Rating: 
Summary: Bears many plotline similarities to...
Review: ... the early 1960s BBC series "A for Andromeda" and "Andromeda Breakthrough," written by Fred Hoyle and John Eliott. In this program, a radio signal is received from the direction of Andromeda containing instructions to build a computer. When it is built, the computer asks a series of questions and eventually builds a replica human being. And so on (with the major "bad guys" coming from a corporation called Intel!!).The 2 series were novelised and are fairly easy to find 2nd hand or in a library, so judge for yourself.
Rating:
Summary: Bears many plotline similarities to...
Review: ... the early 1960s BBC series "A for Andromeda" and "Andromeda Breakthrough," written by Fred Hoyle and John Eliott. In this program, a radio signal is received from the direction of Andromeda containing instructions to build a computer. When it is built, the computer asks a series of questions and eventually builds a replica human being. And so on (with the major "bad guys" coming from a corporation called Intel!!). The 2 series were novelised and are fairly easy to find 2nd hand or in a library, so judge for yourself.
Rating:
Summary: Bears many plotline similarities to...
Review: ... the early 1960s BBC series "A for Andromeda" and "Andromeda Breakthrough," written by Fred Hoyle and John Eliott. In this program, a radio signal is received from the direction of Andromeda containing instructions to build a computer. When it is built, the computer asks a series of questions and eventually builds a replica human being. And so on (with the major "bad guys" coming from a corporation called Intel!!). The 2 series were novelised and are fairly easy to find 2nd hand or in a library, so judge for yourself.
Rating: 
Summary: A plausable first contact examines ramifications well.
Review: An interesting story of radio telescope contact with another civilization, much like Sagan's later "Contact". The central character's dilemma over moral and technological consequences is played against a very turbulent personal life. A very well plotted "bureaucrat as actor" exposition. A worthy precursor to his more colorful "Engines of God".
Rating: 
Summary: Still one of my favorites, refreshing and different
Review: I first read this book in college and enjoyed it at the time as a refreshing break from the traditional sci-fi literature. I've moved seven times in the intervening years, and this book is one of only a dozen or so that have been worth hauling city to city, state to state. As with other reviewers, I enjoyed the fresh spin on the first contact storyline, and the inclusion of a psychologist and a cosmologist in the group of main characters. But having just re-read the book for the first time so far this decade, I have to say that my favorite part of the book is the idea of a bureacrat as the protaganist. In most sci-fi stories the hero is a military person, or a brilliant scientist. That's great, and there are many soldiers and scientists that read sci-fi, but I'd guess there are far more sci-fi readers that have paperwork-intensive desk jobs, organizing meetings or creating reports. Carmichael's ordinariness creates a connection with the typical reader that is not found in many books. McDevitt wrote an outstanding book. This is great stuff, and you should read it if you get a chance.
Rating:
Summary: Still one of my favorites, refreshing and different
Review: I first read this book in college and enjoyed it at the time as a refreshing break from the traditional sci-fi literature. I've moved seven times in the intervening years, and this book is one of only a dozen or so that have been worth hauling city to city, state to state. As with other reviewers, I enjoyed the fresh spin on the first contact storyline, and the inclusion of a psychologist and a cosmologist in the group of main characters. But having just re-read the book for the first time so far this decade, I have to say that my favorite part of the book is the idea of a bureacrat as the protaganist. In most sci-fi stories the hero is a military person, or a brilliant scientist. That's great, and there are many soldiers and scientists that read sci-fi, but I'd guess there are far more sci-fi readers that have paperwork-intensive desk jobs, organizing meetings or creating reports. Carmichael's ordinariness creates a connection with the typical reader that is not found in many books. McDevitt wrote an outstanding book. This is great stuff, and you should read it if you get a chance.
Rating:
Summary: does mcdevitt read stanislaw lem?
Review: I view this novel as a remarkably faithful translation of Stanislaw Lem's _His Master's Voice_, except most of the thought-provoking chapters have been left out. The climax/conclusions are identical, however, and I suppose that's a good thing.
Rating:
Summary: does mcdevitt read stanislaw lem?
Review: I view this novel as a remarkably faithful translation of Stanislaw Lem's _His Master's Voice_, except most of the thought-provoking chapters have been left out. The climax/conclusions are identical, however, and I suppose that's a good thing.
Rating:
Summary: Contact during the Cold War
Review: The constant references to the Soviets are a bit dated these days, but this book is an intelligent look at what happens when a signal is received from extraterrestrials. The book competently explores all the issues to do with translation, and the effects a signal from a more advanced race would have on our politics, science and religion. In a nice touch, the protagonist is an administrator rather than a scientist. McDevitt writes novels with an archaeological bent to them - and the interception of an alien signal is really just that: the signal is a million years old.
Rating:
Summary: Same flavor as Sagan's "Contact", only better.
Review: The Hercules Text was Jack McDevitt's first novel and probably his best. It follows the same theme as the better known novel Contact by Carl Sagan--alien transmissions from outer space being received by humans and their subsequent reactions to the knowledge that "we are not alone"--but I believe McDevitt's novel is much better. It also must be noted that McDevitt wrote and published The Hercules Text before Sagan published his book. The thing I liked about McDevitt's book is that he seemed to have a clearer grasp than Sagan of the contrasts between science and religion and how the different disciplines affect people's lives. McDevitt seems to understand that just because someone is a theist doesn't automatically make them a buffoon (I believe this was one of Sagan's shortcomings). The characterizations in both novels, though, are excellent, and I must admit that Sagan did have a better grasp of the science aspect of the theme. I recommend The Hercules Text wholeheartedly. A good read, well worth the time.
| 
