UFO Sightings: The Evidence

by Robert Sheaffer

Book Overview

Engaging and entertaining, UFO Sightings: The Evidence is the most up-to-date overview of the UFO phenomenon, a controversy that gains strength with each new report of strange happenings in the sky. Written from the skeptical perspective, and applying the scientific method to the cases explored, this book differs greatly from the proparanormal tomes widely available today."Most broad survey UFO books contain absolutely uncritical presentations of...

• Format: Hardcover
• Language: English
• ISBN: 1573922137
• ISBN13: 9781573922135
• Release Date: August 1998
• Publisher: Prometheus Books
• Length: 348 Pages
• Weight: 1.55 lbs.
• Dimensions: 1.2" x 6.2" x 9.3"

Customer Reviews

UFO enthusiasts really need this book.

When I checked our local library all the books on UFOs had one thing in common: they rejected non-mysterious solutions. Robert Sheaffer is concerned with nothing but the truth and he sets forth an examination of Ufology that looks at the subject's most cherished evidence and finds it wanting. 'Classic' cases are shown to be selectively reported and straightforward explanations are presented in this book. If there really was good evidence Sheaffer would be eager to learn of it and present it. Ufologists need this book to find out how strong the opposition is and the open-minded need it to see the other side from hysterical media hype. A very enjoyable and entertaining read!

A Call for Rationalism

Robert Scheaffer is not a proponent of UFOlogy. Instead, he is a skeptic who is trying to point out some of the irrationalities in the beliefs in UFOs and other related phenomenon.Using different scientific laws and principles, like Occam's Razor, Schaeffer debunks the "proof" of UFOs in our world today. In each chapter, he walks through many of the classic UFO sightings and shows you how all the "facts" don't fit together or are changing as the story gets older.At first, I read this as a believer who was calling for more rigid investigation so that we can focus our attention on what we believe to be actual unidentified flying objects. As you read, you will see that he feels that the believers, of whom he is not one, should adopt a more rigid standard in their investigations just as science does. In science, open forum is welcomed to search for truth whereas many UFO studies refuse to scrutinized and result to ad hominem attacks to protect their copyrighted property.Scheaffer does bring in a strong argument. He does have a chapter on witchcraft in the Middle Ages to help support his argument. After reflection, it does help, but it is not immediately apparent in the writing.If you are a believer or UFOlogist, you will not want to read this book. If you want to take a more balanced view of UFO phenomenon, this should be among the books you read.