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A Thriller for the 21st Century
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Will you die?
Your body certainly will. But is there truly something more? Existence beyond your body?
If the answer is yes, then...
Where will you go when you die?
(Hint: It won’t be back to Mars)
No doubt about it. That's the biggest--and scariest--question we all are compelled to ask. We wonder about it. We fret about it. Sometimes we avoid it. But eventually, like it or not, we all have to face it. Which is a central motivation for the creation of religions.
But did you ever wonder why all great religions share common themes, such as the apocalyptic episode characterized as a Judgment Day? Could it be just the recognition of an unavoidably transformative and necessary change in the progressive evolution of the Universe? Just a disruptive change that moves the ball toward the ultimate end zone?
And what about the incessant speculation about extraterrestrial life, based upon the ever increasing database of UFO evidence? Could it turn out to be true in a way few could have imagined?
And if extraterrestrial life is in our solar system, where is one of the best places they could remain undetected?
SECOND EDEN will help you answer these and other seemingly unrelated questions. Sometimes the weirdest notions turn out to be true in the most unexpected ways...
“One of the great things that science fiction does as a way of changing people’s worldview is show what the world might be like,” Aaron Parrett, professor of English at University of Great Falls in Montana.
Second Eden Book Cover Synopsis:
Envy. Deceit. Murder. War. Can human nature ever change? Will mankind take a fateful evolutionary leap and become a new species? Or are we doomed by our genes to forever spin on what the Hindus term the Wheel of Life?
A mystery as deep as the origins of thought. A clash of worldviews more profound than Islam vs. Christianity. An unlikely hero, an even more unlikely heroine. In SECOND EDEN two very different personalities are thrust together by strange fortune in a desperate struggle for personal survival that soon becomes a fight for all mankind.
When a book in an alien language is brought back by a Mars probe, a secret government society whose roots reach back to the beginning of the Cold War sees the manuscript as a threat to national security. But could an alternate interpretation point to the approach of an epochal crossroads for humanity?
And when the ancient text is finally deciphered, will truth be the ultimate victim, or will we have the courage to face a human history no one could have suspected?
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On the nature of the universe, Apollo 14 Astronaut Edgar Mitchell said: “The universe is a self-organizing, intelligent, creative, trial-and-error learning, participatory, interactive, non-locally interconnected and evolving system”
REVIEWS
One of the best reviews. CLASSIC BOOKS LIBRARY:
Second Eden : Carlton Austin has crafted a wonderful piece of work in Second Eden – an action-packed suspense thriller with a little romance and some elements of science fiction. Its beautifully designed cover incorporates gorgeous images depicting scenes within the plot and the book is available in both hard and soft cover. I recommend the hard cover, folks. This book is sure to be one that you keep among your favorite authors on your bookshelves. Second Eden is destined for a talented director to take big screen fans on its roller-coaster ride.
Best of friends, Peter (an intelligence agent) and Bo (an astronaut), have a bond that even Peter’s affair with Bo’s wife could not break. Bo and some other scientists perish in a mysterious fire just after completing an assignment. The government cover-up pushes Peter to find out what really happened and he becomes torn between patriotism and humanitarianism. He never loved a woman until he met Molly – but can he trust her? In fact, he wonders if he can trust anyone at all.
This is definitely an intelligent read; the author incorporates incredible alien artifacts, mysteries, murders, government espionage and complex cover-ups, cat and mouse chase scenes, archeological finds and ancient societies, deceit and a love story that transcends this life into the next.
Second Eden certainly has a plot that will make its readers think deeply about our world. Carlton shows us the dangers of where our science could lead. His story teaches that there are repercussions for every single choice that we make – both as individuals and as a society. He brings up social issues, like reminding us of the importance of recognizing the value of women who choose to be mothers – as a career, rather than as a side project. He even includes enlightening views of what might happen to a soul when the body can no longer serve it.
I really cannot say enough about Carlton’s novel. Truly, I could barely put it down to go to work or prepare meals! Second Eden will remain on my bookshelf for years to come and will, no doubt, be read many times by my family.
More Reviews:
"Just finished your book Second Eden. I thought that it was wonderful. I actually couldn't put it down. I also read Dan Brown's The Da Vinci Code and I have to admit yours is still leaving an eerie feeling. It really makes you think about what is around you.Thanks for the most enjoyable hours.--Reader P. Zielinski
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“I have read a lot of the classic SF writers and Second Eden ranks right up there with the best. Very well done.” Reader J. Duncan
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SPOTLIGHT REVIEW:
It is said that what makes a great story is mystery, suspense and surprise. Well, Second Eden has all three—in spades.
At heart, this book is a thriller in the tradition of Michael Crichton, filled with interesting scientific ideas and conjectures but also loaded with action. Because it involves the search for life on Mars, Israeli-Palestinian conflicts and the ultimate act of terrorism, it is also quite timely. It could be the final scenario in the war on terror--but God, I hope not!
As a sort of counter-weight to the concrete actions in the here-and-now are implications for all world religions. In this respect, I'm sure the author will ruffle a lot of feathers. But let's admit a truth that becomes more obvious with every headline we read: religion is at the root of many-if not most--of mankind's conflicts. Beliefs are just that-beliefs! Not the hard, evidence-based scientific laws that have given us airplanes, TV and cell phones. And if you're honest, when it comes to beliefs, as long as they are not destructive like Islam, is one any better than another? What the book says about this seems to me to be an attempt at religious reconciliation. In any event, you can take this or leave it. The story as sci-fi thriller remains intact.
So, depending on how you view your own spiritual nature, I'd say this is either the greatest beach book ever or a new Celestine Prophecy or both; it depends on what you bring to the book. I thought it was a great!--By Robert Zimmerman
More reviews...
“Carlton Austin’s Second Eden is a compelling work of both science and substance. He takes the everyday ingredients of life and moves them to their logical but unseen ends. This is a highly readable novel which will both entertain and enlighten.” --Peter Porosky, author of The Sins of Major Lord and other works.
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Some say, “If you liked the The Da Vinci Code, you’ll love Second Eden!”
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“I thought the book raised fundamental questions not often touched on in popular genre fiction, even SF: Who are we? What is happening to us? What is mankind's future? Provocative, exciting, thoughtful--a good read all around.”--Reader R.G.Kelly, professor of American Studies, University of Maryland
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Actually, I don’t think I ever could more highly recommend a book, for like fine wine this book gets better with age. Now, days after finishing it, I find myself drawn back into the spiritual dialogue it opened within me, making me review my own life, my beliefs, my actions, my omissions, my regrets. And that has to be a good thing. --Reader R. Mullen
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Final Warning!
Don't be fooled by what at first seems like a story with a religious bent--it is not religious. Don't be put off by Molly's virginity--it's important to the plot-- nor by the term “Judgment Day,” which in the book's context means something more akin to a "watershed" event, or turning point in human history.
Second Eden is, however, about the ultimate truth regarding Human Nature, our history and a novel take on what may lie ahead. The story has many characters whose roles and significance are not at first apparent. Trust me! The book is very carefully written and every character and every scene has a meaning that is revealed at crucial turning points.
As one of the initial editors wrote: "I'm amazed that the ending is resolved as neatly as it is; there are so many different people and threads to tie up. It's a satisfying ending though, and I especially appreciate that the author takes time to show the ending in fully developed scenes rather than trying to hurry through a narrative that just tells us what happens. Seeing Peter and Molly meet Bo, then Abel and Kopi, followed by Peter's ultimate 'graduation' was far preferable to summarization...."
Where will you go when you die?
Get the surprising answer.
And you won’t have to look in every nook and cranny. Nope. Only the NOOK at Barnes & Noble...
$ 3.99
Also available from AMAZON
If you look at Amazon’s website, you will not see the “people who bought...also bought” list. See why at the bottom of this page.
November 2016 note: Barnes & Noble now lists “people who bought” information...
People who bought SECOND EDEN at Amazon also bought :
People who bought SECOND EDEN at Barnes and Noble also bought:
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More about Second Eden, the story and the author...
Read second-eden.com reviews...
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If you look at Amazon’s website, you will not see the “people who bought...also bought” list. Here’s why:
July 31, 2013
Mr. Jeffrey P. Bezos
Chairman and Chief Executive Officer AMAZON. COM, INC.
410 Terry Avenue North
Seattle, Washington 98109-5210
Dear Mr. Bezos:
I am a long-time Amazon admirer, as well as a customer. Most importantly, I’m the author of a book sold on your Web site, which is why I’m contacting you.
Though initially written over twenty years ago, Second Eden was published by iUniverse in May 2004. (The delay in publication—and the type of publisher—is another and quite interesting story involving the death of Perry Browne, my New York agent, after presenting the book to only three publishers and my naïveté as a new author in thinking it would be easy to get another agent, but I digress.) It was never promoted by anyone other than me, and the majority of the hardcover and paperback sales have been through Amazon. The book actually sold quite well using nothing more than Google Ad Words and my Web site until hurricane Katrina caused skyrocketing gas prices that made buyers more cost conscious. Suddenly, the high price of even the paperback made the book uncompetitive. Because my wife became ill with breast cancer about the same time the book was published, I paid little attention to anything but her needs until her death in 2009.
Sales languished for years. However, enough people continued to read the book and make encouraging comments and reviews, including remarks about how many of the plot scenarios have proven prescient, that I decided that Second Eden might have a second life, no pun intended. So, not that long ago, I requested that iUniverse produce a Kindle and Nook version of the book, and I began to formulate a new marketing plan that would primarily drive sales to Amazon, which historically had been the chief sales point.
Here is where the problem comes in. Two problems, actually: The “Customers Who Bought This Item Also Bought” (CWB, for short) and the “Amazon Bestsellers Rank” (ABR).
When I visited the Web page after a long hiatus, I was surprised to find the CWB selections were gone. Thinking this might have been a mistake, I spent some time trying to get customer service to help out by republishing a list of CWBs from the past, which I provided. They declined, saying they just couldn’t do it. (See enclosed email correspondence.) Even as I reminded them that when I pay for marketing that drives Amazon sales, it is Amazon that makes money as well as I do. I also reminded them that when the items had been bought is irrelevant—at least to prospective buyers.
Among other things, I’ve had a successful Sales, Marketing, and Competitive Intelligence consulting business for over twenty years. I even had my own advertising agency in the distant past. To me, the current situation on your Web site seems like unwise marketing, since most shoppers for books, myself included, are turned off by the observed lack of interest generated by the item in question. Likewise, other than a top one hundred list or New York Times Bestseller list and the like, it is my opinion that the ranking system, the ABR, is counterproductive, especially since it changes drastically with even a single purchase and continues to rapidly change if nothing more is bought. Barnes and Noble doesn’t rank the least best-selling books—mine included—giving them a better chance. As a data point, anecdotal for sure, I was surprised that Nook version is selling 400 percent more copies of Second Eden than Amazon’s Kindle, and the Nook version costs fifty percent more than Kindle!
Please understand that I’m aware you certainly have more information in this situation than I’m privy to and perhaps a well- researched sales model; however, I hope you consider these comments, as they may actually be of benefit to Amazon: If for no other reason than the fact that I’ve decided it probably isn’t worth spending marketing money aimed at driving traffic to Amazon under the current conditions. I’m certain I’m not the only one, publisher or author, to arrive at this viewpoint.
Please understand I mean no ill-will. If you can’t’ make changes, I can certainly accept that and hope that I can remain on Amazon. Just hope you’ll think about what I’ve presented. (BTW, if you choose to respond, email is fine with me.)
Sincerely,
Carlton (Carl) W. Austin
...Mr. Bezos declined my request.
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