Ufo: The Definitive Guide to Unidentified Flying Objects and Related Phenomen [Hardcover]

David Ritchie (Author)

Editorial Reviews

From Library Journal

Although this book may not be definitive, as its subtitle claims, its emphasis on the paranormal aspects of UFOs does make it unique. Ritchie admits his bias toward the paranormal explanation, arguing that it is more consistent with the reports of sightings, abductions, and related phenomena. For the most part, Ritchie has opted for artists' conceptions rather than photographs since, he believes, no convincing UFO photos have ever been taken. There are two to three entries per page covering people, places, events, science fiction films, and topics like belief systems, New Age Movement, and religion. Extensive cross references help users track down entries. Also included is a highly selective bibliography of books published in the 1980s and 1990s. This work will help anyone from high school on up explore this ever-fascinating mystery. John Spencer's UFO Encyclopedia (Avon, 1993), a similar A-Z guide with a British slant, can serve as a complementary resource. Highly recommended.
Gary D. Barber, SUNY at Fredonia Lib.
Copyright 1995 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

From Booklist

In the preface to this guide to UFO phenomena, Ritchie rejects the view that extraterrestrials are visiting earth. Knowledge of surrounding planets indicates none can support life even remotely similar to Earth, the distances to other solar systems are too vast for visitors, and no solid evidence has ever been discovered to support the existence of life beyond Earth. He does believe UFOs are real but relies on paranormal or spiritual explanations. He cites the similarities between accounts of UFO pilots with demonic visitations.

Arranged in alphabetical order by subject, the entries include accounts of UFO sightings, both unexplained and hoaxes. Also included are other phenomena such as the appearance of the Virgin Mary at Fatima and accounts of encounters with demons by early church writers. Ritchie also discounts the theories of Erich Van Daniken, who postulated that the ancient "gods" were actually space travelers. Ritchie thinks the Nazca lines in Peru, which can be seen only from the air, were drawn by primitives using hot air balloons. He does not give a reference for this bit of information. He also covers "crop circles," which have puzzled Europeans for decades, but does not mention the two elderly men who claimed responsibility for those in England. A selected bibliography with 36 titles is included at the end of this work. More than 50 black-and-white illustrations are included. Although most articles include cross-references to related topics, there is an index as well.

Jerome Clark's three-volume UFO Encyclopedia series (Omnigraphics, 1990-93) covers the earliest sightings to the present. The articles are longer, and sources are cited at the end of most entries. Clark avoids the easy answers, while not ruling out any possibility, including extraterrestrials. Ritchie's work is an interesting interpretation of some very puzzling phenomena, but it is not up to the quality of Clark. UFO is not a necessary purchase for libraries already holding Clark's encyclopedia, but libraries where demand is high for information on UFOs, the paranormal, and New Age or spiritual information may want a copy for the circulating collection. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

Product Details

• Hardcover: 264 pages
• Publisher: Fine Communications (April 1997)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1567312004
• ISBN-13: 978-1567312003
• Product Dimensions: 9.2 x 7.4 x 0.9 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.5 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 1.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (1 customer review)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #3,822,573 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
  • #89 in Books > 4-for-3 Books > Religion & Spirituality > Occult > UFOs
  • #89 in Books > 4-for-3 Books > Science > Astronomy > UFOs

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Customer Reviews

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2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

1.0 out of 5 stars Or How to Title a Book That You Can Sell, September 12, 2003

By A Customer

This review is from: Ufo: The Definitive Guide to Unidentified Flying Objects and Related Phenomen (Hardcover)

I've no idea why Mr.Ritchie even included UFOs in this title. Indeed even in his preface he states that he rejects UFOs and the beings associated with them as "fantasy".
Instead, per Mr Ritchie, the reports of extraterrestrial craft and thier occupants have more to do with paranormal activity.
In his own words "...it is impossible to separate UFOs from the realm of the paranormal."
He then proceeds as much as possible to connect all reported UFO activity with ghosts, goblins, witches,and angels.
The author seems to have spent as little time as possible doing actual research in this area and more time obtaining his information from "The Weekly World News" or "The Star"
The book is sectioned out in the standard manner, alphabetically and the subject heading in bold type with explanations that follow. The explanations tend to be brief and often times misleading. As in the entry of "Hudson Valley sightings, United States." In a little over two-hundred words he has condensed a two year event with thousands of witnesses (ranging from businessmen to pilots)as being nothing more then pilots flying in formation and turning off and on their lights on and off at regular intervals. Something, by the way, that is frowned upon by the FAA.
Mr.Ritchie conveniently overlooked the fact that a video tape had been turned into the investigators and had been analyzed by ABC-TV, The West Coast University in California, and the Jet Propulsion Laboratory also in California. All concluded that the tape had not been altered or treated in any manner and that the object in the tape was not hoaxed nor could it be identified as anything know to man.
If you are interested in UFOology DO NOT buy this book.
I will say that I purchased a copy of this book but it is being used as a paranormal referance only.