Louis Proud Reviews The Real Men In Black

Louis Proud - author of Dark Intrusions: An Investigation into the Paranormal Nature of Sleep Paralysis Experiences - reviews my The Real Men in Black:

You don't need to be an expert on the UFO phenomenon to appreciate how complex and multifaceted it is. Clearly, the phenomenon isn't limited to reports of strange objects in the skies or cases of alien abduction, but incorporates numerous other elements, some of which belong to the realm of the occult and the truly weird. A few examples include cattle mutilations, the contactee phenomenon, and spectral entities like the mothman. And of course, who could forget the men in black (MIB).

Which brings us to Nick Redfern's latest book The Real Men in Black, a much needed investigation into one of the most unappreciated and little understood aspects of the vast UFO mystery. Born in England but now living in Dallas, Texas, Redfern is an expert in conspiracies and all things paranormal.

Much to my frustration, whenever I attempt to have a serious conversation with someone about the MIB, they invariably bring up the cheesy 90s sci-fi comedy film Men in Black, in which the MIB are portrayed as government agents working for the good of humanity. As Redfern’s book demonstrates, however, the MIB are a very real presence on this earth and there’s nothing pleasant about them. In fact, they couldn’'t be creepier.

The MIB are named as such because of the black suits they wear and the black cars they drive. Commonly gaunt and pale in appearance, with mechanical voices and a mechanical manner of movement, they neither look nor behave entirely human. The MIB are known to spook and threaten UFO witnesses and researchers, and their aim, it would seem, is to prevent anyone from ascertaining the truth about UFOs.

The book is written in a fast paced and absorbing journalistic style, and, like all of Redfern’s books, it captures the reader’s interest from the very first page. Redfern begins with the case of Albert K. Bender of Bridgeport, Connecticut, the first person (in modern history at least) to claim an encounter with the MIB.

Bender was an eccentric individual with an intense interest in the occult and paranormal, who, in 1952, established a UFO research organisation called the International Flying Saucer Bureau (IFSB). The IFSB became successful very quickly. About a year later, however, Bender closed down the organisation and dropped UFO research altogether, advising "those engaged in saucer work to please be very cautions."

It was later revealed that the reason Bender quit the UFO scene is because he'd been ordered to by three mysterious men dressed in dark clothes, who scared him half to death. Bender's story of terror and paranoia, first told in Gray Barker's sensational They Knew Too Much About Flying Saucers (1956), shaped UFO lore in a profound and enduring way. Explains Redfern: "It was Bender...who almost singlehandedly ushered in the plague of the Men in Black – just as [Kenneth] Arnold inaugurated the era of the UFO [with his famous sighting of UFOs in 1947]."

Ever since the MIB first came knocking on Bender’s door in the early-1950s, encounters with them have continued up until the present day, leaving many a victim shaken and terrified. Among the many cases included in Redfern's book (a large proportion of which, I'm pleased to say, don't appear anywhere else) is that of prolific author Marie D. Jones.

In the mid-1990s, while living in San Diego, Jones and a friend, whom she calls Anna, formed a UFO research group that "took off really quick." Before long, however, both women started to receive threatening telephone calls from a man "with a very robotic voice."

According to Jones, the man displayed an intimate knowledge of the goings-on within the group. And, more disturbing still, he knew everything about her – what clothes she had on at the time of the phone call, what book she was reading, what room she was in, etc. Though Jones never saw the man (or men) responsible for the harassment, apparently Anna did. She told Jones that a number of men – who "moved like robots" and "stared without blinking their eyes" – trespassed into her property late at night.

Another fascinating, modern case is that of paranormal investigator and Wiccan priestess Raven Meindel, who first encountered the MIB in April 2008. For months following the encounter, the Meindel family home was plagued by paranormal activity, and on several occasions Meindel's husband heard "whispered voices throughout the apartment." Overcome by a very strong feeling that she wasn’t supposed to continue with her UFO research, Meindel, frightened and intimidated, reluctantly gave it up. "I got the message,” she explains, “and I’m not going to mess with the UFO thing anymore."

The Real Men in Black is more than just a collection of spooky and entertaining stories. There is plenty of food for thought within its pages as well. In the second half of the book, Redfern explores a number of compelling theories – ranging from the mundane to the remarkable – as to who or what the MIB might be.

Some MIB, he explains, are probably nothing more than government agents, others civilian investigators. While others, perhaps, could be tulpas (thought forms) that, in order to sustain their existence, feast on human fear and other negative emotions, making them similar to vampires. Also presented is the intriguing time traveller theory of Joshua P. Warren.

Fans of the paranormal are sure to enjoy this book. It's immensely interesting, well-researched, and grips the reader from beginning to end.

Monstrous Good Fun!

If you have read my book, The Real Men in Black, you will have seen some of the excellent artwork of a Welshman named Simon Wyatt contained within its pages. Specifically, the drawings of two Men in Black and of the legendary Mothman of Point Pleasant, West Virginia.

And the good news is that Simon has a brand new graphic-novel out right now, titled Unbelievable: The Man Who Ate Daffodils. So, with that said, what is Simon's book all about?



Well, I'll tell you! And probably the best way for me to do that is by including here the Foreword I wrote for Simon's book, and which reads as follows:

"Not only is Simon Wyatt a highly-skilled artist and a gifted story-teller with a fine imagination, he's also a mate. And so, when Simon asked me if I would be willing to write a foreword for his latest mighty, monstrous tome, my answer was a quick and enthusiastic 'Yes!'

"So, after a copy of the manuscript made its way across the Atlantic to my home in Dallas, Texas, I sat down on what was an appropriately dark, stormy and windswept night to read Simon's story. And, I'm very pleased that I did!

"Simon has skilfully weaved together a swirling tale of magical, Gothic, cryptozoological and sinister proportions that rather reminds me of a perfect combination of those classic old Hammer horror-films of the late 1950s and 1960s; The Hound of the Baskervilles; Primeval; Scooby-Doo; The Secret Seven; and a good old adventure tale of the type that are sorely missed today. And all told in Simon's own unique style and brand, too, of course.

"Hideous killer-beasts roaming around the darkened, shadowy streets of a small Welsh town; creepy and eccentric characters with black secrets and hidden agendas; a few adventurous kids who are at the heart of the puzzle; fantastic myths and tales of centuries past; and much more all combine to create a suspense-filled story that will appeal to anyone and everyone with an appreciation of all-things weird and ominously atmospheric.

"Part-detective story, part-monster hunt, and part-whodunit, the story Simon tells will keep you entertained right up to (and including, of course!) the absolute last page.

"And the very good news is that more volumes - and more dark goings-on - are destined to follow! Keep 'em coming, Si!"

And, if that has caught your attention (and hopefully it has!), here's a bunch of links where you can find more about Simon's work, his new book, Unbelievable, and how and where to purchase your very own copies.

Click on the links for all the info:

Markosia's Website listing and order details: http://www.markosia.com/wordpress/titles/unbelievable-the-man-who-ate-daffodilis/

A review by Starburst magazine: http://www.starburstmagazine.com/reviews/comic-reviewscomics-a-graphic-novels/1098-comic-review-unbelievable-the-man-who-ate-daffodils-by-simon-wyatt

Free preview: http://www.myebook.com/index.php?option=ebook&id=91245

Official Facebook page: http://www.facebook.com/pages/Unbelievable-The-Man-Who-Ate-Daffodils/227365990640745?sk=wall&filter=12

And last but not least, Simon's blog, StrangelyDrawn: http://simonwyatt.blogspot.com/

MIB in Mind Body Spirit

The new issue (No. 28) of Watkins Books' Mind Body Spirit includes an article from me on my book, The Real Men in Black, in which I address the nature of the MIB phenomenon, the theories for who - or what - the MIB may be, and much more.

You can find out more about Mind Body Spirit (which is an excellent publication!) at the Watkins website.

MIB 3

Over at his Silver Screen Saucers blog, Robbie Graham alerts us to the trailer for the third installment in the Men in Black movie series, which is due for release next year.

Here's the link.

MIB/Gorightly in UFO Mag

The new issue of UFO Magazine (Vol. 24, No. 4, #157) includes an excellent article from Adam Gorightly on the Men in Black enigma.

Its title: A Carnival Barker for the MIBs?

This is a first-class paper that gets to the heart of the MIB puzzle as it relates to the Trickster element of the legendary Gray Barker (of They Knew Too Much About Flying Saucers infamy).

For anyone wanting to learn about Barker's role in nurturing certain aspects of MIB mythology (and reality, too), Adam's feature is essential reading!

The above photo of Adam was taken by me when we hung out for a few days in the California desert, in and around the vicinity of George Van Tassel's famous Integratron, about a year ago.

Don't let Adam's cheerful smile lull you into a false sense of security. If ever there was a MIB in disguise, it's surely Adam...

Hanging on the Telephone

Without doubt, one of the most regularly reported aspects of Men in Black phenomena is that of so-called "telephone-interference." For decades, numerous witnesses to UFO activity, as well as investigators of the subject, have experienced this particularly weird intrusion.

Strange noises, robotic voices, and electronic bleeps are all part and parcel of the telephone-interference enigma.

And, you can find out more about this MIB-themed mystery at a new Mysterious Universe post on the subject from good mate Micah Hanks.

Here's where it gets even weirder.

A few days ago, while he was in the process of writing the article, Micah emailed me and asked if I had ever experienced classic telephone-interference. I replied that, no, I had not.

Maybe I spoke too soon...

Last night, from 7PM to 8PM I was recorded for an episode of Dr. Rita Louise's Just Energy Radio show on the subject of my book, The Real Men in Black.

Here's the link to Rita's show, and keep a look-out for the interview with me, which should be airing very soon.

Anyway, during the course of the interview, we discussed numerous MIB-based topics, such as the curious saga of Albert Bender, the MIB experiences of author Marie D. Jones that I relate in The Real Men in Black, and the paranormal aspects of the MIB mystery.

When we got to the section of the interview about telephone interference, however, all hell broke loose.

Rita told me she could hear weird noises on the phone, strange interference, and much more. I told her, in my opinion, if this was not a case of coincidence (and the timing most strongly suggests it was not!) then maybe someone really was listening in and playing a few mind-games of the MIB variety.

I haven't heard the recording myself, but when the show airs, listen carefully (as I will!) and see what you make of it!

The Real Men in Black on Haunted South - Tonight

I'll be on Haunted South tonight, discussing my book, The Real Men in Black. Here's Haunted South's John Edwards to tell you all about it:

This coming Monday night, The Haunted South paranormal podcast will celebrate their one year anniversary!!!! Join us live for the celebration at www.hauntedsouthtv.com at 9pm EST as we go LIVE for 2 hours with our biggest show to date. Over the past year, John, Stacey, and Tim have enjoyed a growing listener base that is now well into the tens of thousands a week!! The Haunted South Paranormal Podcast can be found on iTUNES, HauntedSouthTV.com, and also on our ios and android app!

This Monday December 5th, 2011 will feature a look back at the past year with Stacey Edwards presenting her favorite paranormal news stories, Tim Clark talking about what Tech News has really made the headlines, and John Edwards will conduct an interview with author, Nick Redfern, as he joins the show to talk about his latest book, The Real Men In Black!!!

The Men in Black were elevated to superstar status in 1997 in the hit movie of the same name. Although the Hollywood blockbuster was fiction, the real Men in Black have consistently attempted to silence the witnesses of UFO and paranormal phenomena since the 1950s.

In The Real Men in Black, author Nick Redfern delves deep into the mysterious world of these mysterious operatives. He reveals their origins and discusses classic cases, previously unknown reports, secret government files, and the many theories that have been presented to explain the mystery.

Nick Redfern works full-time as an author, lecturer, and journalist. He writes about a wide range of unsolved mysteries, including Bigfoot, UFOs, the Loch Ness Monster, alien encounters, and government conspiracies. He writes regularly for UFO Magazine, Fate, Fortean Times, and Paranormal Magazine. His previous books include The NASA Conspiracies, Contactees, and Memoirs of a Monster Hunter, all published by New Page Books. Nick has appeared on numerous television shows, including the BBC's Out of this World; History Channel's Monster Quest and UFO Hunters; National Geographic Channel's Paranatural; and SyFy Channel's Proof Positive. He lives in Arlington, Texas and can be found online at http://nickredfernsbooks.blogspot.com.

The Haunted South Paranormal Podcast wishes to thank each and every one of our listeners who have been along with us for the fun throughout the past year! The one year anniversary edition is building up to be our greatest episode ever! So, Be sure to join us LIVE this Monday night at 9pm EST at www.hauntedsouthtv.com for "The Real Men In Black" with Nick Redfern and help us look back on what we consider to be an incredible first year of many!

MIB 3

Over at his Silver Screen Saucers blog, Robbie Graham alerts us to the latest news on the third installment in the Men in Black movie series.

Here's the link!

Listing the MIB

Patrick Huyghe of Anomalist Books has alerted me to this: a lengthy listing of MIB reports prepared for the Magonia Blog by Gareth Medway. It doesn't, of course, include every MIB story that has appeared in-print, but it does offer the MIB researcher a good selection of data, much dating back decades.

Red Dirt Report Review

At Red Dirt Report, Andrew W. Griffin reviews The Real Men in Black. Describing the book as "very creepy," he says: "Redfern, an authority on conspiracies, high weirdness and the paranormal, offers up this spooky-and-interesting information in an easy-to-read and conversational way."

And here's the link to the complete review.

New Dawn Q&A

A couple of months ago, the Australian magazine New Dawn did an interview with me for the print-edition of their magazine on my The Real Men in Black.

But, the interview has now been posted online at their website, and you can find it right here.

As I note in the interview: "My personal conclusion is that there are at least two things going on. There are the government-originated MIB, and there are the weirder MIB. As for the former, I prove in the book that some can be traced back to official agencies of at least several governments. As for those stranger MIB, my personal view is that they are paranormal. Of course, much of this depends on how we define the paranormal! My personal view is that the MIB may be the inhabitants of multi-dimensions or extra-dimensions that co-exist with ours, and whose role it is to keep us away from the truth about not just UFOs, but a whole range of strange phenomena too. But as for why, that is the big question still eluding us!"

The Real Men in Black in Fate

The new issue of Fate magazine includes an excellent, 4-page review of The Real Men in Black from Jerome Clark.

Jerry describes the book as being "breezily written" and spends a great deal of time discussing Joshua P. Warren's theories in its pages concerning the theory that the MIB may be time travelers.

You can find out more about Fate magazine right here.

Info Ovni & The MIB

Over at Info Ovni, you can find a new Q&A with me about my thoughts on the Men in Black. Here's the link...

Poll Results on MIB Origins

Well, the poll results relative to my question posed here - namely, who or what are the Men in Black? - are in. And those same results make for interesting reading.

They are as follows:

Government agents: 26 percent.
Aliens: 19 percent.
Paranormal Creatures: 38 percent.
Hoaxing and Misidentification: 15 per cent.

As for the remaining 2 percent? Well, I have no idea where they went to at all! Confiscated by the MIB, maybe?

But, that most people view the MIB phenomenon as being real, albeit of an other-world nature (whether alien or paranormal) is intriguing, and a conclusion with which I agree.

Of course, that more than a quarter of all those who voted concluded that the phenomenon has its origins in the world of government is notable too, given the fact that - as I note in my The Real Men in Black book - there are clearly two sides to the MIB. There are ours and then there is..."something else."

But, precisely what that "something else" may be is a matter of ongoing debate.

Many thanks to all those who voted!