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D.W. Pasulka
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American Cosmic: UFOs, Religion, Technology First Edition

by D.W. Pasulka (Author)
4.5 4.5 out of 5 stars 1,353 ratings
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More than half of American adults and more than seventy-five percent of young Americans believe in intelligent extraterrestrial life. This level of belief rivals that of belief in God. American Cosmic examines the mechanisms at work behind the thriving belief system in extraterrestrial life, a system that is changing and even supplanting traditional religions.

Over the course of a six-year ethnographic study, D.W. Pasulka interviewed successful and influential scientists, professionals, and Silicon Valley entrepreneurs who believe in extraterrestrial intelligence, thereby disproving the common misconception that only fringe members of society believe in UFOs. She argues that widespread belief in aliens is due to a number of factors including their ubiquity in modern media like The X-Files, which can influence memory, and the believability lent to that media by the search for planets that might support life. American Cosmic explores the intriguing question of how people interpret unexplainable experiences, and argues that the media is replacing religion as a cultural authority that offers believers answers about non-human intelligent life.
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Previous page
  1. ISBN-10
    019069288X
  2. ISBN-13
    978-0190692889
  3. Edition
    First Edition
  4. Publisher
    Oxford University Press
  5. Publication date
    February 20, 2019
  6. Language
    English
  7. Dimensions
    8.3 x 1.2 x 5.8 inches
  8. Print length
    288 pages
  9. See all details
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Popular Highlights in this book
What are popular highlights?
Previous page
  1. A hierophany is a manifestation of the sacred. It occurs when a nonhuman intelligent being descends from the sky to the ground or otherwise reveals itself.
    Highlighted by 529 Kindle readers
  2. “Once the phenomenon contacts humans, from wherever it originates, it leaves a signature. That signature is traceable. It is physical, physiological; it is processed then in a world that tools of science can study. We can identify it.”
    Highlighted by 378 Kindle readers
  3. Witnesses and researchers often report the strange feeling that once you become aware that there is a phenomenon, it becomes aware of you. They report that the first sighting is just that—a first—and then others follow. The uncanny feeling that the objects are aware, or watching those who are watching them, is common.
    Highlighted by 363 Kindle readers
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From the Publisher

banner, silicon valley, vatican, aliens
key feature,s features, extraterrestial life, UFO
author, the conjuring, movie

Editorial Reviews

Review

"...American Cosmic is well worth the attention of scholars interested in how the religious is both created and functions in the contemporary world." -- Jeremy Rapport, International Journal for the Study of New Religions

"This book deserves to be given attention by those in the religious studies field whose familiarity with UFO Religions is confined to historical cases or more modern personality-driven organizations." -- Aaron John Gulyas, Nova Religio

"refreshingly engaging." -- Benjamin E. Zeller, Journal of the American Academy of Religion

"Pasulka's book is nothing short of spectacular and intriguing-a mind-blowing read with fascinating insight. Her research and knowledge present a whole new truth, some of which is very scary, and we don't scare easily." -- Chad and Carey Hayes, writers of The Conjuring and The Conjuring II

"From a solid base of scholarship Dr. Pasulka introduces us to the players at the frontier of biological and physical research. Her sharp insight is drawn from her research into spiritual phenomena, updated by her travels from the purported UFO crash sites of New Mexico to the archives of the Vatican. The result is a timely introduction to the revelations in our collective future." -- Jacques F. Vallée, author of Wonders in the Sky

"UFOs are a remarkable phenomenon that both believers and skeptics initially have a hard time connecting to religion. American Cosmic is a vivid and even moving account of the way this strange world works as a kind of sacred mystery for those within it." -- T.M. Luhrmann, author of When God Talks Back

"[Pasulka] approaches UFO believers with an open mind in her irresistible debut . . . lively character sketches bring the story to life . . . Pasulka gives wonderful, entertaining insight into the curious study of UFOs." -- Publishers Weekly

"Pasulka makes a reasonable case that the spirits, angels, divine messengers, manifestations of God, aliens or their spaceships that humans have been reporting since the dawn of history are too numerous to be entirely delusional, so they deserve serious investigation." -- Kirkus Reviews

"A thought-provoking book about religion today." -- Booklist

"American Cosmic is a superb investigation into the birth and rise of a new religion." -- Foreword Reviews

"The book as a whole is a highly sensitive, and erudite." -- Paradigm Explorer

Book Description

American Cosmic examines Americans' thriving belief in extraterrestrial life and reveals how pop culture and the media have inspired new religious beliefs and practices.

Product details

  • Publisher ‏ : ‎ Oxford University Press; First Edition (February 20, 2019)
  • Language ‏ : ‎ English
  • Hardcover ‏ : ‎ 288 pages
  • ISBN-10 ‏ : ‎ 019069288X
  • ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 978-0190692889
  • Item Weight ‏ : ‎ 14.7 ounces
  • Dimensions ‏ : ‎ 8.3 x 1.2 x 5.8 inches
  • Customer Reviews:
    4.5 4.5 out of 5 stars 1,353 ratings

About the author

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D.W. Pasulka

D.W. Pasulka

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D. W. Pasulka is a professor of religious studies at the University of North Carolina, Wilmington.

Works include Encounters (St. Martin's Essentials 2024), American Cosmic (Oxford University Press 2019), Heaven Can Wait (Oxford University Press 2014), as well as two co-authored books about religion and technology. She is the author of academic essays, appears on podcasts, and presents her work internationally. In cooperation with the Vatican, she leads a translation project of the canonization records of the saint, Joseph of Copertino. Her website is dwpasulka com She is currently teaching courses:

dwpasulka-courses.teachable com

Dr. Pasulka’s research spans Catholic history to modern day reports of UAPs and UFOs. American Cosmic has been featured in mainstream presses such as Vice, Vox, Fox News, Tank, The Los Angeles Review of Books, Publisher’s Weekly, and Kirkus Reviews. Dr. Pasulka has been interviewed by The History Channel, Showtime, as well as being featured on podcasts including Vox Media’s Ezra Klein, Mysterious Universe, Coast to Coast, and Lex Fridman. She's presented at the Guggenheim Museum in New York City, universities, and is a popular speaker, internationally, and at home.

Additionally, Dr. Pasulka consults about religion and history for movies and television, including The Conjuring (2013).

Customer reviews

4.5 out of 5 stars
4.5 out of 5
1,353 global ratings
One of the Most Important Books of our Age
5 Stars
One of the Most Important Books of our Age
I sense that this work of literature will itself become sacred. By this I mean the rituals, behaviors and even experiences of the Invisibles, act as a reaffirmation to the unexplainable and yet meaningful vocations given to human satellites. Dr. Pasulka's journey is one that embraces risk from a very opaque underworld "Fight Club".Growing up in a Non-Denominational Christian family, angels, demons and the Holy Trinity were, and still are very real. Very much like John the Baptist, Jesus and other iconic prophets my family was led toward the wilderness of New Mexico. I grew up in Artesia, NM roughly 45 minutes away from Roswell, NM. Throughout my upbringing in Artesia, we often visited Roswell, and for some time period, I lived in Roswell with my recruiter before entering the Marines. I had the privilege of visiting White Sands and learning about the Trinity Site. My time in New Mexico was tumultuous, but also lively with religious context. I remember in-between 2005-2006 that an appearance of the Virgin Mary had made its way into the news. Me and my recruiter often recount that only chosen ones could see her outline. Later in life these events served as a catalyst to find meaning in life, after years of war in Iraq and Afghanistan. After my honorable discharge, I journeyed into the human dimension, researching Jack Parsons, L. Ron Hubbard, the Books of Enoch, Jasher, and Jubilees. I searched for answers in order to understand my war time experiences.As Tyler said "My mentor explained that mysticism, religion, and consciousness is where I need to go to learn what’s next. That the mind–machine interface is the next frontier.” Religion is filled with stories of beings, and vehicles from the heavens descending to earth and influencing humankind, especially in times of great turmoil. For the casual reader or the curious person wanting to journey into this subject I encourage you. Right now, there is research that has been implemented into institutions such as the military or law enforcement that overtly and discreetly discusses how the human is able to receive and transmit information. My sense is if you’re looking for hard disclosure its not going to happen, but rather in a subtle way through research, peer reviewed papers and warfighting manuals.
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Top reviews from the United States

Cheryl Oneil
5.0 out of 5 stars An insightful combination of formerly “out there” ideas.
Reviewed in the United States on April 12, 2024
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The subjects the author reflects on are somehow wrapped up together in unexpected and novel ways that somehow make sense when she makes their connections. I love new ways of thinking about things.
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WT
5.0 out of 5 stars Good Read with an Interesting Perspective
Reviewed in the United States on April 8, 2024
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I really liked the way the author approached the subject and the presentation. I plan to buy more of her books on the subject...
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Tricia
4.0 out of 5 stars Ok Book
Reviewed in the United States on June 25, 2023
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Well researched and written. A little too much religion for my tastes but I should have read the description better.
2 people found this helpful
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catFox
5.0 out of 5 stars Cutting edge for her field
Reviewed in the United States on May 2, 2024
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I have to say the author as an academic is extremely brave to write this book because academia remains, for all it may think of itself, rigidly/scornfully closed to ideas to do with the paranormal or really anything that exists outside the cartesian model of materialism (which is a lot). Academe was founded as an extension or bedrock to all the other systems that work in tandem, ie govt, the media, education system etc. However, that said, I do get a little tired (bored?) with her assuring us always of her unwillingness to believe, her academic rigor, etc - though I also get the anxiety which produces it. I am also kind of a luddite, truth be told, so I dont get as excited as she does and everyone in the book obviously about technology. It is all so nuts and bolts and sort of a drag. As an animist, with an interest in the esoteric, I wish there were an allowance for the mystical, but appreciate how hard this is even, or especially, for a scholar of religion. I line up more with Valle's ideas and Joshua Cutchins regarding UFOs as part of (or costume change of) a wider phenomenon. Still a fascinating read no matter where you fall on this spectrum, from tech bro to dirt sorcereress.
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Kindle Customer Lowell Morgan ultracyclist Monument Colorado
3.0 out of 5 stars interesting but not compelling
Reviewed in the United States on April 30, 2024
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I dislike the use of anonymous characters. Some of the concepts are very interesting. But, as usual, when non-physicists encounter something they don’t understand they often invoke quantum mechanics, which they also don’t understand. Ditto for frequencies & resonances. E.g. DNA. The molecule doesn’t have “a frequency”. It has zillions of frequencies so squished together that it’s a continuous semi-structureless very wide band. Finally, something that quickly zinged by involved electromagnetic fields and gravity. There is currently no evidence of a connection between the two although that doesn’t mean that a connection won’t sometime be discovered. Finally, the statement that some random material found in some unknown (recall, they were blindfolded) part of NM is not from this universe is ludicrous. Our mind’s & brains are capable of phenomenal things, including self-deception. - Dr. Lowell Morgan, a physicist for 60 years.
One person found this helpful
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scrivener
5.0 out of 5 stars Fascinating
Reviewed in the United States on May 7, 2024
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This is an excellent book, a fascinating ethnographic study of UFO experiencers and researchers. Delves into connections to parapsychology and religion. Author's interviews are an excellent adjunct to the book but I recommend reading the book first.
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Atticus Myser
5.0 out of 5 stars This was my "Book Encounter"
Reviewed in the United States on February 6, 2024
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Professor Pasulka is even more masterful in written form than her interviews at humbly staying objective. I as a reader, and the people in the book, deeply appreciate these aspects about her character. Enjoy are real story of space heros, private information held within private people groups, bi-locating nuns, quantum realities that seem to cross tangible and imaginative realities into a perception that foments and formulates faiths, mythologies and religions. In my personal journey, I was 16 when I thought that the deceptive nature of things was just my ineptitude at seeing the bigger picture. I had had experiences as a youth at Catalina Island and Newport Beach. I found some explanation(s) within religious faiths and particularly of Christianity but was converted 1st by Bob Lazaar then lost as his story was I landed in a deep hermeneutical study of ancient texts (this was the 80's so Dead Sea Scrolls were coming out for public). Lost and found again so many times in my studies with no mentor, this book is the culmination of a 4 decade trip to understand the this accessible area and now I just need Tyler D's help. :o)
2 people found this helpful
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KAYJAI
5.0 out of 5 stars A good read.
Reviewed in the United States on March 4, 2024
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Dr Pasulka has had some epiphanies of late and she puts the pen to paper to share how her worldview has gestated with some new, uncommon experiences. We see ideas though this scholars lenses which previously had been looking at extraordinary religious events. I thoroughly enjoyed this.
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Top reviews from other countries

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Dawn
5.0 out of 5 stars Awesome
Reviewed in Canada on February 23, 2024
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Book was in very good condition
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Marazevedo
4.0 out of 5 stars Atual
Reviewed in Brazil on March 14, 2024
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Traz informações atuais sobre UFOS e as pesquisas que estão sendo efetuadas atualmente. Coisa nova no mercado
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Sean fullard
5.0 out of 5 stars Brilliant
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on October 25, 2023
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Amazing book
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Michele
5.0 out of 5 stars Ierofania, la parola giusta che unisce il sacro al fenomeno UAP
Reviewed in Italy on September 22, 2023
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L'analisi di una studiosa delle religioni, cosa che rende l'autrice un ottima analista distaccata nel comparare fenomeno uap e nascita delle religioni e di come questi due fenomeni siano correlati nonostante origini diverse( forse)😉... i personaggi con cui collabora rientrano nel famoso "invisibile college" di cui parla Vallée e se segui le ultime vicende capisci subito chi sono
3 people found this helpful
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Mariup
5.0 out of 5 stars Ein Grundlagenwerk zu einem in Deutschland verdrängten Thema
Reviewed in Germany on November 1, 2022
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Ein Buch das sich, losgelöst von dem aktuellen Hype, aber mit großer fachlicher Kompetenz, dem so außerordentlich schwierigen Thema UFOs und UAPs, widmet. Während sich in Frankreich staatliche Stellen seit Jahren mit dem Phänomen beschäftigen, in den USA Geheimdienstausschüsse und honorige Politiker wie Harry Ried Aufklärung einfordern und in Brasilien Vorträge vor dem Parlament gehalten werden, herrscht in D, dem ehemaligen Land der Dichter und Denker, ein beängstigendes Klima der Denkverbote.
Wahrscheinlich ist es sogar eines der besten Bücher zum Thema überhaupt, da die Autorin die vielen religiösen und soziologischen Aspekte erkannt und mit wissenschaftlicher Klarheit herausgearbeitet hat, ohne die physikalische Realität der weltweiten Sichtungen unbekannter Objekte zu ignorieren. Die Fachleute, die die Autorin bei ihren Recherchen an ihrer Seite hatte, sprechen für den hohen Anspruch an ihr Werk.
Aus meiner Sicht ein unverzichtbares Buch für jeden, der sich nicht auf das Urteil drittklassiger Fernsehprofessoren verlassen und umfassend informieren will
2 people found this helpful
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