In Alien Flesh [Hardcover]

Gregory Benford (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: February 1986

Reginri was just trying to make some extra cash, doing some off-planet work. He knew the risks, but he didn't know how his life would be changed forever by his contact with the huge aliens on a watery world.

--This text refers to the Kindle Edition edition.

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

The award-winning author (If the Stars Are Gods, Timescape has a reputation for bridging the often hostile camps of hard-science SF and the more literary, humanist variety. In this collection of stories from the past decade, however, his contentious afterwords show a typical SF disdain for mainstream writing that emphasizes characters. Benford's own characters exist solely as functions of his themes, which often deal with humanity's diminutive stature in relation to aliens, astronomy, or humankind's inventions, from modern medicine to nuclear weapons. The ideas are intriguing but often difficult to decipher, and the brief afterwords are necessary to clarify Benford's intentions. Not surprisingly, his machines have more personality than his people, and the best entries ("Me/Days" and "Snatching the Bot") show artificial intelligences emerging. A weak collection from a celebrated writer.
Copyright 1986 Reed Business Information, Inc.

Product Details

• Hardcover: 280 pages
• Publisher: St Martins Pr; First Edition edition (February 1986)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0312933444
• ISBN-13: 978-0312933449
• Product Dimensions: 8.3 x 5.7 x 1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 15.2 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 4.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (2 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #2,053,611 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Gregory Benford, author of top-selling novels, including Jupiter Project, Artifact, Against Infinity, Eater, and Timescape, is that unusual creative combination of scientist scholar and talented artist; his stories capture readers - hearts and minds - with imaginative leaps into the future of science and of us.

A University of California faculty member since 1971, Benford has conducted research in plasma turbulence theory and experiment, and in astrophysics. His published scientific articles include well over a hundred papers in fields of physics from condensed matter, particle physics, plasmas and mathematical physics, and several in biological conservation.

Often called hard science fiction, Benford's stories take physics into inspired realms. What would happen if cryonics worked and people, frozen, were awoken 50 years in the future? What might we encounter in other dimensions? How about sending messages across time? And finding aliens in our midst? The questions that physics and scientists ask, Benford's imagination explores.
With the re-release of some of his earlier works and the new release of current stories and novels, Benford takes the lead in creating science fiction that intrigues and amuses us while also pushing us to think.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Hard times and "hard" science, August 9, 2000

By 

Dave Deubler (Pennsylvania) - See all my reviews

This review is from: In Alien Flesh (Mass Market Paperback)

In Alien Flesh is a fine collection of science fiction stories from the brilliant mind of Gregory Benford. Each of these tales is a well-constructed, timely investigation into our technological future, displaying a master's command of both mood and technique. The blurring line between man and machine is explored sympathetically in "Me/Days," (a story narrated by the computer), breezily in "Snatching the Bot," and more seriously in "To the Storming Gulf" (with its post-apocalyptic nod to Faulkner). More often, though, Benford shows the powerful effect technology has on human beings: the xenobiologists who risk their lives to study enormous alien creatures in "In Alien Flesh," the ship's crew racing helplessly towards the end of the universe in "Relativistic Effects," and the doomed tourists in "Of Space/Time and the River." "Time Shards" describes a little-known technology for listening in to the past, but casts doubt on the usefulness of such researches; the story's focus is on a brilliant scientist and an antiquarian who come to realize that their life's work is no more than a mere curiosity. In a more philosophical vein, "Time's Rub" presents a choice between life and immortality in the guise of a simple game offered by an immortal being. Ending on a somewhat lighter note, "Doing Lennon" describes a wealthy man's plan to have himself frozen, then awakened in the next century, where he will claim to be the late John Lennon. The plan works beautifully for a while, and the 21st century treats him like a conquering hero, until the preserved body of Paul McCartney is discovered... Benford's knowledge of contemporary science is probably unequalled by any writer of fiction, and his ability to see the effect of future advances on human beings makes these stories a treat to read. One or two of the stories seemed to bog down a bit, as he gets caught up in too many mundane details, (for example, the scientific grind of "Exposures"), but most of this book is well paced and carefully thought out. This is a top selection for fans of "hard" science fiction, and a good choice for other readers, too.

0 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars The perfect genre, December 17, 2003

By 

Avid Reader (Franklin, Tn) - See all my reviews

This review is from: In Alien Flesh (Hardcover)

I admit that I love short stories. Do be successful, the writer must not only develop the idea in a short amount of time but must make the characters breathe and - most importantly - bring a resolution of sorts. Benford accomplishes all of these and much more. The tales range from good to excellent with the sorrowful "Relativity" balancing out the hilarious "Lennon".