Greg Bear's fiction ingeniously combines cutting-edge science and unforgettable characters. It has won multiple Hugo and Nebula Awards and choruses of critical acclaim. Now, with Darwin's Radio, Bear creates a nonstop thriller swirling with provocative ideas about the next step of human evolution. In a cave high in the Alps, a renegade anthropologist discovers a frozen Neanderthal couple-with a Homo sapiens baby. Meanwhile, in southern Russia, the U.N. investigation of a mysterious mass grave is cut short. One of the investigators, molecular biologist Kaye Lang, returns home to the U.S. to learn that her theory on human retroviruses has been verified with the discovery of SHEVA, a virus that has slept in our DNA for millions of years and is now waking up. How are these seemingly disparate events connected? Kaye Lang and her colleagues must race against a genetic time bomb to find out. Darwin's Radio pulses with intelligent speculation, international adventure, and political intrigue as it explores timeless human themes. George Guidall's masterful performance heightens the excitement and keeps you enthralled until the final fascinating word.
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"Bear's story about the emergence of a new kind of human through the actions of a retrovirus fascinated me, and he wrote a real page-turner with this one. I particularly enjoyed the way he managed to stay with an engaging cast of characters while also zooming out to larger societal events and issues. The book ends in a way that implies a sequel without leaving any loose ends unraveling. Thought-provoking, too." — Nick (4 out of 5 stars)
"Bear's story about the emergence of a new kind of human through the actions of a retrovirus fascinated me, and he wrote a real page-turner with this one. I particularly enjoyed the way he managed to stay with an engaging cast of characters while also zooming out to larger societal events and issues. The book ends in a way that implies a sequel without leaving any loose ends unraveling. Thought-provoking, too."
“[The reader’s] obvious enthusiasm for the text manifests itself in a riveting performance encompassing scientific theory and the requisite romance.”
“Darwin’s Radio is far superior to other recent thrillers on similar themes…not only because Bear creates fuller, more realistic characters and situations, but also because Bear understands the science behind his ideas more deeply.”
“[The] idea that drives [the story] is an intriguing and nicely presented version of punctuated evolution…Bear is one of a handful of writers in the field who manage both the complexity of the intellectual material and the solidity and depth of feeling required for a ‘novel of ideas’ to be a real novel.”
“Absorbing and ingenious.”
" Biology has always been my favorite science, and this story was full of biology and bold yet plausible speculation. It's the kind of thriller that scares and disturbs you a little, but mostly you come away feeling optimistic and enlightened. I can't wait to read the sequel. "
" Clever & creative "
" Interesting enough for me to read the sequel. I like the sci-fi and the alternative universe, though the characters could've used a bit more depth and dimension. "
" Great story, puts Chrichton to shame. "
" Good characters. Even the bad ones. Good read. Worth every minute you spend reading it as it is a good story with good characters and also an interesting scientific idea. "
" This was a clever twist on the usual contagion/outbreak story. There was quite detailed science presented (whether real or made up) which went a little overboard. There was a too much politics and game playing than I'd like, but the protagonists were likeable and believable. Worth reading. "
" Terrible! F - -. It's not even the writing that's bad it... bleh. Just trust me, don't read it. I don't even want to talk about it anymore. "
" This is a great book, particularly if you're into sci fi. There's interesting speculation about evolution and the role of viruses as well. Well worth the time. "
" I hated this book. It was a chore to read it all the way through. I managed somehow, what with Bear's cardboard cut-out characters. Interesting premise, but this book was an excuse for...something. I forget what. "
" Is evolution a gradual process or one that moves in broad jumps? You might need a biology refresher but this is a very good read (4.8). Reminds me of the Andromeda Strain. "
" 3.5 stars. I think this book is categorized as science fiction simply because Greg Bear is well-known as a writer in that genre. It reminded me much more of Michael Crichton's novels, specifically The Andromeda Strain. "
" Humanity changes in one generation due to a retro-virus "
" A science fiction compromised by a contrived romance, Darwin's Radio read like a harlequin book at times. Not my cup of tea... not really sure who would really enjoy this blend either. "
" Fascinating book. Well written. "
" Horrible. Just horrible. "
" This was a fascinatingly intricate action-adventure style sci fi which I found engrossing when I read it quite a few years ago. "
" Definitely for a mature audience and I thought it was weird. "
" The idea is awe inspiring,the core of the book is great (which is why I stayed up all night finishing it), but needs tighter writing,better phrasing, better editing.. learn from Crichton! "
" Didn't finish. Couldn't get into it "
" 3+ Terrific premise. "
" Spectacularly written. I was SO sad to see it end and thrilled to see a sequel. "
" First Greg Bear book I read, I LOVED it. Enjoyable read, intersting sci-fi aspects, characters I actually cared about. "
" You really need to love microbiology and genetics to enjoy this book. However it does give you food for thought about human evolution. "
" First read this, and it's followup Darwin's Children ages ago. It's a 'what if' look at human evolution. "
" Interesting idea about a built-in virus which kicks in when the time is right to create a new species of human. Too much technical jargon. The story was weak with no character development and a anticlimactic ending. "
" A good read, heavy on the science aspect yet not over the top with needless detail. The characters are fleshed out fairly well aside from one of the main characters, who in my preference needed some better definition....I'm looking at you Mitch! "
" Fascinating take on the potential mechanisms of the evolutionary process and society's reaction to large scale changes which may or may not be contagious. "
" I'm trying to get back into "hard" science fiction. "
" The science is very solid and intrguing, as science should be. This work plays with an alternative theory of evolution and integrated it well with current world situation. "
" I liked this book. Greg Bear is a good writer. He really did a lot of research on genetics. Or at least enough to be able to speak on it with some authority.dave "
" Wonderful extrapolation of the present day to see how people would react if our species were evolving. I can't wait to read the next one! "
" Loved it! Loved the biology! One of my favorite books of all time!! "
Greg Bear is an American author of more than forty books spanning the science fiction, fantasy, and horror genres. His science fiction works have covered themes of galactic conflict, artificial universes, consciousness and cultural practice, and accelerated evolution. His fiction has garnered five Nebula Awards, two Hugo Awards, the Monty Award, and the Heinlein Award. He has also been an illustrator of science fiction works in both hardcover and paperback. He has written articles on film for the Los Angeles Times and book reviews for the San Diego Union. He is a founding member of the Association of Science Fiction Artists and of the San Diego Comic-Con. and has served as president and vice president of the Science Fiction Writers of America. He has also served as a consultant for NASA, the US Army, the State Department, and other organizations on such matters as crime and criminal justice, virology and evolution, and bio security.
George Guidall, winner of more than eighty AudioFile Earphones Awards, has won three of the prestigious Audie Award for Excellence in Audiobook Narration. In 2014 the Audio Publishers Association presented him with the Special Achievement Award for lifetime achievement/ During his thirty-year recording career he has recorded over 1,700 audiobooks, won multiple awards, been a mentor to many narrators, and shown by example the potential of fine storytelling. His forty-year acting career includes starring roles on Broadway, an Obie Award for best performance off Broadway, and frequent television appearances.
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