From Publishers Weekly
"Something is happening in our skies. To discover the cause, we can only continue to use our eyes to see the world around us, record it faithfully, and work toward the next step in understanding humanity's place in the universe," veteran Star Trek book author Wright concludes at the close of this survey of the complex, confusing and contradictory world of ufology. Covering such topics as the Roswell incident and Area 51; government "black projects"; and sightings, disinformation and abductions, Wright introduces us to some of the field's players and personalities, from Glenn Campbell, who maintains the unofficial Area 51 Research Center, to Bob Lazar, whose sightings in the area are legendary. She quotes extensively from a variety of sources; some seem quite knowledgeable and reasonable, while others obviously are from the other end of the spectrum, although not without their own sort of entertainment value. (Wright straightfacedly writes that "Jarod-2 also claims the aliens speak 'a higher form of Hungarian.' ") Making the point, however, that the trust of citizens is damaged by excessive secrecy?leading to rumor and paranoia?this neophyte's guide lightens the field's often murky terrain, though readers will be better and more entertainingly served by Phil Patton's Dreamland (Forecasts, July 20).
Copyright 1998 Reed Business Information, Inc.
--This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.
From Library Journal
This journalistic survey of the UFO phenomenon focuses on the mysterious Nevada test site popularly known as "Area 51." Are captured UFOs being back-engineered here, or is it just an Air Force test facility for Stealth aircraft? Wright points out that many UFO documents remain classified for national security reasons. She questions the rationale for this policy because the government maintains that UFOs are not extraterrestrial and do not pose a threat. Special Access Programs (SAP) such as Area 51 are so highly classified that most members of Congress are not privy to how their money is spent, and a government land-grab issue has also been raised by local residents. Wright briefly covers the reputed 1947 crashed saucer incident near Roswell, NM, examines some published scientific analyses of UFOs, and comments on the treatment of UFOs in popular culture. A selected bibliography lists sources cited, mostly UFO web sites and E-mail addresses for UFO groups and investigators. The section on UFO organizations and resources lists 62 organizations worldwide. Wright's probing questions about government secrecy in the post-Cold War era should make her book more broadly appealing than David Darlington's Area 51: The Dreamland Chronicles (LJ 10/1/97). Recommended for most libraries.?Gary D. Barber, SUNY at Fredonia Lib., Silver Creek
Copyright 1998 Reed Business Information, Inc.
--This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.
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