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The Case for the UFO: Unidentified Flying Objects
Born in Indiana, Jessup grew up with astronomical interests. He earned an astronomy BS from the University of Michigan in '25 &, working at the Lamont-Hussey Observatory, he received an MS in '26. Tho he began a doctorate in astrophysics, he ended dissertaton work in '31. He's been referred to in ufological circles as "probably the most original extraterrestrial hypothesiser of the 1950s", & that he was "educated in astronomy & archeology & had working experience in both." Actual evidence of an educational background in archeology is absent from his resume, but Jerome Clark reports that he took part in expeditions to the Yucatan & Peru in the '20s.
He achieved note with his '55 book, The Case for the UFO. He argued that ufos represented a mysterious subject worthy of study, speculating that they were "exploratory craft of 'solid' & 'nebulous' character." He also "linked ancient monuments with prehistoric superscience," years before similar claims were made by von Däniken in Chariots of the Gods? & other books.
He wrote three further saucer books, UFOs & the Bible, The UFO Annual (both '56) & The Expanding Case for the UFO ('57). The latter suggested that transient lunar phenomenon were related to UFOs in Earth's skies. His main flying-saucer scenario came to resemble that of the Shaver Hoax perpetrated by the sf magazine editor Raymond A. Palmer--namely, that "good" & "bad" groups of aliens were/are meddling with terrestrial affairs. Like most of the writers on ufos, & the so-called contactees, that emerged during the '50s, he displayed familiarity with the alternative mythology of human prehistory developed by Helena P. Blavatsky's Theosophy cult, which included the mythical lost continents of Atlantis, Mu & Lemuria.
He achieved note with his '55 book, The Case for the UFO. He argued that ufos represented a mysterious subject worthy of study, speculating that they were "exploratory craft of 'solid' & 'nebulous' character." He also "linked ancient monuments with prehistoric superscience," years before similar claims were made by von Däniken in Chariots of the Gods? & other books.
He wrote three further saucer books, UFOs & the Bible, The UFO Annual (both '56) & The Expanding Case for the UFO ('57). The latter suggested that transient lunar phenomenon were related to UFOs in Earth's skies. His main flying-saucer scenario came to resemble that of the Shaver Hoax perpetrated by the sf magazine editor Raymond A. Palmer--namely, that "good" & "bad" groups of aliens were/are meddling with terrestrial affairs. Like most of the writers on ufos, & the so-called contactees, that emerged during the '50s, he displayed familiarity with the alternative mythology of human prehistory developed by Helena P. Blavatsky's Theosophy cult, which included the mythical lost continents of Atlantis, Mu & Lemuria.
220 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 1955
19 people are currently reading
295 people want to read
About the author
Morris K. Jessup
16 books8 followersAmerican ufologist.
Although Jessup had a Master's degree in astronomy he worked most of his time as an automobile-parts salesman and a photographer.
He is mostly known for his pioneering ufological writings and his role in "uncovering" the so-called "Philadelphia Experiment"an alleged military experiment that is said to have been carried out by the U.S. Navy at the Philadelphia Naval Shipyard in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania some time around October 28, 1943. The U.S. Navy destroyer escort USS Eldridge was claimed to be rendered invisible (or "cloaked") to enemy devices.
Although Jessup had a Master's degree in astronomy he worked most of his time as an automobile-parts salesman and a photographer.
He is mostly known for his pioneering ufological writings and his role in "uncovering" the so-called "Philadelphia Experiment"an alleged military experiment that is said to have been carried out by the U.S. Navy at the Philadelphia Naval Shipyard in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania some time around October 28, 1943. The U.S. Navy destroyer escort USS Eldridge was claimed to be rendered invisible (or "cloaked") to enemy devices.
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Displaying 1 - 13 of 13 reviews
June 9, 2011
I'm not certain if I bought this or read it at the Park Ridge Public Library. In any case, while in elementary school I was very interested in anything to do with astronomy, cosmology, space travel, science fiction and UFOs. Of the non-fiction books the UFO ones were most accessible. A lot of the astrophysics I "read" was really above my head, but UFOs were all over the popular media and aliens were, of course, a mainstay of my favorite literary genre.
Jessup's book was one of many I devoured as I worked my way from one end of the library's entire collection on the subject to the other. It wasn't the weirdest. George Adamski was the weirdest. Indeed, it was pretty much written in earnest and should still be required reading for anyone interested in the history of what has come to be known--unfortunately--as "ufology."
Jessup's book was one of many I devoured as I worked my way from one end of the library's entire collection on the subject to the other. It wasn't the weirdest. George Adamski was the weirdest. Indeed, it was pretty much written in earnest and should still be required reading for anyone interested in the history of what has come to be known--unfortunately--as "ufology."
January 17, 2018
I read this book that my Dad had brought home when I was in about 6th grade. Really mind blowing at that age. I loaned it to a classmate of mine and later he told me that his older brother read it and then couldn't get to sleep at night afterwards! Which I thought was really funny then (and still do).
Anyway, the author scours meteorology, history and astronomy for evidence of UFO's. The Flying Saucer craze had just started a few years before, in the late 1940's, and the author, M.K. Jessup, was a true believer.
Anyway, the author scours meteorology, history and astronomy for evidence of UFO's. The Flying Saucer craze had just started a few years before, in the late 1940's, and the author, M.K. Jessup, was a true believer.
August 4, 2015
I received this audio book as a gift in exchange for a honest and unbiased review. This book is both interesting and entertaining. My favorite parts were when they discusses the unusual weather including huge blocks of ice and snowflakes. I love hearing all the alien stories. I also like hearing about all the scientific entries there are for this kind of strange happenings.
The author, Dr M K Jessup did a great job researching all the details for this book. It is well written and quite interesting for a non fiction. The narrator, Jack Chekijian did a great job delivering all the facts to us. I really enjoy his multiple voices.
The author, Dr M K Jessup did a great job researching all the details for this book. It is well written and quite interesting for a non fiction. The narrator, Jack Chekijian did a great job delivering all the facts to us. I really enjoy his multiple voices.
August 4, 2015
I received this audio book as a gift in exchange for a honest and unbiased review. This book is both interesting and entertaining. My favorite parts were when they discusses the unusual weather including huge blocks of ice and snowflakes. I love hearing all the alien stories. I also like hearing about all the scientific entries there are for this kind of strange happenings.
The author, Dr M K Jessup did a great job researching all the details for this book. It is well written and quite interesting for a non fiction. The narrator, Jack Chekijian did a great job delivering all the facts to us. I really enjoy his multiple voices.
The author, Dr M K Jessup did a great job researching all the details for this book. It is well written and quite interesting for a non fiction. The narrator, Jack Chekijian did a great job delivering all the facts to us. I really enjoy his multiple voices.
August 3, 2015
The publisher's blurb gives a fine overview of the material.
The author presents an interesting perspective on the issues surrounding the presence/observances of extraterrestrial beings and their manifestations. I am of the impression that this book, like some others I have been exposed to, has been reissued as more of a resource text for devotees and advanced degree theses. The info contained is as valid today as it was then.
Narrator Jack renders a professional performance of neutrality with a pace well suited to the note-taker in a clear, well enunciated tones.
The author presents an interesting perspective on the issues surrounding the presence/observances of extraterrestrial beings and their manifestations. I am of the impression that this book, like some others I have been exposed to, has been reissued as more of a resource text for devotees and advanced degree theses. The info contained is as valid today as it was then.
Narrator Jack renders a professional performance of neutrality with a pace well suited to the note-taker in a clear, well enunciated tones.
May 23, 2012
4 stars! WTF? Probably the only book that dissects the topic of UFOs in a truly out-of-box type of thinking. No mystical crap here. Must read, don't think twice but read the annotated addition of course.
June 8, 2019
Unusual and rare.
Very interesting book. Should be read as a companion to Colm Kellerher's HUNT FOR THE SKINWALKER.
Very interesting book. Should be read as a companion to Colm Kellerher's HUNT FOR THE SKINWALKER.
March 12, 2024
This is one of the first classics of the UFO lore, and it is a somehow strange effort, this famous edition was filled of annotations throughout the book, made by some gypsies or man in black or simply mr Allende, who was somehow involved in the Philadelphia experiment. The author can be a follower of Charles Fort, making this book a continuation of the work of the former, using the same sort of strategy. He seriously influenced two other major writers: Ivan Sanderson and John Keel, both sort of Fortean themselves.
The book itself contextualises the type of Fortean events as UFO events, he also tries to determine what UFOs are, some of his thoughts were actually quite advanced for his time. One other characteristic of the work, is to try to frame the UFO phenomena with Atlantis and Lemuria, what created a certain wave of resistance to his work, been categorized as a wacko, and been ridiculed as mystical by the more "scientific" writers. To be fair, this book is quite scientific, but it does lack clearer references to events pointed out by the author.
The book itself contextualises the type of Fortean events as UFO events, he also tries to determine what UFOs are, some of his thoughts were actually quite advanced for his time. One other characteristic of the work, is to try to frame the UFO phenomena with Atlantis and Lemuria, what created a certain wave of resistance to his work, been categorized as a wacko, and been ridiculed as mystical by the more "scientific" writers. To be fair, this book is quite scientific, but it does lack clearer references to events pointed out by the author.
September 14, 2023
Good book!
March 20, 2022
This book is written poorly, but has some real gems in it. I actually gave up on it but, in the end, finished it.
Rather than read it, here are the main points:
* there is a point of gravitational equilibrium
between the earth, moon (and sun). This is the place to look for UFOs.
(There real place to look for UFOs would be the point of
gravitational equilibrium between Jupiter and the Sun, but
that's another story).
* About half of this book is a long list of all the times that
'things', specifically earth amphibians, have fallen from
the sky (specifically not including Exodus 8:2-8). There are
enough examples listed, probably 60 or more, that the
author can identify patterns.
* the 1880s were a time of extremely weird behaviour, comet
sightings, things falling from the skies and all of that
and maybe something else. That's it.
Rather than read it, here are the main points:
* there is a point of gravitational equilibrium
between the earth, moon (and sun). This is the place to look for UFOs.
(There real place to look for UFOs would be the point of
gravitational equilibrium between Jupiter and the Sun, but
that's another story).
* About half of this book is a long list of all the times that
'things', specifically earth amphibians, have fallen from
the sky (specifically not including Exodus 8:2-8). There are
enough examples listed, probably 60 or more, that the
author can identify patterns.
* the 1880s were a time of extremely weird behaviour, comet
sightings, things falling from the skies and all of that
and maybe something else. That's it.
November 2, 2016
Jumps To Conclusions & Very Dry Read
A lot of this book is "A" equals "B" equals "Aliens"!! Ummm, what? The author uses several circumstantial evidence and witness testimony as cold, hard proof. It almost comes off as arrogant. Also, if I wasn't so OCD I would have just stopped reading this book altogether about a quarter way in. It is so very dry and dull. There were very few pages that held my attention. If you are like me and very into this phenomenon and other high strangeness and you like to take all the information in you can whether it's of value or not, sure. It won't be an easy or fun read but why not? Knowledge is still knowledge. However, if you are looking for entertainment and aren't serious about the subject, I would not bother.
A lot of this book is "A" equals "B" equals "Aliens"!! Ummm, what? The author uses several circumstantial evidence and witness testimony as cold, hard proof. It almost comes off as arrogant. Also, if I wasn't so OCD I would have just stopped reading this book altogether about a quarter way in. It is so very dry and dull. There were very few pages that held my attention. If you are like me and very into this phenomenon and other high strangeness and you like to take all the information in you can whether it's of value or not, sure. It won't be an easy or fun read but why not? Knowledge is still knowledge. However, if you are looking for entertainment and aren't serious about the subject, I would not bother.
September 18, 2012
I own a copy of the legendary VARO Edition of this book. While especially interesting, and an unique anomaly, I give little credence to the subject material.
This book is only recommended for collectors, and library checkouts for less serious reading.
This book is only recommended for collectors, and library checkouts for less serious reading.
July 8, 2014
It's a very good read. I guess that explains why there are such strange weather patterns along with "rare" activities in the sky.
Many typos from the way the narration was written from the multiple parties that wrote all over the actual book.
Many typos from the way the narration was written from the multiple parties that wrote all over the actual book.
Displaying 1 - 13 of 13 reviews