Peterson's debut sci-fi novel, Gardeners of the Universe, begins in the not-too-distant future with the births of three children destined to change the world. Rianne grows up to lead biological revolutions. Dan creates sentient computers and guides the direction of human evolution. Sarah, in an age of information dissonance, becomes the most trusted individual on Earth, and convinces the world that it must change. What sets the three apart from the rest of humanity are genetics and ''gifts'' that were no accident. The book shows how the children and their totally different families adapt to disruptive new technologies in transportation, medicine, communication, as well as global catastrophe. The focus is on how people will change themselves, through mechanical devices, augmented intelligence, and ultimately altering our genetics, and how these shifts will affect real people. As humanity struggles, an ancient alien species, the Torae, aka the ''Gardeners, '' have come to observe our ''transcendence.'' They are desperately trying to create new universes to populate. The three young humans are unknowingly conscripted into their schemes while guiding the Earth through the most dangerous and consequential time in its history--the 21st century. This is a story about the profound vision, adaptability, and truth we will need to survive. ''A fluid, grand-canvas, peripatetic future-history adventure.'' --Kirkus Reviews ''This book presents the author's dreams and nightmares about the future, and some seem all too plausible.'' --Michael Beeson, Professor Emeritus of Mathematics and Computer Science at San Jose State University ''An excellent tale of the future for teens and adults alike.'' --Leo Fisher, avid reader age 13, Robinsdale, MN ''Cracking good read. In one orthogonal universe this was mindcast by the BBC as historical fact.'' --Jim Read, rogue engineer and rancher, Concho AZ''Ron Peterson's sci-fi epic offers a suspenseful vision of humanity in the future, in a struggle for survival on a doomed planet.'' --Henri Hodara, scientist, entrepreneur, and editor-in-chief of Fiber & Integrated Optics, Dana Point, CA ''Gardeners of the Universe, Ronald Peterson's first novel, is a great read. The grandness of scale is reminiscent of Ender's Game. Once you get into it, you won't want to put it down. I hope this is the first of many novels by Peterson.'' --Mary J. Landy, Indianapolis, IN ''I am a physicist by training, one more acquainted with scientific reality than science fiction. Yet I must say that I thoroughly appreciated Dr. Ron Peterson's book. First, it was correct in the science. He can talk about Caltech scientists because he studied there. He is an expert in much of what forms the background of the book and it shows. This would be an excellent book for any of my high school students thinking about a career in science or technology. The future will be exciting and there is still much work to be done.'' --Steven B. Landy, Indianapolis, IN
