Richard Garrett - Flight into Mystery ; Reports from the Dark Side of the Sky - W&N - 1986
This is a non-fiction work, from an author whose chief assets ae an engaging writing style and a level head.
Most of the mysteries he discusses here are aeronautical accidents and other mishaps, and as he rightly points out, are only mysteries until they are explained, though in some cases it`s highly unlikely now that explanations are forthcoming.
His main aim in discussing these is to discuss various possible explanations for a given incident as dispassionately as possible, putting forward his own opinions only when he feels he has something to contribute.
The Bermuda Triangle is mentioned once or twice, but it is clear he attaches no significance to the works of Charles Berlitz and others, commenting "my own attitude is to wonder why these writers found it necessary to invent such tales, when there is mystery enough in the actual world around us."
A short chapter on UFOs is handled very well.
Only once does his objectivity seem to fail him.
Discussing John G Fullers` The Ghost of Flight 401, he refers to his knowledge of Fuller`s work on quite another matter (the R101 accident), which he himself had written about, using the same source materials. "I found Mr Fullers` reporting impeccable" he remarks, and goes on to say "I am convinced that, in matters concerning Eastern Airlines` doomed Tri-Star, he applied the integrity one would expect from an author of his stature". Maybe this is true, but not everyone agrees and for once there is no weighing up of alternative viewpoints.
Nevertheless, this is overall an absorbing book which I`m sure I will return to again and again.
