1421 DVD now available!

Click image to buy from Amazon.co.uk Using location photography and beautifully crafted dramatic reconstruction, the two part documentary begins by telling the story of the known voyages of Zheng He. In the second part, the programme examines Menzies's evidence that he claims is proof that the Chinese discovered America long before Columbus. We present his theory and put it to the test, visiting locations to search for clues, draw together contemporary historical accounts, and disclose a wealth of evidence from scholars. The results are fascinating, often dramatic and make for gripping television. To buy a copy of the DVD edition of the Penguin Television programme please email zhenghe@gavinmenzies.net   The DVD is only available in Region 1 format.  Did a daring Chinese Admiral sailing the world's largest wooden armada beat Columbus to America by 71 years? 1421 The Year China Discovered America? Is a fascinating two part documentary that investigates this possibility, delving deep into historical archives and exploring the theories of best selling author Gavin Menzies.

The Asiatic Fathers of America - Chinese Discovery and Colonization of Ancient America by Dr. Hendon M. Harris, Jr. Edited and abridged by Charlotte Harris Rees "The record of Asia is written into the stones of America and into the bodies of its early people." Hendon M. Harris, Jr., 1975 Is it possible that the Chinese discovered and colonized America not just a few years before Columbus but thousands of years ago?  Is there evidence that they made repeated trips to America over the centuries? In 1972 the late Dr. Hendon M. Harris, Jr. made a startling discovery in an antique shop in Korea. He became weak and had to sit down. In his hands he held a primitive ancient world map in classical Chinese which showed the location of the fabled Fu Sang (land to the east) - right where America should be. Most Chinese believe that Fu Sang  is just myth. But was it? The Chinese classic the Shan Hai Jing, which some date back to 2200 B.C., described Fu Sang in detail. Many of those descriptions fit exact locations in America including the Grand Canyon. Seventy-two percent of the place names on this map, which some call the "Harris Map," are from the Shan Hai Jing. Dr. Harris’ search led to his acquisition of six more maps. He became aware of twenty-three other similar old maps in museums and collections around the world. No one knows the origin date of this style maps. The existence of this many of these old maps supports their authenticity. Some people thought that the countries in the center of the map -  China, Japan, and Korea - were real but that the countries on the far edges of the map were imaginary. They had no faith that the Chinese could have gone that far so early. Harris believed that these maps were later copies of the long lost map that originally accompanied the Shan Hai Jing. After extensive research, in 1975 Dr. Harris published a book of almost 800 pages titled The Asiatic Fathers of America but the book had little circulation. Ever since Dr. Harris’ sudden death in 1981 of a stroke the maps were held by the heirs. In 2003 the family took them to the Library of Congress where they remained for three years while they were studied. Was Harris Right? National Geographic March 2006 states that the DNA of most American Indians carry markers that “link them unequivocally to Asia.” Encyclopedia Smithsonian contends that the Indians arrived by boat (not over a land bridge). National Geographic September 2004 related that some believe that when Columbus arrived that there were 30 million Indians in North America. To amass such a large population would have taken many centuries. Now the author’s daughter Charlotte Harris Rees, who gave a speech on this topic at the Library of Congress on May 16, 2005, is bringing Dr. Harris’ book out again in an abridged version.  Dr. Cyclone Covey, Professor Emeritus of Wake Forest and longtime scholar on the Shan Hai Jing and ancient American history, advised her during this project. Perhaps this time the world is ready to explore these possibilities. About the book The Asiatic Fathers of America (abridged) gives a concise explanation of the Harris Map, early Chinese map making, and a discussion of ancient Chinese literature (including the Shan Hai Jing) that mentions Fu Sang. Dr. Harris’ book shows the correlation of American Indian and Chinese customs and language. It also explains how the Chinese would have been able to come by sea at such an early date. Mrs. Rees has included some pictures of the Harris map collections which are shown publicly for the first time. About the author Dr. Hendon M. Harris, Jr. was a Baptist missionary in Taiwan then later in Hong Kong. Born in Kaifeng, China to American parents he spoke Mandarin as early as he did English. His knowledge of Chinese literature and language allowed him to recognize the significance of the map when he first saw it. Endorsements “The Harris collection of maps will, in the long run, cause and even more fundamental and agonizing reappraisal of American history than my book has.” Gavin Menzies, author of best seller, 1421 The Year China Discovered America. “In my assessment, The Asiatic Fathers of America is a groundbreaking and important book that was well ahead of its time when first privately printed and circulated over thirty years ago. Now the author’s daughter, Mrs. Charlotte Rees, is seeking to have her father’s book properly published and widely circulated for the first time.” - Robert Schoch, PhD Yale, Professor, Boston University, author of several book including Voyages of the Pyramid Builders. “Harris deserves gratitude for this major historical advance.” Cyclone Covey, PhD Stanford, Professor Emeritus of History at Wake Forest, author of several books including A Critical Reprise of ‘Aboriginal’ American History. Visit www.AsiaticFathers.com (to be launched July 1) for further information on this book and how to order it. Release Date: July 1, 2006                            Cost: U.S. $19.95 (Hardback)

ZHENG HE AND THE TREASURE FLEET 1405-1433 A modern-day traveller’s guide from antiquity to the present Zheng He & the Treasure Fleet 1405-1421 is a factual comment and well researched book on Admiral Zheng He’s Treasure Fleet’s expeditions from the Middle Kingdom to the Arab, Occidental and Oriental world during the Ming Dynasty. This truly Renaissance explorer championed new cartography, new shipbuilding technology, founded colonies and outposts, left flora, fauna, religious, historical and cultural artifacts and transformed the face of Asia and the world. From China to Vietnam, Malaysia, Indonesia, Singapore, Sri Lanka, India, Iran, Saudi Arabia, Yemen, Oman, Somalia, Kenya and Tanzania, the Treasure Fleet explored and documented an ancient world. This book retraces the admiral’s voyages and revisit his ports of call giving a narrative what it was then and what it is now! Experience their moments of history and culture, and discover their present-day legacy. - Over 100 Full Colour illustrations - Old Maps and prints and new photos - Archival and contemporary pictures documenting the then and now A must buy for tourists and marine history enthusiasts ! To buy please visit: www.snpcorp.com/webshop or www.amazon.com ISBN: 981-248-0900; 160PP; Size: 225 X 140mm, fully illustrated For Enquiries contact: Clara Wong tel: (65) 6826-9655/ email: clarawong@snpcorp.com THE AUTHOR Paul Rozario is a published writer and editor. He graduated from the universities of Oxford, London and New York in law, Eastern and African Christianity and publishing respectively. This is his eighth book.

1421: The Movie    In our continued effort to bring the story of 1421 to the world, we are pleased to announce the recent acquisition of the film rights to 1421.   The film is in the planning stages with producer Samantha Olsson.  Olsson visualizes the film adaptation of 1421 as a story about the visionary power of two men and the war between discovery of new seas and lands and imperial court power struggle.  Olsson is a twenty five year old graduate of University of California at Berkeley and of the Peter Stark Master's Program at the University of Southern California.    Olsson has spent the last four years working in film development at several well-known production companies such as Red Hour Films and Zucker Netter Films.  Current projects include Homer the Reluctant Soul, a five time Reuben award winning comic by Wiley Miller and The Wedding Present by Neil Gaiman.   "Gavin Menzies' story struck me as the greatest discovery of the New World which should have brought modernization and happiness to mankind, and yet a bold of lightning turned triumph into tragedy for China and the world.  The world has been denied this story for 600 years, it is time for them to see it", said Olsson, "I can visualize the great Emperor Zhu Di and Admiral Zheng He played by the Chinese actors known worldwide".   "Both Emperor Zhu Di and Admiral Zheng He should have their names remembered in history, they had changed the world", said Gavin Menzies, "The film may help to settle any doubts of whether this actually happened.  With an increased audience, the film stands to bring the debate to the forefront of the historical and scientific communities for discussion.  Whether they agree or not, the general audience will be unable to contain their curiosity about what the world might have become if the following emperors had continue on the same course for another 50 years".

The following companies and organisations are linked to forthcoming events in the 1421 schedule.

High levels of publicity have been achieved through the hard work of Midas P.R. For more information please visit www.midaspr.co.uk or e-mail info@midaspr.co.uk For information regarding publication of the book in the U.K. please contact Transworld Publishers www.booksattransworld.co.uk . For information regarding all foreign editions, please click here .

Television Christopher Higham Christopher.Higham@btinternet.com On leaving Oxford in the 1960's Christopher Higham joined the AC Nielsen Co working on TV audience research. Later he was part of the management team to launch Border Television. He became a director of J Walter Thompson's London office with responsibility for Media. In the late 70's he went to the USA, working for Metromedia Inc in charge of Program Specials, these included the first direct broadcasts from the Royal Opera House to the US. He wrote, directed and narrated a documentary about Alexander Godunov, which won the US Golden Eagle and the New York Silver Medal Award for Film and TV. He has produced, written and directed some twenty documentaries.Since 2003 he has worked closely with Gavin Menzies developing TV opportunities for "1421 - The Year China Discovered the World".

At the time of writing, some 450 different newspapers and organisations have showed distinct interest in the book, from all around the world. For further information regarding Zheng He in Chinese please visit the following site. www.zhenghe.org.cn

To listen to Gavin's talk at the Ancestry e-Symposium, July 2006, please click here To listen to Gavin's interview with Australia's ADC on 30th January 2004 please click here  To listen to Gavin's interview with WGCU on 7th of January 2004, please click here To listen to Dr Frudakis' interview with WGCU on 8th of January 2004, please click here