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Blink 3 of 8 - The 5 AM Club
by Robin Sharma
Eternity Road by Jack McDevitt is a gripping post-apocalyptic novel set in a future where a group of adventurers embarks on a dangerous journey to discover the long-lost secrets of a once great civilization.
Imagined by Jack McDevitt in Eternity Road, the earth is now reclaimed by animals after humanity has been wiped out. Only a few scattered human settlements and the ruins of our former world remain. The central settlement, Haven, is led by the religious figure Captain Raoul, who is very interested in learning about the past. A group of travellers sets out on a dangerous quest to find a lost city beyond the 'Long River' and prove that humanity existed before them. Their journey leads them to unravel the myth of 'The Roadmaker.'
Their quest is guided by the stories of the pre-apocalyptic world passed down through the generations, primarily about The Roadmakers, an advanced, enigmatic society. Their knowledge and technology, along with their downfall in the Great Chaos, have become part of folklore. After encountering ferocious animals and hostile tribes, the travellers finally reach the fabled city of Atlanta, entombed in an untouched layer of earth, protected from nature's erosive forces. Amidst the ruins, they find a treasure-trove of record crystals - the Roadmaker's knowledge preserved in digital form.
The knowledge retrieved from the crystals puts the whole understanding of the Roadmakers in perspective. It turns out that the Roadmakers weren't a single entity but rather a community of researchers working towards deciphering the mysteries of the universe. They developed a way to predict a series of global catastrophes, including a new ice age, and developed a plan to avert them. However, they failed to save the knowledge of their technology before the Great Chaos consumed them.
Back in the Haven, the travellers face several challenges upon their return with the knowledge. The scientific community is skeptical and afraid of the advanced technology mentioned in the records, especially the energy harvester that could set-off yet another global disaster. Captain Raoul doesn't shy away from his divine authority, doubting that the travelers have really discovered what they claim. As a consequence, the community few would accept the potential benefits the knowledge might offer.
With this disbelief wearing on them, the travelers set off on their last quest to the end of the Long River. They encounter the roadmaker's directors, who fill the Roadmaker story with the hope of preserving and passing the knowledge of mankind's past to a future civilization equipped to understand it. The director chooses the travelers as the messengers and disappears, leaving them with the daunting task of creating an index of the knowledge as the roadmakers' final act.
By completing the index, the travelers come to terms with their responsibility to their community and the future of their world explicitly. Their experience shapes their growth, and they realize that the truth and mystery of the Roadmakers can help in uniting their community and moving forward while also pondering how humans, with all their advancements, can fall victim to their own fate. McDevitt's novel Eternity Road ultimately provokes us to reflect on the greater possibility of our existence and the term of our legacy on earth.
Eternity Road by Jack McDevitt is a gripping science fiction novel set in a post-apocalyptic world. It follows a group of adventurers on a dangerous journey to uncover the truth about a legendary lost city. Filled with mystery, adventure, and thought-provoking ideas, this book will keep you on the edge of your seat until the very end.
Eternity Road (1997) takes readers on a thrilling journey through a post-apocalyptic world where a group embarks on a perilous quest to find a lost city and uncover its mysteries. Here's why this book is a captivating read:
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Get startedBlink 3 of 8 - The 5 AM Club
by Robin Sharma
What is the main message of Eternity Road?
The main message of Eternity Road is the pursuit of knowledge and truth in a post-apocalyptic world.
How long does it take to read Eternity Road?
The estimated reading time for Eternity Road is several hours. The Blinkist summary can be read in around 15 minutes.
Is Eternity Road a good book? Is it worth reading?
Eternity Road is worth reading for its gripping narrative and exploration of human resilience in challenging times.
Who is the author of Eternity Road?
Jack McDevitt is the author of Eternity Road.