fysisist
skeptical cynic / cynical skeptic
Over the past few years I've become quite interested in exploring the UFO literature going back to the earliest days of the "modern" UFO era. I began collecting UFO books, first editions, out-of-print, etc. So I'm creating sort-of a list of the most important and influential work going back to the late 40's early 50's and up to present time. Here is what I have so far (not necessarily in any particular order).
1) Jacques Vallee: Forbidden Science, Messengers of Deception, Dimensions, Confrontations, Revelations. IMHO, Vallee is one of the most important researchers in the "field". He was a member of the Invisible College, with Hynek, et al. He was there when MacDonald and Hynek butted heads. He got his hands dirty, researching cases in South America, Europe, etc. A giant in the field. Even though he no longer wishes any involvement in UFOs because of it's de-evolution as a scientific topic, his work is a must read for any serious student of the field.
2) Edward Ruppelt: The Report on Unidentified Flying Objects. My take: A fascinating insight into Project Blue Book, by the man who seems to be the only open-minded, scientifically trained officer to ever head the project.
3) David Saunders: UFO's? Yes! Despite the silly title, a hugely important look from inside the Condon Committee. Shows how the stage was set for the military/government policy on UFOs for the next many years, probably up to the present day.
4) J. Allen Hynek: The UFO Experience: A Scientific Inquiry. Got the story straight from horse's mouth. Even though MacDonald continued to condemn Hynek to up to his death in 1971, there is no denying Hynek's importance and influence in the field IMO.
5) Dr. Frank Salisbury: The Utah UFO Display. I might be biased here because I grew up in SLC, but this little known book by a biologist researching cases in northeastern Utah in the 70's (does the Skinwalker Ranch ring a bell?) is very interesting.
6) Coral Lorenzen: The Great Flying Saucer Hoax (aka Flying Saucers the Startling Evidence of the Invasion from Outer Space). A look at APRO, which died in the 1980s I think.
7) D. Keyhoe: The Flying Saucers are Real. You can't pass this up since Keyhoe is the guy who really got the ball rolling on the gov't cover-up conspiracy.
So that is a short list of some of the books I've waded through over the past couple years. Then I've got a stack that I have yet to get through, Including:
1) Richard Hall: The UFO Evidence, The UFO Evidence Vol II
2) M.K. Jessup: The Case for the UFO
3) Frank Scully: Beyond the Flying Saucers.
4) Ray Stanford: Socorro Saucer in a Pentagon Pantry
5) Hynek: The Hynek UFO Report
6) Keyhoe: Aliens from Space
I've read more UFO books over the past few years then I can list here, but those are the standouts. Right now I'm reading Project Beta by G. Bishop. I recently finished Firestorm by A. Druffel, which is the biography of Dr. James MacDonald. I was not a fan of Ann Druffel but this is a truly importatant book about a truly important figure in the UFO field, who is generally overlooked. Anyway, be interested in other forum member's take on these and recommendations.
1) Jacques Vallee: Forbidden Science, Messengers of Deception, Dimensions, Confrontations, Revelations. IMHO, Vallee is one of the most important researchers in the "field". He was a member of the Invisible College, with Hynek, et al. He was there when MacDonald and Hynek butted heads. He got his hands dirty, researching cases in South America, Europe, etc. A giant in the field. Even though he no longer wishes any involvement in UFOs because of it's de-evolution as a scientific topic, his work is a must read for any serious student of the field.
2) Edward Ruppelt: The Report on Unidentified Flying Objects. My take: A fascinating insight into Project Blue Book, by the man who seems to be the only open-minded, scientifically trained officer to ever head the project.
3) David Saunders: UFO's? Yes! Despite the silly title, a hugely important look from inside the Condon Committee. Shows how the stage was set for the military/government policy on UFOs for the next many years, probably up to the present day.
4) J. Allen Hynek: The UFO Experience: A Scientific Inquiry. Got the story straight from horse's mouth. Even though MacDonald continued to condemn Hynek to up to his death in 1971, there is no denying Hynek's importance and influence in the field IMO.
5) Dr. Frank Salisbury: The Utah UFO Display. I might be biased here because I grew up in SLC, but this little known book by a biologist researching cases in northeastern Utah in the 70's (does the Skinwalker Ranch ring a bell?) is very interesting.
6) Coral Lorenzen: The Great Flying Saucer Hoax (aka Flying Saucers the Startling Evidence of the Invasion from Outer Space). A look at APRO, which died in the 1980s I think.
7) D. Keyhoe: The Flying Saucers are Real. You can't pass this up since Keyhoe is the guy who really got the ball rolling on the gov't cover-up conspiracy.
So that is a short list of some of the books I've waded through over the past couple years. Then I've got a stack that I have yet to get through, Including:
1) Richard Hall: The UFO Evidence, The UFO Evidence Vol II
2) M.K. Jessup: The Case for the UFO
3) Frank Scully: Beyond the Flying Saucers.
4) Ray Stanford: Socorro Saucer in a Pentagon Pantry
5) Hynek: The Hynek UFO Report
6) Keyhoe: Aliens from Space
I've read more UFO books over the past few years then I can list here, but those are the standouts. Right now I'm reading Project Beta by G. Bishop. I recently finished Firestorm by A. Druffel, which is the biography of Dr. James MacDonald. I was not a fan of Ann Druffel but this is a truly importatant book about a truly important figure in the UFO field, who is generally overlooked. Anyway, be interested in other forum member's take on these and recommendations.
