UFO Magazine (United Kingdom), November/December 2000
Nick Redfern, Book Reviewer

UFOs and the National Security State
Author: Richard M. Dolan
Publisher: Keyhole

Rating: Five stars

Just occasionally a book comes along that is destined to become a true classic. UFOs and the National Security State, in my opinion, fits perfectly into that category. This is the first in a two-volume series that looks at the involvement in the UFO subject on the part of the U.S. military and intelligence community and never fails to impress. Volume One covers the period 1941-1973 and is probably the finest overview in a very long time of America's secret UFO history. And at 544 pages in length is packed with information.

Whilst it is fair to say that some of the material contained within the book may be familiar (Maury Island, Roswell, the Robertson Panel, Blue Book, Zamora and NICAP), Dolan scores on several points. First, he is a skilled writer whose style never bores; second, his knowledge of the subject matter shines through; third, by putting all of this huge body of data under one easily affordable cover, he has done Ufology a major service; and fourth, he has brought to the fore a vast body of documentation, witness testimony and evidence that has not seen the light of day in years.

In many ways the book harks back to the days of Keyhoe, Ruppelt and Arnold with accounts of pilot encounters, Air Force cover-ups, CIA and FBI investigations, Cold War paranoia, Pentagon shenanigans and more. I should stress, however, that this is not an exercise in misty-eyed nostalgia. Rather, it is a much-needed and very-welcome look at a bygone era and some of the key moments in UFO history.

In today's world of Flying Triangles and alien abductions, there is a tendency for people (particularly those new to the UFO subject) to forget some of the crucial events of the 40s, 50s, 60s and 70s. Thankfully, UFOs and the National Security State amply rectifies that situation. Most important of all, however, the book shows that, contrary to the official stance, UFOs are a major national security issue, and have been since at least the 1940s. For the long-term Ufologist or for the newcomer who wonders what all the fuss is about, this book is the one to get if you're even remotely interested in UFOs and national security. Roll on Volume Two.

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