Preview
  • Faint Echoes, Distant Stars

  • The Science and Politics of Finding Life Beyond Earth
  • By: Ben Bova
  • Narrated by: Stefan Rudnicki
  • Length: 9 hrs and 43 mins
  • 4.1 out of 5 stars (52 ratings)

Prime logo Prime members: New to Audible?
Get 2 free audiobooks during trial.
Pick 1 audiobook a month from our unmatched collection.
Listen all you want to thousands of included audiobooks, Originals, and podcasts.
Access exclusive sales and deals.
Premium Plus auto-renews for $14.95/mo after 30 days. Cancel anytime.

Faint Echoes, Distant Stars

By: Ben Bova
Narrated by: Stefan Rudnicki
Try for $0.00

$14.95/month after 30 days. Cancel anytime.

Buy for $19.95

Buy for $19.95

Pay using card ending in
By confirming your purchase, you agree to Audible's Conditions of Use and Amazon's Privacy Notice. Taxes where applicable.

Publisher's summary

Our neighboring planets may have the answer to this question. Scientists have already identified ice caps on Mars and what appear to be enormous oceans underneath the ice of Jupiter's moons. The atmosphere on Venus appeared harsh and insupportable of life, composed of a toxic atmosphere and oceans of acid - until scientists concluded that Earth's atmosphere was eerily similar billions of years ago.

An extraterrestrial colony, in some form, may already exist, just awaiting discovery. But the greatest impediment to such an important scientific discovery may not be technological, but political. No scientific endeavor can be launched without a budget, and matters of money are within the arena of politicians. Dr. Ben Bova explores some of the key players and the arguments waged in a debate of both scientific and cultural priorities, showing the emotions, the controversy, and the egos involved in arguably the most important scientific pursuit ever begun.

©2005 Ben Bova (P)2009 Audible, Inc.
activate_Holiday_promo_in_buybox_DT_T2

Critic reviews

"This book will excite science buffs while being accessible to general readers hoping to one day meet our extraterrestrial relations." (Publishers Weekly)

What listeners say about Faint Echoes, Distant Stars

Average customer ratings
Overall
  • 4 out of 5 stars
  • 5 Stars
    22
  • 4 Stars
    16
  • 3 Stars
    11
  • 2 Stars
    1
  • 1 Stars
    2
Performance
  • 4.5 out of 5 stars
  • 5 Stars
    14
  • 4 Stars
    10
  • 3 Stars
    1
  • 2 Stars
    0
  • 1 Stars
    1
Story
  • 4.5 out of 5 stars
  • 5 Stars
    13
  • 4 Stars
    9
  • 3 Stars
    3
  • 2 Stars
    0
  • 1 Stars
    1

Reviews - Please select the tabs below to change the source of reviews.

Sort by:
Filter by:
  • Overall
    3 out of 5 stars

Good info but out of date.

The first few chapters of this book provide some basic science. Mostly it is stuff that one would learn in a first year community college class. This book deals primarily with the politics of 2003. It is woefully out of date with current policies, politics, funding, and discoveries.

The book is well written and well read. If you want to know the basics behind a SETI project I do suggest you read this book.

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

3 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars

Good Job, Ben

This is a story that needs to penetrate the world's psyche! As a society, we need to remain curious enough to expend resources on questions like this.....Good Job, Ben!!!!

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

  • Overall
    1 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    4 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    3 out of 5 stars

Title Required, Enter Here

The first hour of this 9.5 hour book was interesting, Then it became droll, boring and droned on like Charlie Brown's teacher. The amount of scientific detail is excruciating. The political side, of which Bova is usually very good, was painful. Rudnicki, the narrator, was exquisite, as always. DNF.

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!