This was a difficult book to research and to write. As in the investigation of the cults that occupied me when I published Messengers of Deception, I was often repelled by the material I was compiling. I gave up twice, once when I discovered the truth about the Pontoise case, because I felt so helpless, and the second time when I hung up in disgust on a caller who accused me of being paid (by the government, presumably?) to conceal the "horrible truth" from my audience.

The support I received from Janine, from my children, and from a few trusted friends helped me resume the work. Fred Beckman and Dr. Richard Haines provided consistently valuable advice. Robert Emenegger contributed many encouragements and, as usual, many wonderful and incredible stories. Bob Weiss and Tracy Torme made me see the humor and the irony of cultist obsession. Dr. Richard Niemtzow and other medical professionals agreed to help with the biological questions raised by some of the reports. Ned Leavitt, my agent, made available to me his usual wisdom and sympathy. Many of my colleagues in science and in business gave their time and their energy to assist in the details of my research. This book could not have been completed without their assistance.

Emery Reiff, as always, was able to master my nonlinear style and my undisciplined handwriting to process the text of the manuscript.

And the aliens, dead or alive, deserve my gratitude for having made this phase of my life interesting - even as they evaded my attempts to meet them. Perhaps, as Dr. J. Allen Hynek once remarked, this very fact shows how smart they are.

8/4/96