Need to Know: UFOs, the Military, and Intelligence
by Timothy Good
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Book Summary Information
Author: Timothy GoodEdition: Paperback
Audio: English (Unknown); English (Original Language); English (Published)
Published: 2007-11-15
ISBN: 1933648384
Number of pages: 464
Publisher: Pegasus
Book Reviews of Need to Know: UFOs, the Military, and Intelligence
Book Review: Interesting reading material - but I'm not convinced
Summary: 3 Stars
I've been very curious about the UFO phenomena and searched online for a good book. This book came highly recommended on Amazon web site so I decided to purchase it. I consider myself an open minded person and a critical thinker.
Overall, I paid a lot of attention to the sources at the end of each chapter. Some of them are news paper articles. So essentially you have this book which quotes lots of other articles (which in turn may quote another article, etc...). While newspapers/media are the way most of us know about what is happening in the world, it is not uncommon to find biased/half-truth/distorted articles even these days on much less controversial issues - even from what some people refer to as "credible newspapers". However, some of the sources are from government archives which is interesting but non of them are really conclusive (though black ink parts does make one wonder what was written there).
What really drew my attention was what I refer to as "logic gaps":
* on page 80, the 3rd paragraph refers to the fact that our atmosphere is not something the aliens can really live in. Page 162, first paragraph also makes a mention of this fact. Then on page 118, the author finds it unlikely that a UFO could be damaged from a meteorite. Now let me get this straight, aliens are running into problems developing ways to be in our atmosphere but a meteorite cannot puncture a hole in a UFO? It seems to me like it is much easier to have a "spacesuit" than to develop a something super hard that it could stop a very fast moving object (potentially with a large mass).
* page 422 refers to aliens giving us technology. The aliens are helping us with science willingly? Hmmmmmm..... doesn't really make sense. Otherwise, they could just lend us a few of their crafts along with the blue prints. Why are they doing it? No practical theories.
* There are several references and conclusions that it is likely that UFOs started appearing after/during World War 2 especially due to the use of atomic bombs. I also read about it elsewhere. It seems that nobody takes into account that during World War 2, major advancements in aviation were made and there were ten thousands of planes up in the air with large crews. Also, the emergence of radar occurred. If UFOs exist, it seems to me that these two facts are more likely to explain why more UFOs were observed.
* The previous section regarding aviation advancement, along with jet propulsion and missile testing, may very well accommodate a lot of sightings. Jet planes were not as common then as they are today.
* There are definitely high ranking officials mentioned in the book and also elsewhere that have come forward. However, there have been such cases from famous and high ranking officials which were not UFO related - some people like attention, have a hidden agenda, or trying to make a quick buck. I haven't seen concrete evidence as of yet.
* These days, digital cameras are everywhere, especially in phones (even though they are of lower quality). It seems to me that the fact that they are available and lots of people have them, should have increased dramatically the likelihood of photographing UFOs and in relatively good quality. Whether touring the middle of the desert or while traveling on the plane for vacation, if UFOs are occasionally seen, it is likely that in many encountered there would be someone with a camera and we would see more "proof". But I don't think this has really happened.
It is my personal opinion that if indeed UFOs exist, then they are not a "scientific phenomena" but simply a "phenomena" much like conventional aircrafts are a "phenomena". I think that the best person to investigate is someone with such background (likely to be a cop/detective) who can verify integrity of witnesses, alibi, facts on the scene (time and place), and not ask leading questions. While there are people pulling hoaxes out there, there are those which I think genuinely believe they have seen a flying saucer but most likely they want to believe so much that for them it is true. Such a person, should definitely consult with scientists, radar operators, image analysis experts to corroborate and use science where it can help. However, as it is not a crime to see a UFO, most people would probably not like to be interrogated in order to establish their credibility and that is a problem.
The last page and paragraph (page 427), does give some credit to the government(s) about gradually releasing information and enhancing awareness. Governments are prime candidates of criticism (in many times rightly so) but they do not always conspire against the people and are evil, etc. It seems to me like planet earth has enough problems of its own without adding potential UFOs panic from the population. It could very well be that governments are being very responsible and sensitive due to most of the public not being able to make proper decisions or panic needlessly. I think that these should have deserved a chapter by itself.
Anyway, I remain unconvinced. Until I see a flying saucer, I won't believe it.
Addendum: I actually wrote an email to Mr. Good and he replied regarding my comments. I made some minor "fixes" to my review. All in all, it was a civilized exchange of opinions but I am still disagreeing about certain aspects and conclusions (I do hope I am wrong - I would welcome UFOs in open arms :-) ).
Summary of Need to Know: UFOs, the Military, and Intelligence
Fact: In 1945, the US military recovered an alien spacecraft. Fact: The United States shot down several flying disks in the late 1940s, a period marked by an unprecedented wave of unexplained aircraft crashes.
The facts have continued only to mount over the past six decades in the classified files of military and intelligence agencies worldwide. Pilots the world over have reported incidents with UFOs that have often been accompanied by electrical interference and communications difficulties. UFOs have prompted more secrecy and security-and deception-than any other concern ever on the part of military specialists and intelligence chiefs around the world. An acknowledged authority on the controversial subject of UFOs, and an indefatigable researcher, Timothy Good in this revelatory book tells us what we need to know.
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