Again!

Peter’s books are a unique blend of plausible science fiction, with a nod to humanity, our flaws (large, obvs), and our potential. All based around a theme of First Contact, we learn a bit about How Things Go, and How Things Are Meant To Go with each book. These are all standalone novels, and highly recommended for an engaging story that leaves the reader with a hit list of things to learn more about, thus engaging us after the final words are read.4 s Katherine Barrett2

More Science Needed, Less Lecturing

The premise of an alien ship coming to observe is fine. The biggest problem was the lecturing the author wished to do through his characters. His message 'Boy, we humans are primarily destructive and malicious in most things we do.' He hits that over and over. Of course, conservatives in the book are all war mongering simpletons. If the next book of his has the same cliches and political hectoring that will be it for me. Writer should spend more time on character development. 2 s Sean Randall1,952 44

I read this in a single sitting and found it utterly gripping. Molly annoyed me a very little bit, and there is, on the surface at least, a very black-and-whiteness to things with the superpowers. But there are plenty of nuggets of wisdom buried deep, and as a first contact story it was brilliant.2 s Ged Hawley2

Ok, sort of.......

Getting very tired of books with interesting story lines that then suffer from so much descriptive padding. Sadly this is an example, so be prepared to surf read.2 s Ralph208 1 follower

Few novels have received a 5-star rating from me. Some exceptional books such as "The Maritan" by Andy Weir or, "The Dog Stars" by Peter Heller or, "Rendezvous With Rama" by Arthur Clarke are a few that I have rated as 5-star material. Of course there are many other books from masters of Science Fiction Isaac Asimov and Robert Heinlien that I felt worthy of 5 stars but the list is relatively short in relation to the number of books I have read. Nevertheless, "Ghosts" by Peter Cawdron is now on that list.
Cawdron has an exceptional insight into human nature and the ability to put that insight into words, to be shared with his readers. Cawdron says he based this book on "Rendezvous With Rama" and, while it has some similarities in general concept, "Ghosts" is not a clone of Clarke's book at all. This is the 24th book in Cawdron's "First Contact" series. I have read several of them and this is the best one, so far. That is not to be construed as saying his other books are not good, they are very good, indeed!
Without revealing any spoilers, suffice to say this is a very plausible story of how human nature and first contact may interact. The story follows the political and strategical reaction on Earth as well as the situation unfolding in space. The story is told mainly through the perspectives of two main characters, one, an intern working at the White House on Earth and one of the astronauts on the first contact mission. Both characters are well-developed and relatable. The reader experiences all the anxiety, fears, doubts and triumphs of each character during an exciting adventure here on Earth and far out in space at the Lagrange Point known as L4.
This story screams out for a sequel. I sincerely hope Cawdron gifts us with one.1 Mal WarwickAuthor 31 books449

HUMAN NATURE COMPLICATES FIRST CONTACT WITH ALIENS

Beware: the title is misleading. Peter Cawdron’s novel, Ghosts, is not a ghost story. It’s hard science fiction, the 24th in his series of standalone novels exploring the innumerable ways that First Contact with aliens might play out. He’s written about what seems every conceivable possibility—but there’s still more. And Ghosts delivers it. Here, Cawdron focuses more tightly than ever on the wildly contrasting ways that people on Earth receive the news of First Contact. After all, in an age dominated by competing world powers, partisan and religious differences, and nonstop conspiracy theories, we could hardly expect people to react in the same way. And those differences make for a tense, suspenseful story.

AN ALIEN SPACESHIP IS HURTLING TOWARD THE SUN

The story opens as astronomers around the world detect a Bright Data Object (BDO) moving swiftly toward the sun from somewhere outside the solar system. They’re reluctant to call it what it is. But the powers that be in the world’s leading nations are perfectly aware that it’s an alien spaceship. And as news about the ship’s arrival begins trickling out, the US President startles the UN General Assembly by sharing details and calling for an international mission to meet the alien vessel. All of the planet’s spacefaring nations agree to participate. But Russian nationalists force their government to send their own secret mission as well. And thus two human ships head out to meet what the media unaccountably still calls “the BDO” in orbit around the sun.

FIRST CONTACT WITH ALIENS WILL BE . . . COMPLICATED

One exchange on television news illustrates just how astonishing it is that the President has managed to persuade so many nations to participate in the mission. One member of a panel interviewed on the news says about the rumors circulating after the President’s UN address:

“‘We need to stick to the facts.’

“’But we won’t,’ the anchor says, preempting the reply from his guest.

“The elderly man opposite him says, ‘No, we won’t. We’ll take one extraordinary fact and we’ll weave dozens, perhaps hundreds of unfounded scenarios from it. We’ll embellish. We’ll guess. We’ll exaggerate. We’ll react. We’ll be defensive. We’ll give in to our fears. And we’ll be convinced our particular take is right—if only everyone else would listen to us. We’ll fabricate our own reality. It’s what we do best.’”

And that exchange succinctly sums up the turmoil that the ship’s arrival has caused among the people of Earth.

A SUSPENSEFUL STORY WITH PLENTY OF ACTION

We’ve gained an inside look at discussions in the Oval Office through Molly Sorenson, an uncommonly smart 22-year-old White House intern. The Chief of Staff has taken Molly under her wing and includes her in meetings because she’s “invisible” and can serve as a hidden set of eyes and ears. But Molly proves to be more than that. She soon emerges as a voice of reason and morality, freely speaking out of turn in meetings with the nation’s leaders.

Meanwhile, we meet the NASA astronauts who will lead the international mission to intercept the BDO. Chris “Crash” Williams is to be the mission commander, and we view much of the action ahead through his perspective. Also on the mission are astronauts from Britain, China, India, and France. (The Russian has been sent home when the US learns of the independent mission from Russia.) And, as Crash Williams and his crew make their way to First Contact, we also observe Aleksandr Krukov, one of the two cosmonauts on the Russian crew.

Molly Sorenson, Crash Williams, and Aleksandr Krukov will carry the story forward. Through their eyes, we follow the action from one crisis to another, and ultimately to the many surprises that emerge in the novel’s final pages. And we’ll be in suspense all along the way.

THE AUTHOR’S STRENGTHS AND WEAKNESSES

Ghosts is a great story, and it should be a treat for any fan of hard science fiction. Cawdron is thoroughly grounded in the science underlying his books, and he explains it well. The novel is beautifully plotted, most of the characters are believable, and the ending is full of surprises. But there are weaknesses in his writing. For one thing, he comes across as a frustrated science teacher. Many of the characters spend what seems to me an unnaturally long time explaining how and why things work. The novel is didactic to a fault, and he appends an author’s note at the end of the book furnishing further explanations. The story might have benefited had Cawdron been a little less generous to science-challenged readers and instead used a list of references at the back of the book to sources that explain the background.

To put all this in perspective, I’m not complaining. I thoroughly enjoyed reading this book. I learned a lot from the asides, and more from Cawdron’s author’s note. In fact, I always make a point of reading those sometimes long addenda. They’re fascinating. But some readers may have a problem. Because what I’m trying to convey here is that all the explaining does sometimes slow down the story and detract from the suspension of disbelief every science fiction reader expects from a novel.science-fiction1 Peter8

This is my third of Peter Cawdron's First Contact novels. Some time back I read 3zekiel, not even noticing it was part of a larger collection. Then two weeks ago I read The Artifact and last night finished Ghosts. These are good, fun reads with interesting characters and fast-moving plots. Maybe we shouldn't categorize fiction in this way, but these books are not literature, they are stories. Good stories.

But the real fun and the reason to read these books is the author's ability to tell stories that illuminate human nature and the way it could influence our first interaction with extraterrestrial intelligence, as well as the incredibly unexpected ways in which that extraterrestrial intelligence could manifest itself.

The series has been compared to the British TV series Black Mirror because of its plot twists, but I'm not sure that's the best comparison. Black Mirror reflected aspects of human nature back at us to illustrate our worst traits. The twists tended to highlight the way humans - at least as we see and experience humanity in the first quarter of the 21st century - are their own worst enemies.

Cawdron is doing something different and much more wonderful. He is arguing, I think, that the best thing about human beings is our ability to transcend our instinctual responses. And by instinctual responses I mean not just those that we may consider to be part of our baser nature but those that we tend to value. Because interacting with Cawdron's extraterrestrials - beings that are intelligent and yet profoundly un us - requires that we use our human faculties to imagine what it is not to be human, to be something else altogether. That's the delight of Cawdron's plot twists: the idea that being "intelligent" means being able to look outside of ourselves at other ways of experiencing the world even when the thread that connects them to us is very thin indeed.

Kindle says that there are 27 books in Cawdron's First Contact series. It's too early to say I plan to read every one, but I am very much looking forward to picking up the next one. I don't think you can say anything better about an author's work than that. Richard685 25

It amazes me how Peter Cawdron churns out dozens of First Contact books with each new one as good, or better, than the ones that came before it.

Cawdron was born in New Zealand, now lives in Australia but writes all of his books from the perspective of an American. Not only does he understand so many of the nuances of our culture but he probably has a better understanding of both our government and space program than the majority of Americans. This insight is particularly important to this novel as a significant amount of the action takes place in the White House.

Ghosts takes place in the near future with the US having a female president and chief of staff, both Democrats, while the house and senate are controlled by Republicans. When an enormous spacecraft takes up a position at Lagrange point 4, politics and science instantly clash. (You may be familiar with LaGrange points from articles about the new Webb telescope being stationed at Lagrange point 2.) The US proposes sending an international team for first contact while the Russians decide to jump the gun and send their own ship out first. This plot device lets Cawdron delve into international and intergalactic politics simultaneously.

There are a great number of reasons that Peter Cawdron is one of my favorite authors. His writing is excellent, his characters multidimensional, and his imagined first contact scenarios always fascinating. In addition to this, and equally important, Cawdron spends an enormous amount of time researching the science behind his books. No science defying spacecraft, weapons, or physics, just realistic and believable plots, tools, and characters. Additionally, each First Contact book involves, and revolves around, one or more significant moral and philosophical questions.

The books in Cawdron’s First Contact series are all stand-alones and can be read in any order. Treat yourself to several hours of excellent science fiction by picking one up ASAP. Robert A Geloran40 1 follower

great story, thought-provoking topics

Another excellent book in the First Contact series by Peter Cawdron. Although the story is about the arrival of an extraterrestrial spaceship and the ramifications of the fact that we are not alone in the universe, as is his style, Mr Cawdron uses the premise to be an analysis of humanity. He illustrates how our expectations can shape or skew our perceptions, and how much fear can drive us to irrational and often destructive behavior. Although we often pride ourselves on our science and logical reasoning, the author presents the argument that logic was developed as means to defend ideas and theories we were already emotionally invested in.
A doubtless caveat of first contact will be communication. The aliens come up with a unique solution many people may find horrifying, and will ly misunderstand its intent. Again that comes back to the idea of expectations shaping perceptions. The end of the story seemed a little abrupt, but an epilogue helps it land a little better. IMHO, this is one Mr Cawdron’s best stories. Do not miss it. Zepp Jamieson12

In Ghosts, Peter Cawdron has elected to revisit the concept of Rama. He takes an almost complementary approach to the Rama object and its human explorers as Clarke’s. Clarke focused on the vast amazing technological marvel of this interstellar ark. Cawdron focuses on the currents and cross-currents of the physics, the psychology, the sociology and the politics that arise in the face of this visitation. This is his forté, and as usual, he combines solid characterization with meticulous research and considerable verisimilitude to create a driving story of conflict and cooperation. The ending, as befits a Cawdron novel, is utterly unique and, Clarke’s Rendezvous, hints at a greater story to come.
This was a story that definitely affected me. I suspect there will be readers in their early twenties who will read this and remember it 50 years later in much the same way I remember Rendezvous with Rama.1 1 comment Andy Coleman660 12

A SIMPLE MAN'S REVIEW:

My two favorite things about this author's first-contact books are: 1) The build-up: something dramatic is taking place and everyone has to scramble to figure out what's going on. 2) The reveal: some new way to imagine a spacecraft and alien species. Each book is different and I enjoy the ride to find out what he has in store for us each time. But...

Sometimes the rest of the story seems repetitive or generic. The Russian is the bad guy? Our US President is forced into a corner by military? We want to blow the aliens up? I'm not saying that any of this wouldn't happen or can't be true, but it's already everywhere. Can we imagine another future? Another way we might react?

I enjoyed the book and will continue to purchase each new one this author writes. But if he wants to make me even happier, he can go back to setting some of these stories in other countries ( many of the earlier books). Some other perspective.

Read it!1 Joel492

This book is one of many that Peter Cawdron has written that are a category of what he calls "first contact" stories. I've been a fan of these stories since I saw "Close Encounters of the Third Kind" many years ago. These are all about possibilities that might exists re: first contact with another life form that with which we come into contact. I really enjoy these as they're all very plausible and there is no end to the way first contact can take place and what the form, motivations and how these potential situations can transpire.

These books are very intriguing to me and are very realistic...from a science point of view and this one is one of the better ones in my estimation. Overall, they are all really well done and I am amazed at how well Cawdron pulls these together and how realistic scientifically he makes each one.

If you are a syfy aficionado, I would highly recommend any of these books. Guy Marsden47

I have been enjoying Peter Cawdron's series of first contact books and this one is no exception. He explores every aspect of each first contact through the perspective of relevant characters. His characters are well drawn and engaging and they inhabit a credible world.
My complaint about his writing is the way he mansplains science in a way that is completely unnecessary. He spent over a page explaining an L5 orbit which is so irrelevant to the narrative. And yet he just throws away references to O'Neill colonies and Clark's book "Rendezvous with Rama". A better author would allow his editor to constrain these ramblings and invite him to show and not tell.
He also makes extensive use of character monologues to offer perspectives and contexts for his story in much the same way that the writers of the TV series The West Wing did. It's a little clumsy, but it works. Dominic3

Yet another terrifying view into the human psyche. Thank you, Mr. Cawdron!

I continue to enjoy the First Contact books by Peter Cawdron. If you have ever wondered about the motivations on the humans around you… or if you enjoy any kind of sci-fi… or if you are worried about aliens in any way whatsoever… then you need to read some of these books. Ghosts is definitely one of my favorites, but each one is truly unique and eye-opening. I am a highly intelligent, science-aligned empath… Cawdron’s books are engaging and illuminating and I believe that the First Contact books should be read by (appropriately-aged) school children so that they can learn to see beyond their own point of view. Greg47

Interesting idea of first contact

Peter Cawdron has produced many excellent
The strength of his books is a well thought out and plausible scenario for first contact. He does not deny the physics, and gives us a good explanation of the mechanism involved in alien/human interaction. This is a good addition to his work.
There are times that the dialog becomes tedious and it often is something that he is reacting to in the current events of the day. In this book the issue is the COVID vaccine, it is almost advocated that if everyone had willingly taken the vaccine that the aliens wouldn't have come.
Also the White House intern was a frustrating character that took away from the story mire than added to it.
Robert118 9

“Ghosts” is one of many excellent novels written about the topic of extraterrestrial (ET) first contact by Peter Cawdron. Not only do Peter Cawdron's novels present unique and interesting scientific information, but they really put an interesting twist on ET and terrestrial interaction.

I recently saw a cartoon that showed two people staring at a big sign that read “STOP AND THINK,” with one person saying to the other, “It makes you want to stop and think!” This novel does just that. It makes you want to stop and think about how we would realistically deal with an ET visitation. I found the scientific, social, political, international, and religious concerns to be thought-provoking and informative. The discussions were pertinent and pragmatic.favorite Jack C Baer28

A Good Read With Exceptions

Peter Cawdron is a gifted writer with a wondrous deep imagination. I've greatly enjoyed most of his novels with only a few exceptions. Ghosts (First Contact) is a worthy read. My only valid complaint is Cawdron's all too frequent habit of inserting his own preferred POLITICS into virtually everything he writes. There are probably a few exceptions but the pure annoyance and presence of political commentary becomes more than off putting; it make me hesitant towards reading more of his offerings. Jordan Zweigoron25 1 follower

Very enjoyable read with many philosophical detours and reflections about the ironies and inconsistencies of the human condition. It explores good vs evil from the context of making First Contact with an alien race; and how humanity’s fear of the unknown could wildly complicate the encounter.

Some of the character development could have been better. The character Molly, a White House intern, was almost all but forgotten at the novel’s conclusion. That aside, a very well written novel, especially for fans of the Rendezvous with Rama series be Arthur’s C. Clarke. Morris W. Jones18 2

Extraordinary Story of Very Possible Reality

I am reading several books by Peter Cawdron because of his list of books concerning first contact. This is interesting to see how authors in science fiction handle this topic and what they perceive will happen. Peter Cawdron is extraordinary in the book “Ghosts”. Everything is so real and detailed that you are right there with the people feeling and glimpsing what is actually happening. This story could be true and maybe a reality. Maybe it is!! Fenske2

Overall, well researched and thought out.

Obvious references to A.C. Clarke’s Rama Series. It was interesting to read how the author wove the interior of the alien vessel to the enormity of Rama’s. I did feel the speedy transition of Molly’s character was not quite believable. I also felt Molly’s incarceration unrealistic. Beyond all that, I enjoyed the book and would encourage all those former Rendezvous with Rama readers to give this book a go. Nancy M Davis297 2

Peter’s Best Yet

Brilliantly constructed. The novel points out humanity’s foibles without being preachy. The author’s observations about human tendencies towards greed, selfishness and bias are uncomfortable but accurate.
I have read at least a dozen of Mr. Cawdron’s novels, and found some previously read concepts repeated, but they were well worth repeating. I look forward to the next one. Joan Wade6 1 follower

a very good read.

I enjoyed the characters, dialogue, and rhythm of the story. The science of the story was believable. The author walked the line of explaining the science without being long winded and bogging down the flow. A story includes a normal non powerful ( Molly) person making a big contribution to a good outcome. I have enjoyed every one of Peter Cawdron’s Novels and look forward to the next one. Thanks! JBK8

intriguing ideas

This Cawdron fellow is pretty damn smart. His explanations of elements of his stories are as fascinating to read as the stories themselves. This was a challenging thought experiment in the guise of a clever first contact construct. Thanks to the author for assuming that at least some readers appreciate being treated as though they have the capacity to understand the fascinating underpinnings of a really good yarn. Julie katona5

Ghosts:

Mr. Cawdron has never written a bad book, every one is interesting. First Contact could come in many forms, and we won't know what that is till we are faced with it. I believe he puts forth many themes that could actually come true, and I hope they do. Well, at least some of them!! Clint28

ore liberal fantasy garbage from Cawdron

Cawdron is nothing if not consistent in disguising his fiction as a story instead of DNC talking points. If you need the rush of reading that kind of garbage save yourself some time and just ingest it directly from the DNC website. Everyone else should just save your time and skip this crap masquerading as a story. 1 comment Len Sodenkamp15 1 follower

Wonderful read as always

Never disappointed with your great storytelling. Always disappointed to arrive at the end especially after becoming so connected to your compelling characters. But I tell myself you have left me with a great gift, which is insight and for that I humbly Thank you. Looking forward to your next new insights.

Best to you and yours

Len Sodenkamp Ray Smillie548

Yet again Peter Cawdron has written a first contact novel from another angle with a large nod to the Arthur C Clarke classic Rendezvous with Rama. A new space race between the Russians and the rest of the world is put in motion to get to the massive alien spacecraft. Who gets there first and what happens is for you to find out.1 Karen Bauer64

As usual, a brilliantly inventive story of First Contact!

Wow, what a fascinating possibility. If only! We can hope that there are alien civilizations out there that are even half as advanced and as wise as the one revealed in this book.

Thank you, Peter Cawdron, for once again giving us just so much to think and dream about!

I loved this book! Phil Mayo4 3

an interesting tale.

And once again I finally find a book that captures my attention past thirty pages. And then I see the childish references to American citizen Republicans. Always described as some evil component in the story. A good story to read if you’re a Republican and resist deleting it from your kindle. So childish. Holly Gillespie24 3

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