From religious beliefs and legends to movies and TV shows, from advertising and celebrities to Internet sites and photo ops, this illustrated A–Z encyclopedia makes it easy to locate each topic, and the opportunities for further research assure its timeliness. Is the human race the result of a breeding experiment carried out by ancient astronauts? Are satanists, extraterrestrials—or both—mutilating cattle? Whimsical and fascinating, UFOs and Popular Culture explores a rich facet of Americana and its impact on contemporary society. The UFO phenomenon is put into folkloric and psychological perspective, revealing much about our collective psyche. From religious beliefs and legends to movies and TV shows; from advertising and celebrities to Internet sites and photo ops; this illustrated A–Z encyclopedia is your first stop resource for understanding UFO beliefs and their impact on contemporary America. Topics explored include Music and UFOs, Naked Aliens, Reincarnation, Roswell, Brad Steiger, Heaven's Gate, War of the Worlds, and UFO Conventions.

An indispensable resource, this book provides wide coverage on aliens in fiction and popular culture. The wide impact that the imagined alien has had upon Western culture has not been surveyed before; in many cases the essays in Aliens in Popular Culture are the first written on the topic. The book is a compendium of short entries on notable uses of aliens in popular culture across different media and platforms by almost 90 researchers in the field. It covers science fiction from the late nineteenth century into the twenty-first century, including books, films, television, comics, games, and even advertisements. Individual essays point to the ways in which the imagined alien can be seen as a reflection of different fears and tensions within society, above all in the Anglo-American world. The book additionally provides an overview for context and suggestions for further reading. All varieties of readers will find it to be a comprehensive reference about the extra-terrestrial in popular culture.

In the dark corners of whispered conversations and the labyrinthine pathways of the internet, conspiracy theories have long found fertile ground to take root. To many, these tales are but the outlandish products of overactive imaginations, often dismissed with a wave of the hand or a sceptical eye roll. Yet, while the world is awash with unfounded speculation, every so often, a conspiracy theory emerges from the shadows to reveal itself as undeniable fact. Leaving no stone upturned, it delves into such conundrums as: · The growing number of people who believe the Earth is flat · The unsolved disappearance of Flight · The uncertainties surrounding the assassination · The mysterious circumstances of Bruce Lee’s death This book explores both the causes of certain conspiracy theories and their potential ramifications. If you would like to better understand the underpinnings of how these conspiracy theories get started and where they might eventually lead, you need to read this book!

The Oxford Handbook of New Religious Movements both covers the current state of the field and breaks new ground. Its contributors, drawn form both sociology and religious studies, are leading figures in the study of NRMs.

The Handbook of UFO Religions, edited by scholar of new religions Benjamin E. Zeller, offers the most expansive and detailed study of the persistent, popular, and global phenomenon of religious engagements with ideas about extraterrestrial life.

When United Airlines workers reported a UFO at O'Hare Airport in November 2006, it was met with the typical denials and hush-up that usually accompany such sightings. But when a related story broke the record for hits at the Chicago Tribune's website, it was clear that such unexplained objects continued to occupy the minds of fascinated readers. Why, wonders Thomas Bullard, don't such persistent sightings command more urgent attention from scientists, scholars, and mainstream journalists? The answer, in part, lies in Bullard's wide-ranging magisterial survey of the mysterious, frustrating, and ever-evolving phenomenon that refuses to go away and our collective efforts to understand it. In his trailblazing book, Bullard views those efforts through the lens of mythmaking, discovering what UFO accounts tell us about ourselves, our beliefs, and the possibility of visitors from beyond. Bullard shows how ongoing grassroots interest in UFOs stems both from actual personal experiences and from a cultural mythology that defines such encounters as somehow "alien"-and how it views relentless official denial as a part of conspiracy to hide the truth. He also describes how UFOs have catalyzed the evolution of a new but highly fractured belief system that borrows heavily from the human past and mythic themes and which UFO witnesses and researchers use to make sense of such phenomena and our place in the cosmos. Bullard's book takes in the whole spectrum of speculations on alien visitations and abductions, magically advanced technologies, governmental conspiracies, varieties of religious salvation, apocalyptic fears, and other paranormal experiences. Along the way, Bullard investigates how UFOs have inspired books, movies, and television series; blurred the boundaries between science, science fiction, and religion; and crowded the Internet with websites and discussion groups. From the patches of this crazy quilt, he posits evidence that a genuine phenomenon seems to exist outside the myth. Enormously erudite and endlessly engaging, Bullard's study is a sky watcher's guide to the studies, stories, and debates that this elusive subject has inspired. It shows that, despite all the competing interests and errors clouding the subject, there is substance beneath the clutter, a genuinely mysterious phenomenon that deserves attention as more than a myth.

In the boundless expanse of the universe, mysteries abound, and the cosmos beckons us with its enigmatic phenomena. From shimmering lights in the night sky to reports of encounters that defy explanation, the allure of space and the unknown has captured the imagination of humanity for generations. In this journey through the cosmos, we embark on a quest to unravel the riddles of space phenomena, to explore the boundaries of our knowledge, and to embrace the tantalizing promise of discovery. "Space and UFOs: A Journey from History to the Present" is a testament to our insatiable curiosity and our relentless pursuit of understanding. With each chapter, we delve into the multifaceted realm of unidentified aerial phenomena, alien encounters, and the awe-inspiring wonders that grace the celestial canvas. The pages that follow are a testament to the dedication of researchers, scientists, and enthusiasts who have delved into the cosmos, seeking truths that transcend the mundane and challenge our perceptions of reality. This book is not merely an exploration of lights in the sky or distant objects; it is a testament to the human spirit of inquiry and the inexorable drive to push the boundaries of what we know. From historical records to cutting-edge research, from skepticism to wonder, we traverse the spectrum of human thought and emotion, guided by a shared fascination with the cosmos and the mysteries it holds. As we navigate the pages ahead, we embark on a journey that embraces both the scientific and the speculative, the factual and the fantastical. We investigate sightings, analyze data, and ponder the profound implications of potential contact with extraterrestrial civilizations. We traverse the spectrum from skepticism to open-minded exploration, embracing the ethos of scientific inquiry while remaining ever aware of the vast tapestry of possibility that the universe presents. "Space and UFOs: A Journey from History to the Present" is an invitation to peer into the unknown, to engage in thought-provoking contemplation, and to reflect on the intricate relationship between science, culture, and human curiosity. It is a journey that acknowledges the mysteries that continue to elude our grasp, even as it celebrates the strides we've made in expanding our understanding of the cosmos. As you embark on this odyssey through the pages ahead, I encourage you to embrace both the known and the unknown, to ponder the implications of the enigmatic, and to share in the wonder that has driven generations to look to the stars with a mixture of awe, hope, and curiosity. May this exploration of space phenomena ignite your imagination, spark your curiosity, and remind you that the universe remains a canvas of endless possibilities waiting to be revealed. Sincerely,

In this comprehensive and interdisciplinary volume, former NASA Chief Historian Steven Dick reflects on the exploration of space, astrobiology and its implications, cosmic evolution, astronomical institutions, discovering and classifying the cosmos, and the philosophy of astronomy. The unifying theme of the book is the connection between cosmos and culture, or what Carl Sagan many years ago called the “cosmic connection.” As both an astronomer and historian of science, Dr. Dick has been both a witness to and a participant in many of the astronomical events of the last half century. This collection of papers presents his reflections over the last forty years in a way accessible to historians, philosophers, and scientists alike. From the search for alien life to ongoing space exploration efforts, readers will find this volume full of engaging topics relevant to science, society, and our collective future on planet Earth and beyond.

Examining the nature of UFO "evidence", the authors present a primer for scholars, skeptics, and others uneasy about investigating the field of UFOs. The volume also brings together three bestselling authors--David M. Jacobs, Budd Hopkins, and Pulitzer Prize winner John Mack--widely known for their writings on the controversial "alien abduction" phenomenon.

UF0s are a truly global phenomenon. Although many of the best-known cases have taken place in North America, amazing stories of witnesses encounters with strange disc-shaped objects (and their occupants) have come from every corner of the globe. From a floating platform watched by dozens in Indonesia, to a Saturn-shaped object that flew over a ship off the coast of Brazil, to a landing Down Under, UFOs have been baffling witnesses and making headlines around the world. What are some of the most interesting cases? Which ones seem most mysterious? And what can one of the worlds most active UFO researchers and investigators tell us about UFOs, from A to Z? Join Chris Rutkowski as he takes us on a tour of A World of UFOs.