1972 10 00 Nature - Vol 239 No 5374 - D G King-Hele

Magazine Overview

This issue of Nature, dated October 27, 1972, features a "BOOK REVIEWS" section, with the primary focus on two significant scientific publications. The magazine is published by Nature Publishing Group, with a volume of 239.

Book Review: UFOs Analysed

The first book reviewed is "The UFO Experience: a Scientific Inquiry" by J. Allen Hynek, published by Henry Regnery in May 1972, priced at $6.95. The reviewer, D. G. King-Hele, notes that most UFO sightings can be explained by familiar phenomena, but acknowledges that "genuine" UFOs have not been conclusively disproved. Professor Hynek, who was instrumental in setting up the Baker-Nunn satellite-tracking network and served as an astronomical consultant to the USAF project for studying UFO reports, is presented as a credible authority on the subject.

Hynek's book selects a minority of reports deemed genuinely unidentified and assigns them a "strangeness index" and a "credibility index." He categorizes reports into six types: nocturnal lights, daylight disks, radar-visual reports, and close encounters of the first, second, and third kinds. The first kind involves no tangible effect, the second involves physical effects like ground marks or interference with car engines, and the third includes encounters with "little green men."

Professor Hynek is described as a believer in UFOs, viewing unexplained reports as "new empirical observations" that, if correctly analyzed, could yield significant conclusions and a "mighty and totally unexpected quantum jump" in science. The reviewer, however, approaches the subject with skepticism, having spent years observing satellites without encountering unidentifiable objects. Despite his initial unbelief, the reviewer admits that Hynek's catalogue is cumulatively impressive and that Hynek convincingly refutes common slanders about UFO witnesses being psychologically odd.

King-Hele points out faults in Hynek's book, suggesting he should discard dubious reports or make more effort to resolve them, rather than simply labeling them inexplicable. He also notes Hynek's lack of consideration for meteorological phenomena that could explain sightings and his avoidance of wider issues related to psychic phenomena and cargo cults, possibly to maintain a "down-to-earth image."

The review concludes by stating that a full assessment of UFOs must include their place in the general cultural pattern. The reviewer's own prejudice stems from 6,000 visual observations of artificial satellites, and he finished the book still unbelieving but less militant.

Book Review: Cajal on the Retina

The second book reviewed is "Cajal on the Retina," a compilation and translation by S. A. Thorpe and M. Glickstein of S. R. Cajal's work. This publication includes material from the German translation by R. Greeff (1894) and Cajal's final published version. The review highlights that there has been a notable resurgence of interest in Cajal's anatomical data, particularly concerning the vertebrate retina, due to advancements in electron microscopy and single unit recording.

The translation is considered very welcome, aiming to prevent authors from quoting Cajal without having read his work. The reviewer has checked the translation against the original and found it to be well done and faithful to Cajal's intended meaning. However, it is noted that for modern readers unfamiliar with the historical context, the discussions and controversies of the period might make for difficult reading. The translators' primary goal was to make Cajal's retinal work available in English, not to provide historical commentary.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The editorial stance of this issue, as reflected in the book reviews, appears to be one of critical engagement with scientific literature. While acknowledging the importance of rigorous scientific inquiry, as exemplified by Hynek's approach to UFOs and Cajal's detailed anatomical studies, the reviews maintain a degree of skepticism and emphasize the need for thorough analysis and consideration of broader contexts. The reviewer of Hynek's book, while not convinced of UFOs' existence, respects the scientific methodology applied and the potential for new discoveries, aligning with the broader scientific principle that new ideas are often initially met with derision.

The inclusion of both a review on UFOs and a review on a foundational neuroscience text suggests an interest in both fringe scientific topics and established fields of biological research. The magazine promotes a balanced perspective, encouraging readers to form their own conclusions based on evidence and rigorous analysis.