There’s so much to unpack here, but Cooper makes it all easy to digest, even as he’s blowing your mind with the sheer immensity of the universe and the incredible distances and challenges involved in locating, let alone communicating with, an alien species. The Contact Paradox is the best of scientific writing: it’s engaging, informative, full of wonder, heartbreakingly honest, and presents all sides fairly. Everything you need to know on the subject is right here..

The Contact Paradox is a fascinating look at the history of SETI and the possibilities inherent to extraterrestrial contact. What Cooper does that is so engaging is address multiple aspects of the issue.

... [a] fantastic entry in the Bloomsbury Sigma series of science-related titles.

The great virtue of Cooper’s discussion is that it gives readers a picture of living science. Too often, science is presented as fixed, solved, completed. Cooper shows us scientists disagreeing, presenting and supporting alternative theories, and gives clear discussions of the differing views, letting the science live.

Coverage of researchers’ projects and ideas, which include sending fleets of robots to nearby stars, is of particular interest. Concluding with the title’s paradox: human curiosity motivating SETI versus the unknown risk to humanity of making contact with ET, Cooper delivers an exciting, provocative tome to which science buffs will flock..

Throughout, the author is free with his own opinions, and there is no shortage of surprises.

... [an] intriguing study.