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The Science of Star Wars: An Astrophysicist's Independent Examination of Space Travel, Aliens, Planets, and Robots as Portrayed in the Star Wars Films and Books
Jeanne Cavelos says, " Star Wars fueled my interest in space exploration and the possibility of alien life," leading her to a career in astrophysics While these movies have inspired her, she admits that may not have been their intention. In creating the part science fiction/part fantasy/part myth that is Star Wars, George Lucas did not seek to create a futuristic universe that agreed perfectly with our current understanding of science.... How realistic, how possible, is this galaxy far, far away? The answer when A New Hope first came out was "not at all." But a strange thing has happened in the years since Star Wars first came out. Science is beginning to catch up with George Lucas. Cavelos looks at Lucas's planets, aliens, droids, technology, and Force with both rationality and affection. The droids R2-D2 and C-3P0, among others, become more interesting and almost credible after her consideration. The element of Star Wars that is most true to science is the sense of wonder it calls forth, which has very little to do with how close it is to a possible future. Or, as Steve Grand, director of the Cyberlife Institute, said to Cavelos: "I never try to let scientific implausibility get in the way of a good story!" --Mary Ellen Curtin.
Price: $9.05
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Summoning Light (Babylon 5: The Passing of the Techno-Mages, Book 2)
The explosive space epic continues, as the techno-mages come face-to-face with the devastating evil of the Shadows . . . War against the Shadows is inevitable, and the ruling Circle has ordered the techno-mages into hiding. Many are unhappy with this decision--none more so than Galen, the only mage who has faced the Shadows and lived. But the Shadows aren't Galen's only enemy--he is driven to hunt and kill Elizar, the traitor who murdered the beautiful mage Isabelle while Galen stood by helplessly, his hands tied by the Circle's sacred code he had sworn to follow. Now a new mission awaits as the Circle contrives a plan that may enable the five hundred mages to escape without leaving a trace. Dispatched to the Shadow's ancient capitol to uncover the enemy's plans, Galen will find everything he so desperately seeks--including a shocking legacy that threatens to consume his very soul. Babylon 5 created by J. Michael Straczynski.
Price: $38.99
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The Shadow Within: Babylon 5, Book #7 (Babylon 5)
Anna Sheridan has two passions--her husband, John, and the mystery surrounding some intriguing artifacts found during a mission to a distant planet called Z'Ha'dum. Now she gets orders to become the science officer on the follow-up mission scheduled for the spaceship Icarus. Happy, young, beloved, and brilliant, never has a woman had so much to live for. Or so much to lose. While John, recently promoted to the rank of captain, struggles with his new command on the Agamemnon, Anna begins to assemble her science crew...and makes a first mistake. She signs on Dr. Morden, a highly credentialed translator whose heart hides a weakness that can cost Anna her life or her soul. Her second mistake is to underestimate the danger of Z'Ha'dum. What is awaiting the Icarus near the rim of known destiny...and a dark future that can crush her husband's dreams and a terror that can come back to haunt us all..
Price: $8.98
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Invoking Darkness (Babylon 5: The Passing of the Techno-Mages, Book 3)
The electrifying space epic reaches an explosive climax
when one techno-mage battles the ultimate evil
As billions die and the flames of destruction rage unchecked, the Shadows seem poised for absolute victory. Soon the entire galaxy will fall to their evil. But the war isn't over . . . not yet. At long last, in a forgotten corner of the universe, Galen has finally won the Circle's permission to leave the techno-mage hiding place. He is the only mage who has faced the Shadows and lived, the only one who possesses the unstoppable Spell of Destruction. Galen's orders are clear. Though the galaxy is being torn apart by bloody conflict–in which his powers might tip the balance–he is to locate only three key enemies and kill them. But Galen has unearthed the Shadows' darkest secret–and discovered a monstrous truth about himself. In this desperate, apocalyptic battle, there's no telling who will be the victor. Or if there will be any survivors at all . . . Babylon 5 created by J. Michael Straczynski
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Price: $2.99
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The Many Faces of Van Helsing
An all-new anthology of stories featuring THE ORIGINAL VAMPIRE HUNTER. Bram Stoker's Dracula is one of the most famous novels in history Both Dracula and Van Helsing have become icons: the vampire and the vampire hunter. Yet while the character of Dracula has been endlessly examined, Van Helsing is arguably one of the most well-known yet least explored characters in literature. Now, Van Helsing gets his due as the stellar masters of horror and fantasy contribute their own unique take on the original vampire hunter. The tentative list of original stories featured in this unique anthology include such authors as: Katherine Dunn Christopher Golden Elizabeth Hand Brian Hodge Nina Kiriki Hoffman Graham Joyce Kathe Koja Tanith Lee Gregory Maguire Kristine Katherine Rusch Steve Rasnic Tem & Melanie Tem Thomas Tessier F. Paul Wilson.
Price: $2.87
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The Science of the X-Files (The X-Files)
Jeanne Cavelos feels that " The X-Files is actually the television drama most concerned with science today, incorporating recent discoveries and exploring the limits and values of science." Cavelos's guide to the science behind the stories can be a little confusing if you're not an X-phile (it could use a glossary), but it is a treasure-trove of gross science facts you'll enjoy even if you've never seen the show. Disturbing birth defects, parasitic worms that come out of your eyes, killer fungi, cockroaches in serried ranks--whatever makes you go "Ewww," it's probably in here. Besides these monster-of-the-week topics, Cavelos gives a scientific background to the X-Files mythology: the web of aliens (gray, black oil, shape-shifting, whatever), hybrids, abductions, government cover-ups, and the looming figure of the Cigarette-Smoking Man. Whether you are a wide-eyed, broad-minded (gullible?) Mulder or a skeptical, rationalist, cold-water-throwing Scully, this book has an insight, a silly story, or a good quote for you. --Mary Ellen Curtin.
Price: $1.92
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