They have been fed a steady diet of fictional shows with paranormal themes such as The X-Files, Supernatural, and Medium, shows that may seek to simply entertain, but also serve to disseminate paranormal beliefs. The public hunger for the paranormal seems insatiable.Paranormal America provides the definitive portrait of Americans who believe in or have experienced such phenomena as ghosts, Bigfoot, UFOs, psychic phenomena, astrology, and the power of mediums. However, unlike many books on the paranormal, this volume does not focus on proving or disproving the paranormal, but rather on understanding the people who believe and how those beliefs shape their lives. Drawing on the Baylor Religion Survey--a multi-year national random sample of American religious values, practices, and behaviors--as well as extensive fieldwork including joining hunts for Bigfoot and spending the night in a haunted house, authors Christopher Bader, F. Carson Mencken, and Joseph Baker shed light on what the various types of paranormal experiences, beliefs, and activities claimed by Americans are; whether holding an unconventional belief, such as believing in Bigfoot, means that one is unconventional in other attitudes and behaviors; who has such experiences and beliefs and how they differ from other Americans; and if we can expect major religions to emerge from the paranormal.Brimming with engaging personal stories and provocative findings, Paranormal America is an entertaining yet authoritative look at a growing segment of American religious culture.

    Jacobs of Temple University takes us into the private world of those abducted by aliens, letting them describe in their own words what it is like to be abducted. Based on interviews with sixty individuals and more than 300 independently corroborated accounts, Secret Life presents the most complete and accurate picture of alien abductions ever compiled. Dr. Jacobs takes the reader on a minute-by-minute journey through a typical abduction experience and describes in detail the bizarre physical, mental and reproductive procedures that abductees claim have been administered by small alien beings. Jacobs draws from these interviews a profoundly unsettling reason behind the abductions: aliens are conducting a complex reproductive experiment involving the conception, gestation. or incubation of human and alien hybrid beings.

    And it's precisely this offbeat sense of curiosity that led the duo to create Weird N.J. and the successful series that followed. The NOT shocking result? Every Weird book has become a best seller in its region! This best-selling series has sold more than one million copies...and counting! Thirty volumes of the Weird series have been published to great success since Weird New Jersey's 2003 debut.

    Neither the Griffon nor the five-man crew was ever seen again. Though the Griffon’s fate remains a mystery, its disappearance was probably the result of the first shipwreck on a Great Lake.Since then, more than six thousand vessels, large and small, have met tragic ends on the Great Lakes. For many years, saltwater mariners scoffed at the freshwater sailors of the Great Lakes, “puddles” compared to the vast oceans. But those who actually worked on the Great Lakes ships knew differently.Shoals and reefs, uncharted rocks, and sandbars could snare a ship or rip open a hull. Unpredictable winds could capsize a vessel at any moment. A ship caught in a storm had much less room to maneuver than did one at sea. The wreckage of ships and the bones of the people who sail them litter the bottoms of the five lakes: Ontario, Erie, Huron, Michigan, and Superior. Ed Butts has gathered stories and lake lore in this fascinating, frightening volume. For anyone living on the shores of the Great Lakes, these tales will inspire a new interest and respect for their storied past.

    Included are their history, symbolism, appearance, associated traits, and magickal abilities. More important, however, is the included information on how to use the energies and talents of these creatures to empower your magickal workings, rituals, and meditations. Use the secrets of these creatures to eliminate barriers blocking your magickal and personal progress.

    They includes stories set down in travelers' reports and plantation journals from the early nineteenth century, tales gathered by collectors such as Joel Chandler Harris and Zora Neale Hurston, and narratives tape-recorded by Roger Abrahams himself during extensive expeditions throughout the American South and the Caribbean.

    They include stories of princes and princesses who have been transformed into animals, trolls, and maneating giants who possess magical powers, and good-hearted, clever young men and women, often poor and ridiculed, who eventually come away with wealth and love beyond measure.In addition to such well-known favorites as "Dapplegrim," "Katie Woodencloak," "Tatterhood," and "Legend of Tannhäuser," this collection also brings to light many gems difficult to find elsewhere. In "The Werewolf," a cruel stepmother thwarts a beautiful princess's marriage plans by transforming her fiancé into a hunted denizen of the forest. The hilarious "Such Women Are" proves the world is never without a sufficiency of fools, while "The Three Dogs" tells of a youth whose four-legged friends defeat a serpent with the nasty habit of devouring a town's young women. Among many other hard-to-find stories are "King Gram," "The Magician's Pupil," "The Outlaw," "Temptations," "The Widow's Son," "The Three Sisters Trapped in a Mountain," and "The Goatherd" (the inspiration for Washington Irving’s story of Rip van Winkle).These stories preserve the ancient myths of Western Europe that have been passed down from generation to generation, but aside from their importance as seminal folktales, they are simply good reading — full of passion and excitement, magic, mystery, and sheer storytelling power. Popular Tales from Norse Mythology will delight any student or admirer of myths and mythology.Excerpt:The Dasent family is believed to have been originally of French extraction, the name having been traced to an ancient Norman source. It has owned property in the West Indies since the Restoration, and is repre sented in the island of St. Vincent at the present day. Some of its members were amongst the earliest colonists in St. Christopher's at a time when that island and Martinique were held jointly by the French and the English; and the highest judicial and administrative offices in St. Christopher's, in Nevis, in Antigua, and, more recently, in St. Vincent itself were filled by Sir George Dasent's ancestors.

    From unicorns, salamanders, satyrs, giants, elves and trolls, to dragons, nymphs, mermaids, werewolves and griffins — take an enchanting journey through the history, folklore, and mythology of these beasts from virtually every culture in the world. With stories and amazing facts on even the most obscure mythological creature, this is a cornucopia of magic and folklore.

    Ghosts, UFOs, psychic power & other unexplained phenomena are endlessly fascinating. People often seem to accept or reject claims of the paranormal based on their fundamental beliefs as if such matters were theological. In contrast, this book takes a scientific approach, basing its arguments on the premise that what seem like paranormal mysteries should be carefully investigated with a view toward explaining them using evidence from the cases. Nickell takes readers on investigative journeys that range from the uniquely whimsical (such as the case of the giant Coleman Frog) to the bizarre (such as alien-abduction experiences) to the potentially transcendental (Shroud of Turin). He examines some of the world's most significant, perplexing & enduring enigmas: spontaneous human combustion, hauntings, UFOs & alien abductions, stigmata, psychic detectives, legendary monsters, reincarnation, crop circles etc. A wide variety of investigative techniques are employed, including forensic examination, physical experimentation, archival research, folklore study & iconographic analysis. The very case titles resonate with mystery & intrigue: The Secrets of Oak Island, The Devil's Footprints, Extraterrestrial Autopsy, The Case of the Petrified Girl, Death of the Fire-Breathing Woman, The Silver Lake Serpent, Adventure of the Weeping Icon, Legend of the Phantom Ship etc.

      Continuing his interest in the history of emotion, this book explores how fear has been shaped into images of monsters and monstrosity. From the Protestant Reformation to contemporary horror films and fiction, he explores four major types: the monster from nature (King Kong), the created monster (Frankenstein), the monster from within (Mr. Hyde), and the monster from the past (Dracula). Drawing upon deep historical and literary research, Braudy discusses the lasting presence of fearful imaginings in an age of scientific progress, viewing the detective genre as a rational riposte to the irrational world of the monstrous. Haunted is a compelling and incisive work by a writer at the height of his powers.

    Author Brian Godawa shares the Biblical and ancient historical research that undergirds the fiction. Now all those appendices have been placed together in one book for those who want serious study of the topics of Genesis 6, the Watchers, Nephilim, Spiritual Warfare, and the Biblical Cosmic War of the Seed. This book has the special bonus of a previously unpublished chapter on the Book of Enoch, as well as newly expanded chapters. The Book of Enoch: Scripture, Heresy or What? Bonus Chapter. How influential the ancient book of Enoch has been on the Church and the New Testament both directly and indirectly. Sons of God (Newly expanded from Noah Primeval) Noah Primeval Appendix. Introduction to the Divine Council in the Bible. Are the Sons of God in Genesis 6 angels, Sethites or divine kings? The Nephilim (Newly expanded from Noah Primeval) Noah Primeval Appendix. The Nephilim in the Bible is controversial. But Genesis 6 is not the only place they show up. This chapter explores everywhere giants appear in the Bible. Leviathan Noah Primeval Appendix. The notion of a sea dragon of chaos is universal in the ancient Near East and the Bible. What is its theological meaning? The Bible may surprise you. Mesopotamian Cosmic Geography in the Bible Noah Primeval Appendix. Did the Bible writers assume the ancient Mesopotamian view of a flat earth supported by pillars over an Underworld with a solid dome overhead? This chapter lets the Bible speak for itself. Retelling Bible Stories and Mythic Imagination Enoch Primordial Appendix. Ancient Jewish writers retold Bible stories to bring meaning to their world. Jewish legends and Biblical creatures in Enoch Primordial: Cain as a vampire, Lilith the demon, Rahab the sea dragon, Behemoth, Cherubim, Seraphim, Rephaim, and Satan. Gilgamesh and the Bible Gilgamesh Immortal Appendix. A look at what the ancient Epic of Gilgamesh has in common with the Bible: A lot. What was “Noah’s nakedness”? A look at the various theories of who Gilgamesh really was in history and the Bible. In Defense of Ancient Traditions Abraham Allegiant Appendix. Why are there multiple names for God in the Bible? The legends behind the Tower of Babel and Nimrod. The ancient book of Jasher quoted in the Bible. What does it mean that the Sons of God inherited the nations at Babel? Mythical Monsters in the Bible Joshua Valiant Appendix. A look at mythical creatures in the Bible: Satyrs, centaurs, Lilith, winged fiery serpents, and Azazel. Famous Biblical giants: Og of Bashan, Ahiman, Talmai, and Sheshai. Canaanite Baal and Old Testament Storytelling Polemics Caleb Vigilant Appendix. How Bible writers used Canaanite notions subversively to undermine Baal the storm god, and elevate Yahweh as the true God. Goliath was Not Alone David Ascendant Appendix. A closer look at the most famous Biblical giant, Goliath. But there are five other giants spoken of in the Bible as going after David.

    Ranging from the depths of the ocean to the most arid corners of the land, Caspar Henderson captures the beauty and bizzareness of the many living forms we thought we knew and some we could never have contemplated, inviting us to better imagine the precarious world we inhabit.A witty, vivid blend of cutting edge natural history and meditative reflections, The Book of Barely Imagined Beings is infectious and celebratory about the sheer ingenuity and variety of life.

    With a foreword by Series Creator, Kevin Burns.Millions of people around the world believe we have been visited in the past by extraterrestrial beings. What if it were true? And if so, what if there were clues left behind? Each week, hundreds of thousands of viewers tune in to the wildly popular Ancient Aliens® television series to seek insight into those very questions—and to become part of a thrilling, probing exploration of the mysteries at the heart of world civilizations.The first official companion book to the hit show, Ancient Aliens® takes readers even deeper into the mysteries that have made the show a pop culture phenomenon. Filled with exciting insights and behind-the scenes stories from the show’s creators and leading experts in ancient alien theory, the book explores the key questions at the heart of the series:Who were they?Why did they come?What did they leave behind?Where did they go?Will they return?Transporting readers around the globe, Ancient Aliens® explores the fascinating enigmas and mysterious artifacts our ancestors left behind, from incredible objects to amazingly accurate ancient maps; from the Great Pyramid of Giza and stone megaliths at Gobekli Tepe to the Nazca Plains and mysterious structures of Puma Punku.Accompanied by lavish 4-color photography throughout, the book allows armchair archaeologists to examine the evidence up close for the first time. Both the ultimate-fan book and the perfect gift for readers new to the show, Ancient Aliens® is a compelling journey through the mysteries of our ancient civilizations and the possibility of alien influence on our cultures.

    These are the men and women who commit heinous acts with a gruesome disregard for human life.

    Vallee Introduction by Burt Rutan Commentary by Tom Clancy A never-before-heard firsthand account of a government insider’s experience on the cutting edge of UFO exploration; includes a new afterword “Forget everything you think you know about UFOs - this insider's account exposes the reality... Packed with top grade information, insightful analysis and fascinating anecdotes, Alexander's interesting and controversial book sets the gold standard for titles on this subject.†–Nick Pope, author of Open Skies, Closed Minds “Changes the playing field for both true believers and skeptics alike. Alexander strongly warns, be careful what you wish for when asking for presidential intervention.  Success could set the field of ufology back decades.†--George Noory, host of Coast to Coast AM While still on active duty in the U.S. Army during the 1980s, Colonel John B. Alexander, Ph.D. created an interagency group to explore the controversial topic of UFOs. All members held Top Secret clearance. What they discovered was not at all what was expected. UFOs covers the numerous cases they saw, and answers questions like: • What was really in Hanger 18? • Did a UFO land at Holloman Air Force Base? • What happened at Roswell? • What is Majestic 12? • What is the Aviary? • What does the government know about UFOs? • What has happened with disclosure in other countries? • Has the U.S. reverse engineered a UFO? • Why don’t presidents get access to UFO info? UFOs is at once a complete account of Alexander’s findings, and a call to action. There are no conspiracy theories here—only hard facts—but they are merely the beginning.