In 1974, Charles Berlitz released The Bermuda Triangle, a best-selling book that significantly contributed to the rise of the myth surrounding the Bermuda Triangle, depicting it as a mysterious stretch of ocean where ships and airplanes are prone to vanishing without explanation. This book achieved global success, selling nearly 20 million copies and being translated into 30 different languages.
Within its pages, Berlitz explores a variety of theories concerning the enigmatic disappearances, including a compelling argument suggesting that the Bermuda Triangle might be a remnant of the lost civilization of Atlantis. His work fueled widespread intrigue and speculation about the region, feeding into the growing legend.
However, Berlitz’s claims came under scrutiny in 1975 when Larry Kusche published The Bermuda Triangle Mystery—Solved. Kusche pointed out numerous inaccuracies in the reported disappearances of ships, questioning the reliability of Berlitz’s sources. Kusche went as far as to say, “If Berlitz were to report that a boat were red, the chance of it being some other color is almost a certainty,” indicating the level of skepticism he held toward the claims presented in the book. Despite the book’s popularity, reputable institutions such as Lloyd’s of London and the U.S. Coast Guard have dismissed the notion that the Bermuda Triangle poses any greater danger than other parts of the ocean. These agencies note that there is no basis for charging higher insurance premiums for vessels traveling through this area, further debunking the myth. U.S. Coast Guard records confirm that incidents in the region are not disproportionately frequent.
Interestingly, tales of missing ships and planes in the Bermuda Triangle region existed well before Berlitz’s book was published. Berlitz himself became familiar with these stories while working at his travel agency, where he often received inquiries from clients wishing to avoid flying over the area.
The book’s impact was substantial enough to inspire adaptations. In 1978, it became the basis for a film directed by René Cardona Jr., and in 1979, a documentary produced by Sunn Classic Pictures, with Richard Friedenberg as the director. These adaptations helped to further cement the Bermuda Triangle as a popular subject of mystery and intrigue in popular culture.