At the Threshold : Ufos, Science, and the New Age (The New Millennium Library, V. 2) [Hardcover]

Charles F., Ph.D. Emmons (Author)

Book Description

ISBN-10: 0926524429 | ISBN-13: 978-0926524422 | Publication Date: March 1997

is an overview of UFO discoveries in the context of the battle between mainstream science and researchers who dare to study UFOs. It explores the history of UFO research and how it's been labeled a deviant science a definition that emerged gradually out of military/governmental investigations and coverups. Although physical scientists are generally perceived as being hostile to ufology individual scientists are less condemning of UFO studies than it would appear from the taboo status of UFOs in academic institutions. In fact respectable speculation among astronomers about ET civilization is that there is probably a great deal of it in our own galaxy and we should try to contact it

Editorial Reviews

From Booklist

Emmons has arguably written one of the best treatments of UFOs from the perspective of the sociology of science. Ufology, he writes, has been labeled a "deviant science" and thus not taken seriously. This treatment originated with the air force's UFO project and continues in sensational media coverage. Emmons takes a look at the scientists who defy the taboo and study UFOs anyway, as well as the professional debunkers, whom he finds much less objective than their press releases let on. He then examines two reasons not to take debunking claims too seriously: mainstream science is now under attack from many quarters for being too ideological, and some conceptual developments in the new physics may make UFOs much easier to accept and explain, even within a scientific framework. The rest of the book is concerned with the nature of physical and eyewitness evidence and the debate between nuts-and-bolts ufologists and those with a New Age approach. A masterful job of clarifying the dynamics of a complex field of study. George Eberhart

Product Details

• Hardcover: 268 pages
• Publisher: Wild Flower Pr (March 1997)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0926524429
• ISBN-13: 978-0926524422
• Product Dimensions: 8.9 x 6 x 0.7 inches
• Shipping Weight: 13.6 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 4.4 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (8 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #3,649,325 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars The sociology of ufology is a fascinating phenomenon., November 23, 1997

By A Customer

This review is from: At the Threshold : Ufos, Science, and the New Age (The New Millennium Library, V. 2) (Hardcover)

Mention of UFOs can be risky, even though the majority of Americans think the phenomenon is real. Why is that so? A sociologist who's studied polka dancers and Chinese ghosts investigated the subject and got some startling answers. Attending conferences and joining groups, Emmons examined the heart and soul of ufology to uncover control mechanisms. He found that threats, classification of information and financial interests in keeping secrets have all contributed to labeling of the subject as deviant. I attended events discussed in the book and was impressed with the author's accurate and thorough reports. This informative, easy-to-read book with an extensive bibliography and glossy cover is well worth the money. I'm giving it as a gift to a family member who, like myself, is a journalist. But unlike me, she thinks the media can't be controlled. She also experiences some of the soiciological effects Emmons mentioned. Yes, the laughter curtain is real and exists in newsrooms throughout this country. Too bad journalists don't do their research. Reading this book would be a good starting point.

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Ufology as Sociology, September 13, 2004

By 

The Don Wood Files (Fredericksburg, VA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: At the Threshold: Ufos, Science and the New Age (Paperback)

I found this book library and almost didn't take it out because the publisher (Wild Flower Press) sounded too airy-fairy, New Age-y for me. How wrong I was. This is an excellent treatment of the sociology of ufology. It is a well-researched, heavily-footnoted survey of the ufology: its luminaries, it's debunkers, and it's internal controversies. This is required reading for anyone who is interested in this field. Don't read this book seeking an answer to the question "are UFOs real?" Rather, read it to understand th field of ufology, and how similar, and dissimilar, it is to other areas of research. The large bibliography alone is worth the price of the book. Congratulations to Gettysburg College for supporting Dr. Emmons in this work. After finishing the book, I bought my own copy - the ultimate compliment.

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars An well-done treatment of the "sociology of ufology"., July 21, 1997

By 

Dennis Hawley (Asheville, NC) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: At the Threshold : Ufos, Science, and the New Age (The New Millennium Library, V. 2) (Hardcover)

Dr. Emmons provides an accurate, though-provoking study of the evolution of the study of the phenomenon, focusing on the many obstacles to serious study, i.e. resistance by 'mainstream science' via groups like CSICOPs, academic myopia, sensationalism of the subject by the media, impediments to disclosure by the government (including disinformation) and infighting among the various 'schools' of ufology. It is heartening to see a serious, empirically based work coming from outside the "ufo community". The fact that the author embraces the legitimacy of many hypotheses advanced by researchers in the field helps to peel away layers of obfuscation and denial. Dr. Emmons is to be commended for this important contribution