Most Hollywood movies of alien encounters capitalize on people's fears. Most books on alien abductions also dwell on the dark side. Despite a paucity of friendly alien stories, Michaels has pulled together a fine collection of aliens who changed the lives of humans. As Michaels points out, not all of the encounters are happy ones, but they are often illuminating, teaching the experiencer something about himself or herself.

Some of the encounters are whimsical, teaching us that we are not the only creatures in the universe with a sense of humor or mischievous streak. Some of the encounters involve resuces of people in danger. In nearly all the encounters, the aliens explain the order and structure of the universe and the need for all civilizations to adhere to an already established Federation.

Some encounters provide compelling information about aliens walking among us and how they disguise themselves as humans for short periods of time. One group of aliens reportedly reads our library books by walking up and down the rows in libraries and scans their contents. Other alien groups communicate with their computers which are a lifeform.

Michaels feels that if these stories help to make alien encounters more readily acceptable to the public, then he has helped this badly troubled field.

The book is easy to read and the stories flow. A collection of stories about healings will give any parent moist eyes. From healings to dramatic rescues, it is apparent the aliens are always watching over us, much like the Native American belief in spirit guides.

Interestingly, Michaels points out that all the stories for the healing section occurred in the same small geographic area, though it appeared to extend across the central United States from the west to the east coast.