Alone in the Universe: Why Our Planet Is Unique

As always, John Gribbin has written an interesting and informative. This book is more than speculation. Gribbin shows the many factors that led to the rise intelligent life and humankind. If the universe is teeming with life, then it's nice to know that we're not alone and that we live in a universe in which life is not a fluke. But if we are alone, then that really does make us special and gives us greater responsibility to cherish and preserve life.The book is not actually properly titled. Gribbin does not claim that we are alone in the universe. The universe could be infinite, or at least far larger than we can imagine. If such is the case, then intelligent life is likely to exist somewhere out there. Gribbin pretty much claims that we are alone in our galaxy. I hope he's wrong (unless those aliens are something like the Borg), but it's still an interesting read.

This book lays down a sequence of facts that explains why no evidence exits to show that other intelligent exits in our galaxy, or likely exits elsewhere.

One of the best books I've ever read. So good, in fact, that I read several more times. It shook my understanding of humans' place in the universe. I only wish I could find more on this topic. While strictly a science book, the implication from the book's conclusion can be viewed as theological. I am surprised more has not been written about John Gribben's view of the likelihood of intelligent life in the universe or how very unique our planet is. I accepted Gribbin's position concerning the rarity of intelligent life in the universe because his argument was beautifully constructed and based on science, but I wonder how conventional it is within the mainstream astro-biology community?

This is a very interesting, very clearly written book about the likelihood of intelligent life in the universe. Gribbin concludes that intelligence is so unlikely that we are probably it. There is lots of interesting stuff about the Galactic Habitable Zone and other fascinating topics. Of course, like most cosmology, it's all speculation. It's going to be very difficult to verify what happened billions of years ago vast distances from Earth. But it's great intellectual fun.

"Major error in very first paragraph" - the guy who wrote this review was totally off, it does indeed state that it is billions not millions. As usuall the reviewers who have bad things to say about a book, an author, are usually not on target. I read this and most of his books and found them all to be well written, factual, informative and would and have recommended him to all others who are interested in this kind of subject matter. Try reading the entire book with an open mind instead of looking for ways to rip it apart. This author and Brian Greene are two of the greatest writers of our time.

I liked a different viewpoint.

Wow! As a scientist and a geologist I have pondered often in my life the prospect of other life in our universe. I began reading this book with the overly simplistic thought that "The universe is so large there HAS to be life out there somewhere". After reading this book I question how I could have been so naive. It is beautifully written and explains from may different levels and scales what had to happen to allow for life on earth. Extraordinarily thought provoking and insightful. I have recommended to may friends and purchased several copies as gifts.

Are we the only intelligent life forms in the Milky Way? Gribbin thinks so and offers his analysis as to why our planet is truly unique. Interesting read all the way through.

After a life-time of amateur interest in our universe and our place within it, I feel that I have wide, but cetainly shallow, knowledge of the subject. This book is very readable, though pauses for reflection and mental recovery are recommended. It gives much detail of present theories and evidence for the universe and ourselves being as we are at this stage of our (joint) evolution, and is well worth reading. Its case that we intelligent beings are alone in the vastness is pretty convincing but "Drake" has a good reputation, has he not ? Gribbins makes a good show of having many of the answers but it would be very deflating to further enquiry were there not some scope left for uncertainties. Recommended as an interesting and cogent viewpoint over areas of physics, etc, not covered commonly outside academe, it is thought.

This is a thought provoking book. Usually I only read a book once, but I think I will read it again and take notes. It is crammed full of fascinating information about the galaxy, the sun, the solar system, the earth and the course of evolution. It's not too technical though. There are no mathematical equations and weird diagrams. I am not completely convinced by all the author's arguments, but in general I suspect he's right. All in all, it's a pretty gloomy prognosis.

This is an interesting explanation of Fermi Paradox versus Drake Equation. However I feel the arguments could do with fleshing out and perhaps some numerical values attached to parameters in Drake Equation. Not good value at original price and where is paperback promised in April. The triggering of snowball earth and hence Cambrian Explosion by a giant comet colliding with Venus I have never seen before and I subscribe to Science and Scientific American. It smacks of Worlds in collision.

Excellent. well-rounded, comprehensive, organised, easy read. See the website reasons.org for more information on the fine tuning of our planet.

Has opened my mind to how unique we are and how lucky I'm able to know! I learnt so much & it's inspired me to learn more..