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Sekret Machines #1
Chasing Shadows
Chasing Shadows is the first book in the multimedia Sekret Machines franchise that will reveal fascinating secrets surrounding the true, well-documented events of Unidentified Aerial Phenomenon. Written by award-winning creator Tom DeLonge and academic AJ Hartley in a powerful collaboration with top government advisors that keep the truth on course in this historical thriller.
For those who know that something is going on…
The witnesses are legion, scattered across the world and dotted through history, people who looked up and saw something impossible lighting up the night sky. What those objects were, where they came from, and who—or what—might be inside them is the subject of fierce debate and equally fierce mockery, so that most who glimpsed them came to wish they hadn’t.
Most, but not everyone.
Among those who know what they’ve seen, and—like the toll of a bell that can’t be unrung—are forever changed by it, are a pilot, an heiress, a journalist, and a prisoner of war. From the waning days of the 20th century’s final great war to the fraught fields of Afghanistan to the otherworldly secrets hidden amid Nevada’s dusty neverlands—the truth that is out there will propel each of them into a labyrinth of otherworldly technology and the competing aims of those who might seek to prevent—or harness—these beings of unfathomable power. Because, as it turns out, we are not the only ones who can invent and build…and destroy.
Featuring actual events and other truths drawn from sources within the military and intelligence community, Tom DeLonge and A.J. Hartley offer a tale at once terrifying, fantastical, and perhaps all too real. Though it is, of course, a work of… fiction?
For those who know that something is going on…
The witnesses are legion, scattered across the world and dotted through history, people who looked up and saw something impossible lighting up the night sky. What those objects were, where they came from, and who—or what—might be inside them is the subject of fierce debate and equally fierce mockery, so that most who glimpsed them came to wish they hadn’t.
Most, but not everyone.
Among those who know what they’ve seen, and—like the toll of a bell that can’t be unrung—are forever changed by it, are a pilot, an heiress, a journalist, and a prisoner of war. From the waning days of the 20th century’s final great war to the fraught fields of Afghanistan to the otherworldly secrets hidden amid Nevada’s dusty neverlands—the truth that is out there will propel each of them into a labyrinth of otherworldly technology and the competing aims of those who might seek to prevent—or harness—these beings of unfathomable power. Because, as it turns out, we are not the only ones who can invent and build…and destroy.
Featuring actual events and other truths drawn from sources within the military and intelligence community, Tom DeLonge and A.J. Hartley offer a tale at once terrifying, fantastical, and perhaps all too real. Though it is, of course, a work of… fiction?
680 pages, Hardcover
First published April 5, 2016
583 people are currently reading
3466 people want to read
About the author
Tom DeLonge
46 books836 followersTom DeLonge is an award-winning producer, author, platinum recording artist, researcher and entrepreneur from San Diego, CA. Today Tom, with his company To The Stars, produces original content that aims to inspire a newfound appreciation of the profound, yet unresolved, mysteries involving science and the universe through entertainment directly informed by science. His first multi-media franchise Love, told the story of an isolated astronaut on the International Space Station and included a double album by his band Angels And Airwaves with the feature film premiering in 600 theatres across the United States. His next franchise Poet Anderson was inspired by a dream study conducted at Stanford University and spanned an award-winning short film, a chart-topping album, acclaimed comic book series, graphic novel and a YA science fiction novel co-written with NYTimes Bestselling author Suzanne Young. Most recently he is working on Sekret Machines which spans both sci-fi fiction and nonfiction thesis informed by unprecedented access at the highest level of the government and science to uncover information about the UFO phenomenon with renowned authors AJ Hartley and Peter Levenda. His Sekret Machines work has won him the 2017 UFO Researcher of the Year award.
For the full experience of Tom’s work, visit www.tothestars.media.
For the full experience of Tom’s work, visit www.tothestars.media.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 221 reviews
February 28, 2016
"Sign this... and I'll show you"
I got an advanced readers's copy of the book from To The Stars. There was a lot of hype around this project so I could not miss the opportunity to get an early access. My expectations were pretty high but I was not disappointed. Book totally lived up to them.
It's a thriller about the Unidentified Aerial Phenomena and the covert world of secrets and conflicts most of the people are not aware of. While being written as fiction, the story is based on real life events gleaned from the authors' sources in the military and intelligence community. Book gives us a bit of an insight on how tangled, confidential and dangerous that world is.
The way the book was written reminded me of Max Brooks's World War Z where a massive event is told through interviews of several people. That kind of storytelling in my opinion is one of the best because it provides multiple perspectives on one phenomenon, and that gives depth to the story and makes it much more detailed and interesting to read.
In Sekret Machines authors tell us the stories of 4 seemingly completely different individuals - a pilot, a prisoner of war, an owner of a news site focused on conspiracy theories, and a heiress of a very rich and powerful man - all of whom by a simple twist of fate ended up involved in that private world of secrets and schemes. Those 4 stories are told parallel to each other, giving us the timeline of events starting from the Second World War to modern days, but it is done in a very clever way. Instead of simply having 4 parts, each telling a separate linear story, those stories are divided into pieces and every new chapter jumps to another character's perspective.
It's like a jigsaw puzzle that you start assembling from the corners. Every chapter adds a piece to one of the them and you watch those pieces fall into place one by one eventually connecting and revealing the breath-taking picture.
That also makes the story feel less linear making it harder to guess what's going to happen next. The book does not fail to surprise.
I also liked that the story was not dragging out. There were a couple of parts that seemed a bit slow for my liking but overall stories move at a good pace. Every piece has it's own purpose and place in the story, there were no parts that made me think "well that could have easily been removed".
Authors did a great job building up the tension. Chapters get shorter and shorter as the story progresses, and having rapid jumps between characters makes it feel so much more intense. Events told in the book will constantly keep you on edge.
The topic of the book is not that uncommon to us. We all are quite familiar with the concept of UFOs and we've all heard and even made jokes about being kidnapped or eliminated for knowing or revealing something we weren't supposed to. "Get close to the government secrets and you'll get in trouble" seems to be a common knowledge. But there are so many questions, so much unknown in this world and even though most people don't really think twice about it and take it as more of a joke, I'm sure most of us have this yearning deep down for knowing more, for getting answers.
This book will take you for a quite wild and sometimes unsettling ride. And that's the beauty of it. The story has an abundance of well-reserched facts, but it also leaves space for your own research. It will make you wonder, and even question the things you know and believe in.
I got an advanced readers's copy of the book from To The Stars. There was a lot of hype around this project so I could not miss the opportunity to get an early access. My expectations were pretty high but I was not disappointed. Book totally lived up to them.
It's a thriller about the Unidentified Aerial Phenomena and the covert world of secrets and conflicts most of the people are not aware of. While being written as fiction, the story is based on real life events gleaned from the authors' sources in the military and intelligence community. Book gives us a bit of an insight on how tangled, confidential and dangerous that world is.
The way the book was written reminded me of Max Brooks's World War Z where a massive event is told through interviews of several people. That kind of storytelling in my opinion is one of the best because it provides multiple perspectives on one phenomenon, and that gives depth to the story and makes it much more detailed and interesting to read.
In Sekret Machines authors tell us the stories of 4 seemingly completely different individuals - a pilot, a prisoner of war, an owner of a news site focused on conspiracy theories, and a heiress of a very rich and powerful man - all of whom by a simple twist of fate ended up involved in that private world of secrets and schemes. Those 4 stories are told parallel to each other, giving us the timeline of events starting from the Second World War to modern days, but it is done in a very clever way. Instead of simply having 4 parts, each telling a separate linear story, those stories are divided into pieces and every new chapter jumps to another character's perspective.
It's like a jigsaw puzzle that you start assembling from the corners. Every chapter adds a piece to one of the them and you watch those pieces fall into place one by one eventually connecting and revealing the breath-taking picture.
That also makes the story feel less linear making it harder to guess what's going to happen next. The book does not fail to surprise.
I also liked that the story was not dragging out. There were a couple of parts that seemed a bit slow for my liking but overall stories move at a good pace. Every piece has it's own purpose and place in the story, there were no parts that made me think "well that could have easily been removed".
Authors did a great job building up the tension. Chapters get shorter and shorter as the story progresses, and having rapid jumps between characters makes it feel so much more intense. Events told in the book will constantly keep you on edge.
The topic of the book is not that uncommon to us. We all are quite familiar with the concept of UFOs and we've all heard and even made jokes about being kidnapped or eliminated for knowing or revealing something we weren't supposed to. "Get close to the government secrets and you'll get in trouble" seems to be a common knowledge. But there are so many questions, so much unknown in this world and even though most people don't really think twice about it and take it as more of a joke, I'm sure most of us have this yearning deep down for knowing more, for getting answers.
This book will take you for a quite wild and sometimes unsettling ride. And that's the beauty of it. The story has an abundance of well-reserched facts, but it also leaves space for your own research. It will make you wonder, and even question the things you know and believe in.
September 1, 2024
Chasing Shadows
By Tom DeLonge and A.J. Hartley
This book is supposed to have bits of facts mixed with fiction to make it more believable for those who don't think that UAPs are real. I recognized some of the events like abduction of Barney and Betty Hill.
It was a very exciting thriller and reads like what would happen if the government was hiding secrets this important. The story follows a handful of people and what they encounter. Loved it. Will start book 2 next!
By Tom DeLonge and A.J. Hartley
This book is supposed to have bits of facts mixed with fiction to make it more believable for those who don't think that UAPs are real. I recognized some of the events like abduction of Barney and Betty Hill.
It was a very exciting thriller and reads like what would happen if the government was hiding secrets this important. The story follows a handful of people and what they encounter. Loved it. Will start book 2 next!
May 30, 2016
part Tom Clancy, part xfiles, this is a long novel very densely packed with plotting and characterization. the pacing is well done making it seem like a shorter book and the ending is, pardon the cliche action packed. also more titles to come yay!
February 28, 2016
I ordered one of the 100 advanced readers' copies from the publisher and thoroughly enjoyed it. It's essentially an adult thriller about the development of unidentified aerial phenomena and how it's overseen and kept secret by governments and financial institutions throughout history. This book particularly focuses on WWII up to the present day. It's not a book about alien abductions or a crazy drunk dude seeing lights in the sky as people might assume... it's about the reality of advanced technology and international conflicts we have no clue about.
The story explores politics, financial influence, history, conspiracy, religion, and more. Each character is developed thoroughly and each chapter ends in a way that leaves you at the edge of your seat. The characters are diverse in their backgrounds and settings but there is a common theme that ties them all together so their stories don't seem fragmented or totally unrelated. It is a big book so there were admittedly a few times where it dragged on a little for me, or sometimes I became disinterested in a certain character's journey, but it all coincides by the end and remains engaging. There are interlude chapters throughout the book and most of them are based on well-documented UFO/UAP sightings that you can look up so you can research while you read, which made it fun for me.
People who are interested in advanced aircraft, government secrets, and conspiracies will be familiar with a lot of the interlude chapters and some of the UAPs that are discussed. Somebody new to the whole idea will enjoy it simply because it's a captivating read. AJ Hartley wrote it all very well and it's up there with the Da Vinci Code or Game of Thrones in terms of style and professionalism.
The story explores politics, financial influence, history, conspiracy, religion, and more. Each character is developed thoroughly and each chapter ends in a way that leaves you at the edge of your seat. The characters are diverse in their backgrounds and settings but there is a common theme that ties them all together so their stories don't seem fragmented or totally unrelated. It is a big book so there were admittedly a few times where it dragged on a little for me, or sometimes I became disinterested in a certain character's journey, but it all coincides by the end and remains engaging. There are interlude chapters throughout the book and most of them are based on well-documented UFO/UAP sightings that you can look up so you can research while you read, which made it fun for me.
People who are interested in advanced aircraft, government secrets, and conspiracies will be familiar with a lot of the interlude chapters and some of the UAPs that are discussed. Somebody new to the whole idea will enjoy it simply because it's a captivating read. AJ Hartley wrote it all very well and it's up there with the Da Vinci Code or Game of Thrones in terms of style and professionalism.
December 30, 2016
Disclaimer: I am a believer. A believer that alien life exists and they have been visiting Earth as long as humanity has existed.
Where to begin on this one? As I was listening to the excellent narration by Paul Castanzo, I kept thinking is this fiction or non-fiction? I came to the conclusion that it was categorized (in my mind) as historical fiction. Then I got to the Afterword and there it was officially stated that, "It is a project that involves science and history, politics and religion, fiction and non-fiction. All of these elements are woven together in an effort to express a singular truth."
This first book in a coming series captured all the key events in recent UFO history and weaved them into one coherent story/theory. Everything was there for believers including: Betty/Barney Hill, Men In Black, Roswell, Area 51, flying saucers, government projects such as Project Paperclip, and UFOs at US missile bases. This is the X-Files on a grand scale and made for an exciting read. The truth is out there and one day we’ll all know of it.
Where to begin on this one? As I was listening to the excellent narration by Paul Castanzo, I kept thinking is this fiction or non-fiction? I came to the conclusion that it was categorized (in my mind) as historical fiction. Then I got to the Afterword and there it was officially stated that, "It is a project that involves science and history, politics and religion, fiction and non-fiction. All of these elements are woven together in an effort to express a singular truth."
This first book in a coming series captured all the key events in recent UFO history and weaved them into one coherent story/theory. Everything was there for believers including: Betty/Barney Hill, Men In Black, Roswell, Area 51, flying saucers, government projects such as Project Paperclip, and UFOs at US missile bases. This is the X-Files on a grand scale and made for an exciting read. The truth is out there and one day we’ll all know of it.
June 7, 2023
...........
.................That was fun.
I haven't read a thriller this exciting and engrossing in a long time.
As for the content...god, who knows. But Tom DeLonge (of Blink 182 fame) and his amazing ghost-writer A.J. Hartley crafted a superb entry into the genre of UFO lore.
The authors tied together strands of UFO lore that are verifiable along with a bunch that aren't - and made it extremely plausible.
Is Delonge relating the fruits of his access of the intersection of the U.S. government (USG) and secretive aerospace programs? Who knows? Who goddamn knows, but if you suspend disbelief, this could possibly be the closest we will ever get to "Disclosure".
If you're reading this review and find it too vague, I'll give you the quick and dirty:
DeLonge used his rockstar millions to gain access to government, military, and aerospace professionals who would be in the know about the existence of UFO's and/or USG projects to reverse engineer accessible "alien" craft. Delonge started making bold claims, and everyone thought he was nuts until a former Secretary of Defense, credible military officials, and aerospace executives got on the board of his non-profit.
The plot of this novel revolves around a reverse-engineered fighter aircraft and several people drawn into a conspiracy that stretches from a Nazi forced labor camp in Poland to Afghanistan to the Antarctic, New York City, the UK and other points in-between.
Do I believe it's the truth, the whole truth, and nothing but the truth? No. But it is (as the afterward suggests) and artistic interpretation of the truth that the reader will have to weigh whether or not it falls into their own personal realm of possibility.
Even if you don't believe in the basic premise, it's a riveting thriller -and I'm along for the rest of the ride.
.................That was fun.
I haven't read a thriller this exciting and engrossing in a long time.
As for the content...god, who knows. But Tom DeLonge (of Blink 182 fame) and his amazing ghost-writer A.J. Hartley crafted a superb entry into the genre of UFO lore.
The authors tied together strands of UFO lore that are verifiable along with a bunch that aren't - and made it extremely plausible.
Is Delonge relating the fruits of his access of the intersection of the U.S. government (USG) and secretive aerospace programs? Who knows? Who goddamn knows, but if you suspend disbelief, this could possibly be the closest we will ever get to "Disclosure".
If you're reading this review and find it too vague, I'll give you the quick and dirty:
DeLonge used his rockstar millions to gain access to government, military, and aerospace professionals who would be in the know about the existence of UFO's and/or USG projects to reverse engineer accessible "alien" craft. Delonge started making bold claims, and everyone thought he was nuts until a former Secretary of Defense, credible military officials, and aerospace executives got on the board of his non-profit.
The plot of this novel revolves around a reverse-engineered fighter aircraft and several people drawn into a conspiracy that stretches from a Nazi forced labor camp in Poland to Afghanistan to the Antarctic, New York City, the UK and other points in-between.
Do I believe it's the truth, the whole truth, and nothing but the truth? No. But it is (as the afterward suggests) and artistic interpretation of the truth that the reader will have to weigh whether or not it falls into their own personal realm of possibility.
Even if you don't believe in the basic premise, it's a riveting thriller -and I'm along for the rest of the ride.
January 19, 2019
Big let down. Got this book as a curiosity since it's co-written by a former Blink-182, Tom Delong, and Delong's organization is responsible for releasing the recent set of dash-cam videos of unidentified objects being tracked by USAF jets during routine operations.
Delong has opted a multimedia strategy to "release" information including that previously classified footage, to writing "non-fiction" books about secret histories, and "fictionalized" stories like this book, to help "disclosure".
It's not that the book is bad, it's just not really good. The history is well researched, both from actual history and the UFO lore, down to the supposed project call sign of these X-project planes built from the reverse engineering, "TR3b Astra". The story, unfortunately, is missing something, like life, that makes it difficult to care about. It's almost as of Delong et.al wrote a script of events they wanted the characters to go through, in sequence, and some intern wrote perfunctory dialogue to bridge between those events.
Most of the secret history stuff borrows liberally from Season 1 - 4 of X Files mythology arc, Indiana Jones, and some bit from History Channels Ancient Aliens, but since all of this is supposedly based on a true set of events, I guess I got the causality backwards there.
Not worth 17 hours of listening, watching Kingdom of the Crystal Skull was slightly more entertaining. Not recommended
Delong has opted a multimedia strategy to "release" information including that previously classified footage, to writing "non-fiction" books about secret histories, and "fictionalized" stories like this book, to help "disclosure".
It's not that the book is bad, it's just not really good. The history is well researched, both from actual history and the UFO lore, down to the supposed project call sign of these X-project planes built from the reverse engineering, "TR3b Astra". The story, unfortunately, is missing something, like life, that makes it difficult to care about. It's almost as of Delong et.al wrote a script of events they wanted the characters to go through, in sequence, and some intern wrote perfunctory dialogue to bridge between those events.
Most of the secret history stuff borrows liberally from Season 1 - 4 of X Files mythology arc, Indiana Jones, and some bit from History Channels Ancient Aliens, but since all of this is supposedly based on a true set of events, I guess I got the causality backwards there.
Not worth 17 hours of listening, watching Kingdom of the Crystal Skull was slightly more entertaining. Not recommended
April 12, 2018
So this is apparently fiction woven around confirmed facts, used as a method to convey seemingly unbelievable news.
It doesn't do itself any favours however by including the 1989 Belgian black triangles events nor details of an alleged Nazi Antarctic base, both of which have been thoroughly debunked.
So as a method to convey the contents as real it dismally fails, despite the sensational preface where it seems some top secret information will be subtly revealed, it instead manages to cast a shadow of tinfoil hat crazy over the contents by including the above.
As a purely fiction book, the start is reasonably compelling as you switch between perspectives, the middle is rather dull and dry, then things speed up in the last 20% to a climatic closing.
Overall, I don't see what all the excitement is about.
It doesn't do itself any favours however by including the 1989 Belgian black triangles events nor details of an alleged Nazi Antarctic base, both of which have been thoroughly debunked.
So as a method to convey the contents as real it dismally fails, despite the sensational preface where it seems some top secret information will be subtly revealed, it instead manages to cast a shadow of tinfoil hat crazy over the contents by including the above.
As a purely fiction book, the start is reasonably compelling as you switch between perspectives, the middle is rather dull and dry, then things speed up in the last 20% to a climatic closing.
Overall, I don't see what all the excitement is about.
August 18, 2016
1939, Krakow, Poland. The Nazi’s had rounded up Jerzy Aaron Stern (son/brother), mama, papa, & Ishmael (son/brother).
The parents were soon gassed/burned to death.
12/1944, Wenceslas, Poland. Jerzy & Ishmael were stuck working at Wenceslas mines. Ishmael was shot/killed by the tower guards for trying to escape with his brother.
Jerzy had somehow managed to escape. Going from village/village he soon met up with Mrs. Olga Habernicht. His journey & several near death adventures continued.
In 1945, Jerzy later immigrated to the USA on the USS Kitchener’s; Ellis Island & got his citizenship somehow.
What had he & Hartsfield (Seaman) seen in the sky?
9/1961, White Mountain, NH. Barney Hill (A/A, NAACP member) & Betty Hill were out one night looking up in the sky the couple observed a very bright light. Shooting Star? The disc headed for Indian Head.
3/16/1967, Malstrom AF Base, Montana. Tommy Reznik (USAF, Vietnam) loved The space program when he was younger. What was he seeing that night in the clear Montana sky?
He called Command Base, & told them the burning orange whatever it was; it was heading for the main gate.
1989, Kofu, Japan. Andy (American, visual artist), got off of his bike & was taking pictures of something in the sky. Would anyone believe him?
Hindu Kush, Afghanistan Major Alan Young (USMC piolet) was in the cockpit of a Harrier II+ fighter jet flying over the mountain terrain.
But a funny thing happened out of nowhere there appeared an unknown light & a strange unidentified flying object.
Major Young had zeroed in on his target, it was destroyed. Some of his pilots however were killed.
The MARSOC team was looking to secure an area from the Mujahedeen combatants.
Sergeant Barry Regis (USMC Special Ops., aka Rattlesnake) & Alan were stationed at Camp Leatherneck Helmund Province, Afghanistan at the Sensitive Compartmentalized Information Facility (SCIF).
Captain Thwaite (m), Lieutenant Jonah (f) & Lieutenant Simmons (m) came to visit with Major Young.
A manila folder was given to him, & the questions started pouring in.
Every word of Major Young was also taken in context from the cockpit voice recorder.
He was grounded till further notice.
Major Young’s next meeting was with Special Agent Martin Hatcher (CIA).
9/2014. Camp Leatherneck Helmund Province, Afghanistan. Senior Officer Jean-Christopher Morat (CIA) next came to see Major Young.
In WWII what were the Foo Fighters?
Agent Martin Hatcher informed Major Young where he was being transferred to: Groom Lake, NV. (Homey Airport, Dreamland, Paradise Ranch, Watertown, aka Area 51, Roswell).
What happened to Agent Martin Hatcher?
Where had Jean-Christopher Morat gone to?
Hampshire, England. A visitor had come to meet with Edward Quinn (wealthy father, financial wizard, non-Hodgkin’s Lymphoma). Reginald Deacon (Secretary, Butler) let him in.
Edward’s body was later found below the balcony of the Steadings Hampshire mansion on the driveway.
Jennifer Quinn (daughter, Oxford) straight from Johannesburg, South Africa, was greeted by Reginald.
She was here too learn/takeover her deceased father’s business conglomerate.
Jennifer was to have her 1st. meeting ever with the good-ole-boys executive board members of Maynard Consortium.
She was greeted by Herman Saltzburg (spokesperson), Ronald Harrington-Smythe, Daniel “Dan” Letrange (English), St. James, Justin Hadley-Jones, 1 American, 2 Germans, 1 Japanese, 1 Spaniard, & 1 Russian.
Quite the interesting meeting for everyone.
Jennifer was searching her father’s mansion. What was she hunting for?
Piecing the SWEEP puzzle together she talks with Dan.
Next stop for Jennifer, Herman Saltzburg office in London.
She was now headed to Washington, DC.
Senator Tom Powers mentioned Title 10; section 119 (US Code) to her?
Next stop for Jennifer Mr. Nate Hapsel’s place. What did he reveal to her?
Later she went to have a nightcap at the Little Ale Inn & met somebody named Alan.
Springfield, NJ. Timika Mars (freelance investigative journalist, blogger) called Marvin, & wanted some information on a man named Jerzy.
What was Operation Paperclip? Or Operation Overcast?
Out of nowhere Jennifer appeared & met Timika.
Who would the 2 woman meet that would change everyone’s life forever?
Later; who are Herman Salzburg, & Cook?
What did Agent Harvey Kenyon want to talk with Major Young about?
You ever look at a spider web to see how beautiful, amazing & intricate it is pieced together?
Put you’re thinking cap on to piece this adventure jigsaw puzzle together.
Several names came to mind Karl Morgan, Gerald J. Kubicki & Tom Bell.
I did not receive any type of compensation for reading & reviewing this book. While I receive free books from publishers & authors, I am under no obligation to write a positive review. Only an honest one.
A very awesome book cover, great font & writing style. Wow, a very well written cloak/dagger historical fictional military war fabulous book. It was very easy for me to read/follow from start/finish & never a dull moment. There were no grammar/typo errors, nor any repetitive or out of line sequence sentences. Lots of exciting scenarios, with several twists/turns & a great set of unique characters to keep track of. This could also make another great sci-fi UFO movie, animated cartoon or better yet a mini TV series. To be continued. Can’t wait! A very easy rating of 5 stars.
Thank you for the free (Goodreads; MakingConnections; To the Stars Inc.; Simon & Shuster; hardcover book
Tony Parsons MSW (Washburn)
The parents were soon gassed/burned to death.
12/1944, Wenceslas, Poland. Jerzy & Ishmael were stuck working at Wenceslas mines. Ishmael was shot/killed by the tower guards for trying to escape with his brother.
Jerzy had somehow managed to escape. Going from village/village he soon met up with Mrs. Olga Habernicht. His journey & several near death adventures continued.
In 1945, Jerzy later immigrated to the USA on the USS Kitchener’s; Ellis Island & got his citizenship somehow.
What had he & Hartsfield (Seaman) seen in the sky?
9/1961, White Mountain, NH. Barney Hill (A/A, NAACP member) & Betty Hill were out one night looking up in the sky the couple observed a very bright light. Shooting Star? The disc headed for Indian Head.
3/16/1967, Malstrom AF Base, Montana. Tommy Reznik (USAF, Vietnam) loved The space program when he was younger. What was he seeing that night in the clear Montana sky?
He called Command Base, & told them the burning orange whatever it was; it was heading for the main gate.
1989, Kofu, Japan. Andy (American, visual artist), got off of his bike & was taking pictures of something in the sky. Would anyone believe him?
Hindu Kush, Afghanistan Major Alan Young (USMC piolet) was in the cockpit of a Harrier II+ fighter jet flying over the mountain terrain.
But a funny thing happened out of nowhere there appeared an unknown light & a strange unidentified flying object.
Major Young had zeroed in on his target, it was destroyed. Some of his pilots however were killed.
The MARSOC team was looking to secure an area from the Mujahedeen combatants.
Sergeant Barry Regis (USMC Special Ops., aka Rattlesnake) & Alan were stationed at Camp Leatherneck Helmund Province, Afghanistan at the Sensitive Compartmentalized Information Facility (SCIF).
Captain Thwaite (m), Lieutenant Jonah (f) & Lieutenant Simmons (m) came to visit with Major Young.
A manila folder was given to him, & the questions started pouring in.
Every word of Major Young was also taken in context from the cockpit voice recorder.
He was grounded till further notice.
Major Young’s next meeting was with Special Agent Martin Hatcher (CIA).
9/2014. Camp Leatherneck Helmund Province, Afghanistan. Senior Officer Jean-Christopher Morat (CIA) next came to see Major Young.
In WWII what were the Foo Fighters?
Agent Martin Hatcher informed Major Young where he was being transferred to: Groom Lake, NV. (Homey Airport, Dreamland, Paradise Ranch, Watertown, aka Area 51, Roswell).
What happened to Agent Martin Hatcher?
Where had Jean-Christopher Morat gone to?
Hampshire, England. A visitor had come to meet with Edward Quinn (wealthy father, financial wizard, non-Hodgkin’s Lymphoma). Reginald Deacon (Secretary, Butler) let him in.
Edward’s body was later found below the balcony of the Steadings Hampshire mansion on the driveway.
Jennifer Quinn (daughter, Oxford) straight from Johannesburg, South Africa, was greeted by Reginald.
She was here too learn/takeover her deceased father’s business conglomerate.
Jennifer was to have her 1st. meeting ever with the good-ole-boys executive board members of Maynard Consortium.
She was greeted by Herman Saltzburg (spokesperson), Ronald Harrington-Smythe, Daniel “Dan” Letrange (English), St. James, Justin Hadley-Jones, 1 American, 2 Germans, 1 Japanese, 1 Spaniard, & 1 Russian.
Quite the interesting meeting for everyone.
Jennifer was searching her father’s mansion. What was she hunting for?
Piecing the SWEEP puzzle together she talks with Dan.
Next stop for Jennifer, Herman Saltzburg office in London.
She was now headed to Washington, DC.
Senator Tom Powers mentioned Title 10; section 119 (US Code) to her?
Next stop for Jennifer Mr. Nate Hapsel’s place. What did he reveal to her?
Later she went to have a nightcap at the Little Ale Inn & met somebody named Alan.
Springfield, NJ. Timika Mars (freelance investigative journalist, blogger) called Marvin, & wanted some information on a man named Jerzy.
What was Operation Paperclip? Or Operation Overcast?
Out of nowhere Jennifer appeared & met Timika.
Who would the 2 woman meet that would change everyone’s life forever?
Later; who are Herman Salzburg, & Cook?
What did Agent Harvey Kenyon want to talk with Major Young about?
You ever look at a spider web to see how beautiful, amazing & intricate it is pieced together?
Put you’re thinking cap on to piece this adventure jigsaw puzzle together.
Several names came to mind Karl Morgan, Gerald J. Kubicki & Tom Bell.
I did not receive any type of compensation for reading & reviewing this book. While I receive free books from publishers & authors, I am under no obligation to write a positive review. Only an honest one.
A very awesome book cover, great font & writing style. Wow, a very well written cloak/dagger historical fictional military war fabulous book. It was very easy for me to read/follow from start/finish & never a dull moment. There were no grammar/typo errors, nor any repetitive or out of line sequence sentences. Lots of exciting scenarios, with several twists/turns & a great set of unique characters to keep track of. This could also make another great sci-fi UFO movie, animated cartoon or better yet a mini TV series. To be continued. Can’t wait! A very easy rating of 5 stars.
Thank you for the free (Goodreads; MakingConnections; To the Stars Inc.; Simon & Shuster; hardcover book
Tony Parsons MSW (Washburn)
April 22, 2021
This turned out to be an entertaining thriller. Very well written and engaging. It was interesting to comb through it and try to decide what was fact and what was fiction. My only frustration is that if you have the truth about UFOs and aliens, why bake it into a thriller novel?
February 18, 2018
If you’ve ever wondered if the government lies to its citizens, or if more advanced technology exists, or if other life is out there, then you should probably read this book.
My husband recommended this book to me and even though I’m not a big sci-fi fan and I disliked Tom Delonge’s other book, Poet Anderson, I decided to give this one a try. And holy moly, I’m sure glad I did.
The main author, AJ Hartley, is an incredible writer and I was very impressed that he could flawlessly weave so many different story lines together. The character development is very well done and I found myself becoming attached to each of the protagonists.
The only reason I can’t give this book 5/5 stars is because of the numerous spelling mistakes and grammatical errors throughout (i.e., the most obvious is the author bio on the book sleeve that says Tom is in the band ANGLES and Airwaves). The errors made it very frustrating to read, as there is one or more on almost every page! Tom Delonge should have hired a professional rather than recruiting a family member to edit this otherwise incredible novel.
Even if you don’t believe this book to be anything more than a work of fiction, it is still a great read. As for the rest of us, let’s continue to ask questions and keep our eyes on the sky. 🌌👽
My husband recommended this book to me and even though I’m not a big sci-fi fan and I disliked Tom Delonge’s other book, Poet Anderson, I decided to give this one a try. And holy moly, I’m sure glad I did.
The main author, AJ Hartley, is an incredible writer and I was very impressed that he could flawlessly weave so many different story lines together. The character development is very well done and I found myself becoming attached to each of the protagonists.
The only reason I can’t give this book 5/5 stars is because of the numerous spelling mistakes and grammatical errors throughout (i.e., the most obvious is the author bio on the book sleeve that says Tom is in the band ANGLES and Airwaves). The errors made it very frustrating to read, as there is one or more on almost every page! Tom Delonge should have hired a professional rather than recruiting a family member to edit this otherwise incredible novel.
Even if you don’t believe this book to be anything more than a work of fiction, it is still a great read. As for the rest of us, let’s continue to ask questions and keep our eyes on the sky. 🌌👽
July 28, 2023
To anybody interested in seeing what the UAP/UFO discussion is all about: Start here!! I started here as nothing more than a blink-182/ Angels & Airwaves fan looking for more Tom DeLonge content, and left with more questions and intrigue regarding the subject than I could have imagined. This book is the perfect combination of surreal exaggerated government conspiracy stories and real truths and questions about the phenomena that have resided in our skies for as long as those skies have existed. Cannot recommend this book more.
April 24, 2017
This book is part of Dennis Lehane and part X-Files all rolled into one. If you're a believer you'll see the mad genius behind this book, and if you're not a believer alien technology has crashed earth and secret government agencies have been reverse engineering it for decades you might just start to change your mind.
I love that the fictionalized parts of this book are the mundane pieces like the names and places of the characters. The true parts are the most jaw-dropping.
I love that the fictionalized parts of this book are the mundane pieces like the names and places of the characters. The true parts are the most jaw-dropping.
July 20, 2016
Tediously written but a fun thriller: basically it's men in black or x files
August 15, 2017
Action packed. Fast paced. Kept you wanting more. I liked how they wove facts into fiction and vice versa. Looking forward to the next instalment.
December 29, 2022
I was very pleasantly surprised by how good this it - and also, more than a little dispirited. I never figured Tom Delonge for much of a reader, let alone a novelist. But I found this book, despite my usual lack of enthusiasm for science-fiction, quite enthralling and brilliantly written. So, putting aside my petty frustrations that I've read hundreds of books and been honing my writing for years, and yet Tom didn't even complete high school but writes far better than me, I was actually very impressed with his work here.
The whole government coverup/alien conspiracy thing has been done to death. But this book gives it a pretty fresh spin. Delonge claims it is really a non-fiction, presented in the skin of a fictional novel, but I really cannot bring myself to buy that. I'm sure he has uncovered some fragments of truth in his obsessive conspiracy seeking, but overall I believe he has just gone a bit too far down the rabbit hole to be entirely credible.
It turns out, also, that Delonge didn't have much input into the story and writing aspect of the book after all. The afterword credits A.J. Hartley alone for this, while Tom evidently provided the "facts" around which the story evolves. So, I guess Tom isn't the surprisingly good novel writer I had temporarily believed he was after all. Nevertheless, this book is a worthwhile one, whether you believe or not.
The whole government coverup/alien conspiracy thing has been done to death. But this book gives it a pretty fresh spin. Delonge claims it is really a non-fiction, presented in the skin of a fictional novel, but I really cannot bring myself to buy that. I'm sure he has uncovered some fragments of truth in his obsessive conspiracy seeking, but overall I believe he has just gone a bit too far down the rabbit hole to be entirely credible.
It turns out, also, that Delonge didn't have much input into the story and writing aspect of the book after all. The afterword credits A.J. Hartley alone for this, while Tom evidently provided the "facts" around which the story evolves. So, I guess Tom isn't the surprisingly good novel writer I had temporarily believed he was after all. Nevertheless, this book is a worthwhile one, whether you believe or not.
October 5, 2024
I’m a big blink-182 fan and my husband read this book and loved it so I gave it a shot. This is not my typical style book topic or length (670 pages) but I flew through it! Such a fun read, cliffhanger after cliffhanger! Truly believe this book is for every type of reader. Tom DeLonge strikes again!
April 18, 2016
As a young boy having heard of how my own Grandmother and her teenaged daughter and son, saw an unexplainable craft of some type from their rural home in a remote part of the Upper Peninsula of Michigan, I was hooked into a life of passionate research trying to understand what exactly what they saw. She didn't like to talk about it much as there was no reason to disrupt the world and belief systems she had grown to be comfortable with. So I have read all the fascinating books on the topic, from "Communion" by Streiber to "The Threat" by Jacobs, from "Genesis Revisited" by Sitchen to "The God's of Eden" by Bramely and countless others.
Now, after over 40 years of reading, attending discourses of researchers such as Stanton Friedman, and interviewing as many as a dozen friends, family or co-workers over the years who had their own sighting of some type of unexplainable craft and finally last year having my own confirmation by sighting two unknown crafts while traveling with my brother, I came to what seemed a road block. In my own opinion, there doesn't seem to be anything new or revealing in the last decade or so. We all wait for an "Official" disclosure that isn't going to happen.
Then I caught the 3.5 hour long interview by Tom DeLonge on Coast 2 Coast one night. I was immediately impressed by his sincerity and passion. He understood as someone who has researched should understand. What I sensed was the feeling of him "Knowing" more than he could share at the moment and how he was on to something big, very big and his approach made so much sense. I believed him.
I just finished his first instalment of the series Sekret Machines "Chasing Shadows" and it is everything I had expected. Not so much as a plethora of new information, but a confirmation that this is not anything what it seems on the surface. This is a deep and profound realization. This first book is the foundation to a more complete awareness to what we are dealing with and actually a part of.
The writing skills of AJ Hartley was flawless. His words painted a picture as well as any author I have ever read had done. He was the perfect choice to tackle this job.
I commend Mr. DeLonge and those he is working with for taking this monumental step forward.
Now, after over 40 years of reading, attending discourses of researchers such as Stanton Friedman, and interviewing as many as a dozen friends, family or co-workers over the years who had their own sighting of some type of unexplainable craft and finally last year having my own confirmation by sighting two unknown crafts while traveling with my brother, I came to what seemed a road block. In my own opinion, there doesn't seem to be anything new or revealing in the last decade or so. We all wait for an "Official" disclosure that isn't going to happen.
Then I caught the 3.5 hour long interview by Tom DeLonge on Coast 2 Coast one night. I was immediately impressed by his sincerity and passion. He understood as someone who has researched should understand. What I sensed was the feeling of him "Knowing" more than he could share at the moment and how he was on to something big, very big and his approach made so much sense. I believed him.
I just finished his first instalment of the series Sekret Machines "Chasing Shadows" and it is everything I had expected. Not so much as a plethora of new information, but a confirmation that this is not anything what it seems on the surface. This is a deep and profound realization. This first book is the foundation to a more complete awareness to what we are dealing with and actually a part of.
The writing skills of AJ Hartley was flawless. His words painted a picture as well as any author I have ever read had done. He was the perfect choice to tackle this job.
I commend Mr. DeLonge and those he is working with for taking this monumental step forward.
March 10, 2023
Warning: As a major Blink-182/Tom Delonge/AVA fan, so keep in mind there is probably some sort of bias pertained to my enjoyment of the book.
3.5 stars - This book has taken me so long to complete, but I cannot say that I did not enjoy the journey - and like waaay more than I thought I would. The novel focuses on "true" stories that Delonge and Hartley have collected and compiled over the years woven into a sci-fi thriller novel follow four seemingly differing perspectives and the one common thread being they all have somehow found themselves around strange airborne phenomena. I've been debating my overall rating for this book now that I have finished it. I was very engaged whenever I was reading the book, but it took quite a bit for me to choose to pick up this book over the others I was reading. Part of this was due to two specific characters and their plotlines (very heavily military focused and entrenched in Area 51/US Soldier lore, US Soldier vs. Operation Paperclip discovery), which granted were interesting but also stuff seen before - unless of course, you are not a history buff/ into alien lore like this. But for me, it felt like themes I have seen over and over again in alien sci-fi thriller novels. However, the two other characters had really thrilling chapters that I was always excited to get to and their storylines felt creepy, which I loved. I also really enjoyed the discussions on lore v. science v. government v. religion that is strung throughout the novel and I felt pretty clever when I was starting to piece things together (also - how known historical events link back to alien lore was fun to read as well). Overall, the book was really enjoyable but there are definitely slumps between chapters and some parts were a slog to get through.
3.5 stars - This book has taken me so long to complete, but I cannot say that I did not enjoy the journey - and like waaay more than I thought I would. The novel focuses on "true" stories that Delonge and Hartley have collected and compiled over the years woven into a sci-fi thriller novel follow four seemingly differing perspectives and the one common thread being they all have somehow found themselves around strange airborne phenomena. I've been debating my overall rating for this book now that I have finished it. I was very engaged whenever I was reading the book, but it took quite a bit for me to choose to pick up this book over the others I was reading. Part of this was due to two specific characters and their plotlines (very heavily military focused and entrenched in Area 51/US Soldier lore, US Soldier vs. Operation Paperclip discovery), which granted were interesting but also stuff seen before - unless of course, you are not a history buff/ into alien lore like this. But for me, it felt like themes I have seen over and over again in alien sci-fi thriller novels. However, the two other characters had really thrilling chapters that I was always excited to get to and their storylines felt creepy, which I loved. I also really enjoyed the discussions on lore v. science v. government v. religion that is strung throughout the novel and I felt pretty clever when I was starting to piece things together (also - how known historical events link back to alien lore was fun to read as well). Overall, the book was really enjoyable but there are definitely slumps between chapters and some parts were a slog to get through.
January 18, 2018
Grammar and spelling besides, this book has no motivation for plot and storytelling. The only protagonist is essentially a filler role, unfortunately the same can be said for all the compelling parts of this novel.
A terrible example of "show, don't tell." I understand the point is supposed to be shrouded in mystery, but a piece as big as this can't survive on the allure of mystery alone, especially when the reveals are poorly timed, predictable, or otherwise pointless.
The characters are flat.
The story is dull.
The conspiracies are "fun."
A terrible example of "show, don't tell." I understand the point is supposed to be shrouded in mystery, but a piece as big as this can't survive on the allure of mystery alone, especially when the reveals are poorly timed, predictable, or otherwise pointless.
The characters are flat.
The story is dull.
The conspiracies are "fun."
October 16, 2019
"For as long as I can remember, I have sought answers."
I loved this book, not for one minute do I believe it all but it was a really good, well put together book. I feel there would be life on others planets but I dont feel that they have made contact but that didn't subtract from the intrigue and mystery in this book. I would imagine most of the credit for the way the story was scribed goes to A J Hartly, and the research to DeLonge, and together they have created a very interesting, rich, ambitious story that I look forward to continuing... 5 🌟
I loved this book, not for one minute do I believe it all but it was a really good, well put together book. I feel there would be life on others planets but I dont feel that they have made contact but that didn't subtract from the intrigue and mystery in this book. I would imagine most of the credit for the way the story was scribed goes to A J Hartly, and the research to DeLonge, and together they have created a very interesting, rich, ambitious story that I look forward to continuing... 5 🌟
Read
August 24, 2017This book would would probably ideally be enjoyed by someone that firmly believes in alien conspiracy, the true and unwavering talent of Tom Delonge, appreciates obvious plot and is probably not that intelligent. It's also unfortunate the audio book is not narrated by Tom himself, would which definitely make for a more entertaining listen.
February 8, 2017
Quite simple: one of the most enjoyable books I've read.
January 27, 2020
Thoroughly thought-provoking and action packed.
I thoroughly enjoyed this book. I've always been a big Blink 182 fan and I've heard a lot about Tom Delonge (the figurehead of this franchise) being a little nutty but if this is even half of what he has started to build then he is a very intelligent man. This book has and will sell, sell, sell and the general concept of a big multimedia franchise based around this including film, books, art, documentaries etc. Is a great ideas.
Although Delonge is a big part of this novel all credit needs to go to A. J. Hartley for creating such likeable and enjoyable characters with genuine motives for what they're doing, unlike some books of this genre and a well paced and gripping plot. The novel is shown from the point of view of 3 main protagonists and another from the information released in a journal, in parts, throughout the novel (an idea I have played with myself).
The story follows each of these each from their individual point of view all leading for an action packed finale that I struggled to stop reading. I obliterated the last quarter of the book in about the same time it took me to read the other 75%. I have always had an interest in the source content but I've never seen it presented in such a grounded manner. I believe the author tried to mix fact with fiction as much as possible to make both indistinguishable from the each other. This worked phenomenally.
There really isn't much I can say without giving too much away but I would highly recommend this book to anyone with an interest in UFOs, conspiracys, modern history and thriller novels. I had this book recommended to me and would to the same to anyone with similar interests to myself.
I thoroughly enjoyed this book. I've always been a big Blink 182 fan and I've heard a lot about Tom Delonge (the figurehead of this franchise) being a little nutty but if this is even half of what he has started to build then he is a very intelligent man. This book has and will sell, sell, sell and the general concept of a big multimedia franchise based around this including film, books, art, documentaries etc. Is a great ideas.
Although Delonge is a big part of this novel all credit needs to go to A. J. Hartley for creating such likeable and enjoyable characters with genuine motives for what they're doing, unlike some books of this genre and a well paced and gripping plot. The novel is shown from the point of view of 3 main protagonists and another from the information released in a journal, in parts, throughout the novel (an idea I have played with myself).
The story follows each of these each from their individual point of view all leading for an action packed finale that I struggled to stop reading. I obliterated the last quarter of the book in about the same time it took me to read the other 75%. I have always had an interest in the source content but I've never seen it presented in such a grounded manner. I believe the author tried to mix fact with fiction as much as possible to make both indistinguishable from the each other. This worked phenomenally.
There really isn't much I can say without giving too much away but I would highly recommend this book to anyone with an interest in UFOs, conspiracys, modern history and thriller novels. I had this book recommended to me and would to the same to anyone with similar interests to myself.
July 8, 2021
I NEVER would have picked this book up if not for it being a book club pick, and I wasn't even sure then that I would read it. It's loooong, the subject matter doesn't really interest me, and the introduction had me rolling my eyes more than most books I've read in my life. But...I know when to admit that I need to eat my words. I really liked this book. Like, reading-in-the-middle-of-the-night-with-a-flashlight liked it. I will say, I took this book in as a fiction and enjoyed it as such. I am neutral on whether the events described in this book have any truth to them, but solely as an entertaining fiction novel...I was happy to be along for the ride. Some of the action-adventure got a little cheesy toward the end, but I still finished the last page thinking, "WHAT?" and surprised myself by seeking out the second book in the series.
August 1, 2018
Go ahead
If you’re curious, do it. True or not it’s a fun ride. I’m hesitating to start the next nonfiction book in the same line, but the sequel to this one is coming out soon and I will definitely read that.
If you’re curious, do it. True or not it’s a fun ride. I’m hesitating to start the next nonfiction book in the same line, but the sequel to this one is coming out soon and I will definitely read that.
July 9, 2022
This book really makes you think! 👽
Eager to read Book 2!
Eager to read Book 2!
February 15, 2023
Pleasantly surprised by this book - as much as the ending seemed rushed the story kept me reading, definitely intrigued enough to find out what happens in the second installment
September 16, 2023
One of the best books I’ve have ever read. Still trying to process that this book is from my childhood idol … Tom, thank you!
March 6, 2025
Enjoyed this way more than I expected. Fun read
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