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The Peacemaker's Code
Professor Kilmer, a renowned historian of war and diplomacy, is collected from his home and whisked off to Washington. Thrust into the highest levels of government as an adviser to the President, the young historian must come to terms with the seemingly impossible, figure out how to navigate a world where not everything is as it appears, and use all the skills and knowledge he has acquired in his life to help save humanity from a conflict of truly epic proportions.
A genre-breaking novel that re-examines the human condition and masterfully blends some of the most compelling themes in literature: war and peace, strategy and serendipity, love and friendship, courage and fear, the bounds of possibility, and the limits of imagination. Replete with mysteries that will compel you to keep listening, powerful moments that will stop you dead in your tracks, and insights that will change the way you understand and navigate the world. Most of all...a journey you will not forget.
A genre-breaking novel that re-examines the human condition and masterfully blends some of the most compelling themes in literature: war and peace, strategy and serendipity, love and friendship, courage and fear, the bounds of possibility, and the limits of imagination. Replete with mysteries that will compel you to keep listening, powerful moments that will stop you dead in your tracks, and insights that will change the way you understand and navigate the world. Most of all...a journey you will not forget.
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Published April 6, 2021
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About the author
Deepak Malhotra
5Ìýbooks116ÌýfollowersDeepak Malhotra is a professor at the Harvard Business School. His teaching, research and advisory work is focused on negotiation, deal-making, conflict resolution and diplomacy. In 2020, Deepak was named MBA "Professor of the Year" by Poets & Quants. He has won numerous awards for his teaching & research, including the HBS Faculty Award, and has been twice selected by Harvard MBA students to give the end-of-year speech to the graduating class. In 2014, Deepak was listed as one of the "world's best business school professors" under the age of 40.
Deepak is also an award-winning and bestselling author. His latest book (and debut novel), The Peacemaker's Code, will be published in February 2021. His previous books include, Negotiating the Impossible, Negotiation Genius, and I Moved Your Cheese.
Outside HBS, Deepak is a trainer, consultant, and advisor to firms & CEOs across the globe, and an advisor to governments that are trying to negotiate an end to protracted & intractable armed conflicts.
You can follow Deepak on Twitter:
Deepak is also an award-winning and bestselling author. His latest book (and debut novel), The Peacemaker's Code, will be published in February 2021. His previous books include, Negotiating the Impossible, Negotiation Genius, and I Moved Your Cheese.
Outside HBS, Deepak is a trainer, consultant, and advisor to firms & CEOs across the globe, and an advisor to governments that are trying to negotiate an end to protracted & intractable armed conflicts.
You can follow Deepak on Twitter:
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 297 reviews
March 10, 2021
We need to move the dial to an 11.
It’s now 3:04 am. To those readers amongst us, we know what it entails for a book to demand to be finished. I should be tired, and I’m sure I will be as soon as my brain lets me think about anything other than what I just read. As a life long reader, I’m approaching around 12-13,000 books read, and the Peacemaker’s Code is easily in the top 5. I’m glad I’m reading this now, in my 65th year, so I can appreciate the depth, humor, and both geo-political and historical nuances involved in this treasure. But to take those critical elements and to write it in a style that the 12 year old me was able to grasp from To Kill a Mockingbird, is truly stunning.
This stirred and terrified the nascent writer within me: I see now how high the bar is set for excellence.
It’s now 3:04 am. To those readers amongst us, we know what it entails for a book to demand to be finished. I should be tired, and I’m sure I will be as soon as my brain lets me think about anything other than what I just read. As a life long reader, I’m approaching around 12-13,000 books read, and the Peacemaker’s Code is easily in the top 5. I’m glad I’m reading this now, in my 65th year, so I can appreciate the depth, humor, and both geo-political and historical nuances involved in this treasure. But to take those critical elements and to write it in a style that the 12 year old me was able to grasp from To Kill a Mockingbird, is truly stunning.
This stirred and terrified the nascent writer within me: I see now how high the bar is set for excellence.
May 10, 2021
I first came across Professor Deepak Malhotra from his appearance on an After Hours podcast episode. Intrigued but unfamiliar with the world of negotiation, conflict resolution and diplomacy, I picked up his latest book, The Peacemaker's Code. It is a sci-fi book, which I reckon is a step outside the conventional non-fiction publications that academics write (though what do I know about academia really).
Just like parents who disguise vegetables into their kids' meals, Professor Deepak skillfully packed in numerous teachings into this sci-fi masterpiece. I would describe it almost in a teasingly nonchalant manner - like hey, we just reached the scene where the aliens had just started with an attack on the Moon, time to throw in a lesson on constraints and intentions!
What I liked most about the book: Many lessons drawn from historical events, yet still applicable to my everyday life. From the Romans to Churchill to Korea's Three Kingdoms, the learnings did not seem too distanced. They still boiled down to problem-solving and communication, which are things we do every day.
Some of my favourite advice included:
- Every problem wants to be solved.
- Don't reward people for coming up with the right answer. Reward them for coming up with good arguments. Only good arguments can guide you to the right answer.
- At the heart of fear is uncertainty. If he could identify and accept even the worst possible outcome - without losing his resolve to act - he could eliminate uncertainty from the equation. (My favourite scene was Kilmer going through systematically every terrible possibility. And then reminding himself that he had already thought all of this through)
And try as I might, I won't be able to do justice to the deeper wisdom on history and diplomacy. Nonetheless, there were 3 points in particular that got caught in my mind:
- Crises are vain creatures, always insisting that our attention and energy be focused on them alone. The greatest of leaders reject this demand and vow not to lose sight of what comes next - after the battle has been won or lost. For this they should be rewarded, especially by those of us who feel we have professional license to pass judgement on our forebears. We do humanity no favours by telling our leaders that they will be judged only on how they navigate moments of despair - and not for what comes after. If crises are a test of leadership, it is not because they show us who has the strength to fight and win, but because they reveal who has the wisdom and courage to do so without sacrificing their vision for the future.
- We can no longer rely on princes, professors, and lords to understand the affairs of the world. The professors and Palmerstons of the world must educate - and hence enable - the rest. And they must do it soon. The time will come when the masses no longer listen to their advice - when expertise is unrecognisable because the gulf between those who know and those who don't is too wide to bridge.
- War has always been a dangerous business, but the pursuit of peace can be even more hazardous. Warriors know that they risk death in every encounter with their enemies - the troops amassed on the other side of the battlefield, or the soldiers hiding in the bushes. Peacemakers risk death as well, but they tend not to die at the hands of enemies. They are killed by their erstwhile friends - the ones who feel betrayed by the notion that it is time to end the bloodshed. Anwar Sadat and Yitzhak Rabin both gave their lives as they marched on that same road - that long, winding, obstacle-ridden path that only sometimes leads to peace. But Sadat was not killed by the Jews. And Rabin was not killed by the Arabs. Both were assassinated by the very people who once considered them their brothers in arms. Waging war takes guts, but you have the comfort of knowing that your friends stand beside you. Fighting for peace takes even greater courage, because all too often, you stand alone.
It was an irresistible and humourous page-turner. One I'm glad to have started on a Saturday evening, with free rein to savour the book in a sitting. For those, like me, who never had an inclination towards sci-fi, history, or diplomacy, give this book a read! While you’re at that, I’ll be checking out other books by Professor Deepak.
Just like parents who disguise vegetables into their kids' meals, Professor Deepak skillfully packed in numerous teachings into this sci-fi masterpiece. I would describe it almost in a teasingly nonchalant manner - like hey, we just reached the scene where the aliens had just started with an attack on the Moon, time to throw in a lesson on constraints and intentions!
What I liked most about the book: Many lessons drawn from historical events, yet still applicable to my everyday life. From the Romans to Churchill to Korea's Three Kingdoms, the learnings did not seem too distanced. They still boiled down to problem-solving and communication, which are things we do every day.
Some of my favourite advice included:
- Every problem wants to be solved.
- Don't reward people for coming up with the right answer. Reward them for coming up with good arguments. Only good arguments can guide you to the right answer.
- At the heart of fear is uncertainty. If he could identify and accept even the worst possible outcome - without losing his resolve to act - he could eliminate uncertainty from the equation. (My favourite scene was Kilmer going through systematically every terrible possibility. And then reminding himself that he had already thought all of this through)
And try as I might, I won't be able to do justice to the deeper wisdom on history and diplomacy. Nonetheless, there were 3 points in particular that got caught in my mind:
- Crises are vain creatures, always insisting that our attention and energy be focused on them alone. The greatest of leaders reject this demand and vow not to lose sight of what comes next - after the battle has been won or lost. For this they should be rewarded, especially by those of us who feel we have professional license to pass judgement on our forebears. We do humanity no favours by telling our leaders that they will be judged only on how they navigate moments of despair - and not for what comes after. If crises are a test of leadership, it is not because they show us who has the strength to fight and win, but because they reveal who has the wisdom and courage to do so without sacrificing their vision for the future.
- We can no longer rely on princes, professors, and lords to understand the affairs of the world. The professors and Palmerstons of the world must educate - and hence enable - the rest. And they must do it soon. The time will come when the masses no longer listen to their advice - when expertise is unrecognisable because the gulf between those who know and those who don't is too wide to bridge.
- War has always been a dangerous business, but the pursuit of peace can be even more hazardous. Warriors know that they risk death in every encounter with their enemies - the troops amassed on the other side of the battlefield, or the soldiers hiding in the bushes. Peacemakers risk death as well, but they tend not to die at the hands of enemies. They are killed by their erstwhile friends - the ones who feel betrayed by the notion that it is time to end the bloodshed. Anwar Sadat and Yitzhak Rabin both gave their lives as they marched on that same road - that long, winding, obstacle-ridden path that only sometimes leads to peace. But Sadat was not killed by the Jews. And Rabin was not killed by the Arabs. Both were assassinated by the very people who once considered them their brothers in arms. Waging war takes guts, but you have the comfort of knowing that your friends stand beside you. Fighting for peace takes even greater courage, because all too often, you stand alone.
It was an irresistible and humourous page-turner. One I'm glad to have started on a Saturday evening, with free rein to savour the book in a sitting. For those, like me, who never had an inclination towards sci-fi, history, or diplomacy, give this book a read! While you’re at that, I’ll be checking out other books by Professor Deepak.
March 16, 2021
Absolutely Brilliant!
An absolutely brilliant and spell-binding read! At times the challenges the characters face in this incredible tale seems utterly hopeless, leaving me to wonder how the author could possibly construct a path for them to follow that would not only carry them out of danger but do so in a way that felt rewarding and plausible to the reader. As a writer myself I was astonished at the ideas and ingenuity that poured from the pages. This book kept me reading long into the night searching desperately for the next solution only to feel spellbound once again by its sheer brilliance and poetry. The Peacemakers Code may be hailed as scifi but the story is intrinsically human. Superbly done! It earned every star!
An absolutely brilliant and spell-binding read! At times the challenges the characters face in this incredible tale seems utterly hopeless, leaving me to wonder how the author could possibly construct a path for them to follow that would not only carry them out of danger but do so in a way that felt rewarding and plausible to the reader. As a writer myself I was astonished at the ideas and ingenuity that poured from the pages. This book kept me reading long into the night searching desperately for the next solution only to feel spellbound once again by its sheer brilliance and poetry. The Peacemakers Code may be hailed as scifi but the story is intrinsically human. Superbly done! It earned every star!
March 4, 2023
This is another surprisingly soft sci-fi. First contact will always be considered a dear part of the genre but I don’t think I’ve ever read a first contact book where the aliens remain an on page idea rather than an entity we don’t actually “meet�.
Hear me out here, spaceships appear and we see the aliens talking, but in 500 pages no character actually meets an alien. they took nearly 200 pages to land on Earth, and there was nothing but debate relating to the aliens leading up to that point.
So the crutch is this: it’s a book about negotiation, superimposed on a first contact setting. I was dying waiting to meet the aliens while the characters just debated and debated various facets that didn’t have any context yet since first contact (other than with radio relays) hadn’t occured. How much of this can we read before we just meet an alien? Well� 500 pages worth. Personally I tuned out irrevocably but I’m still giving credit where it’s due, despite that there’s hardly any action. Even when the world is being attacked we get the view from the Situation Room.
That said though, he didn’t set out to write an action thriller so I can’t treat it as something it’s not supposed to be.
So� You gave it a 7? Yes! That all said, I liked Kilmer and Silla and a few of the other characters. I’m not going to fault the author who is a professor at Harvard for writing something his colleagues would love. There are plenty of interesting ideas buried in the historical comparisons and there’s actually something to say for a book about first contact that keeps the aliens more or less an on page idea only.
What do they want? Why are they here? How do we communicate? Can we save the planet? All the big sci-fi ideas are here somewhere, just not in typical form.
Personally I’m here for more sci-fi, actual aliens, & action, with much less chatter when things are getting heated. Realistically, I can acknowledge that the MC is a dude I’d love to get a coffee with and let him make me feel like a total idiot while discussing nerdy things.
My favorite idea in the whole book, despite not being a fan of romantic notions in sci-fi, was this feeling of an “us� despite all memories being cleaned out and a situation that repeated itself anyway.
I’m coming in at a 7/10 here, which is about the best score I’ve given in the competition so far. This book is far above average in the self published world but I have to take into consideration that it completely beat my attention span. Sorry professor 😅
Hear me out here, spaceships appear and we see the aliens talking, but in 500 pages no character actually meets an alien. they took nearly 200 pages to land on Earth, and there was nothing but debate relating to the aliens leading up to that point.
So the crutch is this: it’s a book about negotiation, superimposed on a first contact setting. I was dying waiting to meet the aliens while the characters just debated and debated various facets that didn’t have any context yet since first contact (other than with radio relays) hadn’t occured. How much of this can we read before we just meet an alien? Well� 500 pages worth. Personally I tuned out irrevocably but I’m still giving credit where it’s due, despite that there’s hardly any action. Even when the world is being attacked we get the view from the Situation Room.
That said though, he didn’t set out to write an action thriller so I can’t treat it as something it’s not supposed to be.
So� You gave it a 7? Yes! That all said, I liked Kilmer and Silla and a few of the other characters. I’m not going to fault the author who is a professor at Harvard for writing something his colleagues would love. There are plenty of interesting ideas buried in the historical comparisons and there’s actually something to say for a book about first contact that keeps the aliens more or less an on page idea only.
What do they want? Why are they here? How do we communicate? Can we save the planet? All the big sci-fi ideas are here somewhere, just not in typical form.
Personally I’m here for more sci-fi, actual aliens, & action, with much less chatter when things are getting heated. Realistically, I can acknowledge that the MC is a dude I’d love to get a coffee with and let him make me feel like a total idiot while discussing nerdy things.
My favorite idea in the whole book, despite not being a fan of romantic notions in sci-fi, was this feeling of an “us� despite all memories being cleaned out and a situation that repeated itself anyway.
I’m coming in at a 7/10 here, which is about the best score I’ve given in the competition so far. This book is far above average in the self published world but I have to take into consideration that it completely beat my attention span. Sorry professor 😅
July 7, 2022
2022 Reading Challenge #17 A book someone recommended to you �
This book came highly recommended, but that tagline gives off “mediocre action flick� vibes, so I was still unsure going into it.
However, as my star rating illustrates, it turned out to be really good. I’d go so far as to say it’s incredible, honestly. However, some people might not like how it sorta feels like Deepak Malhotra was following a Dan Brown’s Step-by-Step How-To-Write-A-Thriller-Novel instruction manual:
Short chapters? �
Dramatic reveals and cliffhangers? �
Countdown to some unimaginable horror? �
Cryptic riddles that require an in-depth knowledge of history? �
Whether it feels formulaic or effective will come down to the individual, but it worked for me. It’s fast-paced, suspenseful, and compelling; and it got my head coming up with all kinds of (incorrect) predictions and explanations.
I also loved the puzzles (problems) that are presented. With each solution, Malhotra gives some crucial lessons about human nature and history. Using excerpts from a fictional text written by the protagonist, these lessons parallel the plot, demonstrate the importance of things such as empathy, and the limits of using historical analogies to assess a given situation. The excerpts are also immensely quotable (but no less profound):
�If you enter Korea to avoid another China, and enter Vietnam to enter another Korea, and enter Cambodia to avoid another Vietnam—at what point do you begin to worry that you are drawing lessons and inspiration from too shallow a pool of historical events?,� (p. 94).
�The elite guardians of wisdom will be rendered useless if the masses are incapable of understanding their language, unable to appreciate their concerns, or uninterested even in considering their advice. The danger is not new, but it is always magnified during those times when a population is empowered at a faster rate than it is educated,� (p. 142).
�Waging war takes guts, but you have the comfort of knowing that your friends stand beside you. Fighting for peace takes even greater courage, because all too often, you stand alone,� (p. 291).
If those passages are giving the impression that the book is overly academic, I apologize, because it really isn’t. It is a science fiction thriller, but also an insightful guide for solving real-life problems of division and conflict (and I realize I’m loosely quoting Jonathan Powell’s blurb on the back there; I apologize, it’s true).
Of course, not even a five-star is actually perfect. There were a few things that slightly bothered me, but might turn-off pickier readers:
First, the protagonist is a bit of a “Superman� character: Although he does have a bit of assistance, the history professor practically single-handedly solves every problem; and these are some pretty high-stakes problems. This didn’t bother me much, though, because it felt like the book was meant to show how our continual conflicts are a result of us learning the wrong lessons from history. I wouldn’t expect anyone in government to behave differently than they did in this book, so a different approach would have to come from an outsider, and the whole point of the book was to show what could happen if we followed through with that alternative approach.
Second, in an effort to add depth and diversity to the characters and perspectives, Malhotra made the characters almost too likable: the matchmaker POTUS and silly quips exchanged in the middle of dead serious briefings were a bit much. It didn’t bother me every instance, but some of them seemed really out of place.
Lastly, the romance element. It wasn’t strictly necessary (but then you could say that about adding romance into anything that isn’t solely a romance), and the pacing and cutesy-ness of it all, especially in context of what’s going on, made it feel more than a bit implausible. Fortunately, it wasn’t too over the top, and love, friendship, and loyalty are kind of a big part of the theme, so it wasn’t an entirely gratuitous inclusion.
At the end of the day though, those things were overshadowed by everything that made this an exciting and inspiring read. And because I can’t help myself, here are some equally quotable lines of dialogue:
�Laws cannot end war. Laws can only tell you how to start wars,� (p. 377).
�Every leader has the power to do harm, but it’s only when citizens know nothing of history that leaders find it possible to do evil on behalf of their people,� (p. 457).
�I don’t think we can strategize against a player that we’re unwilling to understand. We will neither fight effectively, nor negotiate successfully, if we are too blinded by fear of hatred to see what’s really going on—or to consider how the other side justifies the things they do,� (p. 457).
Finally, I end by sharing a sentiment that has relevance to this moment in our history:
�May you find peace where it exists and create peace where it does not,� (p. 475).
This book came highly recommended, but that tagline gives off “mediocre action flick� vibes, so I was still unsure going into it.
However, as my star rating illustrates, it turned out to be really good. I’d go so far as to say it’s incredible, honestly. However, some people might not like how it sorta feels like Deepak Malhotra was following a Dan Brown’s Step-by-Step How-To-Write-A-Thriller-Novel instruction manual:
Short chapters? �
Dramatic reveals and cliffhangers? �
Countdown to some unimaginable horror? �
Cryptic riddles that require an in-depth knowledge of history? �
Whether it feels formulaic or effective will come down to the individual, but it worked for me. It’s fast-paced, suspenseful, and compelling; and it got my head coming up with all kinds of (incorrect) predictions and explanations.
I also loved the puzzles (problems) that are presented. With each solution, Malhotra gives some crucial lessons about human nature and history. Using excerpts from a fictional text written by the protagonist, these lessons parallel the plot, demonstrate the importance of things such as empathy, and the limits of using historical analogies to assess a given situation. The excerpts are also immensely quotable (but no less profound):
�If you enter Korea to avoid another China, and enter Vietnam to enter another Korea, and enter Cambodia to avoid another Vietnam—at what point do you begin to worry that you are drawing lessons and inspiration from too shallow a pool of historical events?,� (p. 94).
�The elite guardians of wisdom will be rendered useless if the masses are incapable of understanding their language, unable to appreciate their concerns, or uninterested even in considering their advice. The danger is not new, but it is always magnified during those times when a population is empowered at a faster rate than it is educated,� (p. 142).
�Waging war takes guts, but you have the comfort of knowing that your friends stand beside you. Fighting for peace takes even greater courage, because all too often, you stand alone,� (p. 291).
If those passages are giving the impression that the book is overly academic, I apologize, because it really isn’t. It is a science fiction thriller, but also an insightful guide for solving real-life problems of division and conflict (and I realize I’m loosely quoting Jonathan Powell’s blurb on the back there; I apologize, it’s true).
Of course, not even a five-star is actually perfect. There were a few things that slightly bothered me, but might turn-off pickier readers:
First, the protagonist is a bit of a “Superman� character: Although he does have a bit of assistance, the history professor practically single-handedly solves every problem; and these are some pretty high-stakes problems. This didn’t bother me much, though, because it felt like the book was meant to show how our continual conflicts are a result of us learning the wrong lessons from history. I wouldn’t expect anyone in government to behave differently than they did in this book, so a different approach would have to come from an outsider, and the whole point of the book was to show what could happen if we followed through with that alternative approach.
Second, in an effort to add depth and diversity to the characters and perspectives, Malhotra made the characters almost too likable: the matchmaker POTUS and silly quips exchanged in the middle of dead serious briefings were a bit much. It didn’t bother me every instance, but some of them seemed really out of place.
Lastly, the romance element. It wasn’t strictly necessary (but then you could say that about adding romance into anything that isn’t solely a romance), and the pacing and cutesy-ness of it all, especially in context of what’s going on, made it feel more than a bit implausible. Fortunately, it wasn’t too over the top, and love, friendship, and loyalty are kind of a big part of the theme, so it wasn’t an entirely gratuitous inclusion.
At the end of the day though, those things were overshadowed by everything that made this an exciting and inspiring read. And because I can’t help myself, here are some equally quotable lines of dialogue:
�Laws cannot end war. Laws can only tell you how to start wars,� (p. 377).
�Every leader has the power to do harm, but it’s only when citizens know nothing of history that leaders find it possible to do evil on behalf of their people,� (p. 457).
�I don’t think we can strategize against a player that we’re unwilling to understand. We will neither fight effectively, nor negotiate successfully, if we are too blinded by fear of hatred to see what’s really going on—or to consider how the other side justifies the things they do,� (p. 457).
Finally, I end by sharing a sentiment that has relevance to this moment in our history:
�May you find peace where it exists and create peace where it does not,� (p. 475).
April 2, 2022
A major reason I bought this book is that it had so many good ratings � and more importantly, so few negative ratings. It’s a Sci-Fi book written by a Harvard Business School professor, so I suspected this story may not be much like a typical Sci-Fi story. Ultimately, it somewhat was, and yet it somewhat wasn’t.
The basic event in this book is a somewhat common Sci-Fi storyline: alien spaceships arrive at earth. What’s unusual is that the protagonist is not a genius scientist nor a world leader; instead, he is Harvard history professor (David Kilmer). Kilmer is also exceptionally observant, an extremely quick thinker and a problem solver extraordinaire. Kilmer is also relatively young, handsome and just a bit shy. Could a female CIA professional resist such charm, knowing an alien invasion of earth may be imminent? Apparently not.
Despite the romance, the book is mostly “intellectual� Sci-Fi. And neither Earth-based weaponry nor Earth-evolved germs or parasites are going to save Earth. And our human history, rife with wars and lesser conflicts, can’t be a viable basis for inspiring any trust or confidence. So the only weapons Earth has are thoughts and ideas � and the only delivery system is words. Essentially, the book is an intra-galactic debate. The result is a story perhaps a bit slower than most Sci-Fi stories (yet more interesting than my description may imply).
For me, the most discordant note was that the aliens were communicating with their home world in apparently near-zero time delay. For a story trying to sound more like science-possible than science-impossible, that just seemed wrong.
One other problem: When the CIA agents first met the plane the professor flew in on, they were surprised that he was so young (as they assumed he was just some stereotypical white-haired professor). Once you’ve read this story, that doesn’t make sense.
Bottom line: Not necessarily your standard Sci-Fi story. That novelty was interesting. But some plot details were highly questionable.
The basic event in this book is a somewhat common Sci-Fi storyline: alien spaceships arrive at earth. What’s unusual is that the protagonist is not a genius scientist nor a world leader; instead, he is Harvard history professor (David Kilmer). Kilmer is also exceptionally observant, an extremely quick thinker and a problem solver extraordinaire. Kilmer is also relatively young, handsome and just a bit shy. Could a female CIA professional resist such charm, knowing an alien invasion of earth may be imminent? Apparently not.
Despite the romance, the book is mostly “intellectual� Sci-Fi. And neither Earth-based weaponry nor Earth-evolved germs or parasites are going to save Earth. And our human history, rife with wars and lesser conflicts, can’t be a viable basis for inspiring any trust or confidence. So the only weapons Earth has are thoughts and ideas � and the only delivery system is words. Essentially, the book is an intra-galactic debate. The result is a story perhaps a bit slower than most Sci-Fi stories (yet more interesting than my description may imply).
For me, the most discordant note was that the aliens were communicating with their home world in apparently near-zero time delay. For a story trying to sound more like science-possible than science-impossible, that just seemed wrong.
One other problem: When the CIA agents first met the plane the professor flew in on, they were surprised that he was so young (as they assumed he was just some stereotypical white-haired professor). Once you’ve read this story, that doesn’t make sense.
Bottom line: Not necessarily your standard Sci-Fi story. That novelty was interesting. But some plot details were highly questionable.
June 9, 2022
While there were some good ideas behind this book, they were obscurred by a formulaic presentation. The protagonist was a superman. Mild mannered but able to save the day each time there was trouble and only his solutions worked - every time. Remembering his father's motto, "every problem wants to be solved"? A romance; love at first sight - that was super deep in no time and no relation to the plot, maybe appealing to romance readers. The clever revelations weren't very clever. The aliens realize setting the human race back to the stone age wouldn't work because they would just rise again. Somehow though they were sure the other 5 civilzations they did this too wouldn't have that problem, just humans - we're so cool.
The idea of first encounter peace making has its appeal but the book didn't do it justice.
The idea of first encounter peace making has its appeal but the book didn't do it justice.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
March 15, 2021
An extraordinary first novel
I’ve known the author for years as a scholar. But it is so far to transition from nonfiction to fiction writing. Many have tried. None have succeeded. ... until now.
This book takes the author’s expertise and crafts a scenario where that expertise will be needed in perhaps some non-obvious but compelling ways. It reminds me of The Martian in its crafting of problems for the protagonist to solve. It grips you the same way and does so flawlessly.
I can’t recommend The Peacemakers Code highly enough.
I’ve known the author for years as a scholar. But it is so far to transition from nonfiction to fiction writing. Many have tried. None have succeeded. ... until now.
This book takes the author’s expertise and crafts a scenario where that expertise will be needed in perhaps some non-obvious but compelling ways. It reminds me of The Martian in its crafting of problems for the protagonist to solve. It grips you the same way and does so flawlessly.
I can’t recommend The Peacemakers Code highly enough.
January 27, 2021
This is an astonishing new book by a compelling mind. I have enjoyed Professor Deepak Malhotra's non-fiction work and it's great to see him expand his storytelling prowess into the fiction aisle.
The novel is a Sci-fi thriller set in the present day. Professor Kilmer is pulled from his Cambridge home and brought to DC to advise the President on what seems to be an impossible problem. Professor Kilmer is not a spy, a super hero, or government official, but a Historian who is known for approaching problems with his very special skills of puzzle solving and perspective. Professor Kilmer is a wonderful character to follow on the page as he faces the challenges that no one could be prepared to address. Hopefully, this is not the last we see of Professor Kilmer.
The book is part Dan Brown and part Arthur C. Clarke. The book's hero is a thinker and the problems and the adversaries are not of this world or anything you've ever seen on the page. It's a very fast read, a page turner that will have you thinking not only about what might happen next but about much deeper ideas regarding history, memory, and how we engage with others for the first time.
I highly recommend this book and hope that Deepak Malhotra continues down the path of writing more fiction, especially if he has more to tell us about Professor Kilmer.
The novel is a Sci-fi thriller set in the present day. Professor Kilmer is pulled from his Cambridge home and brought to DC to advise the President on what seems to be an impossible problem. Professor Kilmer is not a spy, a super hero, or government official, but a Historian who is known for approaching problems with his very special skills of puzzle solving and perspective. Professor Kilmer is a wonderful character to follow on the page as he faces the challenges that no one could be prepared to address. Hopefully, this is not the last we see of Professor Kilmer.
The book is part Dan Brown and part Arthur C. Clarke. The book's hero is a thinker and the problems and the adversaries are not of this world or anything you've ever seen on the page. It's a very fast read, a page turner that will have you thinking not only about what might happen next but about much deeper ideas regarding history, memory, and how we engage with others for the first time.
I highly recommend this book and hope that Deepak Malhotra continues down the path of writing more fiction, especially if he has more to tell us about Professor Kilmer.
January 28, 2021
Amazing book. I read this at the same time I was watching the Watchman mini series, which was also great. But, The Peacemaker's Code is far better than the Watchman. Both have some science fiction. Both address contemporary social issues. But, Peacemaker's Code was more powerful, had deeper insights, and was more realistic - even with one big chunk of science fiction. Peacemaker's Code is great for the informed science fiction reader, but also worked for me - someone with little interest in science fiction. Finally, you will learn a bunch about negotiations, diplomacy and justice along the way.
September 5, 2022
A gripping account of inter-galactic conflict built on the foundations of historical understanding of conflicts & wars, logical thinking and behavioral psychology. A thought provoking read on applying the lessons of history for strategy, decision making and negotiation. Could have benefited from crisper editing.
September 13, 2024
Great story but a lot of self-insertion by the author. Similar to ready Player One.
January 30, 2023
AR: 9/10
The Peacemaker's Code immediately gets off to a promising start with the main character thrust into watching a secret meeting of high-level officials within the US Government. We're told he's been handpicked to see the things others have missed, and that he's uniquely qualified for this task as a historian and peacemaker. The subject of the meeting? You guessed it: first contact with hostile aliens. And only one man can save humanity from utter annihilation.
I loved the premise but sensed that the success of the story would depend on how convincing the main character, Kilmer, is as a negotiator. I had high hopes when I read that the author teaches at Harvard in that field, he's written several non-fiction books on the subject, and that he's garnered positive reviews of this book from people such as a Chief of Staff in the UK Government and (amusingly to me as a Philadelphian) the President of the Philadelphia 76ers, our city's NBA team. He set a high bar for himself, but my expectations were greatly exceeded.
I could go on and on about how impressive this book is. It's a masterclass of surprising plotting and ratcheting up the tension until the whole thing feels like it's going to burst apart at the seams. The stakes just keep getting higher, and problems are always solved in brilliant but historically grounded ways. The "Heirs of Herodotus" chapters are a standout aspect of the book and provide valuable historical context to Kilmer's thought process. They're rife with interesting philosophical discussion and infinitely quotable, and I felt like I was not only enjoying a great story but *learning* real wisdom. Even in his fiction, it seems, Professor Malhotra can't help but teach.
This book was not only one of my favorite books I've read for the SPSFC2 competition, but one of my favorites *ever*. However, I would be derelict in my duty as a reviewer if I didn't critique a few things. These were very minor issues that didn't impact my enjoyment of the story at all, but I include them here in case you, prospective reader, are greatly annoyed by some of these things.
Probably the most polarizing aspect will be the romance between two characters. It starts very quickly and escalates even more quickly, which some might find unrealistic. I think it made sense given the scenario the world was facing, and it added some emotional punch to the book. So while I'd understand if someone didn't enjoy this story element, I think the book would be worse off without it.
The other issues were little technical hiccups as I see them. Things like the characters using each other's names too frequently in dialogue, which can be a bit distracting. There is occasional head-hopping where it doesn't feel a POV shift was intentional. And some scenes have a bit of "white room syndrome" where the setting isn't adequately described (or in some cases I think they literally take place in a white room—government buildings are like that I guess), but I think the author gets away with it because the setting is present-day Earth, so not much worldbuilding is needed.
In the end, I found the entire story to be a thrilling read, one which I couldn't put down even when it meant I was shirking other responsibilities. For the short time it took me to read this book, it took over my life in a way. I couldn't stop thinking about it, and I still haven't stopping thinking about it months later. The ending is such a powerful and moving conclusion with such a worthy message, I really think this is a book that everyone should read, regardless of if you're a fan of science fiction. It's just that good.
The Peacemaker's Code immediately gets off to a promising start with the main character thrust into watching a secret meeting of high-level officials within the US Government. We're told he's been handpicked to see the things others have missed, and that he's uniquely qualified for this task as a historian and peacemaker. The subject of the meeting? You guessed it: first contact with hostile aliens. And only one man can save humanity from utter annihilation.
I loved the premise but sensed that the success of the story would depend on how convincing the main character, Kilmer, is as a negotiator. I had high hopes when I read that the author teaches at Harvard in that field, he's written several non-fiction books on the subject, and that he's garnered positive reviews of this book from people such as a Chief of Staff in the UK Government and (amusingly to me as a Philadelphian) the President of the Philadelphia 76ers, our city's NBA team. He set a high bar for himself, but my expectations were greatly exceeded.
I could go on and on about how impressive this book is. It's a masterclass of surprising plotting and ratcheting up the tension until the whole thing feels like it's going to burst apart at the seams. The stakes just keep getting higher, and problems are always solved in brilliant but historically grounded ways. The "Heirs of Herodotus" chapters are a standout aspect of the book and provide valuable historical context to Kilmer's thought process. They're rife with interesting philosophical discussion and infinitely quotable, and I felt like I was not only enjoying a great story but *learning* real wisdom. Even in his fiction, it seems, Professor Malhotra can't help but teach.
This book was not only one of my favorite books I've read for the SPSFC2 competition, but one of my favorites *ever*. However, I would be derelict in my duty as a reviewer if I didn't critique a few things. These were very minor issues that didn't impact my enjoyment of the story at all, but I include them here in case you, prospective reader, are greatly annoyed by some of these things.
Probably the most polarizing aspect will be the romance between two characters. It starts very quickly and escalates even more quickly, which some might find unrealistic. I think it made sense given the scenario the world was facing, and it added some emotional punch to the book. So while I'd understand if someone didn't enjoy this story element, I think the book would be worse off without it.
The other issues were little technical hiccups as I see them. Things like the characters using each other's names too frequently in dialogue, which can be a bit distracting. There is occasional head-hopping where it doesn't feel a POV shift was intentional. And some scenes have a bit of "white room syndrome" where the setting isn't adequately described (or in some cases I think they literally take place in a white room—government buildings are like that I guess), but I think the author gets away with it because the setting is present-day Earth, so not much worldbuilding is needed.
In the end, I found the entire story to be a thrilling read, one which I couldn't put down even when it meant I was shirking other responsibilities. For the short time it took me to read this book, it took over my life in a way. I couldn't stop thinking about it, and I still haven't stopping thinking about it months later. The ending is such a powerful and moving conclusion with such a worthy message, I really think this is a book that everyone should read, regardless of if you're a fan of science fiction. It's just that good.
February 9, 2023
Too Many Pillows
Hello World.
While The Peacemaker's Code by Deepak Malhotra is very well thought out and researched, I feel it lost sight of its identity. It tries to be multiple things, that it ends up not doing any one thing well. Like the couch in the character Vice President Neilsen's office.
"anyone missing a decorative pillow in the White House might start by looking for it in Nielsen’s office."
Too many pillows to be comfortable.
The story follows a historian, David Kilmer, as he is recruited to work with the United States government. An alien ship has been detected near Earth and the president would like perspectives outside of her current counsel to try to keep peace.
Issue with Kilmer, is that he feels he has to be the brightest bulb in the room. Even if another character comes to the same conclusions before him, he insists it has to be broken down. The who, what, where, when, why, and how discovered. He has to analyze everything, and I mean literally everything about the aliens. Who they are, why they are there, what their intentions are, how did they find humans?... anything one could fathom to ask before any action is taken. Meetings upon meetings to rehash the same debates. It isn't until 30-35% through that something other than debate or meetings take place. Only for those actions to be evaluated just as hard. Another small step around 70%, more thorough debate. Rinse, repeat until the end.
Idealistically you would want world leaders to be responsible in this way. Scrutinizing their actions with a fine toothed comb. However, realistically, this isn't an honest take. It pulls some submersion of belief.
Don't even get me started on the aliens and how they end up choosing to interact.
If this book's goal is to get you to think and weigh what you would do, or what is illogical about a character's choice, perfect. As far as mystery, thriller, romance, action, sci-fi.. needs work. Never even got to see the aliens.
“I’m happy to take on the aliens, Madam President, but asking me to take these pillows off your hands is a little much.�
Hello World.
While The Peacemaker's Code by Deepak Malhotra is very well thought out and researched, I feel it lost sight of its identity. It tries to be multiple things, that it ends up not doing any one thing well. Like the couch in the character Vice President Neilsen's office.
"anyone missing a decorative pillow in the White House might start by looking for it in Nielsen’s office."
Too many pillows to be comfortable.
The story follows a historian, David Kilmer, as he is recruited to work with the United States government. An alien ship has been detected near Earth and the president would like perspectives outside of her current counsel to try to keep peace.
Issue with Kilmer, is that he feels he has to be the brightest bulb in the room. Even if another character comes to the same conclusions before him, he insists it has to be broken down. The who, what, where, when, why, and how discovered. He has to analyze everything, and I mean literally everything about the aliens. Who they are, why they are there, what their intentions are, how did they find humans?... anything one could fathom to ask before any action is taken. Meetings upon meetings to rehash the same debates. It isn't until 30-35% through that something other than debate or meetings take place. Only for those actions to be evaluated just as hard. Another small step around 70%, more thorough debate. Rinse, repeat until the end.
Idealistically you would want world leaders to be responsible in this way. Scrutinizing their actions with a fine toothed comb. However, realistically, this isn't an honest take. It pulls some submersion of belief.
Don't even get me started on the aliens and how they end up choosing to interact.
If this book's goal is to get you to think and weigh what you would do, or what is illogical about a character's choice, perfect. As far as mystery, thriller, romance, action, sci-fi.. needs work. Never even got to see the aliens.
“I’m happy to take on the aliens, Madam President, but asking me to take these pillows off your hands is a little much.�
March 18, 2021
Mr. Malhotra has written a great science fiction book! The premise is much the same as many books: earth first encounters aliens, who threaten to destroy the world. What makes this one different? Several things. First, his main character has more depth than one often finds in science fiction. Kudos to him for spending the time to make him a more or less real person. Too many sci fi authors forget that part. Second, the plot twists are great.
But the real strength of this book is that Mr. Malhotra uses his professional background as a negotiator to build a story which gives the readers a view of the motives of BOTH SIDES--earth and alien. And does so in a convincing way. Of course, it doesn't hurt that he writes a gripping narrative to keep you turning the pages.
So why four stars instead of 5? This book could have been cut by a hundred pages or so by reigning in the author's instinct to tell rather than show. There are several long passages devoted to telling the reader about the strategy behind the action, explaining what the right way is to negotiate, etc. That message comes through very clearly in the story, and did not need to be spelled out.
But this is a minor quibble in a book I stayed up way too late too many nights devouring.
But the real strength of this book is that Mr. Malhotra uses his professional background as a negotiator to build a story which gives the readers a view of the motives of BOTH SIDES--earth and alien. And does so in a convincing way. Of course, it doesn't hurt that he writes a gripping narrative to keep you turning the pages.
So why four stars instead of 5? This book could have been cut by a hundred pages or so by reigning in the author's instinct to tell rather than show. There are several long passages devoted to telling the reader about the strategy behind the action, explaining what the right way is to negotiate, etc. That message comes through very clearly in the story, and did not need to be spelled out.
But this is a minor quibble in a book I stayed up way too late too many nights devouring.
October 18, 2021
Once I started this book, I could not put it down. The story is compelling and imaginative. The negotiations and drama revolving around the earth's survival were like listening to a real possible strategy meeting at the highest level. The President was also a competent and assertive leader which was refreshing. A story of human nature, love and sacrifice. I saw a somewhat parallel story found in Alma 23 through 29: "...and it came to pass that they buried their weapons of peace, or they buried the weapons of war, for peace. Alma 24:19"
May 14, 2022
Excellent book
I loved it. The main character is very interesting. The relationships feel real and grow organically. The historical references are on point and the interpretation very interesting and thought provoking. I particularly like the alien counterpart, great dialogues. In short, a very good read.
I loved it. The main character is very interesting. The relationships feel real and grow organically. The historical references are on point and the interpretation very interesting and thought provoking. I particularly like the alien counterpart, great dialogues. In short, a very good read.
July 27, 2023
Loved it! Had a blast reading it.
Malhotra has crafted a compelling story that kept me on my toes.
I enjoyed this mix of puzzles mixed with lessons about history. As the story unfolds, the protagonist really has to use all his skills to solve the mystery . Part of the fun is to go on that journey with him.
The are great , quotable paragraphs about human nature that will stay with me.
Malhotra has crafted a compelling story that kept me on my toes.
I enjoyed this mix of puzzles mixed with lessons about history. As the story unfolds, the protagonist really has to use all his skills to solve the mystery . Part of the fun is to go on that journey with him.
The are great , quotable paragraphs about human nature that will stay with me.
October 5, 2021
Profound insights into society wrapped in a brilliant sci-fi page turner!
This book is part history, part philosophy, part love story and part scifi thriller. It’s only fault is there is no sequel yet!
This book is part history, part philosophy, part love story and part scifi thriller. It’s only fault is there is no sequel yet!
October 20, 2022
Best book I've read in a long time.
The writing is superb, and the story held me from beginning to end. Honestly, this is the best story, and told so well, that I've read in a very long time.
The writing is superb, and the story held me from beginning to end. Honestly, this is the best story, and told so well, that I've read in a very long time.
March 23, 2021
Thought prevailing read
It is an informative. thought ful and very enjoyable read. It has a lot historical information. Makes you think about causes of war and challenges of peace. Would recommend for every one to read
It is an informative. thought ful and very enjoyable read. It has a lot historical information. Makes you think about causes of war and challenges of peace. Would recommend for every one to read
March 20, 2021
Special book!
After reading the beginning chapters, I realized that this is a special book. The book is very entertaining and I genuinely laughed and smiled as I read through it. The lessons from history and the art of negotiation and diplomacy is beautifully woven into the storyline. I highly recommend this book to others!
After reading the beginning chapters, I realized that this is a special book. The book is very entertaining and I genuinely laughed and smiled as I read through it. The lessons from history and the art of negotiation and diplomacy is beautifully woven into the storyline. I highly recommend this book to others!
August 3, 2022
Amazing experience (similar to Project Hail Mary) except for the tacky book cover.
March 20, 2021
Brilliant book
This was one of the most engaging and profound books I have ever read. The main character was incredible and supporting character so believable. The book was impossible to put down and I finished it in one day. Every problem wants to be solved is my take away.
This was one of the most engaging and profound books I have ever read. The main character was incredible and supporting character so believable. The book was impossible to put down and I finished it in one day. Every problem wants to be solved is my take away.
March 21, 2021
An excellent cerebral thriller. Probably among the fastest I've read recently. As a professor of negotiation, the author throws in lots of negotiation tips and tactics as well!
March 21, 2021
Critical thinker
If you enjoy history and how humans continue to ignore it, then this will give you something else to imagine and think about.
If you enjoy history and how humans continue to ignore it, then this will give you something else to imagine and think about.
February 4, 2022
Actual Rating: 4 (8/10)
I read this book as a part of my SPSFC badge!
So The Peacemaker's Code has everything that I would love in a scifi book: first contact, dealing,a deathly threat...
Sounds like the perfect book to me, and it was... until the love story sadly I didn't buy it and it felt quite instalove and rushed. Also is greater impact in the solution of the conflict and in the ending was a no for me.
Still is a super solid and great book and if you are not peaky (like me who doesn't enjoy love stories in general) you're probably going to really like this one!
I read this book as a part of my SPSFC badge!
So The Peacemaker's Code has everything that I would love in a scifi book: first contact, dealing,a deathly threat...
Sounds like the perfect book to me, and it was... until the love story sadly I didn't buy it and it felt quite instalove and rushed. Also is greater impact in the solution of the conflict and in the ending was a no for me.
Still is a super solid and great book and if you are not peaky (like me who doesn't enjoy love stories in general) you're probably going to really like this one!
March 1, 2021
Incredible book!
I loved this book. Could not put it down. The story was great and the lessons I learned greater. Be sure you have some time set aside if you start this book. You will not be able to put it down
I loved this book. Could not put it down. The story was great and the lessons I learned greater. Be sure you have some time set aside if you start this book. You will not be able to put it down
December 16, 2021
Short version of my thoughts:
I thought this was bad. Really bad. Corny, repetitive, dull, and smug.
Extended thoughts:
There’s a certain type of book that you can tell was written by a scientist or an academic, and this is one of those books. There’s too many “let me teach you something moments� that falls outside the bounds of how normal people talk. Most of the dialogue is halfway between B-roll for the West Wing and a motivational poster. There’s absolutely nothing literary about the prose and whenever two characters speak its laughably mechanical.
It felt like logic was the most important thing for the author when writing this book. Both that his characters make incredibly logical decisions, and that he shows us the logic of why he’s writing something into his book. Very rarely does something actually happen because of the amount of whataboutism every character employs. This effectively is just one big case study for the author.
Unfortunately, our author doesn’t take the same care and craft when fleshing out characters or coming up with an original plot. Characters liking coffee or forgetting to wear a tie is about as far we get into characterization. Everyone else is just a job title and either a long-winded lecture, or the object receiving a lecture.
The main character stinks. He’s a professional contrarian who continuously thinks of things others have overlooked then is effusively congratulated for being so clever. He gets the girl. He saves the world. With the context that our author is a Harvard professor specializing in dispute resolution, it’s hard to not be jaded and interpret this as wish fulfillment.
The plot mashes together Foundation, Close Encounters, and Arrival. The love story is obvious, tedious, childish, and boring. Overall the book feels incredibly amateurish. Penned by someone who is smart enough to nail the structure of a book but left the soul out of it.
I thought this was bad. Really bad. Corny, repetitive, dull, and smug.
Extended thoughts:
There’s a certain type of book that you can tell was written by a scientist or an academic, and this is one of those books. There’s too many “let me teach you something moments� that falls outside the bounds of how normal people talk. Most of the dialogue is halfway between B-roll for the West Wing and a motivational poster. There’s absolutely nothing literary about the prose and whenever two characters speak its laughably mechanical.
It felt like logic was the most important thing for the author when writing this book. Both that his characters make incredibly logical decisions, and that he shows us the logic of why he’s writing something into his book. Very rarely does something actually happen because of the amount of whataboutism every character employs. This effectively is just one big case study for the author.
Unfortunately, our author doesn’t take the same care and craft when fleshing out characters or coming up with an original plot. Characters liking coffee or forgetting to wear a tie is about as far we get into characterization. Everyone else is just a job title and either a long-winded lecture, or the object receiving a lecture.
The main character stinks. He’s a professional contrarian who continuously thinks of things others have overlooked then is effusively congratulated for being so clever. He gets the girl. He saves the world. With the context that our author is a Harvard professor specializing in dispute resolution, it’s hard to not be jaded and interpret this as wish fulfillment.
The plot mashes together Foundation, Close Encounters, and Arrival. The love story is obvious, tedious, childish, and boring. Overall the book feels incredibly amateurish. Penned by someone who is smart enough to nail the structure of a book but left the soul out of it.
February 16, 2022
I've reached a quarter of the way through this book. It's actually very well written and, while it gives insight into the premise that we might one day be 'threatened' by invasion by an aliens race of beings, I've gotten to the point where I can't be bothered to read any more.
I truly have a dislike the assumption that any alien life form, whatever it might be, would be malevolent and mean us harm - a threat to our planet (and therefore out sovereignty) and bent on taking over and/or annihilation. I don't know if that little conundrum has been resolved in the book. Not interested. I liked the characters, that they're educated and reasonably open-minded, adult and not easily spooked - except the inevitable military types whose first response is (as ever) 'shoot or strike first and ask questions later.' That's how wars are started.
My own opinion is that we've already been visited by 'aliens' and they're still here - not from outer space but as beings of light/energy from other dimensions (so avoiding the need to travel vast distances by space craft). These beings look like us - because they choose to do so in order to assimilate. It's other-dimensional beings who have enabled to evolution of the human race's mind and technology. And spirituality. Energy beings in human form.
But, of course there will be those who vehemently disagree. Or will be so envious that they will try to 'root out' the interlopers in our midst and expose them - perhaps seeking to destroy them. If these beings not fully human, they will say, they have not place here. Oh, but they do. And I hope they'll make themselves fully known one day. Shape-shifting before our eyes. That's my take on it, anyway.
I truly have a dislike the assumption that any alien life form, whatever it might be, would be malevolent and mean us harm - a threat to our planet (and therefore out sovereignty) and bent on taking over and/or annihilation. I don't know if that little conundrum has been resolved in the book. Not interested. I liked the characters, that they're educated and reasonably open-minded, adult and not easily spooked - except the inevitable military types whose first response is (as ever) 'shoot or strike first and ask questions later.' That's how wars are started.
My own opinion is that we've already been visited by 'aliens' and they're still here - not from outer space but as beings of light/energy from other dimensions (so avoiding the need to travel vast distances by space craft). These beings look like us - because they choose to do so in order to assimilate. It's other-dimensional beings who have enabled to evolution of the human race's mind and technology. And spirituality. Energy beings in human form.
But, of course there will be those who vehemently disagree. Or will be so envious that they will try to 'root out' the interlopers in our midst and expose them - perhaps seeking to destroy them. If these beings not fully human, they will say, they have not place here. Oh, but they do. And I hope they'll make themselves fully known one day. Shape-shifting before our eyes. That's my take on it, anyway.
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