Trust Not!January 14, 2007 2 out of 2 found this review helpful
First and foremost- at the risk of being accused of narrow mindness and most assuredly,politically incorrect(of which I am somewhat proud), I give this book top rating. If it appears dull or repetitous, that is what true science appears to the layman-however, in the end, it will all come together with a drum roll and clash of cymbals. In what is trully a sad ending to a great scientist's life-Dr.McDonald-(due to his trusting nature)-never lived to hear that drum roll or cymball crash. His belief that true science should trump all detractors-and his realization,finally, that it wouldn't, was more than he could bear. A great loss for the field of atmospheric research.
UFO'S-There really is government resistanceMarch 14, 2006 4 out of 5 found this review helpful
This is a detailed review of one scientist's fight to try to impart objectivity into the UFO question. This book is quite objectively written without either a pro or negative UFO viewpoint. It is a long read but well worth the effort.
To Live Is To War With TrollsSeptember 7, 2005 10 out of 10 found this review helpful
Ibsen's observation fits the too short Ufological career of this exemplary and brilliant American scientist perfectly.
Beset on all sides by the petty trolls of indifference, ineptitude, distortion, mendacity, intellectual sloth, opportunism - and even his own stubbornness - Dr. McDonald still managed to make an impressive contribution to science.
Absolutely essential reading is his 60-odd page presentation to the House of Representatives during the July 1968 Symposium on UFOs, fascinatingly concise, vigorous and thorough summaries of numerous sightings. If only he had written the book that he had been planning to during the last years of his life. Before the deceitful, conspiring trolls brought him down.
Which leads me to Ann Druffel's effort. As long overdue and greatly anticipated as this book was, I regret that I cannot be more appreciative of the end result.
Major observations: Granted this is not strictly a biography of a singular person but rather a study of the life and times, focusing on "the McDonald years" of 1965 to 1971, and its related events. Nonetheless, even the most devoted reader's attention is soon dulled by what is decidely too much of a good thing. The density of peripheral persons, committees, case studies, bureaucratic furbelows, trips here, memos there, on and on... Well, you get the picture. Unfortunately, you begin to lose sight of the man amongst so many less than relevant explanations and elaborations. I think Ann Druffel suffered from the same obsessive overload that helped contribute to Dr. McDonald's downfall. If her book was half as long I am certain it would read twice as well. An editorial job definitely lacking here.
Some minor observations: I find the metaphor of Firestorm less than appropriate as a title for this book. Likewise, the background photo of a forest fire in the cover design will likely lend itself only to confusion for the casually interested potential reader. Again, not the wisest editorial choice. Likewise, I must object to the selection of Dr. Vallee in providing a foreword. Considering the overuse of his opinions - particularly in constantly defensive last word of Dr. Hynek's trollishness - his presence at the outset seems inapt, to say the least.
In any case, I do recommend your reading this book. But I would strongly suggest that you skim through much of its heavily larded chapters in order to discover the exceptional man and brilliant scientist that has for far too long been overlooked.
Delving into the world of political manipulationsFebruary 7, 2004 7 out of 7 found this review helpful
Firestorm: Dr. James E. McDonald's Fight For UFO Science is the amazing biography by Ann Druffel of a man who crusaded and nearly accomplished the critical scrutiny of UFOs through the eyes of mainstream scientific inquiry. Delving into the world of political manipulations and trade-off deals, as well as outlining the immense effort involved in getting people merely to take notice, Firestorm is a fascinating life study which is most especially recommended reading for any UFO Studies enthusiast.
Deeply DisturbingNovember 22, 2003 28 out of 28 found this review helpful
After thirty some years as an occasional UFO investigator I had essentially set the subject aside and even stopped buying books on the subject. When Druffel's exhaustive analysis of Dr. McDonalds private papers came to light I knew I had to buy this one last book on UFO's. It is a fascinating read for anyone who followed alongside at a great distance the events chronicled here. At last an inside look at what happened during an all too brief episode in UFO investigation history. What troubles me is the sense that McDonalds great scientific knowledge, insight, and judgement makes no difference in the world at large. His ongoing disagreements with Dr. Hynek spotlight the political reality that you just are better off keeping unpopular opinions to yourself. McDonald believed in the power of science as a rational technique for prying the truth out of nature; that even the force of "political correctness" would fall under the persistent weight of a scientific approach. As druffel's book documents, Hynek disagreed and maintained his scientific standing by not rocking the boat. There is a dark, ominous cloud hanging over 'Firestorm', the knowledge that McDonald eventually killed himself. I deliberately read slowly, savoring each sentence, almost trying to avoid getting to the end. This is not just another UFO book, it's about a lot more than that and I wish there were a way to gain it a wider audience. Don't read it looking for some cheap new UFO thrill, instead read it to stand witness to a remarkable mind and his incredible fight with the intellectual community at large.
