First and foremost, it offers the most extensive, meticulously researched, and scientifically current analysis of Fermi's paradox to date. It is also likely to become the go-to text on the theoretical foundations of SETI research. Cirkovic expounds complicated scientific concepts in instructive and clear language without over-simplification, an achievement that makes the book accessible to a wide non-specialist audience. * Cansu Hepcaglayan, Aja Watkins, Russell Powell, Acta Biotheoretica * It is a book that dreams bigly and boldly in space and time-a paragon of ambitious philosophy of science that does not rely on excessive quantification to be taken seriously. With this valuable study, Cirkovic has sealed his place as a leading proponent of SETI research and, more importantly, as a preeminent champion of the scientific imagination. * Russell Powell, Department of Philosophy, Boston University, The Quarterly Review of Biology * Cirkovic brings an encyclopedic familiarity of the professional and popular literature and history of the Fermi Paradox, including important contributions from science fiction... He also brings a wide background to the discussion, using a broad range of artistic and popular references to illustrate points. * Jason T. Wright, Origins of Life and Evolution of Biospheres Journal * This is a delightful and thought-provoking book that cleared my mind of clutter and confusion concerning Fermis Paradox and the Drake Equation. * Simon Mitton, St Edmunds College Cambridge * I warmly recommend The Great Silence to any curious reader. * Andrea Giammanco, CERN Courier * A much-needed critical analysis of the many logical and philosophical fallacies that pervade this fieldthe most important scientific topic that lacks any known subject matter... [a] speculative extravaganza. * G. David Brin, American Journal of Physics * If you've already read a few books about the search for extra-terrestrial intelligence, and you're looking for something a little deeper, then this would be a great book for you. * Andrew May, The Fortean Times Magazine * A detailed, logical, impartial and much-needed exploration, examining one of the most fascinating controversies of this (or any) era. * David Brin, author of Earth and The Postman *