I just finished Annie Jacobsen’s fascinating account of the most secret US Government territory that doesn’t officially exist, but which everyone knows is there. Most people who know about it think of it as “that place where alien spacecraft are supposedly kept.”
No one knows what is kept at Area 51, and so naturally there has been a lot of free-wheeling speculation. But now, because of the careful investigation by Jacobsen, we know a little more about Area 51. She interviewed people who worked there, and also obtained declassified documents as part of her research.
I was hesitant to get the book based on the reviews I saw on Amazon, but I decided to get the Kindle version and give it a whirl. I was immediately and completely engrossed. Forget the aliens thing. We did nuclear testing near Area 51 that no one really knew much about. Until now. The CIA developed spy planes like the U2 and the Oxcart there, and who knows what else.
I think it’s great that we live in a democratic country, and have no problem with democratic governments keeping certain activities secret. But it’s always interesting to see how off-balance things can get when there is little oversight or accountability. Even in democratic governments. I can’t recommend this book enough, unless you want to believe that our government always acts in everyone’s best interest.
If you don’t have a Kindle, the slightly more expensive hardcover version is your only option.
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