Where are the aliens? What strange forms could they take? Should we fear them? We could find them anytime, but we’re not ready. Until we do humanity is blind. Afterwards it will be too late.
Listen for signals from the stars. Visit a museum of alien life. Journey to the end of the universe past dying stars and decaying atoms to a place where space itself is shredded. How would life cope when the stars go out? Could it survive the end of space and time? This book is a journey through the evolving cosmos, considering how human survival will depend on otherworldly perspectives.
In David Whitehouse’s most ambitious book to date he explores how human evolution has been intertwined with the workings of the cosmos from the very beginning, and what the far-distant future may hold, both for the universe and for ourselves.
Given enough time, Whitehouse contends, we must communicate with intelligent aliens whose divergent perspective will transform our understanding of the universe. First contact may even come sooner than we think. We have already transmitted signals towards promising exoplanets. If, say, Gliese 581d harbours life, the return signal could reach us in 2051.
Drawing the thread of human consciousness from the cave to the cosmos, the acclaimed author of Apollo 11: The Inside Story charts our future journey to the end of space and time, and considers whether something of humanity could remain at the end of it all.
‘The book soars… If you’ve every looked up at the sky and pondered on the big questions of life and the Universe, this is essential reading… A refreshingly different approach to the subject…Whitehouse’s canvas is broad and painted with a wealth of historical and scientific details as he leads our attention seamlessly from one aspect of his varied subject to another.’ BBC Sky at Night Magazine
‘The question of whether we’re alone in the universe is one of the most profound….Whitehouse summarizes the efforts we’ve made to search for other life in the universe, from SETI to UFO sightings, and the limitations such efforts must overcome….In the end, without definitive contact with extraterrestrials, any searches we make tell us more about ourselves than about life elsewhere.’ Booklist USA
‘Whitehouse’s book will leave readers with the distinct impression that life on other planets does not have to look the same as it does on Earth. VERDICT this is an excellent book for readers wanting to understand life here and elsewhere.’ Library Journal USA
‘First things first: ” The Alien Perspective” is absolutely brilliant. David Whitehouse has delivered a real gem here. It’s written in a very engaging way, and offers plenty of scope for the reader to make up their own minds as to the existence (or not) of extra-terrestrial life. It’s not often that a non-fiction book has me uttering so many oohs and ahhs, but this one did… It also left me with an unexpected feeling: hope.’ Dawn’s Book Reviews
Sales
- Icon Books World English
Material: Finished copies (240pp)