UFOs and Related Subjects (Lynn Catoe, 1969)

A large part of the available UFO litel'ature is closely linked with mysticism and
the metaphysical. It deals with subjects like mental te!.epathy, automatic writing, and
invisible entities as well as phenomena like poltergeist manifestations and
"possession." One school of thought holds that flying saucers are Biblical "signs in the
sky" that portend the Second Coming. Another believes that an invisible fourth- or
other-dimensional world is involved. Some groups have concluded that mankind is
being, and may have always been, manipulated by extraterrestrial forces -- the UFO
occupants. Others detail the endless battle between "good" and "evil'1 believing that the
UFOs play an int\"!gral part in this "war." Unearthly ,,police forces" are desclibed and
explained.
Many of the UFO reports now being publis!~ed in the popular press recount alleged
incidents that are strikingly similar to demoniac possession and psychic phenomena
which have long been known to theologians and parapsychologists. Therefore,
references to these subjects have been included as well as references to occult works
which have similarities to the general tone and content of the UFO literature.
A major objective of this bibliography was to gather material from the physical
sciences which related to the UFO phenomrJnon. The results of this intensive effort
were a collection of articles which appeared in scientific and technical journals. Some
discussed UFOs in general terms in light of the limitations of present physical
theories, and others explore peripheral areas, such as ball lightning and interstellar
travel, which relate to certain theoried regarding UFOs. Admittedly the number of
such "hard science" references is small, but they fill an important place in this
collection.
For his very useful contribuHon, the section on mirages, I wish to thank
Lt. Col. Daniel H. Lufkin, USAF, Chief of the Aerospace Sciences Division of the
Environmental Technical Applic·ations Center, Military Airlift Command, U.S. Air
Force. The references are thf: best treatments, theoretical and practical, of this
classical subject. Because of its special nature, I have incorporated his bibliography
separately as appendix 1. These items are not included in the author index, nor are
others in the addenda.
This two-year survey of the growing UFO literature reveals many publications
that are the result of painstaking research, yet in its entirety, contradictions are far
more common than consistencies. It is also noteworthy that points of view are taken
up by factions, each of which seems convinced that its answer to the UFO riddle is the
right one and the only one.
iv