I wanted to like this book more. There is a lot of wonder in here, especially when it comes to using dark matter as a propellant and the tiny sailed nanocrafts powered by lasers that could be our first interstellar probes. I also appreciated hearing about the author's other papers and just the behind the scenes look at how science gets done: a person has an idea, perhaps strange, then does some research (or has a colleague do it) and finds its not so strange an idea at all (or, better still, the idea is dismissed by another scientist at strange, whose own work then proves it's not and has to eat crow).

But the book ultimately reads like a cross between a grant proposal and a TED talk arguing for why science should putting more money into the study of extraterrestrial objects instead of stigmatizing it. I agree with Loeb's argument too. His points are all solid. It' s just I could have gotten to yes in 40 pages instead of 200, and I would have preferred that the other 160 pages were filled with more nanocrafts and cool scientific ideas.

Avi Loeb is always interesting, regardless of whether his arguments gain traction in the scientific mainstream. He's a well-credentialed scientist who focuses on some possibilities that garner relatively little attention from his colleagues. If he's right, he'll be long remembered as one of the greats of science.

Avi Loeb, a longtime and respected professor of astrophysics, gained public attention after declaring that Oumuamua, a space object discovered in 2017, was most likely of extraterrestrial origin. While the discussion of UFOs has become more scientific in recent years, Loeb is still the most prominent academic figure calling for the issue to be treated with all seriousness. He strongly believes in humanity's interstellar future and has devoted all of his energy to making it a reality. His latest book focuses on the Galileo Project, which aims to detect and identify evidence of extraterrestrial civilizations.

The book is well written and full of interesting ideas, inspiring even if you don't share the author's optimism about our future. It is also an ode to the scientific method and human reason. I recommend it to anyone who wants to know more about astrophysics and cosmology.

Thanks to the publisher, Mariner Books, and NetGalley for an advanced copy of this book.

5 / 10 ✪

https://arefugefromlife.wordpress.com/2023/08/30/interstellar-by-avi-loeb-review/

Following his argument for the existence of interstellar objects and extraterrestrial life in the aptly named Extraterrestrial, Harvard professor and astronomer Avi Loeb is back to take on what comes next, the future following the discovery of extraterrestrial life.

Loeb himself, along with his graduate students and staff, are embarking on an expedition to trawl the sea floor for proof of a trans-stellar object. Following what the author hopes will be undeniable proof, Interstellar is set to examine what comes next, and how humanity should deal with the aftermath.

I absolutely loved Extraterrestrial, not at least because Loeb’s argument was really quite persuasive, but also because he was so excited about his work and interested in selling it. Unfortunately this tone doesn’t effectively carry over to Interstellar.

It started out well enough but quickly lost my interest. One cannot write a book using enthusiasm alone. Particularly when one is still attempting to prove the existence of extraterrestrial life. For there’s not a whole lot of actual argument in this book. And… unfortunately, while some might say that my cynicism is coloring my opinion, but I’d argue that the author’s naïvety is blinding his own. It’s really hard to summarize my thoughts on the piece without it just devolving into some kind of rant.

About how someone would always make it about power and control. About how science and politics and military rarely see eye to eye. About how, just because I was inspired by his previous arguments, everyone else will be as well. For—despite his obvious enthusiasm and the strength of his argument—Loeb and his opinion on extraterrestrials is still regarded by the international community as approaching fringe science. He could pull a freaking interstellar spaceship from the Pacific Ocean and they still likely wouldn’t believe him.

But, ignoring that, let’s focus on the actual content itself. Like the previous book, the author’s enthusiasm for the subject comes through strong. It’s one of the best aspects of the book; his excitement that the science backs up his belief in extraterrestrial civilizations. His wonder undimmed despite his findings being routinely dismissed. His tone is consistently exuberant, and it’s just a joy to read a work that’s built on love and excitement, as well as science.

However, there’s too much wonder and too little science. The argument presented in Interstellar was much weaker than that of Extraterrestrial, such that I had to wonder if he was trying to prove anything at all. Or it was just a “you must’ve been swayed by what I said before, so here’s what I think should happen next”. Which is more fantasy than actual science. Unfortunately, I’d say that he really needed to wait until after his ocean trawling to present a decent argument, rather than just assuming complete success, assuming everyone would be convinced—and starting from there.

Of course, depending on what the author finds in the sea, I’m ready to be proven wrong.

INTERSTELLAR is a tremendously inspirational, exciting, adventurous, forward-thinking work of Science nonfiction . Dr. Avi Loeb is a genius scientist, in my opinion, and even more importantly, his mind is open. Much of his convictions closely resonate with and encourage my own. (My only point of exception is his thought that Science Fiction as a genre has tended to be utilized as a backdrop to play familiar tropes. I think not, as there are a number of writers, past and present, who diligently explore "the big questions," which creates the most exciting kind of SF, I think.) In all other respects I have intense respect for INTERSTELLAR and I am eager to read his earlier work, EXTRATERRESTRIAL [speaking of mainstream publications rather than Scientific and Academic publications].

When humans look up at the sky, they yearn to travel among the stars. But questions abound. Are we alone? If not, why haven’t we discovered any undeniable evidence of other species? The author of Interstellar postulates that our instruments are inadequate. He hopes to remedy that as director of the new Galileo Project. This book describes what the project has discovered thus far (three interstellar meteors) and what it plans to look for in the future.

The Galileo Project’s next goal is to recover an interstellar meteorite from the ocean floor near Papua New Guinea. The object was discovered in 2014. It is made from a metal harder than any natural metal found on Earth. Will its recovery uncover a new metal found only in other worlds or a new alloy made by another civilization? Either one would be a stunning discovery, though the author is clearly hoping for the second option.

There is an abundance of interesting information within Interstellar without being too dense for the average reader. My only problem is that the author spends the first 20% of the book providing his bonafides. It comes off somewhat as bragging, or worse, the feeling of when you are trapped on an airplane with the most boring seat mate ever. But it moves on to how we are trying to discover evidence that sentient species exist in other worlds, which is a fascinating topic.

Overall, if you are interested in how science is progressing with UAP research, Interstellar is a good choice. 4 stars!

Thanks to Mariner Books and NetGalley for a digital review copy of the book.

My thanks to both NetGalley and the publisher Mariner Books for an advance copy of this book on the science of first contact, life in the universe and wait the future might hold for us.

As a long time science fiction fan I have read a lot of first contact novels. All sorts from genre to hard science, pulpy to militaristic. Some like the militaristic have aliens and humans fighting, with each other, sometimes against a larger foe, but usually first contact begins with a bang. Some are more hopeful, aliens and humans find something not to kill each other over, and might work together for a common goal. Whatever the outcome, human life is changed forever. In 2021 the American Pentagon released information dealing with Unidentified Aerial Phenomenon. This used to be called Unidentified Flying Objects aka UFOs, but the military has to military and uses language to obfuscate by habit. The report listed that yes the Pentagon listed numerous incidents about UAPs, and had no idea what they were, or where they came from. And nothing changed on Earth. People went back to 24 hour news on Trump or probably the British Royal Family. The American Military, one not to tell the truth about bombing civilians, losing nuclear weapons, or anything admitted something like possible aliens air craft and the collective response, outside of podcasts, conspiracy sites and Coast to Coast listeners was eh. Avi Loeb, Professor of Science at Harvard could understand this. Loeb's own work had been pretty much ignored. His book Interstellar: The Search for Extraterrestrial Life and Our Future in the Stars is a semi-response and a call to arms, or better a call to observatories, detailing how the Earth should plan for contact with life from other planets, and what the future might hold.

The book begins with a brief summation of the object known better as Ounuamua, that was detected by our sun, and began to move in ways that did not follow the rules of science, nor what a comet as many called it would do. Loeb saw this as well not proof, but something that defied conventional math and science, and could be considered something that was not natural but created by another intelligence. Loeb points out the fact that in many ways we are unprepared for first contact, and that many people would probably care very little about what was happening. Loeb also sketches out plans that will involve more than the military, as this might be something that shooting first, covering up later might not be the best way to go about things. There are discussions on realpolitik with aliens, the need for more civilian plans, and more importantly funding. Loeb also explains some of his projects which will hopefully address a lot of the questions he is raising, including work at sites that might have suspected UAP crashes here on Earth.

An interesting book that really looks at alien contact through not only science but from a political point of view. Loeb is a very good writer, and raises questions and answers them with aplomb. For every well that doesn't make sense, Loeb explains why it does make sense, and why there should be more discussions. There is a lot of information, but nothing seems overwhelming, or even to X-Files. Especially once the military admits that they have questions themselves. The discussions about the future are also intriguing, and even Loeb will have to admit, if we get there. We are a people slowing burning our home to a crisp. However Loeb is hopeful and looks at some of the issues that might come up, social, religious, and other ideas that can be helpful, and a hindrance.

A interesting view of what might be out there, one that leaves a reader with a lot of questions, and a lot of questioning of what they used to believe. Recommended of course for science readers, fans of alien contact, and lots of podcasts for information. Also a very good reference book for science fiction writers, and game designers both for ideas, and for motivations for characters. A very interesting different look at life on other worlds.

This extraordinary read takes us on a profound journey, as Loeb, famous for his groundbreaking research and theories on the mysterious object known as Oumuamua, delves into the uncharted territory of what lies beyond the momentous discovery of extraterrestrial life.

In this compelling book, Professor Loeb compels us to contemplate the future and envision ourselves as an interstellar species. With great insight and meticulous detail, he presents a blueprint for our society to prepare for the profound changes that will accompany the revelation of contact with alien civilizations. It is a call for us to shift our focus and pay closer attention to the pressing questions that lie on the horizon of our collective consciousness.

The first half of this captivating work immerses us in the Galileo Project, a groundbreaking endeavor poised to embark on an audacious expedition near Papua New Guinea. The objective? To seek out fragments of a peculiar object or meteor that crashed in 2014, raising intriguing speculations about its potential artificial origin. Loeb's masterful exploration of this mission grips the reader, evoking a sense of anticipation and wonder.

As we venture further into the depths of Professor Loeb's book, the narrative expands to encompass profound sociological, spiritual, and scientific inquiries that revolve around our destiny as a species. He deftly examines the profound implications that contact with extraterrestrial life will have on our societal structures, our philosophical beliefs, and our very understanding of our place in the cosmos.

It is with great enthusiasm that I wholeheartedly recommend this masterpiece.
Professor Loeb's work excels at igniting the flames of excitement around one of the most pivotal topics in human history, while also compelling us to confront the urgent questions that demand our attention. With its thought-provoking content and meticulous research, this book undoubtedly stands as one of the most exceptional reads of the year.

Renowned Harvard physicist Avi Loeb has penned an absolutely fantastic read. Loeb is well known for his research and theories on Oumuamua, and in this book, he explores what happens next after evidence of extraterrestrial life is presented to our society. The book discusses how we should plan for the future, become an interstellar species, and how our society should start paying more attention to these important questions.

The first half of the book goes into the Galileo Project and an upcoming expedition near Papua New Guinea to find fragments of a crashed object or meteor from 2014 that could potentially be of artificial origin. The second half of the book dives into sociological, spiritual, and scientific questions regarding our future as a species..

Overall, I highly recommend this book to everyone. It does an excellent job of creating excitement around potentially one of the most important topics in the history of our world and addressing the future of our species. It also brings up essential questions that need to come to the forefront of our society. This book is easily one of the best reads of the year.