Brain Wave Audiobook By Poul Anderson cover art

Brain Wave

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Brain Wave

By: Poul Anderson
Narrated by: Daniel Thomas May
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From the multiple Hugo and Nebula award-winning author: "A panoramic story of what happens to a world gone super intelligent" (Astounding Science Fiction).

With "wonderfully logical detail...exciting storytelling and moving characterization" (Anthony Boucher), science fiction master Poul Anderson explores what happens when the next stage of evolution is thrust upon humanity and animals. As Earth passes out of a magnetic field that has suppressed intelligence for eons, the mental capacity for all mammals increases exponentially, radically changing the structures of society.

A mentally impaired farm worker finds himself capable of more delicate and intelligent thoughts than he ever dreamed. A young boy on holiday manages to discern the foundations of calculus before breakfast. Animals that were seen as livestock and pets can now communicate clearly with their owners and one another. And an already brilliant physics researcher now uses his boundless intellect to bring humankind to the stars—even as his wife plunges into an existential crisis. For all of them, the world will never be the same....

©1954 Poul Anderson (P)2022 Tantor Adventure Hard Science Fiction Post-Apocalyptic Science Fiction Fiction
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There's always going to be some sexism etc in the old sci fi, just to get that out of the way. It's not that bad in this one, but yeah.

Anyway, I remember reading this as a teen, and liked hearing it again. It is a classic, and has some great moments. A bit of Childhood's End, a Bit Flowers For Algernon, a bit City, and a bit silly and naive, but a good story about people's relationship with intelligence and what might happen to our humanity if it changed, plus space travel.

Modern readers, be aware, old sci fi is old sci fi.

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Reader was very good. Story was excellent. Ending perfect. While sci-fi there’s a non zero chance it may be true.

Great story concept

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