What do you think?
Rate this book
Watch the Skies!
An unbiased history of the UFO phenomenon profiles every major UFO case since 1947 and provides investigation results and probable explanations as obtained by classified documents. Reprint.
1 pages, Mass Market Paperback
First published March 17, 1994
1 person is currently reading
55 people want to read
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 9 of 9 reviews
February 5, 2015
I've read so many books about the UFO phenomena that I've considered putting them under a separate rubric rather than placing them, rather questionably, under 'Science'. Most of these books have been written by authors who take the extraterrestrial hypotheses seriously, though I've also read several books by skeptics. Peebles, an aerospece writer, is one of the latter.
Much of the skeptical literature--Philip Klass comes to mind as typical--is on the level of the material one finds in The Sceptical Inquirer about theology: poorly informed and off-the-point. This is not the case here. Peebles doesn't evince an encyclopedic knowledge of the UFO literature, but he does have breadth. There's material in this book that was new to me, particularly about the infighting in the believing community. Of course, there's also a lot that is missing. For instance, after dismissing claims regarding MJ12 and Roswell, Peebles fails to address the points made in defense of some of these claims by Stanton Friedman. Similarly, while going on at some length about Richard C. Doty, formerly of USAF Intelligence, and his influence on several UFologists, Peebles fails to deal with the fact that Doty's behavior appears to have been manipulatively disinformational. Otherwise Peebles dismisses claims that agencies of the government engage in such destructive activities. The question arises as to whether or not intelligence agent Doty was acting on behalf of others or was rather a loose cannon. Peebles, glaringly, doesn't attempt an answer.
Still, overall, author Peebles gives a fairer accounting of the various claims he does critically address than do some other skeptics. I recommend believers in the ET hypotheses to check him out.
Much of the skeptical literature--Philip Klass comes to mind as typical--is on the level of the material one finds in The Sceptical Inquirer about theology: poorly informed and off-the-point. This is not the case here. Peebles doesn't evince an encyclopedic knowledge of the UFO literature, but he does have breadth. There's material in this book that was new to me, particularly about the infighting in the believing community. Of course, there's also a lot that is missing. For instance, after dismissing claims regarding MJ12 and Roswell, Peebles fails to address the points made in defense of some of these claims by Stanton Friedman. Similarly, while going on at some length about Richard C. Doty, formerly of USAF Intelligence, and his influence on several UFologists, Peebles fails to deal with the fact that Doty's behavior appears to have been manipulatively disinformational. Otherwise Peebles dismisses claims that agencies of the government engage in such destructive activities. The question arises as to whether or not intelligence agent Doty was acting on behalf of others or was rather a loose cannon. Peebles, glaringly, doesn't attempt an answer.
Still, overall, author Peebles gives a fairer accounting of the various claims he does critically address than do some other skeptics. I recommend believers in the ET hypotheses to check him out.
February 25, 2012
The subtitle should really read 'A Chronicle of the Flying Saucer Myth IN AMERICA', since he barely touches on the saucers as a cultural trope elsewhere in the world. But hey - an American journo named 'em so we should claim 'em, not to mention that li'l dickens Ray Palmer and his priming of the belief pump with the Shaver Mystery.
March 31, 2014
Peebles is an aviation historian. Because of this, is uniquely skilled at writing about the subject of UFOs, as the subject comes under the jurisdiction of the Air Force, the US space program, and commercial and private planes.
Taking a skeptical look at the world of UFOs, Peebles sees them not as alien aircraft, but as a mythology of paranoia and fear, born out of the Cold War and spurred on by social changes in America; the 60s revolutions, the failed war in Vietnam, the murder of President Kennedy, the crimes of President Nixon, etc.
It was a period of uncertainty that led to an upswing of interest in the subject of the paranormal, including "little green men."
While there were "UFO sightings" in the past, modern American ufology begins with Kenneth Arnold, a pilot who, on a summer day in 1947, saw nine "saucer-like" objects in the sky. The press coverage sparked interest in the public, and soon everyone was seeing unusual lights in the sky.
The US Air Force opened many investigations into the subject, and while a few sightings were unidentifiable, usually they tended to have an explanation that was simple and no-nonsense; weather balloons, mistaken aircraft, mistaken planets, etc.
However, while most Americans were fearful of aliens, the Air Force was fearful of both experimental Soviet aircraft and the risk that false saucer sightings could make if real Soviet airstrikes were imminent.
The book goes from those beginnings through the world of science fiction film and stories, governmental conspiracies, and more, showing how the UFO tales reflected American concerns and fears.
It's quite interesting, but Peebles makes it clear that he is skeptical. He does not believe in aliens, in ultra-left or ultra-right ideologies, or conspiracies. While his frankness lets you know where he stands on those subjects, it could alienate (no pun intended) readers who hold to views he dismisses, such as radical feminists, antisemites, JFK assassination buffs, and other conspiracy-minded citizens.
As someone who does not believe in the "lone nut" theories for the assassinations of JFK, RFK, MLK, etc. I sometimes had to chuckle at his attempts to disparage conspiracists. Of course, that's his view - I'm certainly not going to say he isn't allowed to have it!
The primary drawback of the book is that it ends in 1992. One wonders what Peebles, who is still alive, made of the massive popularity of the tv show The X-Files, which no doubt sparked a tremendous amount of interest in UFOs and other paranormal subjects. One can also imagine Peebles tearing apart the "alien autopsy" video!
It would have been interesting to see UFOlogy cease being a subject most Americans were interested in after 9/11 made close encounters of the terrestrial kind a much more likely possibility for Americans. Who needs evil, cattle-mutilating grays when you have radical Mahometans - or a false flag operation, depending on your 'conspiracy' theory choice?
UFOs have since fallen by the wayside. Now our conspiracies center around radical religious groups, the birth certificate of our first African-American president, the so-called "One Percent," and other more down-to-earth subjects. Aliens are no longer necessary, and have become almost kitsch and cute, with "gray alien" stuffed animals, stickers, skateboards, satire, South Park characters - they even have their own line of gaming PCs.
But perhaps they will return, in force, to frighten Americans again, when our terrestrial enemies no longer satisfy that need.
Taking a skeptical look at the world of UFOs, Peebles sees them not as alien aircraft, but as a mythology of paranoia and fear, born out of the Cold War and spurred on by social changes in America; the 60s revolutions, the failed war in Vietnam, the murder of President Kennedy, the crimes of President Nixon, etc.
It was a period of uncertainty that led to an upswing of interest in the subject of the paranormal, including "little green men."
While there were "UFO sightings" in the past, modern American ufology begins with Kenneth Arnold, a pilot who, on a summer day in 1947, saw nine "saucer-like" objects in the sky. The press coverage sparked interest in the public, and soon everyone was seeing unusual lights in the sky.
The US Air Force opened many investigations into the subject, and while a few sightings were unidentifiable, usually they tended to have an explanation that was simple and no-nonsense; weather balloons, mistaken aircraft, mistaken planets, etc.
However, while most Americans were fearful of aliens, the Air Force was fearful of both experimental Soviet aircraft and the risk that false saucer sightings could make if real Soviet airstrikes were imminent.
The book goes from those beginnings through the world of science fiction film and stories, governmental conspiracies, and more, showing how the UFO tales reflected American concerns and fears.
It's quite interesting, but Peebles makes it clear that he is skeptical. He does not believe in aliens, in ultra-left or ultra-right ideologies, or conspiracies. While his frankness lets you know where he stands on those subjects, it could alienate (no pun intended) readers who hold to views he dismisses, such as radical feminists, antisemites, JFK assassination buffs, and other conspiracy-minded citizens.
As someone who does not believe in the "lone nut" theories for the assassinations of JFK, RFK, MLK, etc. I sometimes had to chuckle at his attempts to disparage conspiracists. Of course, that's his view - I'm certainly not going to say he isn't allowed to have it!
The primary drawback of the book is that it ends in 1992. One wonders what Peebles, who is still alive, made of the massive popularity of the tv show The X-Files, which no doubt sparked a tremendous amount of interest in UFOs and other paranormal subjects. One can also imagine Peebles tearing apart the "alien autopsy" video!
It would have been interesting to see UFOlogy cease being a subject most Americans were interested in after 9/11 made close encounters of the terrestrial kind a much more likely possibility for Americans. Who needs evil, cattle-mutilating grays when you have radical Mahometans - or a false flag operation, depending on your 'conspiracy' theory choice?
UFOs have since fallen by the wayside. Now our conspiracies center around radical religious groups, the birth certificate of our first African-American president, the so-called "One Percent," and other more down-to-earth subjects. Aliens are no longer necessary, and have become almost kitsch and cute, with "gray alien" stuffed animals, stickers, skateboards, satire, South Park characters - they even have their own line of gaming PCs.
But perhaps they will return, in force, to frighten Americans again, when our terrestrial enemies no longer satisfy that need.
May 12, 2024
A SMITHSONIAN INSTITUTION HISTORIAN LOOKS SKEPTICALLY AT UFOS
Curtis Peebles (1955-2017) was an aerospace historian for the Smithsonian Institution, a researcher and historian for the Dryden Flight Research Center, and the author of several books dealing with aviation and aerial phenomena.
He wrote in the Introduction to this 1994 book, “This book is a chronicle of the flying saucer myth---the system of beliefs that have developed around the idea that alien spacecraft are being seen in Earth’s skies. These beliefs did not suddenly spring into existence fully formed. Rather, a set of conflicting ideas originated, the myth was defined, then the beliefs evolved over nearly half a century. Moreover, the flying saucer myth is not a single, monolithic set of doctrines. As soon as the flying saucer myth was defined, schisms began to develop among ‘believers’---those people who accepted the idea that flying saucers were extraordinary objects. Not all believers held the same beliefs, and these schisms soon led to open warfare. The interaction between believers has been a major influence on the myth’s history. The flying saucer myth … also involves how the believers view the role and nature of government… This interaction both fed the flying saucer myth and brought about the very thins the government sought to avoid.” (Pg. xi)
He acknowledges, “Because this is a book about beliefs, it is only fair that the author’s beliefs are made clear. I am a skeptic. I believe flying saucer reports are misinterpretations of conventional objects, phenomena, and experiences. I do not believe the evidence indicates the Earth is under massive surveillance by disk-shaped alien spaceships. I base this conclusion on several decades of interest in UFOs, along with the source material that went into this book… These conclusions are those of the author; readers are encouraged to make up their own minds.” (Pg. xii)
He observes, “From the Project Sign final report it is possible to trace ‘official attitudes’ on flying saucers. The scientific community was open to the idea of alien civilizations and the possibility of interstellar travel, but was skeptical about flying saucers… These events unfolded against a threatening international and domestic situation. By the spring of 1948, disagreements between the West and the Soviets over the occupation of Germany had reached an impasse… On the domestic front, the ‘Age of Suspicion’ was beginning. Elizabeth Bentley, a former courier for Soviet intelligence, named thirty-seven former government officials as Soviet spies. Whitaker Chambers named Alger hiss… as a communist and Soviet spy… An atmosphere of suspicion had been created. And suspicion of conspiracy and cover-up was about to become central to the flying saucer myth.” (Pg. 39-40)
He says of a set of CIA briefing papers on UFOs that had earlier been cited by Donald Keyhoe, “It is worth recalling that these briefing papers were classified ‘Secret.’ If the Air Force had ‘proof’ and was covering it up, as Keyhoe claimed, it would have been included in the three briefing papers. Yet the Secret explanation was the same as the unclassified one---the vast majority of sightings were due to misinterpretation of conventional objects with a small percentage of unknowns. There was no proof, such as a crashed saucer.” (Pg. 93)
He says of ‘contactee’ George Adamski’s followers, “The contactees also faced difficulties in the early 1960s. Adamski’s circle was torn by internal difficulties. In 1961, his long-time secretary, Lucy McGinnis, left because Adamski was practicing trance mediumship. Adamski also damaged his own credibility, even with the ‘true believers.’ In March 1962, he claimed to have flown to Saturn. He also claimed to have met with President John F. Kennedy and Pope John XXIII. By the sprint of 1964, the situation at Mt. Palomar was in open palace revolt.” (Pg. 178)
He notes that in 1977, NASA indicated its willingness to analyze “any unexplained organic or inorganic sample.” NASA administrator Robert A. Frosch added, “There is an absence of tangible or physical evidence available for thorough laboratory analysis. And because of the absence of such evidence, we have not been able to devise a sound scientific procedures for investigating these phenomena. To proceed on a research task without a disciplinary framework and an exploratory technique in mind would be wasteful and probably unproductive. I do not need that we could mount a research effort without a better staring point than we have been able to identify thus far. I would therefore propose that NASA take no steps to establish a research activity in this area or to convene a symposium on this subject.” (Pg. 247)
He says of ‘The UFO Incident’ TV movie that was based on the Betty and Barney Hill sighting, “Certain liberties were taken in telling the Hills’ story. The Dr. Simon in the film was depicted as uncertain about the reality of the abduction story. The real Dr. Simon had no such doubts---in an interview on The Today Show he said, ‘It was a dream… the abduction did not happen.’ In a letter to [Philip] Klass, he stated flatly, ‘The abduction did not take place but was a reproduction of Betty’s dream which occurred right after the sighting. This was her expression of anxiety as contrasted to Barney’s more psychosomatic one.’” (Pg. 273)
Of the Travis Walton case, he reports, “While the search for Travis Walton was underway, [Michael] Rogers and Duane Walton (Travis’s older brother…) were interviewed by Phoenix UFOlogist Fred Sylvanus. Throughout the sixty-five minute interview, neither expressed any concern about Travis’s fate. Duane said he was ‘having the experience of a lifetime!’ Travis had not acted impulsively, Duane said, but as part of a long-standing plan between the two brothers: ‘Travis and I discussed this many, many times at great length and we both said that [if either ever saw a UFO up close] we would immediately get as directly under the object as physically possible.’” (Pg. 274)
He points out, “Despite [Budd] Hopkins’s and [David] Jacobs’s claims, the abductee myth has numerous similarities with science fiction… In the film ‘Killers from Space’ an abductee has a strange scar and missing memory. In ‘Invaders from Mars,’ the Martians use implants to control humans… ‘Dying planets’ … are a standard feature of science fiction… Crossbreeding between humans and aliens was a common science fiction film plot… The shape of aliens in abduction stories is well within the traditions of science fiction. The ‘bug-eyed monsters’ of 1930s and 104-s pulp magazines often had large, bald heads… All these similarities between science fiction concepts and the abduction myth caused [Martin] Kottmeyer to write: ‘It seems more sensible to flip Hopkins’ allegation around. He says nothing about the aliens of UFO abductions resembling sci fi. I ask, is there anything about UFO aliens that does NOT resemble science fiction?’” (Pg. 288)
He concludes, “Each person goes through life attempting to make order of the events and phenomena around him. Humans need order, which comes from both knowledge and myth. The flying saucer and alien myths are really about how one makes order out of his world. The IDEA of disk-shaped alien spaceships becomes the symbol for hopes and fears about the world. We watch the skies seeking meaning. In the end, what we find is ourselves.” (Pg. 348)
This book will be “must reading” for one seeking a reasonably well-balanced skeptical interpretation of UFO and alien data.
Curtis Peebles (1955-2017) was an aerospace historian for the Smithsonian Institution, a researcher and historian for the Dryden Flight Research Center, and the author of several books dealing with aviation and aerial phenomena.
He wrote in the Introduction to this 1994 book, “This book is a chronicle of the flying saucer myth---the system of beliefs that have developed around the idea that alien spacecraft are being seen in Earth’s skies. These beliefs did not suddenly spring into existence fully formed. Rather, a set of conflicting ideas originated, the myth was defined, then the beliefs evolved over nearly half a century. Moreover, the flying saucer myth is not a single, monolithic set of doctrines. As soon as the flying saucer myth was defined, schisms began to develop among ‘believers’---those people who accepted the idea that flying saucers were extraordinary objects. Not all believers held the same beliefs, and these schisms soon led to open warfare. The interaction between believers has been a major influence on the myth’s history. The flying saucer myth … also involves how the believers view the role and nature of government… This interaction both fed the flying saucer myth and brought about the very thins the government sought to avoid.” (Pg. xi)
He acknowledges, “Because this is a book about beliefs, it is only fair that the author’s beliefs are made clear. I am a skeptic. I believe flying saucer reports are misinterpretations of conventional objects, phenomena, and experiences. I do not believe the evidence indicates the Earth is under massive surveillance by disk-shaped alien spaceships. I base this conclusion on several decades of interest in UFOs, along with the source material that went into this book… These conclusions are those of the author; readers are encouraged to make up their own minds.” (Pg. xii)
He observes, “From the Project Sign final report it is possible to trace ‘official attitudes’ on flying saucers. The scientific community was open to the idea of alien civilizations and the possibility of interstellar travel, but was skeptical about flying saucers… These events unfolded against a threatening international and domestic situation. By the spring of 1948, disagreements between the West and the Soviets over the occupation of Germany had reached an impasse… On the domestic front, the ‘Age of Suspicion’ was beginning. Elizabeth Bentley, a former courier for Soviet intelligence, named thirty-seven former government officials as Soviet spies. Whitaker Chambers named Alger hiss… as a communist and Soviet spy… An atmosphere of suspicion had been created. And suspicion of conspiracy and cover-up was about to become central to the flying saucer myth.” (Pg. 39-40)
He says of a set of CIA briefing papers on UFOs that had earlier been cited by Donald Keyhoe, “It is worth recalling that these briefing papers were classified ‘Secret.’ If the Air Force had ‘proof’ and was covering it up, as Keyhoe claimed, it would have been included in the three briefing papers. Yet the Secret explanation was the same as the unclassified one---the vast majority of sightings were due to misinterpretation of conventional objects with a small percentage of unknowns. There was no proof, such as a crashed saucer.” (Pg. 93)
He says of ‘contactee’ George Adamski’s followers, “The contactees also faced difficulties in the early 1960s. Adamski’s circle was torn by internal difficulties. In 1961, his long-time secretary, Lucy McGinnis, left because Adamski was practicing trance mediumship. Adamski also damaged his own credibility, even with the ‘true believers.’ In March 1962, he claimed to have flown to Saturn. He also claimed to have met with President John F. Kennedy and Pope John XXIII. By the sprint of 1964, the situation at Mt. Palomar was in open palace revolt.” (Pg. 178)
He notes that in 1977, NASA indicated its willingness to analyze “any unexplained organic or inorganic sample.” NASA administrator Robert A. Frosch added, “There is an absence of tangible or physical evidence available for thorough laboratory analysis. And because of the absence of such evidence, we have not been able to devise a sound scientific procedures for investigating these phenomena. To proceed on a research task without a disciplinary framework and an exploratory technique in mind would be wasteful and probably unproductive. I do not need that we could mount a research effort without a better staring point than we have been able to identify thus far. I would therefore propose that NASA take no steps to establish a research activity in this area or to convene a symposium on this subject.” (Pg. 247)
He says of ‘The UFO Incident’ TV movie that was based on the Betty and Barney Hill sighting, “Certain liberties were taken in telling the Hills’ story. The Dr. Simon in the film was depicted as uncertain about the reality of the abduction story. The real Dr. Simon had no such doubts---in an interview on The Today Show he said, ‘It was a dream… the abduction did not happen.’ In a letter to [Philip] Klass, he stated flatly, ‘The abduction did not take place but was a reproduction of Betty’s dream which occurred right after the sighting. This was her expression of anxiety as contrasted to Barney’s more psychosomatic one.’” (Pg. 273)
Of the Travis Walton case, he reports, “While the search for Travis Walton was underway, [Michael] Rogers and Duane Walton (Travis’s older brother…) were interviewed by Phoenix UFOlogist Fred Sylvanus. Throughout the sixty-five minute interview, neither expressed any concern about Travis’s fate. Duane said he was ‘having the experience of a lifetime!’ Travis had not acted impulsively, Duane said, but as part of a long-standing plan between the two brothers: ‘Travis and I discussed this many, many times at great length and we both said that [if either ever saw a UFO up close] we would immediately get as directly under the object as physically possible.’” (Pg. 274)
He points out, “Despite [Budd] Hopkins’s and [David] Jacobs’s claims, the abductee myth has numerous similarities with science fiction… In the film ‘Killers from Space’ an abductee has a strange scar and missing memory. In ‘Invaders from Mars,’ the Martians use implants to control humans… ‘Dying planets’ … are a standard feature of science fiction… Crossbreeding between humans and aliens was a common science fiction film plot… The shape of aliens in abduction stories is well within the traditions of science fiction. The ‘bug-eyed monsters’ of 1930s and 104-s pulp magazines often had large, bald heads… All these similarities between science fiction concepts and the abduction myth caused [Martin] Kottmeyer to write: ‘It seems more sensible to flip Hopkins’ allegation around. He says nothing about the aliens of UFO abductions resembling sci fi. I ask, is there anything about UFO aliens that does NOT resemble science fiction?’” (Pg. 288)
He concludes, “Each person goes through life attempting to make order of the events and phenomena around him. Humans need order, which comes from both knowledge and myth. The flying saucer and alien myths are really about how one makes order out of his world. The IDEA of disk-shaped alien spaceships becomes the symbol for hopes and fears about the world. We watch the skies seeking meaning. In the end, what we find is ourselves.” (Pg. 348)
This book will be “must reading” for one seeking a reasonably well-balanced skeptical interpretation of UFO and alien data.
April 14, 2016
A valuable reference on the topic.
This is one of the best surveys of UFO history that I have read, in terms of lining up the facts. Peebles is relatively light on framing-which is good, given when he does try for it, it tends to be kind of weak. (People were especially afraid during the beginning and end of the Cold War, accounting for the outbreaks then--but not explaining intervening ones; a myth is a set of interrelated ideas--but necessarily false.)
The reader should be aware that there are some limitations. Peebles is not interested in the Theosophical roots of flying saucer mythology, and hand-waves at this, lumping it in with occultism and such. The story, as he tells it, is entirely a dialectic between the government on one hand and believers, with their evolving story, on the other. He accepts relatively uncritically any explanations offered by the government.
Which isn't to say I accept that the earth is being visited by humans. (Although, to give credit where credit is due, the current Republican primary does make me wonder if earth hasn't been infiltrated by lizard people.) But the government also comes across as quite fumbling in this story, and its explanations more ad hoc than believable at times.
The book isn;t really one you want to sit and read straight through. There's no narrative drive, but mostly one damned thing after another kind of history. Nonetheless, a valuable reference book, still, even considering the many years that have passed since it was first published.
This is one of the best surveys of UFO history that I have read, in terms of lining up the facts. Peebles is relatively light on framing-which is good, given when he does try for it, it tends to be kind of weak. (People were especially afraid during the beginning and end of the Cold War, accounting for the outbreaks then--but not explaining intervening ones; a myth is a set of interrelated ideas--but necessarily false.)
The reader should be aware that there are some limitations. Peebles is not interested in the Theosophical roots of flying saucer mythology, and hand-waves at this, lumping it in with occultism and such. The story, as he tells it, is entirely a dialectic between the government on one hand and believers, with their evolving story, on the other. He accepts relatively uncritically any explanations offered by the government.
Which isn't to say I accept that the earth is being visited by humans. (Although, to give credit where credit is due, the current Republican primary does make me wonder if earth hasn't been infiltrated by lizard people.) But the government also comes across as quite fumbling in this story, and its explanations more ad hoc than believable at times.
The book isn;t really one you want to sit and read straight through. There's no narrative drive, but mostly one damned thing after another kind of history. Nonetheless, a valuable reference book, still, even considering the many years that have passed since it was first published.
November 23, 2017
I came across this among some other stuff that was buried in the basement, and I realized that I had never read it. I casually started it; I couldn't put it down.
This is probably the best overview of the UFO phenomenon I've come across - balanced, informative, and refreshingly unhysterical. Peebles, an aviation historian, has no personal axe to grind about whether or not "the truth is out there" ; he states clearly that , while he is a skeptic, he is not out to debunk the UFO phenomenon. His purpose is to put the entire phenomenon into a social and historical context; therefore, his use of the terms "myth" and " mythology " is not derogatory but instead refers to an evolving belief system that is very much a product of its time(s). The result is even handed, Informative, and perceptive - his analyses of the Contactee movement and of the abduction phenomenon are particularly insightful.
Sadly, the book was published in 1995 and is now 20 years out of date - hence 4 rather than 5 stars. One hopes a new updated edition will be forthcoming. It's that good.
This is probably the best overview of the UFO phenomenon I've come across - balanced, informative, and refreshingly unhysterical. Peebles, an aviation historian, has no personal axe to grind about whether or not "the truth is out there" ; he states clearly that , while he is a skeptic, he is not out to debunk the UFO phenomenon. His purpose is to put the entire phenomenon into a social and historical context; therefore, his use of the terms "myth" and " mythology " is not derogatory but instead refers to an evolving belief system that is very much a product of its time(s). The result is even handed, Informative, and perceptive - his analyses of the Contactee movement and of the abduction phenomenon are particularly insightful.
Sadly, the book was published in 1995 and is now 20 years out of date - hence 4 rather than 5 stars. One hopes a new updated edition will be forthcoming. It's that good.
October 10, 2019
Excellent summary of the modern myth that we are been or have been visited by aliens, with emphasis on facts the sensational documentaries cover up that would otherwise expose the natural, delusional and hoaxed explanations behind the most well known encounters, and how directly the ever-growing myth is influenced by fiction (including lost time, alien implants, beaming up, emotionless aliens and human-alien hybrids, that appeared before it was reported in sightings and abductions.
September 12, 2017
Very good skeptical review of the sociological evolution of the UFO mythos from the 1940s to the 1990s era of abductions and the X-Files. A lot of information about various sightings and events, well-written with reasonable arguments. Most interesting is how it traces in specific ways how the common perception of UFOs evolved step-by-step over the years.
August 27, 2012
An excellent review of why the myth has evolved over time and how the myth fits the needs of the time. Very well researched.
Displaying 1 - 9 of 9 reviews