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23 of 24 people found the following review helpful:
4.0 out of 5 stars
A Quick and Easy Read, June 10, 2010
This review is from: Files from the Edge: A Paranormal Investigator's Explorations into High Strangeness (Paperback)
This book comprises a cross section of the author's three decades of investigative experience into paranormal phenomena. The investigations mainly involve UFOs, ghosts and spirits, encounters with aliens, sightings of various creatures (Bigfoot, lake monsters, etc.), psychic abilities of certain individuals, communications with otherworldly beings and apparitions of entities from other dimensions. The author, a science educator with degrees in the hard sciences, also brings forward his own speculations on what these phenomena might be by invoking cutting edge theories in cosmology and particle physics (in particular, multidimensional string theory). Many of the stories presented are very similar to others that have been recounted over the years and documented in various others books; in other words, for a well-read paranormal phenomena enthusiast, there may be very little here that is new. The accounts presented (some of which were the author's own) are quite fascinating and some of them are really quite gripping. However, as in most of these stories, and as pointed out by the author, hard reproducible evidence in this field is a rarity; one is usually left with the subjective impressions of those who claim to have experienced something unearthly.
The writing style is clear, friendly, accessible and often quite captivating. The author has tried to remain objective throughout and, as a result, the book often takes on the flavour of an authoritative scientific report. On the down side, the text is plagued with many editorial errors. This book can be enjoyed by anyone who enjoys stories about ghosts, aliens, monsters and other spooky paranormal phenomena.
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8 of 8 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Fantastic Overview of High Strangeness, August 17, 2010
This review is from: Files from the Edge: A Paranormal Investigator's Explorations into High Strangeness (Paperback)
I've seen this author's name several times over my years of reading about the paranormal, but always avoided him, for some reason or another. However, with this book, I made the leap into his, well, "explorations into High Strangeness" to use his words.
What Imbrogno does here is wind his own personal thread around cases he's investigated but been unable to explain over the years. And boy, does it cover a lot of ground. There are UFOs here, of course, but also Sasquatch, shadow people, and just plain High Strangeness.
His writing is clear, precise, and easy to read. The book doesn't suffer from the two most common issues with these books--overly simple or (on the other side of the equation) complex writing and/or an over-reliance on FOAF (Friend of a Friend) or "there was this guy" tales. He lets many of his subjects tell of their experiences in their own words, and then adds his thoughts or analysis. This approach both keeps the book conversational and distances it from the campfire-story spooky narrative that these books sometimes fall prey to.
Overall, this is a terrific book for those with even casual interest in the paranormal. I was often reminded of John Keel's writing ( The Mothman Prophecies). It's clear, concise, and considered without being overly incredulous or close-minded. Imbrogno walks the line between Open-minded Skeptic and True Believer very well, and I'm looking forward to reading more of his work.
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12 of 14 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
High Strangeness Deluxe, May 9, 2010
This review is from: Files from the Edge: A Paranormal Investigator's Explorations into High Strangeness (Paperback)
This is truly one of the best fortean books I've read in a long while. After reading other alleged fortean works that simply rehash familiar classic cases or are paeans to the writers ego. It is fresh and exciting to encounter someone that captures the immediacy of field investigation like the late great John Keel, and the challenging speculation of of a J. Vallee or Colin Wilson in one author.
The publishing world appears to be in the midst of a fortean revival from a wide variety of sources- crypto-zoology, UFO's, ghosts, and other anomalies that continue to intrude into consensus reality. The continuing popularity of 'Fortean Times' and 'Fate' magazine and various paranormal programs on TV demonstrates the public knows this world is far stranger than anyone can imagine. Mr. Imbrogno provides new cases and observations in a crisp and direct reporting style that leaves the reader anxious to turn the next page. I look forward to reading his other works as well as future offerings. Highly recommended for all fans of the paranormal.
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