Artifact

Perhaps I'm biased because I like Benford's style: I couldn't put the book down. I read it straight through, just stopping once for lunch. It's not Benford's best book because his others are all so great, but it was much better than I expected after reading the other reviews here. Benford mixes in plenty of realistic science, archaeology, and university politics with the action of the plot. At the end of the book, an interesting "Technical Afterword" puts the sci-fi in context with "real" physics.My favorite line from the book is typical Benford: "He had noted that the noise in a room rose as the square of the number of people in it..."

I liked this book a lot. It's not "great", but ultimately satisfying, combining particle physics and archaeology with a bunch of quite believable characters. One reviewer complained about the "Rambo" quality, that area is well done and realistic, neither overplayed nor over-macho. As a woman, I found the heroine interesting as he gives her point of view (what a difference from Asimov!), it's believable guys. Also, as an avid reader of Sci. American, and being an archaeology enthusiast, I enjoyed that combination tremendously. As in all good Benford, IT'S BELIEVABLE. You feel the story could really happen.

I was completely enthralled and captivated by Benford's scientific knowledge and writing skills. He has the unique ability to blend insightful scientific speculation with real-life adventure and human interaction.Artifact is one of those rare science fiction stories that is believable because of the real science it contains. Benford has been critisized for including too much scientific explanation. However, without it, I may not have found the story line as plausible, or enjoyable.I further enjoyed Benford's writing style. His characters come to life and it is apparent that Benford enjoys writing about adventure and human interactions as much as he does about the science.All-in-all, I found Artifact very entertaining and would recommend it to anyone remotely interested in science fiction or adventure.

I picked up a copy of Artifact because I didn't want to spend $28.00 on Benford's new novel (the paperback will be out soon, right?). I made a good choice. Solid science, wonderful characters, and a twisty, engaging story ... altogether, one of the most enjoyable books I've read in a long time. I'm going to the bookstore today to find another Benford novel. Hell, I might even spend the $28.00 bucks for the hardback!

Gregory Benford's _Artifact_ is an intriguing sci'fi novel involving a mysterious radioactive ancient object discovered in the Greek Archipelago. His essays into scientific detail can be tedious at times, but the central adventure, romance, and scientific mystery are excellent and absorbing. Too bad it has been unavailable for years! I recommend it to any borderline sci-fi reader who has an interest in ancient history.