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Snake Oil
When the first aliens come to Earth, it is not with altruism or malicious intent, but with profit in mind. Their arrival presents great opportunities for humanity, with the offer of miracle cures and advanced technology... for the right price! What will a nation pay for exclusive rights to end cancer, or to possess the first interstellar spaceship? Only mining rights to the moon, or perhaps a few metric tons of gold—for a good faith deposit. Bids run fast and furiously among many industrialized nations, but not everyone is invited to participate, seeding greater global tensions. As the nations of the planet sell the solar system’s resources for a shot at tomorrow, there remain those few individuals with suspicions, but still others with almost religious devotion toward “the Visitors.” Stuck in the middle is Michael Baldwin, Special Assistant Advisor to the President for Alien/Human Policy Affairs. Sometimes feeling in over his head, he is afforded opportunities few humans could have ever dreamed of, but at what price? The answer will lead him to the truth of Earth’s alien benefactors, and an unlikely meeting of madmen at the crux of a madcap investigation. Snake Oil is a cynical sci-fi story of humanity’s First Contact with an alien race. Full of comic relief and zany characters, it is a compelling exploration of what could happen if Earth’s first alien visitors turn out to be a bit more like us, after all.
306 pages, Paperback
First published February 11, 2013
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Displaying 1 of 1 review
December 30, 2025
I bought a copy of Snake Oil a few years ago and wasn’t sure what to expect. I had read numerous Sci-Fi books over the years and I assumed I had been exposed to every scenario, every story, every plot line imaginable in the genre.
I hadn’t.
Author Bruno Lombardi takes the reader on a wild and hilarious ride into his unique science fiction story, one that ask a surprisingly plausible question: what if aliens came to Earth not to conquer it, but also not as friends.
What if they came here to rip us off? What if aliens were actually used car salesmen.
Snake Oil presents this clever scenario in a fun and entertaining way. Where first contact comes not from colonialist, but from capitalist who see us as the ultimate mark. The resulting trade deals turn into a windfall for most of the planet. But the question remains: why exactly did we give up? The characters are colorful and seem to perfectly capture what would almost certainly be the world’s response. From the conspiracy theorist to the government agent to the retired military personnel, the characters are fun and enjoyable. Although the character ElevenEleven was perhaps a little too over the top, most came off and likable and relatable…even the alien ambassador “Bob” seemed all too human.
The humorous tone works surprisingly well, giving it a Hitchhikers Guide sort of vibe to it. Overall an enjoyable and fun read, and certainly one worth checking out if you are a fan of science fiction.
I hadn’t.
Author Bruno Lombardi takes the reader on a wild and hilarious ride into his unique science fiction story, one that ask a surprisingly plausible question: what if aliens came to Earth not to conquer it, but also not as friends.
What if they came here to rip us off? What if aliens were actually used car salesmen.
Snake Oil presents this clever scenario in a fun and entertaining way. Where first contact comes not from colonialist, but from capitalist who see us as the ultimate mark. The resulting trade deals turn into a windfall for most of the planet. But the question remains: why exactly did we give up? The characters are colorful and seem to perfectly capture what would almost certainly be the world’s response. From the conspiracy theorist to the government agent to the retired military personnel, the characters are fun and enjoyable. Although the character ElevenEleven was perhaps a little too over the top, most came off and likable and relatable…even the alien ambassador “Bob” seemed all too human.
The humorous tone works surprisingly well, giving it a Hitchhikers Guide sort of vibe to it. Overall an enjoyable and fun read, and certainly one worth checking out if you are a fan of science fiction.
Displaying 1 of 1 review