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Beyond UFOs: The Search for Extraterrestrial Life and Its Astonishing Implications for Our Future
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Average Rating:  out of 8 Reviews
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Price: $26.95
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Sale: $16.32
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Manufacturer: Princeton University Press
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EAN (European Article Number): 9780691135496
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Number of Items: 1
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Binding: Hardcover
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Author: Jeffrey Bennett
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Publisher: Princeton University Press
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Dewey Decimal Number: 576.839
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Publication Date: 2008-02-24
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Reading Level: 238
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Description: The quest for extraterrestrial life doesn't happen only in science fiction. This book describes the startling discoveries being made in the very real science of astrobiology, an intriguing new field that blends astronomy, biology, and geology to explore the possibility of life on other planets. Jeffrey Bennett takes readers beyond UFOs to discuss some of the tantalizing questions astrobiologists grapple with every day: What is life and how does it begin? What makes a planet or moon habitable? Is there life on Mars or elsewhere in the solar system? How can life be recognized on distant worlds? Is it likely to be microbial, more biologically complex--or even intelligent? What would such a discovery mean for life here on Earth? Come along on this scientific adventure and learn the astonishing implications of discoveries made in this field for the future of the human race. Bennett, who believes that "science is a way of helping people come to agreement," explains how the search for extraterrestrial life can help bridge the divide that sometimes exists between science and religion, defuse public rancor over the teaching of evolution, and quiet the debate over global warming. He likens humanity today to a troubled adolescent teetering on the edge between self-destruction and a future of virtually limitless possibilities. Beyond UFOs shows why the very quest to find alien life can help us to grow up as a species and chart a course for the stars.
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Customer Reviews
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Review Summary: Good SCience |
Date: 2008-10-14 |
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Details: I liked this bok a lot. It was a good review of science I had studied and for which I know needed an update. I first picked it up becuase it had "UFO" in the title. But got it becuase it promised more than just the same old, same old about UFOs. It puts a good perspective on the questions about aliens, and intelligent life. It reminded me of the vastness opf the universe and of our responsibilities to our own little piece of it. I receommend it to others. |
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Review Summary: Fascinating book! |
Date: 2008-09-12 |
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Details: This is not a book about UFO! Rather, it is a fascinating book recommended to laymen who like to explore "The Search for Extraterrestrial Life". In a scientific approach, Bennett reviewed 'what', 'where' and 'how' to look for life in the universe. The first step in such a search is to understand what we are searching for (what is 'life'?). The next step is to decide where to look? (in the solar system and among the stars). With the Allen Telescope Array in Hat Creek, California, our chances are better than ever to listen for alien communications. |
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Review Summary: With much speculation |
Date: 2008-08-24 |
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Details: With much speculation and lots of generally known scientific facts. The factual information is generally known and accessible to anyone who has had a minimum of formal scientific exposure. The book is obviously written for the layman and uses a very elementary approach on the subjects of biology and astronomy. Perhaps this was the intended approach as a means of reaching a general audience. Do UFOs exist? Maybe, but probably not (he is a skeptic). Is there life elsewhere in the universe? There is a high statistical probability of this being true but maybe not (cf. 'Rare Earth' Argument). Conclusions?? Who knows?? I did not learn anything from this book and that was somewhat of a disappointment. I am sure the author is a fine textbook writer but I was not looking for a textbook. Also, There were no "astonishing implications" as advertised. |
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Review Summary: Great Book |
Date: 2008-07-18 |
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Details: This book is very scientific in it's approach to the topic. I learned a lot of interesting facts about other worlds, the universe and biology. Very well written. Great book! |
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Review Summary: A good introduction for the very general reader |
Date: 2008-06-29 |
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Details: I do think this is a good book, though (like another reviewer) I skipped much of it for reasons given below, and have a few gripes.
Firstly, as the title only half-implies, it isn't about UFOs at all, but about astrobiology - that is, the scientific study of what the conditions might be for life (even just microbes) to exist on other planets or moons. Bennett concludes, as do many others, that it's quite likely there is a huge amount of intelligent life out there in the universe.
Though the book is apparently aimed at the general (adult) reader, its tone and content is in parts somewhat dumbed down, as if for high school students. For example, we are informed that the name Ptolemy (the Greek astronomer) is pronounced 'TOL-e-mee', and are astonished to learn that a light-year is the distance light travels in a year. There are patient, somewhat lengthy explanations of evolution, the history of astronomy, scientific method, etc. which I had to skip, and much of which educated readers could be expected to have a fair grasp of already, particularly if they have any interest in science.
On a minor point, Bennett adopts the annoyingly PC habit of referring to all people of unspecified gender (in his made-up examples) as 'she', even at one point calling a waiter 'she' - wouldn't such a person be a 'waitress'?
Finally, Bennett repeatedly pleads for scientists and religious people not to fall out with each other, making the somewhat strong claim that science is perfectly compatible with the Bible, even for fundamentalists. But surely the book of Genesis, and biblical miracles, aren't compatible with science? I assume Bennett means they are if you interpret them non-literally; that is, everything in the Bible is true, except for the bits that aren't. But given such a weak criterion of compatibility, almost anything is compatible with science; even Santa Claus and the Tooth Fairy.
It seems that Bennett is largely motivated here to appeal to Christian fundamentalists in the US, and devotes a fair amount of space to the topic of 'intelligent design'. It is understandable but a shame he has to do this: in places such as Europe, where more sanity prevails, such creationists barely exist, and are almost universally regarded as dangerous nutcases - and rightly so. |
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