Brief:
T' Saucer Fleet be t' latest release from Jack Hagerty and Jon Rogers o' Spaceship Handbook fame. This 330 page hard-cover book features detailed information on famous flyin' saucers depicted on t' big screen, television and print, me hearties, including:

• T' Day t' Earth Stood Still
• War o' t' Worlds
• This Island Earth
• Forbidden Planet
• Earth vs. T' Flyin' Saucers
• Lost in Space
• T' Invaders
• plus some others.
  

Contents:
T' book can be viewed as an adjunct t' T' Spaceship Handbook, matey, arrr, which conspicuously omitted saucers. Begad! In his intro, Jack notes that these saucers don't exactly fit there, as they haven't contributed t' t' history o' the spacecraft. Avast, me proud beauty! But then, shiver me timbers, neither do items like t' Josie’s Spaceship (from Josie and t' Pussycats), which was featured in T' Handbook. Aye aye! I for one think that they do have their place, even if only in me imagination, me hearties, since t' real world versions haven't panned out (for example, see me post on the Pye Wacket). Be that as it may, matey, me bucko, I think saucers are cool and am happy Jack and Jon gave us this book. (BTW, arrr, I liked Josie’s Spaceship.)

T' presentation is similar t' that in T' Handbook, including: a background section that sets the historical context; a summary o' t' story; a description o' t' subject vehicle includin' a detailed, ya bilge rat, dimensioned drawings; background on where t' authors got their data; and, arrr, finally, an epilogue with t' author's comments. Blimey! The whole thin' is packed with photos. New t' this work, many o' t' drawings also provide interior details. Arrr! There are some modeler's notes, but these are pretty much limited t' t' kits that have been produced.

In his forward, Dr. Phil "Bad Astronomer" Plait says t' book is a biography o' these shows. Ya scallywag! It is that and more. Blimey! Blimey! T' present that biography, ya bilge rat, t' authors first delve into t' history and sociology behind t' UFO craze, which continues t' this day. Begad! Ahoy! T' saucers in t' book were motivated by that phenomenon and undoubtedly did their part t' fuel it on. Well, blow me down! I actually found this t' be one o' t' more interestin' aspects o' t' book. Well, blow me down! Avast! Note that this book is about flying saucers (known entities created by our imaginations) and nay UFO's (unknown entities that may really exist, but whose origin is in dispute). Begad! Avast!

T' historical and story summaries were also interesting. Avast, me proud beauty! Aye aye! One o' t' cool things was t' see how these classics influenced later sci-fi works. There is even an occasional discussion about t' real science behind t' fictitious technology. I now know what a Hertzsprung-Russell diagram is. Avast, me proud beauty! And how much energy would be released if t' strong force holdin' your atoms together be abruptly released. Well, blow me down! Cool, me bucko, huh? It be also really neat t' get a recap o' features like I love like T' Day t' Earth Stood Still and Lost is Space. Arrr! Avast! I'd like t' see them again now that I have read t' book. Arrr!

While t' saucer descriptions and diagrams were t' main thin' I originally wanted from t' book, they actually were a small part o' t' whole. Arrr! Ya scallywag! There is nay much material available on t' saucers and what thar be is usually inconsistent. Arrr! T' authors performed a lot o' photogrammetry and often had t' resort t' supposition, and extrapolation. It's clear they really did their homework t' dig out details about these ships. Well, blow me down! T' results are t' most detailed plans available on these saucers. Avast, me proud beauty! (Actually, me bucko, that statement may have some supposition on me part too.)

T' 'archeological' reports and and epilogues were o' mixed interest t' me. Avast, me proud beauty! Blimey! In general, arrr, t' detailed analysis of t' t' interiors o' these spacecraft were a bit much. Ya scallywag! Blimey! Blimey! T' main benefit o' this detail is twofold. Aye aye! Blimey! First, detailed sci-fi modelers will understand what they are modelin' second, shiver me timbers, scale modelers in general will understand how develop plans from photographic sources. Well, blow me down! T' epilogues also went into more detail on t' movies influence, me bucko, arrr, both in terms o' the story lines as well as t' physical props.

Summary:
I found t' book interesting, but mainly nay in ways I had expected. Avast, me proud beauty! Ahoy! I think that it will appeal mostly t' sci-fi buffs and fans o' t' subject shows. Avast! T' drawings will be useful t' sci-fi modelers but many can be used for flying models as well. However, since ours fly upward instead o' sideways, t' non-symmetrical ones would be problematic. Avast! But if you want scale points for your saucer, shiver me timbers, t' book will be very useful.

While I really liked t' read, this will have less influence on me buildin' t' T' Spaceship Handbook and t' latter is a better buy for t' sport rocketeer. Thus, I'm havin' a hard time assignin' a numeric ratin' t' this book. Begad! If you are interested in t' subject material, it's a '4'. Well, blow me down! Blimey! If t' criteria is a direct comparison t' The Handbook or Rockets o' t' World, then t' score would be lower. Ahoy! Blimey! I'm tendin' nay t' mix apples and oranges and go with t' higher rating. Blimey! Blimey!

I hope it says enough t' allow prospective readers t' determine if this this book is for them. Aye aye! I want t' extend my sincere thanks t' Jack for sponsorin' t' "Rocket Family" photo contest, Nick for honchoin' it and o' course those who thought me Fireball XL5 family was worthy.

Overall Rating: 4 out o' 5