Phantom Islands of The Atlantic by Donald S. Johnson Review

Avon Books, Feb., 1998.
Trade Paperback, 240 pages.
ISBN: 0380730782.
Ordering information: Amazon.com

Ever wonder why explorers used to tell tales of monsters and natives that seem far-fetched? Or why ancient explorers had myths of Islands that don't exist to today? Donald S. Johnson's wonderful little gem, Phantom Islands, answers these questions and more with tales, insightful anecdotes and well-researched facts. The seven islands Johnson writes about in this book do not exist in our world Atlas today, but were all cartographed and remarked about centuries ago. An explorer himself, Johnson has made many voyages, including five journeys across the Atlantic in a twenty-seven foot schooner. A quote from Johnson may partly explain the difficulties of mapping Islands to explorers years ago, "I don't think anyone can truly comprehend just how vast the North Atlantic Ocean is without spending six or seven weeks sailing it in a small boat."

Johnson details each island and provides maps, stories and rumors to go with each one. He also offers ideas and suggestions as to what may be the explanation for why the island was thought to have existed and for its disappearance. A well-written and well researched work, Phantom Islands is sure to interest those keen on long forgotten mysteries, geography or history.

--Greg Knollenberg

Return to the March 1998 issue of The IWJ.