The Night the Earth Stood Still: the Strange Case of Indrid Cold

Book excerpt: In "The Night the Earth Stood Still: The Strange Case of Indrid Cold," legendary fringe publisher and author, Gray Barker, continues his "Strange Case" series by looking at one of the most controversial ufological figures of all time: Indrid Cold. Barker's colorful writing influenced the plotlines of shows like Star Trek, Futurama, The X-Files, Twin Peaks, The Outer Limits, The Jetsons, Lost in Space, and The Twilight Zone. Shuttling between his Manhattan publishing office and his secluded cabin deep in the hills of his home state of West Virginia, the prolific Barker single-handedly kept public interest focused on UFOs during it leanest years, and introduced many themes still discussed by today's paranormal and conspiracy researchers: the Roswell UFO, Men in Black, Ancient Aliens, Nazi UFOs, the Philadelphia Experiment, the Flatwoods Monster, Mothman, MJ-12, secret underground bases, little green men, and the Maury Island Incident. Was Indrid Cold a spaceman, Man in Black, interdimensional traveler, or simply a hoaxer? There is no doubt he was real, as he made contact with hundreds of people. Drawing on interviews with Cold's primary contacts, as well as with "The Mothman Prophecies" author, John A. Keel, Barker looks at the factors that turned the elusive Indrid Cold into such a durable legend. Features an extended Epilogue by the editor, Andy Colvin. "One of my favorite UFO writers..." -David Bowie "A fascinating fellow..." -John Lennon "I remember [Barker's] work fondly..." -Leonard Nimoy