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

~ Jeffrey Bennett (Author) "This is a book about possibilities..." (more)
Key Phrases: truly great planet, getting life started, worlds beyond imagination, Pearson Education, Addison Wesley, Big Bang (more...)

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 (February 4, 2008)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0691135495
• ISBN-13: 978-0691135496
• Product Dimensions: 9.2 x 6.2 x 1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.1 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 3.7 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (10 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #577,726 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

6 of 6 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)

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.

6 of 7 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 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:

5.0 out of 5 stars Great Book, July 18, 2008

By	T. L. Chartier - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

This book is very scientific in it's approach to the topic. I learned a lot of interesting facts about other worlds, the universe and biology. Very well written. Great book!