Recent Independent Book Reviews

REVIEW -- International Review of Books

Rules for Eternity by John Hunter is perfect for critical thinkers, philosophy enthusiasts, and anyone curious about the interplay between natural laws, societal rules, and the grey areas where interpretation shapes our understanding of order and freedom.

Which line stood out from all the others in the book?

Too many to list here, but I'll try. Each sentence is as fascinating as the one before it, and the one that comes after it. "The astronomical distances and huge travel times suggest the near impossibility that two civilizations from different star systems might ever be able to interact." If this is indeed the case, are we spending billions of dollars chasing our tale.

General Summary for Context:

A Thought-Provoking Exploration of Life's Big Questions

This book delves into questions that are typically reserved for philosophers, scientists, astronomers, and physicists—people who naturally gravitate toward the complexities of existence. As an average, everyday person (though I like to think of myself as reasonably intelligent), I hadn't often considered how simply existing means following certain rules and laws.

What surprised me most was learning that while some of these rules are absolute, others can be bent or even broken. The author wisely cautions against venturing too far into realms beyond human comprehension, suggesting instead a more grounded approach: analyzing what we can understand and philosophizing our way to a partial, yet valuable, grasp of the bigger picture.

This book challenges the reader to think critically about the unseen forces shaping our reality. While it doesn't promise all the answers, it offers a thoughtful perspective on how to make sense of the world around us.

Concise Review:

This book presents numerous scenarios, each attempting to explain complex ideas in a logical and accessible way. It poses intriguing questions: Which rules are absolute and must be followed without question? Which ones can be safely bent or broken? Are there “grey areas” where interpretation and personal judgment come into play?

The author explores not only the natural laws that govern our existence but also the societal rules that bind us together. The book makes a compelling argument that for a society to thrive, its rules must be clear and understandable. When rules become too ambiguous or difficult to grasp, society risks fragmentation, eroding the very foundation of communication and cooperation among its people.

This book encourages readers to reflect on the balance between order and freedom, challenging us to think critically about the structures that shape our lives. It's a thought-provoking read for anyone interested in understanding the boundaries of both physical laws and societal norms.

General Thoughts on the Novel:

A Fascinating Journey Through Complex Ideas

I could go on and on (and on), but I hope I've provided a glimpse into the truly captivating ideologies and insights this book offers. Each sentence and every paragraph introduces fresh ideas, thought-provoking concepts, and nuanced explanations about the universe and the roles we play within its grand structure.

The author masterfully challenges readers to explore ideas they may never have considered before—ideas that, upon reflection, deserve our attention. This book is not just a collection of theories but a guide to seeing the world through a different lens.

I highly recommend this thought-provoking and enlightening read to anyone ready to expand their understanding of the universe and their place in it. It's a book that sparks curiosity and invites deep contemplation—an experience not to be missed.

REVIEW -- Reedsy Discovery

The book’s title, Rules for Eternity, is the perfect teaser for Hunter’s central theme that runs through the 12 chapters in the book. What rules determine the existence and evolution of the universe? What rules govern the creation and evolution of life, particularly intelligent life, on a planet? Are these rules pre-determined or do they also come into play at the time of creation? Do we have hope for eternal existence of life or are we doomed for a dismal scenario?

These are just some of the many interesting and important questions the author explores with facts from research in cosmology and examples from everyday science. Hunter discusses various scientific models for universe in the context of their implications for natural and biological rules governing all operations.

Notably, Rules for Eternity is more than a work exploring cosmology via philosophical questions as it pays a good deal of attention to human psychology. Fundamental questions about behavior, instinct, and intelligence are brought up in the context of the book’s main themes. Readers also don’t miss on seeing the social and psychological roles of religion in shaping human thought on these key points as explored by Hunter in the chapter Why We Need Gods.

In a special and kind of unique chapters in the book, “Science Fiction – A Reality Check,” readers go through issues in popular science that are presented in works of science fiction– time travel, artificial intelligence, telepathic communication, etc. Exploring the boundary between scientific reality and science fiction is significant to today’s readership as humans increasingly invest time and effort in developing futuristic technologies, a theme Hunter discusses in a following chapter.

Perhaps the most important question that this book attempts to answer is as philosophically grand as it is scientifically challenging: what are our limits? The final chapter “No Beginnings No Ends,” also part of the book’s subtitle, sums it up full circle. In the vastness of the space and time and surrounded by unending uncertainty, life in the moment is still precious and worth celebrating; in fact more so for these exact reasons.

In Rules for Eternity, John Hunter offers a great serving of food for thought for the science enthusiast and truth-seeking minds. It’s a discussion the thoughtful reader can’t resist nor afford to miss.

REVIEW -- Book Corner

John Hunter’s Rules for Eternity (self-published, 2024) comes as a refreshing addition to the philosophical quest for finding answers to some unanswered questions that matter on a celestial scale. The book, dedicated to the author’s loving parents, launches a philosophical inquiry into the nature, origin, and boundaries of rules that determine the behavior of matter and energy in various forms on earth and beyond.

In his introduction to the book, Hunter distinguishes between two main types of rules that apply to the existence of the universe and the life in it: transient rules and immutable rules. He then dives deep into the sea of philosophical quest for the facts and logic that relate these rules to observation, behavior, and operations of nature as well as life on our planet. In his venture, Hunter assesses many possible answers to such questions so as to show readers how sound they stand – scientifically and logically.

Among others, Rules for Eternity looks into the much-debated questions of intelligent design (the teleological argument), determinism vs free will, instinct vs learning, and many more. Each chapter takes up new questions and moves the discussion forward by incorporating the assertions and conclusions from the previous chapters. Hunter offers great examples and analogies on many topics and presents interesting hypothetical scenarios. The chapters on futuristic technology and science fiction have a more popular appeal while others have a more reflective mood.

With some really good quotes and thematic images to start each chapter, Hunter makes a great presentation to excite the reader’s imagination and thinking. And the book has an epic ending line! Rules for Eternity is the perfect pick for both science and philosophy lovers.