Flying Saucers Have Landed (1953) was translated and published in at least twelve foreign editions, ten of which within the first four years of its original publication.
The impact that George Adamski’s mission and books had, has been obscured from the general view by the confusion that was caused by two factors. The first was a concerted disinformation campaign, apparently in response to the massive public interest for the message from the space visitors urging international cooperation in the midst of the Cold War. The second was the almost equally massive number of psychics and mediums who began to claim they were receiving “messages” from astral beings with fanciful names. As Desmond Leslie wrote in a letter to Adamski after the success of Flying Saucers Have Landed: “I don’t know what has happened, George, but all the mediums have suddenly disposed of their Indian guides, etc., and have replaced them with space people traveling in Vimanas.” According to Adamski, these psychic groups became “excellent tools” in the hands of those whose task it was to create confusion, and eventually fear, surrounding the visitors from space. But if the reach of his books, and the vehement opposition that his work continues to arouse are any indication, his mission still carries a monumental significance.
FOREIGN EDITIONS
Popular though Flying Saucers Have Landed (1953) was, few people realize exactly what impact it has had, with twelve reprints in the US alone within the first three years of its publication, and at least twelve different language editions, ten of which within the first four years.
Inside the Flying Saucers (1955), too, has seen many reprints and translations:
In Japan Adamski’s Collected Writings — which doesn’t yet include his recently uncovered debut The Invisible Ocean — was updated in 2004 with a 12th volume, all of which are still in print.
GET ACQUAINTED PROGRAM
Around 1957 the Space Brothers suggested that an international network of correspondents be established, which Adamski named the Get Acquainted Program (GAP). This proved a remarkably effective way of keeping the many readers of his books around the world informed and connected, long before the advent of the internet and e-mail, until well after Adamski’s death.
WORLD LECTURE TOUR
In response to the worldwide public interest that was generated by Flying Saucers Have Landed and Inside the Space Ships, and following the establishment of the worldwide GAP network of active co-workers, a world lecture tour was planned which would take Adamski from the US to Australia, New Zealand, from there to Europe, and on to Africa and South America. In the event, the final legs from Europe to Africa and South America did not materialize, and due to health problems the tour, which started in January 1959, was cut short on medical advice after five months and Adamski returned to the US in June of that year.
ALBERTO PEREGO
Although Flying Saucers Have Landed and Inside the Space Ships were only published in Italian in 1973 and 1974, respectively, the Italian public had been introduced to his work since 1957 through the books of Adamski’s GAP contact Dr Alberto Perego, a former diplomat and one of the prominent participants in the Amicizia (Friendship) Case, who included Adamski’s experiences and photographs in his books. On 16 June 1959 Dr Perego gave a lecture in Rome in the presence of George Adamski, who answered questions from the audience afterwards.
CULTURAL IMPACT
Despite the ridicule that was bestowed on his character and his information, George Adamski’s unrelenting hard work to fulfil the mission he had taken upon himself has left an indelible impression on popular culture, from film, literature, art, and music to graphic novels and novelty items, and from postage stamps to computer games.
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