Winner of the Hugo and Nebula Awards, Joe Haldeman has penned several best-selling novels, including The Forever War. After receiving a message from deep space, astronomer Aurora "Rory" Bell anticipates extraterrestrial visitors on New Year's Eve. But with Earth teetering on the edge of another world war, Rory soon begins to wonder if the message was a hoax. And when the message is leaked to the public, a media frenzy ensues. "A large-scale story [that] provides food for thought as well as fast-paced action."-Library Journal