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A History of USOs: Unidentified Submerged Objects: Volume 1: From the Beginning to 1969
A History of Unidentified Submerged Objects (Volume 1: From the Beginning to 1969) by Richard M. Dolan is the first installment in a groundbreaking three-volume series that explores the fascinating and often unexplained phenomenon of USOs—Unidentified Submerged Objects. This meticulously researched book delves into the earliest reported sightings of mysterious objects observed in oceans, lakes, and rivers, spanning centuries and covering 178 carefully documented cases up to 1969.
Dolan’s work is both a historical and scientific inquiry, examining accounts that have often been overlooked or forgotten. With a keen eye for detail, he places these encounters within a broader historical and technological context, raising questions about the nature of these enigmatic objects. Are they advanced technology from unknown civilizations, natural phenomena, or something else entirely? This volume sets the stage for understanding the long history of USO encounters, laying the foundation for the rest of the series.
The book is enriched with maps by the author and illustrations by Allan Lavigne, providing a visual dimension to the narratives. Dolan’s research draws from a wide range of sources, including military reports, eyewitness accounts, and historical records, all analyzed through a detailed system that evaluates factors such as time, location, shape, color, and witness credibility. This methodical approach allows readers to identify patterns and themes that emerge across decades and continents.
Volume 1 is not just a collection of stories; it is a thought-provoking exploration of the unknown, challenging readers to reconsider their understanding of the oceans and the universe. Whether you are a skeptic, a believer, or simply curious, this book offers a compelling journey into the uncharted depths of our planet—and beyond.
“Richard Dolan’s A History of USOs could not come at a more critical time. His comprehensive and wide-ranging work reinforces our relatively recent awareness that UAP are observed in all domains and the vast majority may be in our oceans. Dolan's seminal three-volume set on USOs will surely bring about a sea change in how humanity understands anomalous phenomena.”
-- The Honorable Tim Gallaudet, Ph.D., Rear Admiral, U.S. Navy (ret.), former Under Secretary of Commerce and Administrator of the National Oceanic & Atmospheric Administration (NOAA)
“Richard Dolan takes you on an intellectual deep dive, blending history, data, and storytelling to chart centuries of encounters with Unidentified Submerged Objects. With the rigor of a historian and the charm of a master storyteller, Dolan expands our understanding of the unexplained from the skies to the ocean depths. This carefully crafted narrative is a joy to read.”
-- Garry Nolan, Ph.D., The Rachford and Carlota A. Harris Professor in the Department of Pathology at Stanford University School of Medicine
“Richard Dolan has done it once again. No one previously had the stamina nor desire to sort through the morass of case lore to find the jewels. Here are the jewels, cut and polished to glisten in the light. Even more here are the statistical correlations, the multi-factor weighting, the confidence assessments that turn raw data into scholarship. I am a big fan.”
-- Colonel Karl E. Nell (Ret.), U.S. Army
“Precisely when scientists around the world are waking up to the UAP/UFO phenomena, Dolan delivers his book on Unidentified Submerged Objects (USOs), emphasizing the long-ignored fact that UFOs are linked to our oceans, lakes, and rivers. These fascinating accounts make clear that we are confronted with a persistent global mystery whose complexity runs deep.
Dolan’s work is both a historical and scientific inquiry, examining accounts that have often been overlooked or forgotten. With a keen eye for detail, he places these encounters within a broader historical and technological context, raising questions about the nature of these enigmatic objects. Are they advanced technology from unknown civilizations, natural phenomena, or something else entirely? This volume sets the stage for understanding the long history of USO encounters, laying the foundation for the rest of the series.
The book is enriched with maps by the author and illustrations by Allan Lavigne, providing a visual dimension to the narratives. Dolan’s research draws from a wide range of sources, including military reports, eyewitness accounts, and historical records, all analyzed through a detailed system that evaluates factors such as time, location, shape, color, and witness credibility. This methodical approach allows readers to identify patterns and themes that emerge across decades and continents.
Volume 1 is not just a collection of stories; it is a thought-provoking exploration of the unknown, challenging readers to reconsider their understanding of the oceans and the universe. Whether you are a skeptic, a believer, or simply curious, this book offers a compelling journey into the uncharted depths of our planet—and beyond.
“Richard Dolan’s A History of USOs could not come at a more critical time. His comprehensive and wide-ranging work reinforces our relatively recent awareness that UAP are observed in all domains and the vast majority may be in our oceans. Dolan's seminal three-volume set on USOs will surely bring about a sea change in how humanity understands anomalous phenomena.”
-- The Honorable Tim Gallaudet, Ph.D., Rear Admiral, U.S. Navy (ret.), former Under Secretary of Commerce and Administrator of the National Oceanic & Atmospheric Administration (NOAA)
“Richard Dolan takes you on an intellectual deep dive, blending history, data, and storytelling to chart centuries of encounters with Unidentified Submerged Objects. With the rigor of a historian and the charm of a master storyteller, Dolan expands our understanding of the unexplained from the skies to the ocean depths. This carefully crafted narrative is a joy to read.”
-- Garry Nolan, Ph.D., The Rachford and Carlota A. Harris Professor in the Department of Pathology at Stanford University School of Medicine
“Richard Dolan has done it once again. No one previously had the stamina nor desire to sort through the morass of case lore to find the jewels. Here are the jewels, cut and polished to glisten in the light. Even more here are the statistical correlations, the multi-factor weighting, the confidence assessments that turn raw data into scholarship. I am a big fan.”
-- Colonel Karl E. Nell (Ret.), U.S. Army
“Precisely when scientists around the world are waking up to the UAP/UFO phenomena, Dolan delivers his book on Unidentified Submerged Objects (USOs), emphasizing the long-ignored fact that UFOs are linked to our oceans, lakes, and rivers. These fascinating accounts make clear that we are confronted with a persistent global mystery whose complexity runs deep.
- GenresNonfiction
415 pages, Kindle Edition
Published February 11, 2025
65 people are currently reading
62 people want to read
About the author
Richard Dolan
19 books25 followersFor Richard M. Dolan, ufologist, see:
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Displaying 1 - 7 of 7 reviews
February 20, 2025
Richard Dolan, a highly respected historian and researcher in the field of unidentified aerial phenomena (UAP), expands his investigative lens to the mysterious realm of unidentified submerged objects (USOs) in A History of USOs: Volume 1. I purchased the eBook the day it was released on Amazon.
This first installment, covering historical accounts from ancient times through 1969, offers a meticulously researched and compelling deep dive into a subject that has long been overshadowed by its airborne counterpart.
Dolan presents a well-structured chronology of USO encounters, exploring declassified military reports, firsthand testimonies, and historical documentation to build a compelling case for the presence of these enigmatic underwater phenomena.
His approach is both scholarly and accessible. His storytelling style feels like sitting and listening to a good friend talk. I found myself on the edge of my seat as case after case unfolded. This book is a valuable resource for both dedicated researchers and curious newcomers.
The book benefits from Dolan’s thorough analysis, as he examines various cases with a critical eye, distinguishing between credible accounts and speculative theories. While he acknowledges the mystery surrounding these objects, he maintains a balanced perspective, considering multiple explanations without resorting to sensationalism. Richard Dolan did not disappoint—this is the definitive book on USOs, a topic only recently gaining the attention it deserves. I look forward to forthcoming volumes in this study.
A feature included is the appendix, especially Appendix B where in the ebook version is available via a link to an amazing spreadsheet where the workbook consists of 20 separate spreadsheets breaking down USOs into every category you can imagine. This had to take hundreds of hours but helps with serious analysis of the subject.
Illustrator Allan Lavigne enhances the reading experience with detailed visuals that complement Dolan’s research, bringing historical sightings and documented cases to life. The illustrations are an amazing visual representation of key moments in each case, making the reader feel as though they are witnessing the events firsthand.
Bravo to Richard Dolan, his encouraging wife Tracey, and Allan Lavigne for an outstanding work. You hit a home run.
A History of USOs: Volume 1 is a groundbreaking contribution to the study of unexplained underwater phenomena. With Dolan’s rigorous research and engaging writing, this book is a must-read for those fascinated by the hidden mysteries beneath our oceans. It belongs in every public, school, and university library as the definitive work on the subject. A must-have for anyone interested in UAPs, UFOs, USOs, and flying saucers.
This first installment, covering historical accounts from ancient times through 1969, offers a meticulously researched and compelling deep dive into a subject that has long been overshadowed by its airborne counterpart.
Dolan presents a well-structured chronology of USO encounters, exploring declassified military reports, firsthand testimonies, and historical documentation to build a compelling case for the presence of these enigmatic underwater phenomena.
His approach is both scholarly and accessible. His storytelling style feels like sitting and listening to a good friend talk. I found myself on the edge of my seat as case after case unfolded. This book is a valuable resource for both dedicated researchers and curious newcomers.
The book benefits from Dolan’s thorough analysis, as he examines various cases with a critical eye, distinguishing between credible accounts and speculative theories. While he acknowledges the mystery surrounding these objects, he maintains a balanced perspective, considering multiple explanations without resorting to sensationalism. Richard Dolan did not disappoint—this is the definitive book on USOs, a topic only recently gaining the attention it deserves. I look forward to forthcoming volumes in this study.
A feature included is the appendix, especially Appendix B where in the ebook version is available via a link to an amazing spreadsheet where the workbook consists of 20 separate spreadsheets breaking down USOs into every category you can imagine. This had to take hundreds of hours but helps with serious analysis of the subject.
Illustrator Allan Lavigne enhances the reading experience with detailed visuals that complement Dolan’s research, bringing historical sightings and documented cases to life. The illustrations are an amazing visual representation of key moments in each case, making the reader feel as though they are witnessing the events firsthand.
Bravo to Richard Dolan, his encouraging wife Tracey, and Allan Lavigne for an outstanding work. You hit a home run.
A History of USOs: Volume 1 is a groundbreaking contribution to the study of unexplained underwater phenomena. With Dolan’s rigorous research and engaging writing, this book is a must-read for those fascinated by the hidden mysteries beneath our oceans. It belongs in every public, school, and university library as the definitive work on the subject. A must-have for anyone interested in UAPs, UFOs, USOs, and flying saucers.
April 28, 2025
Richard Dolan has done a remarkable job in this book, thoroughly examining cases of unidentified submerged objects (USOs) up to the 1960s. He meticulously separates fact from fiction, focusing on credible military encounters and providing well-researched citations for each case. Unlike a mere catalog of sightings, this book offers Dolan's insightful opinions, assessing the plausibility of each encounter and even correcting misinformation. It's a valuable resource for anyone interested in UFO phenomena, surpassing even the most acclaimed works in the field. I highly recommend it to any UFO enthusiast.
July 21, 2025
Unfortunately, this first installment did little for me. I was aware of most of the more interesting cases and was bored with the repetitive consistency of most of the others. I did learn a few new things which was fantastic and I really like the author in his work overall and I'm looking forward to the next installment in his case study series.
October 9, 2025
This book has a lot going for it. It is an interesting topic written by a long time historian on the history of UFOs.. I hope he follows through with his plan of writing and publishing a three volume history of USOs. I know I will buy them sight unseen. I Iook forward to reading them.
The reader's performance was good but not great and not awful.
The reader's performance was good but not great and not awful.
July 16, 2025
Wonderful account of the history of some of the most verifiable USO cases. Very well organized, clear and concise. Illustrations were comic book reminiscent but fit very well with the read. Excited to await the next 2 volumes for more current accounts of USO sightings.
April 20, 2025
Brilliant!
A brilliant first of three parts. I can't wait to read the remaining two editions. I especially enjoy reading the US Navy encounters.
A brilliant first of three parts. I can't wait to read the remaining two editions. I especially enjoy reading the US Navy encounters.
October 13, 2025
Well documented with clear, objective analysis criteria.
Displaying 1 - 7 of 7 reviews