Unexplained Mysteries

In review: Flying saucers and science

July 6, 2008 |  2 comments
Image Credit: Stanton Friedman MSc Stanton Friedman is one of the world's leading researchers in to the UFO phenomenon, a nuclear physicist Friedman has spent most of his life investigating and lecturing about unidentified flying objects. He has made numerous radio and television appearances and remains one of the most respected and recognised faces in the field. When we got a chance therefore to review his latest book "Flying Saucers and Science" we jumped at the chance.

Friedman's new book takes a detailed look at the science behind the UFO phenomenon; it presents facts and data, corrects common misconceptions and puts all the pieces of the phenomenon on the table so that none of it can be ignored. The first chapter explores the case in favour of some UFOs being extraterrestrial in origin, citing data from sighting reports such as the hailed 'Project Blue Book Special Report No. 14' which is referred to frequently here.

The second and third chapters explore the possible ways in which an extraterrestrial civilization could reach us here on Earth, where they might originate (with emphasis on the Betty Hill star map covered in Friedman's co-authored book 'Captured!') and what technologies we ourselves have touched upon that could one day facilitate interstellar space travel. Chapter two in particular is a good example of how the author combines science and the UFO phenomenon by discussing UFOs and alien visitation and then providing the science behind the ideas and concepts discussed, it also provides a bit of information about Friedman's own background in nuclear physics including his work on nuclear rocket engines.

The fourth chapter discusses the so-called 'Cosmic Watergate', the idea that men in the government have been aware of UFOs for many years and are involved in a cover-up to prevent the public from knowing the truth. Friedman has made many attempts over the years to obtain declassified documents on the topic with limited success, he discusses what the government have been hiding and why.Chapter five looks in to SETI, the Search for Extraterrestrial Intelligence or as the author calls it "Silly Effort to Investigate", here he explains his take on SETI, his responses to the program's basic assumptions and why he disapproves of it and those behind it. In chapter six Friedman goes on to answer some of the most common 'why' questions about UFOs such as why aliens would visit Earth and why would that knowledge be covered up.

In chapters seven and eight the author looks in to popular opinion on UFOs, both by the public and other figures such as science fiction authors Arthur C Clarke and Isaac Asimov, while in chapter nine there is an update on the famous Roswell UFO crash of 1947, bringing the reader up to speed on some of his own research, removing misconceptions and setting the record straight.

Chapter ten takes a look at the way UFOs are represented in the press and the media, while chapter eleven delves in to the secretive world of the Majestic 12 documents and explores whether these are genuine and what the implications are. Several scanned pages of the documents are also included in this chapter, in particular some pertaining to the Roswell crash.

'Flying Saucers and Science' is a book that will certainly appeal to anyone with an interest in the UFO phenomenon, it is a very accessible book which covers a lot of ground, corrects a lot of misconceptions and lives up to the quality standard of Friedman's work. Those sceptical of the phenomenon will also find something of interest here and may even find that this book will lead them to think twice about the reality of UFOs. Recommended reading. Comments (2)

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