Sharing the Universe: Perspectives on Extraterrestrial Life

by Seth Shostak

Book Overview

Scientists are scanning the skies for extraterrestrial life. The most sophisticated search takes place at California's SETI Institute. This book explains their fascinating work to general readers. This description may be from another edition of this product.

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0965377431
• ISBN13: 9780965377430
• Release Date: January 1998
• Publisher: Berkeley Hills Books
• Length: 212 Pages
• Weight: 0.80 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.6" x 5.9" x 9.1"

Customer Reviews

interesting scientifically valid description of S.E.T.I.

I believe this is a good scientifially valid book on S.E.T.I. by a scientist engaged in the search. It would be unfair to characterize his entire book as invalid because he is a little too harsh on Hollywood. He uses popular movies as a starting off discussion of issues. This is a good way to introduce scientific concepts to a lay audience. Over a quarter of a century ago we as a society had the vision to land men on the moon. Since then we seem to have lost our vision. Seth Shostak's book "Sharing the Universe" is a step towards finding our vision again. Searching for UFOs and alien abductions is a step backwards away from science and towards a new dark age of superstition.

A quick read, very informative, and a lot of fun

A major portion of "Sharing the Universe" is devoted to what the scientific community currently thinks real extraterrestrial "intelligent" beings could be like ... their appearance, language, thought processes, and so on. Shostak writes in good, clear prose with plenty of simple analogies borrowed from the animal kingdom we all know on earth. It seems like Shostak enjoyed writing this book because his wry sense of humor appears throughout. My friends agree, even those without a background in science, that this book is a quick read, very informative, and a lot of fun. Tim Richards, Lancaster, Ma.

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 thinkso. 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 . . .