Confessions of an Alien Hunter: A Scientists Search for Extraterrestrial Intelligence (Unabridged) Audiobook, by Seth Shostak Play Audiobook Sample

Confessions of an Alien Hunter: A Scientist's Search for Extraterrestrial Intelligence Audiobook (Unabridged)

Confessions of an Alien Hunter: A Scientists Search for Extraterrestrial Intelligence (Unabridged) Audiobook, by Seth Shostak Play Audiobook Sample
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Read By: Patrick Lawlor Publisher: Brilliance Audio Listen Time: at 1.0x Speed 6.83 hours at 1.5x Speed 5.13 hours at 2.0x Speed Release Date: August 2010 Format: Unabridged Audiobook ISBN:

Publisher Description

Since the first Martian canals were charted in 1877, space aliens have captivated skygazers, night travelers, and television-watchers worldwide. Polls show that nearly half of all Americans believe in extraterrestrials, and many are convinced they've visited Earth. A fair number of scientists also suspect that aliens exist, and for decades they've been seriously searching - using powerful antennas and computers to scan for radio waves coming from other star systems. This engaging memoir reveals the true story of the Search for ExtraterrestrialIntelligence (SETI), and discloses what we may very soon discover.

Chronicling the program's history with insight and humor, SETI senior astronomer Seth Shostak assures us that if there is sentient life in the universe, we are within decades of picking up its signal. Methodically busting urban legends about alien crash landings, crop circles, and the like, Shostak pits scientific truth against speculation and delivers important news on the state of our knowledge. He answers a host of questions about SETI, including where its antennas are aimed...how we know which frequency to monitor...what our response might be...and why, if a signal is detected, it will be one that's deliberately beamed into space, not the Klingon equivalent of I Love Lucy.

Contrary to popular opinion, any aliens found by SETI will not resemble the squishy, big-eyed creatures on cinema screens. Rather, they will have already invented their successors: super smart post-biological thinking machines vastly beyond our own capabilities.

Edgy, amusing, and remarkably profound, Confessions of an Alien Hunter addresses the startling possibilities awaiting us in deep space and in humankind's own future.

Download and start listening now!

"Seth is great - funny, down-to-earth, self-deprecating, and extremely knowledgable - not just about astronomy and cosmology, but science in general. Also, if you haven't heard the @Are we alone" podcast, then you're really missing out!"

— Jeramy (4 out of 5 stars)

Confessions of an Alien Hunter: A Scientist's Search for Extraterrestrial Intelligence (Unabridged) Listener Reviews

Overall Performance: 3.625 out of 53.625 out of 53.625 out of 53.625 out of 53.625 out of 5 (3.63)
5 Stars: 7
4 Stars: 6
3 Stars: 6
2 Stars: 5
1 Stars: 0
Narration: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5 (0.00)
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2 Stars: 0
1 Stars: 0
Story: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5 (0.00)
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Write a Review
  • Overall Performance: 4 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 5

    " I really enjoyed this history of SETI. I knew so little and learned so much. I defintitely gained respect for and inteest in the project. His style of writing is very clever and quippy. "

    — Nancy, 2/18/2014
  • Overall Performance: 3 out of 53 out of 53 out of 53 out of 53 out of 5

    " More a manifesto for the SETI program than anything else, this is a pretty solid, if very basic, introduction to astrobiology. I liked the author's humour, though his use of similes and metaphors is a bit much at times. "

    — Andrew, 1/15/2014
  • Overall Performance: 4 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 5

    " Decent book, picked this one up after seeing the author interviewed on TV. Covers the history of SETI, concepts, astrobiology, and makes some predictions. "

    — Steve, 1/15/2014
  • Overall Performance: 3 out of 53 out of 53 out of 53 out of 53 out of 5

    " I was glad that this informative look at the search for alien intelligence was not too dense or dry since this is such a fascinating subject. More pictures (especially those of the color variety) or diagrams would have really created more interest and sparked up this book. "

    — Vanessa, 1/11/2014
  • Overall Performance: 2 out of 52 out of 52 out of 52 out of 52 out of 5

    " Eh. Maybe I should give up pop science. "

    — Isk, 11/13/2013
  • Overall Performance: 4 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 5

    " I can't stop thinking about the concluding chapters of this book regarding what extra terrestrial intelligence likely looks like. Mind blown. "

    — Ben, 11/4/2013
  • Overall Performance: 5 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 5

    " This book updates the activity of the Search for Extraterrestrial Intelligence (SETI) organization. Changes in technology and the approach to detecting ET makes this an interesting book to read. "

    — Bernie, 10/22/2013
  • Overall Performance: 3 out of 53 out of 53 out of 53 out of 53 out of 5

    " Chapter Seven is best "

    — BAKU, 10/21/2013
  • Overall Performance: 5 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 5

    " Good easy well written read. "

    — Daniel, 4/13/2013
  • Overall Performance: 2 out of 52 out of 52 out of 52 out of 52 out of 5

    " The concept was great, but the jokes wore thin. I would only recommend it for those seriously interested in the science of finding life in outer space. "

    — Liza, 1/11/2013
  • Overall Performance: 5 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 5

    " Really enjoyed this book. Although it dragged on in parts, it is one that I would read again. Listened to on audiobook. "

    — Tazzypumpkin, 10/14/2012
  • Overall Performance: 4 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 5

    " I enjoyed the book. It is very layman-friendly. "

    — Valentin, 2/16/2012
  • Overall Performance: 3 out of 53 out of 53 out of 53 out of 53 out of 5

    " I learned some new things about SETI. Had to skim parts of it, but loved other parts. "

    — Marley, 9/7/2011
  • Overall Performance: 5 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 5

    " Interesting SETI history so far! "

    — Matt, 8/29/2011
  • Overall Performance: 2 out of 52 out of 52 out of 52 out of 52 out of 5

    " I know, I know, he didn't find any... but there is some interesting stuff in this story of man's attempts to contact our hypothetical inter galactic neighbors. I wish there was a little more scientific meat here, but a pleasant read. "

    — Al, 6/16/2011
  • Overall Performance: 5 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 5

    " This book updates the activity of the Search for Extraterrestrial Intelligence (SETI) organization. Changes in technology and the approach to detecting ET makes this an interesting book to read. "

    — Bernie, 1/30/2011
  • Overall Performance: 4 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 5

    " I really enjoyed this history of SETI. I knew so little and learned so much. I defintitely gained respect for and inteest in the project. His style of writing is very clever and quippy. "

    — Nancy, 9/8/2010
  • Overall Performance: 2 out of 52 out of 52 out of 52 out of 52 out of 5

    " I know, I know, he didn't find any... but there is some interesting stuff in this story of man's attempts to contact our hypothetical inter galactic neighbors. I wish there was a little more scientific meat here, but a pleasant read. "

    — Al, 5/9/2010
  • Overall Performance: 5 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 5

    " Interesting SETI history so far! "

    — Matt, 8/12/2009
  • Overall Performance: 2 out of 52 out of 52 out of 52 out of 52 out of 5

    " The concept was great, but the jokes wore thin. I would only recommend it for those seriously interested in the science of finding life in outer space. "

    — Liza, 7/18/2009
  • Overall Performance: 3 out of 53 out of 53 out of 53 out of 53 out of 5

    " I learned some new things about SETI. Had to skim parts of it, but loved other parts. "

    — Marley, 7/15/2009
  • Overall Performance: 5 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 5

    " Good easy well written read. "

    — Daniel, 6/30/2009
  • Overall Performance: 3 out of 53 out of 53 out of 53 out of 53 out of 5

    " I was glad that this informative look at the search for alien intelligence was not too dense or dry since this is such a fascinating subject. More pictures (especially those of the color variety) or diagrams would have really created more interest and sparked up this book. "

    — Vanessa, 6/15/2009
  • Overall Performance: 4 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 5

    " Decent book, picked this one up after seeing the author interviewed on TV. Covers the history of SETI, concepts, astrobiology, and makes some predictions. "

    — Steve, 6/5/2009

About Patrick Lawlor

Patrick Lawlor, an award-winning narrator, is also an accomplished stage actor, director, and combat choreographer. He has worked extensively off Broadway and has been an actor and stuntman in both film and television. He has been an Audie Award finalist multiple times and has garnered several AudioFile Earphones Awards, a Publishers Weekly Listen-Up Award, and many starred audio reviews from Library Journal and Kirkus Reviews.