This book is a wonderful, provocative read. Just today I read ""peculiar' radio signals emerge from nearby star." Well I'm old enough to remember when “nearby” was much, much nearer than eleven light years away. The article is timely…
The subject of the book Jill Tarter, Ph.D. was the former Director of the Search for Extraterrestrial Life institute (SETI). And she was instrumental in establishing the approaches used to assess odd signals like the one identified from the Arecibo Observatory mentioned above. This book describes those approaches and the scientific challenges in dealing with radio-astronomy and the practical challenges in dealing with politicians who fund big, audacious ideas.
Sarah Scoles, the author, is a wonderful writer weaving together the personal and work struggles confronting Tarter using wit and a foundational understanding of the science behind the work. Scoles writes clearly about topics that aren’t so clear.
Please put Tarter among those scientists who choose to go after really big problems that few others have the guts to pursue. She chose to go after a big, a gargantuan problem, and seek the answer to a universal human question. Are we alone?
Oh yeah, Tarter is the inspiration for Jodie Foster’s character in the film “Contact”.
Are we alone transcends, race, gender, class, age, and geographic boundary. Everyone has at one point looked up on a clear night and wondered about such events. Tarter has spent a life time working to find out for us all.
And any who are trying to inspire girls toward a STEM educational path should gift this book. Hell, gift this book to anyone who has stared above in wonder. Jill Tarter has walked-the-walk as an accomplished scientist. Though gender is addressed the author does not beat you over the head to remind you Tarter is a female in a male dominated scientific community. The fact that she had to fight her way in is actually understated especially when you consider when she chose to pursue what she loves. She was a female scientist when being a female scientist was not in fashion.
For any looking for inspiration, I encourage you to read this book. The audacity of the work, the challenge to secure funding, and the constant effort to gain political support is an on-going, competitive endeavor. And, of course, the challenge of finding suitable planets, odd signals and then differentiating them from anything we created is a big technical challenge given the enormity of space.
How Tarter perseveres is inspirational and a wonderful lesson for all.This is a well written, inspirational story about a remarkable fighter and a remarkable goal - to discover if we are alone.
Enjoy fast, free delivery, exclusive deals, and award-winning movies & TV shows with Prime
Try Prime
and start saving today with fast, free delivery
Download the free Kindle app and start reading Kindle books instantly on your smartphone, tablet, or computer - no Kindle device required.
Read instantly on your browser with Kindle for Web.
Using your mobile phone camera - scan the code below and download the Kindle app.
Book recommendations, author interviews, editors' picks, and more. Read it now
Customers who viewed this item also viewed
Page 1 of 1 Start overPage 1 of 1
Top reviews from the United States
There was a problem filtering reviews right now. Please try again later.
Reviewed in the United States on July 18, 2017
Reviewed in the United States on June 23, 2018
Reviewed in the United States on May 22, 2018
Reviewed in the United States on September 7, 2017
Reviewed in the United States on January 15, 2018
Top reviews from other countries
Nacho Solórzano
Recommended to anyone interested in the search of extraterrestrial intelligence but be patient
Reviewed in France on June 20, 2021D. A. Robinson
Not bad, but could have been better
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on January 26, 2018