The Abduction Enigma: The Truth Behind the Mass Alien Abductions of the Late Twentieth Century (Paperback)

~ (Author), Russ Estes (Author), William P. Cone (Author)

Editorial Reviews

From Kirkus Reviews

A well-written anti-abduction perspective on alien encounters that systematically examines and refutes each argument used by abduction proponents. Although Randle (UFO Crash at Roswell, not reviewed), Estes (who has interviewed scores of people who claim to have been abudcted by aliens), and psychologist Cone admit to having had alien encounters and other paranormal experiences, they conclude that every phenomenon theyve investigated had a natural explanation. The authors first present the benign visitation accounts from the 1940s and `50s, which evolved into single-event abductions and later into multiple-abduction accounts. They even present the case of an abductee who claims to have come from a family of abductees. Throughout the book, the authors mention news accounts, science fiction books, and movies, part of the common culture, that can account for some of the parallels among various abductee reports. Abduction researchers, some with whole chapters devoted to them, are attacked for creating stories that fit together seamlessly. Not only are these researchers tending to report only the pieces that fit their theories, but they use techniques such as hypnosis and even ``the leading question method'' to make the subject highly suggestible and induce memories. The book divides those who have encountered aliens into ``contactees'' and ``abductees.'' The former tell of getting a ride on the alien ship and perhaps a glimpse of the future. The latter tell of hybrid alien-human fetuses, bodily implants that appear and disappear, and the ubiquitous rectal probe. A whole chapter is devoted to the sexual components of abduction accounts, ranging from cold dispassionate reproductive experiments to sex-starved space travelers who seem to enjoy ``sex for the sake of sex.'' These three self-proclaimed believers have actually debunked every paranormal abduction phenomenon with a well-reasoned terrestrial explanation. (Radio satellite tour) -- Copyright ©1999, Kirkus Associates, LP. All rights reserved. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

Product Description

Is alien abduction real, or are the answers to its legacy buried in the human psyche? Do we now have the knowledge to understand the forces behind abduction, or are we still stumbling in the dark? These authors have been breaking new ground in the study of UFOs for the past twenty five years. Between them, they have expertise in military aviation, a doctorate in psychology, and a first-hand alien contact. The pieces of the puzzle are finally falling into place. And the full picture is much more complex and incredible than anyone suspected.

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Paperback: 416 pages
• Publisher: Tor Books; 1st edition (September 9, 2000)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0312872704
• ISBN-13: 978-0312872700
• Product Dimensions: 9.2 x 6.5 x 1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 3.7 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (26 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #512,137 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

7 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars An interesting, but flawed read..., June 17, 2001

By	Jim Nelson (Chicago, IL) - See all my reviews

The reviewers who criticized the quality of the writing and editing in "The Abduction Enigma" were right on the mark. The book is filled with typos and grammatical errors and the authors have an annoying habit of repeating themselves. This book needed a good editor and these flaws are distracting.

The writing is slanted and the authors' biased point of view is increasingly apparent as you read deeper into the book. They are quick to jump to conclusions and I often found their logic faulty. They do a good job of supporting some of their opinions and theories but a terrible job of supportng others, particularly their conclusions about the influence of pop culture on abductees.

However, the book has it's convincing, and disturbing, moments. The chapter on Satanic Ritual Abuse, and it's relationship to the Abduction phenomenon, is an eye-opener. The criticisms of abduction researchers are also interesting.

However, I think the most telling aspect of this book is what was left out. The authors launch an all-out attack on the reality of alien abduction but they fail to address some of the most famous and important cases in the field. Travis Walton, Whitley Strieber and the Allagash Four are mentioned but not addressed in-depth. I don't think the Debbie Jordan ("Intruders") case is mentioned at all, even though it is one of the most significant, and most publicized, abduction cases to date. The authors ignore this case and use the Budd Hopkins chapter to focus on the Linda Cortile case and on a few cases from his first book, "Missing Time". The Andreasson case is not touched on either and although Ray Fowler is mentioned, he is not covered in the "Researchers" section.

The Travis Walton and Allagash cases involved multiple witnesses. The Debbie Jordan case involved multiple abductees and a landing trace. The Whitley Strieber case is among the field's strangest and most complex. If the authors wanted to be thoroughly convincing, they should have tackled some the most difficult, high profile cases to prove the strength of their own theories. They chose easier targets.

It's a good book, and despite it's flaws, I think it's a must-read for anyone interested in alien abduction. I have no doubt that the theories presented in "The Abduction Enigma" explain many abductee cases, but the authors have left the door open for other explanations and that was clearly not their goal.

8 of 9 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Not perfect, but very important, September 3, 2002

By A Customer

This review is from: The Abduction Enigma: An Investigation of the Alien Abduction Phenomenon (Hardcover)

Since Randle is one of the leading proponents of the view that the Roswell incident may have indeed been the crash of an alien craft, he can hardly be accused of being a debunker. That being said, this book does present a very harsh and dismissive -- BUT EXTREMELY VALUABLE -- perspective on the "alien abduction" phenomenon. The core phenomenon (as represented by cases such as Villa-Boas, the Hills, Travis Walton and the Allagash Four) has become buried beneath so many layers of psychobabble and silliness that I had the feeling the authors were intentionally being overly harsh and dismissive in an effort to restore some semblance of balance. There is quite a bit of overlap and repetition from chapter to chapter; I feel certain that each of the chapters was written by one of the three authors and that the final product perhaps wasn't edited as carefully as it might have been. Nevertheless, the book is extremely valuable as a warning against the dangers of hypnotically recovered "memories" and researcher contamination. The authors effectively analogize the abductee phenomenon to the bogus Satanic Ritual Abuse phenomenon, which likewise relies almost entirely on hypnotically recovered "memories." The chapter on abductee "support groups" should be required reading for everyone involved in any type of "experiencer" group. The authors absolutely hit the nail on the head with their analysis of the dynamics and pitfalls of these dangerous groups, where the "support" is of a perverted type that only exacerbates the attendees' problems and fosters an unhealthy dependency on the group. Whatever flaws this book may have, it is highly readable, serves as an important counterbalance to the "abductee" fluff that dominates the market, and effectively makes its key points. (I'm not a debunker either. I've studied UFOs for nearly 40 years and had a close-up disc sighting myself -- but I'd bet everything I own that these authors' perspective on the abduction phenomenon is far more accurate than that of Budd Hopkins, David Jacobs, Whitley Streiber, et al.)

5 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars These guys must have been bought off!, November 5, 2007

By	R. Switzer "A Truth Seeker" (USA) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

There is voluminous evidence, much of it from government files retrieved through the Freedom of Information Act, which makes it quite certain that we are, and likely have been for a very considerable time, being visited by one or more types of beings from places unknown.

To think that these 'visitors' are benign just because they are obviously vastly superior technologically is ludicrous. One thing that is probaly true is that they have their own agenda, and this is NOT necessarily to the benefit of the human race, but to theirs.

The idea proposed by the authors that most researchers have been using leading and suggestive statements or questions in their examinations of those who claim abduction is simply not the case. Quite often, the subject of abduction experience only comes up when someone is in therapy for vague fears and unusual feelings and seeks such therapy to discover the cause of it.

I find the way that most of the material is presented by the authors does not represent open enquiry, but a presumed outcome which they attempt to twist the facts around to make a fit.