Alone? is the "mirror" of The Kaleidoscope Effect. What if we are alone in the near universe and must become extraterrestrials to transcend our Earthly existence? Alone? explores the possibilities.
Alone? assumes that there are no extraterrestrials coming to save us from acts of terrorism or nature. It is an epic journey of humankind from Neolithic woman to immortal space traveler. Because of the vastness of the story, I of left much out. However, I have tried to fill in some of the characters from The Kaleidoscope that were not well developed in that book. The sexual nature of some of the passages may be offensive to some, but I was only portraying either the way things were or the way I expect them to become. Alone? was released in POD formats by BookBooters.com in August 2002. Now out of print, the 2nd Edition has been released by Booklocker.com in January, 2010.
Excerpt
At dinner, Dom politely listened while Seala talked of her first year at George Mason and Thuy talked of Manhattan and her father's exploits. After dinner, Anne asked Dom to help her with dishes. As they watched the girls fishing off the dock, Anne spoke first.
"They are more than good friends." Anne added to her expression by shaking a soapy spoon in their direction.
"What do you mean, Mom?" Dom played dumb.
"I have an eye for that sort of thing. Dabbled a bit in it myself. Speaking of dabbling. Do you miss your sister?"
"What do you mean, Mom?" He was trying to play dumber.
"It's okay, Albert and I have known for some time. Do you think you two could sneak off all those times and not be noticed? If I were you, I'd enjoy it while it lasts. The way this world keeps changing, nothing is forever--except you. Thuy isn't immortal like you two. Give her all the pleasure you can while she's with you. Speaking of that, Momma Ping's due in next week. I hope you can include her in your little tryst. She?s been quiet, but she's a bit tired of old coots like your father and me."
Dom nodded and kept looking at the girls out the window. He was too stunned to respond.
Dominic A. Repaul graduated magna cum laude and first in his class at the end of the fall term, 2035. He was nineteen. Dr Khundi said that it proved that modern medicine and social practices had reduced overall human intelligence from what it had been in Neolithic times. It didn't hurt that Dom's genetic code had been perfected, either. Their genetic flaws limited so many intelligent people. No one knew how the Iceman, unaltered and without implants, would have faired. Forty years of analysis of his remains had shown him to be very skilled and resourceful for his time. Dom inherited that.
Professional Reviews
Better Than Kaleidoscope ...
I ... read it over Christmas and loved every word of it. I actually think it is a vast improvement upon Kaleidoscope, and that was a terrific novel in itself.
--Toby Endem, Managing Editor, Bookbooters
An Eye-Popper
In this ambitious sci-fi work the author Ron Hull explores the probability of non-earth intelligent life in the universe. He examines the possibilities that a superior life form is spying on us, or standing ready to influence the course of man’s endeavors, or is envious of our earthly possessions or biological wealth.
He begins with a few story threads in pre-history and history and brings them into the present, deftly weaving a fascinating cast of characters. The earth is caught up in the throes of human overpopulation with an almost utter dependence on fossil fuel. There is the inevitable global warming, and an attendant increase in the intensity of weather extremes and natural disasters. Humanity searches desperately for a savior, mostly in the form of alien intervention.
Against this backdrop, the scientifically oriented Repaul “family,” with secretive disregard of authoritarian rules, engages in activities they believe will advance the interests of humanity. Techniques that perfect DNA of tissue samples from the past are used to clone children who are not only specimens of superior intelligence, the deletion of genes that cause aging renders them immortal. As an added bonus, they are enhanced with electronic implants for heightened capabilities.
The family siblings’ choose careers of space exploration. One brother is a mystic spiritualist and becomes the head of the Saganites (Carl Sagan’s followers) in search for a superior extraterrestrial intelligence. Another brother and sister become the heads of organizations that set about colonizing the planets. All will need every ounce of their innate superiority to face the dangers they encounter, both on earth and in the far reaches of space.
The author paints an absorbing picture of the dawn of a brave new world, with sexual activities totally out of Victorian bounds and communication advances carried to extremes as great as those of the natural disasters depicted. Literally scores of brush strokes wend their way from present day facts into scenarios of the future. They are daubed with a bold hue and tint that spurs a spirit of cooperative inventiveness in the reader’s mind.
This is an excellent tale that not only is interesting, it has great insight into problems we as humans face, and offers the author’s remedy for many of them. His style reminds one of Michael Crichton. It pulls the reader along to the next adventurous moment or discussion of the next technical marvel. The ending, which I will not reveal, leaves one hoping for a sequel. While this book is a great achievement for the author and an eye-popper for the reader, a smoother product would have resulted had the services of an independent copywriter/editor been employed. With this rather insignificant quibbling, I would highly recommend this book to sci-fi buffs and inquisitive readers everywhere.
The ideological depth and ethical complexities within your writing always makes for a marvelous reading experience. The excerpt of ALONE? presented here leads me to believe it's just right for our socially-volatile and AI-challenged times. Hope it finds its way into numerous classrooms and reading groups for meaning-filled discussions and contemplation.
Now that I've read K.E. and reviewed it here and at Amazon, I'm hoping and willing to tackle "Alone?" If it delivers the growth promised in K.E. it is bound to be the next step in your thoughts on man's plight. And let's hope that even without an "Alien" Rescue, you maintain a positive vision for our future! You know, the prophcies are self-fulfilling in a way. And I'm sick of the whining complaining negative Techno-crap authors with their so called "Tintillating Violence;" envisioners writing junk that inevitable pollutes people's minds from keeping Positive Faith in man's venture in civilization. That ought to be every Sci-Fi's Prime Directive (as what is thought eventually becomes what is) Sadly, it isn't. Most commercial Sci-Fi is not only not as entertaining as its 50's and 60's forebearers but is just so much negative baggage on our society--it's a wonder we haven't all sank beneath the sea of Despair from that Dark garbage. I don't need it to be entertained and I'm looking forward to Alone? and then: "War's End." Thanks for your Positive Visions of our future. Quite an accomplishment for a POD listed author to tackle that challenge and still write an engrossing story! (see my review of K.E.)
“Alone?” by Ronald W. Hull — Paperbound 5” x 8” 283 pages
Bookbooters.com, 2001
In this ambitious sci-fi work the author Ron Hull explores the probability of non-earth intelligent life in the universe. He examines the possibilities that a superior life form is spying on us, or standing ready to influence the course of man’s endeavors, or is envious of our earthly possessions or biological wealth.
He begins with a few story threads in pre-history and history and brings them into the present, deftly weaving a fascinating cast of characters. The earth is caught up in the throes of human overpopulation with an almost utter dependence on fossil fuel. There is the inevitable global warming, and an attendant increase in the intensity of weather extremes and natural disasters. Humanity searches desperately for a savior, mostly in the form of alien intervention.
Against this backdrop, the scientifically oriented Repaul “family,” with secretive disregard of authoritarian rules, engages in activities they believe will advance the interests of humanity. Techniques that perfect DNA of tissue samples from the past are used to clone children who are not only specimens of superior intelligence, the deletion of genes that cause aging renders them immortal. As an added bonus, they are enhanced with electronic implants for heightened capabilities.
The family siblings’ choose careers of space exploration. One brother is a mystic spiritualist and becomes the head of the Saganites (Carl Sagan’s followers) in search for a superior extraterrestrial intelligence. Another brother and sister become the heads of organizations that set about colonizing the planets. All will need every ounce of their innate superiority to face the dangers they encounter, both on earth and in the far reaches of space.
The author paints an absorbing picture of the dawn of a brave new world, with sexual activities totally out of Victorian bounds and communication advances carried to extremes as great as those of the natural disasters depicted. Literally scores of brush strokes wend their way from present day facts into scenarios of the future. They are daubed with a bold hue and tint that spurs a spirit of cooperative inventiveness in the reader’s mind.
This is an excellent tale that not only is interesting, it has great insight into problems we as humans face, and offers the author’s remedy for many of them. His style reminds one of Michael Crichton. It pulls the reader along to the next adventurous moment or discussion of the next technical marvel. The ending, which I will not reveal, leaves one hoping for a sequel. While this book is a great achievement for the author and an eye-popper for the reader, a smoother product would have resulted had the services of an independent copywriter/editor been employed. With this rather insignificant quibbling, I would highly recommend this book to sci-fi buffs and inquisitive readers everywhere.
See which way the winds have blown in the Winds of Time!!
Order your Kindle copy today!!
Author Bruce Alan Humphrey creates a fascinating world where medieval mores and cutting-edge technology converge. Winds of Time tells the gripping tale of Tarl
See which way the winds have blown in the Winds of Time!!
Order your Kindle copy today!!
Author Bruce Alan Humphrey creates a fascinating world where medieval mores and cutting-edge technology converge. Winds of Time tells the gripping tale of Tarl
