Confirmation

Are they mass hallucinations or have a quarter of a million people experienced a paralyzing possession of their bodies by aliens? Most alleged abductees suffer from severe post-encounter trauma, and Strieber writes that, for them, ""to ignore the challenge to look at self and life in a new way is to descend into total psychological and spiritual chaos."" In fact, overcoming their fear is, he contends, an opportunity for spiritual awakening. In this latest follow-up to Communion, the mega-bestselling account of his own abductions, Strieber reports on recent amateur film and video footage that allegedly show unknown spacecraft flying at extraordinary speeds with unheard of aeromechanics. Cogent testimonies drawn from interviews with seemingly sane and normal people reveal detailed accounts of levitation, sexual molestation, time travel and ongoing relationships with aliens that induce perceptual disruption to their lives. The most convincing of his evidence are the bizarre implants--slivers of silicon and tiny t-bars of metallic composite believed to be transmitters--that, Strieber says, have been removed from abductees' ear canals, calf muscles and nasal passages. While it's not conclusive that these implants are alien artifacts, their sophisticated composite and their manner of forced entry into the body demonstrate uncommon technical skill and cast doubt on accusations of self-mutilation. Strieber makes a strong case for a serious commitment from science and government to investigate abduction phenomenon, be it real or psychological dysfunction. Author tour. (May)