Joel Achenbach is a staff writer for the Washington Post and occasional commentator on National Public Radio. His most recent book reflects the continued fascination with all things extraterrestrial. However, as one might guess from the title of the book, the book covers far more than a dry exposition of the Drake equation, the Fermi paradox, and the latest in extrasolar planets.
The book is divided into three parts. The first part deals largely with the science of the search for ET life. The second part deals with the UFO and alien abduction phenomenon. The third part tries to tie it all together.
Hard-core SETI proponents will probably find little new in the book. There is probably sufficient background information that even those new to the idea of SETI will not be overwhelmed by the science. (Though "newcomers" might also find it worthwhile to invest in a more "textbook"-like book that describes what is known, not known, and assumed about SETI.) Various, fairly standard explanations of the Fermi paradox are reviewed, the (lack of) evidence for a record of biological processes in the Martian meteorite ALH84001 are reviewed, etc.
The book contains more than just the science (or lack thereof) in these topics, however---it also describes much of the sociology of science and the personality of those involved in the search for ET life. Washington is first and foremost a "connection" town, and Achenbach displays an excellent network of connections. Among the people interviewed are Carl Sagan; NASA Administrator Daniel Goldin, who reveals (or at least hints at) his thoughts on ETI, God, and the "meaning of it all"; Henry Harris, a NASA engineer charged with designing an interstellar propulsion system and who also believes aliens are already here; and Robert Zubrin, founder of the Mars Society.
Scientifically-minded individuals may be alarmed by the inclusion of UFOs and alien abductions in the book. (This reviewer certainly was initially.) However in our current state of ignorance, our thoughts about the (non-)existence of ETI probably reveal as much about ourselves as about ETI. Achenbach's attempts to understand the claims of UFO abductions are conducted, by and large, in a scientific manner. He assembles claims, reviews the evidence, even conducts experiments (being hypnotized to determine if he has been abducted). Along the way we gain fascinating insight into how both sides of the UFO debate can view the other as "so gullible." (See the end of Chapter 19.)
Achenbach's breezy style reflects the Washington Post's Style section, for which he has often written. In general, he treats the people who populate the book with sincerity. There are occasional instances in which the tone seems to cross to either mocking or cynicism (though some of these instances occur when he is describing members of the reviewer's profession, so maybe this is not entirely bad).
Overall, I recommend this book and is worth a trip to your local bookseller. Few will probably learn anything new scientifically, but it is an enjoyable, at times fascinating, read regarding the sociology of SETI and alien life.
jlazio@patriot.net>