This image is the cover for the book Ascending Species

Ascending Species

Delve into the lives of four remarkable species in an epic journey across time! This historical archive has been translated for the humans of Earth-but within, there are no humans! In this epoch-spanning chronicle of evolutionary proportions, four distinct intelligent species, on a planet not unlike Earth, each get their time on the stage of civilization to showcase their innate strengths, their inevitable flaws, and their unique determination to surmount the massive obstacles that not only their neighboring species, but the planet itself, ceaselessly has to offer. The lives and cultures of the powerful reptilian Serpils and the armadillo-like Drels are reflective of their natures-what's normal to them may seem very strange to us. The ways of the Geminy, being primates, may seem similar to humans, but do not be mistaken. Creative and friendly, the Tubells are a four-eyed species of cephalopods who have a unique perspective after having adapted to live on land. From their humble, hard-scrap origins to their hard-won formation of global civilizations-and beyond to the edge of space-the peculiar and disparate societies animating Ascending Species lay the ground for a fun, fast-paced experience full of nail-biting challenges, complex conflicts, heart-wrenching struggles, and heart-warming achievements. As to which species will survive the whims of time . . . only time will tell.

Rand Paulsen

Rand Paulsen hails from the American Southwest, having lived mostly in Nevada. Rand's early years consisted of on-again, off-again construction work and a variety of temp jobs while attending college. He was rewarded with wide-ranging exposures and some amazing experiences. During his backpacking period, Rand "bagged some peaks" and traveled as far as Guam. With interests ranging from history to space travel, and drawing on his adventurous background, Rand humorously shares the individual life stories of four very different, intelligent species in the fast-paced journey of the "Ascending Species" series. In Rand's distinctive and fun way, he hopes to encourage consideration of time, perspective, and Species.