Beyond UFOs: The Search for Extraterrestrial Life and Its Astonishing Implications for Our Future [Hardcover]

Jeffrey Bennett (Author)

Book Description

ISBN-10: 0691135495 | ISBN-13: 978-0691135496 | Publication Date: February 4, 2008 | Edition: First Edition

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.

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

Starred Review. In cogent and entertaining language, astrophysicist and popular writer Bennett (On the Cosmic Horizon) explains that the determining factor in whether we can locate intelligent life elsewhere in the universe is whether such a civilization—and our own—can continue long enough to develop the highly sophisticated technology needed for interstellar travel. If humans are going to meet that challenge, Bennett argues, we must solve global warming, debilitating disease, terrorism, poverty, and war. We must use our compassion to teach all people to respect all others, regardless of their ethnicity, religion, or gender. This political message is couched in fascinating and completely accessible science. Bennett does a wonderful job of explaining the conditions necessary for simple life, how we might discern its existence and where we should be looking. He then does the same thing for intelligent life. While he is fair to those who believe life is incredibly rare, he makes a compelling case that life is likely to be abundant. He also predicts that we will gather incontrovertible proof of intelligent life in the universe within the next 20 to 30 years. 8 color, 30 b&w illus. (Mar.)
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Review

In cogent and entertaining language, astrophysicist and popular writer Bennett explains that the determining factor in whether we can locate intelligent life elsewhere in the universe is whether such a civilization--and our own--can continue long enough to develop the highly sophisticated technology needed for interstellar travel...Bennett does a wonderful job of explaining the conditions necessary for simple life, how we might discern its existence and where we should be looking. He then does the same thing for intelligent life. While he is fair to those who believe life is incredibly rare, he makes a compelling case that life is likely to be abundant. -- Publishers Weekly



The old adage 'don't judge a book by its cover' (or, in this case, its title) certainly applies here. While one might expect a book of science fiction, Bennett presents this awe-inspiring topic in a scientifically accurate but personal way. I would recommend it to anyone interested in reading a creative summary of the status of the search for life elsewhere in the universe and would hope that it might provide a starting point to inspire the next generation of astronomers and astrobiologists. -- Lisa Jardine-Wright, Times Higher Education



[Jeffrey Bennett] has taken a break from the treadmill of updating his textbook and has written a popular book instead, bringing the rest of us up to date on our extraordinary new and expanded universe--and on who else might live in it . . . Beyond UFOs is crammed with neat analogies, startling imagery and mind-blowing illustrations of astronomical concepts. If you want to understand the universe and our place in it, you will not find a better primer. The first diagram alone--which shows how Earth's 10,000-kilometre span of real estate fits into a supercluster of galaxies a billion trillion kilometers across--bear a good 10 minutes of study. This truth is astonishing, and humbling--and Beyond UFOs is a great place to find it. -- Michael Brooks, New Scientist



Planet by planet, moon by moon, [Beyond UFOs] explores the possibility of life elsewhere in this solar system. It then speculates about other solar systems in our galaxy where, according to the prevailing scientific view, simple life almost surely exists and intelligent life is plausible. For the most part, Bennett's search for extraterrestrial life adds up to a very satisfying package. . . . At its core, this book delivers a combination that is hard to beat: solid yet highly speculative science plus accessible prose that add up to an out-of-this-world reading experience. -- Fred Bortz, Seattle Times



Bennett walks us through the daunting calculations that lead to the conclusion that the existence of life elsewhere is not only possible, but highly likely. But as we wonder where else life exists and what forms it might take, scientists are forced back to more fundamental questions. What is the nature of life itself? Will we know it if we see it?...Bennett offers a host of lessons here not only about global warming and environmental degradation, but our place in the universe as well. -- Matthew Battles, The Boston Globe



This exploration of potential alien life is a timely work, just as the steadily increasing discoveries of extra-solar planets makes the possibility of finding alien life more plausible. . . . [Beyond UFOs] is a fully rounded examination of the subject, accessible to all. I guarantee that after reading this book you will be watching space probe results that much more closely. And maybe, you will be watching the skies too! -- Steve Ringwood, Astronomy Now



This is a highly readable and enjoyable book that centers on astrobiology--a discipline that melds astronomy, biology, geology--and a little bit of luck--to explore the prospect of life on other worlds. . . . Bennett is an excellent writer, taking the reader on an exploration quest to find alien life, and how difficult solar system sleuthing can be, such as on Mars, Jupiter's Europa, or on Saturn's Titan. You'll also find an excellent treatment on current activities surrounding the on-going search for extraterrestrial intelligence. -- The Coalition for Space Exploration



Particularly enjoyable is the down-to-earth writing; Bennett, an astrophysicist, author, and educator, tells the reader exactly how he feels about various topics (even the role of God in the scheme of things). Readers may not agree with everything he says, but he does offer food for thought. -- B.R. Parker, Choice



Beyond UFOs gives a good impression from the moment you first take it into your hands. It is attractively produced, well written, and very thoroughly proofread. It's an interesting and challenging complement to focused research, and will be particularly enjoyed by anyone who has an appetite for broad science tinged with morals. -- Elizabeth Griffin, The Observatory

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Product Details

• Hardcover: 238 pages
• Publisher: Princeton University Press; First Edition edition (February 4, 2008)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0691135495
• ISBN-13: 978-0691135496
• Product Dimensions: 9.5 x 6.5 x 0.9 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.1 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.2 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (12 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #295,837 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
  • #17 in Books > Professional & Technical > Professional Science > Astronomy & Space Science > Comets, Meteors & Asteroids

More About the Author

Jeffrey Bennett holds a B.A. in Biophysics from the University of California, San Diego, and an M.S. and Ph.D. in Astrophysics from the University of Colorado, Boulder. His extensive experience in research and education includes serving two years as a Visiting Senior Scientist at NASA Headquarters in Washington, DC; creating research and education projects for the Hubble Space Telescope and other NASA missions; proposing and helping to develop the Voyage Scale Model Solar System on the National Mall in Washington, DC; and teaching at every level from preschool through graduate school. He is the author of best-selling college textbooks in astronomy, astrobiology, mathematics, and statistics, as well as author of two books for the general public (On the Cosmic Horizon and Beyond UFOs) and of the award-winning children's books Max Goes to the Moon, Max Goes to Mars, and Max Goes to Jupiter. For more information, visit www.jeffreybennett.com.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

9 of 9 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Highly recommended, December 18, 2008

By 

Todd Neff (Denver, Colo., USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Beyond UFOs: The Search for Extraterrestrial Life and Its Astonishing Implications for Our Future (Hardcover)

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.

10 of 11 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Excellent Book about the search for extraterrestrial life, June 1, 2008

By 

David J. Syzdek (Las Vegas, NV United States) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Beyond UFOs: The Search for Extraterrestrial Life and Its Astonishing Implications for Our Future (Hardcover)

This book details on a layman's level, the state of the science and technology being used to search for life beyond earth.

Bennett does an excellent job explaining the process of science and the development of scientific ideas starting with ancient ideas about the universe and how scientific though has progressed (in fits and starts) to the current day. He also explains how scientific thought and religious beliefs can coexist and do not inherently contradict each other.

The book continues by examining the question of "What is Life" and the process of getting life started. After looking at the requirements of life on a planetary and star system scale, the book looks at the possibility of life throughout the solar system and then beyond. Bennett looks at the probability of extraterrestrial intelligence arising an asking the question: "... If civilizations really are as common as it seems they ought to be, shouldn't we by now have some real evidence for their existence?" Finally, Bennett looks at the social and cultural changes that we could possibly face if we learn of intelligent life in the universe.

This book is easy and enjoyable, and I recommend it for anyone who has an interest in astronomy, UFOs, or science. Even non-scientists would find it interesting.

4 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Is there hope beyond UFO's?, March 22, 2009

By 

Ted Byrd - See all my reviews

This review is from: Beyond UFOs: The Search for Extraterrestrial Life and Its Astonishing Implications for Our Future (Hardcover)

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.