| View Larger Image | Beyond UFOs: The Search for Extraterrestrial Life and Its Astonishing Implications for Our Future | Hardcoverby Jeffrey Bennett (Author)
| List Price: | $26.95 | | Price: | $19.67 | | You Save: | $7.28 (27%) | | | Available: | Usually ships in 24 hours |
| | Binding: | Hardcover | | Publisher: | Princeton University Press | | Page Count: | 238 Pages | | Publication Date: | February 04, 2008 | | Sales Rank: | 324,172th |
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FEATURES | - ISBN13: 9780691135496
- Condition: NEW
- Notes: Brand New from Publisher. No Remainder Mark.
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EDITORIAL REVIEWS |
Product 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. |
CUSTOMER REVIEWS (Average Customer Rating: 3.5 based on 10 reviews)
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Is there hope beyond UFO's? by Ted Byrd  4 Stars
March 23, 2009
Beyond UFO's is one of the most well-intentioned popular science books I have read to date. But I feel the title may be a hindrance to achieving the author's goal as stated in his preface. Having written a textbook about the search for extraterrestrial life, the research he had done led him to a deeper realization of the related issue of life on earth, and the threats to that life being posed by our own ignorance. He firmly states his belief that the search for life beyond earth may help us overcome our "center of the universe syndrome"; that if we realize we are not special or unique in the universe, we might gain a more balanced perspective of our place in it, along with a heightened sense of responsibility to our home planet. He tells us that his goal was to write the book in a format that could be understood by anyone, in order to reach as many people as possible. The message is to be conveyed in terms of "real science". While he believes life elsewhere is likely, he is skeptical of claims that they have been seen here. So in the preface we are shown the philosophical framework of what follows. This is not a book that is aimed primarily at science sophisticates, and certainly not only to UFO enthusiasts. It's purpose is to raise the awareness of as many people as possible that contemplating this cosmic question of life brings us back to the need to act with maturity towards Earth. Unfortunately, if my response is indicative, these purposes are not conveyed very well by the title. When I saw the words "Beyond UFO's", my thought was that here was a book trying to out-sensationalize popular accounts of UFO crashes or abductions, perhaps by exposing some new form of alien manifestation. Since I am not of that persuasion, I almost reshelved the book when I happened to notice there were blurb recommendations on the back cover from people with scientific credentials, and decided to look further. Then I saw that the title meant going beyond the fascination with UFOs and making a truly scientific investigation into the likelihood of ET life. I found his comprehensive presentation of the inter-related issues of this subject to be both enjoyable and informative. It's true that someone who is jaded from reading many current popular science books would probably encounter a lot of old-to-them material. I am not that jaded, but I did encounter some familiar information from books I have read on evolution. However, I really did not mind the refresher, because my mind is not like a steel trap when it comes to retaining scientific learning. And while much or most of the material presented in this book may be elementary to a few savants, the vast majority of us could doubtless benefit greatly by reading what Mr. Bennett has so clearly laid out for us. His objective is not only to explain the search for ET life, but to promote the validity of scientific reasoning. He gives us basic criteria for recognizing whether ideas have scientific validity and shows that, according to these criteria, belief in either UFO's or Intelligent design cannot be properly called scientific theories. Then we are given guesstimates on the likelihood of Earth-like planets around other stars based on reasonable scientific assumptions. Further reasoning, using our knowledge of earth and the solar system as a guide, leads to estimates of the possibility of life, intelligent life, and, finally life that might have achieved interstellar travel. To reach these predictions we are escorted through lessons of biology, geology, evolution, and astronomy, as well as theories of star and planet formation. For my money, the author covers a lot of ground, does it understandably, bringing all the information together into a cohesive view of the universe as a place of marvelous generative and regenerative processes which favor the likelihood of life "out there". He often inserts the message into his text that humanity needs to grow up. I share his viewpoint, but have reservations that the irrationality demonstrated throughout human history can be discarded, even with the benefit of science and the quest for extraterrestrial life. Though Mr. Bennett has presented very reasonable statements about changes humanity needs to make -stop war, fight poverty,etc., I think his solutions may be somewhat idealistic. But that is for other readers to decide on their own.
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You got to be kidding... by Mj Buckingham (SF CA USA)  1 Stars
February 08, 2009
This is not exactly a critique of the book, so much as an observation to potential buyers on the stage or level of knowledge of the subject in the book.
Jeffrey Bennett may mean well with his book, but perusing a few pages tells me, he's been walking around with blinders on or else he's part of the University/industry which refuses to look at the MASSIVE amount of evidence that various Aliens have been here for a long, long time. Even such 'noted' sci-fi writers like Asimov and Arthur C Clarke (and this from Stanton Friedman who is a pioneer in the field of UFO's) REFUSED to look at the real events and evidence. Such talking heads like 'Drs' Donald Menzel, Carl Sagan and Philip Klass were employed by their universities or the Shadow Gov't (CIA/NSA/NASA/USAF) to 'smokescreen' the entire subject... telling witnesses they're nuts, or demented or 'out to get rich' (see Dr. Lynn Katai's "Phoenix Lights"; why would a certified AMA doctor want to throw her career in the dumpster by writing a nonfiction UFO book that was 'crazy'?). I suggest since the above named Shadow Gov't, in cahoots w/'your' National Labs (and Area 51)have physical specimens and evidence of our 'galactic neighbors', start higher up in the 'Knowledge Chain' w/ Marine Maj Donald Keyhoe's 50's/60's UFO books; Timothy Goode's works; the very humorous and intelligent maverick scientist Stanton Friedman, Dr. Steve Greer; Len Stringfield, Richard Dolan's new works. These are worth owning and learning from. Also- "Exempt From Disclosure", it may astound you... Via con Dios
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Highly recommended by Todd Neff (Denver, Colo., USA)  5 Stars
December 19, 2008
Jeff Bennett is one of our great science communicators, an astrophysics Ph.D. with an uncommon gift for rendering opaque subjects in compelling, accessible prose. With "Beyond UFOs," Bennett has achieved something special. The volume spans seamlessly topics as diverse as radio astronomy, molecular biology, geophysics and science history, building a convincing case for his belief -- and clearly his hope -- that life is pervasive in the universe.
Though a scientist, teacher and bestselling textbook author (The Cosmic Perspective, the nation's top introductory astronomy textbook, is also his work), his tone here is conversational, that of a favorite uncle describing something about which he wants you to share his excitement -- in this case the idea that life teems throughout the cosmos. With as many stars in the universe as there are grains of sand on all the world's beaches, who's to argue with him?
The more of this book I read, the more I felt it should be required reading. A quick stop by the book's Web site (www.beyondufos.com) shows that it already is. In 2008, Miami of Ohio made it their pick for their Summer Reading Program for 3,700 incoming freshmen. Miami made a wise choice. This book, in addition to being a great read, will change -- I think for the better -- the way you think about creation and your role in it.
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Good SCience by Melanie Joy (Washington State, USA) 1 Stars
October 14, 2008
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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With much speculation by E. Mansfield (Carnesville, GA USA)  3 Stars
August 24, 2008
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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