Genesis

Projekt Saucer #3

by W.A. Harbinson

The secret of UFOs and where they may have been developed and the secrets people keep to pretend that they do not exist.

Genres: Science Fiction, Fiction, Thriller

605 pages, Mass Market Paperback

First published January 1, 1980

Reviews

[Hans · Rating 4 out of 5]

Of all the takes on the crazy conspiracy theories surrounding UFOs (which are even less likely to exist in the age of smartphone cameras), this is one of the most entertaining. Harbinson may have spiraled off into his own black hole of paranoid speculation, but this was written when he was still on this side, and the good character development, credible villains, and very well done story structure are a testament to that. If you want brain candy while on the beach, or on a long flight, this is highly recommended.

[Les · Rating 4 out of 5]

Every now and then a book like this comes along that I can really get into, get totally engrossed in and I don't want to put it down. I'd read some other reviews (most of which were positive) and it sounded fascinating, being an alternate history sort of story founded in actual events and myth. The story follows a UFO investigator on his search for the truth about UFO sightings and abductions and there are interesting side stories and flashbacks from key characters. What we end up with is a fast-paced adventure across the globe and across time that builds quite an epic story of global conspiracy. As I said, I had trouble putting this one down and I attribute this to the intriguing plot that one could almost imagine being factual. I did struggle a little with some of the dialogue at times which seemed a little odd and just there for the sake of it. However, these pieces were minimal and the book generally flows quite well. One of the best alternate history stories that I've read to date, and it's a good yarn that keeps you hanging in there for the next slice of the story.It's a good yarn that is just the right length to be 'epic' but not too much as to bore or grow tired of. Overall a very good book that I'll happily recommend to anyone who likes a meaty tale with lots of intrigue and mystery.

[Lyle Landstrom · Rating 3 out of 5]

Good story but could of been far better. This is the tale about two (mostly) UFO researchers who have been pursuing the phenomena for decades. The story begins with them flying out to a remote site where one of their fellow colleagues had committed suicide. They speculate about how too many people who have perhaps gotten too close have gotten themselves killed under mysterious circumstances. While interviewing the deceased's wife, she rambles on and on about different UFO facts and cases. This is where this book falls short. Of over 500 pages, at least 100 could have been edited out but the author tries to use genuine names, cases, government programs, and other things to try to give the story some credibility. Nobody talks like this after their husband shoots himself. And there were too many conversations in the book that were similar. All the bona fide unsolved cases or mysteries from the 1897 Airships, through the Foo fighters in the latter part of WWII, to Betty and Barney Hill, all the way to when this book was written is included here. It is too much. This lead me to skim through these boring pages to get to the meat of what happens next. Good story but could have been better written. There are "Authors Notes," and Sources, in the back of the book demonstrating the book was well researched. But that could have contributed to my problem with it as mentioned earlier.

[Lenny · Rating 4 out of 5]

I read this back when it first came out in the early 80's. It's one of the paperbacks I won't let go of. I recall it being a very entertaining story. I just tracked down a hardback and will be ordering it later today.

[Julio Araujo · Rating 3 out of 5]

Leí una reseña aquí que decía que era una historia misógina, de principio no entendí el porqué, pero conforme avanza la historia cai en cuenta del motivo. Tiene buena historia y datos muy interesantes, pero ese detalle merma la calidad, aunque considerando el año de publicación, se entiende.

[Mark Sanders · Rating 5 out of 5]

Brilliant Sci Fi book as are all in the series. I could not put it down and I have now read the whole Projekt Saucer series many times. I wonder whether there are some elements of truth within his works, particularly as far as the mysterious Mr Wilson goes.
A must read for Sci Fi fans.

[Charles · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent. My favorite book by Harbinson. A masterpiece.

[Tanya · Rating 5 out of 5]

couldnt put it down, even plan to read it again.

[Mark Perkiss · Rating 5 out of 5]

I first read Genesis in the early 1980s. It's a fun read full of conspiracy theories wrapped in a science fiction thriller. If you can find it it's worth the time to read it.

[Christopher Kozar · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great fun. Thought provoking.

Harbinson brought an amazing number of facts and events together to wind quite a fun and intriguing tale. True? God and Wilson alone know. Enjoy!

[Barbara · Rating 1 out of 5]

DNF only 30 pages in. 600 pages of macho conspiracy theories haven’t aged well.

[John Tetteroo · Rating 1 out of 5]

Mijn god, wat een draak van een boek! 457 pagina's veel te kleine letters in een veel te dikke paperpack vol met opgeklopte lucht. Dit is de letterkundige tegenhanger van de uren durende paranoïde UFO documentaires die je tegenwoordig op Youtube tegenkomt als je iets te weinig kritisch klikt op populaire wetenschap. Dit verklaart meteen waarom dit misbaksel in zijn tijd kon uitgroeien tot een bestseller van epische proporties. Het is gefündenes fressen voor allerlei soorten warrige wappers.

Enkele redenen waarom ik dit een slecht geschreven boek vind:

Één: Ik kom er nauwelijks doorheen, ik erger mij voortdurend aan schrijfstijl en stokpaardjes van de schrijver. Dat terwijl zijn proza onnodig wijdlopig is, het lijkt bijna of hij per woord betaald werd.

Twee: Harbinson kiest ervoor om het verhaal te vertellen in de vorm van langdradige dialogen van de protagonisten en nog langdradiger monologen van de antagonist. Afgewisseld door langdradige dialogen van bijfiguren die het verhaal moeten voorzien van meer authenticiteit, maar vooral zorgen voor wanhoop bij de lezer, door nog meer tekst die nergens heengaat. Harbinson haalt ook meteen alle spanning of mysterie uit het verhaal zodat je jezelf voortdurend afvraagt waarom je nog zou willen doorlezen, misschien alleen om uit te vinden of hij toch nog een verborgen konijn in zijn hoge hoed heeft.

Drie: Er wordt sex geïntroduceerd zonder enige aanleiding, zonder enige vorm van daartoe leidende passie of romantiek en van een dergelijk vrouwonvriendelijk kaliber dat zelfs de gouden tijd van de SF overschaduwt en enige nare hang-ups bij de schrijver zelf doet vermoeden. Voorts krijgen we dan nog een beschouwing over hoe sex afdoet aan genialiteit en gevoelloos zaadverschieten de enige oplossing is. Wat de wat???

Vier: Eindeloze nutteloze beschrijvingen van gedachteloze handelingen der vertellers die ze uitvoeren tijdens het oreren van de belachelijke teksten die ze in de mond gelegd worden. Ik heb nog nooit zoveel tandengetik, vingergetrommel, gewrijf en ander neurotisch gedrag beschreven gezien. En tot overmaat van ramp wordt dat ook nog meerdere malen per dialoog herhaald.

Vijf: Wreedheid en meedogenloosheid aan de kaak stellen door erin te zwelgen...

Kortom ik heb een nare smaak aan deze bittere pil overgehouden en de visionaire beschrijving van een dictatuur door een technische elite doet daar helaas helemaal niets aan af. Ik twijfel tussen naar de mini-bieb brengen en bij het oude papier gooien.

[Orion Mayerstein · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is one of those rare stories that stick in your being for the rest of your life. It reads like a series of editorials with a complexed simplicity. The adventure begins with a catchie title "Genesis". Nothing to do with the mythical story in the bible. Instead we are taken to uncharted territory. I would put this book under "suspense" and not under the cathegory of "fiction". A must read for open minds and for those who seize the days.

[Lupita · Rating 1 out of 5]

Es uno de los libros más misóginos que he leído. Intenté dejarlo pasar por la fecha de publicación, pero fue demasiado. La historia me pareció pasable, pero lo arruinó lo anterior. Tampoco soy fan de las descripciones tan extensas: cada cabello que se mueve, cada arruga que se forma o cada sombra de las cosas en la habitación. En definitiva, no se lo recomendaría a nadie.

[Sheila Ortega · Rating 2 out of 5]

La premisa es buena, el concepto general es bueno. El personaje del científico es interesante. Pero hay demasiada lectura de documentos "reales" que hace que sea tedioso y pesado, de hecho salvaría casi solo la parte narrada por el científico.

[Margaret Windsor · Rating 5 out of 5]

OMG. that is three amazing books in the series so far. why have I taken so long to find them all? Fascinating ideas, enjoy his writing, great descriptions, great characters. If flying saucers are your thing you should read all of these!

[Ray Savarda · Rating 3 out of 5]

OK scifi about an alternate explanation of where UFO's come from, and a years-long story of trying to reveal the "truth". Eh...

[Raresaturn · Rating 5 out of 5]

Epic sex scene. 5 stars

[Wvogel61 · Rating 5 out of 5]

Interesting and disturbing book describing the possibilities/probabilities of the development of UFO’s by man. Good written!

[Julie · Rating 3 out of 5]

Interesting novel based on research into Hitler's secret science. I have had this book for years and picked it up to read for something light and entertaining. Turns out it is has technical and conspiratorial elements that made it interesting but not all that light. Also curious is that the Science Channel has just aired a show named Hitler's Secret Science that outlines the very theories in the book. I would recommend it for those who don't mind a bit of science fiction mixed with a bit of reality.

[Vanessa · Rating 5 out of 5]

A novel based on actual factual research, it is the story of two scientists who follow UFO s and suspected sightings in their search for the true answers as to where did they come from and who are the creators. The book covers from WW2 to 1980 and references actual sightings and scientists that were involved with some of this work.

[Tom Barnett · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was strange but entertaining book. It incorporates dozens of "urban legends" into a reality that explains everything from the Tunguska explosion, airships of the 19th centure, nazi secret weapons, along with the UFO mania of the seventies and eighties.

[Kotoole1 · Rating 5 out of 5]

I read this book years ago before it went out of print. I just recently checked and found it available for the Kindle and ordered it imediately. I remember this as being a really good book. Will read it again soon...

[Marc · Rating 5 out of 5]

It is an epic story of one mans quest to reveal the truth about the actual location of aliens - humans evolved into pale skinned and large eyed creatures through living in the icy environment of the Arctic and underground - and his subsequent capture by the leader of these alien/human creatures.

[Robert Mac Isaac]

Great fiction on UFO phenomenon, from Foo Fighters, various sightings , german engineering, and what could be!

[bluetyson]

isbn,original

[Brad Newland · Rating 5 out of 5]

Picked up by chance years ago. One of my first SF reads. An exceptional book that combines, SF, history, and mystery. One of those books that I could not put down. It's back in print.