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The World of the Unknown
UFOs (World of the unknown) by Ted Wilding-White
-- Explore the frontiers that lie between belief and fact-- Illustrated with lots of diagrams and pictures
Paperback
First published October 14, 1977
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Displaying 1 - 9 of 9 reviews
February 16, 2022
It's the most interesting and well written book with great illustrations.
October 13, 2020
I love a bit of nostalgia and when it comes in book form then I am like a dog with two tails. But what could make me so happy - well the re-issue of another of the Usborne World of the Unknown series this time about UFOs.
Back when I was at school (I will let you work it out from the publication date of the first edition) this series was the go to books for the more illicit reads (after all your parents would not normally have books about UFOs Ghost and Monsters of your bookshelves) where my love of science fiction and all things strange and unexplained grew from.
And here they are again - resurrected by fellow readers who too fell under the thrall of these books (I just hope the trend continues and the whole series is brought back in to print). Yes they are rather tongue in cheek and extremely dated but that is all part of the beauty of these books - they make no pretense about what they are and what they represent - good old fun.
So for readers who know these books - they are brilliant - for the newly discovered I apologise these may not be for you (* who knows they may fire up the same fascination a 10 year old me found in them).
Back when I was at school (I will let you work it out from the publication date of the first edition) this series was the go to books for the more illicit reads (after all your parents would not normally have books about UFOs Ghost and Monsters of your bookshelves) where my love of science fiction and all things strange and unexplained grew from.
And here they are again - resurrected by fellow readers who too fell under the thrall of these books (I just hope the trend continues and the whole series is brought back in to print). Yes they are rather tongue in cheek and extremely dated but that is all part of the beauty of these books - they make no pretense about what they are and what they represent - good old fun.
So for readers who know these books - they are brilliant - for the newly discovered I apologise these may not be for you (* who knows they may fire up the same fascination a 10 year old me found in them).
March 5, 2023
From flying saucers and supersonic spaceships, to alien encounters and famous fakes, this classic title traces UFOs throughout history, and is the perfect companion for any space enthusiast. First published in 1977, this is the second book from Usborne's beloved World of the Unknown series to be brought back by popular demand.
With a brand new foreword by impressionist, actor and comedian Jon Culshaw, otherwise the book remains unchanged from the original.
The third in the re-issued series of 1970's classics, 'The World Of The Unknown-UFOs' was re-published in 2020, and is high on nostalgia value as it is on quality illustrations and information.
It not only defines what a UFO (unidentified flying object is), it charts their appearance throughout history, as well as presenting potential explanations for what they are, and where they come from.
As to what they want, that is entirely another matter...
The illustrations and explanations are taken as seriously as if this were a book for adults, yet is never dry and boring. One of the biggest features of the Usborne series is that it never talks down to the audience-they know the deeply questing mind of children/teens and tackle the questions we would want answered. And when there isn't an answer, they don't fudge it and guess.
Although the focus is on the twentieth century, there are deep dives into the seemingly inexplicable appearances of non-human entities and their travelling mechanisms going back as far as the pyramids, the Mayans and the Easter Island statues.
The idea of the Moon as a secret UFO, the Project Blue Book case, and the so-called 'Washington Invasion' are discussed with bystander stories examined under a critical scientific eye.
The only drawback, as such, is that this book is not updated, it is exactly as it was in the 1970's, therefore maybe it is time for a new edition? And the latter half of the twentieth century/early half of the twenty first surely has a lot more to add in terms of scientific investigation, as well as released government files which finally acknowledge the existence of UFOs.
I like the way it also guides you on how to look for UFOs yourself, and how to create your own report, complete with a template for filling in!
Perfect for the enquiring mind of a young Fox Mulder, this is a great starting point for any scientific leaning child in your family circle!
With a brand new foreword by impressionist, actor and comedian Jon Culshaw, otherwise the book remains unchanged from the original.
The third in the re-issued series of 1970's classics, 'The World Of The Unknown-UFOs' was re-published in 2020, and is high on nostalgia value as it is on quality illustrations and information.
It not only defines what a UFO (unidentified flying object is), it charts their appearance throughout history, as well as presenting potential explanations for what they are, and where they come from.
As to what they want, that is entirely another matter...
The illustrations and explanations are taken as seriously as if this were a book for adults, yet is never dry and boring. One of the biggest features of the Usborne series is that it never talks down to the audience-they know the deeply questing mind of children/teens and tackle the questions we would want answered. And when there isn't an answer, they don't fudge it and guess.
Although the focus is on the twentieth century, there are deep dives into the seemingly inexplicable appearances of non-human entities and their travelling mechanisms going back as far as the pyramids, the Mayans and the Easter Island statues.
The idea of the Moon as a secret UFO, the Project Blue Book case, and the so-called 'Washington Invasion' are discussed with bystander stories examined under a critical scientific eye.
The only drawback, as such, is that this book is not updated, it is exactly as it was in the 1970's, therefore maybe it is time for a new edition? And the latter half of the twentieth century/early half of the twenty first surely has a lot more to add in terms of scientific investigation, as well as released government files which finally acknowledge the existence of UFOs.
I like the way it also guides you on how to look for UFOs yourself, and how to create your own report, complete with a template for filling in!
Perfect for the enquiring mind of a young Fox Mulder, this is a great starting point for any scientific leaning child in your family circle!
October 29, 2021
Reflections and lessons learned:
“…it’s the remaining 3%, for which we have no rational explanation, that keeps UFOs so bewildering and extraordinary…”
It’s that line between not believing every story told, being sensibly cynical, but having a part of your mind open to possibilities. What did I see that night in purple and greens? Would aliens have been interested in Kidderminster suburbs (it may have even been as far away as Brierly Hill!)? Do all strange encounters go from left to right as though my brain is processing something rather than it actually happening…? They do say 1977 was a popular year for sightings/possible visits in GB…?!
A great starter book that feels like a proper 70s childrens encyclopaedia - I can almost feel the crackle glazed cracked spine and the yellowing cover - a book that I can’t wait to share with my children to show them that all may not be as it seems… I still want to believe!
“…it’s the remaining 3%, for which we have no rational explanation, that keeps UFOs so bewildering and extraordinary…”
It’s that line between not believing every story told, being sensibly cynical, but having a part of your mind open to possibilities. What did I see that night in purple and greens? Would aliens have been interested in Kidderminster suburbs (it may have even been as far away as Brierly Hill!)? Do all strange encounters go from left to right as though my brain is processing something rather than it actually happening…? They do say 1977 was a popular year for sightings/possible visits in GB…?!
A great starter book that feels like a proper 70s childrens encyclopaedia - I can almost feel the crackle glazed cracked spine and the yellowing cover - a book that I can’t wait to share with my children to show them that all may not be as it seems… I still want to believe!
March 6, 2023
A childhood classic that inspired a life long interest in all things alien. On an adult re-read, it still holds up! It's full of amazing illustrations, interesting stories and fascinating information. Though it's obviously geared towards a younger audience, it never talks down.
Hopefully with this re-release it can inspire a whole new generation to watch the skies! 🛸
Hopefully with this re-release it can inspire a whole new generation to watch the skies! 🛸
January 8, 2021
Strangely I'm not entirely sure whether I actually read this reprint as a kid - suggesting this purchase is an odd kind of 'faux nostalgia'(!) - but it is a lot of fun to read, with surprisingly little that is kitsch despite its dated nature.
October 10, 2021
Not as fun as the reissue of the ghost book in this series but still bemusing to read through this 1970s childhood non fiction cult classic. The technology element in this book is quite dated but that just adds to its charm. I’m looking forward to the reissue of the monsters book of the series.
September 16, 2022
Fun all-ages-friendly overview of the subject. Full review: https://fakegeekboy.wordpress.com/202...
October 20, 2025
Very basic but it is really for children. Some fascinating facts nevertheless.
Displaying 1 - 9 of 9 reviews