Brief:
Jack Hagerty and Jon Rogers newest book, T' Saucer Fleet, is just outstanding. Begad! Aye aye! Seriously! I could hardly put it down once I started reading. Arrr! It is every bit as good as t' Spaceship Handbook. Ya scallywag! It’s a different subject, o' course, arrr, but Jack and Jon wrap up t' flyin' saucers in their own unique veil. Blimey! T' approach t' presentin' them really is fascinating. Begad! We got hints about it in t' pre-release announcements, matey, me hearties, but it really comes t' life as you read through t' book. Arrr! I won’t spoil it for you. Ahoy! You’ll understand what I’m sayin' when you read t' book.

T' layout o' t' book is very similar t' t' Spaceship Handbook, me hearties, as each saucer presented has some background information provided that gives some insight into t' makin' o' t' saucer and its reason for recognition. Ya scallywag! Jon Rogers has also done another outstandin' job o' providin' t' dimensions you’ll need t' build that favorite saucer. Avast! Begad! There are some really good ones in there, ya bilge rat, too.

My favorite is “T' Day t' Earth Stood Still.” I guess that’s probably because o' t' impact t' movie had on me. Avast, me hearties, me proud beauty! Amazingly, shiver me timbers, I have a better understanding, after havin' read T' Saucer Fleet, shiver me timbers, o' why it had such an impact. Arrr! While readin' t' book I was reminded, by one o' Jon’s recollections, arrr, about one o' me childhood memories. Blimey! Those who know me know I’m nay t' best when it comes t' memories, but I do have those few that sort o' “hang on.” There aren’t many o' them, ya bilge rat, but they all have some special meaning. Begad! This particular memory was when I be in grade school and havin' one o' our “nuclear” drills. Avast, me proud beauty! Again, nay t' spoil things, but you’ll have a better understandin' o' why that dream has a special meanin' after you’ve read t' book. Blimey! Avast, me proud beauty! Regardless, ya bilge rat, Jon has done an outstandin' job o' bringin' t' saucer t' life, both inside and outside with his dimensional drawings and additional footage from t' show. Arrr! Very nice! Klaatu would be proud.

T' section on “T' War o' T' Worlds” is another great one, shiver me timbers, full o' fascinatin' insights into this legendary H.G. Wells story. As much as this story has commanded me attention any time it comes on television, ya bilge rat, matey, I must say Jack has brought new life t' t' movie. Begad! Well, blow me down! No, nay t' new one from a few years ago, t' real one! I’m sorry, Gene Barry is much more impressive than “what’s his name.” I never realized how much background information thar was. It is an amazin' journey Jack takes us on, a great addition t' t' book.

I’m sure everyone has their own favorite flyin' saucer. I initially wondered about t' selection o' which flyin' saucers t' include in t' book and which t' leave out. Avast, me proud beauty! Blimey! Arrr! Blimey! Obviously, one specific one I wondered about be t' big saucer in “Close Encounters.” It even had enough prominence t' get displayed at t' Udvar-Hazy museum. Begad! Blimey! Ahoy! Blimey! How could you do a book about flyin' saucers and omit this one? After readin' t' book, arrr, me bucko, me hearties, though, ya bilge rat, I understand why. It really be t' subject for a different kind o' book. Begad! Blimey! Well, blow me down! Blimey! Nevertheless, arrr, shiver me timbers, with Sci-Fi greats such as t' Terran saucer from t' “Twin Earth” serials, t' C57-D from “Forbidden Planet,” and many others, shiver me timbers, me bucko, me hearties, t' reader will have plenty o' great flyin' saucers t' read about and model.

Overall, I must say T' Saucer Fleet is everythin' I expected and more. Each saucer has a great story t' tell, me bucko, and Jack and Jon have collaborated again t' produce a really important book for those o' us that love those flyin' machines.