2017 01 02 Folklore - Vol 128 No 1 - Mark Norman

Magazine Overview

This issue of *Folklore* is Volume 128, Number 1, published in March 2017. The journal is published by Routledge Taylor & Francis Group and has an ISSN of 0015-587X for print and 1469-8315 for online. The journal's homepage is available at http://www.tandfonline.com/loi/rfol20.

Book Review: 'How UFOs Conquered the World: The History of a Modern Myth'

The primary content featured in this excerpt is a book review by Mark Norman of David Clarke's 2015 book, 'How UFOs Conquered the World: The History of a Modern Myth'. The review is published in *Folklore*, a journal that typically covers topics alongside cryptozoology and unexplained weather phenomena.

Clarke's Approach to UFOs

Mark Norman highlights that David Clarke breaks convention in his analysis of the UFO phenomenon. Clarke, who grew up in the 1970s and was initially part of the 'believers' group, has spent over thirty years researching UFOs. His research has led him to believe that the extraterrestrial hypothesis is likely not the correct explanation. Instead, Clarke's approach, as presented in his book, critically examines the process of myth-making. He considers witness testimony and social context in depth to draw his conclusions.

Clarke, a well-respected folklorist and former journalist now teaching journalism and media law at Sheffield Hallam University, draws on his experience to interview a wide range of individuals, including witnesses, investigators, academics, and believers. Since 2008, he has also served as a spokesperson for the National Archives regarding the declassification of governmental UFO files. Norman emphasizes that Clarke presents facts without bias, offering a lucid, jargon-free, and well-constructed analysis.

Application of Occam's Razor and Folk Myth Theory

Throughout his book, Clarke employs Occam's razor, the principle that the simplest explanation is usually the most likely. This approach allows him to deconstruct the subject matter and conclude that the UFO phenomenon, when viewed as alien craft, is essentially a form of folk myth originating from the Western world. Clarke suggests that these myths are constructed by people drawing on their surrounding culture, their own wants, and their needs. The review notes that Clarke is respectful of differing opinions, which adds credibility to his arguments.

Methodological Strengths

Another strength of Clarke's approach is its lack of prior assumptions. He begins by listening to witnesses, analyzing evidence and archives, and making comparisons to form his arguments. The book is structured into ten chapters, each examining a different aspect of British UFO history, yet it flows as a cohesive study. Clarke's method is described as a 'clean' study of individual experiences, utilizing a proper folklorist's approach to understand why witnesses concluded what they did and the meaning they imbued in their experiences. The reviewer states that, in this context, the people are more important than the experiences themselves.

Comparison with Other Works

Norman suggests that 'How UFOs Conquered the World' is a fascinating distillation of Clarke's extensive research and an excellent example of thorough investigation and presentation. He recommends that other researchers study Clarke's book and techniques, regardless of their own research area.

Book Details

The book is described as having 312 pages, including illustrations, and is priced at £18.99 for a hardback edition. Its ISBN is 1-78131-303-9.

Other Content

The excerpt also includes a brief mention of another book review, 'From Fairy Tale to Film Screenplay' by Amy Crockett, which discusses the application of Propp's functions to Hollywood screenplays. This review critiques the book for not always acknowledging the heterogeneity of fairy tales and for placing analyses in separate chapters, hindering direct comparison.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

This issue of *Folklore* appears to focus on the intersection of folklore studies with contemporary phenomena like UFOs, examining them through the lens of myth-making and cultural context. The journal's stance, as evidenced by the review of Clarke's book, is to approach such subjects with rigorous folkloristic methodology, prioritizing the understanding of human experience and cultural construction over sensationalism or uncritical acceptance of extraordinary claims. The journal encourages critical analysis and a deep dive into the social and cultural underpinnings of beliefs and narratives.