Alien Abductions: Creating a Modern PhenomenonExtraterrestrials regularly abduct humans from Earth, often performing bizarre surgeries and experiments on their subjects, according to the popular and profitable "nonfiction" offered by major publishing houses. Books by John Fuller, Budd Hopkins, David Jacobs, Whitley Strieber, and others have helped shape contemporary belief in alien beings. Science fiction scholar Terry Matheson reveals that the alien abduction literary genre has been a part of our history for decades, but was never taken seriously until recent times. He explains that traditional aliens were friendly or merely curious quite different from today's ugly, fierce, sinister creatures. Abduction narratives and individual accounts have evolved and changed, and the new aliens seem to symbolize growing fears that our technology is out of control. Actual accounts from abduction victims and evidence collected, Matheson stresses, are often greatly enhanced by the bestselling authors who market the stories, or are directly linked to well-known fantasy and sci-fi films released or broadcast prior to the alleged abductions. Alien Abductions also draws a parallel to the way societal myths are made, and that in these narratives we see a new myth in the making. |
Contents
Preface | 11 |
Introduction | 15 |
UFO Abductions and the Nature of Narrative | 31 |
Copyright | |
4 other sections not shown
Other editions - View all
Common terms and phrases
abductee's abduction accounts abduction authors abduction experience abduction narratives abduction phenomenon abductors alien abduction Allagash Allagash Abductions alleged abductees allegedly Allen Hynek Andreasson Affair appear asked aspects attempt Barney's believe Betty Andreasson Betty Hill Betty's Budd Hopkins CALIFORNIA/SANTA CRUZ claims Communion concerning contactees course credibility CRUZ The University described dream Druffel and Rogo elements ences encounter evidence example extraterrestrial extraterrestrial hypothesis fact fantasy fear feature Fuller happened Hills Hopkins's human hypnosis hypnotized Ibid initial Interrupted Journey involved Jacobs Jacobs's Jacques Vallee Jenny Randles Kathie Kathie's Kilburn later Mack Mack's memories myth occurred physical possibility present presumably question Raymond Fowler readers reality recalled Sara seen sense sessions sexual sighting similar Simon simply skeptical story strange symbolic technological tell testimony tion told Travis Walton Tujunga UFO Abductions University Library UNIVERSITY UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA/SANTA unusual Villas-Boas virtually visitors Walton Walton Experience Watchers Whitley Strieber