Secrets of Death Valley: Mysteries and Haunts of the Mojave Desert is the latest release from Tim Beckley's Global Communications - and, on the subject of Tim: just how many books has the man published??!!
This is a book that scores big-time for a number of reasons. Firstly, if you're into the domain of the Contactees and the Space-Brothers, then this is most definitely a book for you (and which is precisely why I'm reviewing the book at my Contactees blog!). On this very subject, you get a complete reprint of George Van Tassel's I Rode a Flying Saucer; as well as his A Brief History of Giant Rock - which makes for fascinating reading.
Moving on from the Space-Brothers, we have Regan Lee on a certain Space-Sister: namely "Diane," who became such a big part in the life of Contactee Dana Howard back in the '50's. Regan has written several excellent articles on the Diane-Dana story over the last couple of years, and - in view of this - I think it's high time that Regan wrote the definitive book about the cosmic pair. After all, Regan - perhaps more than anyone else - understands and appreciates the many and varied facets of the case, as well as its attendant mysteries, its ethereal aspects, and how and why the desert plays such an instrumental role in the affair.
Coupled with the Van Tassel material, Regan's paper makes Secrets of Death Valley a delight for the Contactee connoisseur.
Moving on from the Contactees, we get to learn a great deal indeed about haunted and lost ships of the desert, ghostly galleons, Viking (really!) mysteries, tales of ghosts and the paranormal, and much more.
Other highlights include reports of giant, human-like entities in Death Valley said to dwell in underground caves and caverns; Adam Gorightly on a certain aspect of Charles Manson and the attendant murders; and - one of my favorites - the truly surreal saga of the Camel Caravans, and how, and why, there just might be a solitary camel (or several) roaming the wilds of the United States. This latter material makes for truly engaging reading, and reveals much about a story largely lost to the fog of time.
All in all, Secrets of Death Valley is a highly entertaining, witty, well-written, wild-ride into the past, and into the realm of high-adventure in a mysterious desert world. It is a world populated by spooky and ethereal locations, eccentric and vibrant characters, and deep and dark secrets. And - I guarantee - the book will keep just about anyone and everyone who has ever been entertained by Fate, Argosy, Ray Palmer, Keel and all the rest busy for hours!
Keep 'em coming, Tim!
Nick, why do the books with the fringiest content always have a cover that looks like a nutter designed it? It cannot possibly help promote their messsage yet we see it over and over again.
ReplyDeleteCompare the cover of this book with the cover of your _Contactees._ Same subject, but side by side in the store, most people would go with your tastefully designed second-hand account over the actual first-hand accounts!
Good on you, but...
Hey Terry
ReplyDeleteI actually like the cover on this one! Yep, some may think they're a bit sensationalized, but in terms of the content of the Contactee books, I do think the covers often accurately reflect what's inside and the "feel" of the book. But, I do understand that some people prefer the toned-down covers. I suppose much of it depends on the publisher and how they feel they want to promote it. Perhaps I should do a poll here for the best and worst book covers in Ufology...