"Taken" does eventually explain what the aliens are up to, but it never explains another mystery common to this series and to real-life tales of abduction.

This fascinating documentary series delivers heart-pounding real-life tales from the militarys most experienced snipers.

Ben Child: Brad Pitt in a real-life tale of a baseball coach whose side defies the odds?

Old legends end up as plot points in movies, and fictional elements from movies are circulated as real-life tales.

So instead of the usual bedtime story, the woman told a simple, real-life tale about a cruel, greedy leader in a distant part of the world.

It's the real-life tale of a foolish young woman who fell in love with a handsome, no-good man, and had her life ruined because of it.

The "Letters From Home" section features funny and sometimes poignant real-life tales from people living in big and small towns across the country.

Watch these real-life tales of people who got themselves into sticky situations, and the daring rescuers who got them out.

Logue estimated that by the end he had read more than 20,000 real-life tales of zany happenings.

Trouble is, this gruesome real-life tale may leave you with nightmares far worse than the ones brought on by the prospect of having to read Melville's thick book.