Confrontations

by Jacques F. Vallée

Book Overview

"A core curriculum for anyone with a serious interest in ufology . . ." The Kirkus Reviews Dr. Jacques Vallee is widely recognized as the premier investigating scientist in UFO research today. Going far beyond theoretical analysis, Dr. Valle meticulously documents his own firsthand investigations into sightings around the world with breathtaking eyewitness accounts of alien contact. Complete with maps, sketches, diagrams, and on-the-spot photographs...

• Format: Mass Market Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0345365011
• ISBN13: 9780345365019
• Release Date: February 1991
• Publisher: Ballantine Books
• Length: 95 Pages
• Weight: 0.35 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.7" x 4.2" x 6.9"

Customer Reviews

Very poor condition, unreadable

Vendor classification is ridiculous, NOT READABLE

A sober warning of the dangers of UFO contact.

Now retired from the UFO scene, Jacques Vallee was one of the most sober, perceptive, and scientifically astute observers of the phenomenon. "Confrontations" is the second volume of his great trilogy ("Dimensions" and "Revelations" are the other two) which summed up his 40-odd years of research. As the title suggests, this book focuses on the dangers - physical, psychological, and even spiritual - of contact (intentional or otherwise) between human beings and the energy forms known as UFOs. I say "energy forms" because Vallee discounts the idea that UFOs are spaceships from other planets or other galaxies. Instead, he sees them as "multidimenional entities" - a form of paranormal energy, indeed a non-human intelligence - that has in varying forms interacted with human beings throughout recorded history. Drawing on his personal files, including numerous black-and-white photos, Vallee describes the debilitating effects that often result from too-close contact - sought or unsought - with the UFO phenomenon. From California to Brazil, we follow Vallee as he interviews the victims of contact and lets them tell their stories. And they are indeed victims. Vallee's subjects have met neither the benign "space brothers" of the 1950s contactees nor - for the most part - the reptilian, bug-eyed abductors of the 1990s. But they have interacted with powerful, disorienting energies, energies capable of producing harmful mental and physical effects, up to and including death. They have been touched by the paranormal, and most are worse of because of it. Often reading like a detective story, this book puts you on the ground with a brave and humane chronicler of the unknown. It is a moving book, one of the best ever in its field. If you are new to the topic of UFOs, you could not do better than read Vallee's great trilogy, beginning with "Dimensions," then "Confrontations," then "Revelations." In doing so, you will have gotten to the heart of the phenomenon and spared yourself a lot of nonsense.

A wake up call

"Confrontations" needs to be read by anyone seriously interested in the subject of UFOs, as -- of the literally thousands of books on the subject in circulation -- there is only a mere handful that have anything meaningful to say. Most books on the subject seemed directed at those with a near infantile mentality -- they insult the reader's intelligence, attempt to sensationalize the subject, and present speculation and falsehoods as fact. "Confrontations" not only presents the subject in a sober, sane, and scientific manner, but it is groundbreaking in it's unique methodology. First, Vallee purports that the UFOs are most likely NOT of extraterrestrial origin, but are most likely "multidimensional". Next, he states that they are not "visitors", but instead seem to have been with us since before recorded History, and indeed, may very well predate mankind. He goes on to show numerous examples of how the government, the media, academia, and the "scientific establishment" all seem to show a pattern of working together to discredit anyone who attempts to study the subject or present their research for review -- this phenomenon is well documented and appears to be widespread throughout the United States, whereas in Europe, Asia, and South America it is treated far more seriously. Conversely, fools who promote "ufology" are encouraged to present their narrow-minded fluff on every available medium for cheap entertainment value -- this serves to further discourage and discredit serious researchers. Finally, Vallee makes the important point that not only do the entities associated with UFOs show a pattern of being deceptive, but they can actually be malicious as well -- and frequently are. No "space brothers" hoping to "illuminate and advance" mankind here! His conclusion? Nobody knows exactly what is going on -- in fact, it is possible that the human mind may not even be capable of fathoming the true nature of this phenomenon -- but something is definitely happening, and everyone knows it, but for some reason the subject is being ridiculed rather than studied. A definitive book -- read it!

Very objective perspective

This book is a one of a kind. Vallee does not seem concerned with public opinion of his methods. He has had the most detailed, 1st hand knowledge of UFOs of anyone in the world and provides his assessment of what he has seen. He discusses little known aspects of the UFO witness experience, such as numerous fatalities, severe beatings by invisible assailants long after the sighting, and other obscure data. He takes the UFO expreience out of the realm of science fiction and restores it to the unknown mystery that it truly is. His belief that these things are not from "outer space" is displayed with outstanding explanation. I would recommend this book to anyone who is even remotely interested in UFOs. It has a no nonsense view and is illustrated by ironclad data from the leader of UFO investigators.

Thought-provoking look at UFO research

Jacques Vallee has produced another thought-provoking book on the U.F.O. phenomena. This is the second book of his "Alien trilogy", and it focuses on research methodology. He is especially concerned about the lax methods being used to investigate claims of UFO encounters, where few investigators bother to visit the actual site or interview the witnesses firsthand.Mr. Vallee again questions the extraterrestrial hypothesis, and takes fellow ufologists to task for only listing or collecting evidence that supports their hypothesis. He is especially concerned about the use of hypnosis in "abduction" cases, where the hypnotist may be leading the abductee to report activities that easily fall into the extraterrestrial survey camp.Mr. Vallee offers no conclusive proof or definitive answers, just data and information for the reader to peruse and decide for themselves. This book is a wake-up call to ufologists to strengthen their research methods, and improve the current state of ufology. Perhaps, they should even re-think the questions being asked.While I may not personally agree with all of Mr. Vallee's opinions, I think that he presents a very needed voice of caution and reason in a field fraught with high emotions. This book would make a terrific text for a class on studying paranormal phenomenon, or gather witness reports.