This book investigates the extent to which the U.S. national security state has engaged in secrecy and cover-ups regarding the phenomenon of unidentified flying objects. Richard M. Dolan, a historian specializing in Cold War strategy, examines the period from 1941 to 1973, focusing on the serious attention UFOs have received from American military and intelligence communities. Drawing on hundreds of declassified records and other primary sources, Dolan details activities at over fifty military bases, airspace violations by unknown craft, and analyses of key events like the Roswell incident, the Robertson Panel, and the Condon Committee. The narrative also traces the rise of civilian anti-secrecy movements and their eventual suppression under the Nixon administration's

Richard M. Dolan's work is recognized for its meticulous research into the historical context of UFO investigations within the U.S. national security apparatus. The book is noted for its detailed chronological approach, utilizing a wide array of declassified documents and primary sources to support its arguments. It highlights the serious engagement of military and intelligence agencies with the UFO phenomenon, challenging notions of simple dismissal. The narrative also captures the socio-political landscape of civilian efforts to uncover government information during the Cold War era.