Eos, 1997, $6.99, ISBN 0-380-78831-4, 310 pages, paperback

The key selling point of this book, at least to my eyes, was the subtitle: "A Novel of Hard Science Fiction." That simple phrase drew me into making a purchase, right then, right there. It has been a while since I read a "hard" sci-fi book.

Einstein's Bridge refers to a theoretical linkage between universes, and Cramer's premise is that supercollider usage triggers other species in other universes to build such a bridge. In the case of this plot, two other life forms know how to do so: one beneficent, and the other evil. As you may have just guessed, Earth becomes a battleground.

Only this battleground's more intellect than starships firing lasers. And Cramer delivers a hard sci-fi novel of intense complexity and extreme interest. He should, as he's a physicist himself.

Now, I don't pretend to know if this science is legit or not. I can say that Cramer makes it sound so, and that's good enough in my book. The prose does become dense from time to time as he expounds on various theories, but that's precisely what I wanted...and enjoyed. This is a great "hard science" effort.

If you need a break from your everyday laser star fighters, and armored vehicles of mass obliteration, this book will make your day.

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