I read science fiction for two reasons: first to escape the mundane and boring and second to remind me of how much is unknown and to think beyond my own narrow environment. I enjoyed the Kraken of Eden primarily for the second reason. The story of human expansion to other systems and the discovery of alien life forms is based on solid science, and is very credible. Mr. Moakley’s writing is vividly descriptive, particularly of the technology. I felt I could have drawn an accurate picture of the space ship and the colony platforms based on the detailed descriptions. The author’s knowledge and extensive research of technology and life sciences is evident throughout. The book was both a reminder of our need to care for our own planet and of the vast possibilities of the cosmos.

 

In my experience working with George Moakley, he was well respected for his honesty and integrity.

In short, people working with him knew without doubt he could be trusted. George leverages his

scientific and technical knowledge and extensive research to create stories that gain his readers trust creating compelling stories that are scientifically and technically believable.

 

Lauren B.

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George was always a creative and valuable contributor to the team. His expansive thought processes open up new ways of thinking for any problem set. I’m not surprised that he decided to become and author; his rich imagination, combined with his passion for language and technical accuracy, produces a compelling story that draws the readers in.

 

Maureen G.

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This novel is unique in it’s exploration of biology. There are echoes of the Loa Loa, a parasite which chilled many medical students. But, the setting, descriptions are all due to George Moakley. He paints a vivid and exciting image of a world that I, as a diver and explorer, would love to inhabit! What a wild ride. A modern masterpiece.

 

Chris S.

 

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Well thought out story line with fascinating cultural changes of what people are like in the future.

The characters have a depth that is often missing in other books. The author’s style of writing is also compelling. Already looking forward to the author’s next book!

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Gregg M. B.

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George Moakley brings a unique combination of expertise and creative voice to the SF community. His training as a biologist informed his career as an IT architect and his passion for scuba diving. Carrying insights from each of those areas into his novels produces an engrossing read. "Kraken of Eden" describes a unique (and terrifying) alternate biology on the first extraterrestrial planet discovered to have complex ecosystems. It’s a thoroughly thought-out and vividly described world. If you enjoyed "The Legacy of Heorot," (Niven, Pournelle and Barnes), you’ll enjoy reading "Kraken of Eden."

 

Doug B.

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I have known George as a scuba diver, a spectacular photographer, an unlimited resource of knowledge, and a friend for over five years now. He has always taken the time to truly get to know those that he spends time with, whether it is simply a five-minute interaction at the dive shop, or an hours long van ride to the middle of nowhere South Africa. One of my favorite things about George is that he always sees the very best in any situation that life throws at him. Whether it is getting lost in Japan (and then Singapore) on the way to Indonesia, or a careless van driver bouncing his super expensive cameras down the road, his ability to stay calm in the eyes of calamitous chaos always amazes me. It is because of this that he is one of my favorite people to travel the world with and someone I feel exceptionally grateful I get to call my friend.

 

Arlynn G.

 

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I have known and worked with George for decades watching him develop new ideas about what technology and computing can do.

 

The people most successful at thinking about new problems and new uses for technology possess a mental process that is very much like writing a sci-fi speculative fiction novel - every new idea is speculative until it is mainstream. Every new idea is fiction before becoming fact.

 

It takes a special kind of brain to move the world into the unknown and a special kind of energy to overcome all the objections and skepticism. To move companies and communities towards acceptance or willingness to try something new you have to be able to tell a compelling story. What does this do for me, why will it work, why should we invest my time, my talent, and my treasure? You have to connect and deliver all this.

 

The brain to make all this happen? George has this brain. Trained on behavioral ecology and honed on extending the frontiers of what computing can do if only we open our minds, work hard, and keep at it.

 

A sci-fi novel is not just about a new fascinating idea; it has to actualized in a world that is both interesting and consistent with a gripping story and well developed characters. In The Kraken of Eden, George delivers all of this. Of course, he has that kind of brain; creative, meticulous, and tireless.

 

Colin E