Great Summer read for preteens and youth. Young readers like to discuss the possibilities presented in the future with other readers of Welkin.Fletcher Bannister is the third generation of Bannister Associates, LLC, and architect overseeing the construction of the 11,000-mile Welkin tether in Earth orbit. A mysterious alien ship arrives at Earth without any life forms aboard. The book describes Earth as a precious home to humanity but its people are wrenched into the dire threats and magnificent promise of future space travel.WELKIN is a fact based science fiction novel providing the reader with experiencing life on the Earth, flying over Earth, in near Earth orbit and the sensation of swiftly moving throughout the Solar System and beyond. When three astronomers discover and report a new Nova in the constellation Canis Minor, close observation of its characteristics quickly settled into the World's lexicon that an alien ship was approaching our Solar System at nearly 70% the speed of light. Panic spread everywhere on Earth and the Pentagon attempted a preemptive nuclear attach that failed miserably. The Earth then realized it was completely vulnerable to any advanced civilizations beyond our Solar System. Another advanced civilization had received our broadcasts into space of only 150 years and approached at 50% the speed of light in an armada of ships to sterilize our Solar System for their exploitation. The original alien ship had visited Earth on a regular schedule of 500 to 1,000 years to monitor our development. With Fletcher, his close associate, a Chinese astronomer, a Pentagon General and Admiral and a US Senator's assistant aboard as guests, the first alien ship attempted to stop the attack before the 'fledgling' civilization on Earth was destroyed.A near-future science fiction thriller that pits humankind and a benevolent extraterrestrial visitor against a hostile armada of invading alien ships. Fletcher Bannister presides over the construction of a spectacular, vast satellite called Welkin, tethered to Earth's orbit. The multi-level structure, a glorious "railroad to the stars," is an architectural wonder replete with four-star hotels, restaurants and low-gravity theaters-Disney even wants to open a theme park there. -Kirkus Indie Review-Beings from other worlds fascinate us, but what would we do if we were to encounter such a thing? "Welkin" discusses the ideas of a future where space travel becomes easily accessible and mankind meets its first extra-terrestrial being. Author William A. Bunting presents an original and thought provoking exploration of the concept, making "Welkin" worth considering.- The Midwest Book Review-