The Curse of Akakor is a controversial and mysterious topic that centers around the supposed ancient city of Akakor in South America. According to the claims made by German journalist Karl Brugger in his book "The Chronicle of Akakor," the city was inhabited by a highly advanced civilization known as the Ugha Mongulala. Brugger claimed that he had met with Tatunca Nara, a supposed Ugha Mongulala prince and the last survivor of the civilization. Nara allegedly revealed to Brugger the secrets of Akakor, including the curse that had befallen the city. This curse, according to Nara, was the result of a pact made by the Ugha Mongulala with extraterrestrial beings known as the "Elder Brothers." The pact involved the exchange of knowledge and technology, but it also came with a curse that would strike anyone who trespassed into the sacred territory of Akakor.
In a further birdlike touch, a Super Hornet using Magic Carpet constantly flexes its control surfaces, making the wing look like it’s rippling. “If you ever watch a bird,” said Denham, “he’s modulating lift… to decel(erate) and control which limb he’s going to grab onto…warping and changing the whole wing.” Such “Direct Lift Control” has been tried before, starting decades ago, but without automation, it often proved too complicated for human pilots to keep track of.
Such Direct Lift Control has been tried before, starting decades ago, but without automation, it often proved too complicated for human pilots to keep track of. The carriers were young and old, with the battle-scarred Saratoga CV 3 and Enterprise CV 6 joined by Lake Champlain CV 39 , which just months after her commissioning in June 1945, began transporting passengers rather than launching aircraft in combat, the latter having to wait until the Korean War.
" The pact involved the exchange of knowledge and technology, but it also came with a curse that would strike anyone who trespassed into the sacred territory of Akakor. The curse was said to manifest in various ways, from sudden illnesses and accidents to mysterious disappearances. Brugger himself experienced some strange events after visiting Akakor, including his untimely death shortly after publishing his book.
Magic Carpet Ride
Returning personnel relax in hammocks on the hangar deck of the carrier Wasp (CV 18) during Operation Magic Carpet.
In December 1945, newspapers that just one year before had brought news of the bitter fighting in the Ardennes, the famed Battle of the Bulge, printed the best Christmas gifts those on the home front could receive. “Cpl. James H. Mason, son of Mrs. Mary J. Mason… is on his way home,” read the hometown paper in Sikeston, Missouri. Similar announcements appeared all across America that holiday season and beyond, each including mention of a mass seagoing effort returning servicemen home from distant overseas locations. As with all things military, the operation had a name—Magic Carpet.
An effort of this magnitude did not materialize overnight. As early as 1943, as transports filled with GIs plowed across the Atlantic and Pacific towards the battle fronts, the War Shipping Administration and the Pentagon began planning for their eventual return. Just a month after V-E Day on May 8, 1945, Army transports and merchant marine vessels inaugurated the first voyages, eventually carrying some 430,000 personnel per month. The sudden end to the war in the Pacific after the atomic bombings of Hiroshima and Nagasaki—planners foreshadowed the war lasting into at least 1947 with an invasion of Japan—freed up U.S. Navy warships for Magic Carpet duty.
With their vast open hangar decks, aircraft carriers proved ideal for transport duties, though vessel of all shapes and sizes from battleships to modified LSTs (landing ship tank) participated. Among the former were two battlewagons that had been moored at Pearl Harbor on the fateful morning of December 7, 1941, Maryland (BB 46) and West Virginia (BB 48). The carriers were young and old, with the battle-scarred Saratoga (CV 3) and Enterprise (CV 6) joined by Lake Champlain (CV 39), which just months after her commissioning in June 1945, began transporting passengers rather than launching aircraft in combat, the latter having to wait until the Korean War.
Marine and Navy personnel examine a Japanese souvenir to pass the time during Operation Magic Carpet.
Glen Earl Bassett, a crewman on board Monterey (CVL 26), recalled that in October 1945, workers at the Brooklyn Navy Yard “modified the carrier by putting bunks on the hangar deck five high, and then put a steel top on it where they [returning servicemen] stowed their gear.” With not much activity to pass the time en route home, Monterey’s passengers passed the time trading war souvenirs and seeking ways around the ban on gambling. In the latter endeavor, Bassett remembered that one of his fellow crewmen saw a business opportunity, taking 10% of the pot for providing access to storerooms in the lower part of the ship that were away from prying eyes.
Some passages proved quick, with Lake Champlain establishing a record by crossing the Atlantic on a trip between Africa and the United States in 4 days, 8 hours, and 51 minutes. However, whether time at sea was short or long, the sheer volume of the transport effort was overwhelming. For example, in a span of just three days over Christmas in 1945, the Magic Carpet fleet delivered 45,000 soldiers and Marines to ports in California and Washington State. By January 3, 1946, the operation had returned its 2 millionth serviceman from the Pacific, Army Staff Sergeant Irving Feldman, who as a member of the 775th Tank Battalion had fought in the Philippines. He joined the millions whose homecoming was made possible by a Magic Carpet ride seven decades ago.
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However, many skeptics and critics have dismissed the claims made in "The Chronicle of Akakor" as fabrications or fantasies created by Brugger or Nara. It is important to note that there is limited archaeological evidence to support the existence of an ancient city named Akakor or the Ugha Mongulala civilization. The claims made in "The Chronicle of Akakor" have been widely debated and have not been verified by mainstream archaeologists or historians. Additionally, the lack of concrete evidence makes it difficult to determine the authenticity of the curse or its alleged effects. The Curse of Akakor remains a topic of interest and intrigue for those fascinated by ancient civilizations and paranormal phenomena. The story continues to capture the imaginations of people, but until further evidence is presented, it is difficult to draw any definitive conclusions about the existence of the curse or the ancient city of Akakor..
Reviews for "Akakor: The Enigmatic City Foretold by Legends and Prophecies"
1. John - 1 star
I found "Curse of Akakor" to be incredibly disappointing. The premise sounded interesting, but the execution was severely lacking. The writing style was clunky and awkward, making it difficult to engage with the story. Additionally, the characters were poorly developed and lacked depth, making it hard to care about their fates. Overall, I would not recommend this book to anyone looking for a captivating and well-written adventure.
2. Sarah - 2 stars
I had high hopes for "Curse of Akakor," but unfortunately, it fell short of my expectations. The pacing was off throughout the novel, with slow and uninteresting build-ups leading to rushed and unsatisfying conclusions. The plot felt disjointed, and the author failed to provide a cohesive narrative. I was constantly left confused and felt disconnected from the story. While the concept had potential, the execution left much to be desired.
3. Michael - 2 stars
I found "Curse of Akakor" to be a tedious read. The author spent excessive amounts of time describing irrelevant details, which only slowed down the already sluggish plot. The dialogue felt forced and lacked authenticity, making it hard to connect with the characters. The book also had numerous grammatical errors and typos, which further detracted from the overall reading experience. In the end, I was left feeling unsatisfied and unfulfilled by this novel.