Introduction
American writer (1936–2018) Brad Steiger (February 19, 1936 – May 6, 2018) was an American writer of fiction and non fiction works on the paranormal, spirituality, UFOs, true crime and .American writer (1936–2018) Brad Steiger (February 19, 1936 – May 6, 2018) was an American writer of fiction and non fiction works on the paranormal, spirituality, UFOs, true crime and .
His books sold well to the public but were widely criticized by academics and skeptics for making far fetched claims without scientific .His books sold well to the public but were widely criticized by academics and skeptics for making far fetched claims without scientific .
Biography
Steiger was born as Eugene E. Olson on February 19, 1936, at the Fort Dodge Lutheran Hospital during a .Steiger was born as Eugene E. Olson on February 19, 1936, at the Fort Dodge Lutheran Hospital during a .
He grew up on a farm in Bode, .He grew up on a farm in Bode, .
He identified as Lutheran until the age of eleven, when a near death experience changed his religious .He identified as Lutheran until the age of eleven, when a near death experience changed his religious .
His parents encouraged him to become a .His parents encouraged him to become a .
He graduated from Luther College (Iowa) in 1957 and the University of Iowa in .He graduated from Luther College (Iowa) in 1957 and the University of Iowa in .
He taught high school English before teaching Literature and Creative Writing at his former college from 1963 to .He taught high school English before teaching Literature and Creative Writing at his former college from 1963 to .
With his wife Sherry Hansen Steiger, he was the author of Four legged Miracles: Heartwarming Tales of Lost Dogs' Journeys .With his wife Sherry Hansen Steiger, he was the author of Four legged Miracles: Heartwarming Tales of Lost Dogs' Journeys .
Steiger appeared as a radio guest on Coast to Coast AM and the Jeff Rense .Steiger appeared as a radio guest on Coast to Coast AM and the Jeff Rense .
He also declared his book Worlds Before Our Own, that the tracks at Paluxy River to be evidence for an ancient civilization of giant .He also declared his book Worlds Before Our Own, that the tracks at Paluxy River to be evidence for an ancient civilization of giant .
He was a proponent of the ancient astronauts .He was a proponent of the ancient astronauts .
Steiger stated that many humans descend from alien .Steiger stated that many humans descend from alien .
He referred to these beings as "star ".He referred to these beings as "star ".
Steiger was married to Sherry Hansen Steiger, an author and minister, from 1987 to his death in .Steiger was married to Sherry Hansen Steiger, an author and minister, from 1987 to his death in .
They have five children and nine .They have five children and nine .
Reception
Steiger's books on UFOs, spirituality, and the paranormal have generally sold well, but have been criticized by many academics for spurious content, lack of scientific evidence, and failure to cite sources, among other .Steiger's books on UFOs, spirituality, and the paranormal have generally sold well, but have been criticized by many academics for spurious content, lack of scientific evidence, and failure to cite sources, among other .
Anthropologist Bonita Freeman Witthoft gave Steiger's Medicine Power an entirely negative .Anthropologist Bonita Freeman Witthoft gave Steiger's Medicine Power an entirely negative .
She noted that Steiger failed to cite scholarly sources, gave faulty documentation and his reporting of mythology was .She noted that Steiger failed to cite scholarly sources, gave faulty documentation and his reporting of mythology was .
She concluded that "It is a disappointing work of no use to scholars and of little use to a person sincerely interested in American Indian ."She concluded that "It is a disappointing work of no use to scholars and of little use to a person sincerely interested in American Indian ."
Sarah Higley gave Steiger's The Werewolf Book a mixed review and concluded "with a definite penchant for the sensational at the expense of the accurate, the casual reader will find much in it informative and entertaining as ."Sarah Higley gave Steiger's The Werewolf Book a mixed review and concluded "with a definite penchant for the sensational at the expense of the accurate, the casual reader will find much in it informative and entertaining as ."
Skeptical investigator Joe Nickell considers Steiger an unreliable source and has noted that he "endlessly cranks out books promoting paranormal ".Skeptical investigator Joe Nickell considers Steiger an unreliable source and has noted that he "endlessly cranks out books promoting paranormal ".
His books have also drawn criticism from Jason Colavito who has stated they are filled with pseudoscientific .His books have also drawn criticism from Jason Colavito who has stated they are filled with pseudoscientific .