Brad Steiger, Sherry Hansen Steiger

Brad Steiger, born Eugene E. Olson in 1936, was an American author who wrote extensively on subjects including the paranormal, spirituality, UFOs, and true crime. After attending Luther College and the University of Iowa, he taught high school and later college-level literature and creative writing. He claimed to have begun writing at a young age and transitioned to full-time writing in 1967. Steiger authored or co-authored nearly 170 books, achieving significant public sales, though his work was frequently criticized by academics and skeptics for presenting unsubstantiated claims without scientific backing.

His writing explored various esoteric themes, including the existence of Atlantis as an advanced civilization and the ancient astronauts theory, suggesting a human descent from extraterrestrial beings he called "star people." Steiger also wrote biographies and collaborated with his wife, Sherry Hansen Steiger, on books such as "Four-legged Miracles: Heartwarming Tales of Lost Dogs' Journeys Home." He appeared on paranormal-focused radio programs like "Coast to Coast AM." Steiger passed away in 2018 at the age of 82.

Brad Steiger delved into a variety of subjects considered outside mainstream scientific understanding. He posited that Atlantis was a real place, a civilization possessing advanced technology and power, as detailed in his book "Atlantis Rising." Furthermore, Steiger promoted the concept of ancient astronauts, asserting that humanity has ancestral ties to extraterrestrial beings, whom he termed "star people." His book "Worlds Before Our Own" presented the tracks found at Paluxy River as evidence of a long-lost civilization of giants. These ideas positioned him as a proponent of theories that challenge conventional historical and anthropological narratives.

Steiger's writing career spanned decades, resulting in nearly 170 books that sold millions of copies. While his works found a large audience, they frequently encountered criticism from academic circles and skeptical observers. Critics often pointed to a lack of rigorous scientific evidence, unsubstantiated claims, and poor citation practices in his explorations of paranormal phenomena and esoteric subjects. For instance, anthropologist Bonita Freeman-Witthoft found his book "Medicine Power" to be of little value to scholars or those genuinely interested in American Indian spirituality due to inaccurate reporting and faulty documentation. Skeptical investigator Joe Nickell characterized Steiger as an unreliable source who consistently produced books promoting paranormal assertions.