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Title: Sharing the Universe: Perspectives on Extraterrestrial Life
ISBN: 0965377431
Author:
Seth Shostak
Publicate Date: 1998-01
Publish: 1998-01
List Price: $14.95
Average Customer Rating: 4.0
Format: Paperback
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Amazon Lowest New Price: $4.33
Amazon Lowest Used Price: $0.93
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| Customer Review: |
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1: Non Fiction
Seth Shostak, a noted SETI researcher talks in detail about the development of the Search for Extra Terrestrial Intelligence programs.
He gives an overview of how these programs came about, the problems they have, and a little bit on the politics and financing issues associated with this, as well.
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2: ET Builds a Phone
This book was an excellent overview of extraterrestrial intelligence. It covered the likely biological and psychological make up of ETs, where they might be found, what might happen when they are found. It also stepped through a bit of the history behind our fascination with ETs.
The style is warm and inviting, with a great deal of humour, making it an easy book to get through quickly.
I quite enjoyed it and would recommend it to those who want an overview and a look forward.
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3: Engaging and Comprehensive Discussion of SETI
Dr. Shostak is an articulate and dynamic writer. He has a unique ability to bring even the most complex subjects down to earth. This thoroughly engaging book has sparked my interest in following this field of astronomy more closely. I am off to the next Dr. Shostak book, "Cosmic Company".
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4: An Insult To All Thinking People!
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.
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5: worst book I've ever read.
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.
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