Crash from Outer Space: Unraveling the Mystery of Flying Saucers, Alien Beings, and Roswell

From Roswell forward, this intriguing reportorial narrative history traces the facts, fictions, and ambiguities surrounding extraterrestrials and UFOs. Fleming (Murder Among Friends) begins by documenting the infamous 1947 Roswell, N.Mex., crash that becomes the first purported sighting of ships “seemingly from outer space,” following it up with an account of an unfamiliar crescent aircraft hitting 1,700 miles per hour near Washington’s Mount Rainier. Employing questions as chapters heads, the chronicle effectively distills the subsequent media treatment—including how reports introduced the term “flying saucer” into popular culture, igniting an ongoing debate about their existence—and various investigations into and frauds surrounding alien spacecraft. Government projects introduced include the U.S. Air Force’s 1952-launched Project Blue Book, which studied UFOs’ potential national security risk, and the cover-up at Roswell of Project Mogul, which aimed to detect the Soviet Union’s testing of atomic weapons. Throughout, a fascinating collection of b&w photographs, newspaper stories, and official documents effectively highlight and support the telling. Evenhandedly exposing the controversy, the account leaves the interpretation of the truth to readers. Extensive back matter includes an author’s note, bibliography, and source notes. Ages 8–12. Agent: Ethan Ellenberg, Ethan Ellenberg Literary. (Oct.)