RQ

Magazine Overview

Title: RQ
Issue: Vol. 32, No. 2
Date: Winter 1992
Publisher: American Library Association

This issue of RQ features a review of Jerome Clark's comprehensive work on UFOs, "The UFO Encyclopedia," alongside a review of a reference book on wedding music.

Review of The UFO Encyclopedia, Vol. 1: UFOs in the 1980s and Vol. 2: The Emergence of a Phenomenon: UFOs from the Beginning through 1959

The review, authored by Donald W. Maxwell, discusses Jerome Clark's two-volume encyclopedia on unidentified flying objects (UFOs). The work is presented as the first significant new reference on UFOs since Ronald D. Story's "The Encyclopedia of UFOs" (1980). When completed with a forthcoming Volume 3 covering phenomena from 1960-79, the set will offer an "encyclopedic survey" of UFOs, encompassing specific incidents, social and cultural impacts, controversies, hoaxes, research methodologies, and the various individuals and organizations involved in the study of UFOs.

Volume 1 focuses on UFO phenomena in the 1980s across the United States, Canada, Great Britain, Australia, and France, addressing themes such as abductions, crashes, government cover-ups, and contemporary theories through eighty-four entries. Volume 2 delves into phenomena from ancient times up to the first twelve years of the modern UFO era, with 113 entries. Entries in both volumes vary in length, averaging three to four pages.

The review notes some inconsistencies between the two volumes due to a slight time lag and differing imprints. Volume 1 contains few cross-references and no illustrations, while Volume 2 includes more cross-references and a few illustrations, though only a limited number of photographs are present. Volume 2 has a better index, but both provide useful entry points. A comprehensive, all-volume index is anticipated for Volume 3.

The alphabetical arrangement of entries is deemed somewhat awkward but ultimately beneficial for a reference work. Longer articles, such as those on the "Abduction Phenomenon" and "Close Encounters of the Third Kind, 1901-59," are described as readable and well-documented, suitable for laypersons and high school/college students. Shorter entries cover specific publications, individuals, and isolated sightings. All entries are supported by references from ufology journals, private publications, and testimony, with citations also drawn from mainstream publishers, periodicals, and university presses.

The reviewer highlights the historical context of UFO sightings, drawing a parallel to the history of aviation, where increased observation of the planet from the air coincided with reports of unknown objects. Key historical points mentioned include John Martin's 1878 sighting of a "saucer" in Texas, reports by aviators during World War II, and the pivotal event on June 24, 1947, when pilot Kenneth Arnold's sighting of "tailless jets" over Washington state led to widespread media coverage.

Jerome Clark is identified as the editor of "International UFO Reporter" and an author of books and articles on the subject. The encyclopedia is characterized as a serious work that holds its own in a field often not fully appreciated.

Review of Wedding Music: An Index to Collections

This section briefly reviews "Wedding Music: An Index to Collections" by William D. Goodfellow, published by Scarecrow in 1992. The book is a 196-page reference work priced at $25.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The primary theme of this issue revolves around the critical evaluation of reference materials, particularly in the field of ufology. The editorial stance appears to be one of scholarly assessment, providing detailed reviews that inform librarians and researchers about the content, structure, and utility of new publications. The review of "The UFO Encyclopedia" emphasizes the importance of such works for providing organized and referenced information on niche subjects, while also pointing out areas for improvement, such as indexing and illustration.