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Black Earth - How We Got Here

Michael Cook (Goodreads Author)

4.59 · Rating details · 37 ratings · 11 reviews

Synopsis:
It’s late September 2019 when a young astronomer working at the Haleakala Space Observatory, in Maui Hawaii, accidentally spots a black dot in the night sky that is occulting the stars that lie behind it. The Earth-sized black sphere is in our solar system and is calculated to be closely trailing Earth by only seventy-five million miles. And, is on the same eclipt Synopsis:
It’s late September 2019 when a young astronomer working at the Haleakala Space Observatory, in Maui Hawaii, accidentally spots a black dot in the night sky that is occulting the stars that lie behind it. The Earth-sized black sphere is in our solar system and is calculated to be closely trailing Earth by only seventy-five million miles. And, is on the same ecliptic plane.

NASA launches an unmanned probe to Earth’s nearest neighbor, given the name ILK-87b. The images coming back from the black planet both shock and amaze those inside the halls of NASA. Curiosity, fear, and dread, overcome insiders as infrastructure has been detected on the black mass. Scientists are confounded as infrared telescopes are not detecting a heat signature. After a secret meeting of the G8 world leaders is held, an international manned-mission is scheduled.

Prior to the scheduled manned-mission, a secret satellite orbiting the planet, now dubbed Black Earth, detects light emanating from a triangular structure with pentagon shaped corners. When astronauts finally arrive, two of them, Dr. Carrick ‘Rock’ Michaels and Dr. Kaley ‘Kinzi’ London, are dispatched to investigate. When they arrive at the triangular mega-plex they are shocked when an exterior airlock door opens. What the two find on the other side will change everything we know about man’s origins on Earth and how climate change decided the fate of a once great society, named Zenith.

Inside of the structure called The Triad, Carrick and Kinzi stand face to face with a one hundred-fifteen year old man named Erik, he greets the two by saying, “What took you so long?” Erik tells them the story of Zenith and it’s mass migration to Earth beginning 6000 years ago. As the astronauts are preparing to depart for their journey back to Earth, Carrick shocks them by saying that he will remain on Black Earth. Over the next thirteen months, Carrick will learn the history of Zenith and what prompted it’s mass migration to Earth. Carrick will be shocked to discover that many of Earth’s greatest historical figures are actually from the planet Zenith. These figures, hundreds of them, helped shaped Earth’s growth and spurred its medical and technological advancements. Not all of these historical figures were good though.

The connection between Erik and Carrick is unexplainable and will lead to a story that has never been told before. This story will connect the dots of the universe and answer the age old questions of: Are we alone in the universe? How humans came to be on Earth? What are the origins of religion, racism and segregation? And finally: How we got here?

What happens next will bridge the planetary gap between Earth and Zenith, life and death, time and space, and will result in the heartbreaking story of love, family, and mankind’s past, present, and future. ...more

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ebook, First, 383 pages

Published May 1st 2020 by Self

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· 37 ratings · 11 reviews

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Jun 07, 2020 Karen Cook rated it it was amazing · review of another edition

Wow so much more than title reveals
While I never imagined being remotely interested in this genre of reading, I found it to be a wonderful
Collaboration of multiple genres from science fiction mystery romance and more! Thought provoking every page of the way. Look forward to more this author...

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Jun 03, 2020 Jessica Lauryn rated it it was amazing

Author Michael Cook took me on an exciting journey that served as a great escape from reality and also offered some intriguing insight. I'd love to read more from this author! ...more

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May 20, 2020 Kristin Cook rated it it was amazing

I was the first to proof this book, and I was so sad when it was over! I was left wanting more and not ready to let go of the characters I grew to love so much. This book has so many elements that make it a great read! It was very informative and relevant, and I immediately found myself drawn in. Michael, thank you for taking us on this incredible journey and for writing something that leaves us pondering about the world long after the story ends.

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Jun 03, 2020 Kyle Shaver rated it it was amazing

A gripping story of space exploration, family, and personal triumph. This book has something every type of reader can enjoy and relate to. Definitely word reading!

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Oct 25, 2020 Richard Poirier rated it really liked it · review of another edition

Good story

I liked the story. A little contrived but interesting. Not really science fiction as much as a cautionary tale of global warming.

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Sep 10, 2020 Gage rated it it was amazing · review of another edition

Absolutely amazing! I could not put it down after I started. It relates to daily life just enough to make the book believable. It is by far my new favorite book!

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Jun 03, 2020 Donnie added it

Great read from front to back with a fantastic storyline. Highly recommend for anyone who is into space travel and sci-fi!

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May 25, 2020 Diandra Fland dominguez rated it it was amazing

Intriguing, definitely a must get!

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Jun 15, 2020 Joshila Bhula rated it it was amazing

Black Earth: How we got here is a must read book. It has a very interesting story line filled with lots of emotions, excitement, informational and filled with adventure. My favorite characters are Carrick and Erik and their relationship from the first time they met till the end.

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Nov 17, 2020 Elina van der Toorn rated it really liked it · review of another edition

Shelves: american, love, read-in-2020, sci-fi, space, popsugar-reading-challenge-2020

I couldn't put down the book until I've read around half of it. It was interesting, engaging, and I couldn't wait to see what happens next. And then, suddenly, it became a bit boring. Explaining the same thing again and again, first Carrick, then Jordan. Same thing all over. I must admit, I started skipping some paragraphs in part that was involving Jordan. I didn't quite understand what were all those technicalities of his training needed for (maybe it's just me). And then, the story became emo ...more

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May 20, 2020 Michael Cook rated it it was amazing · (Review from the author)

Dear Reader, I am shamelessly leaving myself the first ever review of my new book. I want you to know that I, like many authors, have put my heart and soul into this book. But I also hired the science editor who is responsible for the award winning documentary, In the Shadow of the Moon (2007), Professor Christopher Riley; along with a literary editor that is an editor for the BBC in London and also worked for Vice Media, Jacqui Farnham.

I hope you enjoy this wonderful story of discovery, human o ...more

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