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Visitors from Lanulos: My Contact with Indrid Cold
New Saucerian Press proudly presents the "lost" ufological classic, "Visitors From Lanulos!" Initially published in 1971, this book became perhaps the rarest "contactee" book ever. Prior to its 2014 reissue, there were only a half-dozen copies remaining in the world's library system, with the rest trading for thousands of dollars each.
Woodrow Derenberger, the author of the book, claimed to have had a series of strange adventures beginning on November 2nd, 1966. While driving home from Parkersburg, West Virginia to his suburban home in Mineral Wells, he suddenly found the highway blocked by a large gray object. Someone emerged from the object and walked to the passenger side window of his car. The man introduced himself as "a searcher," and offered words of comfort to Derenberger.
After noting that he would come again, the "spaceman," who called himself "Indrid Cold," stepped back into the object and it rose out of sight. Derenberger went home and told his story to his wife. He then called the police and the press. Soon after, other witnesses came forward to say that they, too, had seen Cold talking to Derenberger by the side of the road. (In time, several locals would have their own encounters with Cold.)
Two days later while driving in his car, Derenberger began to receive telepathic communications from Cold, who described himself as from the "galaxy of Ganymede." Cold also supplied some information about his life, including the observation that people on his planet (Lanulos) lived to be 125 to 175 of our Earth years.
Over the next weeks, other stories would accumulate that substantiated other parts of Derenberger's story, including independent UFO sightings on November 4th. An initial investigation concluded that Derenberger was not a fraud or hoaxer, and was mentally and psychologically sound.
Throughout this period, Derenberger's direct contacts with Indrid Cold continued. He learned much about Cold's people and their desire for friendly contact. In 1967, Cold took Derenberger for a ride in his spaceship. Strangely, they visited the oilfields of Iraq and Afghanistan, as well as Cold's lush, jungle planet, which was populated by beautiful humanoids wearing no clothes.
Derenberger told his story frequently over the next few years, and his story was given extended treatment by Fortean researcher John A. Keel.
Through the 1980s, Derenberger assumed a low profile, though he continued to correspond with a small group of people who believed his accounts. In fact, he forwarded many letters from Cold to these fans. (Cold actually lived in a house in Midway, West Virginia before moving to Cleveland in the 1980s.)
In the years since, other evidence has been discovered pointing to Cold's possible intelligence connections, and the fact that he may have actually piloted an early aerial drone designed by the U.S. military.
Was there an underground flying saucer manufacturing plant near Woody's home, perhaps in Point Pleasant, home of the "Mothman?" Were Cold and his associates trying to bamboozle locals into thinking the military drones were from outer space? Or were they really interdimensional "Men in Black" or "spacemen?" Check out this fascinating read for clues both astounding and confounding.
This indispensable special edition of "Visitors From Lanulos" features introductions by John A. Keel and Taunia Derenberger-Bowman (Woody's daughter), an epilogue by the publisher, Andy Colvin, and a special addendum from Gray Barker. It also sports a beautiful and playful cover by British artist David Sankey.
Woodrow Derenberger, the author of the book, claimed to have had a series of strange adventures beginning on November 2nd, 1966. While driving home from Parkersburg, West Virginia to his suburban home in Mineral Wells, he suddenly found the highway blocked by a large gray object. Someone emerged from the object and walked to the passenger side window of his car. The man introduced himself as "a searcher," and offered words of comfort to Derenberger.
After noting that he would come again, the "spaceman," who called himself "Indrid Cold," stepped back into the object and it rose out of sight. Derenberger went home and told his story to his wife. He then called the police and the press. Soon after, other witnesses came forward to say that they, too, had seen Cold talking to Derenberger by the side of the road. (In time, several locals would have their own encounters with Cold.)
Two days later while driving in his car, Derenberger began to receive telepathic communications from Cold, who described himself as from the "galaxy of Ganymede." Cold also supplied some information about his life, including the observation that people on his planet (Lanulos) lived to be 125 to 175 of our Earth years.
Over the next weeks, other stories would accumulate that substantiated other parts of Derenberger's story, including independent UFO sightings on November 4th. An initial investigation concluded that Derenberger was not a fraud or hoaxer, and was mentally and psychologically sound.
Throughout this period, Derenberger's direct contacts with Indrid Cold continued. He learned much about Cold's people and their desire for friendly contact. In 1967, Cold took Derenberger for a ride in his spaceship. Strangely, they visited the oilfields of Iraq and Afghanistan, as well as Cold's lush, jungle planet, which was populated by beautiful humanoids wearing no clothes.
Derenberger told his story frequently over the next few years, and his story was given extended treatment by Fortean researcher John A. Keel.
Through the 1980s, Derenberger assumed a low profile, though he continued to correspond with a small group of people who believed his accounts. In fact, he forwarded many letters from Cold to these fans. (Cold actually lived in a house in Midway, West Virginia before moving to Cleveland in the 1980s.)
In the years since, other evidence has been discovered pointing to Cold's possible intelligence connections, and the fact that he may have actually piloted an early aerial drone designed by the U.S. military.
Was there an underground flying saucer manufacturing plant near Woody's home, perhaps in Point Pleasant, home of the "Mothman?" Were Cold and his associates trying to bamboozle locals into thinking the military drones were from outer space? Or were they really interdimensional "Men in Black" or "spacemen?" Check out this fascinating read for clues both astounding and confounding.
This indispensable special edition of "Visitors From Lanulos" features introductions by John A. Keel and Taunia Derenberger-Bowman (Woody's daughter), an epilogue by the publisher, Andy Colvin, and a special addendum from Gray Barker. It also sports a beautiful and playful cover by British artist David Sankey.
112 pages, Kindle Edition
Published August 24, 2014
18 people are currently reading
514 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 17 of 17 reviews
October 3, 2021
Semi-nudist, Christian space hippie communists visit a man in West Virginia. The 60s were wild times.
First third of the book is his history of encounters with Indird Cold, a human extraterrestrial. Most of his interactions is the author talking to Indrid during his day through telepathy. Some are in person, often meeting other space people, some include seeing his spacecraft. He is even given several tours to Lanulos (Indrid’s home planet, colonized by humans from Earth millennia ago), Venus (described as a agricultural garden planet), Saturn (which is actually a giant bowl shaped planet with people living on it), and other planets.
Second third describes the way of life on Lanulos, which sounds a lot like communism, with a disclaimer by the author that it is not communism. They don’t wear clothes when it’s warm. Their cities have moving sidewalks. They have no war and love each other. There is a galactic federation based on love. Everything is love… this part of the book was less interesting than one would imagine.
Third part of the book is the author attempting to build credibility through third party witnesses and discussing the US government denial of UFOs.
My conclusion: I don’t believe him. Whether he is lying or sincere is impossible to tell from just the text. He explicitly says he had no physical evidence. He had friends and family members that he says saw or talked to Indrid and other people from Lanulos or other planets, which is some amount of evidence that should be considered. However, clearly Venus has since been found to not be the paradise he described it nor is Saturn a giant bowl. The whole book is also in the UFO zeitgeist of the time: humans on Earth need to stop having wars and love more, the ETs are human looking, they picked someone on Earth they asked to go tell their story and teach people the philosophies of the space people.
It reminds me of Carl Jung’s descriptions of spiritual mediums, who sincerely believed they were in contact with spirits. Jung theorized these were essentially splits in the unconscious of semi-autonomous personalities. I believe something psychological is likely the cause of his experiences.
John Keel wrote the introduction, which his ultimate theory on UFOs and contactees were that they were not interactions with aliens, but with some ancient trickster-type entity that has just changed how it portrays itself. In the past, fairies or spirits, today as UFOs and aliens. This is in contrast with the claims of the author, that these are actual humans from another planet that are here to help us out of their love for us.
The author is now dead, so the ultimate answer will likely never be found.
First third of the book is his history of encounters with Indird Cold, a human extraterrestrial. Most of his interactions is the author talking to Indrid during his day through telepathy. Some are in person, often meeting other space people, some include seeing his spacecraft. He is even given several tours to Lanulos (Indrid’s home planet, colonized by humans from Earth millennia ago), Venus (described as a agricultural garden planet), Saturn (which is actually a giant bowl shaped planet with people living on it), and other planets.
Second third describes the way of life on Lanulos, which sounds a lot like communism, with a disclaimer by the author that it is not communism. They don’t wear clothes when it’s warm. Their cities have moving sidewalks. They have no war and love each other. There is a galactic federation based on love. Everything is love… this part of the book was less interesting than one would imagine.
Third part of the book is the author attempting to build credibility through third party witnesses and discussing the US government denial of UFOs.
My conclusion: I don’t believe him. Whether he is lying or sincere is impossible to tell from just the text. He explicitly says he had no physical evidence. He had friends and family members that he says saw or talked to Indrid and other people from Lanulos or other planets, which is some amount of evidence that should be considered. However, clearly Venus has since been found to not be the paradise he described it nor is Saturn a giant bowl. The whole book is also in the UFO zeitgeist of the time: humans on Earth need to stop having wars and love more, the ETs are human looking, they picked someone on Earth they asked to go tell their story and teach people the philosophies of the space people.
It reminds me of Carl Jung’s descriptions of spiritual mediums, who sincerely believed they were in contact with spirits. Jung theorized these were essentially splits in the unconscious of semi-autonomous personalities. I believe something psychological is likely the cause of his experiences.
John Keel wrote the introduction, which his ultimate theory on UFOs and contactees were that they were not interactions with aliens, but with some ancient trickster-type entity that has just changed how it portrays itself. In the past, fairies or spirits, today as UFOs and aliens. This is in contrast with the claims of the author, that these are actual humans from another planet that are here to help us out of their love for us.
The author is now dead, so the ultimate answer will likely never be found.
October 3, 2020
These old UFO books are funny to read, with all the "cities in Venus" and "inside Saturn people"...
BUT, I am not saying Derenberger was crazy, or a liar...
I think something was happening to him, but it was nothing as it seemed.
He was clearly played around by some weird fellas.
Gonna try to read the book written by the daughter, maybe some weird clues appear :D
BUT, I am not saying Derenberger was crazy, or a liar...
I think something was happening to him, but it was nothing as it seemed.
He was clearly played around by some weird fellas.
Gonna try to read the book written by the daughter, maybe some weird clues appear :D
August 21, 2023
It feels odd giving this book a starred review. It's a book that has value beyond its face, and for that I gave it 4-stars, but that value is nuanced and slightly esoteric.
First, my biases: I don't believe Woodrow Darenberger did the things recounted in this book. I'm also fine with the idea of him earnestly relaying the story exactly how he believes it. There's a lot of room between the idea of space people visitation and a guy simply lying about these events. He could well be telling the truth that he believes, but at points his story crosses into verifiable areas, and ceases to hold up.
We know that Saturn is not bowl-shaped and inhabited by egalitarian farmers. We know Venus is not a flat, slightly hotter than Earth world, inhabited by gorgeous people of small stature. Do these inconsistencies then earn Visitors From Lanulos star demerits? I say "no."
This book's value is rooted more to its historiographical and/or sociological implications. It seems like
a manifestation of the "peace & love" memes of the mid and late 1960s, permeating into other subcultures. It stimulates and perhaps seeks to fill the need we sometimes feel for things larger than ourselves. Religion is the obvious analog here, but for all the ostensible piety of our culture, how many actually believe in a higher power? Maybe not so many as we might think.
And so missing any connection to God, people seek to fill that void with Avengers movies and tales of UFOs. I dunno. It's just a hypothesis.
At any rate, it's not a work of fine prose; the story is pretty ludicrous and the sentiments are certainly tired and trite. One generations grand insights are the next generations platitudes, I suppose. But if you can imagine yourself, sitting at home, reading this book in 1966, it reframes the whole scene. The ideas of peace and love, and the implications of xenophobia might be new to readers of this book. Maybe a 15-year-old reads this book in 1966 and adopts a whole new outlook on humanity and his place in the cosmos. That's powerful stuff.
So, for insight into the middle part of the last century, I give this book 4 stars. As a "true" story of UFOs and/or extraordinary phenomena, and proof of aliens, it doesn't hold up to much scrutiny: zero stars. As a read of science-fiction: 2 & 1/2 stars.
First, my biases: I don't believe Woodrow Darenberger did the things recounted in this book. I'm also fine with the idea of him earnestly relaying the story exactly how he believes it. There's a lot of room between the idea of space people visitation and a guy simply lying about these events. He could well be telling the truth that he believes, but at points his story crosses into verifiable areas, and ceases to hold up.
We know that Saturn is not bowl-shaped and inhabited by egalitarian farmers. We know Venus is not a flat, slightly hotter than Earth world, inhabited by gorgeous people of small stature. Do these inconsistencies then earn Visitors From Lanulos star demerits? I say "no."
This book's value is rooted more to its historiographical and/or sociological implications. It seems like
a manifestation of the "peace & love" memes of the mid and late 1960s, permeating into other subcultures. It stimulates and perhaps seeks to fill the need we sometimes feel for things larger than ourselves. Religion is the obvious analog here, but for all the ostensible piety of our culture, how many actually believe in a higher power? Maybe not so many as we might think.
And so missing any connection to God, people seek to fill that void with Avengers movies and tales of UFOs. I dunno. It's just a hypothesis.
At any rate, it's not a work of fine prose; the story is pretty ludicrous and the sentiments are certainly tired and trite. One generations grand insights are the next generations platitudes, I suppose. But if you can imagine yourself, sitting at home, reading this book in 1966, it reframes the whole scene. The ideas of peace and love, and the implications of xenophobia might be new to readers of this book. Maybe a 15-year-old reads this book in 1966 and adopts a whole new outlook on humanity and his place in the cosmos. That's powerful stuff.
So, for insight into the middle part of the last century, I give this book 4 stars. As a "true" story of UFOs and/or extraordinary phenomena, and proof of aliens, it doesn't hold up to much scrutiny: zero stars. As a read of science-fiction: 2 & 1/2 stars.
January 6, 2016
This is a recent publishing of an old manuscript. It is supposed to be a first hand non-fiction account of someone's experiences with extra terrestrials.
The biggest issue with this book is it feels entirely unbelievable. The places he travels, the things he sees, both seem unlikely as well as sometimes fly in the face of data and pictures we have acquired from NASA missions.
Some of the descriptions feel unfinished. As opposed to going into great detail of how things looked or worked it is typically summarized by comparison to something everyone has seen. But, then there are strange sequences where there is an overload of detail in a situation that the detail is useless.
The writing is sub par really, but this isn't the type of book that is touted for it's literary merit. It is about the information.
Overall it is an odd book. As much as I would like to believe the author, I just can't it is way over the top and oddly put together. Probably a good read for someone who is collecting data on abduction stories, but for the average person who likes ufos/paranormal/conspiracy, this is not really worth the time.
The biggest issue with this book is it feels entirely unbelievable. The places he travels, the things he sees, both seem unlikely as well as sometimes fly in the face of data and pictures we have acquired from NASA missions.
Some of the descriptions feel unfinished. As opposed to going into great detail of how things looked or worked it is typically summarized by comparison to something everyone has seen. But, then there are strange sequences where there is an overload of detail in a situation that the detail is useless.
The writing is sub par really, but this isn't the type of book that is touted for it's literary merit. It is about the information.
Overall it is an odd book. As much as I would like to believe the author, I just can't it is way over the top and oddly put together. Probably a good read for someone who is collecting data on abduction stories, but for the average person who likes ufos/paranormal/conspiracy, this is not really worth the time.
December 25, 2019
I wanted to like this book. I tried to like this book, but I couldn’t. The story of Indrid Cold and Woodward Derenberger was interesting. However, so many facts and details echo science fiction stories written in the 1950’s and 1960’s. Considering this book was originally written in the late 60’s early 70’s, it makes one wonder.
I do respect John Keel’s work and I would like to think he wrote the Introduction because he believed the information in the book is true. Therefore, there are nuggets of good information throughout the book related to UFO sightings and the true origin of the “Men in Black”.
However, what frustrates me the most is the poor quality of writing and editing of the material. There are several places throughout the book that chapters just end or the pages are out of order. This book is just another example the public can use as an example to poke fun at the UFO/paranormal community because of the poor writing/editing of the manuscript.
I do respect John Keel’s work and I would like to think he wrote the Introduction because he believed the information in the book is true. Therefore, there are nuggets of good information throughout the book related to UFO sightings and the true origin of the “Men in Black”.
However, what frustrates me the most is the poor quality of writing and editing of the material. There are several places throughout the book that chapters just end or the pages are out of order. This book is just another example the public can use as an example to poke fun at the UFO/paranormal community because of the poor writing/editing of the manuscript.
December 13, 2024
"No matter who you are or what you are, no one can read your mind, without your consent."
March 12, 2025
My parents were cleaning out their house recently and found this book and asked me if I wanted it. I looked up the book here on Goodreads to get some information about it and noticed that it could be worth money. It’s a first edition from 1971 signed by the author Harold Hubbard to my dad. I asked him how he got it. He said he worked with Harold in alliance, oh and he gave him this signed copy back then. My parents don’t throw anything away! Not the kind of book I’d typically read but whether you believe Woody or not it was definitely interesting.
August 8, 2024
Very interesting! My husband who is not a reader what so ever has even started this book and is enjoying it
January 21, 2025
Silly nonsense
April 13, 2017
Possibly one of the dumbest, oddest books I have read. A man claims aliens from the planet Lanulos have made contact with him. They are super friendly, telepathic, communists (sort of), and nudists. The book is written in a language that borders on infantile. The details are embarrassingly similar to just about any 1950s or 60s science fiction movie you've seen. Even the names of the aliens are dumb - Kletaw stands out as a good example of a classic B-Movie sci-fi name.
"Show me what it means to do what you earthlings call KISS," is the kind of dialogue I kept expecting in this book. It comes close several times.
Aliens are enlightened. They know we reincarnate. They have great technology.
What is this book? Evidence of delusion? Self hypnosis? What?
Reading The Mothman Prophecies got me here. John Keel talks about Woody with an odd mix of praise, polite disbelief, confused semi-belief, and other complicated emotions. Reading Woody's book, it's amazing that anyone would take this story at face value, or even consider it possibly true on any level.
Even Keel's approach - taking the story as some kind of mythic tale, perhaps involving something playful, and teasing, like fae folk or trickster interdimensional energies - seems nuts.
This is all nuts, right? Complete loony tunes craziness, right?
It would be nice if it were true, I suppose. This feels like the gentle fantasies of a not very smart idiot. It is all so goofy. Like the aliens are Christians. Seriously. Woody says this. Plus there are aliens on Venus, Jupiter, etc. And the bad aliens are the "humanoids" - yet another term ripped from bad sci-fi.
It's such a stupid book, really. Cute, sad, delusional, and not very bright. Unimaginative, even. I would hope aliens with amazing technology would be capable of so much more than what is detailed in this text.
"Show me what it means to do what you earthlings call KISS," is the kind of dialogue I kept expecting in this book. It comes close several times.
Aliens are enlightened. They know we reincarnate. They have great technology.
What is this book? Evidence of delusion? Self hypnosis? What?
Reading The Mothman Prophecies got me here. John Keel talks about Woody with an odd mix of praise, polite disbelief, confused semi-belief, and other complicated emotions. Reading Woody's book, it's amazing that anyone would take this story at face value, or even consider it possibly true on any level.
Even Keel's approach - taking the story as some kind of mythic tale, perhaps involving something playful, and teasing, like fae folk or trickster interdimensional energies - seems nuts.
This is all nuts, right? Complete loony tunes craziness, right?
It would be nice if it were true, I suppose. This feels like the gentle fantasies of a not very smart idiot. It is all so goofy. Like the aliens are Christians. Seriously. Woody says this. Plus there are aliens on Venus, Jupiter, etc. And the bad aliens are the "humanoids" - yet another term ripped from bad sci-fi.
It's such a stupid book, really. Cute, sad, delusional, and not very bright. Unimaginative, even. I would hope aliens with amazing technology would be capable of so much more than what is detailed in this text.
April 25, 2015
Visitors From Lanulos was a super neat audiobook. While listening to Woody's story I felt almost certain I'd heard this story before at some time in my life. I found it to be extremely enjoyable and undeniably believable. But the question still exists as to who Indrid Cold was. A person or a 'spaceman'.
Sure, there are a lot of skeptics and naysayers but on the other hand, there are most likely even more believers. Either way, one can't ignore the fluidity of peace and love in the Universe and in this memoir. Listening to this story was so easy. It was sincere, thoughtful, and very relaxing. I would definitely recommend listening to this audiobook. The message is clear.
Indrid Cold taught Woody how to communicate by thought transference or telepathy. Woody was surprised at how easily this could be done. *About the Introduction and Publisher's Note: Both were great with insight into the story which made it more personal. I know I'll listen to this story again.
About the narrator: John N Gully did an outstanding job narrating this memoir. He made it feel real. It was as if Woodrow Derenberger were telling his own story. It was very nice and very well done. Bravo!
Sure, there are a lot of skeptics and naysayers but on the other hand, there are most likely even more believers. Either way, one can't ignore the fluidity of peace and love in the Universe and in this memoir. Listening to this story was so easy. It was sincere, thoughtful, and very relaxing. I would definitely recommend listening to this audiobook. The message is clear.
Indrid Cold taught Woody how to communicate by thought transference or telepathy. Woody was surprised at how easily this could be done. *About the Introduction and Publisher's Note: Both were great with insight into the story which made it more personal. I know I'll listen to this story again.
About the narrator: John N Gully did an outstanding job narrating this memoir. He made it feel real. It was as if Woodrow Derenberger were telling his own story. It was very nice and very well done. Bravo!
December 24, 2023
A big let down. . . .
Spacemen named "Daryl," enough said. But, if you want more, there are descriptions of the Moon, Venus, and Saturn that are wildly inconsistent with 50+ years of space science. Aliens who are Christians. Ancient humans with the capability to build spacecraft, but no explanation of how or why we became ignorant of advanced science afterwards. Aliens from a planet "not as powerful as [ours]" who can travel vast distances through space in very, very short times. Derenberger says they aren't powerful yet then says the aliens could simply attack our planet with their "powerful space ships" and we couldn't do anything about it. Space people who waste time and resources using their ships to follow one insignificant human family on their daily errands. Interstellar craft at the beck and call of an insignificant salesman in West Virginia solely so he can impress his friends. I liked Woody Derenberger in John Keel's book, but "Visitors From Lanulos" left no doubt Woody was a fraud - maybe with good intentions - but a fraud nevertheless.
Spacemen named "Daryl," enough said. But, if you want more, there are descriptions of the Moon, Venus, and Saturn that are wildly inconsistent with 50+ years of space science. Aliens who are Christians. Ancient humans with the capability to build spacecraft, but no explanation of how or why we became ignorant of advanced science afterwards. Aliens from a planet "not as powerful as [ours]" who can travel vast distances through space in very, very short times. Derenberger says they aren't powerful yet then says the aliens could simply attack our planet with their "powerful space ships" and we couldn't do anything about it. Space people who waste time and resources using their ships to follow one insignificant human family on their daily errands. Interstellar craft at the beck and call of an insignificant salesman in West Virginia solely so he can impress his friends. I liked Woody Derenberger in John Keel's book, but "Visitors From Lanulos" left no doubt Woody was a fraud - maybe with good intentions - but a fraud nevertheless.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
November 28, 2023
This one is a bit of a thought provoking. The book is really small, i would love some more details on the book, Keel and others guarantee that Derenberger is very reliable, he passed the psychiatrical test, but a lot of his stories are as absurd as Menger's and Adamski's, so why his story is legit and the others aren't? Probably all of them are, and we still know very little about the Abduction phenomena and the contactees are just a variation on that.
April 24, 2015
This is a story of an early ufo contact and how it affected a man and his community.The story was well written.A very good short story read by John N Gully,who did a fine job reading in a professional 'x files' manner.I was gifted a copy for a fair review.
April 26, 2017
À good read
Thought provoking ideas and experiences were presented in this clearly written and down to earth book. I gave it four stars due to miss spelled words and some editing errors.
Thought provoking ideas and experiences were presented in this clearly written and down to earth book. I gave it four stars due to miss spelled words and some editing errors.
January 11, 2021
Very interesting
I was happy to read a book about a contacted case I had never heard of before. I also had never heard about people who were able to choose to move to other planets.
I was happy to read a book about a contacted case I had never heard of before. I also had never heard about people who were able to choose to move to other planets.
August 12, 2018
Couldn't put it down!
An excellent read, entertaining. And inspiring. Wish more would take this seriously. Nevertheless, i Would recommend to any skeptic, or believer!😁😉😃
An excellent read, entertaining. And inspiring. Wish more would take this seriously. Nevertheless, i Would recommend to any skeptic, or believer!😁😉😃
Displaying 1 - 17 of 17 reviews