The UFO Book: A Chronological Journey from Crop Circles to Roswell

by John Michael Greer

For thousands of years people have seen strange lights and hovering shapes in the sky. From an ancient awareness that there might be creatures beyond this world to very recent disclosures of alien activity at a governmental level, speculation about unidentified flying objects--and the alien entities that might have traveled within them--has animated humanity's relationship to the unknown. John Michael Greer, long-time researcher of the unexplained, chronicles 100 of the most fascinating brushes Earth's residents have had with visitors from the cosmos. Illustrated with full-color photos and illustrations, The UFO Book includes Babylonian engravings, phantom airships of the 1890s, the “foo fighters” of the Second World War, the Flatwoods Monster and Greer weaves these together into a chronological survey of an evolving understanding of alien life. He also covers alien abductions from around the world and throughout time, proving that they are a widespread phenomena that unites all of the residents of this planet. It's undeniable that something very strange is going on, and The UFO Book is a fascinating portal into a question that predates modern history and will continue into the is the truth out there, and when will it finally be uncovered?

Genres: History, Nonfiction, Audiobook

224 pages, Hardcover

Published May 20, 2025

About the author

John Michael Greer is an author of over thirty books and the blogger behind The Archdruid Report. He served as Grand Archdruid of the Ancient Order of Druids in America. His work addresses a range of subjects, including climate change, peak oil, the future of industrial society, and the occult. He also writes science fiction and fantasy. He lives in Rhode Island with his wife.

Reviews

[Alex Andrasik · Rating 4 out of 5]

Pretty great overview of all the greatest UFO-related tales, rumors, sightings, and more from antiquity to today! A quick easy read, this could serve as a handy desk reference to the unknown. The illustrations are kind of random and unhelpful in some cases; if the point of a particular entry is photographic evidence, why not include that photograph? Maybe there's rights issues, I dunno, but it's pretty silly. The content can be a little slight but it hits all the major points, and I found myself wondering over only a few high-profile cases that were left out, like the dead guy found on a heap in Scotland or whatever (I heard a podcast about it, c'mon). It ends pretty abruptly with the last entry - no room for an afterword? - and I find it amazing that it never references the way that so many of the alien conspiracy theories were laundered for mass audiences through the X-Files!

[Peter Wolfley · Rating 4 out of 5]

Really enjoyed this beautifully designed book about the long history of UFO sightings. I had no idea that the phenomenon went back thousands of years. Came to find out we’re in a terrible ufo drought right now.

[Mia Wilson · Rating 3 out of 5]

This chronology of significant UFO and other "high strangeness" encounters is a visual delight that provides a great introduction to the topic. It would also serve as a good reference for those looking to further explore each encounter in depth.

Greer recounts stories from the ancient world to the present without attempting to draw any conclusions or persuading readers to believe. Rather, the brief accounts (each one only a page) present the circumstances and findings, leaving the rest to the reader. The only drawback is in that same lack of depth. I left wanting more details and information from each narrative.

Chock full of historical photos, documents, and illustrations, it is a fast, entertaining read.

[Paul Frandano · Rating 4 out of 5]

An attractive, useful little book that takes readers back to 5000 BCE and up to 2023, not pretending to be a comprehensive examination of, well, anything that sounds very much like "extraterrestrial" or "interstellar" but...does have 100 short profiles of UFO/UAP material that new SETI wonks will find helpful. At the same time, and this is an ungenerous carp, Greer's book could have been longer, its selections provided with deeper backstories, and its genial introduction somewhat more filled out. But especially for newcomers, the book serves a useful service of raising material from across the spectrum and all the way back to some 7000 years ago and offer some sense of how these fields of UFOlogy have matured.

[Priscilla Pennington · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this book! It's a fast read, full of interesting UFO sightings and the like. It has a comprehensive bibliography. About half of the book is companion pictures and /or illustrations along with image credits. The author doesn't try to persuade you one way or the other, he just gives you the facts from history as recorded. I learned of a lot of interesting sightings I hadn't previously read about.

[Alex Shrugged · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is a chronological summary of various incidents of UFO sightings that define the UFO culture. This is not proof in any sense. It is simply a recounting and in some cases pointing out when an incident was reported as a hoax. It seemed unbiased in the sense that no particular position was taken.

I doubt I would listen to this audiobook again, but the ebook or hardcopy version might be useful as a reference.

[Abby Hansen · Rating 3 out of 5]

Interesting, well-researched, and neutral without being apathetic.

This is more of a reference book than an idea book. The content is one-page summaries of key events in the history of the UFO narrative. It covers the cornerstone, culturally momentous memories like Roswell and Project Blue Book, but also highlights stories I'd never even heard of. It's a great coffee table book or jumping-off point to research stories that interest you.

[Blake · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is the rare UFO read that won’t make you feel like you’ve wandered into a conspiracy-theory basement—or a government briefing room. Greer lays out the history and hype with clear thinking, good research, and just enough dry wit to keep you turning pages.

It’s smart, it’s balanced, and it won’t have you scanning the sky for little green (or maybe gray) men… unless you want to. One of the best, most enjoyable takes on the topic out there.

[Marybeth · Rating 2 out of 5]

Prepare yourself for unintended jokes. My favorite was in a book full of people convinced their governments are lying to them and concealing the existence of extraterrestrials, the Frenchman is convinced his government is lying about a secret government project. My second was the expression "typical Texas modesty" which almost made me spit out my drink.

[Dylan Williams · Rating 3 out of 5]

Light coffee table book reading about the various alleged UFO encounters throughout history.

Each incident is covered on a page or two and is a decent writeup that isn't overly noided or strange. Still, there were quite a few things I hadn't heard of and it was interesting to learn that alleged alien encounters were happening way before roswell.

[Rhina M. Finley · Rating 4 out of 5]

An very well researched read on UFO’s🛸 that spans from 5000 B.C. to 2023! Some of the stories still shock me and me think of the unexplained! Fans of The X-Files will enjoy this read and those curious about 👽!

[Tyler · Rating 5 out of 5]

A very solid collection of UFO sightings and claims laid out in chronological order. They are presented in a top level one-page summary that focuses on the facts of each event and doesn't try to sway your opinion one way or the other but instead encourages you to dive deeper if you wish.

[Todd · Rating 3 out of 5]

Just ok

[David Corleto-Bales]

A somewhat selective, yet fascinating, chronological listing of U.F.O. events from the Middle Ages until recent times. Strictly for U.F.O. buffs.

[Sarah Minnear · Rating 5 out of 5]

If you love Buzzfeed Unsolved or Mystery Files, this is the book for you! Pretty and endlessly entertaining!