Product Description
We are nearing a turning point in our quest for life in the universe—we now have the capacity to detect Earth-like planets around other stars. But will we find any? In The Crowded Universe, renowned astronomer Alan Boss argues that based on what we already know about planetary systems, in the coming years we will find abundant Earths, including many that are indisputably alive. Life is not only possible elsewhere in the universe, Boss argues—it is common. Boss describes how our ideas about planetary formation have changed radically in the past decade and brings readers up to date on discoveries of bizarre inhabitants of various solar systems, including our own. America must stay in this new space race, Boss contends, or risk being left out of one of the most profoundly important discoveries of all time: the first confirmed finding of extraterrestrial life.

CUSTOMER REVIEWS (Average Customer Rating: 4.0 based on 9 reviews)

The Crowded Universe by Floyd J. Travis (Valley of the Sun)

3 Stars
October 21, 2009
I read a review of "The Crowded Universe" and was so intrigued with the premise that not only is there the possibility of other intelligent life in the universe, there is the certainty of it. As an old science-fiction fan, I have always believed this to be true. Now I have some confirmation of it.

The Universe by J. Byrne (Sacramento, CA)

5 Stars
July 01, 2009
Great book, a fun history of the discovery of other planets around distance stars. Sometimes heavy with the politics but it does not get in the way of the story.

3 stars by James Hamill (Seattle, WA USA)

3 Stars
May 23, 2009
All I was going to do was skim this book for summary concepts, but the way this book was presented made that difficult to do. It comes off more as a play by play of the past 15 years of astronomers searching for planets in the universe.

Interesting topic, verbose report by Jay Kirsch (Salt Lake City, Utah)

3 Stars
March 31, 2009
I found this book to be a bit disappointing, as it read more like a report to NASA employees than a popular science book. Although there are tidbits about the science of planet-hunting, there is too much about the politics and budgeting issues at NASA. Also, the reading level is inconsistent. On one extreme the basics of doppler shift and the light year are explained at a junior high school level, but on the other extreme there are a lot of astronomical terms left vaguely defined. I wish Dr. Boss and his team good luck with the Kepler mission, as it is sure to yield some fascinating results. I just won't read the final report though.

Not As Good As I Expected by William J. Hubeny

2 Stars
March 17, 2009
I did not buy this book to learn about science budget problems, whose to blame, and the writers political leanings, right or left. I'm am just not interested in those things. I get the feeling the author was writing more to his work associates then the average science reader and book buyer. I expected a book on exo-planets. I did not get what I expected.

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