A Matter of Great ConCERN
A Witty Science Fiction Novel of First Contact, CERN, and the Race to Save Earth
by Prof. Yuval Steinitz
- Science Fiction & Fantasy
- Satire
- First Contact
The Book
In space, no one cares if you’re a Nobel laureate.
2037, Geneva. Prof. William “Willy” Wegmann, the eccentric scientific director of CERN, anxiously waits to hear whether his groundbreaking study on interplanetary communication has won him the coveted Nobel Prize. But when radio telescopes detect strange signals from Proxima Centauri, and aliens finally make contact using their own advanced particle accelerator, it’s time for Willy Wegmann to put his money where his mouth is.
Seizing the opportunity that will get him closer to the prize, Willy volunteers to lead a special expedition of scientists and their significant others (who just really need a vacation from Earth) aboard the spaceship Exodus to the Proxima solar system, to discover whether these extraterrestrials truly come in peace. But when the crew finally reaches their destination, they soon discover something is very wrong. With more than just his reputation on the line, but the entire Earth’s fate, Willy must act fast to save the day, and his chances at glory. With light-years between them and home, will they make it in time to prevent total disaster? And more importantly, if Earth is annihilated, will Willy still be eligible for a Nobel Prize?
Why This Book Matters
A Matter of Great ConCERN is a smart, witty science fiction novel with a sharp satirical edge, blending real CERN science with page-turning suspense. Written by one of Israel’s best-selling authors of popular philosophy, it makes complex ideas such as relativity, time dilation, quantum entanglement, black holes, and the Fermi Paradox accessible and thrilling, without ever losing its warm, human heart.
Beneath the comedy lies a timely question: can scientific progress go too far? The novel explores the hubris of unchecked technological ambition and the need for moral responsibility in the face of scientific temptation, all in a thought-provoking yet never preachy way. On Earth, alien contact does not unite humanity but divides it, as anti-science protests and political chaos mirror the anxieties of our own era.
With its cinematic pace, a ticking-clock race across light-years, and a lovable cast of egotistical scientists, bickering spouses, and clueless world leaders, the book has the makings of a screen adaptation. In Israel it has drawn praise from leading voices in media and science, with one reviewer calling it “a terrific massage for the brain.”
About the Book
Genre: Science Fiction / Satire / First Contact
Published in Hebrew | 59,000 Words
For fans of Andy Weir’s The Martian, Carl Sagan’s Contact, and Douglas Adams, A Matter of Great ConCERN is a witty, science-rich first-contact novel about a CERN physicist, an alien particle accelerator, and a desperate race to save Earth.
Author
Prof. Yuval Steinitz
Professor Yuval Steinitz is Chairman of Rafael Advanced Defense Systems Ltd. He previously served for 23 years as a Member of the Knesset and as a cabinet minister in successive Israeli governments, holding senior positions including Minister of Finance, Minister of Energy, and member of the Security Cabinet. In the Knesset he also chaired the Foreign Affairs and Defense Committee and its Subcommittee on Intelligence and Secret Services. He currently serves as a Visiting Professor at the Hebrew University of Jerusalem.
Steinitz holds a BA and MA in Philosophy from the Hebrew University and a PhD from Tel Aviv University. He is the author of numerous books. His first, Invitation to Philosophy, has appeared in 75 editions and reprints and is the best-selling philosophy book in Israel’s history.
In A Matter of Great ConCERN, he brings a philosopher’s curiosity, a deep fascination with physics, and an insider’s view of how governments and institutions really work to a highly entertaining work of science fiction.
Rights Status
Publishing Rights Available
Translation Rights Available
Film Rights Available
Audio Rights Available
Comparable Titles
This book is suitable for readers who enjoyed:
- The Martian by Andy Weir
- Contact by Carl Sagan
- The Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy by Douglas Adams
BISAC Categories
- FIC028000 – FICTION / Science Fiction / General
- FIC028090 – FICTION / Science Fiction / Alien Contact
- FIC028130 – FICTION / Science Fiction / Space Exploration
- FIC052000 – FICTION / Satire
Themes
- The Hubris of Unchecked Scientific Progress
- First Contact and the Fermi Paradox
- Ambition vs. Human Connection
- Ego, Glory, and the Nobel Prize
- Relativity and the Race Against Time
- Anti-Science Populism and Political Chaos
- Marriage and Partnership Under Pressure
- Moral Responsibility in Science
Keywords
For readers interested in:
- Smart, humorous science fiction
- First contact and alien civilization stories
- CERN, particle physics, and black holes
- Space exploration and hard science fiction
- Satire of science, politics, and bureaucracy
- Ethics of science and technology
- Cinematic, fast-paced page-turners
- Fans of Andy Weir, Douglas Adams, and Jon Scalzi
FAQ
What is A Matter of Great ConCERN about?
In 2037, the scientific director of CERN leads an expedition to the Proxima system after aliens make contact, only to discover a danger that threatens Earth itself.
What genre is this book?
Science fiction with a strong satirical, humorous voice, combining real science with suspense.
Do readers need a science background?
No. The author explains concepts such as relativity, black holes, and quantum entanglement in a clear, accessible, and entertaining way.
Has this book been published before?
Yes, in Hebrew, where it received wide praise from Israeli media and scientists.
What is the word count?
Approximately 59,000 words.
Who will enjoy this book?
Readers of intelligent commercial science fiction, fans of Andy Weir, Carl Sagan, Douglas Adams, and Jon Scalzi, and anyone who enjoys witty stories about science, ambition, and the future of humanity.
Rights Agent's Notes
A Matter of Great ConCERN combines three strong selling points: an accessible, witty voice; real, well-researched science; and an author with an exceptional public profile, a former Israeli Minister of Finance and the writer of Israel’s best-selling philosophy book. Its blend of global political intrigue, relatable human drama, and cosmic stakes gives it broad international appeal.
The book has already won strong praise in Israel from figures across media and science, including Channel 12, Haaretz Books, Makor Rishon, and the Weizmann Institute’s Davidson website. Its cinematic, ticking-clock structure also makes it a natural candidate for film and television, and we see wide translation potential in markets that embrace intelligent, entertaining science fiction.