I'm looking for other sci-fiction with a similar focus. I really enjoyed the focus of this book on the ecology of an alien planet and the native lifeforms. Very late in the expedition, the explorer encounters lifeforms which use tools (the Eosapiens), giving a very strong indication of being intelligent. Unlike the aliens presented in much of popular science fiction, which often seem to be variations of terrestrial lifeforms, Barlowe's creatures are truly alien: None of them possess eyes or true jaws their body structures are often unlike any found on Earth they have unique modes of locomotion, sensing, and eating. He details a bewildering variety of alien lifeforms such as Gyrosprinters, Arrowtongues, Grovebacks, Daggerwrists, Skewers, Emperor Sea Striders and Eosapiens. When an unmanned Yma probe discovers evidence of alien life on another planet, the 'expedition' of the title is sent to investigate.īarlowe writes as a sort of 24th century Audubon, presenting his findings in a collection of paintings, sketches, field notes, and diary entries from his explorations of Darwin IV. Aided by the benevolent and technologically superior alien race, the Yma, humanity begins to repair their ravaged world while simultaneously learning more about the universe around them. Wayne Douglas Barlowe travels nearly four centuries into the future and 6. Most of the remaining fauna, save humans, have suffered horrible mutation. Expedition: Being an Account in Words and Artwork of the A.D. The story goes that in the 24th century the exploitation of the Earth's ecosystem has created an environment so toxic that mass extinctions have wiped out nearly half of its animal population. Consequently it has truly incredible artwork. It was written and illustrated by the artist Wayne Douglas Barlowe. To cut right to the chase this is my favorite book of all time.

Expedition book wayne douglas barlowe