2021-11-29

"Timescape" by Gregory Benford

 


Publisher: Bantam Books
Copyright: 1992
ISBN: 9780553297096

Timescape is an engrossing novel, that won the Nebula Award, and it isn't hard to see why. Mr. Benford, a "hard" science fiction author, who also happens to be a physicist, has written a tale that is immersed deep within this subject. It is true that my knowledge of physics is somewhat limited, but even so it was a fascinating story.

The world of the story is in deep environmental trouble, and a few scientists attempt to send a signal back through time to the early 1960s in hopes of correcting the problems they are now facing.

I've always found the idea of time travel, or in this case time communications, to be fascinating even though I know it'll likely never happen. But Mr. Benford explains the concepts in his book well enough that you will believe.

I reviewed another of Mr. Benford's books a couple of weeks ago, and I am looking forward to reading more of his work.

Highly recommended.

2021-11-22

"The Flooded Earth" by Peter D. Ward

 


Publisher: Basic Books, New York
Copyright: 2010
ISBN: 9780465009497

I'm relatively sure that most rational people by now realize the climate change is something we will have to contend with in the future. There will of course be those hold out who refuse to acknowledge this, or chalk it up to a distrust in science etc. But hopefully these people make up a very small minority.

This book takes the reader through a number of scenarios that deal with the possible consequences of inevitable global warming. Each chapter begins with a fictional depiction (at least I sure hope so) of what life could be like in the future if nothing is done.

As the title suggests one of the major outcomes of the warming will be the rising of the mean sea level. Whether it rises just a metre or so, or up to the 200+ metres that are possible humanity is essentially in deep trouble. However most people seem unlikely aware of what this could actually mean to people's everyday lives - in many cases the term disaster is a gross understatement as it will change the way people live, work, how they commute, how energy is generated, and many more factors.

Highly recommended, especially for those who don't believe climate change is real.

2021-11-15

"Artifact" by Gregory Benford

 


Publisher: Tom Doherty Associates
Copyright: 1985
ISBN: 0312930488

Artifact tells the tale of an archeological find in Greece that is not expected or understood. The excavation and examination of the artefact becomes an issue of Greek heritage, and when the basic principles of archeological research conflict directly with of an overzealous ex-archeologist who is now a member of the military, and also part of a junta that is trying to overthrow the government.

The lead archeologists is Dr. Claire Anderson, and she along with her crew foreman discover the artifact, just in time to be interrupted by Kontos the military / ex-archeologist who becomes the ever demanding bureaucrat, and who always wants his own way. Claire recruits another academic Dr. John Bishop to assist her in discovering what the specimen is, and this leads the story in a whole new direction. 

The characters in the story are very well written, and represented. I found the story to be very interesting, and there was actually science in the story, and as all science-fiction should have (but that is usually lacking).

Excellent read.


2021-11-08

"Space at the Speed of Light: The History of 14 Billion Years for People Short on Time" by Becky Smethurst


 

Publisher: Ten Speed Press
Copyright: 2020
ISBN: 9781984858696

Dr. Smethurst examines and number of fundamental questions, that I'm fairly sure many astrophysicists get asked many times during their career. Some of these questions are why does gravity matter, what was around in the beginning, a history of black holes (her speciality), the overall size of the universe, alien existence, and why is the sky dark to name but a few. The chapters are well written, and give good explanations, and would be suitable to inclusion in any grade school library.

In addition of this book Dr. Smethurst is a popular YouTube personality who examines unsolved cosmological mysteries, space news in general. She also contributes videos to other YouTube channels such as Sixty Symbols, and astronomy videos to Deep Sky Videos.

2021-11-01

"Ariadne" by Jennifer Saint


 

Publisher: Flatiron Books
Copyright: 2021
ISBN: 9781250773586

Ariadne retells the Greek myth of Princess Ariadne of Crete, her sister Phaedra, their mother and father Pasiphae, and King  Minos, and her brother Asterion who is otherwise known as the Minotaur.

Within this story are the tales of how Daedalus and Icarus escaped from the island of Crete, how Ariadne assisted Theseus in his killing of the Minotaur, and his ultimate betrayal and abandonment of her on the island of Naxos.

The story also tells of the life of Phaedra who thinking Ariadne is dead marries Theseus, The revenge of Daedalus on Minos, some history and further stories about Dionysus, the rivalry between Dionysus and Perseus, and so much more.

This is an excellent retelling of the Greek classical myths, and Ms. Saint has obviously done extensive research to support her backstory. I thoroughly enjoyed this book, and I'm looking forward to all future books she might decide to write.

Going on Hiatus

 Greetings, I have decided to put a hold on doing further book reviews for a while. In fact I'm not sure if I will resume doing reviews ...