This is a novel intended for readers who enjoy "hard" science fiction and have an interest in exploring the nature of time and space, life and death, and the place that human beings have in the cosmos. The story is quite different from what we normally find in the usual "space opera." It portrays the true nature of the universe and humanity's destiny within the context of a war in space that extends across the galaxy and spans thousands of years. It also introduces questions regarding the nature of our existence and the meaning of life and death, and it offers a provocative perspective on ancient myths and religious writings.
Starships of Eden uses the classic concept of a war between good and evil in multiple ways. One of these is introduced early in the story, as human beings from the far side of the galaxy arrive on Earth and tell us that they have been engaged in warfare with an alien species that is determined to exterminate all human life in the galaxy. Earth is the last refuge from which they can rebuild their forces. A second battle between good and evil involves a war among the humans from across the galaxy and extends for six thousand years, from the dawn of history to the late Twenty-First Century. A third conflict is between the humans from the stars and the governments and religious leaders on Earth, all of whom fear that they will lose power to these newcomers. The plot has numerous twists and turns, leading to several surprises along the way and at the conclusion.
In addition to the pseudoscience and speculation on the source of ancient writings, "Starships of Eden" is a story of one family with a child who is terminally ill and the relationship that builds between them and the new arrivals from the stars. Another interesting character is a dog that comes with these warriors and has been enhanced by their technology. Both of these help the reader establish a virtual relationship with the principal characters and their problems, making the story seem a bit more realistic.
In the end, the reader is left with questions that imply a sequel where they presumably would be answered. One question is about the nature of mysterious, god-like entities who appear to be able to manipulate space and time. Another concerns human-like characters who are partly hyperspatial and have a perspective on life and death that is very different from ours.
About the Author: Howard Marsh was born in New York City and grew up in northern New Jersey. He received a B.S. degree in physics from Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute in 1963 and a Ph.D. in physics from Cornell University in 1969. He then worked as a defense scientist for 42 years, specializing in command and control, communications, and intelligence systems.
He worked for 26 years in the Mitre Corporation, conducting and managing research, development, and acquisition activities for the Air Force, Navy, and Defense Information Systems Agency. This included a 6 year assignment as Special Assistant for Command and Control at Supreme Headquarters Allied Powers Europe. Upon his return to the United States in 1988, he resumed working for the Mitre Corporation as a Department Head.
In 1995 he moved to SRI International, where he soon was offered an Intergovernmental Personnel Act (IPA) assignment with the Office of Naval Research (ONR) as Chief Engineer for the "Extending the Littoral Battlespace" Advanced Concept Technology Demonstration. At the conclusion of that project, he continued in IPA assignments from SRI to ONR, including service as Academic Chairman for the Command and Control school in Marine Corps University from 1999 until 2001. He was then assigned as Associate Director for Command and Control, Communications, and Information in the ONR field office in London.
After completing his work in London in 2003, Dr. Marsh's IPA assignments moved from ONR to the Office of the Secretary of Defense (OSD) where he served first as Associate Director for Surveillance and Knowledge Systems and then as Technical Director in the Technology Integration Office. He retired from OSD and SRI in 2011.
Dr. Marsh is married, with 2 children and 2 granddaughters. He is now retired and spends his time enjoying life with his wife, Lynn, and writing the stories that have accumulated in his mind over the years. He is an avid fan of "hard" science fiction.
