"As interesting as the paranormal may be, sometimes there is simply a logical explanation for the phenomena that people encounter. My job as a Navajo Ranger--even as The Paranormal Ranger--wasn't to prove that the paranormal was out there. It was simply to investigate the cases that came my way and do my best to find the truth. ... I truly did try to be like Sherlock Holmes when I investigated these cases, taking nothing for granted and doing my best to solve the puzzle. It was just as satisfying when that puzzle turned out to have a mundane cause as a paranormal one. The important thing was finding the truth."
"While, as an investigator, I would prefer to always have evidence and answers, my experiences with the paranormal have taught me to coexist with mystery when I must."
This was my nonfiction book for the month of October, and it was an interesting one. Stanley Milford is part Cherokee, Part Irish, and half Navajo. Growing up, he spent every summer in the Navajo Nation with his father and grandparents learning the stories, traditions and beliefs of the Navajo. When he grew up, he became a Navajo Ranger, a law enforcement branch that patrols the vast, remote regions of the Navajo Nation protecting ruin sites and archaeological artifacts, dealing with fish, game and livestock, and enforcing the laws. But his job also came to include investigating paranormal activity such as Bigfoot and UFO sightings, Skinwalkers, witch curses, and even ghostly hauntings. It was a fascinating look at his many strange encounters over the years as a Navajo Ranger. I enjoyed the way he writes and really appreciated his outlook on life.
"For me, paranormal investigation is less about what's Out There than what's right here in front of us: a chance to connect with and help one another and to do our very best to make our world a better, kinder place than it was the day before."
Happy Reading!
I'm sure you know this will appeal to me. LOL! I just ordered the paperback, it doesn't come out until the end of November so that will make a nice December read for me.
ReplyDeleteI hope you enjoy reading it! I found his story very interesting and fun.
DeleteI've long loved the Hillerman novels set in Navajo country. This sounds like it might be a good adjunct read.
ReplyDeleteThis book gives you another view of that part of the country. One that was both unexpected and fascinating.
DeleteI have Cherokee blood in me, close to 50% I think, and I think it would be really neat to visit a reservation. Great review, Lark!
ReplyDeleteThat's so cool that you have Cherokee in your family tree. :D
DeleteThat sounds good.
ReplyDeleteIt really was.
DeleteOh this sounds fascinating. What an evolution of careers! I'll have to look for this one.
ReplyDeleteIt's crazy some of the things he runs into during his job as a Navajo Ranger.
DeleteThis book sounds very interesting and the perfect length. When I read the first part of the description, I though it was a fiction book.
ReplyDeleteIt does sound like fiction doesn't it? But it's his real life. So crazy. It would make for a great paranormal TV show imo.
DeleteSounds good and I do like the excerpts you’ve given.
ReplyDeleteIt's a very interesting book.
DeleteI love the sound of this, especially the combination of the Navajo traditions and the paranormal. I may have to check it out!
ReplyDeleteIt was so fascinating...and not at all what I expected. But I really appreciated his writing.
DeleteThis sounds like a fascinating read! This kind of stuff always interests me, so I'm definitely adding it to my wishlist. Great review, Lark!
ReplyDeleteHe really did experience some very strange things.
DeleteI just assumed this was a novel, based on the title, but it's nonfiction, which makes the whole premise utterly fascinating.
ReplyDeleteI agree with Jane I at first thought it was a novel too and I was thinking what an interesting likeable character. But it's actually the author's real life and I definitely want to read The Paranormal Ranger.
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