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I was lucky enough to given a much buzzed about book to review...Area 51:  An Uncensored History of America's Top Secret Military Base by Annie Jacobsen.  I am not typically a person who reads a lot of non-fiction but I find the topic of Area 51 pretty intriguing so I was excited to have a read.  In case you have missed the buzz (where have you been??) here is the scoop...

It is the most famous military installation in the world. And it doesn't exist. Located a mere seventy-five miles outside of Las Vegas in Nevada's desert, the base has never been acknowledged by the U.S. government-but Area 51 has captivated imaginations for decades.

Myths and hypotheses about Area 51 have long abounded, thanks to the intense secrecy enveloping it. Some claim it is home to aliens, underground tunnel systems, and nuclear facilities. Others believe that the lunar landing itself was filmed there. The prevalence of these rumors stems from the fact that no credible insider has ever divulged the truth about his time inside the base. Until now.

Annie Jacobsen had exclusive access to nineteen men who served the base proudly and secretly for decades and are now aged 75-92, and unprecedented access to fifty-five additional military and intelligence personnel, scientists, pilots, and engineers linked to the secret base, thirty-two of whom lived and worked there for extended periods. In Area 51, Jacobsen shows us what has really gone on in the Nevada desert, from testing nuclear weapons to building super-secret, supersonic jets to pursuing the War on Terror.

This is the first book based on interviews with eye witnesses to Area 51 history, which makes it the seminal work on the subject. Filled with formerly classified information that has never been accurately decoded for the public, Area 51 weaves the mysterious activities of the top-secret base into a gripping narrative, showing that facts are often more fantastic than fiction, especially when the distinction is almost impossible to make. 

Aren't you swept right up into the hype??  Well, my take is this...if you are hoping to hear about little green martians (I was) this one probably is not for you!   Area 51 is incredibly interesting but it is heavy on the conspiracy theories and it is decidedly NOT a light read.  If you are a history buff or interested in government relations and controversy this one is for you.  I did enjoy the book but I was left with some conflicting theories about what I believed.  My suggestion? Read it and decide what you think for yourself!  It is an interesting read full of plenty of history....a great beach and beyond read!  Pick it up today on Amazon...




Disclosure: I was given a copy of the above mentioned book for purpose of review. The opinions expressed are my own and have not been altered by anyone. I was not paid for my 100% honest review.