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Don Johnston
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The Alamogordo Connection: Hard science fiction laced with political satire Kindle Edition

by Don Johnston (Author) Format: Kindle Edition
4.1 out of 5 stars 188 ratings




“First contact is an intriguing hook…” Kirkus Reviews

In 2045, radio waves surge from the M13 nebula. Amid impeachment threats, President Rex Horn funds a project to decipher them.

Darien and Carly, students at NM State, believe ESP is the key to decoding the message, and they locate traces of the elusive phenomenon in twins–including monkeys, dogs, and people, all born in Alamogordo.

They also discover Darien possesses ESP, though he was born in the jungles of Panama. Convinced he has a twin still living there, they conduct a search for him. In an isolated village, they discover the witch doctor who delivered Darien. Just before she dies, the old woman reveals a startling fact. Will it be enough to decipher ET’s message?

“…believable details of carrying out scientific research and rainforest trekking…” Kirkus Reviews


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  1. Print length
    281 pages
  2. Language
    English
  3. Accessibility
    Learn more
  4. Publication date
    June 11, 2020
  5. Reading age
    15 - 18 years
  6. File size
    1.9 MB
  7. Page Flip
    Enabled
  8. Word Wise
    Enabled
  9. Enhanced typesetting
    Enabled
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Editorial Reviews

About the Author

I was born in East Texas a long time ago and grew up with a sister and a brother. Upon completing high school, I joined the U.S. Air Force and served three years as a jungle survival instructor in Panama. Following my military service, I enrolled in Stephen F. Austin State University and got married. After getting my degree in biology and chemistry, we moved to Houston where our only child, a son, was born.During the early years of my career, I wrote numerous technical articles and reports but no fiction until recently. Upon retirement, I became interested in writing science fiction. My first sci-fi novel, The Dar Lumbre Chronicles, was published in 2018. It took me about two years to write The Alamogordo Connection. At that rate, you can look for the third one, The Photosynthesis Gene in 2022.My wife of 53 years died of cancer in 2014, leaving me the patriarch of a small family-a son, a daughter-in-law, three grandchildren, and two great grandchildren. My family is my pride and joy.I have been a member of Sugar Land Baptist Church for over 20 years and have led Bible study classes throughout that time.

Product details

  • ASIN ‏ : ‎ B08B42Y8JW
  • Accessibility ‏ : ‎ Learn more
  • Publication date ‏ : ‎ June 11, 2020
  • Language ‏ : ‎ English
  • File size ‏ : ‎ 1.9 MB
  • Screen Reader ‏ : ‎ Supported
  • Enhanced typesetting ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • X-Ray ‏ : ‎ Not Enabled
  • Word Wise ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • Print length ‏ : ‎ 281 pages
  • Page Flip ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • Reading age ‏ : ‎ 15 - 18 years
  • Customer Reviews:
    4.1 out of 5 stars 188 ratings

About the author

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Don Johnston

Don Johnston

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I was born in East Texas a long time ago and grew up with a sister and a brother.

At five years old, I found a tattered science book with several pages missing. The first intact page showed a monarch butterfly emerging from a chrysalis. That incident was the "ah-ha moment" that drew me into the world of science.

Upon completing high school, I joined the Air Force and served as a jungle survival instructor in Panama. While in Panama, I wrote a gossip column for the base newspaper and won second place in a short story contest. After that, there was a sixty year gap in my creative writing. Following my military service, I enrolled in Stephen F. Austin State College and got married. After graduating with a degree in biology and chemistry, we moved to Houston where our only child, a son, was born.

After writing for three years in the Air Force, I didn't create any more fiction until I was eighty years old. My first novel, "The Dar Lumbre Chronicles," was published in 2018, and I've been writing ever since. "By Means of Peace" is my third novel, and the next one is simmering on the back burner.

Customer reviews

4.1 out of 5 stars
188 global ratings

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Customers say

Customers enjoy this science fiction novel for its well-developed characters and compelling writing style that's easy to follow. Moreover, the book features a reasonably grounded plot, with one customer noting its believable scientific research details. Additionally, customers appreciate the space exploration elements and find the story engaging, with one review comparing it to a rollercoaster ride.

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50 customers mention "Sci-fi story"44 positive6 negative

Customers enjoy the sci-fi story, praising its reasonably grounded plot and intriguing elements.

"...for a well-written adventure with amazing characters and a reasonably grounded plot then The Alamogordo Connection will not leave you disappointed...." Read more

"The Alamogordo connection is a fast paced sci-fi thriller that will pull you in from the first page and keep you turning the pages as the journey..." Read more

"...I love a good SciFi book and while paranormal isn't usually my thing, it's usually interesting when combined with SciFi...." Read more

"...Will it be enough to decipher ET’s message?’ Suspense and genetics and sci-fi incidents mix with romance and some prophecy for a better..." Read more

35 customers mention "Readability"35 positive0 negative

Customers find the book engaging and fun to read, with one customer comparing it to a rollercoaster.

"...It’s a well-crafted sci-fi adventure that will grab readers and hurl them far beyond the boundaries of our limited world...." Read more

"...This adventure is worth the read. With well developed characters and a fun journey, I recommend reading this one...." Read more

"...Overall, a good read, but I feel like the pace could have been better if a lot of the fluff was left out." Read more

"...It’s a well-crafted sci-fi adventure that will grab readers and hurl them far beyond the boundaries of our limited world...." Read more

27 customers mention "Science content"27 positive0 negative

Customers appreciate the scientific content of the book, with several noting its interesting concept, and one customer highlighting its believable details of scientific research.

"...SCIENCE FICTION, edited by Groff Conklin, a well-known and prolific editor of the genre. It was published in 1952, the Golden Age of Science Fiction...." Read more

"...connection is a fast paced sci-fi thriller that will pull you in from the first page and keep you turning the pages as the journey unfolds right..." Read more

"...about the outcome of the message, which was very unique and thought-provoking but just a bit lack-luster to me...." Read more

"...The author provides an excellent overview of the book’s plot; ‘In 2045, incoming radio waves surge from the M13 star cluster, and President Rex Horn..." Read more

18 customers mention "Writing style"18 positive0 negative

Customers appreciate the writing style of the book, finding it compelling and easy to follow, with plenty of imagery throughout.

"...If you are a sci-fi fan looking for a well-written adventure with amazing characters and a reasonably grounded plot then The Alamogordo Connection..." Read more

"...There’s also plenty of imagery in the writing style that makes you feel like you are right there in the story and that’s something...." Read more

"...Very well-written and engaging, it's a story with nice characters...." Read more

"...The accurate descriptions of the settings, like the Panamanian jungle, together with the believable details of the scientific researches and..." Read more

16 customers mention "Character development"16 positive0 negative

Customers appreciate the well-developed characters in the book, with one mentioning how the main characters engage in a scientific investigation.

"...If you are a sci-fi fan looking for a well-written adventure with amazing characters and a reasonably grounded plot then The Alamogordo Connection..." Read more

"...This adventure is worth the read. With well developed characters and a fun journey, I recommend reading this one...." Read more

"...The characters are well developed and are engaging. The book is an interesting read." Read more

"...Very well-written and engaging, it's a story with nice characters...." Read more

9 customers mention "Creativity"9 positive0 negative

Customers appreciate the book's creativity and uniqueness.

"...Skillfully constructed, this creative and imaginative tale will have you turning the pages from beginning to end...." Read more

"...decide what I thought about the outcome of the message, which was very unique and thought-provoking but just a bit lack-luster to me...." Read more

"...Competently constructed, this creative and imaginative tale will have the readers turning the pages from beginning to end...." Read more

"...I particularly enjoyed their venture into Panama, as the author includes beautiful and seemingly accurate depictions of its history and landscape...." Read more

4 customers mention "Space exploration"4 positive0 negative

Customers enjoy the space exploration elements in the book, with one describing it as a gripping tale of future space science.

"...fantastic story has definitely a bit of everything: science, space exploration, extraterrestrial life, drama, future issues and several mouth-..." Read more

"...For those who love science, outer space, and the possibilities that lie before our eyes, this is a great read...." Read more

"...It includes aspects of science, space exploration, the search for extraterrestrial life, and ESP in new and exciting ways...." Read more

"Gripping Tale of Future Space Science and Politics..." Read more

Top reviews from the United States

  • Piaras
    5.0 out of 5 stars A well-crafted sci-fi adventure.
    Reviewed in the United States on October 28, 2021
    Verified Purchase
    Forty-some years ago my uncle gave me a science fiction anthology. It was a thick red hardback that I read from cover to cover. It inspired a lifelong love of the genre. The stories in that book made me think outside the box. They filled me with awe for the imagination it took to write them. That book still remains in my collection today. The title is OMNIBUS OF SCIENCE FICTION, edited by Groff Conklin, a well-known and prolific editor of the genre. It was published in 1952, the Golden Age of Science Fiction. It’s a substantial volume, 562 pages, with 43 stories divided into sections relating to a common theme. Some stories are fun, some are thought-provoking, and some are adventurous. I love them all.

    The Alamogordo Connection by Don Johnston isn't exactly your typical sci-fi book — it's so much better than that. It’s a well-crafted sci-fi adventure that will grab readers and hurl them far beyond the boundaries of our limited world. The threads of storytelling are so expertly woven in this science-fiction-meets-science fact tale that it guarantees the attention of the reader. Skillfully constructed, this creative and imaginative tale will have you turning the pages from beginning to end. There’s also plenty of imagery in the writing style that makes you feel like you are right there in the story and that’s something I look for in a good book.

    If you are a sci-fi fan looking for a well-written adventure with amazing characters and a reasonably grounded plot then The Alamogordo Connection will not leave you disappointed. Highly recommended and a well-deserved five stars from me.
    3 people found this helpful
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  • Jimmy ray
    4.0 out of 5 stars Fast paced sci-fi thriller
    Reviewed in the United States on June 23, 2021
    Verified Purchase
    The Alamogordo connection is a fast paced sci-fi thriller that will pull you in from the first page and keep you turning the pages as the journey unfolds right before your eyes. Darien and Carly are working together to figure out if ESP is real or not. Both have received a scholarships to be in the M13. While testing for the psi phenomenon they discover that Darien has ESP and begin to follow the clues to the jungles of Panama. Secrets are revealed and lives could change forever. This adventure is worth the read. With well developed characters and a fun journey, I recommend reading this one. Check it out and let me know if you agree.
    One person found this helpful
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  • Kat Denning
    3.0 out of 5 stars Crazy Story with Unique Idea
    Reviewed in the United States on March 21, 2021
    Verified Purchase
    This book was all over the place for me. The plot and all its tidbits felt very out of this world, but not necessarily in the way that I think the author intended it. I love a good SciFi book and while paranormal isn't usually my thing, it's usually interesting when combined with SciFi. I really struggled to connect with the story and the characters here. The author kept including a lot of random stuff that really played no role in the novel for me, like the whole chitchat about basketball just pointless. I liked the whole idea behind the mystery messages from space though and that intrigue kept me reading and guessing what the message could be. I honestly couldn't decide what I thought about the outcome of the message, which was very unique and thought-provoking but just a bit lack-luster to me. Overall, a good read, but I feel like the pace could have been better if a lot of the fluff was left out.
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  • Grady Harp
    5.0 out of 5 stars The year 2045: a meteorite strikes New Mexico! – a fascinating SciFi tale
    Reviewed in the United States on December 13, 2020
    Verified Purchase
    Texas author Don Johnston served in the US Air Force as a jungle survivor in Panama, then earning his degree in biology and chemistry from Stephen F. Austin State University, and has retired from his career as a chemist and entrepreneur to settle into writing – science fiction is his preferred genre. His books to date, THE DAR LUMBRE CHRONICLES, and now THE ALAMOGORDO CONNECTION.

    Don combines his background both from the military experience and his scientific curiosity as a chemist and biological investigator to mold a very tight sci-fi tale. He seizes our attention with the opening lines: ‘At 4:00 a.m., on July 16, 2045, a sonic boom sounded over Alamogordo, New Mexico, and a shockwave rocked the city. Jolted’ from a deep sleep, Dustin Rhodes threw back the cover and sat upright in bed. He stretched his arms and yawned. A moment later, still groggy, he swung his feet to the floor. April turned toward him. “What is it, Dusty?” “Did you feel the house shake?” “Uh-huh. Was it an earthquake?” “I heard a rumbling noise…Must have been an aircraft. Maybe NatGov is testing another secret model.” Johnston’s ability to ground his soon to launch into fantasy tale contributes significantly.

    The author provides an excellent overview of the book’s plot; ‘In 2045, incoming radio waves surge from the M13 star cluster, and President Rex Horn, a Planet X junkie, describes the signals as SOS, mayday, or cease and desist messages. Despite impeachment threats from his opponents, Mr. Horn funds a new program to intensify the search for extraterrestrial intelligence. The program provides scholarships for outstanding students, and the President urges recipients to think outside the box. Darien Segura and Carly Hansen receive scholarships to participate in the M13 study as students at New Mexico State University. Darien, abandoned as a baby in the Darien Province of Panama, and adopted by a couple in Alamogordo, is an astronomy student. Carly, a beautiful newcomer from Texas, is studying parapsychology. While studying the incoming radio waves, they discover low-frequency waves imbedded in them, apparently a message. Carly believes ESP is the key to solving the riddle. They begin testing for the elusive psi phenomenon and locate traces of it in twins, including monkeys, dogs, and people–all born in Alamogordo. Carly refers to this oddity as The Alamogordo Connection. To their surprise, they discover that Darien possesses substantial ESP, but not enough to decode the message without linking to someone else who also has it. Darien is convinced that he has a twin living in the jungles of Panama, and they embark on a journey to search for him. Upon trekking to an isolated village, they find the witch doctor who delivered Darien. Just before she dies, the old woman reveals a stunning fact. Will it be enough to decipher ET’s message?’

    Suspense and genetics and sci-fi incidents mix with romance and some prophecy for a better society to make this an involving novel – further proof that Don Johnston is an important author for YA fantasies. Recommended Grady Harp, December 20
    2 people found this helpful
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Top reviews from other countries

  • D. Halcro
    4.0 out of 5 stars Captivating story but with a terrible front cover
    Reviewed in the United Kingdom on June 30, 2021
    Verified Purchase
    I bought this book because of the good reviews about the writing but wow, the front cover is so bad I almost thought it was a scam. The author really needs to get that re-done. It doesn't portray the story AT ALL. You want a front cover to give a flavour to the book, to give you the palette in mind to paint the pictures described by the author. It's a shame because what is within is actually a competent and interesting story line that uses science to bolster storytelling and give depth to this fictional world. Although written with an informal style, the level of maturity holds mainly because of the interesting plot points - without giving too much away there is lots of discovery of sci-fi things which keeps you interested purely because of interesting exposition.
    Story over prose, this book won't wow with it's literary skill but will definitely tickle the itch sci-fi readers have when looking for a quick fix.
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  • Julie Tsang
    4.0 out of 5 stars Sci-fi adventure with intriguing concepts
    Reviewed in the United Kingdom on April 19, 2021
    Verified Purchase
    The Alamogordo Connection is sci-fi page-turner that explores extrasensory perception and extraterrestrial activity. As the prequel to the Dar Lumbar Chronicles, it is based almost a century earlier. In the year 2045 we follow the journey of Carly and Darien, two students from different educational backgrounds, as they dive into an investigation.

    This is the second book I have read from Johnston and it is as engaging as the Dar Lumbar Chronicles. Although I found the cover of this book to lack finesse, just like the prequel it exceeded expectations. The book goes into scientific detail, which could be tedious for some, but Johnston has a fast-paced writing style and I found myself immersed in the plotline.
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  • Anastasia Styles
    3.0 out of 5 stars A well-considered steady grind.
    Reviewed in the United Kingdom on July 11, 2021
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    For a plot that on paper sounds like it should speak more to wearers of tin-foil hats, this story is presented in a relatively credible fashion—if anything, sometimes almost too credible for its own good.

    By this I mean: we as reader are led to take everything very much in our stride; there’s rarely a sense of strangeness, eeriness, otherworldliness, excitement, wonder, etc. I could imagine experiencing exactly this story unfolding on Twitter, say, with headline-writers working to sensationalise what should already be sensational and finding it’s still trending at number six between a celebrity divorce and a football score.

    The book is well-written by any technical measure, and it was clearly well-planned, well-considered, and well-researched.

    So, if you’re looking for oddly relatable extraordinary sci-fi, this is the book for you.
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  • richard w hulse
    3.0 out of 5 stars Matter of fact science fiction
    Reviewed in the United Kingdom on July 5, 2021
    Verified Purchase
    Darien and Carly, students who are interested in parapsychology and extraterrestrials, meet up and want to combine their talents (and perhaps other more personal aspects of their lives) into finding out if aliens are trying to contact humanity. The story is set in the a USA a few decades in the future, the country is a de-facto one-party state, and California has seceded. The story does have a grounding in scientific facts, but the narrative lacks drive; there’s no sense of urgency about Carly and Darien or their objectives; they’re simply investigating these subjects because they feel like it not because they have to. The novel never really comes out of a steady coasting pace.
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