Galactic Exploration [Kindle Edition]

Peter Cawdron (Author)

Book Description

Galactic Exploration is a compilation of four closely related stories following the exploration of the Milky Way by the star ships Serengeti, Savannah and the Rift Valley. These three generational space ships are manned by clones and form part of the ongoing search for intelligent extra-terrestrial life. With the Serengeti heading out above the plane of the Milky Way, the Savannah exploring the outer reaches of the galaxy, and the Rift Valley investigating possible alien signals within the galactic core, this story examines the Rare Earth Hypothesis from a number of different angles.

This volume contains the novellas:

* Serengeti
* Trixie & Me
* Savannah
* War

Editorial Reviews

Review

I feel the series was intriguing, enjoyable and well written, I'm giving it 5 stars.

I think some of the complaints I've seen in reviews [of the individual novellas] from others (and that includes myself) that there wasn't enough and they were left hanging will easily be resolved by reading the four novellas together as a whole in Galactic Exploration. 

Independent book review - TJ Hapney

From the Author

Galactic Exploration is a thoughtful look at the challenges mankind may face when exploring the Milky Way

Product Details

• File Size: 433 KB
• Print Length: 302 pages
• Page Numbers Source ISBN: 147817577X
• Simultaneous Device Usage: Unlimited
• Publisher: Peter Cawdron at Smashwords (June 15, 2012)
• Sold by: Amazon Digital Services, Inc.
• Language: English
• ASIN: B008BYN3ZG
• Text-to-Speech: Enabled
• X-Ray: Not Enabled
• Lending: Enabled
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #24,712 Paid in Kindle Store (See Top 100 Paid in Kindle Store)
  • #19 in Kindle Store > Kindle eBooks > Literature & Fiction > Genre Fiction > Science Fiction > Space Exploration

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

12 of 12 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars A Science Fiction Must Read July 2, 2012

By RallyJusty

Format:Kindle Edition

Galactic Exploration is a compilation of four novellas written by Peter Cawdron.
Having read the Novellas as they came out (and secretly willing him to write faster after I read each!) I am excited to see this series come together as a Novel.

The title,"Galactic Exploration", is a statement, not a title, and yet I must admit, after having read all four novellas, I would expect nothing less from this author.
In our earth future, as imagined by Peter, men have made it a mission, and have succeeded at throwing humans out into the great expanse of the Milky Way. Distance and time have been treated with the respect they deserve if you are going to write a book called "Galactic Exploration". Simply put, Peter has managed to create a galactic feel for time and distance in space. Within each story we meet characters that are familiar without being stereotypical, and fantastic aliens that are as believable as they are frightening. Descriptions are well thought out and put the reader right into the thick of it by giving us enough information for our own imaginations to paint a marvelous picture. I must say that I would love to see this as a movie, but only if I can watch it the way I imagined it. I think just about any reader will come away from this book feeling the same way. The plots are exciting and new. I never once felt I could predict how it would turn out, and couldn't stop reading until I knew how it did come out.
The science in most science fiction these days is relegated to what kind of fantastical creature or technology can one dream up to put on a movie screen. In galactic exploration science is science. He has extrapolated a future that one could easily imagine from where we are now. Technology is believable, and isn't a panacea; it doesn't do everything, it isn't perfect nor are those that create it, build it, or use it.
If you are a fan of good science fiction that doesn't pander, or insult the intelligence of it's reader, then Galactic Exploration is a must read.

As a side-bar I want to add that I would never have had a chance to read Peter Cawdron, or any of the nearly dozen authors I have read since coming upon Peter's first book "Anomaly" if it wasn't for independent publishing.
Independent publishing has given talented authors such as Peter a way to put their wares out there for all to read. We need to support this format. I am by no means a crusader, but I am convinced that the next generation of great science fiction authors, concepts, creatures and invention will be from among those that don't wait for a break but choose rather to make their own. For the price of 1 main-stream e-book I have read 6-8 books. I have not been short changed. It is not a case of you get what you pay for. "I can't believe I am getting all of this for a buck!" is generally my thought when finishing another independently published book.

8 of 8 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Intriguing, enjoyable and well written June 18, 2012

By TJ

Format:Kindle Edition

At the author's request, I read the beta of War, the fourth installment of the Galactic Exploration series this past weekend. As it is difficult to separate the pieces of the story now that I've read them all, this will be kind of an all encompassing review for the project as a whole and as I feel the series was intriguing, enjoyable and well written, I'm giving it 5 stars.

War had more punch and tension than some the previous installments which were more world (so to speak) and character building and I really enjoyed seeing it all come together with the action and more tension than we've seen in the previous novellas. War was very descriptive and even some of the portions that weren't actually action seemed that way, but I'd have to spoil the story to tell you how that was achieved.

All in all, Mr. Cawdron really did an excellent job of bringing the characters together from the other installments and integrating them in this latest novella for a chance to mess with your head a little. For the first time the characters from the previous installments are together (in a manner of speaking) and it was good to see them all struggling and working together for the same goals - survival and freedom. For those who have read the three prior novellas, Anderson, Trixie, Berry and Diana are all present as they encounter what so many yearn to search for and may be afraid to find. War was a good read and I think some of the complaints I've seen in reviews from others (and that includes myself) that there wasn't enough and they were left hanging will easily be resolved by reading the four novellas together.

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful

4.0 out of 5 stars Worth Reading September 17, 2012

By Jared Rowland

Format:Kindle Edition

I was almost put off by the negative reviews of this collection, I'm glad I wasn't. They are baseless and obviously written by people who never read the book. Galactic Exploration offers a vision of interstellar exploration that brings to light the complexities of the necessary technologies, as well as the logistical nightmare posed by the immense distances involved. Not to mention the engaging storyline and intriguing plot twists. Very glad I took the chance and read this book.

More About the Author

Peter was born and raised in New Zealand, travelled to the US and Scotland for several years, before settling in Australia.

Peter writes science fiction, specialising in action/adventure and hard science novels. His début novel, Anomaly, jumped into the top 100 best sellers for High Tech Science Fiction within days of being released and rose into the top 10 for over a month. With over a hundred review comments, from a wide variety of perspectives, Anomaly continues to stir the imagination of readers.

Galactic Exploration represents a return to the classic science fiction of the 50s, with a series of related novellas making up a grand story of exploration. While Monsters is a dystopian look at the importance of reading.

http://thinkingscifi.wordpress.com/