At first it seemed impossible - a radio signal that came not from Earth but from far beyond the nearest stars. But then the signal was translated, and what had been impossible became terrifying. For the signal contains the information to build a Machine that can travel to the stars.

A Machine that can take a human to meet those that sent the message. They are eager to meet us: they have been watching and waiting for a long time. And now they will judge.

'Stunning and satisfying' Los Angeles Times'An astonishingly exciting, precise and involved book' Sydney Sunday Telegraph'The range and depth of ideas is quite uncommon' New York Times Book Review'Sagan's informed and dramatically enacted speculations into the mysteries of the universe . . .

make Contact an exciting adventure' Publishers Weekly