In this episode of Project Book Club, Bryce Zabel and Chrissy Newton dive headfirst into Above Black, a gripping memoir by Dan Sherman that claims to reveal a classified U.S. government program involving alien communication. The conversation explores Sherman’s military background, his alleged psychic training, and the controversial Project Preserve Destiny (PPD).
The hosts dissect Sherman’s assertions with curiosity and caution, pondering how much might be metaphor, misdirection, or an overlooked piece of a larger puzzle. Throughout the episode, Bryce and Chrissy reflect on the thematic layers within the book—namely, the relationship between military intelligence and psychic phenomena. They examine the plausibility of government-run telepathic programs, especially within the broader historical context of MK-Ultra, Stargate, and recent claims by whistleblowers like David Grusch. With a nod to current headlines and Disclosure-era momentum, the hosts weigh whether Sherman’s story could be an early breadcrumb trail or part of a clever disinformation campaign.
A key tension arises between the need for discernment and the appeal of compelling narratives. The hosts don’t shy away from questioning Above Black’s reliability, but they also acknowledge its unique place in the UFO literary canon. As Bryce says, sometimes the stories that seem the strangest can end up being strangely prophetic. The episode ends with reflections on the value of exploring even the more fringe accounts—especially when Disclosure itself is becoming increasingly mainstream.