The Overview Effect: Space Exploration and Human Evolution, Second Edition (Library of Flight) Subsequent Edition

by F. White (Author)

6 customer reviews

ISBN-13: 978-1563472602

ISBN-10: 1563472600

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The Overview Effect: Space Exploration and Human Evolution (Library of Flight)
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Using interviews with and writings by 29 astronauts and cosmonauts, Frank White shows how experiences such as circling the Earth every 90 minutes and viewing it from the moon have profoundly affected our space travellers' perceptions of themselves, their world and the future. He shows how the rest of us, who have participated in these great adventures, have also been affected psychologically by them. He provides a rationale for space exploration and settlement, describing them as the inevitable next steps in the evolution of human society and human consciousness, as the activities most likely to bring a new perspective to the problems of life on Earth. This text considers the possible consequences of a human presence in space, both for the pioneers who settle there and for those who remain on Earth. White imagines how having a permanent perspective from outer space will affect our politics, our religion, our social relations, our psychology, our economics and our hard sciences. He confronts the possibility of rebellion by a space colony and of contact with extraterrestrial beings. And, finally, he makes it clear that our fate is in our own hands, that we will shape our future in space effectively only by fashioning a human space programme, free of excessive nationalism and dedicated to the peaceful exploration of the space frontier.

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Editorial Reviews

About the Author

Frank White is a senior associate of the Space Studies Institute in Princeton, New Jersey. He testified before the National Commission on Space and assisted in writing its report.

Series: Library of Flight
Paperback: 314 pages
Publisher: AIAA; Subsequent edition (January 1, 1998)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 1563472600
ISBN-13: 978-1563472602
Product Dimensions: 6 x 0.8 x 9.2 inches
Shipping Weight: 1.1 pounds
Average Customer Review: 6 customer reviews
Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,720,178 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
- #814 in Books > Textbooks > Engineering > Aeronautical Engineering
- #987 in Books > Engineering & Transportation > Engineering > Aerospace > Astronautics & Space Flight
- #1635 in Books > Science & Math > Technology > Social Aspects

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Ashraf A. Dawod

Out of this world

May 23, 2014

Format: PaperbackVerified Purchase

In order for you to enjoy this book, you have to be a fan of "outer space", and be open minded about philosophy.
Mr. White has been labeled a "Space Philosopher" and rightfully so. I'm not a fast reader, and very rarely I would find a book that I just can't put down, and this is one of those books.

This is the best way I've found to enjoy this book.
Read the first 4 chapters in order, that will give you a basic solid understanding of what the thesis of the book is. It does get a little repetitive, but I think its due to Mr. White wanting to make sure you understand what he's talking about, and why he's talking about it. This 1st section of the book also includes many quotes from actual Astronauts, so its interesting to read what they thought of their experience.

Once you've done that, the fun part begins. Go to the table of content and find the chapters of the topics you are most interested in and read them. That's the process I'm going through now, and its working great.
The chapters vary in length, with the longest being roughly 20 pages long, which means you can easily go through 2+ chapters in a day if you like. As I said I'm a slow reader, and it seems like the 2nd section of the book is where its Philosophy heavy, but it reads more like notes of a "futurist", its quite fascinating.

One thing I've found helpful is to always have a pen with me, I would underline sentences, and make notes of certain ideas he's mentioning, it really helps the information sink in.

I personally am enjoying my experience so far reading this book (Second Edition), and I can see my self referring back to it in the future to revisit some of these ideas.
If your interested in Space travel and/or philosophical thinking about future life beyond on the planet "Earth", then you would enjoy this book.

3 people found this helpful4 people found this helpful

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Brenda E.

The bigger picture.

March 12, 2016

Format: HardcoverVerified Purchase

I love this book. So inspiring and uplifting.

One person found this helpful

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Zachary James

Five Stars

December 7, 2014

Format: PaperbackVerified Purchase

Item as described. Fast shipping.

One person found this helpful

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Peter D. Tillman

Just plain awful

August 1, 2017

Format: Paperback

Speaking plainly, this is a wretched book. White's commentary is dull, pretentious and stupefyingly repetitious. The snippets of interviews with astronauts are short, scattershot and basically worthless. The book was inexplicably recommended by [the late] Lynn Margulis, which is why I tried it. Avoid, avoid!

Truth in reviewing: I didn't come close to finishing this turkey. Trust me, you don't even want to start it.

One person found this helpful2 people found this helpful

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Tihamer Toth-Fejel

How the view from Space changes us

December 24, 2008

Format: Hardcover

Frank White's "The Overview Effect" is one of those rare books that gives a reason for NASA's existence that goes far beyond spin-offs, national pride, or even an investment in our future.

White explains how going into Space will change us, and make us better. The process starts with the Overview Effect that turns the entire Earth into our neighborhood. It continues from the Moon, when a single gloved thumb at arms length can cover everything we've ever known. This view is the Copernican Perspective, and it exposes our insignificance and vulnerability. Finally there is the Cosmic Insight, which occurs from the outer reaches of our Solar System, and inspires us to take our rightful place in the Universe.

White explains all this much better than I can in this quick review.

I am very puzzled by the negative reviews of this book. Maybe these people believe that "if you've seen one star you've seen them all". My guess is that there are some important differences in metaphysical assumptions about reality that cause people to either love or hate this book.

I'm not exactly sure what that difference is, but I suspect it has to do with our preconceived notions about humanity's place in the universe, and in our capacity to wonder.

17 people found this helpful18 people found this helpful

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Loretta Y Hidalgo

The greatest book on the societal implications of space

October 30, 2002

Format: Paperback

A must read for any aspiring space hero.
Get inspired. Get in action.
Edition 2 features interviews with Female space explorers as well.

9 people found this helpful10 people found this helpful

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