A reviewer
Simply put: Flying Saucers and Science answers all the big questions pertaining to the subject of Unidentified Flying Objects. If you are skeptical of the subject of UFOs and the hypothesis of extraterrestrial origin, or find the very idea of such visitation to be irrational, this is a book for you. UFO researcher/lecturer and former Nuclear physicist Stanton Friedman effectively establishes the reality of UFOs by referencing several large scale scientific studies and declassified government documents that point invariably to the likely hypothesis that some UFOs may indeed be extraterrestrial spacecraft. 'As hard as that is to believe' In addition, Mr. Friedman effectively demolishes dismissive arguments put forth by the skeptical community against UFO reality from well respected scientists, such as the SETI specialists, to famous science fiction writers, such as Isaac Asimov, Ben Bova, and Arthur C. Clarke. A common argument in Ufology is that you can't get here from there. That travel between stars is simply science fiction. Skeptics often argue: 'The distances between stars are simply too vast for interstellar travel to be a reality.' 'The Voyager probe would take 70,000 years to reach the nearest star.' 'Energy requirements for such a voyage would be astronomical.' 'Even traveling to the nearest star at the speed of light would take more than 4 years.' (A common misconception that is addressed) Friedman thinks otherwise. An entire chapter is devoted to the feasibility of interstellar travel with a strict adherence to the laws of physics. Friedman effectively demonstrates, in layman's terms, that star travel is by no means science fiction, but a very real possibility -- without faster than light travel. Another common misconception Friedman corrected is that of public opinion. It is often assumed that most people don't believe in UFOs, and most scientists certainly don't believe in them. Friedman shows that statistics garnered through public polls indicate a correlation to belief in UFOs and higher education and uses charts to help illustrate these results. Additionally, Friedman cites a poll taken by Industrial Research and Development Magazine, which was a controlled circulation monthly publication going to about 100,000 people involved in research and development activities, in 1971 and 1979 that shows equally startling results. As alluded to earlier, a large volume of commonly asked questions are addressed throughout the book. From common technical questions such as, 'Why do the flight characteristics of UFOs appear to violate the laws of physics?' 'They don't', or 'Why don't some UFOs produce a sonic boom while clearly traveling at supersonic speed?', or 'How would aliens even find us?' to philosophical questions such as, 'Why would alien visitors choose not to make contact?', 'Why would aliens come to Earth?', and of course 'Why the cover-up?' If you have a question you need answered, there's a pretty good chance you will find it in this book. Rounding out Flying Saucers and Science was a wonderful final chapter describing to the apathetic why the study of UFOs matters. Negatives: -- Although the bibliography is rather helpful, it would have been even more helpful if each chapter was footnoted. This would make it easier to verify particular statements as you go. However, Friedman does do a good job of providing website links and other references in parentheses as he goes along to help the curious verify claims or investigate further. -- Very few individual cases are discussed, unlike most UFO books on the market. This may be a huge turn-off to many, so I am making it known right now. Friedman does, however, list several sources upon which you can find a collection of quality cases. -- Those who have attended Friedman's lectures, read many of his articles, and/or frequented his website may find much of the material to be very familiar. However, Friedm
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