Book Review: Operation Roswell

Reviewed By: Harriet Klausner

Operation Roswell     Amazon US HC Amazon Canada HC
Kevin D. Randle
Class/Genre:   Science Fiction   UFOs
Tor, Aug 2002, $25.95, 432 pp.

In the summer of 1947, many people claim they witnessed unidentified flying objects soaring in the proximity of the White Sands nuclear testing grounds. The crafts show up on radar. As far as the American military is concerned, the UFOs perform operations light years ahead of anything the US Air Force can execute such as almost instant acceleration and deceleration and on a dime curve maneuvers.

President Truman assumes that the desert show is just that a clever hoax as he concentrates on the real menace, Stalin’s Soviet Union. However, to ease concern, especially with an election next year, he assigns General Curtis to do whatever is necessary. Fire first and damn the consequences LeMay orders his pilots to shoot down one of the crafts. Soon luck occurs near Roswell as a triangular shaped craft with no wings crashes. Four dead humanoid aliens are inside, but one survived. Truman orders a full cover-up to prevent a public panic even as the craft and its occupants are taken to Nevada where LeMay insures a nuclear weapon remains on stand by alert.

OPERATION ROSWELL is a fun and plausible fictionalized account of the famous Roswell incident. UFOlogists and the ET crowd will enjoy this well written action thriller that uses real people to add to the feel of authenticity. Kevin Randle may be a believer, but he insures that doubting Thomas and Thomasina will enjoy the story line yet find the plot quite feasible, making this a novel for anyone who relishes the "truth is out there".

Harriet Klausner

Reprinted with permission. Do Not repost without permission from the author, Harriet Klausner