UFO Books 101: Required Reading by Paul Dean

Paul Dean is a UFO document researcher from Melbourne, Australia, who uses an evidence-based approach and focuses on "air safety policy, military communications, radar tracking and space object identification to understand the wider UFO matter at a government/military level." There's a wealth of credible information available, but sadly, many people are satisfied with the shallow, sensational, and inaccurate UFO infotainment from television shows and random websites. 

Below is a guest article from Paul, prompted by my request for the best and most credible literature for newcomers to the UFO topic. Many of his book selections are available to read free online, and when found, links are included. My personal advice however, is whenever possible, get real books, and go to a bookstore to find them. 

UFO Books 101: Required Reading by Paul Dean

I have put a list of books together that are what one would call ''required reading." It amazes me how few people have actually read the great, scholarly, foundational works of Ufology. No one will agree in full on a ''best'' books list... But a ''required'' or ''essential'' reading list is a different matter. UFO enthusiasts beware: Don't think that Klass and Menzel, and Condon, don't make the cut. Also, some books make the list not because of voluminous or heavily technical density, but because they are filled with an extraordinary look at the politics of the times. Keyhoe's work is the best example of this.

Whatever ones leanings, there is no way that ''researchers'' can bestow such a title on themselves without having absorbed at least some of these great tomes. There is simply no alternative. Most of these books must be on shelves.

Also, this is not in any order as such. Don't see this is a top-to-bottom list. It ain't.

Here it is folks:

• The UFO Experience: A Scientific Inquiry (1972) by J. Allen Hynek;

• The Hynek UFO Report (1977) by J. Allen Hynek;

• Anatomy of a Phenomenon (1965) by Jacques Vallee;

• Challenge to Science (1966) by Jacques Vallee;

• Passport to Magonia (1969) by Jacques Vallee;

• The Invisible College (1975) by Jacques Vallee;

• UFO’s: A Scientific Debate (1973) by Carl Sagan and Thornton Page;

• The Challenge of Unidentified Flying Objects (1961) by Charles A. Maney and Richard Hall;

• The UFO Evidence: Volume I (1964) by Richard H. Hall;

• The UFO Evidence: Volume II (2001) by Richard H. Hall;

• The UFO Controversy in America (1975) by David Jacobs;

• Flying Saucers (1953) by Donald Menzel;

• Scientific Study of Unidentified Flying Objects (1969) by Dr. Edward U. Condon and the University of Colorado;

• The UFO Cover-Up aka Clear Intent (1984) by Barry Greenwood and Lawrence Fawcett;

• The Report on Unidentified Flying Objects (1956) by Edward J. Ruppelt;

• Flying Saucers From Outer Space (1953) by Donald E Keyhoe;

• UFO Study (1981) by Jenny Randles;

• UFOs Explained (1976) by Philip J. Klass;

• UFO Handbook (1980) by Allan Hendry;

• The UFO Enigma: A New Review of the Physical Evidence (1999) by Peter Sturrock;

• UFOs and Government: A Historical Inquiry (2012) by Michael Swords, Robert Powell, Barry Greenwood, Jan Aldrich, Clas Svahn, Vicente-Juan Ballester Olmos, Bill Chalker, Steve Purcell and Richard Thieme.

Paul Dean has recently been focused on unearthing military UFO documents, with a special emphasis on NORAD. See his series of reports at his blog, 

UFOs - Documenting The Evidence.

Book Review: David Clarke’s How UFOs Conquered the World

David Clarke’s How UFOs Conquered the World: The History of a Modern Myth

David Clarke has a PhD in Folklore. His use of the word “myth” in the the subtitle may scare away some readers, but consider,

"To qualify as myth a story does not need to be true or false, but it must express a conviction held tenaciously by its adherents." 

Tenaciously held? Yes, definitely.

Clarke’s approach is a departure from most UFO books. He’s done a neat trick of arranging the material in such a way that a reader new to the topic can absorb the essential history of UFOs during the course of the narrative. He covers UFO lore in an organic way, introducing it in conversation with non-sequential chunks of it, as it relates to his analysis, personal experience, or the topic at hand. 

Like many UFO buffs, Clarke was indoctrinated into the topic via pop culture entertainment, and developed a lifelong fascination. As an adult, Clarke worked to get the Ministry of Defence to release UFO documents, and once that began, he joined them in the role of external consultant to facilitate the disclosure. His unique relationship to the MOD’s documents are just part of it, though. Just as valuable are his interviews and personal relationships with significant UFO witnesses and researchers, something which allowed him to obtain first-hand testimony.

The book explores the spectrum of UFO philosophies, and the chapter “Angels or Demons?” provides one of the most memorable quotes, one from Father Paul Inglesby: “I once had a huge collection of UFO literature, but I burnt the lot. I decided the whole subject was polluted by evil. You should do the same.” 
Later in the same chapter, Clarke talks about meeting one of his big influences, author John Keel, who revealed that his groundbreaking concepts on the secrets of UFOs were a “literary device.”

Extraterrestrial proponents frequently say that if skeptics would just open their eyes to examine the evidence that they’d come to accept the reality of alien visitation. Clarke has done all that and more, but the ETers are not going to be entirely happy with  his conclusions. However, his examination provides something of interest whether you are skeptical about alien visitation by UFOs or a complete believer. The book will likely challenge your beliefs and understanding at some point. Even if he's wrong about whether ETs are here, his discussion of our ideas about them is valid.

Clarke's book is an interesting examination of the way we use UFOs as a mirror of sorts, on which we project our own beliefs and expectations about the universe around us. By reading it,  the reader will be challenged, and you’ll be introduced to some new ideas, and chances are you'll come away able to put aside some old notions and be encouraged to investigate new possibilities.


How UFOs Conquered the World: The History of a Modern Myth is hardcover, 320 pages from Aurum Press. It contains a glossary, notes and references, bibliography, an index and a color photo section. Ask for it in your local bookstore.