The Zoologist's Guide To The Galaxy: What Animals on Earth Reveal About Aliens -and Ourselves

 

• Language ‏ : ‎ English
• Hardcover ‏ : ‎ 368 pages
• ISBN-10 ‏ : ‎ 024140679X
• ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 978-0241406793
• Dimensions ‏ : ‎ 14.4 x 3.4 x 22.2 cm
• There is a paperback version by Penguin Books
• https://www.amazon.co.uk/Zoologists-Guide-Galaxy-Animals-Ourselves/dp/024140679X
  

This book by Dr Kershenbaum was a disappointment in a number of ways. Let me make it clear that I did not buy this expecting to see analyses of CE3K reports and what the descriptions tell us about possible alien entities.  In fact the subject of UFOs is not even touched on as, I presume, that would tarnish the academic reputation.

The book is long (368pp) and I have to say that the disappointment comes in the poorly reproduced images -some blurry and so small it took a lot of figuring out what was being shown. That is a major problem if you are trying to demonstrate something. The premise of the book is simple (Wikipedia): 

"Although the field of astrobiology usually investigates possibilities of simple lifeforms that may exist on alien planets, The Zoologist's Guide to the Galaxy considers the possibilities of complex life, and in particular, life that might be considered as animal life. The book begins by laying out the argument that evolution by natural selection is the only mechanism by which complex life can evolve. It then examines the implications of natural selection for life on other planets. The book ends by examining the question of whether humanity is a parochial Earth-centric concept, or whether intelligent alien life should also be considered human."

So it is nothing new but it is always interesting to see someone else's slant on a subject. The problem comes when you ask who exactly the book is aimed at? I do not think for one second that Kershenbaum thought of Ufologists. In fact it seems to be aimed at other zoologists or trainee zoologists and I always feel that is a big mistake.

Yes, it is good that these books are out there but are zoologists going to spend their time considering hypothetical life in the galaxy (let alone universe)?  For those training in astronomy and with the ultimate aim of a job-for-life free meal ticket in SETI (Search for Extra Terrestrial Intelligence) where all they'll really need preparation for is the statement "It is NEVER aliens. Then signals came from a microwave cooker" (some of you may get that joke).

It does not need dumbing down but made to be understandable by the average educated reader who needs to know about this type of thing because knowledge is for everyone not just members of the "Secret order of Science Wizards" (try getting a hold of even the most basic free to academics papers and see how much they charge IF they allow you onto their "sacred sites").

In his epilogue Kershenbaum notes that the book is more about life on Earth than alien life and that if we apply the rules of life on Earth and how it developed then we may see that life in the Galaxy would not necessarily be unique to Earth. He also notes that he has simplified explanations to make it easier for people to understand. My criticism on that point may be down to me failing to appreciating that "not all people be dumb".  

The big debate is whether the way life developed on Earth is unique and not the norm -maybe life develops in other ways? The truth is that the real SETI work could be done by looking into CE3K reports that pass all the tests and even if cannot be proved 100% (we are never present so we have to go by what we discover while investigating -not a unique approach in science) then it gives us the start of a data base in which we can ask "Why would an entity be built that way?" "What does that feature tell us about a species" and so on.

It's 32 degrees at the moment so excuse me if I am being a pain and hyper critical but if asked whether I would recommend this book I would say "yes" -some of the topics are featured in my own books so the more people pushing books that educate on a topic the better.