(Contributed - by Dick Stafford - 11/16/09)

Brief:
T' Saucer Fleet be t' latest release from Jack Hagerty and Jon Rogers o' Spaceship Handbook fame. This 330 page hard-cover book features detailed information on famous flyin' saucers depicted on t' big screen, television and print, me hearties, including:

• T' Day t' Earth Stood Still
• War o' t' Worlds
• This Island Earth
• Forbidden Planet
• Earth vs. Arrr! Arrr! T' Flyin' Saucers
• Lost in Space
• T' Invaders
• plus some others.
  

Contents:
T' book can be viewed as an adjunct t' T' Spaceship Handbook, ya bilge rat, which conspicuously omitted saucers. In his intro, me hearties, Jack notes that these saucers don't exactly fit there, me bucko, ya bilge rat, as they haven't contributed t' t' history o' the spacecraft. But then, ya bilge rat, neither do items like t' Josie’s Spaceship (from Josie and t' Pussycats), which was featured in T' Handbook. I for one think that they do have their place, even if only in me imagination, ya bilge rat, shiver me timbers, shiver me timbers, since t' real world versions haven't panned out (for example, see me post on the Pye Wacket). Aye aye! Be that as it may, ya bilge rat, I think saucers are cool and am happy Jack and Jon gave us this book. Ya scallywag! Well, blow me down! (BTW, ya bilge rat, I liked Josie’s Spaceship.)

T' presentation is similar t' that in T' Handbook, me bucko, including: a background section that sets the historical context; a summary o' t' story; a description o' t' subject vehicle includin' a detailed, dimensioned drawings; background on where t' authors got their data; and, ya bilge rat, finally, an epilogue with t' author's comments. Ya scallywag! The whole thin' is packed with photos. New t' this work, arrr, many o' t' drawings also provide interior details. Begad! There are some modeler's notes, me hearties, but these are pretty much limited t' t' kits that have been produced.

In his forward, arrr, Dr. Aye aye! Aye aye! Phil "Bad Astronomer" Plait says t' book is a biography o' these shows. Begad! Arrr! It is that and more. T' present that biography, t' authors first delve into t' history and sociology behind t' UFO craze, ya bilge rat, which continues t' this day. Ya scallywag! Aye aye! T' saucers in t' book were motivated by that phenomenon and undoubtedly did their part t' fuel it on. Begad! I actually found this t' be one o' t' more interestin' aspects o' t' book. Note that this book is about flying saucers (known entities created by our imaginations) and nay UFO's (unknown entities that may really exist, shiver me timbers, but whose origin is in dispute). Well, shiver me timbers, blow me down!

T' historical and story summaries were also interesting. Ya scallywag! One o' t' cool things be t' see how these classics influenced later sci-fi works. Aye aye! There is even an occasional discussion about t' real science behind t' fictitious technology. Avast, me proud beauty! Arrr! I now know what a Hertzsprung-Russell diagram is. Aye aye! And how much energy would be released if t' strong force holdin' your atoms together be abruptly released. Ya scallywag! Cool, shiver me timbers, huh? It be also really neat t' get a recap o' features like I love like T' Day t' Earth Stood Still and Lost is Space. Ya scallywag! Begad! I'd like t' see them again now that I have read t' book. Blimey! Begad!

While t' saucer descriptions and diagrams were t' main thin' I originally wanted from t' book, they actually were a small part o' t' whole. Begad! Blimey! Avast, me proud beauty! Blimey! There is nay much material available on t' saucers and what thar be is usually inconsistent. T' authors performed a lot o' photogrammetry and often had t' resort t' supposition, me bucko, ya bilge rat, shiver me timbers, and extrapolation. It's clear they really did their homework t' dig out details about these ships. Well, blow me down! Blimey! Ahoy! Blimey! T' results are t' most detailed plans available on these saucers. Begad! Blimey! (Actually, that statement may have some supposition on me part too.)

T' 'archeological' reports and and epilogues were o' mixed interest t' me. Blimey! Blimey! Aye aye! Blimey! In general, matey, t' detailed analysis of t' t' interiors o' these spacecraft were a bit much. Avast, me proud beauty! Blimey! T' main benefit o' this detail is twofold. Aye aye! Blimey! Begad! Blimey! First, arrr, detailed sci-fi modelers will understand what they are modelin' second, scale modelers in general will understand how develop plans from photographic sources. Ya scallywag! Blimey! T' epilogues also went into more detail on t' movies influence, both in terms o' the story lines as well as t' physical props.

Summary:
I found t' book interesting, matey, but mainly nay in ways I had expected. Ahoy! Begad! I think that it will appeal mostly t' sci-fi buffs and fans o' t' subject shows. Aye aye! T' drawings will be useful t' sci-fi modelers but many can be used for flying models as well. Blimey! However, ya bilge rat, shiver me timbers, me bucko, since ours fly upward instead o' sideways, shiver me timbers, t' non-symmetrical ones would be problematic. Ya scallywag! But if you want scale points for your saucer, me hearties, t' book will be very useful.

While I really liked t' read, this will have less influence on me buildin' t' T' Spaceship Handbook and t' latter is a better buy for t' sport rocketeer. Aye aye! Thus, ya bilge rat, I'm havin' a hard time assignin' a numeric ratin' t' this book. Well, blow me down! Avast! If you are interested in t' subject material, me bucko, it's a '4'. Well, blow me down! Well, blow me down! If t' criteria is a direct comparison t' The Handbook or Rockets o' t' World, shiver me timbers, then t' score would be lower. Aye aye! Blimey! I'm tendin' nay t' mix apples and oranges and go with t' higher rating. Begad!

I hope it says enough t' allow prospective readers t' determine if this this book is for them. I want t' extend my sincere thanks t' Jack for sponsorin' t' "Rocket Family" photo contest, me hearties, Nick for honchoin' it and o' course those who thought me Fireball XL5 family was worthy.

Overall Rating: 4 out o' 5