What do you think?
Rate this book
THE BRIMSTONE DECEIT: An In-Depth Examination of Supernatural Scents, Otherworldly Odors, and Monstrous Miasmas
SOMETHING FOUL THIS WAY COMES
Witnesses the world over claim to see spirits, UFOs, Sasquatch, and other phenomena that are not supposed to exist. Most cannot believe their eyes, yet some of these observers have also detected evidence of a more ephemeral nature--odors abound, in particular the stench of brimstone.
In the first book of its kind, Joshua Cutchin, author of the highly praised A Trojan Feast, documents these uncommon scents and poses a startling possibility... that smell is a sense ripe for deception.
We trust our eyes and ears, but should we trust our noses?
Witnesses the world over claim to see spirits, UFOs, Sasquatch, and other phenomena that are not supposed to exist. Most cannot believe their eyes, yet some of these observers have also detected evidence of a more ephemeral nature--odors abound, in particular the stench of brimstone.
In the first book of its kind, Joshua Cutchin, author of the highly praised A Trojan Feast, documents these uncommon scents and poses a startling possibility... that smell is a sense ripe for deception.
We trust our eyes and ears, but should we trust our noses?
- GenresParanormalNonfiction
445 pages, Paperback
Published September 26, 2016
18 people are currently reading
164 people want to read
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 7 of 7 reviews
December 2, 2021
Not many writers on the paranormal manage to be consistently openminded, lucid, and imaginative. Almost all of them fall down when it comes to "lucid".
Cutchin, like John Keel, pulls it off, although less flamboyantly. He reminds me of a 17th-century antiquarian like John Aubrey, urbanely assembling a great mass of bizarre facts not so much to prove anything as to take simple pleasure in the wonder they elicit.
Cutchin avoids shopworn explanatory models (ETs, Pithecanthropus in the Oregon woods, etc.) and mostly limits interpretation to exploring the chemistry behind the various odours associated with the uncanny. He does tentatively theorize that the odours may serve to produce an altered state of consciousness in the witness. An unfortunate epilogue which pokes at a possible alchemical explanation for it all does not spoil his otherwise exemplary work.
Cutchin, like John Keel, pulls it off, although less flamboyantly. He reminds me of a 17th-century antiquarian like John Aubrey, urbanely assembling a great mass of bizarre facts not so much to prove anything as to take simple pleasure in the wonder they elicit.
Cutchin avoids shopworn explanatory models (ETs, Pithecanthropus in the Oregon woods, etc.) and mostly limits interpretation to exploring the chemistry behind the various odours associated with the uncanny. He does tentatively theorize that the odours may serve to produce an altered state of consciousness in the witness. An unfortunate epilogue which pokes at a possible alchemical explanation for it all does not spoil his otherwise exemplary work.
November 14, 2016
Once again Joshua Cutchin knocks it out of the park! As a producer of Expanded Perspectives I'm a big fan of the paranormal, UFOs, Sasquatch, Time Slips and breakaway societies, I've read 100s of books and even more articles and blogs on these various subject's. So many of them cover the same stories over and over again, but Joshua is like a breath of fresh air in this community. He continually looks at these fringe and Fortean topics from an entirely new angle. His first book "A Trojan Feast" was terrific but this latest book is amazing! I've never even considered the concept of strange odors and otherworldly scents being associated with these incredible sightings. Whether it's the smell of gunpowder on an ancient battlefield like Gettysburg, the hint of Ozone surrounding a UFO sighting, the smell of your dead grandfather's favorite pipe to the overpowering smell of sulphur accompanied by a shadow being! Joshua has collected a massive amount of stories, tales and eye witness accounts that shows that so often smells are a major part of someone's unexplained experience. Great work, great idea and a great book! If you are at all interested in the unknown, the strange and the mysterious then you definitely need this book in your collection.
October 31, 2018
Absolutely brilliant!
I read Mr. Cutchin’s first work with great interest but I have to say that this work is even better. The author’s extensive research, passion for the subject and deep thought on the similarities between anomalous events shows through in every paragraph. Mr. Cutchin is that rarity amongst researchers of the strange; he does not answer to a particular paradigm but instead thinks for himself. Read this book but be prepared to have your preconceptions hung out to dry.
I read Mr. Cutchin’s first work with great interest but I have to say that this work is even better. The author’s extensive research, passion for the subject and deep thought on the similarities between anomalous events shows through in every paragraph. Mr. Cutchin is that rarity amongst researchers of the strange; he does not answer to a particular paradigm but instead thinks for himself. Read this book but be prepared to have your preconceptions hung out to dry.
October 29, 2017
Downright scholarly
This was an excellent read: fresh, thorough, and thought-provoking. With over 1,000 references and nearly a quarter of the book devoted to bibliography, The Brimstone Deceit stands apart from many books on the paranormal. The writing is clear and the ideas after genuinely novel--I've been waiting for something like this for a long time. The highest praise I can give it is that it reminds me of Jacques Vallée. I am excited to read more by Cutchin!
This was an excellent read: fresh, thorough, and thought-provoking. With over 1,000 references and nearly a quarter of the book devoted to bibliography, The Brimstone Deceit stands apart from many books on the paranormal. The writing is clear and the ideas after genuinely novel--I've been waiting for something like this for a long time. The highest praise I can give it is that it reminds me of Jacques Vallée. I am excited to read more by Cutchin!
January 22, 2018
This is a thoughtful, fascinating deep dive into the smell of weirdness. Cutchin stacks layer upon layer of information with surgical precision as he painstakingly builds to his own unique, and astoundingly sensible conclusion. Even if you don't love his unifying theories (which I did for their beautiful simplicity and "ah hah" feel) you will still come away having learned a ton of cool things. Highly recommended!
March 18, 2018
Great!
December 12, 2023
Joshua Cutchin has become one of my must-read authors in the paranormal field. This book continues his trend of comparing and contrasting different fields of paranormal study (fae traditions, UFOs, Bigfoot, etc) to find the underlying commonalities, this time focusing on scents and odors.
Prominently featured are smells related to sulfur, decay, and combustion. Cutchin does a great job discussing each, plus others, and why we as humans are so attuned to those types of smells. As is normal, his work is very well written and clear and a strong explanatory voice.
I heartily suggest this book to any paranormal fan, especially those looking for a subject which is a little off the beaten track.
Prominently featured are smells related to sulfur, decay, and combustion. Cutchin does a great job discussing each, plus others, and why we as humans are so attuned to those types of smells. As is normal, his work is very well written and clear and a strong explanatory voice.
I heartily suggest this book to any paranormal fan, especially those looking for a subject which is a little off the beaten track.
Displaying 1 - 7 of 7 reviews