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Title:  Confessions of an Alien Hunter - A Scientist's Search For Extraterrestrial Intelligence

Author: Seth Shostak
Edition: NA
ISBN: 978-1-4262-0392-3
Date: 2009
Publisher: National Geographic Society
Binding: Hard Cover
Size approximately (inches): 6-1/4 x 9-1/4
Pages: 309

Book Condition: Good. Previously owned.  With Dust Jacket. Former library copy with clear cover over dust jacket. Has usual library stampings and stickers.

Special Notes: Foreword by Frank Drake

About the book*

Confessions of an Alien Hunter: A Scientist’s Search for Extraterrestrial Intelligence by Seth Shostak offers an engaging and insightful look into the scientific pursuit of discovering intelligent life beyond Earth. As the senior astronomer at the SETI Institute, Shostak provides a firsthand account of the methodologies and technologies employed in the search for extraterrestrial signals.

Chapter list: 

1. Foreword – by Frank Drake

2. News That Would Change the World

3. Inklings of ET

4. Why Would Anyone Believe They're Out There?

5. Could They Be Here?

6. Turning Ears to the Skies

7. Eureka

8. Beyond Gray and Hairless

9. Epilogue

10. Acknowledgments

11. Illustration Credits

12. Index

Each chapter delves into different facets of the search for extraterrestrial intelligence, blending scientific insights with cultural reflections. For instance, "Could They Be Here?" examines claims of alien encounters, while "Turning Ears to the Skies" discusses the methodologies employed in detecting extraterrestrial signals. The book culminates in "Beyond Gray and Hairless," where Shostak explores the possibility that advanced civilizations may be post-biological, existing as machine intelligences

The book delves into the history of SETI, tracing humanity's fascination with the possibility of alien life and the evolution of our search methods. Shostak discusses the use of radio telescopes, such as the Allen Telescope Array, and the application of the Drake Equation to estimate the number of communicative civilizations in our galaxy. He also explores the challenges of interstellar communication and the likelihood that any detected signals would come from advanced, possibly post-biological, machine intelligences rather than organic beings.

Beyond the scientific aspects, Shostak addresses cultural perceptions of aliens, debunking myths surrounding UFOs and crop circles with humor and skepticism. He emphasizes the importance of scientific rigor in the search for extraterrestrial intelligence and reflects on the profound implications that discovering alien life would have on our understanding of humanity's place in the universe.

Confessions of an Alien Hunter combines scientific explanation with personal anecdotes and wit, making complex topics accessible to a general audience. It's a compelling read for anyone interested in the intersection of science, philosophy, and the enduring question of whether we are alone in the cosmos.

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From W5SWL

*AI is used to present some modern description content. Subject to review and possible inaccuracy.