Extraterrestrial Civilizations
by Isaac Asimov
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Book Summary Information
Author: Isaac AsimovEdition: Paperback
Audio: English (Unknown); English (Original Language); English (Published)
Published: 1980-05-12
ISBN: 0449900207
Number of pages: 288
Publisher: Ballantine Books
Product features:
- ISBN13: 9780449900208
- Condition: New
- Notes: BRAND NEW FROM PUBLISHER! 100% Satisfaction Guarantee. Tracking provided on most orders. Buy with Confidence! Millions of books sold!
Book Reviews of Extraterrestrial Civilizations
Book Review: Logical Conclusion, Logically Arrived At...
Summary: 4 Stars
For me, the best thing about picking up almost any 'non-fiction' book by Isaac Asimov is the fore-knowledge that you aren't going to be affronted by a barrage of technical "facts and figures," simply thrown out of nowhere at the reader (like 'name-dropping'), for the purpose of advancing, in a self-serving way, the author's own 'pet theories' on a given subject. With Asimov, you KNOW he will walk you through everything, from start through finish, in chronological sequence and with historical context thrown in (free of charge, always), in order to build his case for something in a methodical, well-ordered, and logical manner. I've sometimes thought the 'Good Doctor' was himself surprised at some of the conclusions he 'found himself arriving at', on certain subjects, simply because the 'weight of the evidence' and his own 'chain of reasoning' from it, simply LED him there, compelling him to adopt that viewpoint, not unlike the outcome of a rigorous mathematical formula... Then again...I suppose that goes for everyone! But for rational reasons! (There IS a distinction!) 'Extraterrestrial Civilizations' is a brave and fascinating book. Brave, in its scope, for a book originally published 20 years ago, before we had our present-day scientific confirmation that other stars do, in fact, HAVE planets (which was assumed by the majority of the scientific community, but not known, 20 years ago - no 'Hubble Telescope' existed back then, when Asimov wrote this book). Our recent findings, however, both vindicate and bolster two (and ONLY two) of Isaac's most crucial case-assumptions in this book, along with other scientist's conjectures-, early on in his 'chain of reasoning'). The book is Fascinating, in that the theories Asimov both summarizes and expounds still represent the 'cutting edge' of the best scientific thought there is on this subject today. We have, as yet, progressed no further. Cover-to-cover, and detailed step-by-step, this book builds up an argument based upon the well-known and meticulous Asimovian 'chain of reasoning'. It incorporates (though significantly modifies it, since Asimov doesn't seem to accept the narrowed parameters) the 'Drake Equation', which is a 'sign of the times' (1979 times 'best science'). It's too bad the subsequent 'conclusion' is given away on the soft-cover jacket (at least on the Avon Books edition, which I have), because the book itself reads and unfolds like the best of detective stories, with the facts presented (which progressively fall into place), and, chapter by chapter, the 'clues' and suppositions mount, then pile up, one upon another...ultimately leading to... ? Highly recommended for anyone with an interest in 'exobiology'(You know...the 'science without a subject'...yet). Aspects of almost every related science discipline are considered here (or at least are mentioned in passing), along with inherent implications/applications. A 'complete' work ('in progress'), until someone else comes along and 'updates' us, or suggests something different or more 'progressive'. So far, everyone's still waiting....
Summary of Extraterrestrial Civilizations
The master of science fiction speculates about life on other planets..."Intriguing"--Publishers Weekly
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