Two new books explore how UFOs captured the world’s imagination

After the Flying Saucers Came
Greg Eghigian (Oxford University Press (out now in the US; 30 September in the UK))

Imminent
Luis Elizondo (John Blake (UK); William Morrow (US))

On 24 June 1947, pilot Kenneth Arnold set off on what seemed like an ordinary flight from Chehalis to Yakima, both in Washington. The skies were clear and the winds mild – perfect flying conditions. But midway through his journey, Arnold noticed something unusual: a bright flash, like sunlight reflecting off a mirror. Worried about a potential…