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The Eighth Tower
John Keel's disturbing follow-up to THE MOTHMAN PROPHECIES! Is there a single intelligent force behind all religious, occult, and UFO phenomena?
Strange manifestations have haunted humans since prehistoric times. Beams of light, voices from the heavens, the "little people," gods and devils, ghosts and monsters, and UFOs, have all had a prominent place in our history and legends. In this dark work, John Keel explores these phenomena, and in doing so reveals the shocking truth about our present position and future destiny in the cosmic scheme of things.
Are we pawns in a celestial game?
In the Orient, there is a story told of the seven towers. These citadels, well hidden from mankind, are occupied by groups of Satanists who are chanting the world to ruin. Perhaps this is just a story; perhaps there is some truth behind it. But what if there is yet another tower, a tower not of good or evil but of infinite power? What if all our destinies are controlled by this cosmic force for its own mysterious purposes? And what if UFOs and other paranormal manifestations are merely tools being used to manipulate us and guide us toward the cosmic role we are fated to play? Perhaps, after all, we are not independent beings but are instead the creations and slaves of the eighth tower.
Strange manifestations have haunted humans since prehistoric times. Beams of light, voices from the heavens, the "little people," gods and devils, ghosts and monsters, and UFOs, have all had a prominent place in our history and legends. In this dark work, John Keel explores these phenomena, and in doing so reveals the shocking truth about our present position and future destiny in the cosmic scheme of things.
Are we pawns in a celestial game?
In the Orient, there is a story told of the seven towers. These citadels, well hidden from mankind, are occupied by groups of Satanists who are chanting the world to ruin. Perhaps this is just a story; perhaps there is some truth behind it. But what if there is yet another tower, a tower not of good or evil but of infinite power? What if all our destinies are controlled by this cosmic force for its own mysterious purposes? And what if UFOs and other paranormal manifestations are merely tools being used to manipulate us and guide us toward the cosmic role we are fated to play? Perhaps, after all, we are not independent beings but are instead the creations and slaves of the eighth tower.
203 pages, Mass Market Paperback
First published December 31, 2013
119 people are currently reading
1555 people want to read
About the author
John A. Keel
75 books250 followersJohn Alva Keel (born Alva John Kiehle) was a Fortean author and professional journalist.
Keel wrote professionally from the age of 12, and was best known for his writings on unidentified flying objects, the "Mothman" of West Virginia, and other paranormal subjects. Keel was arguably one of the most widely read and influential ufologists since the early 1970s. Although his own thoughts about UFOs and associated anomalous phenomena gradually evolved since the mid 1960s, Keel remained one of ufology's most original and controversial researchers. It was Keel's second book, UFOs: Operation Trojan Horse (1970), that popularized the idea that many aspects of contemporary UFO reports, including humanoid encounters, often paralleled ancient folklore and religious encounters. Keel coined the term "men in black" to describe the mysterious figures alleged to harass UFO witnesses and he also argued that there is a direct relationship between UFOs and psychic phenomena. He did not call himself a ufologist and preferred the term Fortean, which encompasses a wide range of paranormal subjects.
Keel wrote professionally from the age of 12, and was best known for his writings on unidentified flying objects, the "Mothman" of West Virginia, and other paranormal subjects. Keel was arguably one of the most widely read and influential ufologists since the early 1970s. Although his own thoughts about UFOs and associated anomalous phenomena gradually evolved since the mid 1960s, Keel remained one of ufology's most original and controversial researchers. It was Keel's second book, UFOs: Operation Trojan Horse (1970), that popularized the idea that many aspects of contemporary UFO reports, including humanoid encounters, often paralleled ancient folklore and religious encounters. Keel coined the term "men in black" to describe the mysterious figures alleged to harass UFO witnesses and he also argued that there is a direct relationship between UFOs and psychic phenomena. He did not call himself a ufologist and preferred the term Fortean, which encompasses a wide range of paranormal subjects.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 72 reviews
March 29, 2020
A barrage of baseless assertions, unsupported arguments, and occasional outright errors ultimately balanced out by some striking metaphysical speculation - the final chapter reads like a Fortean version of Ligotti's 'Conspiracy Against the Human Race'; a very hesitant three stars.
May 18, 2018
How well you like this book by John Keel depends on your ability to digest the type of cheese he's serving up. I love this type of cheese. Keel claims at one point that angels glow because they are radioactive.
When I was a teenager, I dismissed Keel because I only knew him from the Mothman book, and that being a local phenomenon, I couldn't appreciate that text. If only I had known how universally strange Keel was, I probably would have read this book years ago.
Bottomline: Keel is much easier to read than Charles Fort. I really, really want to like Fort, but I can never tell what point he's trying to make. Keel is much more accessible.
When I was a teenager, I dismissed Keel because I only knew him from the Mothman book, and that being a local phenomenon, I couldn't appreciate that text. If only I had known how universally strange Keel was, I probably would have read this book years ago.
Bottomline: Keel is much easier to read than Charles Fort. I really, really want to like Fort, but I can never tell what point he's trying to make. Keel is much more accessible.
March 30, 2014
Excellent! Thanks to the Anomalist Press for reprinting this and thanks to Nick Redfern for mentioning it.
This book started out as an expansion on 50 pages of material that were cut from his better known The Mothman Prophecies. It ends up being Keel's search for a unified field theory of the paranormal.
In reading this book, there were times when I wished he had access to more recent scientific discoveries when he was writing this. That said, even though I may differ with him on some particulars, the direction of his thinking is similar enough to the direction of my own. The most important thing is that this book has given me a lot to think about. I think that's all you can really ask of a good book.
This book started out as an expansion on 50 pages of material that were cut from his better known The Mothman Prophecies. It ends up being Keel's search for a unified field theory of the paranormal.
In reading this book, there were times when I wished he had access to more recent scientific discoveries when he was writing this. That said, even though I may differ with him on some particulars, the direction of his thinking is similar enough to the direction of my own. The most important thing is that this book has given me a lot to think about. I think that's all you can really ask of a good book.
April 26, 2022
Picture the scene: It's 1897, you're a Kansas cattle farmer with the unlikely name of Alexander Hamilton. One day you're with your son and an employee, just minding your own business when all of a sudden a cigar-shaped UFO appears over your ranch. No sooner can you ask what in tarnation than a group of six aliens have lassoed one of your cows with a rope, pulled it into their ship and made good their escape. Of course, you might well have made it up, being a member of a local liars' club, but it's an insane story. It's the kind of story that helped make The Iron Skeptic one of my favourite websites back in the day. Approach that kind of tale with a certain humour and scepticism and it'll make for a great read.
Humour and scepticism were not talents that John Keel had in his repertoire. The above story takes up all of two or three sentences in The Eighth Tower and you'd better believe Keel isn't interested in the inconvenient facts or comedy of the matter. The rest of the book -- in which Keel advances the incredible theory that the world is one big simulation -- is similarly humourless, which is quite an accomplishment when one considers the ludicrousness of Keel's beliefs and methods. Here's an author who seems to make stuff up on the fly, who cites mythology over demonstrable facts, who explains away the absence of corroborating evidence for his own belief in flying saucers and Bigfoot by latching onto the interdimensional hypothesis.
Armed with a feeble grasp of historiography, Keel develops an elaborate, conspiracy-ridden counter-narrative to reality that prizes his own beliefs (or delusions, depending on how charitable you're feeling) over anything substantial. And why wouldn't we take Keel's word for it? He was, after all, capable of telepathy and mind control (yes, he actually says this). Using his superhuman skills, Keel is able to see through the fiction of history to the bigger, incomprehensible truths. We are meat puppets under the direction of a supreme force (think The Sims crossed with Stephen King's Under the Dome and various ancient myths). Bigfoot doesn't poop or die in the woods because he does that stuff on the other side of his portal, provided sightings of Bigfoot and other such cryptids aren't just the human mind's baffled attempts to give shape to some astral disruption it cannot grasp. [citations desperately needed]
If you want David Icke without lizardmen in dresses and the bedrock of anti-Semitism, then boy have I got a book for you. If you want something that makes any kind of sense, written by an author with any semblance of credibility, maybe look elsewhere. Hell, if stories of alien abduction and UFO sightings are your bag, Budd Hopkins is a much better writer than Keel ever was. This is an ordeal of a book, dull as dishwater and about as palatable too. At a certain point I decided that Keel was trying to bore me into submission. He was only partially successful.
Humour and scepticism were not talents that John Keel had in his repertoire. The above story takes up all of two or three sentences in The Eighth Tower and you'd better believe Keel isn't interested in the inconvenient facts or comedy of the matter. The rest of the book -- in which Keel advances the incredible theory that the world is one big simulation -- is similarly humourless, which is quite an accomplishment when one considers the ludicrousness of Keel's beliefs and methods. Here's an author who seems to make stuff up on the fly, who cites mythology over demonstrable facts, who explains away the absence of corroborating evidence for his own belief in flying saucers and Bigfoot by latching onto the interdimensional hypothesis.
Armed with a feeble grasp of historiography, Keel develops an elaborate, conspiracy-ridden counter-narrative to reality that prizes his own beliefs (or delusions, depending on how charitable you're feeling) over anything substantial. And why wouldn't we take Keel's word for it? He was, after all, capable of telepathy and mind control (yes, he actually says this). Using his superhuman skills, Keel is able to see through the fiction of history to the bigger, incomprehensible truths. We are meat puppets under the direction of a supreme force (think The Sims crossed with Stephen King's Under the Dome and various ancient myths). Bigfoot doesn't poop or die in the woods because he does that stuff on the other side of his portal, provided sightings of Bigfoot and other such cryptids aren't just the human mind's baffled attempts to give shape to some astral disruption it cannot grasp. [citations desperately needed]
If you want David Icke without lizardmen in dresses and the bedrock of anti-Semitism, then boy have I got a book for you. If you want something that makes any kind of sense, written by an author with any semblance of credibility, maybe look elsewhere. Hell, if stories of alien abduction and UFO sightings are your bag, Budd Hopkins is a much better writer than Keel ever was. This is an ordeal of a book, dull as dishwater and about as palatable too. At a certain point I decided that Keel was trying to bore me into submission. He was only partially successful.
February 14, 2017
Not Keels best work but I know this is made up of material on the cutting room floor from THE MOTHMAN PROPHECIES. I must say the Writers of THE MATRIX must have read this book however .I have read most of Keels work but as far as this book is concerned I can see he is either extremely gullible or he is plying his odd sense of humor again.I am not sure here as He seems to mention as fact known hoaxes such as the Arthur Conan Doyle fairy photographs and a few other such cases.I recommend instead OUR HAUNTED PLANET.
September 3, 2014
Highly entertaining fortean folklore zaniness. Or is it???
January 24, 2020
If The Mothman Prophecies was the book to bring Keel into the light and expose him as the genius that we've been waiting for, The Eighth Tower is the book to forcibly shove him back where he came from and shame him.
Let's be honest with ourselves, Keel didn't publish this work before he popped for a reason. The science is bad, the references to mythology and history and other experiences are in many cases misrepresented *at best*, and at least in the Kindle version there are spelling mistakes abound.
There will always be a special place in my heart for Keel after The Mothman Prophecies, but I cannot bring myself to give this incoherent ramble a good review, especially after that last chapter.
2/5 stars, it would have been one but I do occasionally find diamonds while diving in this septic tank.
Let's be honest with ourselves, Keel didn't publish this work before he popped for a reason. The science is bad, the references to mythology and history and other experiences are in many cases misrepresented *at best*, and at least in the Kindle version there are spelling mistakes abound.
There will always be a special place in my heart for Keel after The Mothman Prophecies, but I cannot bring myself to give this incoherent ramble a good review, especially after that last chapter.
2/5 stars, it would have been one but I do occasionally find diamonds while diving in this septic tank.
November 11, 2023
John Keel is perhaps the most thought provoking writer of the paranormal. His book on the so called "Mothman" is definitely up there with other masterpieces of narrative journalism, but his biggest contribution to "ufology" can be considered his more holistic, spiritual approach to the phenomenon. According to him, ghosts, ufos, bigfoot and other such apparitions are the product of something in the universe called "the superspectrum". An unconscious mass of energy bound to the intrinsic fabric of the universe. This "superspectrum" is able to subtly influence human affairs (like in the case of prophets and visionaries) and is in turn influenced by humanity's unconscious drives and desires. What I find interesting about Keel is that he eschews the typical new age narrative that somehow the spectrum loves us and in turn wants us to be better and evolve as a species. Rather, the superspectrum is an amoral entity that does not follow any providential plan or seek to save us. Rather, we humans are just a powerless speck of dust trapped in its cosmic turbine, playing with us like a child smashing toy soldiers together.
June 5, 2020
Самое внятное и последовательное изложение Килом его конденсированного мироустройства с его в высшей степени преемственным мифосом. Вполне непротиворечиво и бесценно. Вот только для того, чтобы оценить всю красоту и изящество его построений и выводов, лучше держать в голове все им написанное раньше (этого немного, но оно обязательно для полноты картины).
Не без глупостей, конечно. Например, цитируя старую газету начала 19 века, автор признается, что ни на одной карте не обнаружил города, в котором происходит действие некоторого "одержания". Возможно, заключает автор, название с тех пор поменялось, а может, такого города и не существовало вовсе. Тут хочется просто обнять его и гладить по бедной квадратной голове, потому что речь идет о бельгийском Ниме. Рассказ Конана Дойла "When the World Screamed" контаминируется у него со шлоковой классикой кино и превращается в "The Day the Earth Screamed". Также весьма потешны его полные скрытого ужаса рассуждения о банковских картах и о том, каким мир станет к 2000 году. Хотя никакую пандемию он не пророчит.
Не без глупостей, конечно. Например, цитируя старую газету начала 19 века, автор признается, что ни на одной карте не обнаружил города, в котором происходит действие некоторого "одержания". Возможно, заключает автор, название с тех пор поменялось, а может, такого города и не существовало вовсе. Тут хочется просто обнять его и гладить по бедной квадратной голове, потому что речь идет о бельгийском Ниме. Рассказ Конана Дойла "When the World Screamed" контаминируется у него со шлоковой классикой кино и превращается в "The Day the Earth Screamed". Также весьма потешны его полные скрытого ужаса рассуждения о банковских картах и о том, каким мир станет к 2000 году. Хотя никакую пандемию он не пророчит.
October 14, 2007
"The Eighth Tower" is not an easy book to read. It's disquieting, depressing and even a bit boring at times. However, to those interested in the UFO and related paranormal phenomena, this is an essential work. Keel, whose most famous work is "The Mothman Prophecies," isn't your average ufologist. He clearly leans against an extraterrestrial origin, and trots out some bizarre, Charles Fort-type speculation in order to explain the phenomenon. One quibble I've always had with Keel's work is his refusal to provide sources; it's hard to completely trust any non-fiction work without footnotes, especially when the author is detailing some truly incredible reports. "The Eighth Tower" is not for everyone, but it is a thought-provoking, important work.
September 11, 2018
3.5
I still have no idea what I have read. The book is a mixture of thoughts and rants by John A. Keel. This feels like he sat down and just wrote what was flowing through his head at that given time. It's not a bad thing but if you're looking for a structured argument, this is not going to be that book.
John A. Keel offers some of his insight into the world of Religion, UFO and Ghosts. Some of the most interesting topics are that of religion and when he is talking about the reasoning behind them, I was glued to the book. My only real issue is he didn't really dive into any of it. It is food for thought but I won't be using his thoughts to argue at any dinner conversation. He offers no real documented evidence, more insights of books he has read on topics. I just feel this is an open ended book with no true meaning.
Ghost topics are a dime a dozen and over the years I have spoken to people who have claimed stories of their own.
I'll finish this one later
I still have no idea what I have read. The book is a mixture of thoughts and rants by John A. Keel. This feels like he sat down and just wrote what was flowing through his head at that given time. It's not a bad thing but if you're looking for a structured argument, this is not going to be that book.
John A. Keel offers some of his insight into the world of Religion, UFO and Ghosts. Some of the most interesting topics are that of religion and when he is talking about the reasoning behind them, I was glued to the book. My only real issue is he didn't really dive into any of it. It is food for thought but I won't be using his thoughts to argue at any dinner conversation. He offers no real documented evidence, more insights of books he has read on topics. I just feel this is an open ended book with no true meaning.
Ghost topics are a dime a dozen and over the years I have spoken to people who have claimed stories of their own.
I'll finish this one later
October 21, 2016
The most demented, wild-eyed "devil theory" of Keel, an intelectual excercise regarding the origins of our myths and religions. I think this book was composed from material left out of The Mothman Prophecies. What a book that would have been had it been left complete! Keel never disappoints!
October 22, 2019
Many interesting cases
Really very interesting cases, the author shows many of those and exposes his own theories and beliefs about it, with a very pessimistic and dark vision of reality.
Really very interesting cases, the author shows many of those and exposes his own theories and beliefs about it, with a very pessimistic and dark vision of reality.
January 23, 2025
This is my first foray into Keel's daunting bibliography. For years I've heard that his ideas were things to be revered. Maybe for that reason alone I avoided him, until now.
The Eighth Tower, while maybe not the most *scientifically* sound, runs the gamut when it comes to chipping away at humanity's most long-asked questions. Keel's various misunderstandings of the electromagnetic spectrum (And who can blame him? This was written in the 70s, and he was not a scientist!) yield for a beautiful interpretation of the phrase "We are the universe experiencing itself."
From UFOs to Bigfoot to the Ark of the Covenant, Keel proposes that humanity, since before recorded history, has been subject to the manipulatory will of a force outside of our control that he dubs the "Superspectrum". It harnesses our energies for its own mysterious purposes, and possibly resides in/on/around Earth as a useless but active artifact of a consciousness long gone. For John Keel, the importance of the supernatural resides not in its ability to be proven or measured, but in its uncanny ability to influence us and guide us through times of great progress, for better or worse.
To explain the feeling this book gave me would be like explaining to you that I'd seen a ghost, or connected with a spirit through seance. I may not fully understand it, but it gave me a greater sense of purpose, and fulfilled my need to seek out and understand the unknown. Mystery is beautiful, and so was John Keel.
The Eighth Tower, while maybe not the most *scientifically* sound, runs the gamut when it comes to chipping away at humanity's most long-asked questions. Keel's various misunderstandings of the electromagnetic spectrum (And who can blame him? This was written in the 70s, and he was not a scientist!) yield for a beautiful interpretation of the phrase "We are the universe experiencing itself."
From UFOs to Bigfoot to the Ark of the Covenant, Keel proposes that humanity, since before recorded history, has been subject to the manipulatory will of a force outside of our control that he dubs the "Superspectrum". It harnesses our energies for its own mysterious purposes, and possibly resides in/on/around Earth as a useless but active artifact of a consciousness long gone. For John Keel, the importance of the supernatural resides not in its ability to be proven or measured, but in its uncanny ability to influence us and guide us through times of great progress, for better or worse.
To explain the feeling this book gave me would be like explaining to you that I'd seen a ghost, or connected with a spirit through seance. I may not fully understand it, but it gave me a greater sense of purpose, and fulfilled my need to seek out and understand the unknown. Mystery is beautiful, and so was John Keel.
December 6, 2018
I would put this in the must read category (along with another of Keel's books, Operation Trojan Horse) for any paranormal enthusiast. I'm not sure I agree with what Keel is selling as far as his "ultraterrestrials" and "superspectrum" goes, but his ideas are definitely worthy of consideration. There is an aspect to Keelian thought I can absolutely agree with: There is an unseen intelligence meddling in human affairs for reasons unknown. Beyond that, I just don't know what to think.
If you want my advice—don't think too hard on the material presented in this book. The answers, if there are any, are more disturbing than the questions.
If you want my advice—don't think too hard on the material presented in this book. The answers, if there are any, are more disturbing than the questions.
August 19, 2020
This book focuses on Keel's 'superspectrum' theory and he applies it not just to the ufo phenomenon, but all paranormal phenomena. We obviously don't know the real explanation behind these phenomena yet, we need more data and scientific analysis to be applied to the reliable witness testimony and evidence available. One thing is for certain, these paranormal events do occur, but the mystery persists, hopefully we are edging closer to answers, but perhaps it will always remain unknowable to us? I didn't enjoy this book as much as I did 'Operation Trojan Horse', also by Keel. My recommendation is to read Operation Trojan Horse, before this.
April 14, 2015
Super Special!
John Keel weaves together a wonderful brew of high strangeness into an enigma entitled the Superspectrum....and does it with entertaining persuasiveness. The next time I encounter a sulfurous odor I'll no longer simply glare at the nearest person standing next to me.
John Keel weaves together a wonderful brew of high strangeness into an enigma entitled the Superspectrum....and does it with entertaining persuasiveness. The next time I encounter a sulfurous odor I'll no longer simply glare at the nearest person standing next to me.
November 19, 2008
It has been a few years since I have read this book. It was a gift from my husband and was quite a find. It is a collectors item as it is a first edition. I am bragging.. I would have to re-read it in order to offer a proper review.
August 20, 2009
John Keel died last month. He's one of my favorite researchers and reporters of paranormal phenomena. Please read my overview article here:
http://www.examiner.com/examiner/x-83...
http://www.examiner.com/examiner/x-83...
May 17, 2018
suitable as a first book into quixotic literature
I was expecting more zaniness, and less of a review of well trodden examples of quixotic phenomena! there is some heretical speculation, entirely unique to Keel, but it was too sparse. ?
I was expecting more zaniness, and less of a review of well trodden examples of quixotic phenomena! there is some heretical speculation, entirely unique to Keel, but it was too sparse. ?
November 1, 2024
Assaig aclaparador escrit per un dels grans de la ufologia. Un autèntic torrent d'idees que va saltant d'un tema a l'altre intentant guanyar-se el lector. M'ha recordat l'estil de Von Däniken, però molt més estimulant. Keel és massa crèdul, però presenta teories ben interessants.
December 12, 2011
Despite some connections that strain credulity, this is a terrifying book, and one my favorite in UFO research.
January 28, 2019
This is one of the nest books on the paranormal I've ever read . I was astonished at the information presented!
July 28, 2019
Really great ideas but had to start skimming after two-thirds.
October 17, 2023
Keel rejects the extraterrestrial hypothesis for UFOs and relates flying saucers to fairies, ghosts and bigfoot etc- basically all 'paranormal' phenomena and generates a separate hypothesis wherein these are part of a single 'superspectrum' of entities, flowing into and out of the perceptible range of our sensory apparatuses from.. elsewhere. He follows Charles Fort and precedes JR Jorjani in essentially seeing our reality as subject to the machinations of some cosmic 'trickster' intelligence, though unlike Jorjani- who sees this entity as somewhat beneficent in its attempt to use us to foster perpetual innovation, Keel is more pessimistic, and believes that 'the devil is more generous than god', after noting how so many people that interact with paranormal phenomenon are soon befallen by crushing tragedy. Keels' view is fairly aligned with Jung's take on the flying saucer phenomenon, which he cites explicitly.
Overall this book was pretty interesting, and concise, despite some very normie tier takes and nods to obviously concocted mainstream histories. Its perhaps novel how Keel is so dismissive of the significance of paranormal phenomenon, while also affirming the veracity of their occurrence- that was something we hadn't run into before.
Overall this book was pretty interesting, and concise, despite some very normie tier takes and nods to obviously concocted mainstream histories. Its perhaps novel how Keel is so dismissive of the significance of paranormal phenomenon, while also affirming the veracity of their occurrence- that was something we hadn't run into before.
March 9, 2025
This is my first real experience with the work of John Keel, so my opinion may be a bit more cynical than those familiar with his work.
The most interesting part to me was when he spoke about gold/similar metals being a semi-conductor or transmitter of sorts (like for the Ark of the Covenant or the brass serpent of Moses). I found his discussion of EMF and the superspectrum as it relates to phenomena we call gods intriguing, and I appreciated that his considerations caused me to think more deeply about what I “know” and believe.
My perception by the end of the book is that Keel’s viewpoints seem rather jaded and pessimistic, as if all humankind is doomed to cycle through various devil theories while consciously or unconsciously submitting to a kind of supercomputer that controls us all while under the illusion of having free will. While I don’t claim to understand the nature of reality and can readily admit that some of his conclusions could have truth in them, they seem to arrive at a rather depressing end.
I can agree there is much in life we just don’t know (and can’t know), but the idea that humans are a kind of robot doomed to repeat history over and over while the phenomena play us like puppets feels rather reductive to me.
The most interesting part to me was when he spoke about gold/similar metals being a semi-conductor or transmitter of sorts (like for the Ark of the Covenant or the brass serpent of Moses). I found his discussion of EMF and the superspectrum as it relates to phenomena we call gods intriguing, and I appreciated that his considerations caused me to think more deeply about what I “know” and believe.
My perception by the end of the book is that Keel’s viewpoints seem rather jaded and pessimistic, as if all humankind is doomed to cycle through various devil theories while consciously or unconsciously submitting to a kind of supercomputer that controls us all while under the illusion of having free will. While I don’t claim to understand the nature of reality and can readily admit that some of his conclusions could have truth in them, they seem to arrive at a rather depressing end.
I can agree there is much in life we just don’t know (and can’t know), but the idea that humans are a kind of robot doomed to repeat history over and over while the phenomena play us like puppets feels rather reductive to me.
October 23, 2019
This book is primarily made up of material originally collected for The Mothman Prophecies and if you haven’t read that book yet then do so before you pick up this one. It is better focused and touches on many of the same topics.
From ancient religious manifestations, to faerie appearances, to UFO encounters, Keel ties them all together claiming they are exact same phenomena. The nature of the experience has changed, because it is a reflection of how humanity has changed. In the old days we would assume anything strange was connected to one’s own religion (Saul on the way of Damascus), but later on as sci-fi films really started to catch on then the odd encounters, lights in the sky, mysterious entities became creatures from other worlds.
Things start to spin off the rails when Keel tries his hand at science. Using it to describe local phenomenon and how things act in relation to UFO experience, from audio and visual blips, to odd magnetization, to high levels of gamma radiation. There are many “studies have shown” or “polls indicate” or “many scientists believe” statements without any citing of sources. His credibility is further weakened by propping up various writers (such as Erich Von Donniken, Chariots of the Gods) and theories which were popular back in the day (this book was originally written in the 1970s) but have since been discredited over and over again.
If he had simply discussed his ideas without veering far past his technical competency then it would be a different story, but he had to make an attempt for his ideas to seem “real” to skeptics who wouldn��t believe him no matter what.
From ancient religious manifestations, to faerie appearances, to UFO encounters, Keel ties them all together claiming they are exact same phenomena. The nature of the experience has changed, because it is a reflection of how humanity has changed. In the old days we would assume anything strange was connected to one’s own religion (Saul on the way of Damascus), but later on as sci-fi films really started to catch on then the odd encounters, lights in the sky, mysterious entities became creatures from other worlds.
Things start to spin off the rails when Keel tries his hand at science. Using it to describe local phenomenon and how things act in relation to UFO experience, from audio and visual blips, to odd magnetization, to high levels of gamma radiation. There are many “studies have shown” or “polls indicate” or “many scientists believe” statements without any citing of sources. His credibility is further weakened by propping up various writers (such as Erich Von Donniken, Chariots of the Gods) and theories which were popular back in the day (this book was originally written in the 1970s) but have since been discredited over and over again.
If he had simply discussed his ideas without veering far past his technical competency then it would be a different story, but he had to make an attempt for his ideas to seem “real” to skeptics who wouldn��t believe him no matter what.
December 28, 2020
As a Christian, I really appreciate Keel, which is why I'm giving the book four stars. I don't think he was far from the kingdom with his Unified Theory of the Paranormal, and I believe it for the most part, with a few tweaks, it is an accurate account of the phenomena that occur in the world and usable.
However, I must say his argumentation for thinking that Jesus was just another myth like any other myth is now thoroughly dated. Very few, if any, in academia still argue this. Sure, Christianity has mythic elements, but that's not to discredit it. In fact, it is as Tolkien and Lewis contended, "Christianity is the true myth." Christianity did not occur in a vacuum, but in a world that shared mythic stories and had real eschatological expectations of a coming Messiah. The fact that Christianity has mythic elements makes it more plausible, not less. Especially with the historical evidence of the resurrection of Jesus.
Also, I have a slight disagreement with Keel that angels and demons are just one of many Ultraterrestrials who reside in the Superspectrum. He's close, but I would contend that behind all of UT who reside in the Superspectrum are what the Bible refers to as spiritual beings (elohim). There are various kinds of spiritual beings from angels, fallen angels, demons, elemental spirits, principalities, archangels, etc.
But, overall, thought-provoking read. I appreciate Keel's work.
However, I must say his argumentation for thinking that Jesus was just another myth like any other myth is now thoroughly dated. Very few, if any, in academia still argue this. Sure, Christianity has mythic elements, but that's not to discredit it. In fact, it is as Tolkien and Lewis contended, "Christianity is the true myth." Christianity did not occur in a vacuum, but in a world that shared mythic stories and had real eschatological expectations of a coming Messiah. The fact that Christianity has mythic elements makes it more plausible, not less. Especially with the historical evidence of the resurrection of Jesus.
Also, I have a slight disagreement with Keel that angels and demons are just one of many Ultraterrestrials who reside in the Superspectrum. He's close, but I would contend that behind all of UT who reside in the Superspectrum are what the Bible refers to as spiritual beings (elohim). There are various kinds of spiritual beings from angels, fallen angels, demons, elemental spirits, principalities, archangels, etc.
But, overall, thought-provoking read. I appreciate Keel's work.
October 26, 2020
Had I read this a long time ago, I would've added it to my fanatical 'knowledge base' of conspiracy and unexplainable phenomenon. The book attempts to correlate symbology of the bible to scientific phenomenon, which I absolutely agree with theoretically, however the scientific connection in the book posits an alien source. Keel throws out studies and research as a main source of how and why, but these sources are never illuminated in the books reference when followed. The referenced documentation either leads to a dead end, quack research, or a very basic tangential experiment. I did enjoy the book, the ideas it presents and the way it presents it, and I really enjoyed the religious "genealogy" that it attempts as it maps the sources to religious intent.
Just because I disagree with the author's viewpoint doesn't make me want to rate this book poorly. The book is well written and raises some valid points regardless of the lack of conclusive evidence. I read it as science fiction and it inspires some neat ideas to expand upon.
Just because I disagree with the author's viewpoint doesn't make me want to rate this book poorly. The book is well written and raises some valid points regardless of the lack of conclusive evidence. I read it as science fiction and it inspires some neat ideas to expand upon.
December 24, 2019
Less focused than the Mothman Prophecies, but from what I heard this is considered a spiritual sequel. Lots of different ideas on extraterrestrials, UFOs, ancient myths and religions. John Keel can convey a lot of information or lore, that are very abstract and theoretical, but still entertain readers.
One of the theories mentioned, from Erich Von Daniken, that cosmic giants ordered humans to mine gold. I find that highly unlikely because humans value other metals and gems: silver, rubies, diamonds. There are also stories I could not find any reference of online.
One of the theories mentioned, from Erich Von Daniken, that cosmic giants ordered humans to mine gold. I find that highly unlikely because humans value other metals and gems: silver, rubies, diamonds. There are also stories I could not find any reference of online.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
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