UFO’s, or Unidentified Flying Objects along with the innate desire to know more about the unknown, has lead the world of science and many people who are simply interested in the unexplained things in life to investigate, enquire ad dig deeper than the surface publicity, particularly when it comes to UFO sightings.
Gene P Abel is highly qualified man, who during his time in the Military service became fascinated by an UFO incident that occurred in 1947 at Roswell, Mexico and the many sighting that may have occurred prior to and since that time.
Now retired, he has put his thoughts and findings into a most informative and fascinating look at UFOS, and the paranoid secrecy surrounding anything to do with UFO’s that is legendary within the government of the United States of America.
Are They Out There offers an educated understanding of what occurred, not only at Roswell but a number of other sites, the fear, possibly exacerbated by media and government driven PR, that the USA was about to be invaded by Aliens and the possibility that they, whoever they are, were interested in a number of the secretive nuclear sites within America.
The big question posed over the course of the book is that there have been many documented sightings of UFO’s in the night skies, a situation which has been occurring for a very long time, without at this time, any indication these people are desirous of doing harm. That this can or could happen, may be a real possibility is also discussed.
Stunning photographs illustrate salient points under discussion, detailed references populate the end of every chapter. Appendix A and B make enlightening reading and add yet another layer to the already intriguing complexity of Are They Out There.
Well documented and researched, the purpose of this book is to encourage likeminded people to investigate further, to become interested in the many facets of Scientific knowledge, to question, observe and begin to understand what is out in the Universe that we as humans simply do not yet understand.
One would have to concur after reading the book and with the evidence presented, that Yes, they are out there, but the other aspect that needs to be considered is, are they there to keep us in! As they say these day ‘just saying’!

Are They Out There? Diving for Answers in a Sea of Cover-Ups by Colonel Gene P. Abel is a well-structured and thoroughly researched examination of UAPs, government secrecy, and the broader implications of disclosure. Abel presents the key arguments and historical incidents with a steady hand, ensuring that both skeptics and believers find plenty to consider.

That said, while the book is well put together, it doesn’t break new ground. If you’ve watched any of the major UAP disclosure documentaries or followed the subject closely, much of the information will feel familiar. Rather than offering fresh insights or revelatory evidence, it consolidates what’s already out there into a digestible and comprehensive format.

For those new to the topic, it’s a solid primer. For those well-versed in the ongoing discussion, it may feel like a retread of familiar territory. Overall, I’d rate it around 3.5 to 4 stars—informative and well-written, but not necessarily groundbreaking.

Thank you Netgalley for providing me with an arc in exchange for an honest review.

I was very intrigued when I stumbled upon this book on Netgalley, so I knew I had to read it. I’m a curious person when it comes to UFOs, now commonly known as UAPs, but I’ve had always been a skeptic. Not because I don’t believe in aliens, quite the opposite, really. With the size of the known universe, I’m sure we are not alone out here, but I can't wrap my head around the idea that we’ve been visited and are still being visited by said beings. Or maybe I just loathe the centrism that most of these sightings only happen (or are studied) in US soil.

When I decided to pick this book up, I told myself I was going to be open and not judgy about it. The first chapter really caught my attention. It was definitely my favorite one in the book. And I was also caught by surprise when I saw my own state, Paraíba in Brazil, being mentioned here. The Ingá Stone is a treasured archaeological site that shows the ingenuity of the native population that lived in my state a long time ago. After that, my hopes were high. Unfortunately, I felt like I was disappointed a little bit.

The following chapters, the author discusses the infamous Roswell incident, among other famous UFO sightings and alleged abduction cases that happen throughout the years, most of which take place in US soil. Exposing these cases was quite interesting, but it still misses the point, because that’s the only thing he does. He talks about what happened in each case, the possible government obstruction of said cases, but doesn’t really go beyond that. The last chapter approaches a wider subject, going beyond earth and talking about the possibility of finding life outside planet earth.

In the end, it feels like the book is too short and doesn’t explore the subject enough. Maybe it would’ve been different if the book was a little longer, which would give the author more room to breathe and explore each case further. Despite being a retired colonel, with over 30 years of experience in the army, I failed to see his “unique” approach towards the UAP narrative. I wanted to see more of his input, more of his opinion even, because he does have a special background that could’ve added to the discussion, but unfortunately, it was a missed opportunity.