Sharing the Universe: Perspectives on Extraterrestrial Life

Rating:
Summary: An Insult To All Thinking People!
Review: If you're a child (or an adult with an IQ straining to reach 100), this book will be great for you. But if you're an intelligent person truly interested in learning more about the extremely high probability that intelligent life abounds in the universe, you will find this book insulting and demeaning.

The author, Seth Shostak, has no concept whatsoever of who his audience is and constantly talks down to us as though we're imbeciles. It is one thing writing for a general audience with no scientific background (Isaac Asimov and Carl Sagan were masters of this) but another thing insulting and belittling his readership with almost every sentence he writes.

For instance, Shostak constantly refers to forms of higher life in the universe as "critters" and other childish terms, and he entitles his chapters with the likes of "Aliens in the Backyard," and "When E.T. Calls." Scientists who believe in advanced civilizations on other planets must bring respect to this subject by treating it in a mature and thoughtful manner. Shostak does precisely the opposite, and his writing is on almost the same intellectual level as a tabloid article citing UFO abductions. Isn't there enough of this low-level writing out there?

With a person of Mr. Shostak's mentality being the key spokesman for SETI, I can now understand why his organization is so widely considered to be on the fringe and merits so little respect. This book is a complete turnoff, written by what appears to be a fifth grader for fifth graders. Avoid it at all costs.

Rating:
Summary: Open your mind to the possibilities - just wonder . . .
Review: 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 . . .

Rating:
Summary: worst book I've ever read.
Review: This is the worst book I have ever read. While I am not a professional astrobiologist, I found this book is better suited for kintergarten class. I could not believe that on practically every single page were inaccuracies and grandious statements that were not backed up with a shred of evidence. I can't believe Frank Drake wrote the forward to this book. IF he read the book, im sure he would have declined.

there are simply too many examples to list here. One will suffice. He claims that any aliens we find must be more advanced that huamans. MUST is strong word. I was disgusted because i could not trust a single thing this guy writes.

absolutely aweful. dont buy it. IF you know anything about astronomy you will find the book ridiculous and if you do not, you will be mislead.