The new issue of Fortean Times magazine includes a good review by Andy Roberts of my Contactees book. In part, Andy says of the book: "Nick Redfern, author of a wide variety of UFO books from the serious to the popular, has taken the bull by the horns and produced the, so far, definitive book on the subject."
He adds: "The best analysis of the contactees is that they were an unrelated bunch of fantasists, mystics, hucksters and conmen – sometimes all of those at once – with some possibly having connections with the intelligence services. Their story is a wild ride and is much more interesting than that of the later claims of those who claim to have been abducted. Ufologists can, if they pay attention, learn much of how ufology got to its present state by looking at the contactees instead of ignoring them. The definitive academic work on the contactees is yet to be written. While you wait for that you will find enough stories, theories and speculation about this fascinating group of space age messiahs in Nick Redfern’s history picnic to keep you in mind food for many months."
Wednesday, February 10, 2010
Monday, February 8, 2010
Contactees at LOWFI
A few weeks ago, I was recently asked write an article for the LOWFI site, and which has just been posted. It's on the Contactee movement.
If you're easily offended, delete before reading!
http://www.forteanswest.com/lowfiguesteditorial-NickRedfern0210.html
If you're easily offended, delete before reading!
http://www.forteanswest.com/lowfiguesteditorial-NickRedfern0210.html
Wednesday, February 3, 2010
Tuesday, January 26, 2010
Andy Lloyd Reviews Contactees
Andy Lloyd, author of the books, The Dark Star; Ezekiel One; and The Followers of Horus reviews my Contactees book:
In part, Lloyd says: "The author presents an excellent and open-minded overview of various strands of research into the phenomenon: Narcotic drugs, hypnogogia, meditative trances, earthlights and the effects of DMT are all analysed thoroughly. There is a folkloric element at play here, too, and he sensibly brings Jacques Vallee's seminal work into the equation. Redfern even considers evidence that government agents were planted to spread ridicule amid a subject that was gaining popular momentum in the US. There are even darker possibilities, with accounts of mind-control experiments conducted on unsuspecting folk in isolated rural areas (as in the case of Villas Boas).
"In the end, Nick Redfern seems to avoid a definitive conclusion. His generally sceptical air indicates he is tackling the subject as just another of his enjoyable paranormal romps. But I know that he is also passionate about the UFO subject, and there remains an under-current of serious enquiry. Perhaps there is some doubt in his mind that the entire subject can dismissed out of hand, as would seem sensible from a more sceptical viewpoint. I think that hesitation to find fraud around every Contact corner is laudable, and provides the right balance to this book.
"I've often wanted to read a book devoted to this subject, and 'Contactees' does not disappoint."
And here's the link to Andy's complete review.
In part, Lloyd says: "The author presents an excellent and open-minded overview of various strands of research into the phenomenon: Narcotic drugs, hypnogogia, meditative trances, earthlights and the effects of DMT are all analysed thoroughly. There is a folkloric element at play here, too, and he sensibly brings Jacques Vallee's seminal work into the equation. Redfern even considers evidence that government agents were planted to spread ridicule amid a subject that was gaining popular momentum in the US. There are even darker possibilities, with accounts of mind-control experiments conducted on unsuspecting folk in isolated rural areas (as in the case of Villas Boas).
"In the end, Nick Redfern seems to avoid a definitive conclusion. His generally sceptical air indicates he is tackling the subject as just another of his enjoyable paranormal romps. But I know that he is also passionate about the UFO subject, and there remains an under-current of serious enquiry. Perhaps there is some doubt in his mind that the entire subject can dismissed out of hand, as would seem sensible from a more sceptical viewpoint. I think that hesitation to find fraud around every Contact corner is laudable, and provides the right balance to this book.
"I've often wanted to read a book devoted to this subject, and 'Contactees' does not disappoint."
And here's the link to Andy's complete review.
Monday, January 25, 2010
The Parafractor: Archived
Another show on my Contactees book that is now archived, and which I recorded just a few days ago: The Parafractor.
ISIS Radio & Contactees
On Saturday night, I spoke about my Contactees book on ISIS Paranormal Radio. The show is now archived, and can be found right here.
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