The Philadelphia Experiment

by Charles Berlitz

One day in 1943, at the Philadelphia Navy Yard, something happened . . .
Suddenly the U.S.S. Eldridge, a fully manned destroyer escort, vanished into a green fog, within seconds appeared in Norfolk, Virginia, and then reappeared in Philadelphia!
For over thirty-six years officials have denied this, have denied any experimentation to render matter invisible -- have denied the reality of THE PHILADELPHIA EXPERIMENT.
If so, why --
* were all the men aboard ship who survived discharged as mentally unfit?
* did a scientific researcher on the project meet a mysterious death?
* were identities hidden, documents lost, and amazing connections between UFO sightings and events in the Bermuda Triangle denied?
THE PHILADELPHIA EXPERIMENT -- the first full-length documented report on a chilling unsolved mystery that's been discussed for years. Now, official documents and first-hand stories have been revealed. Here is the truth in a report so shattering it is difficult to believe it's NOT fiction.

Genres: Nonfiction, Conspiracy Theories, Paranormal, History, Science, Mystery, War

288 pages, Paperback

First published September 28, 1978

About the author

Born in NYC, Berlitz was the grandson of Maximilien Berlitz, who founded the Berlitz Language Schools. As a child, Charles was raised in a household in which (by father's orders) every relative & servant spoke to Charles in a different language. He reached adolescence speaking eight languages fluently. In adulthood, he recalled having had the delusion that every human spoke a different language, & wondering why he didn't have his own like everyone else. His father spoke to him in German, his grandfather in Russian, his nanny in Spanish.
He began working for the family's Berlitz School of Languages, during college breaks. The publishing house, of which he was vice president, sold, among other things, tourist phrase books & pocket dictionaries, several of which he authored. He also played a key role in developing record & tape language courses. He left the company in the late 1960s, not long after he sold the company to publishing firm Crowell, Collier & Macmillan. He graduated magna cum laude from Yale Univ.
Berlitz was a writer on anomalous phenomena. He wrote a number of books on Atlantis. In his book The Mystery of Atlantis, he used evidence from geophysics, psychic studies, classical literature, tribal lore, archeology & mysteries & concluded that Atlantis was real. Berlitz also attempted to link the Bermuda Triangle to Atlantis. He claimed to have located Atlantis undersea in the area of the Bermuda Triangle. He was also an ancient astronaut proponent who believed that extraterrestrials had visited earth.
Berlitz spent 13 years on active duty in the US Army, mostly in intelligence. In 1950, he married Valerie Seary, with whom he had a daughter, Lynn. He died in 2003 at the age of 89 at University Hospital in Tamarac, FL.

Reviews

[Paul (Life In The Slow Lane) · Rating 1 out of 5]

...and there are fairies at the bottom of my garden.

[هادی امینی · Rating 3 out of 5]

این کتاب بدون اعمال سلیقه‌های شخصی ظاهرا فقط گویای روند تحقیقاتی مولف در زمینه آژمایش فیلادلفیا بوده و نهایتا هم تنها به ارایه گزارشات یافته شده و صرفا تفسیرهای و توضیحاتی مختصر برای روشن شدن این گزارشات اکتفا کرده؛ بدون اینکه نتیجه‌گیری خاصی انجام شود. تصمیم‌گیری براساس مطالب کتاب برعهده خواننده است.
از این رو در بین سری کتابهایی که بامبنای تئوری توطئه یا فضانوردان کهن با از این دست مسایل مرموز سروکار دارند؛ بدون پروپاگاندا و اغراق، فقط و فقط نتیجه تحقیقات را بیان کرده و به این ترتیب در نوع خود اگر نه منحصر به فرد؛ دست کم کمیاب است.

[Shawn · Rating 2 out of 5]

As I get older and look back on so many of these "mysteries" that enthralled me as a kid, and my experience of the world grows larger, there seem to be two words that apply more and more frequently to these "events".

The two words are "hack" and "schizophrenia".

[Christopher Saunders · Rating 2 out of 5]

This is an extremely strange book, for reasons that have little to do with its ostensible subject matter. Much of it is about what you'd expect, with Berlitz and Moore credulously repeating the bogus story of an invisibility test conducted on an American warship during WWII. These parts, along with their non-scientific musings about the Unified Field Theory, are as dumb and pseudo-intellectual as you'd expect. What's fascinating though is that the authors manage to tell an even more interesting story, almost by accident: how Carl M. Allen, a mentally ill crank, managed to bamboozle ufologist Morris K. Jessup into believing rambling nonsense letters, while also contacting the US Navy. Berlitz and Moore, unlike other authors on the topic, take Jessup's suicide at face value (his marriage was crumbling, his UFO books weren't selling, and he had a history of erratic behavior) rather than ascribing it to a sinister conspiracy, and they even include an interesting chapter about Allen himself, who became a bizarre gadfly for UFO researchers for decades. This story, not the hoax about a disappearing ship, deserves its own book - preferably by authors who don't accept Allen's ramblings uncritically.

[Steve Wiggins · Rating 4 out of 5]

Confession time. I've wanted to read this book since I was a kid. I grew up when everybody was talking about the "Bermuda Triangle" and Leonard Nimoy's In Search of was on prime time. Not only that, but as I note elsewhere (Sects and Violence in the Ancient World) one of the scientists involved drew his pseudonym from my little hometown in western Pennsylvania.

For anyone unaware of the idea, the titular experiment was an alleged Navy attempt to make a ship invisible during World War II. There seems to be nothing unbelievable about that—invisibility would be a great advantage in war at the time, and we know that the military has been working on combat uniforms that deflect light to make soldiers practically invisible. Charles Berlitz and William Moore were, of course, stonewalled when they asked for military documents and since you can never prove a negative, when the Navy says "it never happened" it's going to be an uphill struggle all the way.

Berlitz has been criticized for sloppy research, but this book makes plain note of when it's speculating and when it's not. Witnesses won't give their true names, which always raises issues of credibility. When the account brings extraterrestrials into the mix, it makes the reader a bit nervous. Still, it's a fascinating story. In truth we'll probably never be able to find out if it happened. Despite what extreme skeptics say, it does seem that the military keeps secrets pretty well. Even if the reader doesn't believe this to be a factual account, it reads like an espionage story and is fast-paced and leaves plenty of things to ponder at the end.

I know that I shouldn't admit to liking books like this, but I do. Did it happen? I don't know. After reading the book, although it involved some human tragedy, you kind of end up hoping that it might be true.

[Road · Rating 4 out of 5]

A ship disappears in 1943. What happened? After reading the book, I am about 90% sure that the ship did actually disappear.

[David · Rating 5 out of 5]

there is at least 8....books form various writers on this subject but the best review comes from the like below..


Philadelphia Experiment - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
... circles, and elements of the Philadelphia Experiment are featured in many other ... into a motion picture, The Philadelphia Experiment directed by Stewart Rafill. ...
Quick Links: Synopsis of the experiment - Origins of the story - Morris Jessup and Carlos Miguel Allende

en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Philadelphia_Ex... - 67k - Cached

[Mandy Doré · Rating 5 out of 5]

I was on a journey of truth in history discovery when I happened upon this little jewel. I have often thought there were experiments out there that defy imagination. This was a worthy read validating my thoughts. This book led to subsequent books and now I am deep in the rabbit hole. I have this book in my private collection to revisit on an occasion. A must read for those who dare to know more.

[Michael DeRosa · Rating 5 out of 5]

Very convincing. Although it does not prove that the Experiment actually took place, it leaves proof positive that there was a considerable coverup of the incident.

[Bob Jr. · Rating 3 out of 5]

As with my 'review' of The Bermuda Triangle - my enjoyment of this is colored by nostalgia. It's ridiculous, but fun - even in all it's attempted seriousness.

[Jaynie · Rating 2 out of 5]

Really, really wanted more. Just...more. The movie was awe inspiring when it first came out (long ago), so I was hoping for some meat for those bones. But, sadly, no.

[Patrick Martin · Rating 2 out of 5]

The author of this book started off his investigation in order to disprove the fact that The Philadelphia Experiment ever happened, so he says. For those who don't know what the Philadelphia Experiment was it is a legend among UFO hunters and alien conspiracy fans involving teleportation of a U.S. Navy ship. Basically it is believed, by some, that the US Navy used electromagnetic fields to transport a ship from the Philly Naval Yards to Norfolk, Virginia and back in matter of seconds. Witnessed by very few people and with disastrous consequences to the humans on board the ship. The Navy, of course, denies this and not one person supposedly involved in this experiment has ever come forth and admitted they were there and it happened.

There is a lot of circumstantial evidence in the book and not much hard core information, it's all second and third hand guessing. I can see the points the author is trying to connect but i think one of the down falls is when the book was written. It's over 30 years old and the information in it would be out somewhere by now. Some of it was interesting but the interest would pass quickly. I believe the Philadelphia Experiment could have possibly happened, there is nothing here to convince me that it actually did. Much of the information uncovered could lead to the fact that experiments were being done on a ship but not towards what type of experiment or "the" experiment they are looking for proof of.

Bottom line, not the worst but I'd recommend passing.

[Peter · Rating 4 out of 5]

If you want to find out the details behind the movies on the Philadelphia Experiment, you definitely should have a look into this book. Was it a cover-up or an uncanny trick? A close encounter with the incredible or is there a natural explanation on the invisible ship and its appearance elsewhere? The author tries to gather as many clues and conjectures as possible on the Eldridge. Even Einstein is mentioned here. Compelling stuff from the early 80s you can't put down. Love mysteries like that and can highly recommend this book!

[Edward Burton · Rating 2 out of 5]

A rather fun read, although a little dry. More a conjecture than anything based on fact. I did further research after reading this and was chagrined. "Degaussing" which was a procedure used in WWII to make Allied ships "invisible" to magnetically charged German mines was clearly taken out of context by this hoax entitled, The Philadelphia Experiment.

William Moore's delivery was rote and much of it was from reports containing dry and clinical writing. The book suffers for it. Had I known the real truth before reading, I would have passed on this one.

[Dan Zarfati · Rating 3 out of 5]

Interesting book, a light read, it does give you some clues that it may have been a fact rather than fiction, it goes no to explain a bit about the Einstein's unified field theory and its application on this allegedly experiment. If you are unfamiliar with the incident and is curious about, this book is for you, it goes on with some length explaining the case of UFO book written by M K Jessup. The Philadelphia experiment, was basically trying to make naval vessels invisible to radar and to remain impossible to be visible by our eyes. All in all I recommend it for the fun of it.

[William Jackson · Rating 5 out of 5]

I read this in one sitting, completely absorbed. Secret upon secret. Nameless sources. While I personally don't get into the aliens from another world theories, gov't conspiracies should concern us all. I am now an M.K Jessup fan. He was an Indiana Jones of the weird, Mason Valentine too. Odd happenings going on. Stay awake, folks.

[Nefeli Konsta · Rating 3 out of 5]

(3,5 stars)
A good presentation and analysis of the information available regarding the Philadelphia experiment. Easy to understand by the average person. ( It got a little repetitive at times)
Do I believe that the experiment actually happened? Of course not! For sure, they tested some weird theories, but the Philadelphia experiment as it's discrebed is just a conspiracy.

[MONIKA · Rating 4 out of 5]

I read this book a long time ago.... But gave it another go..... As good as I remember..... If you are into conspiracy theories and stuff you should give it a go. Fair warning it can lead to very creative dreams 🤪

[Kevin LaBrie · Rating 3 out of 5]

This one was a bit all over the place and totally not what you always hear about the Philadelphia Experiment. Not a waste of time by any means.

[Anne Hendricks · Rating 5 out of 5]

A must for all libraries to have to learn about this fascinating subject!

[Tina Chandler · Rating 3 out of 5]

It left more questions than answers.

[Larry Prather · Rating 2 out of 5]

Really only skimmed most of it, once I discovered the whole story is fantasy.

[Steve WEST]

made me a believer

[Jessica Pellegrene · Rating 3 out of 5]

Complete study of the supposed event - full of detail! A little dry and redundant at times.

[Brandon · Rating 1 out of 5]

Like reading the diary of a madman.

You’ve heard of the Philadelphia Experiment, right? Of course you have. It’s one of the original techno myths. An absolute stone cold classic. The story goes, in 1943 the US Navy made the destroyer escort USS Eldridge disappear into a dense green fog. A few minutes later, it reappeared. The men on board – because, of course, it would only make sense to do this with a ship that was fully staffed at the time – didn’t fare too well, either physically or psychologically.

What you may not have known is just how many collaborators this project had. Everybody from Albert Einstein to representatives from at least 2 different extraterrestrial races were able to put aside their differences to make this breakthrough happen. So goes the attestations of the “mysterious figure” (a phrase that crops up numerous times in this book), Carlos Miguel Allende. Allende claimed to have witnessed the experiment, and later sent an annotated copy of Morris K. Jessup’s The Case for The UFO to the Office of Naval Research.

Enter Charles Berlitz and William L. Moore, who treat Allende’s margin scribblings with the kind of solemnity devoted Catholics reserve for Papal bulls. Unfortunately, they were never able to locate the "mysterious figure" in person. Probably because they never tried.

We now know that Carlos Miguel Allende was actually Carl Meredith Allen, a man listed in the telephone book for New Kensington, Pennsylvania, where he had lived his entire life. In addition to a terrible knack in coining nom de plums, Allen also had a documented history of psychological issues and was well known to his friends for weaving imaginary lies.

In a sane world, this should have been the end of any discussion about the Philadelphia Experiment and Berlitz and Moore should have had their pictures immortalized in the Merriam-Webster dictionary, under the word, “Malarkey”. Unfortunately, we live in this world, where the Philadelphia Experiment continues to occupy a special place in the fevered brains of conspiracy theorists.

[Donald · Rating 3 out of 5]

Despite official denials, many people still believe that in 1943 a U.S. naval ship was involved in a brief bit of teleportation that came to be referred to as "The Philadelphia Experiment." The legend began with some cryptic comments from one Carlos Allende to noted UFO researcher Morris K. Jessup in 1955, in reaction to his book "The Case For The UFO." Subsequently, even stranger comments were found marked within a copy of Jessup's book, attributed to Allende. Allende told Jessup about witnessing "The Philadelphia Experiment," and how badly effected the crew members were after being teleported. When Jessup committed "suicide" a few years later, the story became part of UFO and conspiracy lore, with some claiming that Allende was actually one of the mysterious Men In Black, or M.I.B.s. It's a curious and not completely convincing story, but it's hard for me to discount anything that has the U.S. government and the usual suspects issuing blanket denials. All those interested in UFOs and other unexplained phenomena would especially enjoy this book.

[Tifnie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Clearly I'm behind on my reading and updating. I finished this book though I can't be sure of when exactly.

I choose this book because I remember seeing parts of the movie with the same title many years ago and only remembers bits and pieces. Now I wanted to know the truth of the matter. Unfortunately this book read like an episode of Geraldo Rivera when he enters in a some secret lair only to find out it wasn't what he thought thus fouling thousands of viewers. Well, towards the middle I was beginning to feel duped.

While Charles Frambach Berlitz researches the hell out of the story but he also leaves plenty of room for speculation and doubt and never really solidifies truth from fiction.

Did it really happen? No one knows for sure. We think it did, but not entirely sure.

[Robert · Rating 1 out of 5]

This book is an excellent tool for teaching people the difference between real journalism and garbage. How this "mystery" ever caught on is the real mystery, because the author makes such idiotic (or intentional) errors as discussing what has taken place at the Newark/Camden naval yards: Newark and Camden are on opposite ends and opposite sides of New Jersey. Newark is on the Atlantic Ocean near the mouth of the Hudson River, in the New York metropolitan area; Camden is on the Delaware River, in the Philadelphia metropolitan area. Just so you know the level of factual error in this book at its very root. Otherwise, it's a knee-slapper.

[Vicki Gooding · Rating 5 out of 5]

I absolutely love Charles Berlitz nonfiction books of mysterious books of incidents and the unknown. Most of his books are a combination of several short stories. Then he has a few such as this that covers one well known story. In the 40's Albert Einstein was working on a quantum string dimensional periods of time running parallel with one another. Using generated power and water this book is allowed a look at a ship of men who for a brief moment vanished from one point, seen in another, and then back again. The terrible consequences and an effort to keep it quiet. If you have opportunity, please read it.

[Der_m · Rating 5 out of 5]

I was very disappointed in reading this book, but only because I thought it was well-researched and honestly reported. I first heard of the Philadelphia Experiment from my father, who undoubtedly heard one of the many permutations of the legend; and I was looking forward to the "Sightings"-style overview of the case. Sadly, the author did an amazing job of getting to the very bottom of the matter, including all the evidence that it's likely a hoax.

This is a good read for fans of Art Bell, military intelligence enthusiasts, and sci-fi types.