The Flying Saucer Reader

by Jay David (Editor)

A collection of major writings on the UFO phenomena, from reliable reports to speculations pro & con, including biblical interpretations.

Genres: Nonfiction

256 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 1967

Reviews

[Steven H · Rating 5 out of 5]

A COLLECTION OF ARTICLES (AS OF 1967) ABOUT UFOS

Editor Jay David wrote in the Introduction to this 1967 book, “Since the late 1940s scores of books and articles have been written on this subject by people who have seen unidentified flying objects, who claim to have been contacted by people from other planets (either mentally or physically), who theorize WHY we must have visitors from outer space---or from the center of the earth. Others dismiss the idea of flying saucers as complete nonsense. Some assert that the Air Force is withholding vital information on UFOs, while the Air Force denies the charge in no uncertain terms. I have carefully considered nearly everything written on the topic and have chosen each particular item with the intention of presenting a well-rounded and comprehensive view of the entire subject---a definitive anthology, if you will. This book takes no sides. Instead it offers a selection of the best material published during the last dozen years. Are we being visited by intelligent life from other worlds? The evidence is here---you be the judge.”

Selections include writings by Edward Ruppelt, Jacques Vallee, Brad Steiger, George Adamski, Donald Keyhoe, C.G. Jung, Walter Sullivan, John G. Fuller, J. Allen Hynek, Donald Keyhoe, etc.

A selection by Raymond Bernard states, “there are many other arguments against the interplanetary hypothesis of the origin of flying saucers. This story does not explain how, under entirely different geological, chemical, atmospheric, gravitational, climatic, and other conditions, planets millions or trillions of miles away, and belong to other solar systems, could develop human beings so like us in structure, appearance, clothing, customs, language, accent and ideas as the ‘Venusians’ whom Adamski claimed to have met… The fact that these people not only look like us, have the same stature, and even speak with an accent (in many cases, a German accent), seems strange if they came from another planet. It seems much more probable that they came originally from the earth’s surface, gained access to the Subterranean World, and are employed as pilots by subterranean authorities, who sent them to us.” (Pg0. 105)

Evert Clark recounts some theories of UFO skeptic Philip Klass: “Mr. Klass believes the apparent discrepancy in size [between sightings] might be explained by the illusory nature of a dancing, glowing ball of light, by fright, and by lack of familiar objects with which to compare the ‘saucers.’ Mr. Klass emphasized that he does not offer his theory as explanation for all such sightings---not even for all night-time observations… Because both corona discharge and ball lightning are associated with electromagnetic fields, Mr. Klass believes his theory might explain why observers of flying objects have often reported trouble with automobile radios and ignition systems when a ‘saucer’ was nearby.” (Pg. 153)

J. Allen Hynek wrote in a 1966 article of sightings in Michigan, “Searching for a justifiable explanation of the sightings, I remembered a phone call from a botanist… who called to my attention the phenomenon of burning ‘swamp gas.’ This gas, caused by decaying vegetation, has been known to ignite spontaneously and to cast a flickering light… I decided that it was a ‘possible’ explanation that I would offer to reporters. The press conference, however, turned out to be no place for scholarly discussion; it was a circus… Everyone was clamoring for a single, spectacular explanation of the sightings. They wanted little green men. When I handed out a statement that discussed swamp gas, many of the men simply ignored the fact that I said was a ‘possible’ reason. I watched with horror as one reporter scanned the page, found the phrase ‘swamp gas,’ underlined it, and rushed to a telephone… The experience was very obvious proof that public excitement had mounted to the point that it was ridiculous to expect one professor, working alone in the field, to conduct a scholarly investigation. We had quite clearly reached a new stage in the UFO problem.” (Pg. 215)

This is indeed a reasonably well-balanced collection, that will be of great interest to those studying the development of Ufology.

[Jeremy Whiting · Rating 3 out of 5]

Fun vintage read! Lots of interesting stuff from the 40s and 50s

[Tony · Rating 2 out of 5]

As an anthology, this book is all over the map on the question of UFOs. I also found it to be hodgepodge and poor editorial work by the creator of the anthology--not much context and no true organization to how the book's selections were added. It read more like what you could expect a UFO internet forum to be today.

That being said, the anachronism is what makes this book (published in 1967) interesting. There are several selections from US Air Force documents that sound reasonable, but much of the rest is entertaining to think people were into all of this. Suggestions that the flying saucers came from Atlantis, from the interior of the Earth (which is hollow), or from some Amazonian jungle civilization are postulated as likely "facts." In pre-Internet days, when things could not be googled at will and many people were willing to accept at face-value anything from anyone credentialed as an "expert", these UFO theories could spread and then become this book.

[Erik Graff · Rating 1 out of 5]

Picked this one up at a suburban Half-Price Books outlet, author and content unknown. Published in 1967 it's of some historical interest as a representative collection of essays and book excerpts from the period. Some are skeptical, some looney, some cautious and reasoned.