Total (Practically) Recall: Jim Sparks, Abductee

Jim Sparks, author of The Keepers, is an abductee. Sparks was one of the speakers at the UFO conference in McMinnville, Oregon, this weekend.  I was familiar with Sparks story, having seen a video shown at a local UFO group meeting, and I bought his book some time ago. But I always had "hmmm..." feeling about Sparks and his story. Other stories I believe: the Hills, Travis Walton, to name just two well known cases.

Better people than I have put their faith in Sparks; the forward to his book was written by John E. Mack, and the prologue, by Linda Moulton Howe. (also one of the speakers this weekend.) Donald Ware contributes his comments at the end of the book.  But I can't help but feel something is off here.

For one thing, Sparks big claim is that, unlike most, if not all, abductees, Sparks has almost total recall of his experiences. This sets him apart from others. My question is: how does he know? Seriously, how does he know he's recalled everything there is to recall, or just about, anyway? How does one know that what they remember is truly all of what happened?

He also isn't a particularly good speaker. It wasn't so much what he had to say, but the way he said it. That comes from experience and I don't know how good a job I would do, for example, but then again, if you're putting yourself out there on the circuit, it should be expected you are polished and together. One annoying thing: he kept walking away from the mike and podium out onto the stage. Not miked, it was hard to hear him. He said he needed the room because he was very expressive with his body language, but I found it unnecessary.

At the back of his book, Sparks offers consulting to those fellow abductees "...who lack of frame of reference in their life due to the bizarre nature of their experiences." (Sparks, The Keepers, second edition.) He charges $100.00 an hour for this service.

I'm not suggesting Sparks is a liar. In fact, I think he's had some experiences that were UFO related, and deeply affected him. There are some things Sparks says that are intriguing, for example, his description of "being pulled" by the aliens. I've had this happen myself so I find the connection interesting.

Then the familiar dream unrolled. Being pulled from the bed ...  (Sparks, p16)

How much of that story is true, no one except Sparks can say. Personally, I just don't buy into his story, or more accurately, into what he's done with it.

I told someone at the conference that I can't put my finger on it, other than to say it's my gut feeling. Something is off, and I've learned to listen to that voice. But I don't know what it is that makes me uneasy. So all I can say is, that is my take on Sparks.