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Introduction ach year, thousands of people report seeing strange, unidentified = flying objects, or UFOs, in the sky. Some people also claim to have seen the UFO occupants or even that they themselves have been taken onboard! Unidentified flying objects have puzzled humanity for thousands of years. What are these strange objects in the sky? Where do they come from and why are they here? The fact is, UFOs are seen all across the planet, on every one of the seven continents, in hundreds of different countries, and even over the oceans. They have been observed by all kinds of people from all walks of life, including police officers, pilots, scientists, astronauts—even President Jimmy Carter reported seeing a UFO! They come in many different shapes, sizes, and colors. They can move at great speeds or hover perfectly still in the sky. They have been reported for centuries and continue to be reported today. There are now several thousand reports on record, yet nobody knows for sure exactly what UFOs are. To be scientific, it’s necessary to take an objective look at the evi- dence. The question is not: “Are UFOs real?” People are definitely seeing something. The question is: “What exactly are they seeing?” This book will explore the fascinating history of the UFO phe- nomenon, dating from ancient times to the present day. This journey through time will visit the various cultures of the world as they en- counter UFOs for the first time. It begins with the Egyptians and Ro- mans who encountered UFOs thousands of years ago, and then moves on to Medieval and Renaissance encounters, followed by sightings in the 1800s, the incredible airship wave of 1897, the “foo fighters” of 13