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Area 51: The Graphic History of America's Most Secret Military Installation
The actual history of the United States' worst-kept military secret revealed in graphic format.
Though nearly everyone has heard of it, almost no one has known anything about it . . . until now. Located in the remote Nevada desert near the dry bed of Groom Lake, Area 51 is the most famous military installation in the world that doesn't "officially" exist. In Area 51, author Dwight Zimmerman and artist Greg Scott unravel the real history - minus the aliens and sci-fi movie plots - revealing in detail how for more than 60 years, the CIA, the U.S. Air Force, and aerospace company Lockheed Martin have all used Area 51 as a staging ground for test flights of experimental or highly classified aircraft. Scott illustrates the Archangel-12 as well as follow-on aircraft, such as the U-2, the SR-71 Blackbird, and the F-117 Nighthawk stealth fighter, while author Zimmerman tells the history of how they sprang from the research and development conducted at Area 51. This first-of-its-kind graphic history strips away the fantastical aspects of this mysterious location and establishes the actual, significant history made there.
"Zimmerman packs a ton of information into a book that helps explain and understand one of America's worst kept secrets about one of it most vital technological national assets. Area 51, while "Black" for years, has been the focus of crazy legends and conspiracies and Zimmerman helps demystify the legends and put things in perspective in a unique, highly readable format. A "must read" for those interested in Cold War history and future aerospace technology development." - Richard L. Weaver, Colonel, USAF, (ret) Special Agent, Air Force Office of Special Investigations (Retired) Former Director of Security and Special Program Oversight, USAF and Author, The Roswell Report: Fact Versus Fiction in the New Mexico Desert
"Zimmerman's rendition of the Area 51 story is a walk down memory lane for this former USAF insider. It superbly captures the history, mystery and folklore of one of America's best-kept secrets. Riveting, accurate, and thought-provoking for anyone with - and even those without - a Need-to-Know!" - Michael Angley Colonel, USAF (ret) Special Agent, OSI (ret)
"This is NOT just a book for young people--this is a serious, information-packed illustrated book. Amazing and entertaining; it debunks lots of rumors and misinformation about Area 51. I am impressed with all that it delivers. Not "just a comic book," it resonates with adults as much as it should with younger readers. A great read!" - W. H. McDonald Jr. Founder of The American Author Association & The Military Writers Society of America Author and documentary film consultant
"Dwight Zimmerman has done an outstanding job tracking the history of one of the most intriguing enigmas of our age--the ultra secret and ever mysterious "Area 51." The graphic novel is absolutely perfect for a serious disposition on a topic that has generated so much controversy. The drawings truly help the reader visualize the importance of Area 51 and go a long way toward helping debunk the many myths surrounding this fascinating place. Conspiracy theorists will not likely embrace this book, but anyone who wants a serious, scholarly, accurate picture--an entire set of pictures, in fact!--of what Area 51 has been about will be very happy to have this material in hand. Dwight's writing is crisp, fast-paced, entertaining and-above all-accurate. The story of Area 51 finally has a complete and factual telling. Amazingly, the truth is, indeed, stranger (and more tantalizing) than the fiction that has previously surrounded this out-of-bounds desert enclave." - Phil Keith, award winning author of "Blackhorse Riders" and "Fire Base Illingworth" (and the soon-to-be-released "Stay the Rising Sun," a novel of the Battle of the Coral Sea)
Though nearly everyone has heard of it, almost no one has known anything about it . . . until now. Located in the remote Nevada desert near the dry bed of Groom Lake, Area 51 is the most famous military installation in the world that doesn't "officially" exist. In Area 51, author Dwight Zimmerman and artist Greg Scott unravel the real history - minus the aliens and sci-fi movie plots - revealing in detail how for more than 60 years, the CIA, the U.S. Air Force, and aerospace company Lockheed Martin have all used Area 51 as a staging ground for test flights of experimental or highly classified aircraft. Scott illustrates the Archangel-12 as well as follow-on aircraft, such as the U-2, the SR-71 Blackbird, and the F-117 Nighthawk stealth fighter, while author Zimmerman tells the history of how they sprang from the research and development conducted at Area 51. This first-of-its-kind graphic history strips away the fantastical aspects of this mysterious location and establishes the actual, significant history made there.
"Zimmerman packs a ton of information into a book that helps explain and understand one of America's worst kept secrets about one of it most vital technological national assets. Area 51, while "Black" for years, has been the focus of crazy legends and conspiracies and Zimmerman helps demystify the legends and put things in perspective in a unique, highly readable format. A "must read" for those interested in Cold War history and future aerospace technology development." - Richard L. Weaver, Colonel, USAF, (ret) Special Agent, Air Force Office of Special Investigations (Retired) Former Director of Security and Special Program Oversight, USAF and Author, The Roswell Report: Fact Versus Fiction in the New Mexico Desert
"Zimmerman's rendition of the Area 51 story is a walk down memory lane for this former USAF insider. It superbly captures the history, mystery and folklore of one of America's best-kept secrets. Riveting, accurate, and thought-provoking for anyone with - and even those without - a Need-to-Know!" - Michael Angley Colonel, USAF (ret) Special Agent, OSI (ret)
"This is NOT just a book for young people--this is a serious, information-packed illustrated book. Amazing and entertaining; it debunks lots of rumors and misinformation about Area 51. I am impressed with all that it delivers. Not "just a comic book," it resonates with adults as much as it should with younger readers. A great read!" - W. H. McDonald Jr. Founder of The American Author Association & The Military Writers Society of America Author and documentary film consultant
"Dwight Zimmerman has done an outstanding job tracking the history of one of the most intriguing enigmas of our age--the ultra secret and ever mysterious "Area 51." The graphic novel is absolutely perfect for a serious disposition on a topic that has generated so much controversy. The drawings truly help the reader visualize the importance of Area 51 and go a long way toward helping debunk the many myths surrounding this fascinating place. Conspiracy theorists will not likely embrace this book, but anyone who wants a serious, scholarly, accurate picture--an entire set of pictures, in fact!--of what Area 51 has been about will be very happy to have this material in hand. Dwight's writing is crisp, fast-paced, entertaining and-above all-accurate. The story of Area 51 finally has a complete and factual telling. Amazingly, the truth is, indeed, stranger (and more tantalizing) than the fiction that has previously surrounded this out-of-bounds desert enclave." - Phil Keith, award winning author of "Blackhorse Riders" and "Fire Base Illingworth" (and the soon-to-be-released "Stay the Rising Sun," a novel of the Battle of the Coral Sea)
91 pages, Paperback
First published November 15, 2014
4 people are currently reading
47 people want to read
About the author
Dwight Jon Zimmerman
110 books15 followersDWIGHT JON ZIMMERMAN is an award-winning author and producer. His most recent book, Uncommon Valor: The Medal of Honor and the Six Warriors Who Earned It in Afghanistan and Iraq, co-authored with John D. Gresham and published by St. Martin’s Press, received the 2010 Founder’s Award from the Military Writers Society of America, the organization’s highest honor. Zimmerman’s other books include the award-winning The Vietnam War: A Graphic History (Hill & Wang), with artist Wayne Vansant, the first-ever single-volume graphic history of the Vietnam War; the critically acclaimed Beyond Hell and Back (St. Martin’s Press), with co-author John D. Gresham, about seven pivotal special operations missions from Vietnam to present day, and the award-winning First Command: Paths to Leadership (Vandamere Press), about the pivotal moments in the early careers of some of America’s most important generals. First Command later became an award-winning mini-series on the Military Channel. Zimmerman has lectured at the U.S. Military Academy at West Point and the Naval War College and has written numerous articles on military history subjects. His articles have been selected by the Naval War College for use in their curriculum and recognized by the prestigious Journal of Special Operations Medicine. Zimmerman began his career in publishing at Marvel Comics, where he held a variety of editorial positions. In 1992, Zimmerman became executive editor of Topps Comics and was responsible for the editorial and art direction of its lines of media tie-in comics.
His next book is Saga of the Sioux an authorized young adult adaptation of Dee Brown’s Bury My Heart at Wounded Knee. Zimmerman lives in Brooklyn, NY, with his wife and daughter.
His next book is Saga of the Sioux an authorized young adult adaptation of Dee Brown’s Bury My Heart at Wounded Knee. Zimmerman lives in Brooklyn, NY, with his wife and daughter.
Ratings & Reviews
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Displaying 1 - 20 of 20 reviews
May 25, 2018
I thought this would be about Area 51 with respect to the alien stuff and exactly what happened to create the suspicion and conspiracy. Instead, I got a long winded history of all the aircraft developed there. Yawn.
July 5, 2022
I enjoyed this overview of the experimental plane program, some of which you can see in Dayton's Air Force Museum. An uncle was a test pilot who flew at least one (SR-71) of these.
December 3, 2015
I wasn't really sure what to expect when I started reading Area 51. Was it going to be another UFO conspiracy piece, disguised as the "actual" story of the governments secret facility near Groom Lake, Nevada? Was it going to be something chock full of misinformation and deflection to keep everyone still guessing about the actual nature of the installation? Was it going to be full blown, open the doors, no holds-barred here are all the secrets? It was none of the above -- but it was still a fantastic read.
Avoiding just about all mention of conspiracy and UFOs, and everything else that surrounds most stories of the facility known as Area 51, this graphic novel sticks to basic facts about the United States spy and experimental air craft programs from 1947-2013. Working with recently declassified documents, Zimmerman and Scott create a blow-by-blow breakdown of just about every spy plane, reconnaissance craft, stealth vessel, and drone that the US military has worked on and produced since the dawn of the Cold War. All of these were either built, or extensively tested at Area 51 and many gave rise to the popular waves of UFO sightings and conspiracies surrounding secrecy on the base. Ostensibly, this secrecy is solely due to the fact that the government was hiding technological secrets about our intelligence gathering technology from our enemies, namely the Soviets and the Chinese, rather than hiding extraterrestrials.
Short, sweet, and to the point, Area 51 checks in at a hair under 100 pages, but it packs a good punch for the history buff or student. Seeing as by being a graphic novel history, this book will most likely be read more by young adults, it works perfectly in providing a history of Cold War spy technology. In some areas, actions and projects became seemingly oversimplified, and I am not sure if this is a part of the writing, or simply the lack of information in the declassified source material. There were not enough of these instances to detract from the overall impact of the history, however. It's very interesting to see how our technologies at this time evolved, and frankly, how long ago some such as the stealth technologies and predator drones were devised!
I would highly recommend this to anyone interested more in aviation and Cold War history than I would the Area 51 UFO seeker. For most of the time I spent reading this, I completely forgot that Area 51 was the focal point, as the planes and technology took center stage more than the facility itself. I will definitely be looking to add a physical copy to my own and my school library collection soon!
Avoiding just about all mention of conspiracy and UFOs, and everything else that surrounds most stories of the facility known as Area 51, this graphic novel sticks to basic facts about the United States spy and experimental air craft programs from 1947-2013. Working with recently declassified documents, Zimmerman and Scott create a blow-by-blow breakdown of just about every spy plane, reconnaissance craft, stealth vessel, and drone that the US military has worked on and produced since the dawn of the Cold War. All of these were either built, or extensively tested at Area 51 and many gave rise to the popular waves of UFO sightings and conspiracies surrounding secrecy on the base. Ostensibly, this secrecy is solely due to the fact that the government was hiding technological secrets about our intelligence gathering technology from our enemies, namely the Soviets and the Chinese, rather than hiding extraterrestrials.
Short, sweet, and to the point, Area 51 checks in at a hair under 100 pages, but it packs a good punch for the history buff or student. Seeing as by being a graphic novel history, this book will most likely be read more by young adults, it works perfectly in providing a history of Cold War spy technology. In some areas, actions and projects became seemingly oversimplified, and I am not sure if this is a part of the writing, or simply the lack of information in the declassified source material. There were not enough of these instances to detract from the overall impact of the history, however. It's very interesting to see how our technologies at this time evolved, and frankly, how long ago some such as the stealth technologies and predator drones were devised!
I would highly recommend this to anyone interested more in aviation and Cold War history than I would the Area 51 UFO seeker. For most of the time I spent reading this, I completely forgot that Area 51 was the focal point, as the planes and technology took center stage more than the facility itself. I will definitely be looking to add a physical copy to my own and my school library collection soon!
August 22, 2020
This is a charming book in the style of a graphic novel, hence the subtitle “The Graphic History...”. The art is fantastic, and the storytelling is top-notch. Anyone interested in the history of the US Air Force will find it enjoyable. It’s also pretty quick to read. If you love airplanes you’ll appreciate the action-packed artwork.
If you want to know about the conspiracy theories surrounding Area 51, look elsewhere. Who knows for sure what else goes on there besides testing new military technologies. We can speculate, but the book is about the backstory of how planes like the fabulously fast SR-71 came to be, and how they researched and developed reconnaissance drones. It’s all very fascinating stuff.
Everything in this book is declassified information, so it’s easily available through any number of other means, but I particularly liked the graphic format and even if you’re a mature adult you may find the presentation palatable. The artwork like I say is quite beautiful, and even though there are some tragic moments described and pictured, there are so many achievements also shown, in which Americans can take pride.
For the history buff, the aircraft aficionado, the USAF fanboy and fangirl (of which I am most certainly three out of the four of the above), this wonderful book is a unique addition to the library. You might already know much of the information, but even so, it’s worthy of a place on your shelf.
If you want to know about the conspiracy theories surrounding Area 51, look elsewhere. Who knows for sure what else goes on there besides testing new military technologies. We can speculate, but the book is about the backstory of how planes like the fabulously fast SR-71 came to be, and how they researched and developed reconnaissance drones. It’s all very fascinating stuff.
Everything in this book is declassified information, so it’s easily available through any number of other means, but I particularly liked the graphic format and even if you’re a mature adult you may find the presentation palatable. The artwork like I say is quite beautiful, and even though there are some tragic moments described and pictured, there are so many achievements also shown, in which Americans can take pride.
For the history buff, the aircraft aficionado, the USAF fanboy and fangirl (of which I am most certainly three out of the four of the above), this wonderful book is a unique addition to the library. You might already know much of the information, but even so, it’s worthy of a place on your shelf.
October 6, 2023
বোরিং! স্লো! অপ্রাসঙ্গিক কথাবার্তায় ভর্তি!
'এরিয়া ৫১' নাম দেইখা ডাউনলোড করসিলাম। ভাবসিলাম এলিয়েন, স্পেসশীপ এসব নিয়া কন্সপিরেসি থিওরি টিওরি থাকবে বইতে। তার ওপর বইটা শুধুমাত্র হিস্টোরি না, গ্রাফিক হিস্টোরি। একটু বেশীই আশা কইরা ফেলসিলাম।
বই ডাউনলোডের পর দেখি 'এরিয়া ৫১'-এর অ্যাকচুয়াল ডকুমেন্টেড ইতিহাসের বই এটা। এই মিলিটার বেইসে এখন পর্যন্ত যতোগুলি এয়ারক্রাফট নিয়া গবেষণা ও ট্রায়াল হইসে, সেগুলির ইন-ডিটেইল্ড আলাপ। এ কোনো কন্সপিরেসি থিওরি নাই।
খুবই হতাশ। হয়ত আমিই বেশি কিছু আশা করসিলাম। ভূলটা হয়ত আমারই ছিলো। অ্যাকচুয়াল ইতিহাসের বদলে আমি কন্সপিরেসি থিওরি আশা করসিলাম।
কিন্তু বইতে কি যেন একটা মিসিং ছিলো। তেমন একটা এঙ্গেইজড হইতে পারি নাই পড়ার সময়ে। পুরো শেষ না কইরাই রাইখা দিতেসি।
রাইটারের এফোর্টের জন্য ২-স্টার দিলাম।
'এরিয়া ৫১' নাম দেইখা ডাউনলোড করসিলাম। ভাবসিলাম এলিয়েন, স্পেসশীপ এসব নিয়া কন্সপিরেসি থিওরি টিওরি থাকবে বইতে। তার ওপর বইটা শুধুমাত্র হিস্টোরি না, গ্রাফিক হিস্টোরি। একটু বেশীই আশা কইরা ফেলসিলাম।
বই ডাউনলোডের পর দেখি 'এরিয়া ৫১'-এর অ্যাকচুয়াল ডকুমেন্টেড ইতিহাসের বই এটা। এই মিলিটার বেইসে এখন পর্যন্ত যতোগুলি এয়ারক্রাফট নিয়া গবেষণা ও ট্রায়াল হইসে, সেগুলির ইন-ডিটেইল্ড আলাপ। এ কোনো কন্সপিরেসি থিওরি নাই।
খুবই হতাশ। হয়ত আমিই বেশি কিছু আশা করসিলাম। ভূলটা হয়ত আমারই ছিলো। অ্যাকচুয়াল ইতিহাসের বদলে আমি কন্সপিরেসি থিওরি আশা করসিলাম।
কিন্তু বইতে কি যেন একটা মিসিং ছিলো। তেমন একটা এঙ্গেইজড হইতে পারি নাই পড়ার সময়ে। পুরো শেষ না কইরাই রাইখা দিতেসি।
রাইটারের এফোর্টের জন্য ২-স্টার দিলাম।
January 10, 2023
Sadly, there are no little green people, or even sinister Greys, in this book. Using declassified CIA resources it does provide a fairly concise history of the aviation R&D work covertly conducted at area 51. As such, this book will be of more interest to readers focusing on aviation history and the cold war than to fans of the "X-Files".
November 6, 2025
This was more about the history about the formation of Area 51 rather than a exploration into aliens 👽 and their ties to Area 51 specifically. There is a lot of information about some of the top secret aircraft that were designed and tested at Area 51. I was hoping to read more about aliens, but the historical information was interesting and the illustrations were epic!
June 25, 2017
This book was very interesting and informative but it was lacking a little something though I can't place what. I liked how it focused more on the facts than the myths and the art was really cool especially with all the different air craft it displays.
January 3, 2022
Interesting history and information about this infamous place in the Nevada desert. What is fact? What is disinformation? Probably a mix of both... decide for yourself.
January 17, 2016
Please note two stars on Goodreads is "It was ok." And it was, but fairly boring for me since it didn't really hit any major points of interest for me.
This book won't be for the average person wanting Area 51 info. As in the description: "This first-of-its-kind graphic history strips away the fantastical aspects of this mysterious location and establishes the actual, significant history made there."
In other words, this book is all planes and no elaboration on conspiracy theories. The theories are mentioned and passed over. Roswell is acknowledged and ignored as it informs the alien hysteria, but the bones are shown but not evaluated. Later sightings are explained by the aforementioned hysteria and by the presence of super-secret, strange looking planes in the area. Good thing those "saucers" and aliens were so distracting, I guess; the public was looking to the skies and Russia was in the dark on much of what was really going on in Area 51.
The rest of the book is all planes, and random fun facts about military history regarding the area. Interesting if you're interested in planes and/or how research in this area led to several great breakthroughs in covert military operations. Between budget cuts and President Johnson wanting to out the area just so he could look good early in his presidency, it's amazing Area 51 wasn't shut down completely, or outed for what it was earlier.
This book won't be for the average person wanting Area 51 info. As in the description: "This first-of-its-kind graphic history strips away the fantastical aspects of this mysterious location and establishes the actual, significant history made there."
In other words, this book is all planes and no elaboration on conspiracy theories. The theories are mentioned and passed over. Roswell is acknowledged and ignored as it informs the alien hysteria, but the bones are shown but not evaluated. Later sightings are explained by the aforementioned hysteria and by the presence of super-secret, strange looking planes in the area. Good thing those "saucers" and aliens were so distracting, I guess; the public was looking to the skies and Russia was in the dark on much of what was really going on in Area 51.
The rest of the book is all planes, and random fun facts about military history regarding the area. Interesting if you're interested in planes and/or how research in this area led to several great breakthroughs in covert military operations. Between budget cuts and President Johnson wanting to out the area just so he could look good early in his presidency, it's amazing Area 51 wasn't shut down completely, or outed for what it was earlier.
February 7, 2016
Kind of interesting and not what one expects from the title and cover. Not bad non-fiction. The aircraft and weapons history was fascinating and in some ways the truth is stranger than the fiction. I love that the tunnels do exist. As far as the art, the planes look great but much of the other illustrations are forgettable.
February 7, 2017
In a word....boring.
Now I'm not one of those conspiracy theorists but, in sounding like one, this graphic novel seems to try to dissuade ALL theories of aliens and so forth by saying 'look here, it was just aircrafts here and there.' Which, honestly, takes all the fun out of this Area 51 book! Just boring and not worth my time :/
Now I'm not one of those conspiracy theorists but, in sounding like one, this graphic novel seems to try to dissuade ALL theories of aliens and so forth by saying 'look here, it was just aircrafts here and there.' Which, honestly, takes all the fun out of this Area 51 book! Just boring and not worth my time :/
July 5, 2015
The information is well-presented and in a non-inflammatory or exaggerated fashion. The artwork is ok, but not as interesting or engaging as the text. For someone who wants a factual overview of this topic, this would be a fun intro.
Read
May 26, 2015nonfiction, b&w overview of the top secret aircraft projects developed at Area 51.
May 14, 2016
*I received a free digital copy of this book from Edelweiss.
Not for me. if you like detailed descriptions of all kinds of aircraft, this book is for you.
Not for me. if you like detailed descriptions of all kinds of aircraft, this book is for you.
June 7, 2015
A very good informative book. So much packed into so little!
January 18, 2016
A very detailed account of what has happened at Area 51. B&W illustrations.
Not at all what I expected.
Not at all what I expected.
April 18, 2016
Meh, I expected more aliens.
January 19, 2017
Best book Ever Very Int3resting
Displaying 1 - 20 of 20 reviews