In the Ocean of Night cover art

In the Ocean of Night

Galactic Center, Book 1

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In the Ocean of Night

By: Gregory Benford
Narrated by: Maxwell Caulfield
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About this listen

It is 2019. NASA astronaut Nigel Walmsley is sent on a mission to intercept a rogue asteroid on a collision course with Earth. Ordered to destroy it, he instead discovers that it is actually the shell of a derelict space probe - a wreck with just enough power to emit a single electronic signal.

In 2034, a reply is heard. Searching for the source of this signal, which comes from outside the solar system, Nigel discovers the existence of a sentient ship. When the new vessel begins to communicate directly with him, the astronaut learns of the horrors that await humanity. For the ship was created by an alien race that has spent billions and billions of years searching for intelligent life… to annihilate it.

©1972, 1973, 1974, 1977 Abbenford Associates (P)2012 Audible, Inc. First Contact Hard Science Fiction Science Fiction Fiction Transportation

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I love Si Fi... but in all honesty I found this novel hard going. Its part of a series and as such I won't overly criticise the author. I suppose for those with a background in light science it will be easier to grasp. I just found it hard. I will have a go at the next book in the series though, see where it takes the main characters.

Hard Going.

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If you accept the usual failings of near future fiction not being able to predict digital cameras, email, instant messaging, the internet and multi-function mobile phones and just accept this is a character and plot driven story, then it fills its role as an entertaining and gripping novel with something to say about humanity and its position in the universe. Benford is a scientist, so we get the usual tropes of scientist=good, administrator/government/religion=bad, but that doesn't detract from the overall essence of a good yarn told well. I'm looking forward to the next episode.

Benford opens his series with a cracker

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I read the 4th book in this series ages ago and it was really good, but getting this 1st book was a waste of a credit !

Can't believe Benford would start a series like this, nothing happens, I'd bet a lot of people got put off by that one.

Unfortunate because if my memory is correct the sequels are very strong.

Sooooo long !

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