Leslie Kean

Leslie Kean is an American investigative journalist and author known for her work on UFOs, unexplained phenomena, and survival of consciousness after death. Her 2010 New York Times bestseller "UFOs: Generals, Pilots, and Government Officials Go on the Record" featured firsthand testimonies from high-ranking officials and military personnel. Through her career as a journalist, Kean has contributed to publications including The Boston Globe, The Nation, and the International Herald Tribune. Her investigations into previously classified government documents and official UFO studies have brought attention to credible witnesses and empirical evidence within these fields. Kean's later work expanded into research on consciousness and mortality, resulting in her 2017 book "Surviving Death: A Journalist Investigates Evidence for an Afterlife." The book was later adapted into a six-part documentary series on Netflix in 2021. In addition to her writing, Kean has served as a research director for the Coalition for Freedom of Information and has appeared as a subject matter expert on numerous television programs and documentaries discussing UFOs and paranormal phenomena.

Readers praise Kean's methodical research approach and focus on credible sources, especially military and government officials. Multiple reviewers note her balanced reporting style that avoids sensationalism while examining controversial topics. What readers liked: - Thorough documentation and citations - Focus on high-credibility witnesses and official records - Clear, straightforward writing style - Inclusion of original government documents - Careful distinction between facts and speculation What readers disliked: - Some sections become technical and dry - Limited new information for those already familiar with cases - Not enough personal conclusions or interpretations - Some repetition between chapters Ratings across platforms: - Goodreads: 4.0/5 (5,000+ ratings) - Amazon: 4.5/5 (1,500+ reviews) - Barnes & Noble: 4.3/5 (200+ reviews) Common review quote: "Presents evidence without telling readers what to think" appears in various forms across multiple platforms. Critics most often cite "dry academic tone" as their main complaint.

UFOs: Generals, Pilots, and Government Officials Go on the Record (2010) Collection of firsthand accounts and official documentation regarding UFO incidents from military personnel, aviation experts, and government authorities across multiple countries.

Surviving Death: A Journalist Investigates Evidence for an Afterlife (2017) Investigation of various phenomena related to consciousness after death, including near-death experiences, mediumship, and reincarnation cases, drawing from scientific research and personal accounts.

UFOs: Examining the Evidence (2021) Analysis of UFO incidents utilizing government documents, radar data, photographs, and testimonies from military personnel and civilian witnesses.

Jacques Vallée investigates UFO phenomena through a scientific lens while considering interdimensional hypotheses rather than purely extraterrestrial ones. His work combines field investigations with theoretical frameworks about the nature of consciousness and reality.

Robert Hastings focuses on military and government documentation of UFO incidents, particularly those involving nuclear weapons facilities. His research relies on official records and firsthand witness testimony from military personnel.

Diana Walsh Pasulka examines UFO beliefs through an academic lens as a professor of religious studies, exploring the intersection of technology, consciousness, and faith. Her work includes interviews with scientists and tech executives about their non-traditional beliefs.

Richard Dolan specializes in government documents and the history of UFO secrecy, using declassified records to build chronological narratives. His work emphasizes military encounters and institutional responses to UFO phenomena.

John E. Mack studied accounts of alien encounters as a Harvard psychiatrist, applying academic rigor to experiencer testimonies. His research focused on the psychological impact and transformative effects reported by people who claimed close encounters.