I read Lue Elizondo's latest book, Imminent, in just three days, a reflection of my long-standing interest in ufology—now commonly referred to as uapology, which humorously sounds like the study of apologies. My fascination began back in 1976 when I witnessed strange lights in the sky. The release of Close Encounters of the Third Kind in 1977 deepened my enthusiasm for this subject, prompting many, myself included, to "watch the skies." For over two decades, I avidly followed developments in ufology until 1997, when, in a moment reminiscent of Roy Neary, I discarded all my magazines and newspaper clippings. I reached a point where I felt certain that the truth about extraterrestrial life would never be uncovered. Luckily, I never had to dismantle a plasticine model of Devil's Tower, but I was deeply affected by the actions of the Heaven’s Gate cult, led by Marshall Applewhite, which ultimately pushed me away from the subject.
In 1997, as the comet Hale-Bopp made its notable pass near Earth—its closest approach in 4,000 years—Marshall Applewhite and 38 of his followers took their lives in a misguided belief that it would allow them to leave their physical bodies, board an alien spacecraft, and ascend to a higher existence. This event was disconcerting and illuminated how deeply exploring ufology could sometimes warp one's reasoning. It would be another 20 years before I re-engaged with this topic. In 2017, a New York Times article about a secret government agency investigating UFO phenomena shattered my assumption that the subject was purely fictional. Elizondo dives into the NYT article in his book, tracing its origins, which I found to be even more fascinating than the UAP themes themselves.
Elizondo possesses an impressive gift for communication; I’ve listened to nearly all of his podcasts, and his writing style is equally compelling. I pre-ordered the Kindle version of Imminent, while my partner bought the audio version, which she hasn’t yet listened to. I've shared one particularly moving segment with her, but I won’t give away any spoilers here—I'll simply say that La Vie en Rose serves as an intriguing teaser. This song was played during my father's funeral, resonating with his romantic spirit, as he often enjoyed Edith Piaf's classic. Elizondo recounts his long journeys to be with his terminally ill mother, echoing my own experience of racing from Panama to the UK during the pandemic to be with my dying father. I broke quarantine to spend valuable time with him—what choice would anyone have made?
Throughout Imminent, Elizondo discusses numerous alleged UFO sightings, landings, and crashes, drawing heavily on recent military encounters that dedicated ufology enthusiasts will likely recognize. Notably, he explores some underwater encounters that raise intriguing questions. However, I wish the book had delved into any investigations related to transmedium vehicles, particularly how the minerals in water might influence energy production. It would have been interesting to learn whether scientists have explored such connections.
When asked if I have heroes, my answer is always, "All my heroes are heroines." In Imminent, you'll come to realize that Elizondo's wife, Jennifer, is the true hero of this narrative. While Lue’s perseverance in the face of challenges deserves recognition, opinions will inevitably vary in an age where folks often take to their keyboards to critique rather than engage with real struggles. I recently saw a comment on X that criticized Elizondo for not publishing something, which I found bewildering.
Overall, Imminent offers a compelling look into the inner workings of clandestine U.S. government activities and recounts the journey filled with obstacles that advocates, myself included—specifically in patient safety—often endure in pursuit of truth. I commend all those who, despite facing continuous resistance, press on. A salute to both Lue and his wife, Jennifer.
Bob Fiddaman
