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Flying Saucer to the Center of Your Mind: Selected Writings of John A. Keel
"Flying Saucer to the Center of Your Mind" is a collection of magazine articles and lectures by the man many consider to be not only the 20th Century’s premiere investigator of all things unusual and “Fortean,” but also our very own twentieth-century “Mark Twain”: John A. Keel. Many of the articles in this anthology and its companion volumes, "The Outer Limits of the Twilight Zone" and "Searching for the String," were revolutionary, and explored ideas popularized in Keel’s classic books. Written in Keel’s engaging trademark style, they are sure to delight fans with their fresh, unparalleled insights into the nature of reality.
In these pages, John Keel displays the keen observational skills and investigative tenacity that made him the enfant terrible of ufology for decades. In this no-holds-barred analysis – much of it written almost 50 years ago – Keel shreds most of the sacred-cow beliefs still held by many in ufological and “cryptozoological” circles today, and presents theories so radical that they are only now becoming accepted: the “4-D” or “interdimensional” thesis; the “breakaway civilization” theory; the possible role of “ancient aliens” in human history; the synthetic and/or hallucinatory nature of many “alien abduction” and “Men in Black” encounters; the role of spy agencies in paranormal research; and the alarming connection between UFOs, animal mutilations, and attacks on unsuspecting humans.
In short, "Flying Saucer to the Center of Your Mind" is witty, incisive, impassioned, and prescient, and cohesively brings Keel’s message into focus in a way that perhaps no other book has. In addition, this 2013 edition features illuminating forewords by noted writers Gray Barker and Tessa B. Dick (widow of science-fiction writer Philip K. Dick), as well as an introduction by the editor, Andy Colvin (author of "The Mothman's Photographer" trilogy and "Mothman Speaks").
“Provides the foundation for a clear view of the phenomenon…” –Kenn Thomas, Steamshovel Press
"The consummate cryptozoologist..." –Ron Patton, Paranoia Magazine
"Turns Forteana and ufology upside down..." –Doug Skinner, johnkeel.com
“The key to unraveling many mysteries…” –Ted Torbich, The Stench of Truth
“Far ahead of its time…” –Keith Hansen, Vyzygoth’s Grassy Knoll
In these pages, John Keel displays the keen observational skills and investigative tenacity that made him the enfant terrible of ufology for decades. In this no-holds-barred analysis – much of it written almost 50 years ago – Keel shreds most of the sacred-cow beliefs still held by many in ufological and “cryptozoological” circles today, and presents theories so radical that they are only now becoming accepted: the “4-D” or “interdimensional” thesis; the “breakaway civilization” theory; the possible role of “ancient aliens” in human history; the synthetic and/or hallucinatory nature of many “alien abduction” and “Men in Black” encounters; the role of spy agencies in paranormal research; and the alarming connection between UFOs, animal mutilations, and attacks on unsuspecting humans.
In short, "Flying Saucer to the Center of Your Mind" is witty, incisive, impassioned, and prescient, and cohesively brings Keel’s message into focus in a way that perhaps no other book has. In addition, this 2013 edition features illuminating forewords by noted writers Gray Barker and Tessa B. Dick (widow of science-fiction writer Philip K. Dick), as well as an introduction by the editor, Andy Colvin (author of "The Mothman's Photographer" trilogy and "Mothman Speaks").
“Provides the foundation for a clear view of the phenomenon…” –Kenn Thomas, Steamshovel Press
"The consummate cryptozoologist..." –Ron Patton, Paranoia Magazine
"Turns Forteana and ufology upside down..." –Doug Skinner, johnkeel.com
“The key to unraveling many mysteries…” –Ted Torbich, The Stench of Truth
“Far ahead of its time…” –Keith Hansen, Vyzygoth’s Grassy Knoll
- GenresParanormalNonfiction
284 pages, Paperback
First published September 11, 2013
21 people are currently reading
460 people want to read
About the author
John A. Keel
75 books247 followersJohn Alva Keel (born Alva John Kiehle) was a Fortean author and professional journalist.
Keel wrote professionally from the age of 12, and was best known for his writings on unidentified flying objects, the "Mothman" of West Virginia, and other paranormal subjects. Keel was arguably one of the most widely read and influential ufologists since the early 1970s. Although his own thoughts about UFOs and associated anomalous phenomena gradually evolved since the mid 1960s, Keel remained one of ufology's most original and controversial researchers. It was Keel's second book, UFOs: Operation Trojan Horse (1970), that popularized the idea that many aspects of contemporary UFO reports, including humanoid encounters, often paralleled ancient folklore and religious encounters. Keel coined the term "men in black" to describe the mysterious figures alleged to harass UFO witnesses and he also argued that there is a direct relationship between UFOs and psychic phenomena. He did not call himself a ufologist and preferred the term Fortean, which encompasses a wide range of paranormal subjects.
Keel wrote professionally from the age of 12, and was best known for his writings on unidentified flying objects, the "Mothman" of West Virginia, and other paranormal subjects. Keel was arguably one of the most widely read and influential ufologists since the early 1970s. Although his own thoughts about UFOs and associated anomalous phenomena gradually evolved since the mid 1960s, Keel remained one of ufology's most original and controversial researchers. It was Keel's second book, UFOs: Operation Trojan Horse (1970), that popularized the idea that many aspects of contemporary UFO reports, including humanoid encounters, often paralleled ancient folklore and religious encounters. Keel coined the term "men in black" to describe the mysterious figures alleged to harass UFO witnesses and he also argued that there is a direct relationship between UFOs and psychic phenomena. He did not call himself a ufologist and preferred the term Fortean, which encompasses a wide range of paranormal subjects.
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Displaying 1 - 9 of 9 reviews
January 26, 2015
Like "flying saucers" themselves, great writing about the topic can be hard to pin down.
In the same way that you can't go into an aeronautics museum and see a disc-shaped craft for yourself, you can't go into your typical bookstore or library or even go online and see much of what has been written about UFOs...even by the best known writers.
It often appeared in "ephemera": magazines and newsletters that weren't meant to last through the ages. They were designed to get sales that month, or to never get sales at all...to just be circulated among like minded individuals.
In the golden age of "men's adventure magazines", like True, Saga, Argosy, and the simply named "Male", John A. Keel was writing some of the most extraordinary things about UFOs/flying saucers...and reality itself.
Keel, the probable inspiration for Kolchak, the Night Stalker (and, of course, for the "Alva Keel" character in the TV series "Miracles"), was a field investigator, a writer, a thinker, and a Fortean.
The last one is perhaps what makes Keel's writing so good.
Keel is better than almost anyone else at not putting the theories before the facts.
A Fortean (an admirer of the writer Charles Fort) should always be willing to drop any paradigm in the face of new evidence. Actually, they shouldn't form paradigms at all, since, in Fortean "philosophy", everything is everything else.
People typically form an idea about something, and then accept the facts which tend to confirm that hypothesis (cognitive resonance) and reject or ignore those which don't (cognitive dissonance).
You can particularly see this with UFOs/Flying saucers.
Skeptics may reject any stories suggesting an extraterrestrial origin (the ETH...Extraterrestrial Hypothesis) on the basis that consensus science finds the mechanics of that to be extremely difficult to overcome.
"True believers" of the ETH, on the other hand, may just as equally reject evidence which tends to refute an alien origin.
Keel is able to simply look at the facts...all of the facts...and hypothesize from there, without letting the hypothesis then occlude future information.
You can "believe in UFO events" (not consider them hoaxes or mistaken identity) without "believing" in the ETH.
These articles, gathered by Andrew B. Colvin from those "smokeshop mags" and from Keel (including article written for UFO periodicals and talks given to UFO crowds, including a "Secret Tape to the Congress of Scientific Ufologists), represent some of Keel's best work.
It's amazing how much of it collaborates itself...Colvin has skillfully assembled a narrative out of disparate publications.
Well, maybe not amazing. I suppose it was safe for Keel to assume that the readers of one male mag might not read another male mag, and certainly might not read Flying Saucer Review. For a working writer, the ability to reuse ideas (but never word for word) can be a great aid to productivity.
One of Keel's smartest moves was to realize that, while you couldn't properly investigate what had generated a report, you could investigate the reporter. They are, after all, still here and subject to statistical analysis.
Were there patterns in who reported sightings?
Keel thought so.
Does that suggest that UFOs/flying saucers are subjective (for many people, read "fictitious")...culture based myths, or the result of specific pathologies?
Not at all: Keel is also clear that something out of the ordinary is apparently happening...and may have been happening for thousands of years.
I'll let you explore the articles yourself, and see what you think...just try not come to any conclusions. :)
I had originally rated this four stars, but on reflection, have upped it to five. My concern was with the non-Keel material in the book...the introduction and the Editor's Note.
I felt like Colvin's note brought in ideas which might put an unneeded spin on Keel's writing, which is best approached with a completely open mind (or as close as you can).
Reflecting on it, though, I think the reader will be able to separate the two. I might suggest first reading the Keel portion, then reading the introduction and Editor's Note.
One last point: I borrowed this through Kindle Unlimited, and there are other Keel works available through that service as well. They more than justify the $9.99 a month, in my opinion. I would also recommend other works by Andrew Colvin, which I have not read yet myself, but will. My sense is that Colvin is an excellent editor...as rare a find as a good author.
In the same way that you can't go into an aeronautics museum and see a disc-shaped craft for yourself, you can't go into your typical bookstore or library or even go online and see much of what has been written about UFOs...even by the best known writers.
It often appeared in "ephemera": magazines and newsletters that weren't meant to last through the ages. They were designed to get sales that month, or to never get sales at all...to just be circulated among like minded individuals.
In the golden age of "men's adventure magazines", like True, Saga, Argosy, and the simply named "Male", John A. Keel was writing some of the most extraordinary things about UFOs/flying saucers...and reality itself.
Keel, the probable inspiration for Kolchak, the Night Stalker (and, of course, for the "Alva Keel" character in the TV series "Miracles"), was a field investigator, a writer, a thinker, and a Fortean.
The last one is perhaps what makes Keel's writing so good.
Keel is better than almost anyone else at not putting the theories before the facts.
A Fortean (an admirer of the writer Charles Fort) should always be willing to drop any paradigm in the face of new evidence. Actually, they shouldn't form paradigms at all, since, in Fortean "philosophy", everything is everything else.
People typically form an idea about something, and then accept the facts which tend to confirm that hypothesis (cognitive resonance) and reject or ignore those which don't (cognitive dissonance).
You can particularly see this with UFOs/Flying saucers.
Skeptics may reject any stories suggesting an extraterrestrial origin (the ETH...Extraterrestrial Hypothesis) on the basis that consensus science finds the mechanics of that to be extremely difficult to overcome.
"True believers" of the ETH, on the other hand, may just as equally reject evidence which tends to refute an alien origin.
Keel is able to simply look at the facts...all of the facts...and hypothesize from there, without letting the hypothesis then occlude future information.
You can "believe in UFO events" (not consider them hoaxes or mistaken identity) without "believing" in the ETH.
These articles, gathered by Andrew B. Colvin from those "smokeshop mags" and from Keel (including article written for UFO periodicals and talks given to UFO crowds, including a "Secret Tape to the Congress of Scientific Ufologists), represent some of Keel's best work.
It's amazing how much of it collaborates itself...Colvin has skillfully assembled a narrative out of disparate publications.
Well, maybe not amazing. I suppose it was safe for Keel to assume that the readers of one male mag might not read another male mag, and certainly might not read Flying Saucer Review. For a working writer, the ability to reuse ideas (but never word for word) can be a great aid to productivity.
One of Keel's smartest moves was to realize that, while you couldn't properly investigate what had generated a report, you could investigate the reporter. They are, after all, still here and subject to statistical analysis.
Were there patterns in who reported sightings?
Keel thought so.
Does that suggest that UFOs/flying saucers are subjective (for many people, read "fictitious")...culture based myths, or the result of specific pathologies?
Not at all: Keel is also clear that something out of the ordinary is apparently happening...and may have been happening for thousands of years.
I'll let you explore the articles yourself, and see what you think...just try not come to any conclusions. :)
I had originally rated this four stars, but on reflection, have upped it to five. My concern was with the non-Keel material in the book...the introduction and the Editor's Note.
I felt like Colvin's note brought in ideas which might put an unneeded spin on Keel's writing, which is best approached with a completely open mind (or as close as you can).
Reflecting on it, though, I think the reader will be able to separate the two. I might suggest first reading the Keel portion, then reading the introduction and Editor's Note.
One last point: I borrowed this through Kindle Unlimited, and there are other Keel works available through that service as well. They more than justify the $9.99 a month, in my opinion. I would also recommend other works by Andrew Colvin, which I have not read yet myself, but will. My sense is that Colvin is an excellent editor...as rare a find as a good author.
August 6, 2014
Very good book about UFO, mothman, Men in Black....from 1930's until recently. The author gives insightful suggestions on what could have been viewed by folks and why. This book is a collection of magazine articles; very interesting!!!
March 2, 2021
I read this a few years ago and I liked it. I loved it this time around. A very complex theory written about with intelligence and humor too on occasion. Keel really was a man far ahead of his time
August 19, 2023
AN EXCELLENT COLLECTION OF KEEL’S WRITINGS AND LECTURES
The Introduction to this 2013 book by Tessa B. Dick states, “[Editor Andrew B.] Colvin has archived and re-popularized the ‘lost’ works of John A. Keel is one of our best sources on the history of Mothman, since he was there, onsite, and interviewed the witnesses at the time of their sightings. Keel also happens to be perhaps the topo UFO and Fortean investigator of the late 20th Century. This volume, which explores the writings and thought of John Keel, goes deep into the flying saucer mystery and other strange phenomena… this book sheds new light on UFOs and other mysterious phenomena. For those not already familiar with Keel’s work, it will be a mind-opener. For those who have read Keel, this volume not only provides a useful refresher course, but also includes rare material from now-defunct magazines and other obscure sources that many have never read or even heard of before.” (Pg. 8)
Colvin wrote in his ‘Editor’s Note,’ “I was able to communicate directly with Keel for two or three years after the 2003 Mothman statue unveiling… After a couple of years of discussing theories and ideas with Keel… he dropped out of the public sphere and entered senior-living facilities. It became difficult for anyone to contact him. I put the project on hold rather than bug him about it further. But I always remembered what he had said when I first broached the idea of doing a new Mothman book. Rather than write something new, he suggested we reprint his old magazine articles… So I did as Keel suggested. After his death, I collected as many of his old articles as I could, added them to the material he had already given me. Most of these articles have not seen the light of day since they were originally written almost 50 years ago… This text was split into two volumes, the first of which is this book… I urge the reader to keep in mind the fact that there seem to be two basic kinds of UFO phenomena: 1) ‘natural’ or Earth-generated phenomena found within nature… and 2) ‘synthetic’ phenomena (i.e., manmade craft or effects created purposely by humans… There is also a third category, which readily crosses over into the other two: the INDUCED UFO experience. This is where the percipient lapses into a trance and imagines an involved experience with a UFO, flying saucer, or entity (either ‘humanoid’ or ‘creature’) that did NOT ACTUALLY HAPPEN in everyday reality… One can have an induced UFO experience by seeing a manmade saucer that one mistakenly THINKS is from outer space… I hope I have responsibly carried out Keel’s wish to republish these previously suppressed secrets. Perhaps they will now be fully understood.” (Pg. 13-15)
Keel wrote in a 1973 article (reprinted here in the Introduction), I recently worked for a year in Washington, D.C., where I served as a special consultant to the Department of Health, Education, and Welfare… It was interesting to discover how many people working in Washington have had UFO sightings and experiences. Unfortunately, very few were able to give us permission to use their names, for obvious reasons. I was privileged to be able to investigate many of the classic rumors while working inside the government. A number of my friends were in the upper echelons of NASA, the Air Force, the Pentagon, and other organizations that had been connected with the UFO mess during the hectic 1960s period. We were able to review a number of interesting documents that have never been released to the press or the public. Overall, we merely confirmed the conclusion already outlined in my books and articles. That is, ‘Project Bluebook’ was only a half-baked public relations effort, without proper funding or serious intent… The responsible officials EXPECTED it to produce negative results… We could not find any evidence of any kind indicating direct CIA involvement on the scale long rumored in UFO circles… the UFO situation is less real than the believers can understand. UFO manifestations are primarily diversions meant to conceal the real nature of the phenomenon, and to generate propaganda for the extraterrestrial concept… the comparatively few ET propagandists and evangelists … were responsible for the pressures that led the Air Force to waste $500,000 of the taxpayers’ money on the abortive Colorado project. More importantly, they have led a large part of the public to believe that every odd light in the sky is a spaceship from some other planet.” (Pg. 21-22)
In 1968, he wrote, “I have very substantial reasons for believing that the current explosion of MIB activity is directly related to a forthcoming national crisis… The numerous hoaxes, deceptions, and seeming meaningless incidents inherent in the UFO phenomenon have actually served to cover up the real situation. It appears as if two groups of MIB are involved. One group is extremely dangerous. They have committed murder and arson on a broad scale, operating under the carefully constructed umbrella of ridicule and nonsense surrounding the UFO phenomenon. The second group is trying to focus our attention on the first group by imitating MIB activity through harmless interviews, presentation of obviously false credentials, etc. We must understand and appreciate the efforts of this second group, and learn to discriminate between the two.” (Pg. 27)
He notes in a 1977 article, “Few UFO reports … contain enough substantive information for a valid analysis… The result is a flood of paper and red tape that tells us nothing whatsoever about the UFO witnesses themselves, and very little about the actual case being investigate… I discovered that the average witness could not even pinpoint true north… Estimates of altitude are much more difficult to make, even for experienced pilots… estimates of UFO speeds are usually inaccurate, and altitude estimates are questionable unless the object appears near something of a known altitude---such as a mountain or a conventional aircraft…” (Pg. 40-41) Later, he suggests, “Although many UFO believers choose to assume that most UFO sightings are random chance encounters, the startling truth is that witnesses are SELECTED by some mysterious process and that strictly accidental sightings are rare, if not altogether nonexistent.” (Pg. 45)
In a 1967 lecture, he stated, “The truth is that ‘flying saucers’ DON’T WANT US TO KNOW where they come from. They are quite willing to contact us, and they do contact us frequently… And there is a lot of it going on. I can’t PROVE any of this in a short talk, but you have to believe that I have the documentation.” (Pg. 51)
In a 1979 lecture, he explained, “Those of you who’ve read some of my books know that I’m a growing skeptic. I started out as a great believer, and I’ve gradually turned a skeptic as my investigations progressed. I’m going to try to explain … some of those investigations and why they have made me skeptical of the basic flying saucer premise… that these things are from outer space. There’s no question that there are strange things in the sky, but where they come from and what they’re doing here is wide open… Our main problem… is that the will to believe is much stronger than the will to understand. People are very quick to accept a belief without any evidence. Sometimes with no evidence at all.” (Pg. 68)
In a 1973 article he acknowledges, “While Dr. Condon’s findings can be seriously questioned on several levels, and have been questioned by men like … J. Allen Hynek, his conclusion seems impossible to discredit. There is NO evidence to support the notion of extraterrestrial visitations. There is, however, a mountain of evidence indicating that the force behind the UFO phenomenon is solidly based on this planet. And it has been conning us for years, in order to keep us from discovering that fact.” (Pg. 97)
In a 1968 article, he reports, “What is battleship grey, five to seven feet tall, has a pair of red eyes two inches in diameter… wings that extend to 10 feet when spread, and loves to chase automobiles? Give up? If it is any consolation, nobody else seems to know what it is, either. But over 100 people in Ohio and West Virginia swear they have seen such a creature since November 1966. Included among the witnesses are schoolteachers, businessmen, pilots, and members of the National Guard. They call it ‘The Bird,’ but newspapers from coast to coast have dubbed it ‘Mothman.’ I have visited Mothman country five times… and have interviewed many of the witnesses in depth.” (Pg. 98)
In a 1990 lecture, he admitted, “I saw a lot of UFOs in the 190s, and I tried to take pictures of them. I had some very good equipment,. In most cases, what came out on the film was much different from what I saw with the naked eye… What was it about UFOs that responded differently on film?” (Pg. 124)
In a 1977 lecture, he stated, “Originally I assumed that if there was anything to the UFO mystery---if the objects were real and interplanetary---systematic field research should quickly prove this fact. To my chagrin, I found that psychic manifestations overlapped into the UFO cases. I made myself quite unpopular by questioning the reality of the objects. It occurred to me that the real answers, if there were any, could only be found in a careful study of the contactee cases. Obviously, someone within the government had arrived at the same conclusion as far back as 1950. If the contactees were all hoaxers and lunatics, I doubt if the government would have continued their expensive contactee studies for such a long period.” (Pg. 147)
In a 1974 article, he wrote, “The manifestations of the UFO phenomenon are filled with baffling contradictions. Amateur photographers have frequently been puzzled when their UFO pictures out very different from their visual impression when they snapped the shutter… In a great many cases, objects clearly seen by entire groups of witnesses have failed to appear on film at all!... Some cameras fail to function altogether when a UFO is present, then work perfectly after the object has left…. Good, sharply defined UFO photographs are so rare that most investigators are very suspicious when a witness produces a different picture. Even so, the photographic evidence … indicates that the stoic mechanical eye of the camera is able to see and register things that are invisible to limited human vision.” (Pg. 166-167)
In a 1972 article, he said, “All contactee episodes are now very suspect. While the witnesses are sincere and fully believe their stories, they are actually victims of a complicate mind-tampering process. They have been programmed by some unknown force. Ther are ways and means for studying this programming process, and qualified scientists in England and the Soviet Union are now working in that direction. The U.S. lags behind in this kind of research.” (Pg. 253)
This is an excellent selection of the work of John Keel.
The Introduction to this 2013 book by Tessa B. Dick states, “[Editor Andrew B.] Colvin has archived and re-popularized the ‘lost’ works of John A. Keel is one of our best sources on the history of Mothman, since he was there, onsite, and interviewed the witnesses at the time of their sightings. Keel also happens to be perhaps the topo UFO and Fortean investigator of the late 20th Century. This volume, which explores the writings and thought of John Keel, goes deep into the flying saucer mystery and other strange phenomena… this book sheds new light on UFOs and other mysterious phenomena. For those not already familiar with Keel’s work, it will be a mind-opener. For those who have read Keel, this volume not only provides a useful refresher course, but also includes rare material from now-defunct magazines and other obscure sources that many have never read or even heard of before.” (Pg. 8)
Colvin wrote in his ‘Editor’s Note,’ “I was able to communicate directly with Keel for two or three years after the 2003 Mothman statue unveiling… After a couple of years of discussing theories and ideas with Keel… he dropped out of the public sphere and entered senior-living facilities. It became difficult for anyone to contact him. I put the project on hold rather than bug him about it further. But I always remembered what he had said when I first broached the idea of doing a new Mothman book. Rather than write something new, he suggested we reprint his old magazine articles… So I did as Keel suggested. After his death, I collected as many of his old articles as I could, added them to the material he had already given me. Most of these articles have not seen the light of day since they were originally written almost 50 years ago… This text was split into two volumes, the first of which is this book… I urge the reader to keep in mind the fact that there seem to be two basic kinds of UFO phenomena: 1) ‘natural’ or Earth-generated phenomena found within nature… and 2) ‘synthetic’ phenomena (i.e., manmade craft or effects created purposely by humans… There is also a third category, which readily crosses over into the other two: the INDUCED UFO experience. This is where the percipient lapses into a trance and imagines an involved experience with a UFO, flying saucer, or entity (either ‘humanoid’ or ‘creature’) that did NOT ACTUALLY HAPPEN in everyday reality… One can have an induced UFO experience by seeing a manmade saucer that one mistakenly THINKS is from outer space… I hope I have responsibly carried out Keel’s wish to republish these previously suppressed secrets. Perhaps they will now be fully understood.” (Pg. 13-15)
Keel wrote in a 1973 article (reprinted here in the Introduction), I recently worked for a year in Washington, D.C., where I served as a special consultant to the Department of Health, Education, and Welfare… It was interesting to discover how many people working in Washington have had UFO sightings and experiences. Unfortunately, very few were able to give us permission to use their names, for obvious reasons. I was privileged to be able to investigate many of the classic rumors while working inside the government. A number of my friends were in the upper echelons of NASA, the Air Force, the Pentagon, and other organizations that had been connected with the UFO mess during the hectic 1960s period. We were able to review a number of interesting documents that have never been released to the press or the public. Overall, we merely confirmed the conclusion already outlined in my books and articles. That is, ‘Project Bluebook’ was only a half-baked public relations effort, without proper funding or serious intent… The responsible officials EXPECTED it to produce negative results… We could not find any evidence of any kind indicating direct CIA involvement on the scale long rumored in UFO circles… the UFO situation is less real than the believers can understand. UFO manifestations are primarily diversions meant to conceal the real nature of the phenomenon, and to generate propaganda for the extraterrestrial concept… the comparatively few ET propagandists and evangelists … were responsible for the pressures that led the Air Force to waste $500,000 of the taxpayers’ money on the abortive Colorado project. More importantly, they have led a large part of the public to believe that every odd light in the sky is a spaceship from some other planet.” (Pg. 21-22)
In 1968, he wrote, “I have very substantial reasons for believing that the current explosion of MIB activity is directly related to a forthcoming national crisis… The numerous hoaxes, deceptions, and seeming meaningless incidents inherent in the UFO phenomenon have actually served to cover up the real situation. It appears as if two groups of MIB are involved. One group is extremely dangerous. They have committed murder and arson on a broad scale, operating under the carefully constructed umbrella of ridicule and nonsense surrounding the UFO phenomenon. The second group is trying to focus our attention on the first group by imitating MIB activity through harmless interviews, presentation of obviously false credentials, etc. We must understand and appreciate the efforts of this second group, and learn to discriminate between the two.” (Pg. 27)
He notes in a 1977 article, “Few UFO reports … contain enough substantive information for a valid analysis… The result is a flood of paper and red tape that tells us nothing whatsoever about the UFO witnesses themselves, and very little about the actual case being investigate… I discovered that the average witness could not even pinpoint true north… Estimates of altitude are much more difficult to make, even for experienced pilots… estimates of UFO speeds are usually inaccurate, and altitude estimates are questionable unless the object appears near something of a known altitude---such as a mountain or a conventional aircraft…” (Pg. 40-41) Later, he suggests, “Although many UFO believers choose to assume that most UFO sightings are random chance encounters, the startling truth is that witnesses are SELECTED by some mysterious process and that strictly accidental sightings are rare, if not altogether nonexistent.” (Pg. 45)
In a 1967 lecture, he stated, “The truth is that ‘flying saucers’ DON’T WANT US TO KNOW where they come from. They are quite willing to contact us, and they do contact us frequently… And there is a lot of it going on. I can’t PROVE any of this in a short talk, but you have to believe that I have the documentation.” (Pg. 51)
In a 1979 lecture, he explained, “Those of you who’ve read some of my books know that I’m a growing skeptic. I started out as a great believer, and I’ve gradually turned a skeptic as my investigations progressed. I’m going to try to explain … some of those investigations and why they have made me skeptical of the basic flying saucer premise… that these things are from outer space. There’s no question that there are strange things in the sky, but where they come from and what they’re doing here is wide open… Our main problem… is that the will to believe is much stronger than the will to understand. People are very quick to accept a belief without any evidence. Sometimes with no evidence at all.” (Pg. 68)
In a 1973 article he acknowledges, “While Dr. Condon’s findings can be seriously questioned on several levels, and have been questioned by men like … J. Allen Hynek, his conclusion seems impossible to discredit. There is NO evidence to support the notion of extraterrestrial visitations. There is, however, a mountain of evidence indicating that the force behind the UFO phenomenon is solidly based on this planet. And it has been conning us for years, in order to keep us from discovering that fact.” (Pg. 97)
In a 1968 article, he reports, “What is battleship grey, five to seven feet tall, has a pair of red eyes two inches in diameter… wings that extend to 10 feet when spread, and loves to chase automobiles? Give up? If it is any consolation, nobody else seems to know what it is, either. But over 100 people in Ohio and West Virginia swear they have seen such a creature since November 1966. Included among the witnesses are schoolteachers, businessmen, pilots, and members of the National Guard. They call it ‘The Bird,’ but newspapers from coast to coast have dubbed it ‘Mothman.’ I have visited Mothman country five times… and have interviewed many of the witnesses in depth.” (Pg. 98)
In a 1990 lecture, he admitted, “I saw a lot of UFOs in the 190s, and I tried to take pictures of them. I had some very good equipment,. In most cases, what came out on the film was much different from what I saw with the naked eye… What was it about UFOs that responded differently on film?” (Pg. 124)
In a 1977 lecture, he stated, “Originally I assumed that if there was anything to the UFO mystery---if the objects were real and interplanetary---systematic field research should quickly prove this fact. To my chagrin, I found that psychic manifestations overlapped into the UFO cases. I made myself quite unpopular by questioning the reality of the objects. It occurred to me that the real answers, if there were any, could only be found in a careful study of the contactee cases. Obviously, someone within the government had arrived at the same conclusion as far back as 1950. If the contactees were all hoaxers and lunatics, I doubt if the government would have continued their expensive contactee studies for such a long period.” (Pg. 147)
In a 1974 article, he wrote, “The manifestations of the UFO phenomenon are filled with baffling contradictions. Amateur photographers have frequently been puzzled when their UFO pictures out very different from their visual impression when they snapped the shutter… In a great many cases, objects clearly seen by entire groups of witnesses have failed to appear on film at all!... Some cameras fail to function altogether when a UFO is present, then work perfectly after the object has left…. Good, sharply defined UFO photographs are so rare that most investigators are very suspicious when a witness produces a different picture. Even so, the photographic evidence … indicates that the stoic mechanical eye of the camera is able to see and register things that are invisible to limited human vision.” (Pg. 166-167)
In a 1972 article, he said, “All contactee episodes are now very suspect. While the witnesses are sincere and fully believe their stories, they are actually victims of a complicate mind-tampering process. They have been programmed by some unknown force. Ther are ways and means for studying this programming process, and qualified scientists in England and the Soviet Union are now working in that direction. The U.S. lags behind in this kind of research.” (Pg. 253)
This is an excellent selection of the work of John Keel.
September 30, 2016
Excellent collection of Keel's work and articles regarding UFOs and other paranormal related activities.
August 3, 2022
Love John Keel. I have been into his work every since I read Mothman Prophecies. So naturally, being a huge fan of UFO lore, I had to read this one. I think my favorite chapter in this book was the one about the mysterious men in black who often appear to intimidate and harass people who claim to have encounters with UFOs/beings. This chapter raised new questions for me, particularly when it mentioned how the men in black appear after encounters where people speculate that this phenomenon may actually have earthly origins, not from space.
"Are we dealing with beings that originate on our own planet? Someone has tried for years to convince us that those strange things in our skies are harmless spaceships from some distant world. So long as we believe it, and believe that they originate far beyond our pitiful reach, we seem to be relatively safe. But when we look in the wrong direction-towards Earth itself- there comes a heavy knock on our door in the middle of the night."
"Are we dealing with beings that originate on our own planet? Someone has tried for years to convince us that those strange things in our skies are harmless spaceships from some distant world. So long as we believe it, and believe that they originate far beyond our pitiful reach, we seem to be relatively safe. But when we look in the wrong direction-towards Earth itself- there comes a heavy knock on our door in the middle of the night."
December 28, 2022
This was interesting for what it was. I was surprised that the theory of ultraterrestrials has been around for so long. The book was hard to get through at times with all the facts and figures, and some things I looked up and were slightly different from what Keel described, or just proven to be wrong. Which then feels like Keel was just saying whatever he wanted and leaving out the fundamental truth (like a Netflix movie based on a true story and leaving out vital info). But at the same time, all of these articles were written in the ‘60s and ‘70s. So he didn’t exactly have the internet at his fingertips to confirm some facts. He has interesting thoughts, though, and it’s food for thought regardless.
January 25, 2024
3.75 - never a miss but a bit of repetition, to be expected with the nature of the contents being reproduced magazine articles. Regardless, 100% consider this something to be part of any good collection on the subject of UFOs & associated phenomena.
June 29, 2023
great addition to any collection of keel's writings.
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