An Adventure of Space and EvolutionThe Obligation is a modern parable about a young Capitol Hill staffer who discovers that the seasoned congressman he works for is far from a typical politician. An obsession over a mysterious inscription on a plaque in the congressman’s office sparks the young aide’s initiation into a worldview that will challenge everything he thought he knew about space, evolution and humanity. Under the guidance of the congressman, the protagonist is propelled on a journey of mind and spirit that takes him from Washington to California to Arizona and back to the floor of the House of Representatives. Along the way, he meets six extraordinary individuals who help him understand the secret of the Obligation. His emerging consciousness of the Obligation puts him at odds with the woman he loves, an environmentalist who will ultimately provide a critical piece of the Obligation puzzle. The journey is a gauntlet of emotions, ideas and insights that lead the young aide to not only understand the reason why we yearn to explore outer space, but also see the larger responsibility we have to each other and to the planet that gave us life. Once exposed to the full depth of meaning about the Obligation, his life is transformed forever. Read the first chapter now.
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What People Are Saying about The Obligation
Martine Rothblatt, Chairman & CEO of United Therapeutics, creator of SiriusXM Satellite Radio, and author of VIRTUALLY HUMAN
"I've never read a more accessible, and practical, book of philosophy for the 21st century than THE OBLIGATION. The author masterfully weaves a love story, a mentor-mentee relationship, and many contemporary palpable references into a manifesto on what one must do, and can do, to live the most purposeful life. Why are we here? That may be the oldest question in human affairs. Yet, it is cogently and persuasively answered, with threads from Eastern and Western theosophy, as well as from sociology, anthropology and ecology, in this easy-to-read fast-paced novel. I thank Mr. Wolfe from the bottom of my heart for providing me with renewed vigor and zest for a purpose-driven life." |
Frank White, author of The Overview Effect: Space Exploration and Human Evolution and Co-Founder, the Overview Institute.
"The Obligation is an extremely important book. Steve has been able to capture concepts that many of us in the space exploration movement, have been trying (sometimes successfully, sometimes not) to communicate to the world over the past several decades. Steve has put all of these ideas into a coherent framework and has embedded his ideas in a novel that is full of interesting characters, constant intrigue, and an unfolding revelation that astounds his protagonist, and will likely surprise the reader as well. There are many valuable takeaways from this book. However, to me, the most essential one is that we need to see space exploration in terms of how humans can serve the universe, and not the other way around. This is a “must-read” for anyone interested in the future of humanity and the universe." |
Rick N. Tumlinson, Chairman, Deep Space Industries and Co-Founder, Space Frontier Foundation
"The Obligation is one of those books that was written by someone who is not just passionate and articulate, but who has been there, in the trenches. Steve helped forge the concept that only today is at last rising out of what many would call the ashes of the old space program - that it is our goal, our duty, our "Obligation" to open the frontier of space to human settlement and the expansion of life beyond the Earth. There is no grander cause, no more worthy goal than this. Buy it. Read it. And tell your friends." |
Charles Miller, Co-Founder of NanoRacks and former NASA Senior Advisor for Commercial Space
"The Obligation reminds me of something Albert Einstein once said ... 'We cannot solve our problems with the same thinking we used when we created them.' This book will take you to a new level of thinking. If you want to know "why space?" or even to think about humanity's place in the universe, then read The Obligation." |
Dr. David Livingston, Host, The Space Show and Founder, One Giant Leap Foundation
"The Obligation is an exceptional book clearly expressing very important ideas and concepts that are sometimes hard even for those of us working in the space community to express. This book is an important read if you care about your future, our nation's future, and future generations for it opens up possibilities for success, even greatness that are not so apparent, especially for those outside the space community. If you care about a better world and if you want to be part of the change and improvement process contributing to a better world, then going through space for settlement, exploration, and development solutions, I strongly suggest The Obligation as your first stopping off point on what will be an incredible, productive, and rewarding journey for you." |
Bob Werb, Co-Founder, Space Frontier Foundation
"Steve Wolfe’s The Obligation combines all of the varied reasons so many people want to expand our civilization into space into a complete, coherent, pluralistic, metaphysical, almost spiritual philosophy. And he does it compellingly in the confines of a story about people living inside the beltway, who, in spite of the cynicism around them, are striving to make their world better." |
Jim Crisafulli, Director of the Hawaii Office of Aerospace Development and Chairman of the Aerospace States Association Space Exploration Committee.
"Imbued throughout with compelling insights into the complex chemistry that fuels humanity's passion for exploration and discovery, The Obligation transports the reader on a creative and comprehensive voyage through the dialectics that define our nature as a space-faring species - providing a portal to the penchants and possibilities that will define both our evolving relationship to and future in the Cosmos. A most inspiring narrative that I would highly recommend to anyone who is curious about the raison d'être of humankind." |