A Review of Authors of The Impossible

This compendium of theoretical considerations involving anomalous experiential strangeness is one of the few books I would consider to be a “must read” for those who are seeking a thorough survey of the subject. The chapter on Jacques Vallee’s  evolution of conceptual models that attempted to come to grips with unidentified atmospheric phenomenon is worth the price of admission alone.

The chapter on Charles Fort captures both the playful dry humor of it’s subject as well as his influence on the field by bringing to light events that defied scientific categorization.

In addition to these highlights, the historical context of every imaginable perspective on high strangeness is given a thorough review whether it is metaphysical, philosophic or scientific.

Jeffrey  Kripal has accomplished a notable feat in avoiding all of the nonsense and trivialisation of simple minded provocations that arise in the popular press. In doing so, he reveals the pressing issues that have been buried under the refuse heap of Infotainment that place under the microscope, every critical assumption that has been rendered by reductionism or basic pragmatism aimed at high weirdness.

The shared interest in Rosicrucian metaphysics between Vallee, Hynek and who could easily be considered one of the fathers of Ufology as it was once constituted, Aimee Michel ( whose major contributions have been forgotten) was a pointed revelation.

While having read Mr Michel’s works many a decade ago, yours truly had forgotten their import.

It’s a hefty tome worth the somewhat higher cost of a softbound book.

I could easily devote many a post just based on the issues raised by this book, many of which brought to light in such a unique manner it broadened my categorisations of the many manifestations of the paranormal. That alone, in my book is worthy of personal praise for this effort. To say there is food for thought contained in the pages of “Authors of The Impossible” would be a ridiculous understatement.

I say this with a great deal of confidence that I will not regret my praise once you have digested the contents, What more could I say?

Buy the book.

A brief glimpse...http://vimeo.com/27585532