) are not arranged like Orion's Belt. Think about it. Stars move. The ancients on two continents a thousand years apart did not predict where the stars would be in centuries 18-21 AD and built accordingly for some reason. But it's an interesting observation). Some of the stuff is straight-up silly.
That said, Phillip Coppens documents example after example of poorly-explained archeological findings that could conceivably fit into an 'Ancient Alien Visitor' paradigm and example after example of theories put forward to tie everything together (e.g. Sitchin's 'Annunaki/Nibiru' conjecture; panspermia; etc.). The collection is extensive, documented punctiliously, and described clearly.
Unfortunately, it's not organized very well (von Däniken is a much better curator, for example) and Coppens fails to offer any of his own opinions (he's more of a critic than a thinker).

As to presentation: Kevin Foley is a truly professional narrator. He reads slightly too slowly (set playback speed at 1.15X for this one) and is a touch too clinically didactic, but Foley is an above-average reader overall.
Unforgivably, Tantor Audio Inc. producers fail to add a 100% necessary PDF with chapter contents and photographs (or at least a better Chapter headings list). This encyclopedia-like book is impossible to navigate in this format. They also allow repeated recorded segments to remain.. as though no-one even proofed the master before release. Someone should get fired.

Altogether, 'The Ancient Alien Question' is an admirable attempt to pair von Däniken's documentary excellence with an encompassing unifying theory. This audiobook merits 6.5 stars out of 10. It was an entertaining distraction for free.. but not worth a Credit unless you're a total newcomer to the topic and want to use the book as a starting point.

[Note: Giving any air whatsoever to David Icke's 'Lizard People in disguise running government' assertion is baffling.. and leads me to question this author's editorial judgment - or even his objectivity]

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