The bestselling author of , Erich von Däniken, examines the great traditions of mankind—thousands of years old—for signs, traces, messages that point to early contact with extraterrestrial intelligences. The Gods were here. But when will they return? Or have they ever really left?   The culmination of long-term research, argues that we are very much in the minds and eyes of other cosmic life-forms and that, as a result, many of the dramatic historical events and remarkable teachings of religious texts should be reinterpreted. The words of the Bible are at the center of his text-critical interpretations that pick apart the sense and nonsense of religious views. He also draws on ancient Jewish sagas and legends, reports from early historians, and Indian, Babylonian, and Persian traditions.   As always, von Däniken finds support for a number of interesting questions: The Gods were here, and it is clear their influence remains to this day.   This book was first published in 1998 under the title . This new edition features a new introduction by the author.