Stalking the Herd - Reviewed

My latest Mysterious Universe article is a review of Chris O'Brien's new book, Stalking the Herd.

This is, in my opinion, the definitive study of the cattle mutilation mystery - no question.

Running at almost 600 pages and at a price under $20.00 it's great value for money, too.

If you think there's nothing new to say about cattle-mutes, you're wrong. If you think all those that came before Chris have nailed the mystery to the wall, you're wrong. If you think there's no mystery and the mutes are all the work of predators, you're wrong.

If you have an interest in the mute puzzle, you should get a copy of Chris' book right now. It's refreshingly unbiased in its approach to the phenomenon and it takes the reader down some dark and disturbing pathways...

Exposing the Cattle Mutilators

"This past weekend, I spoke at the Minneapolis-based Paradigm Symposium, on the subject of my new book, For Nobody’s Eyes Only. Also lecturing were Micah Hanks (on his latest title, The Ghost Rockets), David Weatherly (on his forthcoming book on the phenomenon of Tulpas – which, David was telling me, should be published around the end of the year), John Ward and Scott Roberts (who have a new release, The Exodus Reality), and numerous others, including Chris O’Brien.

"For me, Chris’ presentation was the most significant of the 4-day event, and I’ll tell you why. But first, a bit of background. If you aren’t familiar with Chris’ work, then you really should be. He’s the author of a number of excellent books of a definitively Fortean nature , including Enter the Valley, The Mysterious Valley, Stalking the Tricksters, and Secrets of the Mysterious Valley. But, it’s the details of Chris’ forthcoming book that we’re focusing on right here, and which was also the subject of Chris’ lecture at the Paradigm Symposium."

That's how my latest Mysterious Universe article starts on Chris' new book, which is sure to create a storm of interest and controversy!

Stalking the Herd

I'd say for anyone interested in UFOs, Forteana, and conspiracy-theories, Chris O'Brien's next book - Stalking the Herd, due out later this year - will be essential reading.

Here's the blurb from the publisher on the book:

COMING THIS FALL: Stalking the Herd

The Cattle Mutilation phenomenon is an on-going mystery that has endured for almost 50 years, and no definitive book has been written about this subject in over 30 years. What have we learned, if anything...—countless reports later? Who or what is behind the death and disfigurement of livestock reported as mutilated around the globe?

Stalking the Herd is the first objective, in-depth examination and analysis of this controversial, multi-layered mystery and this book scrutinizes the various explanations that have been proposed over the years. Are the skeptics correct? Are these deaths only due to predators and scavengers? Or is the military—government somehow involved monitoring “mad-cow”? Is it ritual “cultists” as the evidence would suggest? Or even ETs as some have proposed? Regardless of who is responsible, what are the motivations behind perpetrating the greatest unsolved serial crime spree of all time?

Stalking the Herd addresses these questions in-depth and also offers an objective look at the history of our incestuous, venerated relationship with cattle; the first domesticated livestock. Is there a connection between these ritualistic cattle deaths and humankind’s ancient practice of animal sacrifice? Why are there no Brahman cattle mutilations in India where cattle are revered to this day? Are aliens gathering genetic material for unknown purposes? What about the thousands of pound of scientific forensic evidence? Is it Aliens and do we have a need to know?

Christopher O’Brien has devoted 20 years investigating and researching hundreds of these unexplained livestock deaths and, if real, assessing the potential implications for humanity. With the help of a handful of unsung “mutologist” proto-scientific pioneers, O’Brien has synthesized an insightful explanation that may help explain this puzzling mystery— a mystery that may have profound implications for our rapidly-growing beef-eating culture.