- Hardcover: 456 pages
- Publisher: University Press of Kansas (15 Oct 2010)
- Language English
- ISBN-10: 0700617299
- ISBN-13: 978-0700617296
- Product Dimensions: 23.1 x 16.5 x 3.6 cm
- Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars See all reviews (1 customer review)
- Amazon Bestsellers Rank: 830,591 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
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Customer Reviews
Most Helpful Customer Reviews
1 of 1 people found the following review helpful
Format:Hardcover|Amazon Verified Purchase
As someone who sits on the UFO phenomenon periphery, I must say I thoroughly enjoyed this work. It is excellently written, well thought-out and the product of what appears to be a very reasonable mind. It's also entirely free from typographical errors or poor proof reading, which seems to bedevil so many modern publications.
The author approaches the subject using cultural models and compares modern belief about UFOs with traditional folk beliefs. He makes comparisons and clearly marks the difference between the experiential point of the 'UFO' and the post-experience cultural interpretation. It is quite clear from his argument that in many cases the former suffers from the impact of the latter.
I'd imagine this book works best for those with an open mind or simply the casual observer rather than those who already hold strong views. Regardless, I don't hesitate to recommend this work most highly. It's a first class achievement.
The author approaches the subject using cultural models and compares modern belief about UFOs with traditional folk beliefs. He makes comparisons and clearly marks the difference between the experiential point of the 'UFO' and the post-experience cultural interpretation. It is quite clear from his argument that in many cases the former suffers from the impact of the latter.
I'd imagine this book works best for those with an open mind or simply the casual observer rather than those who already hold strong views. Regardless, I don't hesitate to recommend this work most highly. It's a first class achievement.
Most Helpful Customer Reviews on Amazon.com (beta)
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4 reviews
10 of 10 people found the following review helpful
Examining "High Strangeness"
2 Feb 2011
Format:Hardcover
From the Jacques Vallee and Magonia strain of ufo thought, Bullard brings a depth of scholarship rarely seen in books about unusual phenomenon. A single chapter of this book could keep one intellectually stimulated and involved in researching footnotes and primary sources for weeks. This is truly a work of scholarship in it's finest sense. The years of research required to compile this work is immediately evident, and the author is no stranger to the world of the ufo buff. He admits to a continuing fascination with the subject, and is a former MUFON member.
That said, be aware that the focus of the book is an examination of ufos in the academic traditions of myth and folklore, and not as an attempt to resolve any of the questions regarding specific sightings, etc. The bottom line here is that the thread of what we often call "high strangeness" present in so many tales of sightings and abductions leads the author to consider the ufo as the modern equivalent of the tales on fairies, little people, poltergiests,and related mythical creatures and events. There is a very strong Jungian approach to the ufo and a scholarly attempt to place sightings within the context of myth and folklore. Bullard's doctoral thesis was based on the ufo and folklore, and was probably the genesis of this book. As a result of his rigorous doctoral work, Bullard is thoroughly footnoted and sourced, and his writing is precise and beautifully shaped. The work is a challenge at times because of the intricacy of his thought, but time spent on this work is well rewarded. This book may of more interest to the academic than to the casual ufo buff, but I admit that opening the book almost anywhere will likely lead you to reading for an hour or two.
Pros - This book has the most comprehensive bibliography of any on this topic. I would almost buy the book just for this feature. In addition, the footnoting is amazing, with each footnote referencing a primary source, including page numbers, and adding details to the cited reference. Included is an extensive list of web sites relating to ufos, with comments about each. This is an in depth discussion about myths, folklore, and ufos, and the author refuses to stoop to sensationalism.
Cons - The bottom line is that this is not a book about ufos, but a book about myth and folklore, and uses ufos as an example of a myth. The depth of detail within the text is amazing, but may be somewhat demanding of a reader who is not acquainted with details of specifc ufo cases, or does not have some background in the social aspects of myths in general. My greatest criticism is that the author seems to seize upon various debunker accounts and embrace them to the exclusion of contrary evidence when it suits his thesis. The casual reader wanting to read about ufo cases and details will be lost.
Highly recommended for anyone with an academic interest in myth, folklore, and ufos, and willing to spend some serious time reading. As a counter balance to the debunking strain, try Leslie Kean's UFOs: Generals, Pilots and Government Officials Go On the Record
That said, be aware that the focus of the book is an examination of ufos in the academic traditions of myth and folklore, and not as an attempt to resolve any of the questions regarding specific sightings, etc. The bottom line here is that the thread of what we often call "high strangeness" present in so many tales of sightings and abductions leads the author to consider the ufo as the modern equivalent of the tales on fairies, little people, poltergiests,and related mythical creatures and events. There is a very strong Jungian approach to the ufo and a scholarly attempt to place sightings within the context of myth and folklore. Bullard's doctoral thesis was based on the ufo and folklore, and was probably the genesis of this book. As a result of his rigorous doctoral work, Bullard is thoroughly footnoted and sourced, and his writing is precise and beautifully shaped. The work is a challenge at times because of the intricacy of his thought, but time spent on this work is well rewarded. This book may of more interest to the academic than to the casual ufo buff, but I admit that opening the book almost anywhere will likely lead you to reading for an hour or two.
Pros - This book has the most comprehensive bibliography of any on this topic. I would almost buy the book just for this feature. In addition, the footnoting is amazing, with each footnote referencing a primary source, including page numbers, and adding details to the cited reference. Included is an extensive list of web sites relating to ufos, with comments about each. This is an in depth discussion about myths, folklore, and ufos, and the author refuses to stoop to sensationalism.
Cons - The bottom line is that this is not a book about ufos, but a book about myth and folklore, and uses ufos as an example of a myth. The depth of detail within the text is amazing, but may be somewhat demanding of a reader who is not acquainted with details of specifc ufo cases, or does not have some background in the social aspects of myths in general. My greatest criticism is that the author seems to seize upon various debunker accounts and embrace them to the exclusion of contrary evidence when it suits his thesis. The casual reader wanting to read about ufo cases and details will be lost.
Highly recommended for anyone with an academic interest in myth, folklore, and ufos, and willing to spend some serious time reading. As a counter balance to the debunking strain, try Leslie Kean's UFOs: Generals, Pilots and Government Officials Go On the Record
11 of 13 people found the following review helpful
interesting book
7 Nov 2010
Format:Hardcover|Amazon Verified Purchase
myth and mystery covers the ufo phenomena from a cultural/myth/tradition point of view. bullard believes ufo's is the modern mythology because of the motifs of otherworld journeys, supernatural beings, gods that interacted with humans and cultural heroes. ufo's have a religious quality because of the sense of mystery, the idea of superior beings and a form of salvation. bullard discusses how ufologists add to the myth by examining historical puzzles. he quotes many ufo experts such as vallee, hynek, hopkins, and keyhoe, to name a few. are ufo's real? much like vallee's system, bullard provides steps towards objectivity: first person and quality testimonials, well-specified incidents, coherent accounts, similarity of events, the event differs from psychic expectations, and the event undergoes strenuous critical examinations. bottom line for him is: "simple ufo sightings reaffirm that strange things happen every day and the world is not nailed down as tightly as the authorities insist." one thing i would be critical of, is he did not thoroughly research his story on kent jeffrey's theory that roswell crash did not happen and the wave of indignation that followed. there is nothing in his explanation covering stanton friedman's article on kent jeffery and roswell where friedman goes through kent's research showing where it was all flawed, thus it would eliminate bullard's statement that the defenses were speculative and not evidenced. i would recommend this book if you are into folklore, philosophy, psychology and socieology. if you are more into the "nuts & bolts" of ufo's, conspiracy, physics, the who's and why's, you'll probably be bored and frustrated reading this as bullard emphasizes collective knowledge, beliefs, and speculations. it's more about the thoughts and expressions that represent ufos.
7 of 8 people found the following review helpful
Simply Brilliant
19 Dec 2010
Format:Hardcover|Amazon Verified Purchase
This is a superb piece of scholarship and a joy to read. In this magnificent work Dr. Bullard proves that he is a thorough and meticulous researcher who is able to integrate many different themes into a smooth and compelling narrative. This book has it all: blurry lights in the skies, structured craft, aliens on Earth, abductions, government secrecy and cover-up, and yes, even crop circles and cattle mutilations. He explores UFOs as possible signs of extraterrestrial intelligence, as ancient myths recast in space-age garb, as products of our collective imagination, and as created by individual minds. A wide range of fields including astronomy, physics, anthropology, psychiatry, psychology, sociology and religion are all given their due. Classical UFO-lore is presented in a new light and he introduces many fresh ideas. Dr. Bullard maintains a delicate balance between critical thinking and an open mind but is not afraid to offer conclusions. If you are looking for resolute debunking, instructions for building a starship, or warning of an impending alien invasion this is not the book for you. If you are looking for an intelligent, instructive and engaging discussion of one of the greatest cultural phenomena of modern times, then read this. The Myth and Mystery of UFOs - no doubt many years in the making - is recommended for seasoned veterans (with scores of UFO books under their belts) and newcomers alike.
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