Communion: Whitley Strieber and the Story That Defined the Greys
Explore the impact of Whitley Strieber’s Communion, the 1987 bestseller that defined the Greys and brought alien abductions into mainstream consciousness.
Best quote from Communion: Whitley Strieber and the Story That Defined the Greys
The book moves the needle from 'Are UFOs real?' to 'What is happening to our consciousness?' It is a symbol of the enduring quest for meaning and the wonder and courage required to live with total uncertainty.
This audio lesson was created by a BeFreed community member
Tell me about the book communion
Frequently Asked Questions
Communion is considered arguably the most influential book ever written about alien abductions. Released on February 25, 1987, it spent six months as a bestseller and transformed a fringe, ridiculed topic into a subject of mainstream consciousness. The book provided a vital framework and new language for thousands of people to describe their own anomalous encounters that they previously lacked the words to explain.
Strieber reported a visceral experience at his remote log cabin in upstate New York. He described being jolted awake by a unique whooshing and swirling noise, similar to a crowd moving through his home. Upon looking up, he witnessed a non-human figure in his doorway characterized by a bald head and giant, slanted, unblinking eyes, an image that would go on to define the popular concept of the Greys.
Before the publication of Communion, the topic of alien abductions was often dismissed or ignored by the general public. By sharing his lived reality and staying on the bestseller lists for half a year, Whitley Strieber helped move these stories into the mainstream. The book acted as a catalyst for UFO history, allowing many others who had experienced similar phenomena to finally come forward and share their stories using a shared cultural framework.
Discover more
The Body Keeps the Score Summary & Key Takeaways: Treatment of Trauma
Explore key insights from The Body Keeps the Score—how trauma reshapes the brain and body, and how healing is possible through science and self-awareness.
BeFreed Team
Read high-concept sci-fi exploring extremes
Read high-concept sci-fi exploring extremes
High-concept science fiction pushes the boundaries of imagination, challenging readers to confront radical ideas about humanity's future and the nature of reality itself. This learning plan is ideal for readers seeking to move beyond conventional sci-fi narratives into more intellectually demanding works that explore consciousness, technological transcendence, and the outer limits of speculative thought.
Focus on The Body Keeps the Score book
Focus on The Body Keeps the Score book
This plan distills the groundbreaking insights of Bessel van der Kolk for anyone seeking to understand the physiological roots of trauma. It is ideal for mental health professionals, educators, and survivors looking to move beyond cognitive understanding toward true somatic recovery.
Study MKUltra and manipulation techniques
Study MKUltra and manipulation techniques
This plan is essential for anyone interested in psychology, history, or self-defense against covert influence. It provides a comprehensive look at how institutional power and individual actors use psychological warfare to control others.
Read books on psych & spirit
Read books on psych & spirit
The psychology-spirituality intersection offers a powerful framework for holistic personal development, addressing both mental health and existential questions. This plan benefits seekers wanting to deepen their understanding of consciousness, therapists integrating spiritual elements into practice, and anyone seeking to heal psychological wounds through spiritual awareness.
Books Recommended by Stephen King
Explore gripping fiction with this book recommendation list by Stephen King—thrillers, classics, and dark tales that masterfully haunt and provoke.
BeFreed team
Overcome childhood trauma
Overcome childhood trauma
This plan is designed for individuals seeking to move beyond past wounds and build a secure foundation for their future. It combines psychological insights with practical somatic techniques to help survivors transform survival patterns into lasting resilience and post-traumatic growth.
Study behavior & cosmos for better sci-fi
Study behavior & cosmos for better sci-fi
This curriculum is essential for writers who want to move beyond tropes and create scientifically grounded, psychologically rich speculative fiction. It is designed for aspiring authors and worldbuilders seeking to bridge the gap between hard science and human emotion.
From Columbia University alumni built in San Francisco
"Instead of endless scrolling, I just hit play on BeFreed. It saves me so much time."
"I never knew where to start with nonfiction—BeFreed’s book lists turned into podcasts gave me a clear path."
"Perfect balance between learning and entertainment. Finished ‘Thinking, Fast and Slow’ on my commute this week."
"Crazy how much I learned while walking the dog. BeFreed = small habits → big gains."
"Reading used to feel like a chore. Now it’s just part of my lifestyle."
"Feels effortless compared to reading. I’ve finished 6 books this month already."
"BeFreed turned my guilty doomscrolling into something that feels productive and inspiring."
"BeFreed turned my commute into learning time. 20-min podcasts are perfect for finishing books I never had time for."
"BeFreed replaced my podcast queue. Imagine Spotify for books — that’s it. 🙌"
"It is great for me to learn something from the book without reading it."
"The themed book list podcasts help me connect ideas across authors—like a guided audio journey."
"Makes me feel smarter every time before going to work"
From Columbia University alumni built in San Francisco
"Instead of endless scrolling, I just hit play on BeFreed. It saves me so much time."
"I never knew where to start with nonfiction—BeFreed’s book lists turned into podcasts gave me a clear path."
"Perfect balance between learning and entertainment. Finished ‘Thinking, Fast and Slow’ on my commute this week."
"Crazy how much I learned while walking the dog. BeFreed = small habits → big gains."
"Reading used to feel like a chore. Now it’s just part of my lifestyle."
"Feels effortless compared to reading. I’ve finished 6 books this month already."
"BeFreed turned my guilty doomscrolling into something that feels productive and inspiring."
"BeFreed turned my commute into learning time. 20-min podcasts are perfect for finishing books I never had time for."
"BeFreed replaced my podcast queue. Imagine Spotify for books — that’s it. 🙌"
"It is great for me to learn something from the book without reading it."
"The themed book list podcasts help me connect ideas across authors—like a guided audio journey."
"Makes me feel smarter every time before going to work"
"Instead of endless scrolling, I just hit play on BeFreed. It saves me so much time."
"I never knew where to start with nonfiction—BeFreed’s book lists turned into podcasts gave me a clear path."
"Perfect balance between learning and entertainment. Finished ‘Thinking, Fast and Slow’ on my commute this week."
"Crazy how much I learned while walking the dog. BeFreed = small habits → big gains."
"Reading used to feel like a chore. Now it’s just part of my lifestyle."
"Feels effortless compared to reading. I’ve finished 6 books this month already."
"BeFreed turned my guilty doomscrolling into something that feels productive and inspiring."
"BeFreed turned my commute into learning time. 20-min podcasts are perfect for finishing books I never had time for."
"BeFreed replaced my podcast queue. Imagine Spotify for books — that’s it. 🙌"
"It is great for me to learn something from the book without reading it."
"The themed book list podcasts help me connect ideas across authors—like a guided audio journey."
"Makes me feel smarter every time before going to work"
"Instead of endless scrolling, I just hit play on BeFreed. It saves me so much time."
"I never knew where to start with nonfiction—BeFreed’s book lists turned into podcasts gave me a clear path."
"Perfect balance between learning and entertainment. Finished ‘Thinking, Fast and Slow’ on my commute this week."
"Crazy how much I learned while walking the dog. BeFreed = small habits → big gains."
"Reading used to feel like a chore. Now it’s just part of my lifestyle."
"Feels effortless compared to reading. I’ve finished 6 books this month already."
"BeFreed turned my guilty doomscrolling into something that feels productive and inspiring."
"BeFreed turned my commute into learning time. 20-min podcasts are perfect for finishing books I never had time for."
"BeFreed replaced my podcast queue. Imagine Spotify for books — that’s it. 🙌"
"It is great for me to learn something from the book without reading it."
"The themed book list podcasts help me connect ideas across authors—like a guided audio journey."
"Makes me feel smarter every time before going to work"
