Alien Discussions: Proceedings of the Abduction Study Conference Held at M.I.T. Cambridge, Ma. (Textbook Binding)

~ Abduction Study Conference (Author), David Pritchard (Author), Andrea Pritchard (Author) "It is difficult to imagine that you could live in America without having some impression of the alien abduction phenomenon..." (more)
Key Phrases: abduction narrators, image recognition test, abduction experiencers, New York, Budd Hopkins, John Mack (more...)

Editorial Reviews

From Booklist

Whatever the cause, hundreds of people--perhaps thousands--around the world are recounting strange and vivid experiences of being abducted and medically examined by seemingly alien beings in unearthly surroundings. This volume contains the papers presented at a conference on UFO abduction experiences held at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, June 13^-17, 1992. The scientists and researchers who presented the 118 papers examined the medical and physical evidence and offered their personal perspectives on this complex phenomenon. Especially interesting are reports of alleged bodily implants and the varied theories that might account for those experiences. Selected papers include "The Influence of Investigators on UFO Abduction Reports" (Thomas E. Bullard, Indiana University); "Hypnosis and Accuracy of Abduction Memory" (Stuart Appelle, SUNY-Brockport); "Physical Evidence and Abductions" (David Pritchard, MIT); "Religious Perspective of Stories: Contactee to Abductee" (J. Gordon Melton, UC^-Santa Barbara); and "Psychosocial Characteristics of Abductees" (Mark Rodeghier, University of Illinois at Chicago). The unabridged questions and comments of conference participants that followed the presentations are also reprinted. George Eberhart

Review

"Many years down the road, it (Alien Discussions) may well be looked at as one of the pioneering volumes that started the work that eventually led to the solution of this mystery." -- Gordon Stein of the Skeptical Inquirer, Sept/Oct 1995

"The faults of this book are endemic faults of the abductionist college... Nonetheless, Alien Discussions is an indispensable book for anyone interested in abduction claims, whoever is really making them." -- Peter Bookersmith for Fortean Times from London, Aug/Sept 1995

"This is one of the best books ever published on a UFO-related subject and will be considered one of the essential works in the literature. It's a real landmark in the serious study of the phenomenon." -- Jerome Clark: Ed. International UFO Reporter, UFO encyclopedia author

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Product Details

• Textbook Binding: 683 pages
• Publisher: North Cambridge Press (September 1995)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0964491702
• ISBN-13: 978-0964491700
• Product Dimensions: 11.3 x 9 x 1.7 inches
• Shipping Weight: 4.2 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 4.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (2 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #721,181 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

13 of 13 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars THE comprehensize guide to the abduction phenomonon, March 9, 1998

By A Customer

This edited volume is undobtedly THE comprehensive guide to the alien abduction phenomenon. It includes arguments for the both sides of the debate, all of which are presented by knowledgable, educated persons. This is an invaluable resource for anyone interested in the subject matter. The volume includes all proceedings of the discussion, including graphs and charts shown: nothing is left out. An edited/abriged version of this volume is available from a diffrent publisher--aviod it. The abridged versiion, though it may be an eisier, faster read, is FAR inferior to this complete text.

4.0 out of 5 stars Necessary reading, December 2, 2008

By	Abyssal (WV, USA, North America, Earth, Sol System, Orion Arm, Milky Way, Local Group, Virgo Supercluster) - See all my reviews

I'm not well read in this field, but the coverage was pretty good and lots of hard statistical data were presented. Skeptics' ideas were given fair hearing and evidence inconsistent with paranormal and conspiratorial interpretations of the phenomenon were also presented. By far not a perfect volume, but the best I've encountered. Certainly more accurate, thorough and even handed than any "skeptical" treatment of the subject.

An appendix of a sampling of abductee accounts would have been neat. And sometimes references are made to symposium content that didn't make it into the book, but over all pretty well. Good enough that I would call it "necessary reading" for anyone interested in the phenomenon regardless if they're a believer, skeptic, or just curious.