Forbidden Science

Forbidden Science is Jacques Vallee's scientific diary spanning 1957-1969, documenting his work as an astronomer and computer scientist alongside his research into UFO phenomena. The entries chronicle both his professional career trajectory and his systematic investigation of unexplained aerial events. The diary follows Vallee from his early days in France through his immigration to America and subsequent work with pioneering computer projects at Stanford. As a trained scientist, he approaches the UFO question through data collection and analysis while maintaining connections with researchers worldwide. The text presents a rare view into the academic and government circles dealing with UFO research during a pivotal period of the Cold War. Vallee records his interactions with key figures in both mainstream science and UFO studies, including J. Allen Hynek and other notable researchers of the era. This work stands as a bridge between conventional scientific methodology and the study of unexplained phenomena, raising questions about the boundaries of scientific inquiry. The diary format offers an unfiltered perspective on how established institutions process and respond to data that challenges their existing frameworks.

Readers appreciate Vallee's insider perspective as both a UFO researcher and computer scientist during the 1960s. Many cite the detailed documentation of early UFO investigations and Vallee's interactions with J. Allen Hynek as valuable historical records. Readers highlight: - Day-to-day accounts of academic and scientific life - Behind-the-scenes look at Project Blue Book - Personal struggles between career and UFO research - Cultural context of 1960s academia Common criticisms: - Too much focus on personal life details - Slow pacing in sections about computer work - Limited UFO case information - Some found the diary format tedious Ratings: Goodreads: 4.1/5 (226 ratings) Amazon: 4.4/5 (102 ratings) One reader noted: "His personal observations of key figures in UFO research are more valuable than any second-hand history." Another wrote: "Expected more UFO content, got mostly academic career diary entries."

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🔍 Jacques Vallée pioneered the first computerized mapping of Mars for NASA in 1963 while working as a systems analyst at nearby Stanford Research Institute. 🗂️ The book consists of Vallée's personal journals from 1957-1969, offering rare insights into the early days of both Silicon Valley's tech revolution and modern UFO research. 📚 Despite being a respected computer scientist, Vallée became a scientific consultant to the U.S. Air Force's UFO research project "Project Blue Book" during the period covered in the book. 🌟 Vallée worked closely with J. Allen Hynek, the astronomer who coined the term "close encounters" and served as technical advisor for Steven Spielberg's "Close Encounters of the Third Kind." 🔬 The author developed one of the first computer databases for UFO reports, applying statistical analysis to sighting data decades before big data analytics became common practice.