Dolan attended Alfred University and Oxford University prior to finishing graduate work in history at the University of Rochester. At the latter, Dolan was a finalist for a Rhodes scholarship.

Dolan's first book, UFO's and the National Security State: Chronology of a Cover-up 1941-1973 was first published in 2000 by Keyhole Publishing Company and republished by Hampton Roads Publishing Company in 2002. The book has a cover endorsement by U.S. Apollo 14 astronaut Dr. Edgar Mitchell ("... a thorough and monumental undertaking.")

The forward is written by noted scientist and author Jacques Vallee, Ph.D. Vallee's forward begins: "The important book you are about to read is the first comprehensive study of the U.S. government's response to the intrusion of UFO phenomena in American skies over the last fifty years." Other endorsements include best-selling author Whitley Strieber.

A follow-up to Dolan's book, titled UFOs and the National Security State: The Cover-Up Exposed, 1973-1991 was published in August, 2009.

The 2006 Sci-Fi Channel television show Sci Fi Investigates featured Dolan as part of a team that looked into various paranormal and unusual events, including the alleged crash of a UFO in Roswell, New Mexico. Dolan has also appeared in other paranormal documentaries, including Sci-Fi Channel's UFO Invasion at Rendlesham.