Bantam, 2002
Created around the wonderful drawings of Minneapolis artist Kevin Lenagh, this book makes more vivid nearly a hundred of the alien and Earthling species that appear in David Brin's Uplift novels. Here in the form of a handbook for Terran field agents is a detailed look at Uplift's many alien races — from the friendly Tymbrimi to the warlike Tandu, from the wise and enigmatic Kanten to the fiercely reptilian Soro, from the bureaucratic Hoon to the manipulative Thennanin — their physiology, psychology, history; their clans and alliances; and their shifting attitudes toward Earth and its representatives.
Scroll down to view illustrations from CONTACTING ALIENS.
it's a dangerous universe... but somebody has to run it
Here, too, is a history of Earth's contact and challenging interactions with the mysterious and powerful Civilization of Five Galaxies, a look at its institutions, languages, and customs, plus a time line of momentous events going back 3 billion years.
For the millions of fans of the Uplift novels, this long-awaited guide will be an essential reference work, filled with vital information and never-before-seen illustrations that reveal, for the first time in one volume, the keys to the ambitious vision and bold speculation of the Uplift universe.
the Uplift series
The stirring saga that begins with Sundiver continues in Startide Rising, and climaxes in The Uplift War.
A second uplift series begins with Brightness Reef, continues with Infinity's Shore, and concludes with Heaven's Reach.
Is Existence: an uplift "prequel"? In many ways, yes. David Brin's bold newest novel explores the ultimate question: Billions of planets may be ripe for life, even intelligence. So where is Everybody?
uplifted short stories
These three stories are set in the uplift universe. Learn more about all of Brin's shorter fiction here.
illustrations from Contacting Aliens
Xap trader approaching space elevator
The odd thing about the proto-Xap homeworld was its lack of animal life. We suspect that the Xap ravaged all other mobile species to extinction. When pressed, the Xatinni admit that proto-Xap were heading into cannibalism when Uplift rescued them. Approach business dealings with them by preplanning favors and responses for the next several years.
Rothen at a state function
In the presence of potential converts, Rothen seem earnest and caring — like proud, endlessly patient parents of precocious children who still have a long way to go in order to achieve a grand destiny. But if a Rothen realizes that he is talking to a skeptic, or a Terragen official, he will exit the scene in great haste, vanishing with uncanny thoroughness and speed.
Rothen colony world
Their sparse Library entry shows lineage predating almost every existing race in known space, but this information is almost universally discredited as a ruse, implanted during the last wave of data plagues. Rothen go on to profess that they subtly influence almost every sociopolitical arena, while keeping themselves aloof from the normal bustle of galactic life.
Brothers surfacing in archology colony
Brothers (a term used for both males and females) were uplifted by the Nighthunters, who made up their own splinter sect of the Awaiter Alliance. The Nighthunters took this brutal species of cunning pre-sapients and fostered them into sophisticated and formidable beings with an unfortunate proclivity for forming fanatical cults. There are hints that the Nighthunters' intent was to create decent competition (or prey) for secret predatory rites. According to this rumor, the Nighthunters promised the Brothers ascension to full liberty on the day they managed to conquer their patrons.
Apparently, the Brothers succeeded.
Ot'ahh gaming
Extrapolating from their great-grandclients, the Gubru, Ot'ahh would have been rigid xenophobes. But they appear in Galactic records as one of the Six Hero Races that vanished with the Tarseuh after routing the "lions." If you bump into one, it means the Six Hero Races are coming back and all hell is going to break loose. This would be almost as startling as the Progenitors showing up at your door to sell Amway products.
Paimin in a marketplace
Paimin seem well adapted to serve as delegates for the Thennanin. They portray a stoic poker-face, then suddenly appear puppy-dog friendly, often taking you off guard. Alliance or no alliance, watch yourself around Paimin. They are smarter than they look.
a brief intro to science fiction author DAVID BRIN
To learn more, visit his books page, or see his "about me" page or detailed biography.
novels
David Brin's science fiction novels have been New York Times Bestsellers, winning multiple Hugo, Nebula and other awards. At least a dozen have been translated into more than twenty languages. They range from bold and prophetic explorations of our near-future to Brin's Uplift series, envisioning galactic issues of sapience and destiny (and star-faring dolphins!). Learn More
shorter fiction
Short stories and novellas have different rhythms and artistic flavor, and Brin's short stories and novellas, several of which earned Hugo and other awards, exploit that difference to explore a wider range of real and vividly speculative ideas. Many have been selected for anthologies and reprints, and most have been published in anthology form. Learn More
Contrary Brin blog
Since 2004, David Brin has maintained a blog about science, technology, science fiction, books, and the future — themes his science fiction and nonfiction writings continue to explore. Learn More
social media influencer
Who could've predicted that social media — indeed, all of our online society — would play such an important role in the 21st Century — restoring the voices of advisors and influencers! Lively and intelligent comments spill over onto Brin's social media pages. Learn More
scientist
David Brin's Ph.D in Physics from the University of California at San Diego (the lab of nobelist Hannes Alfven) followed a masters in optics and an undergraduate degree in astrophysics from Caltech. Every science show that depicts a comet now portrays the model developed in Brin's PhD research. Learn More
transparency expert
Brin's non-fiction book, The Transparent Society: Will Technology Force Us to Choose Between Freedom and Privacy?, continues to receive acclaim for its accuracy in predicting 21st Century concerns about online security, secrecy, accountability and privacy. Learn More
speaker & consultant
Brin speaks plausibly and entertainingly about trends in technology and society to audiences willing to confront the challenges that our rambunctious civilization will face in the decades ahead. He also talks about the field of science fiction, especially in relation to his own novels and stories. To date he has presented at more than 200 meetings, conferences, corporate retreats and other gatherings.Learn More
future/tech advisor
Brin advises corporations and governmental and private defense- and security-related agencies about information-age issues, scientific trends, future social and political trends, and education. Urban Developer Magazine named him one of four World's Best Futurists, and he was appraised as "#1 influencer" in Onalytica's Top 100 report of Artificial Intelligence influencers, brands & publications. Past consultations include Google, Microsoft, Procter & Gamble, and many others. Learn More
