Civilized Life in the Universe by George Basalla )
Presenting a history of scientific speculation about intelligent extraterrestrial life, the author traces the influence of one speculation on the next, showing a chain of ideas passed from one scientist to the next, and from science to popular culture. He even traces the influence of popular culture on science.
The text is well illustrated with a historical series of ancient to more modern graphicsThe book, Civilized Life in the Universe, could easily make a text basis for a fascinating course on the subject. * Jorg Matschullat, Environ Geol, Vol 50, 2006 *
The fantasist roots of ostensibly scientific projects is a central theme of george Basalla's excellent, edifying and enjoyable book Civilized Life in the Universe, a little landmark in the study of the history of science. * Keay Davidson, San Francisci Chronicle *
Basalla's analysis is fresh, thoughtful and well worth reading. * New Scientist *
The idea of a celestial intelligence, argues George Basalla, is science's replacement for the Gods it deposed. He believes that the inward-seeking religious impilse was swapped for a star-gazing quest for tangible "creators". And throughout his enjoyable chronology of our search for life "up there", the University of Delaware's emeritus professor of history picks up on a significant number of Western alien-hunters, whose faith in "something beyond and above us" may have its roots in a renounced fundamentalist Christian upbringing. * 22nd April 2006 *
...critically important Civilized Life in the Universe, the best treatment on the history and science of the subject since Steven Dick's magisterial two volumes (3,4)...tightly woven and highly readable narrative..." Michael Shermer, Science, March 3 2006
The fantasist roots of ostensibly scientific projects is a central theme of george Basalla's excellent, edifying and enjoyable book Civilized Life in the Universe, a little landmark in the study of the history of science. * Keay Davidson, San Francisci Chronicle *
Basalla's analysis is fresh, thoughtful and well worth reading. * New Scientist *
The idea of a celestial intelligence, argues George Basalla, is science's replacement for the Gods it deposed. He believes that the inward-seeking religious impilse was swapped for a star-gazing quest for tangible "creators". And throughout his enjoyable chronology of our search for life "up there", the University of Delaware's emeritus professor of history picks up on a significant number of Western alien-hunters, whose faith in "something beyond and above us" may have its roots in a renounced fundamentalist Christian upbringing. * 22nd April 2006 *
...critically important Civilized Life in the Universe, the best treatment on the history and science of the subject since Steven Dick's magisterial two volumes (3,4)...tightly woven and highly readable narrative..." Michael Shermer, Science, March 3 2006
George Basalla is Professor of History at the University of Delaware (Emeritus).
| SKU | Unavailable |
| ISBN 13 | 9780195171815 |
| ISBN 10 | 0195171810 |
| Title | Civilized Life in the Universe |
| Author | George Basalla |
| Condition | Unavailable |
| Binding Type | Hardback |
| Publisher | Oxford University Press Inc |
| Year published | 2006-02-23 |
| Number of pages | 248 |
| Cover note | Book picture is for illustrative purposes only, actual binding, cover or edition may vary. |
| Note | Unavailable |