I am not a huge nonfiction reader But I really enjoyed this novel. I think it's because the author writes such great fictional stories that this 1 kind of reads like fiction but it is nonfiction.

4.25/5
This book took me back to my childhood, reminding me of the historical mysteries, hidden treasures, and archaeological books I used to read. This book felt like an adult version of those kids books that I devoured. Comprised of magazine and newsletter articles written by the author, “The Lost Tomb” delves into various historical mysteries. Preston’s writing is excellent; even when the science gets complicated, the stories remain understandable and engaging. Unlike the books I read as a kid, this one also explores ethical questions in archaeology, which I found particularly fascinating.

From the jungles of Honduras to macabre archaeological sites in the American Southwest, Douglas Preston's journalistic explorations have taken him across the globe. He broke the story of an extraordinary mass grave of animals killed by the asteroid impact that caused the extinction of the dinosaurs, he explored what lay hidden in the booby-trapped Money Pit on Oak Island, and he roamed the haunted hills of Italy in search of the Monster of Florence.

A fascinating look at some of the articles that author Douglas Preston has written over the years. Some of the stories have been the building blacks of some of Preston & Child's famous mystery novels.
Very interesting stories.

Thanks to Grand Central Publishing and @netgalley for the opportunity to read this eArc in exchange for my honest and unbiased opinion

"The Lost Tomb: And Other Real-Life Stories of Bones, Burials, and Murder" by Douglas Preston is a captivating journey through some of the world's most intriguing mysteries. Preston, known for his gripping fiction, showcases his journalistic prowess as he delves into the realms of archaeology, true crime, and enigmatic historical events.

What sets this book apart is Preston's ability to transport readers to the heart of these mysteries, whether it's the eerie silence of an Egyptian burial chamber or the rugged landscapes of the American Southwest. Through his vivid storytelling, he invites us to witness firsthand the thrill of discovery and the intrigue of unraveling ancient secrets.

One of the book's highlights is its diverse range of topics. From prehistoric forgeries to modern-day crime sprees, Preston covers it all with equal parts fascination and expertise. I particularly enjoyed his exploration of infamous cases like the Monster of Florence and the Dyatlov Pass incident, where he sheds light on the dark and mysterious corners of human history.

Preston's writing is engaging and immersive, making it easy to get lost in the pages of "The Lost Tomb." His ability to bring to life the eccentric personalities involved in these stories adds an extra layer of depth to the narrative, making for a truly enthralling read.

While I found the mix of archaeology and true crime to be refreshing, some readers may expect more emphasis on one over the other. Additionally, the non-chronological order of the articles can make it challenging to see the connections between them, though Preston's brief updates at the end of each section help provide context.

Overall, "The Lost Tomb" is a must-read for anyone fascinated by the intersection of history, mystery, and human nature. Preston's blend of fact and storytelling creates a captivating tapestry of intrigue that will leave readers eagerly turning the pages until the very end.

I'm a huge fan of Preston's nonfiction work so was very excited to read this. While it didn't grab me like his novels and wasn't quite satisfactory as his novels, but this was a nice collection of stories. I was familiar with some yet most were new to me, and it was a great behind the scenes look at Preston's career.

This was not my normal genre, but I cannot get enough of Douglas Preston and Lincoln Child's co-authored books! It was fun to read some of the strange but true stories that inspired many of their novels. And I learned a bit more about Preston's journalistic adventures and came to understand why his writing grabs my attention.
Definitely pick this one up if you're interested in experiencing for yourself these "jaw-dropping true stories of Egyptian burial chambers, prehistoric ruins, pirate treasure, bizarre crimes, and more…"

Thank you to Douglas Preston, Grand Central Publishing, and Netgalley for my advance egalley!

The Lost Tomb by Douglas Preston is a collection of his essays and non-fiction articles that answers the question, "Where do you get your ideas?" Some of these I had read in previous publications, but it was still great to re-read them and to read the updates at the end of each section.
I am always amazed at Douglas Preston's ability to take historical and archeological subjects and make them so easily accessible and entertaining. But with a blurb like this, "The Lost Tomb brings together an astonishing and compelling collection of true stories about buried treasure, enigmatic murders, lost tombs, bizarre crimes, and other fascinating tales of the past and present." it would be hard not to find something to like.
Thanks to #NetGalley, #GrandCentralPublishing, and #DouglasPreston for the ARC of The Lost Tomb.

I've really enjoyed all of the non-fiction titles I've read by Douglas Preston, so I was excited to see this book on Net Galley. I liked the short stories because I was able to read about different topics. I hope Preston keeps up with writing non-fiction.

This anthology of Preston's nonfiction work is full of interesting stories. He's a fantastic and engaging writer. However, some of these are quite dated and less informative than they could be if they were updated.

If you’re familiar with Preston’s work then you may also know that a lot of his fiction is inspired by reality. This book digs deeper, into the non-fiction essays he previously wrote for various publications on real life stories. What’s also great about this book is that he provides updates to all of them!

I was already familiar with some of these topics, but that didn’t stop me from enjoying the audiobook. (Oak Island and the Monster of Florence to name a couple.) But Preston’s writing is easily digestible, adding a certain mystery and awe that really brings these events to life.

I listened to the audiobook on my way home from work, and I had A NICE COMMUTE! Let me say that again - THIS BOOK made my commute enjoyable! Now, this may not seem like a very big deal, but I live in Los Angeles where the traffic gods hate us so this was indeed a miracle.

The audiobook narrator was perfection. It was easy to listen to and his interpretation of the works were spot on, keeping the reader engaged.

The Lost Tomb is a fantastic collection and I have to admit the stories I was not familiar with, I did end up Googling when I got home! It’s also my first Douglas Preston book and while I know that he has created fictional accounts of some of these stories, I will be looking up other books by him!

Douglas Preston has written an astonishing group of true short stories here about hidden treasures, Egyptian tombs, and even alleged murderers accused wrongly.
Utterly fascinating to read his account of crawling thru an Egyptian tomb, being only the first journalist to do so. A the history and subsequent searches at Oak Island.
Even meteorite cause and effect on the earth from thousands of years ago.
Well researched…updated to the present time. If you like mystery in your history , this is your book.
Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for allowing me this ARC. I highly recommend.

I'd like to thank NetGalley and the publisher for allowing me a chance to read this book.

Imagine my disappointment when I discover that the book is filled with already published work that isn't really that great (unless you're a mega-fan of the author). All of this is free and accessible on the internet.

This is also my first time reading his work, so, without bias I can tell you that I found it absolutely boring. I honestly feel that if I wanted a better summary of these places or events I can read the original cases on wikipedia themselves.

Douglas Preston never disappoints. This collection of his journalism with update notes is a fantastic read.

3.5 rounded up.

This book is interesting, mysteries, and full of engrossing facts and events. This is a nonfiction book made of several essays that looks at various aspects of history, each one had some type of twist or anomaly involved to it. It looks at a wide array of historical fields such as pirates, ancient people, and famous landmarks, so it covers a number of interesting subjects, something for everyone that has a passion for history. I thought that this book was very interesting and really drew me in. Some of the topics in this book were shocking, very unique, and fascinating and I think that this book has a little bit of something for anyone.
I will say that several of them were a bit long winded or had information that could have been left out, my interest would fade at times, but it definitely picked back up. I would recommend this book if you were into history, murder or scandal. It was a good time, and I learned a number of amazing and interesting facts.
I received an advanced ebook , via Netgalley. This review is my own honest opinion.

Having read nearly ever bit of fiction Preston has written, this was interesting to me to see the "back story" of the fiction. Like Poe pulling his horror stories from real life events, Preston pulls his gripping fiction from history! I tell my students regularly that truth is stranger than fiction, and this book is proof. Now if I only had time to write a high school course based on his books. . .

I'm more familiar with Douglas Preston's fictional works and have always felt they held a realistic view of the crimes and communities featured in the story. Now I know why. Preston has a comprehensive background in non fiction journalism and has written well researched articles for many prestigious newspaper and magazines.
The Lost Tomb is a collection of some of these articles. These nonfiction stories are in ways much better than the fictional stories that grew from them. Preston's writing style always insures a reader's interest is held from the first page through the last. His fascination with his topics is easily transmitted to his readers. Each story is a glimpse into a time and place in history that most of us would never have the chance to see. I have a new appreciation of his work.

"The Lost Tomb" by Douglas Preston is a thrilling archaeological adventure that takes readers on a captivating journey through the jungles of Honduras in search of a legendary lost city. The story follows the author's real-life expedition to uncover the ancient civilization, facing challenges and perils along the way. Preston's vivid descriptions and meticulous research make this non-fiction account read like a gripping novel, keeping readers on the edge of their seats.
This book not only delves into the excitement of the expedition but also sheds light on the complexities of archaeology and the significance of preserving cultural heritage. Preston skillfully weaves together history, anthropology, and adventure, making "The Lost Tomb" an enriching and exhilarating read for anyone interested in exploration and discovery.
I highly recommend this book.

The Lost Tomb is a collection of Douglas Preston's articles, some of which are the basis for his fictional books. Though many of the subjects he presented are still unsolved today, Preston provides the history and events surrounding them, as well as the various explanations and possible theories behind them. Since all of these stories have been previously published, Preston includes an update when possible to account for any changes since publication. Overall, a fascinating collection of stories mainly focused on anthropological or archaeological subjects. Readers familiar with his fictional works will enjoy seeing the true stories that inspired his novels.

A collection of previously published articles written by the author that will interest anyone who enjoys reading about archeology and anthropology. Each has been updated to reflect any new information about the subject.

Much of the detail and the stories have also crossed over into the fiction written by Preston, especially those featuring Nora Kelly. I have really enjoyed that series because of the incorporation of real places, cultures, and events.

This was my nonfiction pick for the year and I did enjoy it.

Thank you to NetGalley and Grand Central Publishing for this e-book ARC to read, review, and recommend.

This book and I didn’t get off to a great start, thanks to a real downer of an introduction and the fact that the first story included is the sort of serial killer nasty business that I don’t especially care for, but it got so, so much better after that.

This is a collection of some of Preston’s previously published columns (many from the New Yorker), and they make for a fascinating study of the intersection between anthropology and psychology.

Take separately, almost all of the stories included are exceptionally intriguing, but as a whole body of work they make for a powerful statement about the importance of interdisciplinary study and as a cautionary tale about those who would stilt scientific progress to suit their own ends.

I keep thinking about what a great book club book this would make, as almost every piece in the book makes for interesting debate fodder. And I’ve never read anything that explained the mania surrounding the Amanda Knox trial so well. In the end it’s the science, history, and sense of adventure that make the book so compulsively readable, but Preston also succeeds in making a larger (and more important point), which is an unusually cohesive feat for a book that showcases a collection of previously published material.