ABSTRACT
If my enquiry into the phenomenon of Alien Chic began with laughter, it has ended with several large boxes of alien objects, for the writing of this book has been a process punctuated by moments at which friends, colleagues and students have generously donated alien-themed toys and gadgets to my ever-expanding collection. Without wishing to sound ungrateful, I am sure that finding these gifts did not involve having to look too hard, for, as I noted in the introduction to this book, such items are readily available in contemporary western culture. Aliens, it would seem, make good gifts.
