Gods: Sekret Machines

Gods, Man & War Series, Book 1

By: Tom DeLonge, Peter Levenda

Narrated by: Paul Costanzo

Length: 11 hrs and 26 mins

Publisher's Summary

The first volume in Gods, Man, & War, Gods introduces the listener to some of the critical issues that are foundational to an intelligent and enlightened grasp of the revelations that will follow in the next two volumes. There is another Force in the universe of our Reality, another context for comprehending what has been going on for millennia and especially in the last 70 years.

Sekret Machines is the result of input from scientists, engineers, intelligence officers, and military officials - a group we call the Advisors - and transcends the speculation of journalists, historians, and others whose conclusions are often either misinformed or only tease around the edges of the Sekret Machines. The listener will not discover wild theories or unfounded claims, but instead will confront a solid - if often unsettling - reality, one that demands the collaboration of all of us in every field of human endeavor if we are to understand it and manage its effects.

If nothing else, listeners will come to the conclusion that the Phenomenon is not what they think it is. It is, in fact, much more serious and potentially much more threatening than they can imagine.

©2016 Tom DeLonge (P)2017 Tantor

ABSOLUTELY BLOWN AWAY 👽👽👽👽👾👾👾👾

A ton of usable information instead of the recycling of the same old tired and worn out Ancient Aliens story. I had to go back and read most of the material a 2nd time and in several areas a 3rd time due to the magnitude of it all. Originally I was trying to do all of the book in the audio format but found that it was more than I could process. Much much easier to keep my head above water by actually reading the material word for word the old fashion way. ABSOLUTELY love it to say the least. I give them a 5 out of 5 all the way around. I wore out the "back" button. Obviously my listening skills need to honed somewhat. LOL

Meh

Is there anything you would change about this book?

I would change the narrator.

If this book were a movie would you go see it?

Nope

Any additional comments?

I'm surprised by the high reviews for this book. It was meandering and repetitive. It was an attempt by Tom to make what is a theory, with very little evidence supporting it, sound like fact. But apparently Tom knows the facts; he just can't talk about it. I got half-way through and jumped to the last chapter without feeling like I missed anything important. The bottom line is the book was disappointing. Like a lot of you researching Tom's books his company's disclosure got me interested in the UFO phenomena again. Part of me wants to get Sekret Machines. But the wiser, more experienced side of me knows it's going to be a let down. I hope Tom Delonge really knows something because this "soft-disclosure" thing sounds like a scam to bait investors.

Fresh, Insightful, Inspiring and Necessary

As someone new to the study of Ufology but well versed in religious studies, there wasn't much new information in this book, and many of its ideas I've had on my own. However, I still enjoyed it very much. There were definetly some new insights I'd never had presented and new factoids as well. Really though, it was so refreshing to have this info presented in such a rational and reasonable and enjoyable fashion. All the other texts I've read regarding this stuff have done a disservice to their topics with their poor and overreaching "scholarship" assumptions and conclusions. This introduction to these topics blends old ideas in new and exciting ways without discrediting itself, (unlike it's predissessors). I've read other negative reviews complaining there is nothing new here, but they don't understand the point of the book. Someone needed to present this with integrity, and the authors did. The material also is a necessary introduction to the discussions and conclusions that are yet to come. And there actually IS new info here. There are insights that one may have personally had, but which hadn't been well textualized before. This is a book that even the most skeptical should feel comfortable reading or listening too, and it communicates ideas that it is time for skeptics to hear.

Boring

This was hard to finish. TLDR; ancient people incorporated stars in religious practices- is this because they met people from the stars? Are mythical gods and modern aliens two terms for the same thing? Should we assume good vs evil is an explanation for warring aliens? Repeat for 100 hours.

A Big Picture scholarly approach to humanity & UFO

This first book in the series is filled with an overview of humanity's development. It covers a broad span of time, includes mythology, religions, history, genetics, consciousness, and much more. This book is laying a foundation to "bring up to speed" people who have been busy working and paying bills and who may have had time to read or learn about some of these things, but not all of these things.

What I love about books is that a person takes a topic they have spent (hopefully) decades studying/doing/knowing and puts it all in one book. When covering the topic of humanity and the topic of UFOs and what it might mean, there's going to be a lot of foundation to lay if you want to look at the big picture.

Some people may have information on specific UFO incidents or specific people known in UFOlogy, but the big picture is harder to see. I really like to read the writings or ideas of people who wonder what it all means - such as John Keel or Jacques Vallee - they touch on such concepts and questions - they ask and think about what is happening to humanity in their writing.

This book was tough going for me. I had to use the "back" function on my iPod a lot. There isn't empty fluff in here and most sentences are info-packed and sometimes after a string of such sentences I had to go back and listen again because I got overwhelmed with so much information.

I took a break mid-way and bought the companion fiction book and listened to that. (Chasing Shadows by A.J. Hartley/Tom DeLonge) There's a big difference! That was entertaining, not deep.

This book is laying a knowledge foundation and I look forward to the rest of the series.

Will this finally be the "real truth?" Who knows. But I'm learning a lot and my mind is stretching. There's no way I could have spent the time to read all the books and ideas that are distilled into this one book, so I feel like a person who is interested in learning is going to get their money's worth. The difference in this book from the companion fiction book is evident, and a look at the other books by co-author Peter Levenda shows his scholarly interests.

The narration and audio book production are very good.

Ancient Aliens Redux

For all it's posturing and promise that it's not simply another Ancient Aliens premise, this is exactly what it is. Book two of Sekret Machines is an essay on the history of religion, and how that relates to 'contact'. The claim is that contact, or multiple contacts with a higher intelligence is what has formed all of our religions. The dogma, and all the associated practices is nothing more than man's attempt to recreate or honor those beings.

I don't think the premise is flawed, but it's certainly not original. It does take a more academic look at this theory, and doesn't make such sensational claims the way many in this field do. Delonge insists that he is laying the groundwork for yet more books and more media that will make disclosure of the phenomena a reality. Maybe his intentions are true, but one has to wonder if this is just another 'emperors new clothes' idea. He's selling us a bill of goods that is nothing but smoke and mirrors. If he's a true insider as he claims to be, he has yet to provide one shred of evidence that hasn't already existing in the field of Ufo lore. Of course, he plans to release that information 'in the next book'.

So, us readers and interested citizens are force to follow the this carrot on a stick and see if we ever find out the truth.

The narration is boring, but that's hardly the presenters fault, the material is largely dry and repetitive.

A note on the production value. There seemed to be some sort of popping or clicking during the reading of this. I only noticed this while in a quiet environment, or using my headphones, so It may have not been present always. It was quite annoying though.

horrible listen

such an awful narration. whistles every "S" sound extremely badly. I'm not sure why they went with this reading, as I'm sure it would be much more enjoyable had someone else read it.

interesting to say the least

it's effectively modern art in a book format. taking lots of real-world history and just painting it with speculation

I freaking love this stuff

I'm so appreciative that somebody that is diligent and has made the right connections is attempting to release this kind of information to the world and I'll take it in whatever form I can get it.

Great Compilation of Civilization Comparisons

This book makes detailed comparisons of most ancient civilizations and their religious backgrounds. It shows, with great probability, that we are a product a previous non human visit to our earth... very compelling and thorough.
Thanks Tom for your enthusiasm...

Wanted to love this.. Jurys out

Wanted to love this as a fan of DeLonge.. Jurys out. Not sure if I am too stupid so don't get it, where are you going with all this.
Anyways I found the book, Long winded, but interesting, never really getting to a point. Making a point
of actually, never making one. . Narrator was ok, but maybe like me thought will there be a point soon, Perhaps a
recap at the end of the audiobook is needed to sum it all up, in say 5 minutes.. its a book that's a 5, or a 1 star, it will polarize you rapid..

thought provoking stuff !!

loved this very thought provoking stuff if you are interestes in the subject of the paranormal

A lot to take in

A lot to take in, need to listen 2 or 3 times to get the full picture

turned my mind on its head

Great new interpretation for the origin of religions. It will take a while for the dust to settle but I'll be better off for having got dusty.

Way too long winded....

I'm sure there's a lot of research gone in into this book for there's a lot of information published it but good Lord is it long winded and I'm sure it could have been said more concisely and I don't agree with some on his assertions as that maybe about the Hindu Goddess China astable and his comparison with the reasons for A technical human sacrifice, definitely wrong. I won't be buying the other volumes.