Forbidden Science: Journals 1957-1969

by Jacques F. Vallée

Known principally as an investigator of the UFO phenomenon and a science fiction novelist, the French-born Vallee (now a resident of the U.S.) has also worked as a computer scientist in both academia and industry. UFOlogists will not find the answers to all of their questions here, for although Vallee believes that UFOs exist, he has no idea just what they are. Therein lies the excellence of his dazzling diary: it offers a glimpse into the mind of a scientist who seems to challenge every preconception and established piety. To his academic training as a mathematician and scientist, which stressed rational approaches to problems, Vallee has brought an interest in the mystical, the psychical, and the paranormal. He has been a Rosicrucian and has studied the works of ancient scientists like Paracelsus. His diary is replete with profoundly insightful, often devastating observations about the strengths and weaknesses of France and the U.S., their academics and their researchers in industry.

Genres: Nonfiction, Aliens, Paranormal, Science, Conspiracy Theories, Mystery, Memoir

466 pages, Hardcover

First published January 12, 1993

About the author

Excerpted from wikipedia: Jacques Fabrice Vallée (born September 24, 1939 in Pontoise, Val-d'Oise, France) is a venture capitalist, computer scientist, author, ufologist and former astronomer currently residing in San Francisco, California.
In mainstream science, Vallée is notable for co-developing the first computerized mapping of Mars for NASA and for his work at SRI International in creating ARPANET, a precursor to the modern Internet. Vallée is also an important figure in the study of unidentified flying objects (UFOs), first noted for a defense of the scientific legitimacy of the extraterrestrial hypothesis and later for promoting the interdimensional hypothesis.

Reviews

[Michael Jandrok · Rating 5 out of 5]

Jacques Vallee is one of the most important figures in the history of ufology. He was the first to popularize the idea that UFOs might not be nuts and bolts mechanisms from other planets. His penultimate work, "Passport to Magonia" instead theorizes that UFOs are a phenomenon of other dimensions, possibly as constructs of the shared consciousness of the entire human race. AS such they cannot be differentiated from other paranormal phenomena, such as ghosts or fairies or leprechauns. It was a heady idea, and polarizes the UFO community to this very day.

"Forbidden Science" is a collection of his journals, chronicling his graduation from high school through to his publication of "Passport". It reads as part autobiography, part expose, and part mystery. Vallee tells of his time working with other notable characters in ufology, including J.Allen Hynek and Aime Michel. His exposition of the often oblique workings of the US government's "Project Blue Book"is worth the price of admission all by itself.

Vallee is a wonderful writer, revealing his passion for many things....science, family, UFOs, travel, his homeland of France. His adventures are carefully chronicled here, in sequence, as he develops his signature theories on the nature of UFOs and other assorted paranormal phenomena. This is great insight into a great mind, searching for answers on one of the obscured big questions of our time. Highly recommended if you have any interest whatsoever in the subject of UFOs.

[Karl · Rating 5 out of 5]

Vallee gives a seminal oversight of the UFO research done in the US and abroad during the 1960s through a series of journal entries. Rarely if ever myopic, his journals are filled with compelling insights into the actual scientific direction of the research conducted on the UFO phenomenon, the stubborn resistance from science and the government, and a dramatic illustration of who the players were throughout this time. Not only a thoughtful scientist, but a compelling writer, the work has the readability of a novel. His reflections on world events of the time (as well as his own work on the early age of computer programming) was not only fascinating, but oddly reminiscent of the world we still live in today. A must for UFO enthusiasts.

[Allison Thurman · Rating 4 out of 5]

Not a dry read as so many diaries can be! Vallee's journals provide a moment-by-moment glimpse of both the early days of computer programming and UFO study. The 1950s and 1960s were an exciting time for both and it's rare to find someone professing interest in both, especially at a time when UFO study was increasingly seen as the province of cranks.

The journals reveal that Vallee's cautious approach to UFO studies started early and that he's always been critical of researchers who allow their personal biases to affect their work. Though good friends, he remained critical of J. Allen Hynek's reluctance to confront the U.S. Air Force about data they possibly held back.

A nice window into a crucial time period before UFOs were relegated to tabloids and Hollywood movies.

[Sausagecreature · Rating 4 out of 5]

I found the prose enjoyable, and liked the style of Vallee's narrative. At times his style reflects many mid-twentieth century British writers, Greene, Golding, Fowles are a few that sprang to mind as I read Vallee's descriptions of St Germain and other places and events.

The story has little in the way of revelation against today's understanding of the problem, and it is difficult to discern what is truth, and what is contrived in order to make the book appealing to a wide audience. There are references throughout the book, which I did not look into, so perhaps credibility can be established by following up on these.

If you are interested in the subject I would suggest that this is well worth a read, to get a more detailed account of those years when so much of the 'mythos' was first established as well as some wider historical context.

[Dan Zarfati · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book really gives you a private sight on some of the most important issues of the ufology, it is a very important book, but be prepared, the book is cringeworthy, Vallee wrote this journal before he was thirty years old, that is a prof on how intelligent and mentally capable he was, still he displays his pettiness, his pretentiousness to the full, he also misrepresents Jim McDonald, and is mean to Keyhoe. Basically Vallee is an ass, defends to the tooth a phony incompetent such as Hynek, perhaps Vallee does it on purpose, Hynek was a silly and vain baboon. Vallee also is the king of the non sequitur fallacies, and the grand stance silly affirmations, still he is the guy that had some of the most interesting insights in ufology, even been a proper ass himself.I could go on and on here, but you get the picture.

[Malcolm Brenner · Rating 5 out of 5]

Forbidden, indeed!

Astronomer, Cybernetitian and venture capitalist. – – Jacques Vallee has been all three. He is also one of the worlds foremost, UFO researchers. This book recounts the origins of his interest in the subject based on a personal sighting, he and his mother had in the closing days of World War II, and his struggles with the rock Percy and the morbidity of the French government and Lee good morning. OK

[Michael Klein · Rating 5 out of 5]

I will read anything by Vallee, but this is not just for the completest. This is for any scientist who ventures to the fringes.... I cannot wait to read the other two volumes.

[Justin · Rating 5 out of 5]

No shame... In a certain mood this is my five star kind of book because it leaves me wanting to be friends with Jacques.

[P.S. Winn · Rating 4 out of 5]

If you don't believe in UFO
s you have to read a book by this author, who was also a renowned scientist. He uses facts to show what we all may be missing when it comes to UFO's.