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Richard M. Dolan is a gifted historian whose study of U.S. Cold War strategy led him to the broader context of increased security measures and secrecy since World War II. One aspect of such government policies that has continued to hold the public's imagination for over half a century is the question of unidentified flying objects.
UFOs and the National Security State is the first volume of a two-part detailed chronological narrative of the national security dimensions of the UFO phenomenon from 1941 to the present. Working from hundreds of declassified records and other primary and secondary sources, Dolan centers his investigation on the American military and intelligence communities, demonstrating that they take UFOs seriously indeed.
Included in this volume are the activities of more than fifty military bases relating to UFOs, innumerable violations of sensitive airspace by unknown craft and analyses of the Roswell controversy, the CIA-sponsored Robertson Panel, and the Condon Committee Report. Dolan highlights the development of civilian anti-secrecy movements, which flourished in the 1950s and 1960s until the adoption of an official government policy and subsequent "closing of the door" during the Nixon administration.
Anonymous
Posted December 25, 2003
Former Apollo (14) astronaut Dr. Edgar Mitchell was right when he labeled the work of Richard M. Dolan 'thorough and monumental.' Never before, in my experience, has such a work been seen in the annals of material garnered on 'the UFO question.' With quotes from near-to-more-than one thousand persons both within and without the National Security establishment that is called the United States of America (an establishment that was in fact begun under the auspieces of the National Dectective Police by Unionists during the Civil War and not by modern Democrats, let alone Republicans), and brief interludes during the beginning of each chapter by way of great quotations from throughout history (quotes which merely add weight to the utterly sensible notion that the modern centralized federal government not only hides matters regularly from the public but does so with unchecked inpunity, affiliation with either major political party a non-issue), Dolan succeeds where a great number of authors on subjects of the inexplicable have failed: He's written a foundational book (and for that matter, only the first volume, according to the cover) for all subsequent research into the matter of unexplained aerial phenomena to follow. Not once does the material of the book fail, even to the matter of his own thoughts on the subject. While sensibly gauging the notion that the unidentifieds are not from human civilization, he does not arrogantly proclaim to know the Truth...merely ponderings. Whether the unidentifieds hail from outside the solar system or from outside the universe, whether the lights' metamorphing properties indicate they are manifestations from a spirit world or some notion as yet unconceived, he makes no judgment...only gives the facts, up to the state of the situation as it existed at the end of 1973. Dolan's work is quite simply a landmark in the rational work done on 'inexplicable aerial phenomena' (this author's hopefully less-ridiculable expression), and it behooves any interested in the subject to make this book, and most likely by extension those to follow in his series, their first forray into the field.
2 out of 2 people found this review helpful.
Was this review helpful? Yes NoThank you for your feedback. Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged.RRC52
Posted January 19, 2009
I Also Recommend:
This is a very well written and sited history of the topic. Whenever the author strays into the realms of supposition, it is clearly noted and is easily distinguishable from the factual evidence presented. If ever someone tells you that there is "not one shred of evidence" for the existence of UFO's, point them to this book. The facts are direct and the sources are sited in an extensive bibliography. If you area at all interested in this topic this is a must own, you will be referencing to it for years.
1 out of 1 people found this review helpful.
Was this review helpful? Yes NoThank you for your feedback. Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged.Anonymous
Posted August 11, 2006
UFO literature is often unsubstantiated hype or snotty put down. This book just informs. It puts together an impressively researched mass of facts. The history of government interest, then supposed disinterst in UFOs is presented. Hundred of eyewitness reports of various levels of believeability are offered. If you are looking for facts, not opinion, this book is great. Where is the sequel?
1 out of 1 people found this review helpful.
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Posted September 11, 2012
But not me.
This whole book may be an exercise in Pattern Creation - our ability to take facts and weave together a story around them whether they are connected or not. I noted that this book overall traces the history of the UFO from 1947 pretty much correctly. When I read about BW testing on civilians and military, it did feel like I was going down the rabbit hole. Google Project 112 and Project SHAD, they are apparently quite true and quite awful, and mentioned in this book. Let me be clear, it was fun to read, I just doubt the connections made.
Overview
Richard M. Dolan is a gifted historian whose study of U.S. Cold War strategy led him to the broader context of increased security measures and secrecy since World War II. One aspect of such government policies that has continued to hold the public's imagination for over half a century is the question of unidentified flying objects.
UFOs and the National Security State is the first volume of a two-part detailed chronological narrative of the national security dimensions of the ...