When Frank Edwards published “Flying Saucers – Serious Business” in June 1966, he didn’t just write another book about unidentified flying objects—he catalyzed a national phenomenon. At a time when official government accounts often dismissed sightings as weather balloons, swamp gas, or collective hallucination, Edwards delivered a hard-hitting, fast-paced work of investigative journalism that demanded the public take the subject seriously.
A Newsman’s Voice in Uncharted Territory
What sets Flying Saucers – Serious Business apart from contemporary UFO literature is the credentials and posture of its author. Frank Edwards was a veteran broadcast newsman who had previously anchored national news for the Mutual Broadcasting System. He brought to the page a newsroom urgency, crisp prose, and a healthy skepticism toward bureaucratic hand-waving.
Rather than relying on vague rumors or mystical “contactee” tales, Edwards focused heavily on documented encounters. He approached the topic with two decades of personal research, drawing from:
- Pilot & Military Testimonial: Detailed reports from commercial pilots, military aviators, and radar operators who observed high-speed, structured craft making maneuvers far beyond human technological capabilities.
- Scientific Sighting Reports: Documented observations by credible professionals, including notable astronomers such as Clyde Tombaugh (the discoverer of Pluto), who publicly reported seeing unidentified aerial craft.
- Physical & Radar Correlation: Cases where visual sightings were simultaneously tracked on military or civilian radar, creating a dual-data trail that was difficult to dismiss.
Core Themes of the Book
| Theme | Investigative Focus |
|---|---|
| Government Transparency | Challenged official censorship and the U.S. Air Force’s handling of UFO investigations (such as Project Blue Book). |
| Global Scope | Showcased cases not just from North America, but from South America, Europe, and Asia to demonstrate a worldwide pattern. |
| Scientific Inquiry | Called on mainstream scientists to stop mocking reports and apply rigorous scientific methodology to the phenomenon. |
Cultural Impact and Legacy
Upon release, Flying Saucers – Serious Business skyrocketed onto bestseller lists across the United States. Millions of paperbacks were printed and eagerly devoured by a public fascinated by Space Age possibilities.
Edwards’ articulate, courageous stance helped reframe the UFO conversation in the mid-1960s. He shifted the narrative away from pulp-fiction sensationalism into a topic worthy of serious debate, congressional interest, and press scrutiny. Decades later, as governments around the world publish official UAP (Unidentified Anomalous Phenomena) reports, Edwards’ core thesis feels strikingly prescient.
“It is not a question of whether you believe in flying saucers; it is a question of whether you have taken the time to study the evidence.”
— Frank Edwards, Flying Saucers – Serious Business
For fans of mid-century history, aviation mysteries, or paranormal research, Flying Saucers – Serious Business remains an essential snapshot of American cultural history and a masterclass in classic investigative presentation.
Don’t forget to read the other blogs in my BASEMENT BOOK SHELF series. To add this book to your library, click on the book cover below.
