By Larry W. Bryant

In chapter 14 ("Black Manta") of his seminal study of Roswellian intrigue -- Dreamland: Travels Inside the Secret World of Roswell and Area 51 (Villard Books -- 1998) -- author Phil Patton observes: "The world of ufology is as racked by jealousy and inbreeding as any academic discipline ever dreamed of being."

As one who knows all too well how easily you can find yourself entangled in the UFO-research community's internecine ideological warfare, I try, nowadays, to keep that knowledge in perspective. Shortly after Patton's book hit the bookshelves, the wife of a Methodist minister advised me: "Larry, don't fret over these spats -- even church boards-of-directors have been known to fight like spoiled kids over this or that policy or program." She might have added: just stay focused on what's important to your individual goals, and strive for teamwork when it's practical to do so.

Since then, I've come to realize that UFOlogy has one branch of inquiry that seems immune to infighting, one-upmanship, and dogmatic posturing: historical research.

Of course, the best practitioners of UFOlogical history-telling happen to be those who've contributed to that history. People like Richard Hall and Barry Greenwood, for example. But their number is aging and dwindling. They still need us -- and we need them. Alas, I have some sad -- but not unexpected -- news to report: Barry Greenwood of Stoneham, Mass., co-author of the 1984 classic "Clear Intent: The Government Cover-up of the UFO Experience," has suspended publication of his periodical "U.F.O. Historical Revue."

In his 10-page, swan-song issue (No. 12 -- September 2007), Greenwood laments that "This will be the last print number of UHR. Rising costs combined with virtually nonexistent subscriptions spell nonfeasibility." Further on, in his "Farewell for Now," he notes: "The UFO topic has been marginalized to the extent that we now see little mention of it in the popular press. Or for that matter, we see little of any kind of press outside that of the hard-core 'graybeards,' those over 50 who were there from early on, knocking out little publications like this one. So, for now, the 'Net' will be the medium of choice for new discoveries."

Greenwood's bowing out of the print side of UFOlogy needn't be all that sharp or final. We still have the (now-monthly) pages of UFO magazine to whet our appetite for that old-time feel of authority, timeless intellectual curiosity, and the grassroots sense of communal inquiry/activism. How about it, Barry: won't you consider an occasional (historical) contribution to this last bastion of periodical UFO literature? You know how much I revere your monumental collection of UFOlit -- one that for decades has rivaled my own. Please consider mining it for such gems as those you've shared with us in your Revue!

In the meantime, we can take solace in knowing that Dick Hall's Journal of UFO History (A Publication of the Donald E. Keyhoe Archives) now is entering its fourth year. In the January-February 2007 issue's editorial, he points out: "Quite a few of the older-generation activists (myself included) find little substantial current information to analyze, and so devote their time to creating a permanent historical record for future generations. This is a worthy activity deserving of your support. Leading the way is Fran Ridge's NICAP [successor to the National Investigations Committee on Aerial Phenomena] web site (http://www.nicap.org). Other very worthy projects have been listed in previous issues and will be in future issues." Dick's own web site is: http://www.hallrichard.com .

Echoing (somewhat) Greenwood's assessment, Hall's editorial adds that "The comparative absence of current 'classic' sightings and the influences of the Internet have changed UFO study altogether. I would say mostly for the worse. Wild speculation is rampant and scholarly research is rare."

However future scholars and historians may view the wealth of UFO history produced by Greenwood, Hall, Loren E. Gross, Wendy Connors, and just several others, we can draw comfort from knowing that the publisher of UFO magazine never will lose sight of the inestimable value of that material.

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Larry W. Bryant's 2007 book "Conjuring Gretchen: The Saga of Virginia's Preacher-Hypnotist" (available from http://www.galdepress.com ) happens to contain only a smidgeon of UFO-related text). He welcomes readers' comments via his e-mail address: overtci@cavtel.net .