Is Anyone Out There?

+++++ This book tells us the fascinating history of the Search for ExtraTerrestrial Intelligence (SETI). In addition, this is a science book, explaining the science that's needed to undertake such a challenging task (a task similar to "hunting for a needle in a cosmic haystack"). Lastly, this is an autobiographical book that profiles the life of coauthor Dr. Frank Drake (born: 1930), the first person in human history to use a radio telescope to search for other civilizations in space and who is now known as "the father of SETI." (The other coauthor of this book is best-selling author Dava Sobel). What struck me when reading this book (first published in 1992) was Drake's unyielding enthusiasm for the strong possibility of discovering signals from an extraterrestrial civilization. In fact, he states, "This discovery...I fully expect to witness before the year 2000." The fact that a signal has not been detected "simply mean[s] that we [have] not looked long enough or hard enough." Here's just some of what you'll learn about when reading this book: (1) Project Ozma (performed in 1960) which was "the first modern radio search for extraterrestrial signals of intelligent origin." (2) The creation of the Drake Equation in 1961 which is a "formula for estimating the number of advanced intelligent civilizations" in the Galaxy. (3) SETI and the Soviets. (4) Interstellar travel versus interstellar radio communication. (5) The intriguing WOW! signal which was detected in 1977 (a signal that has never been repeated and is the best evidence for extraterrestrial intelligence). (6) A radio message sent out by Drake and others in 1974 to hopefully be detected by other intelligent civilizations. (7) What will happen if signals are detected and the profound significance of such signals for the people of planet Earth. In addition, this book has, what I call, a "SETI glossay". Here, you'll find a list of defined terms that are unique to SETI. Also, there are three appendices. In these, you'll discover that there has been nearly sixty projects or searches (up to 1992) for signals since the first project of 1960. As well, I was amazed at how many respected scientists from many disciplines were/are connected directly or indirectly with SETI. Some names include Carl Sagan, Freeman Dyson, Francis Crick (Noble Prize winner), Stephen Hawking, Fred Hoyle, and Linus Pauling (two-time Nobel Prize winner). From seeing these names I thus have to agree with Drake when he says that "SETI is considered mainstream science." There are thirty black-and-white photographs located near the center of the book. Many are photos of those people who have been or now are deeply involved with SETI. Finally, the SETI Institute (located in Mountain View, California), as this book explains, was founded in late 1984. Its "mission is to explore, understand, and explain the origin, nature, prevalence, and distribution of life in the universe." As well, this institute has a websi

i was surprised when i found this book in a second-hand book store. I had heard about it and wanted to read it, but knew it was out of print. Being a SETI enthusiast (running the seti@home screensaver 24/7), this book elegantly took me through the step by step advances in the field, told by the man himself, Frank Drake. What really got me hooked was the Sagan-like simplicity of the book. I urge anyone and everyone to read "Is Anyone Out There?". Highly insightful and very objective. (made me even go out and buy an amateur telescope!)

This book explains SETI to the average person very nicely. The fact that is written by Frank Drake, the person to conduct the first search for extraterrestrial life in the universe is a great bonus, because you know it written by a person who understands the subject, inside and out.Frank Drake is the person that the Drake Equation is named for. The Drake Equation a simple formula for calculating the change that other intelligence life in the Universe Exists. How you decide to plug numbers into the equation is where all the debate on this subject is conducted. Great book. Get it if you can find it.

Frank Drake and Dava Sobel's book is a great introductory text for anyone interested in the SETI program. Dr. Drake pioneered the SETI program, or Search for Extraterrestrial Intelligence. I would urge anyone interested in what could be "out there" to read this book.