A deep dive into the world of Ufology--the study and search for extraterrestrial life--with a fun, informative, humorous look at the history of this strange world of conspiracy. Throughout history people have witnessed a dizzying show of mysterious lights in the sky. Whether they are the devices of alien interlopers or more mundane weather phenomena, they have spawned a legacy of government inquiries, secretive societies, and countless dedicated investigators. We call them "Unidentified Flying Objects," and they have claimed a prominent position in popular culture, enduring in part thanks to the legacy of researchers and persistently peculiar mysteries.

Governments around the world have had to deal with the UFO phenomenon for a good part of a century. How and why they did so is the subject of UFOs and Government, a history that for the first time tells the story from the perspective of the governments themselves. It's a perspective that reveals a great deal about what we citizens have seen, and puzzled over, from the "outside" for so many years. The story, which is unmasked by the governments' own documents, explains much that is new, or at least not commonly known, about the seriousness with which the military and intelligence communities approached the UFO problem internally. Those approaches were not taken lightly. In fact, they were considered matters of national security. At the same time, the story reveals how a subject with such apparent depth of experience and interest became treated as if it were a triviality. And it explains why one government, the United States government, deemed it wise, and perhaps even necessary, to treat it so. Though the book focuses primarily on the U. S. government's response to the UFO phenomenon, also included is the treatment of the subject by the governments of Sweden, Australia, France, Spain, and other countries. This large-format, fully illustrated book is the result of a team effort that called itself "The UFO History Group," a collection of veteran UFO historians and researchers who spent more than four years researching, consulting, writing, and editing to present a work of historical scholarship on government response to the UFO phenomenon. Michael Swords was the primary author of the United States chapters. The work was coordinated and edited by Robert Powell. Clas Svahn, Vicente-Juan Ballester Olmos, Bill Chalker, and Robert Powell contributed country chapters. Jan Aldrich was the primary content consultant, with additional content consultation and writing coming from Barry Greenwood and Richard Thieme. Steve Purcell was the primary photo illustration editor. From the foreword by Jerome Clark: "While UFOs and Government revisits an often unhappy history, the reading of it is far from an unhappy experience. The authors, eloquent, intelligent, sophisticated, and conscientious, provide us with the first credible, comprehensive overview of official UFO history in many years... Most of the current volume deals with U.S. military and intelligence responses to the UFO phenomenon, but it also features richly informative chapters that expand the story across the international arena. If you're looking for an example of a nation that dealt productively with the UFO reports that came its official way, you will take heart in the chapter on the French projects... From here on, every responsible treatment of UFOs and government will have to cite UFOs and Government prominently among its sources... this is the real story as accurately as it can be reconstructed in the second decade of the new century. I expect to keep my copy close at hand and to return to it often. While it cannot be said of many books, UFO-themed or otherwise, this is among the essential ones. Stray from it at your peril."

Are extraterrestrial beings trying to contact us? Is the government covering up evidence? What is the real truth about UFOs, close encounters, and alien abduction? In this fascinating guide, UFO expert William J. Birnes covers everything from theories about the nature of UFOs to where you're likely to find them; from case studies of alien encounters to the scientific studies of otherworldly visitors. Other topics include: The beginnings of modern "Ufology" in the age of rockets A history of military and pilot encounters with UFOs Twenty-first-century UFO sightings around the globe Types of equipment needed to capture UFOs on film or video With reports from credible witnesses and lists of government documents that actually admit to the existence of UFOs, this is the only guide you need to ground yourself in this exciting subject!

A history of unidentified flying objects including accounts of several famous sightings and results of federal investigations.

Pioneer investigator of UFO claims urges young readers to think before believing that aliens have landed. Young people love the mystery that accompanies believing in Unidentified Flying Objects (UFOs). To children, the world of the unknown is often much more exciting than the world they know. Yet in their early search for the truth, it's important for young people to know that the vast majority of historical cases of UFOs have been scientifically explained and are not so mysterious after all. Bringing UFOs Down to Earth by Philip J. Klass, the "Sherlock Holmes of UFOlogy," is a fun book for youngsters, ages 9 and up, offering UFO facts every kid should know. In terms that are easy to understand, Klass explains how UFO reports are investigated and explained rationally, the role of the media, and how some people easily become confused by what they believe to be "extraterrestrial crafts." Filled with many humorous illustrations and cartoons, Bringing UFOs Down to Earth emphasizes a healthy skepticism, critical thinking, and independent problem-solving as the best defense against unfounded and extraordinary claims.

"Using newly declassified and Freedom of Information Act documents, eyewitness accounts, interviews, and leaked documents being authenticated, [this book] details the secret history of UFOs and the corresponding presidential administration"--