Out There: The Government's Secret Quest for Extraterrestrials

Blum ( I Pledge Allegiance ) here offers a curious amalgam of science and apparent science fiction, ranging in subject from the bona fide quests of SETI (Search for Extraterrestrial Intelligence) astrophysicists and radio astronomers to unverified reports of UFO sightings and the barmy project of a tiny Wisconsin town to build a landing site for flying saucers. But what is most arresting about his study is Blum's claim that the U.S. government has been gathering information about UFOs since 1947, with one or two hiatuses--and has kept these investigations secret. The culprits seem to be top military men, portrayed here as paranoid children, and members of our various spy operations. The book should cause a stir among readers kept far too long in the dark. First serial to Penthouse; TV rights to ABC; Preferred Choice Book Plan main selection. (Sept.)