Examining the relationship between strangers, embodiment and community, Strange Encounters challenges the assumptions that the stranger is simply anybody we do not recognize and instead proposes that he or she is socially constructued as somebody we already know. Using feminist and postcolonial theory this book examines the impact of multiculturalism and globalization on embodiment and community whilst considering the ethical and political implication of its critique for post-colonial feminism. A diverse range of texts are analyzed which produce the figure of 'the stranger', showing that it has alternatively been expelled as the origin of danger - such as in neighbourhood watch, or celebrated as the origin of difference - as in multiculturalism. The author argues that both of these standpoints are problematic as they involve 'stranger fetishism'; they assume that the stranger 'has a life of its own'.

It's a story about an Air Force pilot name "Smithy" {Harold Smith.} Home after world war two and working for a prominent Law firm as their investigator. Attending night school to earn a law degree, Smithy is assigned to a special case. A very well to do client, J.B. Gardener has some rare artifacts taken from his estate. His beautiful niece Jenny fears for her uncle's life. The case gets more intriguing when Hary's aunt B "Abby" gets involved. The plot thickens with a fire at the marina dry dock, a bombing at the airport and murder. But wait... Smithy gets the "Me Too" gang to help them with the case. There are stakeouts and some twist and turns. It's a "Who done it mystery" with a surprise ending. With plenty of suspence and mystery, it's a good book to curl up with... "Smithy and The Me Too" is an enjoyable easy read.

Feminist Reconfigurings of Alien Encounters reclaims the notion of alien encounters together with strange but queerly loved companions: Vulgar slugs, diatoms (micro-algae), and familiars (spirit guides of witches). The book’s three human co-authors ask: what would it take to establish more-than-human, bio- and geo-egalitarian co-existence on a planet in trouble? This playfully crafted mixed-genre book is informed by feminist posthumanisms and co-created with a spectral community of more-than-humans who are respectfully summoned to contribute with their perspectives. In focus of the entangled artistic-philosophical-poetic investigations are questions of ethics, aesthetics, and methodologies to co-exist response-ably rather than based on modern human beliefs in exceptionalism and entitlement to sovereignty, control, and conquest of more-than-human worlds. Feminist Reconfi gurings of Alien Encounters is intended for broad global audiences of researchers, teachers, professionals, NGOs, politicians, students from undergraduate to postgraduate levels, artists, writers, activists, and artivists who are interested in entangled artistic-poetic-philosophical modes of understanding the world as well as in ecology, new feminist materialism, critical posthumanism, and questions about radically rethinking and reimagining human/more-than-human relations on Earth.

Describes witnesses' accounts of alleged alien spacecraft sightings and abductions; explains the accounts using historical examples of strange sightings; and details extraterrestrial references in art, literature, and the media.

Before the breakthrough of postcolonial studies, British science-fiction authors already saw the opportunity to discuss political and ethical issues of imperialism by projecting human history and behavior onto the alien 'Other.' In this thesis, the case studies of 15 novels of alien-encounter science fiction illuminate the treatment of colonial and postcolonial concepts - such as colonialism, neo-colonialism, Empire, paternalism, hybridity, mimicry and science and technology - as a means of conquest and resistance. The analysis also shows that the Empire is still a vital background for British science fiction. Thesis. (Series: Anglistik / Amerikanistik; English / American Studies - Vol. 35)

Since the middle of the last century, many people around the world have reported sightings of unidentified flying objects (UFOs) and speculated that they were alien spacecraft. Some witnesses have reported seeing nonhumans emerge from otherworldly craft and even having interactions with these intelligent beings. While most scientists believe these tales to be hallucinations or hoaxes, the sheer number of reports of alien encounters, the similarities between them, and the emotional impact they have had on witnesses make the phenomenon difficult to dismiss. Fans of the paranormal will enjoy delving into juicy, eyewitness tales from the United States and around the world. Assessing the evidence, readers can decide for themselves whether someone else is truly out there.

For many, Close Encounters of the Third Kind (CE3K) is not so much a movie as a religious experience. On its release in 1977, CE3K virtually redefined the science fiction film, shifting it away from spaceships, laser guns, and bug-eyed monsters into a modified form of science fiction that John Wyndham once called ‘logical fantasy’. What would it be like if extra-terrestrials made contact with people on Earth? How would it feel? Like 2001: A Space Odyssey (1968), Steven Spielberg’s primary inspiration, CE3K is concerned with mankind’s evolution towards the stars, towards a state of transcendence. But Spielberg’s vision hinges not so much on cool scientific intellect being the key to our next stage of evolution, as on the necessary development of emotional intelligence. To that end, we must regain our childlike curiosity for what lies beyond the skies, we must recover our capacity to experience wonder. Intensity of emotion is inherent to the film’s meaning, and the aim of this book is to explore this in detail. Along the way it delves into the film’s production history, explores Spielberg’s remarkable cinematic realisation of the film (including a comparison study of the three different release versions), and considers in detail how CE3K fits into the Spielberg oeuvre.

An investigation into abductions by extra-terrestrial beings: captivating accounts from the edge of the universe. In recent years sightings of unidentified flying objects have received more traction and public attention than ever before, with an increasing dialogue surrounding the UFO phenomenon. However, what has received less attention in popular culture and media is the sinister world of alien abductions. Warren Agius’ trailblazing second title focuses on the many case studies of close encounters with extra-terrestrial beings, delving deeper into the ways in which they have been observing and experimenting on human beings for decades. Agius’ work is not indented to convince the sceptical reader of the plausibility of alien encounters. Rather, through his thorough research and compelling prose, Agius presents readers with carefully considered case studies of abductions, complete with each individuals background, other plausible hypotheses and supporting evidence for each theory, allowing the reader to come to their own conclusions about alien abductions. The first section of the book looks at close encounters of the third kind, which relate to cases where the individual was not abducted but was in close proximity to or witnessed an extra-terrestrial entity. The second section moves on to explore a number of actual alien abductions. The book also includes information on Hynek’s UFO classification scale. Close Encounters illuminates a complex yet pertinent phenomenon, which has spiritual, philosophical and existential implications for the human race as a whole. Ultimately, this book is a thrilling and captivating invitation for readers to consider the infinite universe we inhabit, and what it might mean for us to share such a space with other intelligent and conscious lifeforms.

In this compelling and revealing examination, author Rupert Matthews looks afresh at key episodes of alien activity on earth, and sheds light on the many mysterious phenomena associated with it. From Roswell to Taizé, the book dissects fascinating eyewitness accounts of communication and contact with alien beings, as well as chilling cases of a...

Steven Spielberg's Close Encounters of the Third Kind (1977) is a film very much of its cinematic moment, combining the gritty realism of entrapment in the everyday with furtive dreams of escape. Dana Polan's compelling study of the film examines its significance to New Hollywood cinema and the science fiction genre. He argues that Close Encounters is a film that is an allegory of the cinematic experience overall; it both narrates a tale of visual seduction and plays it out viscerally for the spectator who shares the amazement of the protagonist Roy Neary as his mundane reality is transformed into something awe-inspiring. Providing an in-depth look into the film's production history, including all three different versions, Polan situates Close Encounters within Spielberg's repertoire. He argues that despite the film's popular success, it is in fact a rejection of several entrenched American values, including family, home and marriage. It offers, through its visual fascination, alternative understandings of masculinity and morality, familial responsibility, and what it means to follow the 'American Dream'.