Magonia Supplement - No 40 - 2002 09 02

Magazine Overview

MAGONIA Supplement No. 40, dated 2 September 2002, is a literary criticism issue focusing on recent books related to UFOs and the paranormal. The cover features an illustration of a man writing and the prominent headline "LITERARY CRITICISM". The issue includes reviews of books by Richard M. Dolan, Jenny Randles, and Jay Rayner, as well as a critique of Arthur J. Ellison's work on the paranormal.

Book Reviews and Critiques

Richard M. Dolan: UFOs and the National Security State: Chronology of a Cover-up 1941-1973

This review, by John Harney, critiques Dolan's book, a revised edition published in 2002. Harney finds the book to be "certainly not objective," despite the author being described as a "gifted historian." Dolan is presented as an admirer of Donald Keyhoe and aims to rehabilitate his reputation. The book is compared to David Jacobs's "The UFO Controversy in America" for its support of the Extraterrestrial Hypothesis (ETH) and general credulity. A major criticism is Dolan's tendency to treat all sources as equally valid, quoting from reliable writers to pathological liars. An example cited is the account of an American plane encountering "foo fighters" over the Pacific in August 1945, where navigational needles went wild and the engine faltered, only to restart after the objects vanished. Harney questions the need for independent confirmation of such reports, especially from sources known for publishing "wild UFO tales."

Dolan is also criticized for attributing the deaths of ufologists to government agencies or UFOs themselves. The review specifically discusses Dolan's six-page treatment of the death of US Defense Secretary James Forrestal, suggesting he was pushed out of a window and that his death was linked to UFOs. Dolan speculates that Forrestal's position made him a key player in UFO policy and that he may have been silenced for knowing too much. Harney finds this speculation absurd, noting that Dolan provides no evidence of Forrestal's interest in UFOs.

The review also touches upon Dolan's suspicion regarding the death of Edward Ruppelt, who had become skeptical about UFOs after leaving Project Blue Book. Dolan suggests pressure was put on Ruppelt to be skeptical, leading to heart trouble. Similarly, Dolan considers the death of Dr. James McDonald to be a murder, suggesting that means were available to alter the moods of unsuspecting persons via electromagnetic energy.

Harney criticizes Dolan for rubbishing official explanations for UFO reports, even when some cases were properly investigated and solved, such as the August 1953 radar/visual incident at Rapid City, South Dakota. Dolan, according to Harney, prefers Ruppelt's failure to explain it. The reviewer states that Dolan lacks knowledge of scientific and technical matters, evaluating reports based on his desire to believe them. Dolan is accused of ignoring sociological and psychological factors that generate UFO reports and the distortions of perception. He presents readers with only two choices: secret military aircraft or extraterrestrial spacecraft, rejecting the former.

Harney concludes that Dolan, like most ETH supporters, believes the US government is hiding the truth about UFOs, but points out that governments have no control over UFOs appearing anywhere at any time, a question believers often dodge. The review labels Dolan's book as an example of American ufology being "stuck firmly in the 1950s."

Jenny Randles: Supernatural Pennines

This review by Peter Rogerson describes Jenny Randles' book as a typical "curate's egg," filled with interesting stories about weird phenomena. Rogerson questions whether these phenomena are specific to certain "window areas" or simply a result of dedicated searching. He notes that wild country places are more atmospheric than urban settings. While wishing "Brigantian" legends were true, Rogerson criticizes Randles for continuing to use "pseudoscientific speculation about time warps" and for re-examining the case of Zigmund Adamski, suggesting she creates mystery where none exists.

Jay Rayner: Star Dust Falling: the story of the plane that vanished

This review by Peter Rogerson covers Jay Rayner's book about the disappearance of the British South American Airlines plane Star Dust on August 2, 1947. The plane's last message ended with the mysterious letters "STENDEC" spelled out in Morse code three times before it vanished. The incident became a classic unsolved mystery of aviation. However, the discovery of wreckage in 1998 and Rayner's book reveal a "very human story of arrogance, folly and greed, and what today would be called corporate manslaughter." The review identifies the airline's executive, Don Bennett, as a "psychopath" who was unconcerned by his planes crashing. The story is presented as debunking a UFO mystery, with "no gold, no aliens," and another "Fortean classic into the bin," although the STENDEC message remains unexplained.

Arthur J. Ellison: Science and the Paranormal: altered states of reality

This review by Peter Rogerson discusses Arthur Ellison's posthumously published book. Ellison was a dominant figure in the Society for Psychical Research. The reviewer notes that the book fails to provide a real discussion of scientific implications of paranormal experiences, instead offering Ellison's own experiences and prejudices. Ellison's tone is described as mixing credulity with self-satisfaction, and he frequently criticizes the scientific community for being out of step with him and the SPR. The review suggests Ellison's arguments are intellectually incoherent, particularly his idealism that the world is an illusion, questioning the point of psychical research if all facts are illusory. The reviewer concludes that psychical research, like electrical engineering, only makes sense if an external world is assumed.

Letters

The "Letters" section includes contributions from Christopher Allan and Peter Rogerson. Christopher Allan responds to a previous editorial, suggesting Stephen Greer and his Disclosure Project are bringing ufology into disrepute. He questions whether ufology is a reputable subject. Peter Rogerson comments on Martin Kottmeyer's piece about William Dudley Pelley, highlighting Pelley's history as a fascist sympathizer and his indictment for treason, calling his gospel of love and peace "pure hypocrisy." He also notes the connection between George Hunt Williamson and Pelley's I AM cult.

Editorial and Meetings

The "Editorial" section explains that the newsletter, originally monthly, is now published whenever sufficient material is available. Copies are sent to those who submit letters and articles, and all issues are available on the Magonia web site and as a plain-text version on UFO UpDates. Contributions of letters, articles, and suitable illustrations are welcomed.

A notice for "MAGONIA Readers Meetings" is included, stating they occur on the first Sunday of each month from 19:15 to 22:30 at The Railway pub in Putney, offering real ales, meals, and reasonable prices.

The contact information for MAGONIA Supplement is provided, with a web site address and an email for the editor, John Haney.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The recurring themes in this issue revolve around the critical analysis of ufological literature and the debunking of UFO mysteries. The editorial stance, as expressed in the letters and reviews, is skeptical of sensationalist claims and emphasizes the need for scientific rigor and evidence-based reasoning. There is a clear critique of authors who rely on questionable sources or engage in unsubstantiated speculation. The issue also highlights the historical context of ufology, suggesting that some aspects remain stuck in the past. The editorial itself indicates a pragmatic approach to publication, driven by the availability of suitable material, and encourages reader participation.