The Hercules Text

by Jack McDevitt

(No Image Available)

WWhile not the obscurest of books, this one was Mr. McDevitt's first novel and arguably, his best. This is a whale of a look at first contact from a very human perspective, especially since contact is at interstellar distances.

A message is intercepted from a star in the Hercules constellation. It takes months of work, but little by little, the layers are peeled away and its a simple greeting from another intelligence, along with pretty much the sum total of everything they have learned in their existence from every conceivable angle. Things deemed impossible are included in the message, along with instructions on how to do them. But is humanity ready for that kind of knowledge? One of the scientists actually builds one of the devices that have been theorized by men for centuries. He turns it on -- and instantly destroys himself, his family, and his home.

This is a super look at the price of knowledge, especially from a scientific point of view. Mr. McDevitt maintains that there ARE consequences. But read this one and decide for yourself. 

Are you ready?