The Giant Leap: Mankind Heads for the Stars - Softcover

Berry, Adrian

Softcover

ISBN 10: 0312877862 ISBN 13: 9780312877866

Publisher: Tor Books, 2002

Synopsis

Some time within the next two centuries, humankind will embark on a momentous voyage that will take us out of our solar system and to the stars.

The Giant Leap explains why it will happen, how it might happen, and why it is a good idea.

Adrian Berry, dubbed "the Dean of English science writers," extrapolates from his wide knowledge to inquire into the possibilities of far-space exploration.

Berry writes with lucidity and humor, demonstrating not only a broad spectrum of scientific knowledge but also an intimacy with the works of science fiction writers. His predictions are always rooted in scientific fact.

About this title

From Booklist:

Veteran British science writer Berry delivers classic advocacy for the interstellar voyage. He opens with a discussion of the state of the species in chapters entitled "The Twilight of the State," "The Migratory Imperative," and so forth; these require agreement with, or at least lack of hostility toward, their particular political agenda. After that, however, the book rapidly becomes the best available guide for futurists, space advocates, sf writers and readers, and anybody else even modestly interested in space travel beyond the solar system. Berry is eloquent and elegant on propulsion, navigation, time dilation, computers, suspended animation, the sociology of long-duration space flight, and what to do or leave undone at the other end of the trip from Earth. Abetted by plenty of well-organized, scholarly appendixes, this is a superior book on a topic not now of compelling interest but which may become so within the lifetime of a currently youthful reader. Literally far out and highly recommended. Roland Green
Copyright © American Library Association. All rights reserved

Review:

"From outrageous to awe-inspiring, The Giant Leap takes you on a wild ride into the biggest frontier--a quirky, optimistic call to the stars"--David Brin

"The best available guide for futurists, space advocates, SF writers and readers, and anybody else even modestly interested in space travel beyond the solar system."--Booklist

"Berry's lively prose and accessible arguments for "innumerable earths" will appeal to pop-science and sci-fi fans as well as professionals, even if they disagree."--Publishers Weekly

About this edition

• Publisher: Tor Books
• Publication date: 2002
• ISBN 10: 0312877862
• ISBN 13: 9780312877866
• Binding: Paperback
• Edition number: 1
• Number of pages: 352