Artifact
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Book Overview
Artifact A small cube of black rock has been unearthed in a 3500-year-old Mycenaean tomb. An incomprehensible object in an impossible place; its age, its purpose, and its origins are unknown. Its discovery has unleashed a global storm of intrigue, theft andespionage, and is pushing nations to the brink of war. Its substance has scientists baffled. And the miracle it contains does not belong on this Earth. It is mystery and madness -- an enigma with no equal in recordedhistory. It is mankind's greatest discovery ... and worst nightmare. It may have already obliterated a world. Ours is next. A small cube of black rock has been unearthed in a 3500-year-old Mycenaen tomb. An incomprehensible object in an impossible place; its age, its purpose, and its origins are unknown. Its discovery has unleashed a global storm of intrigue, theft and espionage, and is pushing nations to the brink of war. Its substance has scientist baffled. And the miracle it contains does not belong on this Earth. It is mystery and madness-an enigma with no equal in recorded history. It is mankind's greatest discovery. . .and worst nightmare. It may have already obliterated a world. Ours is next.
Format:Mass Market Paperback
Language:English
ISBN:B00724FQ4W
ISBN13:9780380791958
Release Date:July 1998
Publisher:Harper Voyager
Length:432 Pages
Weight:0.25 lbs.
Dimensions:1.1" x 4.2" x 6.8"
Customer Reviews
5 ratings
Indiana Jones meets Particle Physics
Published by Thriftbooks.com User , 20 years ago
Perhaps I'm biased because I like Benford's style: I couldn't put the book down. I read it straight through, just stopping once for lunch. It's not Benford's best book because his others are all so great, but it was much better than I expected after reading the other reviews here. Benford mixes in plenty of realistic science, archaeology, and university politics with the action of the plot. At the end of the book, an interesting "Technical Afterword" puts the sci-fi in context with "real" physics.My favorite line from the book is typical Benford: "He had noted that the noise in a room rose as the square of the number of people in it..."
good, satisfying book
Published by Thriftbooks.com User , 24 years ago
I liked this book a lot. It's not "great", but ultimately satisfying, combining particle physics and archaeology with a bunch of quite believable characters. One reviewer complained about the "Rambo" quality, that area is well done and realistic, neither overplayed nor over-macho. As a woman, I found the heroine interesting as he gives her point of view (what a difference from Asimov!), it's believable guys. Also, as an avid reader of Sci. American, and being an archaeology enthusiast, I enjoyed that combination tremendously. As in all good Benford, IT'S BELIEVABLE. You feel the story could really happen.
Entertaining, thought provoking, plausable
Published by Thriftbooks.com User , 25 years ago
I was completely enthralled and captivated by Benford's scientific knowledge and writing skills. He has the unique ability to blend insightful scientific speculation with real-life adventure and human interaction.Artifact is one of those rare science fiction stories that is believable because of the real science it contains. Benford has been critisized for including too much scientific explanation. However, without it, I may not have found the story line as plausible, or enjoyable.I further enjoyed Benford's writing style. His characters come to life and it is apparent that Benford enjoys writing about adventure and human interactions as much as he does about the science.All-in-all, I found Artifact very entertaining and would recommend it to anyone remotely interested in science fiction or adventure.
Coulnd't put it down
Published by Thriftbooks.com User , 26 years ago
I picked up a copy of Artifact because I didn't want to spend $28.00 on Benford's new novel (the paperback will be out soon, right?). I made a good choice. Solid science, wonderful characters, and a twisty, engaging story ... altogether, one of the most enjoyable books I've read in a long time. I'm going to the bookstore today to find another Benford novel. Hell, I might even spend the $28.00 bucks for the hardback!
Benford Meets Ancient Crete
Published by Thriftbooks.com User , 27 years ago
Gregory Benford's _Artifact_ is an intriguing sci'fi novel involving a mysterious radioactive ancient object discovered in the Greek Archipelago. His essays into scientific detail can be tedious at times, but the central adventure, romance, and scientific mystery are excellent and absorbing. Too bad it has been unavailable for years! I recommend it to any borderline sci-fi reader who has an interest in ancient history.
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