When the first call from the stars comes, do we even dare to answer?

Life changes for everyone in general-and for physicist Dean Matthews in particular-when astronomers detect a radio signal from a nearby star. First contact forces humanity to face hard questions, and do it fast. Every answer spawns new questions. Every solution sets in motion a new and more daunting crisis to challenge Dean, his family-and an expanding number of interstellar civilizations-for generations to come.

"One of the most original, believable, thoroughly thought-out, and utterly fascinating visions ever of what interstellar contact might really be like." -Stanley Schmidt, editor of Analog Science Fiction & Fact

"...in InterstellarNet: Origins... Lerner proves he knows enough real-world, present-day computer science and economics to combine them into a wonderfully thought-provoking story.... Lerner's world-building and extrapolating are top notch." -SFScope

"Lerner mixes physics, computer science, and economics into a series of very intellectually satisfying puzzles. Some of the puzzles involve understanding the alien, and some depend on understanding ourselves... A very satisfying read, especially for the intellectually inclined." -Mike Brotherton, author of Spider Star

"Edward Lerner takes us from a first SETI detection to full scale interstellar net economics, with thrills along the way. No one had thought through what a working interstellar net would be like. Lerner has the professional heft to make sense of it, tell a story, and make us care. Good stuff, told in clear, quick prose. A groundbreaking job!" -Gregory Benford, author of Timescape