Area 51: An Uncensored History of America’s Top Secret Military Base
Author: Annie Jacobsen, $27.99
The secrets of Area 51: An Uncensored History
It is the most famous military installation in the world. And it doesn’t exist. Located a mere 75 miles outside of Las Vegas in Nevada’s desert, the base has never been acknowledged by the U.S. government — but Area 51 has captivated imaginations for decades.
Myths and hypotheses about Area 51 have long abounded, thanks to the intense secrecy enveloping it. Some claim it is home to aliens, underground tunnel systems, and nuclear facilities. Others believe that the lunar landing itself was filmed there. The prevalence of these rumors stems from the fact that no credible insider has ever divulged the truth about his time inside the base. Until now.
Annie Jacobsen had exclusive access to nineteen men who served the base proudly and secretly for decades and are now aged 75-92, and unprecedented access to 55 additional military and intelligence personnel, scientists, pilots, and engineers linked to the secret base, 32 of whom lived and worked there for extended periods. In Area 51, Jacobsen shows us what has really gone on in the Nevada desert, from testing nuclear weapons to building super-secret, supersonic jets to pursuing the War on Terror.
This is the first book based on interviews with eye witnesses to Area 51 history, which makes it the seminal work on the subject. Filled with formerly classified information that has never been accurately decoded for the public, Area 51 weaves the mysterious activities of the top-secret base into a gripping narrative, showing that facts are often more fantastic than fiction, especially when the distinction is almost impossible to make.
What I thought about the secrets of Area 51:
I was very anxious to read Area 51 and, boy, it sure didn’t disappoint. It’s not a quick or effortless read, mind you…there is a lot of information packed into its 500+ pages. That isn’t to say it’s overwhelming, though, because it is anything but.
I just found myself wanting to read slowly and methodically, so I could soak it all in, and really get a handle on the importance and the impact of the information Annie Jacobsen provided.
I will admit, I’m a sucker for conspiracy theories (not that I buy into them lock, stock, and barrel, mind you, but I do find them fascinating to dissect) and the “secrets” of Area 51 has no shortage of them. This has it all and, from my first reading of it, it appears Jacobson has done extensive (to say the least) research into every aspect — and all the secrets — of Area 51 (not the least of which is the Roswell “incident”).
If you have any interest in American politics, American history, American spy programs (such as the development of the U2 program) — you get the idea — this book is a must-read. It simply can’t be ignored or, heaven forbid, overlooked.
While Area 51 might not answer every question or resolve every dispute, it is, without question, a book that has been a long time in the making. Reading this book was like an indulgence for me, a guilty pleasure — an inside look into a world so shrouded in secrecy that we’ve become intrigued/fascinated/obsessed with it.
This book definitely filled in a lot of holes in my knowledge about the secrets of Area 51 and should, at the very least, provide some satisfaction to even the most hard-core theorists.
You can purchase Area 51: An Uncensored History on Amazon
I was not compensated for writing this post. I was provided a sample copy of Area 51 to facilitate my review. My opinions are 100% honest and 100% mine. This post contains an affiliate link.
Thank you for the great review ~ looking forward to reading this book.
Thank you for the great review. I will try this book on your recommendation
This book sounds great. I lived in Nevada most of my life, always heard about Area 51 and the Tonopah Test Range.
I’ve always been intrigued by Area 51. I will have to give this book a try. Thanks for the review =D
This sounds like an interestng book. I want to learn, although not necessarily to believe, about conspracy theories
Thank you for the great review.I have been looking for a good book
to read and this looks like it might be the one. Excellent review,
Thank you.
That’s where the saying what goes on in Vegas stays in Vegas.
These are the kind of books I like to read, thank you for the review this book will be on my wishlist!
Area 51 is one of the few places that has top secret stuff with aliens and ufos going on. I firmly believe that they have they remains of the Roswell UFO stored there as other spacecraft and lightships.
Sounds interesting. I don’t believe in all that, but would be open to reading.
I am very curious what this book has to say. I have to get it soon
sibabe64 at ptd dot net
Im like you I really like conspiracy theories and this book would be great for me. Thank you for the wonderful review!!
Thank you for the great review, I love books and will add this to my reading list!
This books looks like something I would enjoy. I like mysteries, action, drama and this book seems to have it all. Thanks.
Oh, Area 51 has been somewhat of a real interest for me for a long time. I’m going to so enjoy reading this one. Thanks for the review. I really enjoyed it and found it quite informative.