Flying Saucer to the Center of Your Mind

Selected Writings of John A. Keel

By: John A. Keel

Narrated by: Michael Hacker

Flying Saucer to the Center of Your Mind is a collection of magazine articles and lectures by the man many consider to be not only the 20th century’s premiere investigator of all things unusual and “Fortean,” but also our very own 20th-century “Mark Twain”: John A. Keel. Many of the articles in this anthology and its companion volumes, "The Outer Limits of the Twilight Zone" and "Searching for the String," were revolutionary, and explored ideas popularized in Keel’s classic books. Written in Keel’s engaging trademark style, they are sure to delight fans with their fresh, unparalleled insights into the nature of reality.

John Keel displays the keen observational skills and investigative tenacity that made him the enfant terrible of ufology for decades. In this no-holds-barred analysis - much of it written almost 50 years ago - Keel shreds most of the sacred-cow beliefs still held by many in ufological and “cryptozoological” circles today, and presents theories so radical that they are only now becoming accepted: the “4-D” or “interdimensional” thesis; the “breakaway civilization” theory; the possible role of “ancient aliens” in human history; the synthetic and/or hallucinatory nature of many “alien abduction” and “Men in Black” encounters; the role of spy agencies in paranormal research; and the alarming connection between UFOs, animal mutilations, and attacks on unsuspecting humans.

In short, Flying Saucer to the Center of Your Mind is witty, incisive, impassioned, and prescient, and cohesively brings Keel’s message into focus in a way that perhaps no other collection has. In addition, this 2013 edition features illuminating forewords by noted writers Gray Barker and Tessa B. Dick (widow of science-fiction writer Philip K. Dick), as well as an introduction by the editor, Andy Colvin (author of "The Mothman's Photographer" trilogy and "Mothman Speaks").

©2013 Andrew B. Colvin (P)2014 Andrew B. Colvin

I love it!

it's funny though the saucer officers. I think the new name they should have is saucifers

Wonderful introduction to a paranormal iconoclast

I have previously read three books by John Keel, the popular "Mothman Prophecies," and his lesser-known and more philosophical cult classics, "The Eighth Tower" and "Operation Trojan Horse." But I first read them some 20 years ago, so when I got an Audible suggestion to *listen* to a Keel book, I figured I'd give it a try.

Because I had misplaced the paperback of "The Eighth Tower" and had been thinking about it lately. With all the recent hype with the Navy pilots chasing around their little blobs of light and acting like this hasn't happened fairly regularly for a hundred years, I guess I wanted to check in with John Keel again. After all, he jumped off the "E.T. hypothesis" bandwagon a half-century ago! Like Jacques Vallee and J. Allen Hynek, who were scientists and astronomers studying the UFO problem for the U.S. government's public investigation in the late 1960s.

If you read Keel, you know he's got this tone. It can be flippant, obnoxious, mocking, etc. The ideas are incredible. The links between unexpected phenomena are convincing. The overall picture is astounding, although less of a surprise if you have an interest in religions of the world and especially Hindu, Sikh and Buddhist ideas. Fifty years later, and a lot of it sounds like quantum physics! But that tone could be tough to parse.

This narrator, Michael Hacker, has done a bunch of Keel books. And *this* collection is the first of Keel's books that I'm hearing before reading in print. I liked the others, hadn't heard of this newer collection, and it's just a delight. By giving it a real *performance,* in a voice that seems to be channeling John A. Keel, we really get a sense of Keel on late-night paranormal radio, spinning yarns and giving the latest Fortean reports. Or campily giving a dramatic speech at a UFO conference (several such speeches are in this book) that is sure to enrage the true believers in the alien astronauts. Highly recommended. And honestly with some insights that are not in other books that I'm aware of, especially his bullet-point list of UFO experience types that should be as well known as Hynek's close encounters scale.

Decent

Outdated material but still his conclusions may have relevance. I think his reviews of the sightings and such were good and interesting. Not saying we've been visited, but I can't say we haven't. But there is evidence of something going on, whether it's earthly or not, it still has to be proven. The problem today is it's easier to produce a hoax due to digital technology.

all I can say is - Don't tell us, show us proof.

Best taste of the Keel Universe:

This is a collection of writings but it flows like a book. It is very well done. The orator is perfect for Keels style. I listen to this all the time.

Outsized title - oversized enjoyment - get it

Any additional comments?

In this title, whenever I grew weary of listening to the passages about the Mothman, there would be a pivot into the UFO topic and their potential origins. What I valued the most about this title was how the author worked strenuously to keep his feet on the ground scientifically when narrating such outlying subjects. This guy gives a view of UFOs that is definitely distinct and insightful. He could be right.

I enjoyed this thoroughly

So much history to the topic that would be completely forgotten if not for books like these.

Lots of fun

I really liked the tone of the book. You will have to suspend all disbelief for a while.

Absolutely Fascinating and Frightening Stuff

Would you listen to Flying Saucer to the Center of Your Mind again? Why?

Yes. Definitely. The sheer amount of fascinating information and mind-boggling occurrences explained in this book will make this an audiobook I re-listen to often.

Nothing we think we know is true. The Ancient Aliens researchers are onto something, yet get so much wrong in the face of the sheer oddness of alien visits. Those who believe this is all a demonic or spiritual or inter-dimensional thing are onto something, yet they get so much wrong as well.

John Keel reports on such a wide range of occurrences that you will leave this work wondering where the truth intersects both camps' conclusions. Or if it does at all. These "alien" encounters are much more complex and insidious than we think.

What did you like best about this story?

Too many incredible parts to pick just one. Get ready to have your mind blown and your paradigm altered.

What about Michael Hacker’s performance did you like?

Straight-forward, skillful, no nonsense narration that is easy on the ears and treats each article with respect. He came across so comfortable with the material that I often had to remind myself that John Keel himself was not speaking. Great job.

Did you have an extreme reaction to this book? Did it make you laugh or cry?

Extreme reaction? You mean, did I poo myself when I realized how strange and terrible our world actually is? No. I experienced a mix of awe and excitement when listening to this book. Incredible research. No silly religious or new age theories pushed on the reader. Believable conclusions and/or lack of conclusions in the strangest of cases. I loved it.

Any additional comments?

BUY THIS NOW. If you want to learn about the fine details of the alien phenomenon and other related supernatural strangeness, you HAVE TO listen to this book.

Excellent telling of the Paranormal

Would you recommend this audiobook to a friend? If so, why?

Certainly I would, if they enjoyed the subject matter, or if they were looking for an interesting, nuanced listen.

What does Michael Hacker bring to the story that you wouldn’t experience if you just read the book?

His tone and pace is perfect for this genre. Smooth with a touch of mystery.

If you could give Flying Saucer to the Center of Your Mind a new subtitle, what would it be?

Watch your back...They may not be from this planet!

A jumble of interesting confusion

First off, I will apologize to Mr. Hacker for my critique, but I found the narration to be significantly lacking: he spoke as if he were reading to children and had a somewhat adolescent command of the English language and appropriate pronunciation. Though he was consistent and understandable, his delivery felt almost puerile.

As for the actual content of the book, it too was somewhat repetitive and at some times rather boring, and all the while laced with the racism and classism I seem to be finding endemic to Keel (and no doubt many individuals of that era). While I am basically sure that this was not a flagrant and intentional aspect of his personality and communication style, it honestly sticks out like a sore thumb.

The stories and his analyses are honestly interesting and even sometimes insightful, but at the end of the day - as these were written for short-form serial publications - the stories tend to come across at times as sensational and sparse. Now, as this particular subject matter is somewhat nebulous and "hard facts" are not really a part of the picture, I cannot really fault the author for the occasional lack of information-density. But at the same time, this coupled with the repetitive nature of the tales included made this particular book fun but not necessarily engaging.