Cosmic Encounter Books

This is Nancy Kress at her best, and this book could well serve as the foundation for another series comparable to the Beggars books, which I enjoyed immensely.

Although the book is not without flaws, the unique take on space opera that Kress brings makes the read worthwhile and memorable. Decisions and choices forced upon the humans really bring the characters to the foreground. They seem unique, believable, and internally consistent, rather than acting exactly the same way or in ridiculous typecast space drama ways.

I can't wait for the next book to come out in paperback! Hopefully it won't have a cover that is so embarassing to read on the plane.

Jake Holman and Gail Cutler head the expedition to colonize the new planet, Greentrees, with paying colonists from Earth. Among them are New Quakers, Cheyenne, a deposed Saudi royal family, Gail's rich eccentric family which includes the DeBeers, and assorted scientists of all stripes. They soon find that the planet is inhabited by kangaroo-like mammals, which they name "The Furs" who have been genetically engineered by another plant-like species, named "The Vines". The humans are captured and dragged all over the galaxy, caught in the crossfire of this species war.

Nancy Kress is the author of one of my top ten EVER favorite books, BEGGARS IN SPAIN (If you haven't read it - run and buy a copy!), so I wanted badly to like this book but just couldn't. I could barely force myself to finish it, and then the up-in-the-air ending made me throw my paperback across the room.

A private corporation is set up in order to travel to and colonize a habitable planet Greentrees. The colonists belong to several unrelated cultural groups who manage to get along well enough to accomplish their initial goals. Unbeknown to the humans, Greentrees is used as an experimental station by Vines, plant-like non-DNA aliens who are at war with DNA-based Furs. Vines and Furs arrive at Greentrees in quick succession, and the humans become entangled in their conflict. With the mastery and sophistication that her readers have come to expect from her, Nancy Kress introduces a contingent of life-like, ultimately believable, complex, and unique characters. The chatracters, the overall premise of the book, the abundant details of alien and future human technology and biology make Crossfire a very worthwhile read. However, in the second half of the book, the plot twists are so fast-paced and unpredictable that I found them to be detracting from the quality of the novel. Were Crossfire a script for a TV show, Farscape comes to mind, these plot developments would have been perfect. The advantage of a novel is that the reader can hear the characters' inner voices. The ratio of character introspection to action was about right for me in the first half of the book but decidedly unbalanced in the second half. Still I highly recommend this book because the good points outweigh the not so good points.

One of Nancy Kress's strengths is that she is able to create characters whom the reader gets to know. In this respect, I think she's done her best work in "Crossfire."

But that's only one dimension of this fine book. The concept of a first-contact novel is of course not new, but Ms. Kress has put a terrific twist on the concept, and built a riveting story about a settlement of several thousand humans who depart a dying Earth in search of a new start--and get much more than they bargained for.

Of course, if they found a new Eden, we wouldn't have much of a story--and to be sure, once the settlers encounter aliens, the mystery only deepens, and doesn't get any easier once another group of aliens turns up.

So--we have great characters in a good story, but Kress doesn't stop there. The book has a brisk pace to its complex plot, which sweeps the reader through its numerous twists.

Topping it off is a resolution that, like so much in life, leaves important issues unsettled. In this case, I hope that means there will be a sequel!

Nancy Kress has the rare ability to combine interesting characters, moral dilemmas, and approachable concepts of science, fusing them into books that are impossible to put down. CROSSFIRE certainly fits that description.

A large, diverse human colony has settled on a distant planet, only to find that their new world is inhabited. To their relief, leader Jake Holman and his team discover that the aliens are primitive and passive. It also seems that the aliens aren't native to the planet. As he investigates further, Jake uncovers some startling truths about the aliens, the members of his team, and himself. But he has more immediate concerns: trying to stop an interstellar war.

I once heard Orson Scott Card say that good science fiction isn't about the future, it's about the present. In CROSSFIRE, Kress tackles moral issues with an expert hand. This novel is about rights, strained relationships, standing up for truth, sacrifice, redemption, and many more complex issues that we face today. Kress never writes with a heavy hand, but she always gives the reader plenty to think about in the midst of a great tale.
Highly recommended.

364 pages

The Cosmic Test Tube is the best compilation and study of myths, facts, stories and arguments about UFOs I have ever read. The author, Randy Fitzgerald, takes a deliberate approach to presenting both sides and cites about every legitimate work in existence on the subject.

By his own account, Randall Fitzgerald put "Cosmic Test Tube" together due to his frustration with what he sees as the extremes of irrationality represented by most UFO believers and UFO skeptics alike. To that end, he provides summaries of literally hundreds of published books concerned with all aspects of the UFO phenomenon--ancient astronauts, UFO sightings, contactees and abductees, crop circles, cattle mutilations, and even the works of skeptics like Philip Klass and Curtis Peebles. By and large, these summaries are presented with a straight face and with no editorial or other subjective comment, although in the case of some books that I have also read I believe his selection of what to emphasize may not completely dovetail with what is emphasized in the books themselves. Since nearly all of "Cosmic Test Tube" is made up of these entries, one can view this book as a sort of "Cliffs Notes" on UFOlogy.

The book is divided into several convenient sections (ancient astronauts, general UFO sightings, contactees and abductees, and skeptics), and each section is preceded by an article-length discussion of one or a few of the subjects covered by the entries within. So, for example, the section on ancient astronauts is preceded by a more substantive and editorialized discussion of the so-called "monuments" of Mars and of Robert Temple's "Sirius Mystery," in which it is claimed that the Dogon tribe in West Africa possesses astronomical knowledge that could only have been obtained by the use of a telescope; similarly, the section for skeptical works is preceded by a discussion of the evidence (or lack thereof) for an extraterrestrial connection to crop circles and cattle mutilations.

"Cosmic Test Tube" is genuinely entertaining in places--many of the summaries of UFO-related works are quite funny, especially when presented in such a deadpan manner. It isn't clear to me, however, exactly how "Cosmic Test Tube" points to some sort of "middle way" between believers and skeptics, especially when all it does is reproduce the basic arguments of each side with little in the way of real evaluation. And, of course, it should go without saying that in the modern age of the internet not all of the pertinent information is to be found solely in published books--for example, the paranoia and self-delusion evident in Richard Hoagland's "The Monuments of Mars" pales in comparison with the fantasies and conspiracy-mongering to be found on his web site for "The Enterprise Mission."

Regardless, those with more than a casual interest in UFOlogy will find in "Cosmic Test Tube" a useful reference work that will point them toward other, more detailed books on whatever subject they find most interesting.

Cosmic Test Tube covers everything from Erich von Daniken to Carl Sagan. Whether it's bees from Mars, Nazi flying saucers from the north pole, the grays, or secret military aircraft, Cosmic Test Tube has it all. Which might be too much, actually.

It's helpful in that it can save you years of research. However, you won't be any closer to the "truth" after reading it.

Save yourself the time of reading hundreds of books and just get Cosmic Test Tube.

This is a great book. If you don't believe in this 'crazy' UFO phenomenon, or are a skeptic, or are totally are into this thing, get this book. There are points in the book that battle the theory of intelligent life from another planet. I think even the idea of the 'Greys' really being a future human race who have conquered the ability to travel through time. There is stuff about the bible in there and a large gap in time from stupid apes and humanity beginning for the 'Human Experiment.' Get this book if you like aliens or not, it may change how you think, or support you even more. Definitely a must buy.

Marcia Shafer displays a great deal of courage in writing "Confessions of an Intergalactic Anthropologist." She puts into clear, easy to read language the communications she has received from sources that are not of this planet. It's not an easy thing to risk your career and friendships in order to fulfill your Life's Path. Echoing the words of many current prophets, including Nick Bunick, Marcia speaks of changes to come that include hope for those of us seeking the Higher Road. This book appears to be just a shadow of her complete story, and I hope she continues to share her knowledge and insights with the rest of us.

Synchronicity is something I have become amused by lately. A few months ago I happened upon the book, "Autobiography of a Psychic" by Sylvia Browne and thought it was an amazing book for the insight it gave to worlds beyond through the eyes of a human. Now, we have Marcia Schafer who is giving us even more than Ms. Browne did! Not being psychic, not being gifted with even being able to meditate deeply, I am just an average person with an open mind, and I love living in complete fascination with all the possibilites these two women give us with their words. I am fortunate to have met Ms. Schafer---I surprise myself when I say that she is the embodiment of credibility. When she explained worm holes to my 12 year old son, we were all fascinated! I hope this book becomes well-read; it is very thought provoking and it is also well-written!

Sorry, but I just didn't find this book worth the read. The style was choppy with little sipnets about a lot of different events. While I appreciated the reference to a frequency for truth with each of us...this one didn't ring any bells. The Others dismiss the Bible as not relevant - guess they didn't read the parts about Chariots of Fire and angelic visitors. Ms. Shafer continually refers to herself as having a scientific approach and mind. I didn't find that so.

I started reading Marcia's book a few days before leaving for my first "dream vacation" in Hawaii. The "fluffy romance novel" I brought along never left the depths of my suitcase, because this amazing book so captivated my intellect, my soul and my deeper "knowing" that I brought it home stained with sand, suntan lotion and salt water. Marcia excels at summarizing a vast wealth of very exotic and esoteric knowledge. The average reader would have to read hundreds of other metaphysical books to glean only some of this information. As citizens of Planet Earth, Quantum Physics affect every aspect of our lives, whether we realize it or not. Marcia made it all so understandable and relevant to daily life. I especially appreciate how she invites the reader to be discerning and self-empowered while assimilating this material. She took a huge personal and professional risk to write this book and I admire her courage. My high school physics teacher would be proud of how this woman made "Higher Learning" fascinating and captivating. And all the Spiritual Beings on the "Other Side" must be extremely for this grounded, clear and balanced channelling.

Whether you are a skeptic, a believer or just someone interested in learning more about the UFO phenomenon, this book puts so much information in an easy to read format that it definitely delivers value and enjoyment.

And, I find Mr. Lang's writing style quite good in that it feels like he is talking to you rather than at you.

Finally, I think that Mr. Lang's overriding message is very compelling: If indeed we are being visited, it appears that we are being "coached" toward a happier destiny than if we were to be left on our own.

This book is worth owning and reading.

Anxiety, OCD and Hypnosis: New Answers for Those Who Suffer In Silence

I honestly expected more from Mr Lang, I thought the book was vague and a rehash of old known cases, a couple of interesting theories, but nothing new here. He is mostly vague with his case histories, providing the least details possible.

As an experiencer, I found comfort and validation in this book. I believe this book to be a natural step in the evolution of what we should be addressing next concerning the UFO encounter phenomena. In this wonderfully helpful tool with no hype, no fear, no rehash of common knowledge, a theory is presented from reported facts of a scientific study that addresses the most intimate question experiencers have.
What is the significance of these experiences and the knowledge/lessons that are given that will lead to life changing experiences for our common future?

After reading 'The Cosmic Bridge' I now have a broader view of the influence of the experiences. This book is a must read for the person who has experienced and those who seek to understand them.

In this out-of-print novel from 1980, A.E. van Vogt constructed a very interesting collapsed universe with some thought-provoking background themes on authority and free will. In 1704 AD, a pirate named Fletcher finds himself mixed up with people from millennia in the future and an army of oddly religious robots. In a highly creative turn of cosmic events as created by van Vogt, Fletcher's deep atomic connection to the very life and death of the universe has caused time to collapse and events and people from different time periods to get mixed up with each other. van Vogt's conceptions of time and relativity are very intriguing for any reader with deep sci-fi thoughts, but the plotting of this novel is rather clumsy and difficult to follow, especially with van Vogt's use of skips in the time stream, which become more confusing than exciting. The idea of collapsing time could have been used for far deeper explorations and excitement concerning alternate histories and the potential dangers of time travel. Meanwhile, other than Fletcher the characters are shallow and poorly defined, while van Vogt's prose tends to get very wooden and ponderous when he starts exploring philosophical and cosmological themes. But this old book is still worth tracking down for fans of classic sci-fi, as van Vogt's basic story is a wonderful twist on tried-and-true concepts form the genre, with some rewarding exploration of deeper ideas. [~doomsdayer520~]

After reading this book, it is clear that the author Nicolas Redfern has spent a lot of time doing research for it by taking eyewitness accounts, riffling through documents recently declassified as part of various countries' Freedom of Information laws and subsequently writing this book. That is as far as this publication can be commended.

The problem with this book is that it neither satisfies the skeptic or the believer.

The book makes claims of mainly UK military and government involvement in the recovery of crashed or landed UFOs - however, nothing is substantiated here. The author uncovers vague government documents that don't prove anything. The first hand witnesses don't have any evidence to speak of besides their accounts. The strongest "evidence" is usually pure speculation of why the military apparently lied about events. Often the best or most interesting sources of information are hearsay (second-hand interviews from someone else). If you look at the photos in the middle of the book, you don't see anything of importance or proof. There are no photos of scorched landing marks, no pictures of unknown metallic objects and not even a blurry photo of something in the sky.

As far as caterring for the believer, the accounts are very superficial - for whatever reason - and only go so far as accusations about where the crashed UFOs and alien bodies are kept. We don't learn anything new about these aliens or their reason for being here. Subsequently, the accounts are boring, unexciting and unenlightening.

The first chapter are allegations that one of the reasons Marilyn Monroe and JFK were murdered was their desire to spill the beans on the UFO phenomenon. The substantial lack of proof in this chapter sets the tone for the rest of the book.

Overall, I was bored by the lack of depth to the extent of the alleged events disclosed by the author and disgusted by what the author considers quality journalism.