''The UFO Files: The Inside Story of Real-Life Sightings'', published by
The National Archives
National archives are the archives of a country. The concept evolved in various nations at the dawn of modernity based on the impact of nationalism upon bureaucratic processes of paperwork retention.
Conceptual development
From the Middle Ages i ...
in 2009, is an official history of British
UFO
An unidentified flying object (UFO) is an object or phenomenon seen in the sky but not yet identified or explained. The term was coined when United States Air Force (USAF) investigations into flying saucers found too broad a range of shapes ...
reports.
The author,
David Clarke, is a senior lecturer in
journalism
Journalism is the production and distribution of reports on the interaction of events, facts, ideas, and people that are the "news of the day" and that informs society to at least some degree of accuracy. The word, a noun, applies to the journ ...
at
Sheffield Hallam University
Sheffield Hallam University (SHU) is a public research university in Sheffield, South Yorkshire, England. The university is based on two sites; the City Campus is located in the city centre near Sheffield station, Sheffield railway station, whil ...
. The book delves into the United Kingdom's historical relationship with unidentified flying objects (UFOs) and the public's fascination with extraterrestrial phenomena.
The book includes a detailed analysis of declassified UFO files from the Ministry of Defence, covering a period from the 1950s to the early 2000s. Topics include alleged UFO sightings, official investigations, and the Ministry of Defence evolving stance on the potential threat posed by UFOs. Notable cases, such as the Rendlesham Forest Incident and the Battle of Los Angeles, are explored within the context of public fear and Cold War paranoia.
David Clarke frames this narrative with skepticism, adding emphasis on the role of social and cultural factors in shaping UFO myths. His work is grounded in journalism and archival research, drawing connections between UFO phenomena and broader issues like government transparency and public trust in official institutions.
The book was published during an international wave of UFO document declassification, coinciding with similar efforts by the United States, Canada, and France. These actions were aimed to demystify UFO sightings and address the public's curiosity about government knowledge of extraterrestrial life.
The UFO Files remains an important resource for researchers and enthusiasts interested in the history of UFOs in the UK. Its publication marked a turning point in the public's access to previously classified government documents on the subject.
The book forms part of an international programme of
declassification of UFO documents. Clarke has worked at The National Archives as a consultant on this subject since 2008.
Books
on author's website
References
External links
Newly released UFO files from the UK government
at The National Archives, including a podcast and other material by the author. Retrieved 2011-03-30.
2009 non-fiction books
British non-fiction books
Books about the United Kingdom
UFO-related literature
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