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Somewhere in the Skies: A Human Approach to the UFO Phenomenon
In this updated and expanded second edition, Ryan Sprague revisits many, and introduces new stories of those who have seen extraordinary things in our skies and how these incredible events have changed them. While reports of UFOs and close encounters are littered with dates, times, and descriptions, they rarely focus on the people who've had the experience. Could both the positive and negative implications, whether subtle or revelatory, further our knowledge of what these phenomena represent? Through detailed testimony from credible witnesses and insight from those in the psychological, academic, and scientific fields, Somewhere in the A Human Approach to the UFO Phenomenon weaves together a story of stories, attempting to get to the heart of these mysteries one experience at a time.
- GenresNonfictionParanormal
286 pages, Kindle Edition
Published July 24, 2020
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168 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 19 of 19 reviews
April 16, 2019
In the last seven decades, there's been a lot written on the subject of UFOs. Both for and against their existence, government cover-ups, where they're coming from, and any number of other topics along the way. Despite all the volumes published and the words written within them, it seems at times that the people involved often get left behind, swept up in the debates around the topic. Going some way to rectify that is Ryan Sprague's 2016 book Somewhere In The Skies with its decidedly "Human Approach to an Alien Phenomenon."
From the opening page of the book, Sprague is clear that he's not out to write just another UFO book. If you're looking for proof one way or another on their origins and existence, you've come to the wrong book. Sprague has an interest in those topics to be sure (as his podcast which shares its title with the book will attest to) but, here at least, he's interested in something far more fundamental. Something far more down to Earth, as it were.
That would be the experiences of the people witnessing truly unusual things in the skies. Sparked by a sighting of his own, Sprague embarks upon a journey to meet such witnesses and tell their stories. From a bartender in the Big Apple who witnessed the 1997 Phoenix Lights to an Australian skateboarder, former military men to families in rural areas, the width, and indeed breadth of the phenomenon is the book's canvas. Thankfully, Sprague's style means that this is no bone dry recounting of witness testimonies. It's clear both in the prose and from the questions asked by him that he's not only looking to document the facts but also what it's like to experience these things.
Nowhere is that more clear than in the chapters regarding the abduction phenomenon and "experiencers." There is perhaps no subject more controversial in the field of ufology than this one. In his account of attending a weekend for experiencers as well as interviewing those who work to help deal with them on a regular basis, Sprague finds a refreshing approach to the subject. One that allows him to explore it and to document the effect it's had upon the lives of those he encounters as well as his own. It makes for dramatic, compelling reading that raises more questions than it answers, not unlike the topic itself.
Along the way, he also explores another divide involving the UFO question: the one between academia and ufology. In a chapter entitled "The Phantom War," Sprague briefly explores the titular conflict through a few souls working to bridge the gap. It's an insightful look into why social sciences have taken the topic perhaps more seriously than their peers in the physical sciences in decades past and the work now being done to rectify that. If it's proof that scientists want, Sprague ultimately argues, then both sides need to find a way of coming together. Decades into the phenomenon, perhaps that's closer than we might think.
If you're looking for definitive answers regarding UFOs, then this book isn't for you. If you're looking for something which offers genuine insights into those who witness unusual objects, encountering them close-up, and trying to live an ordinary life afterword, then this book is for you. In a field where questions are many, and the answers to them are themselves the subject of debate, Sprague reminds readers that what we're dealing with has a distinctly human element to it as well.
That the answer to the riddles which have plagued us since 1947 (if not far longer) lies as much within us as they do somewhere in the skies.
From the opening page of the book, Sprague is clear that he's not out to write just another UFO book. If you're looking for proof one way or another on their origins and existence, you've come to the wrong book. Sprague has an interest in those topics to be sure (as his podcast which shares its title with the book will attest to) but, here at least, he's interested in something far more fundamental. Something far more down to Earth, as it were.
That would be the experiences of the people witnessing truly unusual things in the skies. Sparked by a sighting of his own, Sprague embarks upon a journey to meet such witnesses and tell their stories. From a bartender in the Big Apple who witnessed the 1997 Phoenix Lights to an Australian skateboarder, former military men to families in rural areas, the width, and indeed breadth of the phenomenon is the book's canvas. Thankfully, Sprague's style means that this is no bone dry recounting of witness testimonies. It's clear both in the prose and from the questions asked by him that he's not only looking to document the facts but also what it's like to experience these things.
Nowhere is that more clear than in the chapters regarding the abduction phenomenon and "experiencers." There is perhaps no subject more controversial in the field of ufology than this one. In his account of attending a weekend for experiencers as well as interviewing those who work to help deal with them on a regular basis, Sprague finds a refreshing approach to the subject. One that allows him to explore it and to document the effect it's had upon the lives of those he encounters as well as his own. It makes for dramatic, compelling reading that raises more questions than it answers, not unlike the topic itself.
Along the way, he also explores another divide involving the UFO question: the one between academia and ufology. In a chapter entitled "The Phantom War," Sprague briefly explores the titular conflict through a few souls working to bridge the gap. It's an insightful look into why social sciences have taken the topic perhaps more seriously than their peers in the physical sciences in decades past and the work now being done to rectify that. If it's proof that scientists want, Sprague ultimately argues, then both sides need to find a way of coming together. Decades into the phenomenon, perhaps that's closer than we might think.
If you're looking for definitive answers regarding UFOs, then this book isn't for you. If you're looking for something which offers genuine insights into those who witness unusual objects, encountering them close-up, and trying to live an ordinary life afterword, then this book is for you. In a field where questions are many, and the answers to them are themselves the subject of debate, Sprague reminds readers that what we're dealing with has a distinctly human element to it as well.
That the answer to the riddles which have plagued us since 1947 (if not far longer) lies as much within us as they do somewhere in the skies.
September 7, 2020
A well written book about the UFO phenomena that is fair to the subject and those who report experiencing it. The work that went into this book was extraordinary. Sprague seems to be a very good researcher and has empathy in mind while interviewing his subjects. He seems to respect that these people experienced something and didn’t want to filter those experiences except by asking probing questions like, “why you?,” or how has the experience effected them?
This book is in a similar vein of American Cosmic by D.W. Pasulka minus the comparative religion aspect. This is truly the human experience. I would definitely recommend reading this book, especially for people that are interested in the paranormal because this book can be applied to all paranormal experiences. Not just UFO’s.
This book is in a similar vein of American Cosmic by D.W. Pasulka minus the comparative religion aspect. This is truly the human experience. I would definitely recommend reading this book, especially for people that are interested in the paranormal because this book can be applied to all paranormal experiences. Not just UFO’s.
December 8, 2016
As somebody who was both new and dismissive to the subject, Ryan Sprague had a job ahead of him to convince me of the merit and validity of UFOs and those who encounter them. What I hadn't counted on though was the undeniable human element that envelopes this investigation from beginning to end. From the outset, it is clear that these are real people, telling of their real experiences. Some freely, others with Sprague's encouragement and deft journalistic digging.
And this is also another massive draw of the book. Even after his own experience. Sprague retains a healthy level of skepticism. Alternative and more-likely explanations are always given up, alongside the unexplained, or the 'purgatory of mystery' as he puts it so well. Sprague's writing not only helps bring the stories to life, but also shows an intelligent, humorous and exploratory approach to the subject.
This is not an overly long book (I finished it in a few days), but it has considerable depth. Sprague presents encounter stories, observable facts, collaborating reports, and then goes on to explain popular theories, present conclusions and leaves you questioning the fabric of reality, all of which invites you to turn the pages and delve deeper. An interstellar approach to an intriguing subject.
And this is also another massive draw of the book. Even after his own experience. Sprague retains a healthy level of skepticism. Alternative and more-likely explanations are always given up, alongside the unexplained, or the 'purgatory of mystery' as he puts it so well. Sprague's writing not only helps bring the stories to life, but also shows an intelligent, humorous and exploratory approach to the subject.
This is not an overly long book (I finished it in a few days), but it has considerable depth. Sprague presents encounter stories, observable facts, collaborating reports, and then goes on to explain popular theories, present conclusions and leaves you questioning the fabric of reality, all of which invites you to turn the pages and delve deeper. An interstellar approach to an intriguing subject.
April 18, 2019
Beautifully Written, Easy Read
It's rare I come across books on this particular topic that are written with such sincere passion and emotion. It's not overly dramatic. It is a perfectly organic response to the subject manner. Very easy read, informative and open minded. The author does not attempt to fit everything in a neat and tidy little box. He just lays it out there as it is in all it's beautiful, raw absurdity. Especially loved the the Shaman coming in with his point of view. The ending though was just beautiful literature honestly. I can see why the author is a playwright. I could visualize every word. Well done.
It's rare I come across books on this particular topic that are written with such sincere passion and emotion. It's not overly dramatic. It is a perfectly organic response to the subject manner. Very easy read, informative and open minded. The author does not attempt to fit everything in a neat and tidy little box. He just lays it out there as it is in all it's beautiful, raw absurdity. Especially loved the the Shaman coming in with his point of view. The ending though was just beautiful literature honestly. I can see why the author is a playwright. I could visualize every word. Well done.
January 29, 2021
A really well written book on individual encounters, and the impacts these UFO encounters have on the experiencers. Some of the accounts are incredible. My personal UFO experience pales in comparison to some of the accounts told within this book. You can tell Ryan genuinely cares about the experiencer and how it effected them at the time and how it effects them now.
I thoroughly enjoyed reading this and would highly recommend it to anyone who is already interested in UFO's or just getting into the subject.
I thoroughly enjoyed reading this and would highly recommend it to anyone who is already interested in UFO's or just getting into the subject.
July 31, 2021
Caveat: This book was chosen by my book club; otherwise I might not be the target audience for a book of this kind.
Given the subtitle, I was hoping for some kind of meta-thesis about psychological phenomenon, and maybe some contextualization about the kinds of people and circumstances that are common in (as the author calls them) “experiencers”. That’s not what this is. That kind of phenomenology and critical thinking are basically absent.
Instead the book is largely a credulous recounting of a bunch of people’s experiences seeing things in the sky or in their dreams or recounting abductions by aliens they have allegedly experienced, often assisted by hypnosis. The author then wraps these stories in a thin onion-skin of questions about possibilities and what this must feel like, and that’s it. There is no further investigation or questions. He extensively uses an appeal to authority by recounting people’s job histories as proof of their stories. Another rationale offered as proof is that the people have “nothing to gain” by telling their stories or that he perceives them as very emotional or sincere.
The main tentpole of his credibility argument is that “the Pentagon has acknowledged UFOs”. He never mentions the roots of the government funded “UFO” studies and the people who ensured that the programs were funded; the connections to Skinwalker Ranch and oddballs like former musician Tom DeLonge. At the very least, I recommend that if you listen to Sprague’s podcast, you also add to your rotation Brian Dunning’s Skeptoid and Toby Ball’s Strange Arrivals to get other perspectives on the people and the phenomena.
If the goal of the book was to get me to believe, it has not offered anything new. If the goal is to get me to feel sympathy for these experiencers, that is important but doesn’t actually seem like the goal of the book. It is chapter 15 where he talks about getting people some kind of help that discredits this. He states he is looking for therapists that people can talk to but quickly dismisses most of the therapists he speaks to. He gives full credit to the practice of hypnosis; the practice science now blames for planting false memories and causing false accusations during the “Satanic Panic” of the 1980s.
The “U” in UFO and UAP is consistently interpreted to be not “unidentified” but instead unearthly and attributed to extraterrestrials, ignoring any other explanations. The author is not obligated to show “both sides” or all potential options. But if an author doesn’t offer or document the other possible explanations, I am likely to think they are biased. IIRC Sprague does a brief handwave towards “it could be something else” but ultimately, you get it, he is a believer.
Given the subtitle, I was hoping for some kind of meta-thesis about psychological phenomenon, and maybe some contextualization about the kinds of people and circumstances that are common in (as the author calls them) “experiencers”. That’s not what this is. That kind of phenomenology and critical thinking are basically absent.
Instead the book is largely a credulous recounting of a bunch of people’s experiences seeing things in the sky or in their dreams or recounting abductions by aliens they have allegedly experienced, often assisted by hypnosis. The author then wraps these stories in a thin onion-skin of questions about possibilities and what this must feel like, and that’s it. There is no further investigation or questions. He extensively uses an appeal to authority by recounting people’s job histories as proof of their stories. Another rationale offered as proof is that the people have “nothing to gain” by telling their stories or that he perceives them as very emotional or sincere.
The main tentpole of his credibility argument is that “the Pentagon has acknowledged UFOs”. He never mentions the roots of the government funded “UFO” studies and the people who ensured that the programs were funded; the connections to Skinwalker Ranch and oddballs like former musician Tom DeLonge. At the very least, I recommend that if you listen to Sprague’s podcast, you also add to your rotation Brian Dunning’s Skeptoid and Toby Ball’s Strange Arrivals to get other perspectives on the people and the phenomena.
If the goal of the book was to get me to believe, it has not offered anything new. If the goal is to get me to feel sympathy for these experiencers, that is important but doesn’t actually seem like the goal of the book. It is chapter 15 where he talks about getting people some kind of help that discredits this. He states he is looking for therapists that people can talk to but quickly dismisses most of the therapists he speaks to. He gives full credit to the practice of hypnosis; the practice science now blames for planting false memories and causing false accusations during the “Satanic Panic” of the 1980s.
The “U” in UFO and UAP is consistently interpreted to be not “unidentified” but instead unearthly and attributed to extraterrestrials, ignoring any other explanations. The author is not obligated to show “both sides” or all potential options. But if an author doesn’t offer or document the other possible explanations, I am likely to think they are biased. IIRC Sprague does a brief handwave towards “it could be something else” but ultimately, you get it, he is a believer.
October 5, 2022
This is an account of stories of people who have had experiences with unidentified aerial objects or what they perceived to be non-human intelligence(s). In contrast with the many books and blogs and podcasts about UFO/UAP phenomena, this is not an investigation into these stories but instead is a chronicling of people's experiences as they describe it and also how it has affected their lives since. I picked this up because I have become curious about UFO/UAP phenom and found this to be a refreshing addition to the literature out there.
I appreciated Sprague's style of presentation. There are few grammatical or editorial errors, the people telling the stories are given the space to explain things in their own words, and for the most part the stories were engaging. Sprague only occasionally interjects his own assessments. I would recommend this to people who have an interest in UFO/UAP phenomena and are looking for more personal renditions of witness accounts.
I have not formed an opinion on the veracity of any of the claims of UFO/UAPs. There are stories here that seem quite believable and some that I have a hard time accepting as-is. This book would be equally compelling to believers and skeptics, really anyone who just wants to hear more from the people who have had these experiences that they can't quite explain.
I appreciated Sprague's style of presentation. There are few grammatical or editorial errors, the people telling the stories are given the space to explain things in their own words, and for the most part the stories were engaging. Sprague only occasionally interjects his own assessments. I would recommend this to people who have an interest in UFO/UAP phenomena and are looking for more personal renditions of witness accounts.
I have not formed an opinion on the veracity of any of the claims of UFO/UAPs. There are stories here that seem quite believable and some that I have a hard time accepting as-is. This book would be equally compelling to believers and skeptics, really anyone who just wants to hear more from the people who have had these experiences that they can't quite explain.
June 5, 2024
This book was an excellent read for me.
The author, Ryan Sprague, had his own UFO experience as a child, and this set him on the path to find other experiences and hear their stories.
The book is a collection of wonderfully explained, detailed insights into people's experiences with viewing UFO's (or UAP, as the military now likes to call them) and in some cases, entity encounter and abduction experiences.
Sprague really focuses on the human beings behind the encounters, who they are, how they've been affected by their experiences.
The people featured in the book are from all walks of life, and the author clearly goes out of his way to get to know them as people before helping them share their stories.
With the UFO subject being covered at the nuts and bolts level by a great many modern books, this book is a wonderful look at the humans behind the experiences. Highly recommended.
The author, Ryan Sprague, had his own UFO experience as a child, and this set him on the path to find other experiences and hear their stories.
The book is a collection of wonderfully explained, detailed insights into people's experiences with viewing UFO's (or UAP, as the military now likes to call them) and in some cases, entity encounter and abduction experiences.
Sprague really focuses on the human beings behind the encounters, who they are, how they've been affected by their experiences.
The people featured in the book are from all walks of life, and the author clearly goes out of his way to get to know them as people before helping them share their stories.
With the UFO subject being covered at the nuts and bolts level by a great many modern books, this book is a wonderful look at the humans behind the experiences. Highly recommended.
February 11, 2021
Ryan Sprague in this book does something that not many others on the subject of UFO/UAP manage to. He tells the human sides of very incredible experiences.
Abductions & sightings focus so much on the fantastic aspect of these events, the who, what ifs and whys. We forget about the people who have been caught up, unexpectedly in a life changing event, not always a pleasant experience.
This is a must read for anyone with any sort of interest in the field of UFOs/UAP
Abductions & sightings focus so much on the fantastic aspect of these events, the who, what ifs and whys. We forget about the people who have been caught up, unexpectedly in a life changing event, not always a pleasant experience.
This is a must read for anyone with any sort of interest in the field of UFOs/UAP
September 7, 2021
Truly interesting
This book is filled with information and witnesses testimonies that offer a great insight to the UFO phenomenon from a very compassionate point of view. This is not a book for those who only seek to judge, it's a book for those who seek to understand how the phenomenon has impacted the lives of the witnesses and experiencers.
I found it to be easy to read, quite compelling and insightful.
It was a great read.
This book is filled with information and witnesses testimonies that offer a great insight to the UFO phenomenon from a very compassionate point of view. This is not a book for those who only seek to judge, it's a book for those who seek to understand how the phenomenon has impacted the lives of the witnesses and experiencers.
I found it to be easy to read, quite compelling and insightful.
It was a great read.
November 28, 2020
Somewhere in the Skies is not your typical book written about UFOs. It is not a series of UFO tales. But it is a well written story that tells the human side of people who have either experienced the phenomenon or have studied it.
May 3, 2021
It was fine. Good or bad, no sharp edges.
October 25, 2016
An extraordinary book
Ryan Sprague has written an incredible book on a topic that, frankly,has been overwritten about for years. But Sprague has investigated,not just the individual incidents, but, more importantly, the individuals involved. He never loses sight that, whatever the merits of their reports, these are real people, who have been shaken to their core by what they witnessed. Sprague keeps the book about the human factor. As a result the book takes on a depth and richness that other books in this genre ignores.
Ryan Sprague has written an incredible book on a topic that, frankly,has been overwritten about for years. But Sprague has investigated,not just the individual incidents, but, more importantly, the individuals involved. He never loses sight that, whatever the merits of their reports, these are real people, who have been shaken to their core by what they witnessed. Sprague keeps the book about the human factor. As a result the book takes on a depth and richness that other books in this genre ignores.
November 2, 2016
A Classic
I have grown so tired of the run of the mill UFO/UAP books that I seldom even bother to look at them. This book goes way beyond nuts and bolts, space ships or lights in the sky and brings us face to face with the really important part of the UFO phenomenon - the people. Mr. Sprague does a stellar job of bringing witnesses to the fore and asking the important question: how did this experience effect you? The answers to that question alone are worth the price of the book and make for a fascinating study that everyone interested in this phenomenon should read.
I have grown so tired of the run of the mill UFO/UAP books that I seldom even bother to look at them. This book goes way beyond nuts and bolts, space ships or lights in the sky and brings us face to face with the really important part of the UFO phenomenon - the people. Mr. Sprague does a stellar job of bringing witnesses to the fore and asking the important question: how did this experience effect you? The answers to that question alone are worth the price of the book and make for a fascinating study that everyone interested in this phenomenon should read.
February 19, 2020
Unique look into the effect on the experiencer
I've been an avid listener to the somewhere in the skies podcast for some time now, so this book was a must have to understand Ryan's origin story. The book did not disappoint with great accounts of peoples experiences, delving in to how it impacted their lives, rather than focusing on our little grey friends!
Couldn't help but hear Ryan's voice whilst reading this!
I've been an avid listener to the somewhere in the skies podcast for some time now, so this book was a must have to understand Ryan's origin story. The book did not disappoint with great accounts of peoples experiences, delving in to how it impacted their lives, rather than focusing on our little grey friends!
Couldn't help but hear Ryan's voice whilst reading this!
January 5, 2021
I enjoy Ryan’s Podcast and his participation in some short documentaries on the CW. I like his down to earth approach of speaking and telling the stories of people who believe they experienced with UAPs and how it has changed their approach to life. The description is very empathetic and understanding with the people he spoke with.
November 22, 2017
Good book. I have read several books about UFOs, but this one had a lot of accounts and other information I hadn't come across before. It is well written and easy to read. Whether this is your first book about this subject or if you've read several others, I highly recommend this book.
December 18, 2019
Great book. Lots of good stuff. The only reason for the 4 stars was a little too much story-telling between the facts. These parts read like they belonged within the pages of a fiction book, even though they were factual.
October 19, 2019
Really good read. Got through it really quick which hard for me. Love the podcast as well. I look forward to anything else Ryan puts out. Well done!
Displaying 1 - 19 of 19 reviews