UFO's and Ufology: The First 50 Years [Hardcover]

Paul Devereux (Author), Paul Devereux and Peter Brookesmith (Author), Peter Brookesmith (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: 1997

Are UFOs myth or science? As demonstrated by the recent fiftieth-anniversary commemoration of the alleged UFO crash at Roswell, doe-eyed aliens and extraterrestrial spacecraft have captured our imagination. UFOs and Ufology investigates this phenomenon, from its recorded beginnings in 1947 to the present.

Filled with 120 breathtaking photographs, UFOs and Ufology walks the line between myth and reality, explores every angle and possibility, and answers the mysteries hidden inside the human consciousness. From sightings to alien abductions, the media to mysterious phenomena, experts Devereux and Brookesmith analyze decades of eyewitness accounts, hundreds of occurrences, and popular culture to present the most scientific and thorough examination regarding the existence of life in outerspace. Coverage addresses:

Have humans been abducted by aliens? UFOs and Ufology explores the reports of many different types of extraterrestrial contact from around the world, attempting to establish the truth while searching for possible explanations.

What about crop circles, earth lights, and ley lines? Are these linked to the presence of extraterrestrials, or are there earthly reasons for them? UFOs and Ufology looks at the possibilities.

Is Ufology a science or the dream of a lonely species? The book's conclusion sheds new light on what is real and what is fantasy.

Editorial Reviews

From School Library Journal

YA-While keeping most references to UFOs within the last 50 years, the authors mention unusual sightings as far back as the time of the caveman. These ties to the earliest days of humans become important later on. Incidents and explanations are painstakingly detailed, as Devereux goes to great lengths to prove his logical answers, to present the scientific reasons for the final analysis of the situation, and to make certain that both sides of the story are told. While all of this may be extremely important to serious ufologists, for casual readers it may become overwhelming in some sections. The details prove to be essential to their conclusions, however, as Devereux and then Brookesmith deliver their theories of UFOs based on the years of research they and others have conducted on the subject. The conclusion they reach appears to be a theory not commonly held by the general public and opens up another topic for discussion in this controversial field. For young adults with a deep interest in the subject and with good reading and comprehension skills, this book provides a historical overview and an intriguing look into earth science, space, and the unknown. The substantial bibliography will help establish a research path.
Pam Johnson, Fairfax County Public Library, VA
Copyright 1998 Reed Business Information, Inc.

Product Details

• Hardcover: 192 pages
• Publisher: Facts on File; 1st edition (1997)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0816038007
• ISBN-13: 978-0816038008
• Product Dimensions: 11.2 x 8.9 x 0.8 inches
• Shipping Weight: 2.2 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 4.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (2 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #2,630,140 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Only for the open-minded, October 31, 2006

By 

kawika "Just a guy" (South Florida) - See all my reviews

This review is from: UFO's and Ufology: The First 50 Years (Hardcover)

It is, I suppose, not just a sign of our times but of the human condition that those proclaiming they have the Truth-with-a-capital-T gain a far larger following than folks like Messrs Devereaux and Brookesmith ever do, a pair of gentleman who favor a rigorous, genuimely investigative appraoch to a topic. And when the subject at hand is as both contentious and in some respects fuzzy, as 'UFOlogy', it's easy to see why this important book has garned exactly two reviews, one of which was apparently based entirely on disagreement with the title, rather than the content.

As to the book itself...while slightly dated at this point, almost a decade after publication (that being close the high-water mark of Alien Abduction books, Alien Autopsy TV specials, Aliens battling Mulder & Scully, etc.) it carefully traverses the history of the phenomena, not just since Kenneth Arnold's "flying saucers", but back into pre-history and up through the (then) current day.

While the authors certainly draw their own conclusions, they remain careful to let all sides be heard and thoroughly examine various theories and hypothoses that have been put forth (to a bewildering degree) to *explain* what UFOs are about and what they might mean. And do so in a way that is engaging, readable and respectful.

Those who come in with strongly preconcieved ideas ("it's all rubbish", "there's a government cover-up of the ETs", etc.) will either hate this book or have their worldview challenged. For those of us that think what the UFO phenomena might say about ourselves is important and worth trying to understand (whether that understanding is of a scientific, sociological, psychological, cultural, theological nature...) will find much of interest here and to them is highly recommended.

Well-written, well-argued, handsome and with some terrific illustrations, this unjustly neglected volume remains a vital contribution to the field, even ten years after its publication.

3 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Quite Astonishing, January 4, 2004

By 

Oliver Oleson (California) - See all my reviews

This review is from: UFO's and Ufology: The First 50 Years (Hardcover)

I found this book to be quite astonishing. While I used to be extremely skeptical of the so called "UFO's" this book introduces facts, accounts, and inferences that have lead me to question my own beleifs.
Excellent book! Although, I think that "a reader" was right when he said that UFO-ology is not a word, however I don't think he read the book.