Bestselling author, podcaster, and U.S. Army Colonel (Retired) Gene P. Abel firmly believes we are not alone in the universe and wants us to consider. This is also the title of his recently released book, Are They Out There?
Drawing on his years of distinguished military experience, Abel has uncovered what the government might not be telling us, in his gripping new look at the history and potential future impact of UFOs and alien contact. This is a timely and much-needed look at the role of intelligent life in the universe.
In his new book, Are They Out There? Abel explores humanity’s perennial question about alien existence, spurred by the report of more than 700 unidentified aerial phenomena in just one year, with 21 unresolved cases. Are They Out There? draws on historical accounts and personal testimonies and examines the implications of these encounters for humanity’s future.
With the current topic of UFOs and scores of drone sightings that have been prominently featured on the nightly news, now is the perfect time to expand our intel about life in other dimensions with Abel as our knowledgeable guide for some extraordinary adventures.
The book, which was released by Indigo River on February 21, 2025, (an earlier version was published in 2021) has several dramatic color photos to help the readers appreciate the infinite size and complexity of our universe. The intent is to help answer a looming question, “Could we be the only intelligent beings in the Universe?”
In addition to his tenure as an author of more than a dozen bestselling books, many in the sci-fi and time travel genres, the 84-year-old Abel felt compelled to start his cutting-edge podcast, Alien Agenda, to share his years of military expertise and research for his books to pique the interest of listeners and viewers on the big questions related to aliens and extraterrestrial life. The podcast is now in its third season.
On the topic of Are They Out There, he says, “Until humanity reaches a level of technology to bypass the physical boundaries of light speed, the most we can do is look out at the stars and attempt to explore the planets around us.”
“Barring that,” Abel said, “we can only hope that an extraterrestrial species advanced enough to travel the stars comes to visit us and questions the possibility that Earth has already been visited by such beings.”
The world is filled with authentic sci-fi and fantasy aficionados, and Abel is certainly one of them. His massive interest in aliens and UFOs stems from his profound hope that “we can learn from them about both our past and what is in the universe,” he said. “I am fascinated by the idea that sci-fi may be a prediction of things to come and thus support the evidence in my UFO book of other intelligent life in the universe.”
Abel’s take on the Congressional hearings that are keeping the news outlets abuzz, is that “the pressure is mounting from more [UFO] sightings, and they appear to be opening the door a crack,” explained Abel. “Also, the encounters with our military are contributing to Congressional action.”
At a time when he could be relaxing, playing golf, or other joys of retirement, the 84-year-old Abel is happily getting to know scores of sci-fi fans and continuing to cement his legacy as an author and podcaster. An advanced copy of his book was reviewed by Readers’ Favorite and received a 5 Star Review. You can see all his books by going to his website, www.genepabelbooks.com.
The following is a Q and A with Gene P. Abel on Are They Out There?
What first inspired your interest in UFOs?
I have always been interested in sci-fi, Star Trek, Star Wars, The Day the Earth Stood Still, and War of the Worlds. That’s probably the genesis of those, and I just find it fascinating to think that other beings could be further down the path than we are in our knowledge of things. I believe the more we learn the more we realize how little we know. To think other beings who have solved the things we’re stuck on is awesome.
What made you decide to talk about fakes so often?
I want people to be aware and question the things they see, hear, and read, and be aware that some things are very sound. Just as many that are not. I advise everyone not to accept everything carte blanche, and I want to get them to think. This is all about stimulating the people interested in this to do research and reading on their own, question things, and get corroboration.
For example, in the 1500s there were religious paintings that seemed to indicate that there were spacecraft in the sky. Columbus’ personal diary states that he saw a craft in the sky go into the ocean and just disappear. There is no explanation for this happening. Also, in the new book I discuss a crash in Missouri in 1941 involving a pastor and his granddaughter who saw a photo with two aliens in it. We have to ask, are all of them lying?
Why did you write this book?
Much of its contents have been looked over and even folded into pop culture; influencing everything from short stories to television shows. I wanted to sift through the mountains of evidence and present some of the most credible information that will help answer the question, “Are They Out There?”
What did the color photos add to the book?
The photographs taken by the Hubble and Webb Space telescopes will help you appreciate the size and complexity of the universe. One of the things I want to impress on the reader is not only the vastness of space, but the complexity and the power, and I thought that the Hubble and the Webb telescope pictures really grab you, grab your imagination, and give you an idea of just how enormous things are out there and how complex they are, because it really gets down to this question, “With all that infinite size and complexity, do you really think that we are the only intelligent forms of life in all of that vastness.”
Why should readers be attracted to your book?
With all the publicity going on with these drone sightings that we’ve had, as well as the people that might have watched the hearings that went on in Congress, and some of the things that were said under oath during those hearings, really adds a dimension to it.
Did you watch the Congressional hearings on UFOs, and what did you take away from them?
Yes, I watched but I did not learn very much. I sense that they are reluctant to reveal what may be known. I believe the government is not sure how this revelation of this would be received. Jimmy Carter, when running for office pledged if elected President that he would release ALL the information the government had about UFOs. After he was elected and asked about the release of the information, he responded that some things were too sensitive to be released.
How do you respond to people who think this is crazy, nonsense, or pure fiction?
I admit some of the reports of alien sightings are made up. However, some have backup reports or are observations by credible people. The recent Congressional hearings also add credibility to the likely existence of other intelligent life. We are also finding structures that simply could not have been created by our ancestors, given their lack of knowledge and technology. I will also point out untrue stories that confuse the issue.
Since several of your books deal with time travel, what time period would you like to go back to?
I would like to know how some of the ancient structures were created, like the great pyramids., so that’s where I would go.
You have 20 episodes of your thought-provoking podcast, Alien Agenda. Why did you start this podcast?
To help provide answers to the question, “Is there other intelligent life in the Universe?” I will use my military experience to identify and present the most authentic information, including the first-hand experience of people to my listeners.
What are you enjoying about the podcast?
I know from talking with people how much fervent interest there is in the possible existence of other intelligent life, and that such beings could be watching us. What would be a more riveting story than watching a spaceship land on the White House lawn and see strange-looking creatures get out? I have and will strive to include any material that helps answer that question.
What do you want your audience to get out of your podcast and from your new book?
I want to help enhance their understanding and stimulate interest so they can make an informed decision. In that way when aliens make themselves known we will be better prepared to deal with them.
What is your life philosophy?
I know I will not hit a home run every time I come to bat, but if I never get up to bat, I will never hit one.
Why not take it easy and retire at age 84?
That would be boring. I am not done learning about what God has created, and I am thankful for the ability to gain a little more insight into the genius of creation. When I look at the pictures from the space telescopes and see the infinite size and complexity of creation, I realize how little we know and how much is still to be learned. Other than life, I believe God’s greatest gift to mankind is the ability to think and understand a small amount of his knowledge.
Gene P. Abel’s “Are They Out There?” is available at local bookstores and online.
