Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #135699 in Books
• Published on: 1998-01-01
• Format: Illustrated
• Original language: English
• Number of items: 1
• Binding: Paperback
• 216 pages

Synopsis
Examines recent scientific discoveries that suggest there may be other life forms in the universe.

Customer Reviews

Well written, amusing, and enjoyed reading.
"Sharing the Universe" by Seth Shostak is an absorbing, fascinating look at the possibility that we are not alone on the galaxy. Using examples from science fiction film, this book covers a lot of ground -- the history and theory of SETI (The Search for Extra Terrestrial Intelligence), the current research methods, the hopes and motivations of the searchers, as well as speculation on alien biology and sociology. (What might E.T. look like? How might he behave? What would his motivation be? What about his sex life?) And all of it based on real science, explained by a SETI scientist with a talent for drawing the reader into his own excitement for his subject. Very well written in a light, amusing style that in no way detracts from the serious and important nature of the material, "Sharing the Universe" has enough depth to satisfy a reader already familiar with SETI but is also engaging enough to interest the newcomer. I found this book to be informative and thought-provoking, and I cannot recommend it highly enough.

Open your mind to the possibilities - just wonder . . .
It is difficult to comprehend just how big our universe is.And can this vast universe of ours be here just for US? I don't think so. And after reading Dr. Shostak's book, I'm more convinced than ever that there is intelligent life out there.

Whether you are an astronomer, an avid enthusiast of estraterrestrial (E.T.) life, a skeptic, or just curious about the subject; there is something here for you.

This is not a super technical book; it's one the average person can understand, appreciate, and learn from. Besides the basics, I leaned about what is possible reagarding the search for E.T.s - (the approach and why)- and more interstingly, what is NOT possible. Shostak takes a clean, scientific, and logical approach, maybe even to the point of destroying the myths that we have come to know and love through science fiction, and at the same time providing a wealth of new possibilities.

Shostak has an interesting writing style. He starts out most sections with a question. Then he proceeds to discuss and argue all sides of the question, and often it appears he has even answered the question. But then he leaves you with another question - a great transition to the next section. I felt drawn through this book.

This book will certainly appeal to the history buff and the avid science fiction fan. Shostak cleverly weaves history, and television and Hollywood fantasy into his explanations.

Some of the excitement from this books comes from the fact that there is no end. It hasn't happened yet; we haven't found E.T.; in fact, it has only just begun. Shostak shows just what a long and tedious process this really is.

For me, what sets this book apart from others, is that although extremely informative, it is also full of wit and humor. Shostak takes the possibilities and provides scenarios, and explains them completely with all the above backup data. And the wit and humor assist in the understanding of what he is saying.

I was particularly interested to read about the birth of the SETI Institute by Frank Drake, and to learn of the SETI's struggle to survive - to break through the cocoon and finally spread its wings. It definitely seems to be an entity on its own and on its way.

At the end of the book, Shostak gives the scenario of what would happen if a signal comes in. It leaves you wondering . . .

Important to have--but incomplete in some key ways
Dr. Seth Shostak: polymath; photogenic nice guy; and creative spark, has channeled his talents into a very different book. Its emphasis is OUR (bogus) perspectives of ET's, with the merciless excoriation of the silly to the sublime myths and projections that we impute ET's with. Hollywood's got it all wrong; the UFO internutz have got it all wrong; the hip hypnotists have got it all wrong. There are no ET's--that we know of. Asking whether they have big eyes or like baseball is the wrong thing to think about. And we can fantasize or hallucinate all we want but it won't change the facts. Shostak shows that we learn a lot about OURSELVES from our fantasies and speculation--but nothing about ET's. This cogent essay is well worth the price of admission--up to this point.

The book's let down is that it skirts the issue of EXACTLY how we look for ET's. Details; we want details! WHY are the present observing projects the VERY BEST we can do with our extant resources? Certainly Shostak knows the issues intimately but has not included them in ANY depth here. And hence the rub. For with the present (at best naive) set of microwave SETI observing scenarios we can look and look ('but after all where are we?' as Robert Frost said) with very little chance of finding ANY ET signals. Small as in astronomical teeny. Dr. Shostak knows these issues but perhaps feels its too early for the public to get a taste of the battle brewing.

For, ironically, as this book seeks to build credibility for a "fringe" enterprise the premises are already under fire. Call it an 'internal feud'; a scientific but fundamental disagreement among scientists who also, for the most part, are friends. But, as Bette Davis says:" fasten your seat belts; its going to be a bumpy night". C'mon Seth; its time to let the audience know:-) A 'thousand points of light' does not a survey make and to capture the better part of 500 billion others, twinkling away (hint hint),is a goal worthy of your abilities:-) And every amateur as! tronomer knows that a two second exposure or a 5 minute one shows a fabulously uninteresting sky. Tell the folks the problems; they can take it.

Your SETI INSIDER, dear reader, nonetheless recommends you purchase this book as part of your collection. Perhaps we may look forward to the issues addressed here in Dr. Shostak's next book.

The SETI INSIDER :-)