The Believer cover art

The Believer

Alien Encounters, Hard Science, and the Passion of John Mack

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The Believer

By: Ralph Blumenthal
Narrated by: Phil Thron
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About this listen

The Believer is the weird and chilling true story of Dr. John Mack. This eminent Harvard psychiatrist and Pulitzer Prize-winning biographer risked his career to investigate the phenomenon of human encounters with aliens and to give credibility to the stupefying tales shared by people who were utterly convinced they had happened.

Nothing in Mack's four decades of psychiatry had prepared him for the otherworldly accounts of a cross section of humanity, including young children who reported being taken against their wills by alien beings. Over the course of his career, his interest in alien abduction grew from curiosity to wonder, ultimately developing into a limitless, unwavering passion.

Based on exclusive access to Mack's archives, journals, and psychiatric notes and interviews with his family and closest associates, The Believer reveals the life and work of a man who explored the deepest of scientific conundrums and further leads us to the hidden dimensions and alternate realities that captivated Mack until the end of his life.

©2021 Ralph Blumenthal (P)2021 Tantor Professionals & Academics Social Scientists & Psychologists Aliens Nonfiction

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Essential reading/listening on the topic of the phenomenon and an emotional examination of a true pioneer, John Mack, beautifully written by one of the world's most respected journalists. Riveting from start to finish, I simply couldn't stop listening and was gutted when it ended despite a whopping 12 hours runtime. A wonderful tribute to a beautiful mind.

I couldn't stop listening

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A good listen overall ,albeit no new information on UFOs, but still a good portrait of a unique person.

Great bio

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very good read slow start but worth it very sad ending but spell binding

slow start but a good read

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it's very well written, so much so that it draws you into a subject matter, you never thought to explore.

The main characters journey, and the unfolding mystery.

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A weaving narrative that brings the opinions and life’s work of John Mack to life through a balanced view.

Captivating read on the life of John Mack and alternative theories

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This area / these areas of subject matter is a life long hobby for me. I have been researching The Phenomenon and all which can fall under its umbrella for 30 years. This book is the deepest dive into who Dr John Mack truly was. I genuinely enjoyed the heart that Blumenthal injected into the science. Beautiful voice reading as well. Highly recommend.

A brilliant recounting of the life of pioneer thinker John Mack

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I didn't quite realise the breadth and scope this would take when I started listening.
As someone with interest in the abduction phenomena I was familiar with John E. Mack. The thought of a Harvard abduction researcher has always been of great interest to me also.
Listening to this book Haa given me a great sense of what this man was about. His hopes and his fears. It was fascinating from start to finish.
I think as an audio book it was especially good. Chapters felt bite sized. Ranging from 8 to 30 minutes a piece. Perfectly for commuting.
I really didn't want this book to end.

Incredible retelling of a remarkable person's life

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a Harvard professor of UFO abductions! yep, that's what the man this book was all about. If there's one thing I dislike about the UFO topic, it's the sheer quantity of rubbish, so much so I rarely come into topic. coming across this little gem was a nice change. I had heard of John Mack in passing only, as he was the guy who travelled to that school in Africa, where a UFO supposedly landed on a school field, hundreds of kids reportedly seeing it. This gets several mentions in the book, but also follows John around many other UFO / Abduction related cases - and how these events actually impact the individual, which is very interesting in and of itself.
the guy was obviously a free spirit, despite his achieving what is arguably the top rung on the academic ladder. the book describes various drug fueled trips of his into alternate realities, as it combs through his very open & honest diary he kept, which includes fidelity issues with his wife. The overwhelming bulk though is centred on investigating/thoughts on interviewing hundreds of "victims of alien encounters", literally probing inside spaceships, and his efforts in trying to communicate these goings on, with the wider public, and his colleagues.
all I can say, after finishing the book, is I wish I could have interviewed him.

Surprisingly good - recommended for thinking sceptics

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its a very well detailed book on John Mack and a must for anyone interested in this overall topic - some names pop up that are very relevant now in 2025!

Good background on John Mack

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I would sooner be abducted by aliens than listen to all the tedious background regarding the social status of the academics , where they went to university, had their holiday home's etc etc

dull dull dull

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