Harper · New York, NY · 240 pages
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Adam Frank’s The Little Book of Aliens is a perfect introduction to the questions of astrobiology and the search for extraterrestrial intelligence. Drawing on his expertise as an astrophysicist, Frank provides a concise yet comprehensive summary of our quest to answer the age-old question: Are we alone in the universe?
Without mincing words, Frank details all of the major debates and milestones of the extra-terrestrial question, including the scientific history of the search for intelligent life, the Fermi paradox, the Kardashev scale, the James Webb Space Telescope, and all known facts about UFO sightings.
The Little Book of Aliens focuses on three main topics and their implications for our future: the search for biosignatures (evidence of life such as oxygen on exoplanets), technosignatures (indicators of advanced civilizations), and the documentation of UFOs, now often termed UAPs (unidentified anomalous phenomena).
Frank discusses these topics with clarity and a touch of wit, making complex concepts digestible for non-specialists while still offering fresh perspectives for enthusiasts of astrobiology and space exploration.
Refreshingly, Frank does not take any unfounded conspiracy theories or pop-culture conceptions for granted, but he’s also unafraid to entertain outlandish questions and claims.
For instance, this book’s contextualization of iconic imagery demonstrates the power of suggestion and tempers some of the sensational cultural zeitgeist surrounding UFOs. Frank points out that sightings of “flying saucer shaped” UFOs became almost common in the US, but only after a newspaper mistakenly reported that a pilot had seen a flying saucer (despite the fact that he originally described a crescent shape).
Frank blends a grounded discussion of science, philosophy, and humor into an accessible and thought-provoking read. This is a perfect gift for any space enthusiast, be they skeptic or believer. Find it on sale now at The Space Store, along with an awesome selection of other science-themed books and gifts.
