Customer Reviews

Cosmic Test Tube: Extraterrestrial Contact, Theories & Evidence

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This book is an essential addition to any serious ufologist's library, and is invaluable in providing a clear, up-to-date understanding of the evolution of research and theories on the subject. The author skillfully weaves together, through concise summaries (chronologically) the most significant works dealing with UFOs, contacts and abductions, to provide the reader with an excellent understanding of the various theories and perspectives (including appropriate focus on the skeptics' views, as well). He adds his own perspectives, steeped in solid logic and reason. The highest recommendation!

The Cosmic Test Tube is the best compilation and study of myths, facts, stories and arguments about UFOs I have ever read. The author, Randy Fitzgerald, takes a deliberate approach to presenting both sides and cites about every legitimate work in existence on the subject.

By his own account, Randall Fitzgerald put "Cosmic Test Tube" together due to his frustration with what he sees as the extremes of irrationality represented by most UFO believers and UFO skeptics alike. To that end, he provides summaries of literally hundreds of published books concerned with all aspects of the UFO phenomenon--ancient astronauts, UFO sightings, contactees and abductees, crop circles, cattle mutilations, and even the works of skeptics like Philip Klass and Curtis Peebles. By and large, these summaries are presented with a straight face and with no editorial or other subjective comment, although in the case of some books that I have also read I believe his selection of what to emphasize may not completely dovetail with what is emphasized in the books themselves. Since nearly all of "Cosmic Test Tube" is made up of these entries, one can view this book as a sort of "Cliffs Notes" on UFOlogy.

The book is divided into several convenient sections (ancient astronauts, general UFO sightings, contactees and abductees, and skeptics), and each section is preceded by an article-length discussion of one or a few of the subjects covered by the entries within. So, for example, the section on ancient astronauts is preceded by a more substantive and editorialized discussion of the so-called "monuments" of Mars and of Robert Temple's "Sirius Mystery," in which it is claimed that the Dogon tribe in West Africa possesses astronomical knowledge that could only have been obtained by the use of a telescope; similarly, the section for skeptical works is preceded by a discussion of the evidence (or lack thereof) for an extraterrestrial connection to crop circles and cattle mutilations.

"Cosmic Test Tube" is genuinely entertaining in places--many of the summaries of UFO-related works are quite funny, especially when presented in such a deadpan manner. It isn't clear to me, however, exactly how "Cosmic Test Tube" points to some sort of "middle way" between believers and skeptics, especially when all it does is reproduce the basic arguments of each side with little in the way of real evaluation. And, of course, it should go without saying that in the modern age of the internet not all of the pertinent information is to be found solely in published books--for example, the paranoia and self-delusion evident in Richard Hoagland's "The Monuments of Mars" pales in comparison with the fantasies and conspiracy-mongering to be found on his web site for "The Enterprise Mission."

Regardless, those with more than a casual interest in UFOlogy will find in "Cosmic Test Tube" a useful reference work that will point them toward other, more detailed books on whatever subject they find most interesting.

This is a great book. If you don't believe in this 'crazy' UFO phenomenon, or are a skeptic, or are totally are into this thing, get this book. There are points in the book that battle the theory of intelligent life from another planet. I think even the idea of the 'Greys' really being a future human race who have conquered the ability to travel through time. There is stuff about the bible in there and a large gap in time from stupid apes and humanity beginning for the 'Human Experiment.' Get this book if you like aliens or not, it may change how you think, or support you even more. Definitely a must buy.

Save yourself the time of reading hundreds of books and just get Cosmic Test Tube.

Someone who had read my negative review of Corso's "The Day After Roswell" suggested that I might be happier with this book.

It's probably the best investment you can make if extraterrestrial contact (or lack thereof), theories, and evidence (or lack thereof) are your interest.

valuable info is compress into this amazing book, for those of us who are not blinded by organize religion or made a cult of science this is an excellent start to review all the favorable and unfavorable info about this phenomenal which exist and has been proven time and again documented in intelligence and military circles all over the world. We can see Dr John Macks amazing essays, David Jacobs unorthodox views, Budd Hopkins leadership into this field, Whitley Strieber wishful thinking, Jacques Vallee and Kenneth Ring opposite hypothesis, Nuclear physicists Stanton Friedman scientific approach, John Fuller incredible description of the best alien abduction case ever, Raymond Fowler game changer book made into an easy to read summery, Donal Manzel, Edward Condon himself and Phillip Klass alongside Carl Sagan debunking qualities and Allen Hynek reality a person who was on both side of the fence and was an insider the only scientist in Project Blue Book.
I recommended also check Jim Marrs Alien Agenda, for a quick read and easy understanding of this unique phenomenal, see for the nuts and bolts UFO thirsty kind of guys;

--UFOs: Generals, Pilots and Government Officials Go On the Record
by Leslie Kean

-Nukes and Ufos
By robert hasting

-UFOs and the National Security State( 1 and 2)
By Richard Dolan

-I recommended anyone for a different aproach to read DOLORES CANNON books she has several on alien abduction learned through the deepest level of hypnosis with a shock and awe messages that will make you non-stop reeling, check;

-The Custodians: Beyond Abduction

-Keepers of the Garden

-The Three Waves of Volunteers and the New Earth

-The Convoluted Universe,(I, II, III and soon IV)

All by Dolores Cannon

And Passport to the Cosmos by the professor of psychiatry at Harvard Medical School and Pulitzer Prize-winning author John E. Mack M.D.

And Captured!: the Betty and Barney Hill UFO experience : the true story of the world's first documented alien abduction by Nuclear Physicists Stanton T. Friedman, with newer info not avail on "Interrupted Journey " by John G Fuller.

This book should be required reading in all high schools across the country. When I was a kid, none of these books summarized within were ever talked about in the media, or anywhere, for that matter. This book would be an excellent way to stimulate discussion, pro and con, of the whole UFO phenomenon. I would have pursued a whole different major in college had I known about a lot of the material in this book.

Cosmic Test Tube covers everything from Erich von Daniken to Carl Sagan. Whether it's bees from Mars, Nazi flying saucers from the north pole, the grays, or secret military aircraft, Cosmic Test Tube has it all. Which might be too much, actually.

It's helpful in that it can save you years of research. However, you won't be any closer to the "truth" after reading it.

Wow! I've been reading and rereading this book for weeks now and it's about the most intellectually stimulating compilation of material I've ever stumbled across. It challenged me to think for myself like no other book in this genre.I intend to give copies to my friends!!