The Book of the Damned
Charles Fort’s The Book of the Damned is a pioneering exploration into phenomena that defy conventional scientific explanation. First published in 1919, this groundbreaking work compiles a vast array of incidents that mainstream science has either dismissed or ignored. Fort’s central thesis revolves around his critique of the rigid boundaries that scientists and academic institutions set when they determine what constitutes legitimate knowledge. He challenges the notion that established science has a complete understanding of the natural world, suggesting instead that countless anomalies have been unfairly excluded from serious study.
In The Book of the Damned, Fort meticulously documents an assortment of bizarre events, ranging from rains of frogs and fish to inexplicable lights in the sky, which he presents as evidence of phenomena that cannot be easily reconciled with scientific theories of the time. These strange occurrences—what Fort calls “the damned,” meaning those things that are rejected by traditional science—are central to the book’s theme. He focuses on how scientific authorities choose to either ignore or discredit such events because they don’t fit within accepted paradigms, making his work a critique of intellectual dogmatism.
One of the recurring themes in The Book of the Damned is the concept of falls from the sky, where Fort catalogs numerous instances of organic and inorganic matter—like blood, meat, stones, and other unusual materials—falling to Earth under mysterious circumstances. These reports challenge the established understanding of meteorology and natural processes, and Fort’s tone throughout these accounts suggests his frustration with how such phenomena are either dismissed or inadequately explained by the scientific community.
Fort also touches on the concept of unidentified flying objects, long before the term “UFO” became popular. He provides early accounts of strange lights and objects seen in the sky, further pressing his argument that these unexplained phenomena are too quickly dismissed by experts. Although the modern UFO phenomenon gained traction decades after Fort’s work, his collection of these early reports underscores his dedication to cataloging the anomalous.
Another prominent topic in the book is Fort’s theory of a “Super-Sargasso Sea,” a speculative idea about a place where all lost things go—like ships, people, and objects that disappear under mysterious circumstances. This metaphorical concept, while whimsical, serves as a critique of scientific hubris, pointing out that some explanations remain elusive, no matter how much the scientific establishment tries to simplify them.
Fort’s discussion of poltergeist phenomena also stands out in The Book of the Damned. He documents strange incidents, such as objects moving on their own, sounds without discernible sources, and other odd occurrences that defy the physical laws as understood at the time. His interest in these accounts reflects his broader mission of questioning why mainstream science refuses to take such phenomena seriously.
While Fort does explore strange creatures, such as sea serpents and other cryptids, his work does not dwell deeply on cryptozoology as a main focus. These creatures are part of the broader category of anomalies that Fort considers worthy of study, but the bulk of the book centers more on unexplained physical phenomena rather than on biological anomalies.
Throughout The Book of the Damned, Fort critiques well-known scientific organizations of his era, such as the Royal Astronomical Society and the British Association, and prominent figures like Prof. Baden-Powell and Dr. Lister. He lambasts them for their unwillingness to investigate the anomalies he presents, accusing them of adhering too strictly to dogmatic views of science.
Importantly, Fort’s work avoids offering concrete explanations for the phenomena he describes. Instead, he leaves most questions open-ended, inviting readers to entertain multiple possibilities and question the rigidity of scientific explanations. His goal is not to offer alternative theories but to encourage open-mindedness and skepticism of established scientific doctrines.
Fort’s The Book of the Damned remains a classic in anomalous research, representing an intellectual challenge to the boundaries of accepted knowledge. It lays the foundation for what would later be called “Fortean” studies, inspiring future generations to explore the fringes of science with the same curiosity and critical eye.
