This book is a rare phenomenon in the publishing world. Never before has a book on UFOs, abductions and the paranormal world of ghosts, fairies and demons acted so expertly as an educational tool, guiding the reader in a truly informed and exciting way along a personal journey into the unknown. Always objective but with the added observations of renowned Scottish ufologist Andrew Hennessey's personal experiences and understanding from a very early age Alien Encounters and the Paranormal sets itself apart as a genuine, highly intelligent and heart-stopping account into an extraordinary world. Set against a diverse historical backdrop of international thinkers and theorists, including Comyns Beaumont, Erich Von Daniken, Michael Cremo, Nigel Kerner, Dr. Richard Boylan and many others, it is further enriched by the scientific perspective of Stephen Hawking, sceptic Dr. Susan Blackmore and Raymond Moody (NDEs). Eminent ufologists who have profoundly influenced contemporary UFO research such as Allen Hynek ('high strangeness'), Townsend Brown (anti-gravity research), Steven Greer (the Disclosure Project) and Helmut Lammer (MILABS) are also presented. It brings its readers back to earth recounting the extraordinary and sometimes frightening stories of individuals like Philip Schneider, abductee Paul Schroeder, Karla Turner, Billy Meier, Robert Lazar and Garry Wood. In linking folklore and the paranormal to UFO phenomena, the author also brings to bear spiritual and religious elements, from the highly esoteric to the saintly, citing the Brahan Seer, legendary figure 'Merlin', Deepak Chopra and several Saints. Scotland is a contemporary 'hotspot' for alien sightings and paranormal phenomena, and has been for several centuries as included (although sometimes cryptically) in the historic writings of Rev. Robert Kirk (faeries), Rev. John G. Campbell (paranormal) and Mary M. Banks (folklore). Expert ufologist (UFO specialist) and folklorist Andrew Hennessey has sifted through these works and other more recent works presenting similar phenomena and has come to the realization that alien sightings are far more reaching in time and impact than many would have us believe or even believed themselves. His own further research into contemporary phenomena, documented and verified by his own untouched digital photographs, confirms a theory that has evolved into this book. As the founder of Xenopolitics, a public forum that provides an antithesis to any suggestion that alien culture is merely fictional or should be presumed to be beneficial to Earth and its inhabitants (a view proposed by Exopolitics), this book acts as a cautionary tale against apathy and disbelief regarding alien encounters, providing at the same time the language, information and history that is required to be mindful and ready for what is taking place now and could possibly happen in the future. This book is for anyone and everyone who has an interest in UFOs and the paranormal, but don't know where to begin, don't' know the language and don't know a Philip Schneider from a Paul Schroeder, but want to know. This book not only presents information, original photographs and recounts both well-known UFO sightings and new ones, it also teaches the terms and broad categories associated with ufology and the paranormal. Everyone who reads this book will become at least an armchair expert, but more importantly an informed citizen and human being. It has been prepared so that every age category from early teens upwards, from the amateur to the professional, can benefit."