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Some UFO books are sensational and silly; some are very silly. Yet others are more ridiculous than anything dreamed up by the Monty Python team. There are other UFO books which are worthy and informative, but they make heavy demands on the casual reader. So how do you get your friends to share your informed interest in UFOs? The answer is simple - a coffee table UFO book. This is such a book. It is skillfully written with just the right degree of over-simplification and superficiality and is lavishly illustrated. The blurb asserts that the book "provides a balanced history of the whole UFO business", and by coffee table standards, it does.
Most aspects of the subject are covered, including the speculations of von Daniken, but his critics are also quoted. There is an interesting account of the claims of the contactees, accompanied by some excellent illustrations. Although the subject is presented in a way calculated to have the maximum popular appeal, the standard of accuracy seems fairly high. I would quibble however with the statement (p69) that "no-one has found the answer'' to the sightings of luminous wheels by ships in the Persian Gulf. This phenomenon is caused by bioluminescent organisms in the sea. There is not enough space here to discuss the details , but readers who are interested in this topic will find reports of such sightings, accompanied by expert comments, in the journal The Marine Observer, published by Her Majesty 's Stationery Office.
Considering the high quality of the printing and the large number of full-colour illustrations this book is well worth the price if you are looking for a ufological conversation piece with which to grace your coffee table.
- John Harney, from MUFOB 7, Summer 1977
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