The Listeners by James E. Gunn

I just finished a sci-fi book by James E. Gunn called 'The Listeners' which was published in 1972. This book is very similar to 'Contact'(1985) by Carl Sagan, particularly at the beginning plot line. In fact Carl Sagan commented on the book as follows: "One of the very best fictional portayals of contact with extra-terrestrial intelligence ever written". The two books do deverge in plot quite a bit later on in the storyline. The Listeners is a sci-fi classic and I highly recommend it. Its a fast and enjoyable read with a surprise ending. Hint: Don't look ahead in the book at the illustrations (like I did!) if you don't want the ending spoiled for you. The Listeners