Kindle Edition Amazon Amazon Category:  Science Fiction Publisher: CreateSpace ISBN-10:  1467953024 Type: Fiction Pages: 426 Copyright: July 14, 2012 ISBN-13: 9781467953023 Price: $3.99 (eBook) The asteroid is a story unfolding in human time, but governed by an intelligence that knows time only as a property of matter. The result is a conflict beyond any previous experience that rests on the shoulders of a lone human being. The asteroid is not in its known orbit. Sandra Hughes, an astronomer at the Keck Observatory in Hawaii, tracks it down and observes it with the twin telescopes, mankind’s finest pair of eyes. And there’s a hole in it, like a big rock doughnut. She hurries to find whether her colleagues in Europe see the same thing. What is this all about? The answer will change human history forever. Excerpt Beginning of Chapter 22 “This is Sandra Hughes from the Keck Observatory in Hawaii,” said the voice on the phone. “May I speak to President McBrand?” “Dr. Hughes,” said the White House aide that had answered, “I'm not certain the President is available yet.” The man had glanced at his watch. It was just at eight in the morning. “It is very important I speak to him,” Sandra continued, voice even. “It concerns the asteroid.” “I understand, Dr. Hughes,” came the reply, carrying a tone of slight condescension. “Let me see if it might be possible.” “Thanks,” she said, forcing herself to sound casual. Because of the encrypted link and Sandra's phone, there would be no questioning at the White House as to her identity. Sandra's voice print would be checked routinely. The issue had to do with access to the President and the natures of personalities of aides and advisors. After three minutes another aide, this one female, came on the line and explained that a few more minutes would be required, or perhaps Sandra would like to leave a message. “It is necessary that I speak with the President himself, and directly,” Sandra said. “Very well,” said the aide. “Please hold the line, Dr. Hughes.” Then the phone went back on hold. Sandra tried to guess what was going on in the White House. Possibly they were delaying her to make contact with various people the President would want to have in on the conversation. Surely they would realize that she wouldn't call for a casual chat. Or possibly the President actually was indisposed, in the shower or something. She made herself be patient. After all, her information did not have to be revealed immediately. It was already more than half an hour old. “Hello, Dr. Hughes,” said Madeleine Vigola suddenly. “The President is not available at the moment. May I be of some help?” Sandra looked at the ceiling, slightly exasperated, before answering evenly, “Oh, hello Madeleine. Sorry to break in on the morning there, but listen, I'll just wait until he might be available. Thanks.” Sandra had used Vigola's first name intentionally, knowing it would be a little insulting to the Chief of Staff. Vigola said, “Well, Dr. Hughes, it may be in fact several hours before the President might be free. He is already into his day, you see. But if this is an emergency I'm sure I can help you.” Sandra was impressed by the woman's cool manner, seemingly untouched by any of Sandra's words. “Oh, that's a shame,” said the astronomer, in her best colloquial style. “But I really do have to speak directly to him. What I have to say, however, is not exactly an emergency. Do you think maybe he can call me here in my office, as soon as he might get a few minutes? I guarantee he'll be very glad he did. I hope he won't be too disappointed to get the information after the Secretary General receives it.” Sandra tapped her nose, wrinkling it, pleased with herself. Vigola paused, at the other end. She realized Sandra had her. “It sounds,” said Vigola, “like something quite important, emergency or not. Let me see if I can break in on his meeting.” Sandra raised her eyebrows, thinking to herself, or break into his morning coffee or newspaper reading. The likelihood that the President would be deeply into meetings at eight in the morning seemed rather remote indeed. “Great, Madeleine,” Sandra said amiably. “Thanks.” In less than a minute the President was on the line.

best in years
Buy this book. Begin reading it. You will thank me, I tell my friends, and I mean it.
If you are like me you will keep thinking The Asteroid will at some point slow down, will quit being a page-turner - but it won't happen. I stayed up late, found excuses to read it, couldn't put this one down. Fast moving, yes--an asteroid that comes to perch in orbit near earth, what to do, who to lead what action; with sibling relations, political relations, the poignancy of 'accepting the inevitable in order to achieve the possible'--and string theory woven in--I hated this book to end. Now I have a sense for the gestalt of the imagination of little green men [sic] and a longing for Texas Chardonnay -- can't wait for the next book by this author!

Sleep lost!
This damned book cost me three late nights and subsequent loss of sleep. It is simply the best SF novel I have read this century. Cates is a physicist turned novelist who thankfully turned his attention to a near future, first contact story that is rich with compelling characters and constantly building tension. Without getting into the plot, which is quite unique, what made this book so interesting to me was the solid physics on the science side of the fiction. The author uses current quantum theories of the energetic vacuum, zero-point energy models and so forth. Interesting propulsion possibilities, and a fine, thought provoking distributed form of intelligence and consciousness. A fabulous read, but not for those who can't put novels down late at night.


New Author--Great Book
I bought "The Asteroid" by M R Cates on July 14, its publication date. I put aside several books I was already reading, and read the first 11 chapters at my first sitting. The book remained exciting from beginning to end. I finished it and now I am waiting for future books by M R Cates.
The characters were believable; the physics was believable; and the food mentioned showed me that the author had probably visited restaurants in all the places mentioned.
I did take time from my reading to consider questions like the following. Could this physics be possible? Could these concepts tie science and religion together? Would our government allow such a story to continue this way or would we react violently and have that act destroy the earth.
Many books I read are interesting or funny or exciting--only a few will cause me to try and relate the story to life and cause me to return to the story long after I have finished the book. Some authors come to mind who do that for me--Neal Stephenson, Ayn Rand, and Jared Diamond. I think the list puts M R Cates in very good company.
I will tell my friends about the book and recommend it. I rate the book 5 stars.