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Resurrecting Bart: A Deep Past Novel
“A compelling vision of a maybe-not-so-alternative reality.” —Irene M. Pepperberg, PhD, author of Alex & Me
An animal with near magical powers is brought back from extinction, but at what cost?
Anthropologist Claire Knowland discovers DNA from a species the world has never seen before. Now, she faces an unprecedented resurrecting an extinct elephant with near-supernatural abilities, but the project spirals into an ethical minefield as her team realizes the world may not be ready for this animal’s very different form of intelligence, and that they have an obligation to protect him from those who covet his powers.
Bringing ancient beings back to life attracts dangerous attention. As powerful forces conspire to seize control of their extraordinary creation, Claire and her team must defend the elephant—affably nicknamed Bart—who never asked to be reborn into the chaos of the twenty-first century.
Enemies conspire to use the de-extinct species’ powers for their own gain. Ultimately, circumstances force Bart to become aware of the perils of his situation, and his preternatural powers turn out to be the key to saving those around him, and his taking control of his destiny.
From the author who challenged our understanding of evolution in Deep Past comes a provocative sci-fi thriller that blends realistic, cutting-edge science, globe-spanning intrigue, and profound moral conundrums.
Perfect for fans of Michael Crichton and Douglas Preston, this thought-provoking science fiction action thriller explores the ethical boundaries of genetic engineering and de-extinction—and the price we pay when we cross them.
Praise for Deep Past:
“An excellent thriller with real meat on the bones . . . makes you think as well as sweat.”
—Lee Child, #1 New York Times–bestselling author of the Jack Reacher series
“An extraordinary novel on so many levels . . . One of those rare novels that bends (if not blows) the mind with deep and compelling ideas about consciousness, intelligence, and our place in the world.”
—Douglas Preston, #1 New York Times–bestselling author of The Lost City of the Monkey God
“A fascinating thriller . . . Linden does a masterly job of integrating intriguing speculative science into a page-turning plot.”
—Publishers Weekly, starred review
“An immersive tale that is both intellectually enlivening and genuinely entertaining.”
—Kirkus Reviews
An animal with near magical powers is brought back from extinction, but at what cost?
Anthropologist Claire Knowland discovers DNA from a species the world has never seen before. Now, she faces an unprecedented resurrecting an extinct elephant with near-supernatural abilities, but the project spirals into an ethical minefield as her team realizes the world may not be ready for this animal’s very different form of intelligence, and that they have an obligation to protect him from those who covet his powers.
Bringing ancient beings back to life attracts dangerous attention. As powerful forces conspire to seize control of their extraordinary creation, Claire and her team must defend the elephant—affably nicknamed Bart—who never asked to be reborn into the chaos of the twenty-first century.
Enemies conspire to use the de-extinct species’ powers for their own gain. Ultimately, circumstances force Bart to become aware of the perils of his situation, and his preternatural powers turn out to be the key to saving those around him, and his taking control of his destiny.
From the author who challenged our understanding of evolution in Deep Past comes a provocative sci-fi thriller that blends realistic, cutting-edge science, globe-spanning intrigue, and profound moral conundrums.
Perfect for fans of Michael Crichton and Douglas Preston, this thought-provoking science fiction action thriller explores the ethical boundaries of genetic engineering and de-extinction—and the price we pay when we cross them.
Praise for Deep Past:
“An excellent thriller with real meat on the bones . . . makes you think as well as sweat.”
—Lee Child, #1 New York Times–bestselling author of the Jack Reacher series
“An extraordinary novel on so many levels . . . One of those rare novels that bends (if not blows) the mind with deep and compelling ideas about consciousness, intelligence, and our place in the world.”
—Douglas Preston, #1 New York Times–bestselling author of The Lost City of the Monkey God
“A fascinating thriller . . . Linden does a masterly job of integrating intriguing speculative science into a page-turning plot.”
—Publishers Weekly, starred review
“An immersive tale that is both intellectually enlivening and genuinely entertaining.”
—Kirkus Reviews
307 pages, Kindle Edition
Published February 11, 2025
114 people are currently reading
957 people want to read
About the author
Eugene Linden
30 books115 followersI've spent my entire writing career exploring various aspects of one question: Why is it that after hundreds of thousands of years one relatively small subset of our species has reached a point where its fears, appetites, and spending habits control the destiny of every culture, every major ecosystem, and virtually every creature on earth? What happened that enabled us to seize control in a blink of an eye?
I began scratching at this question in my first book, Apes, Men and Language, published over 40 years ago. In that book I explored the implications of some experiments from the 1960s that showed that chimpanzees could use sign language in ways similar to the way we use words - to express opinions and feelings, to make specific requests, and to comment on the events of their day. Since the moral basis of our rights to use nature as so much raw material is deeply entangled with the belief that we are the lone sentient beings on the planet, I wondered what it would mean if it turned out that other animals possessed higher mental abilities and consciousness? I never expected that the scientific establishment and society would say "oops, sorry," but I also never imagined that the issue would turn out to be as fraught and contentious as it has.
That first book was the result of a curious turn of events. My first major journalistic assignment was an investigation of fragging (attacks by enlisted men on their officers) in Vietnam. That article, "The Demoralization of an Army: Fragging and Other Withdrawal Symptoms," was published as a cover story in Saturday Review in 1971. It got a good deal of attention, and a few publishers contacted me about possibly writing a book. I was eager to do that, but a few publishers lost interest when they learned that I wanted to write about experiments teaching sign language to apes and not Vietnam. Dutton gamely stayed on, however, and "Apes" is still in print in some parts of the world.
Since that first book, I've revisited and explored animal thinking in several books and many articles. In Silent Partners: The Legacy of the Ape Language Experiments, I looked at what happened to the animals themselves in the aftermath of the experiments as the chimps were whipsawed by a society that shifted back and forth between treating them as personalities and commodities. I wrote articles for National Geographic, TIME, and Parade, among other publications about animal intelligence as the debate progressed at its glacial pace.
Then, in the 1990s, I had an epiphany of sorts. I'd heard a story about an orangutan that got hold of a piece of wire and used it to pick the lock on his cage, all the while hiding his efforts from the zookeepers. Here seemed to be a panoply of higher mental abilities on display, unprompted by any rewards from humans, and it occurred to me that, if animals could think, maybe they did their best thinking when it served their purposes, and not some human in a lab coat. Out of this flash came two more books, The Parrot's Lament: Tales of Animal Intrigue, Intelligence and Ingenuity, and, The Octopus and the Orangutan: More Tales of Animal Intrigue, Intelligence, and Ingenuity, as well as a few more articles for TIME, Parade, and Oprah among other publications. I've found this approach to thinking about animal intelligence both liberating and fun, and I intend to explore this a good deal more.
The question of what makes us different than other creatures was but one aspect of my career-long efforts to understand how we have come to rule the planet. At the same time that I was exploring the question of higher mental abilities in animals I also began to think about how our notions our notions of our own specialness related to the consumer society. If intelligence, language and consciousness gave us dominion, it was the consumer society that gave us the tools to exploit nature for our own benefit. I've developed my thoughts on the nature and origins of consumer societies in four b
I began scratching at this question in my first book, Apes, Men and Language, published over 40 years ago. In that book I explored the implications of some experiments from the 1960s that showed that chimpanzees could use sign language in ways similar to the way we use words - to express opinions and feelings, to make specific requests, and to comment on the events of their day. Since the moral basis of our rights to use nature as so much raw material is deeply entangled with the belief that we are the lone sentient beings on the planet, I wondered what it would mean if it turned out that other animals possessed higher mental abilities and consciousness? I never expected that the scientific establishment and society would say "oops, sorry," but I also never imagined that the issue would turn out to be as fraught and contentious as it has.
That first book was the result of a curious turn of events. My first major journalistic assignment was an investigation of fragging (attacks by enlisted men on their officers) in Vietnam. That article, "The Demoralization of an Army: Fragging and Other Withdrawal Symptoms," was published as a cover story in Saturday Review in 1971. It got a good deal of attention, and a few publishers contacted me about possibly writing a book. I was eager to do that, but a few publishers lost interest when they learned that I wanted to write about experiments teaching sign language to apes and not Vietnam. Dutton gamely stayed on, however, and "Apes" is still in print in some parts of the world.
Since that first book, I've revisited and explored animal thinking in several books and many articles. In Silent Partners: The Legacy of the Ape Language Experiments, I looked at what happened to the animals themselves in the aftermath of the experiments as the chimps were whipsawed by a society that shifted back and forth between treating them as personalities and commodities. I wrote articles for National Geographic, TIME, and Parade, among other publications about animal intelligence as the debate progressed at its glacial pace.
Then, in the 1990s, I had an epiphany of sorts. I'd heard a story about an orangutan that got hold of a piece of wire and used it to pick the lock on his cage, all the while hiding his efforts from the zookeepers. Here seemed to be a panoply of higher mental abilities on display, unprompted by any rewards from humans, and it occurred to me that, if animals could think, maybe they did their best thinking when it served their purposes, and not some human in a lab coat. Out of this flash came two more books, The Parrot's Lament: Tales of Animal Intrigue, Intelligence and Ingenuity, and, The Octopus and the Orangutan: More Tales of Animal Intrigue, Intelligence, and Ingenuity, as well as a few more articles for TIME, Parade, and Oprah among other publications. I've found this approach to thinking about animal intelligence both liberating and fun, and I intend to explore this a good deal more.
The question of what makes us different than other creatures was but one aspect of my career-long efforts to understand how we have come to rule the planet. At the same time that I was exploring the question of higher mental abilities in animals I also began to think about how our notions our notions of our own specialness related to the consumer society. If intelligence, language and consciousness gave us dominion, it was the consumer society that gave us the tools to exploit nature for our own benefit. I've developed my thoughts on the nature and origins of consumer societies in four b
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Displaying 1 - 11 of 11 reviews
May 25, 2025
Review: Resurrecting Bart by Eugene Linden
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Eugene Linden’s Resurrecting Bart surprised me in all the right ways. It’s an emotionally rich, high-concept novel that blends cutting-edge science with deep moral questions—and by the end, I wasn’t just impressed; I was fully invested. Linden has absolutely earned my attention going forward.
At first glance, the premise may seem like a twist on familiar territory: the resurrection of a long-extinct animal through advanced genetics. But Linden takes that premise and elevates it. This isn’t just Jurassic Park 2.0. It’s something more grounded, more thoughtful. The story centers around Claire Knowland, an anthropologist whose discovery leads to the birth of Bart—a mysterious elephant with near-human intelligence. What unfolds from there is a story that’s part science thriller, part emotional odyssey.
What really sets Resurrecting Bart apart is its emotional depth. Bart is not just a scientific miracle; he’s a fully formed character whose quiet acts of compassion speak volumes. Watching the relationship between Bart and the humans around him develop—especially Claire—was unexpectedly moving. There's an undercurrent of hope running through the story that reminded me of Project Hail Mary and even Flowers for Algernon, in the way it explores intelligence and connection across species.
Linden doesn’t shy away from complexity, either. The book dives into bioethics, corporate exploitation, and what it truly means to "uplift" a species. At the same time, the story never gets bogged down in philosophy. It’s fast-paced, filled with suspense, and brimming with global intrigue. I often found myself flipping pages late into the night, needing to know what would happen next.
It’s also worth noting how accessible the novel is. You don’t need a science background to appreciate the story. Linden explains complex ideas clearly, all while keeping the narrative tense and engaging. It's the kind of book I’d recommend to both longtime sci-fi fans and readers new to the genre.
If you’re someone who appreciates speculative fiction that respects your intelligence—and your heart—Resurrecting Bart deserves a spot on your shelf. It made me think, it made me feel, and most importantly, it left me wanting more from Eugene Linden. He’s now firmly on my radar
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Eugene Linden’s Resurrecting Bart surprised me in all the right ways. It’s an emotionally rich, high-concept novel that blends cutting-edge science with deep moral questions—and by the end, I wasn’t just impressed; I was fully invested. Linden has absolutely earned my attention going forward.
At first glance, the premise may seem like a twist on familiar territory: the resurrection of a long-extinct animal through advanced genetics. But Linden takes that premise and elevates it. This isn’t just Jurassic Park 2.0. It’s something more grounded, more thoughtful. The story centers around Claire Knowland, an anthropologist whose discovery leads to the birth of Bart—a mysterious elephant with near-human intelligence. What unfolds from there is a story that’s part science thriller, part emotional odyssey.
What really sets Resurrecting Bart apart is its emotional depth. Bart is not just a scientific miracle; he’s a fully formed character whose quiet acts of compassion speak volumes. Watching the relationship between Bart and the humans around him develop—especially Claire—was unexpectedly moving. There's an undercurrent of hope running through the story that reminded me of Project Hail Mary and even Flowers for Algernon, in the way it explores intelligence and connection across species.
Linden doesn’t shy away from complexity, either. The book dives into bioethics, corporate exploitation, and what it truly means to "uplift" a species. At the same time, the story never gets bogged down in philosophy. It’s fast-paced, filled with suspense, and brimming with global intrigue. I often found myself flipping pages late into the night, needing to know what would happen next.
It’s also worth noting how accessible the novel is. You don’t need a science background to appreciate the story. Linden explains complex ideas clearly, all while keeping the narrative tense and engaging. It's the kind of book I’d recommend to both longtime sci-fi fans and readers new to the genre.
If you’re someone who appreciates speculative fiction that respects your intelligence—and your heart—Resurrecting Bart deserves a spot on your shelf. It made me think, it made me feel, and most importantly, it left me wanting more from Eugene Linden. He’s now firmly on my radar
February 17, 2025
Thought provoking, moving and captivating
Resurrecting Bart is a remarkable achievement, one that will stay with the reader long after they finish reading it. It shows the absolute best and absolute worst of human nature. The protagonist characters are complicated, multifaceted and flawed, always willing to put the life of a nonhuman intelligence above their own well-being. Though not human, Bart is the standout character, as willing to give himself up to protect those he cares about, as they would do for him. This book is, simply put, a superb reading experience. This would be a great introduction to real science fiction for ages ~12+, but anyone can read and thoroughly enjoy it! 5/5 stars!
Resurrecting Bart is a remarkable achievement, one that will stay with the reader long after they finish reading it. It shows the absolute best and absolute worst of human nature. The protagonist characters are complicated, multifaceted and flawed, always willing to put the life of a nonhuman intelligence above their own well-being. Though not human, Bart is the standout character, as willing to give himself up to protect those he cares about, as they would do for him. This book is, simply put, a superb reading experience. This would be a great introduction to real science fiction for ages ~12+, but anyone can read and thoroughly enjoy it! 5/5 stars!
May 25, 2025
I won this book as a Goodreads giveaway. This appears to be the second in a series. I didn't read the first book. The book is about a team of people who find DNA of an ancient ancestor of elephants, which may be super smart, and they conspire to clone it. The thing about fantasy/sci-fi set in modern-day earth, is that you already are agreeing to suspend disbelief for those elements and you don't want to have to do that for the mundane present day aspects of the story. Unfortunately, the book asked me to overlook too much of that throughout.
June 4, 2025
Wild Ride of a Book
I’m left with a smile. Thanks, Eugene Linden.
Will there be a third book in the series? It’s certainly an open avenue.
While not the best editing in the world (probably self-edited), the story is gripping, exciting at times, and inspiring. Every time I opened the book I was left interested, wanting more. That’s saying something, considering the storm of daily activity I live though between readings. In my mind, it competes exceedingly with top notch Netflix dramas. Definitely worth a try!
I’m left with a smile. Thanks, Eugene Linden.
Will there be a third book in the series? It’s certainly an open avenue.
While not the best editing in the world (probably self-edited), the story is gripping, exciting at times, and inspiring. Every time I opened the book I was left interested, wanting more. That’s saying something, considering the storm of daily activity I live though between readings. In my mind, it competes exceedingly with top notch Netflix dramas. Definitely worth a try!
May 7, 2025
a wonderful book!
I was engaged in this from the first page. Quite an experience to think that something like this could happen - or could it? The beauty of the idea is wonderful except that the current world would ruin all of it. But for the time I read this, I was entertained and happy!
I was engaged in this from the first page. Quite an experience to think that something like this could happen - or could it? The beauty of the idea is wonderful except that the current world would ruin all of it. But for the time I read this, I was entertained and happy!
June 21, 2025
A great follow-up novel to Deep Past novel
After finishing up Deep Past, I was pleasantly surprised to find the follow up novel that concluded the original story about animal intelligence, specifically elephant intelligence in this instance. The story line was rich as the first novel. I wish more people read these and be inspired. We humans have much to learn.
After finishing up Deep Past, I was pleasantly surprised to find the follow up novel that concluded the original story about animal intelligence, specifically elephant intelligence in this instance. The story line was rich as the first novel. I wish more people read these and be inspired. We humans have much to learn.
April 21, 2025
A wonderfully different story
While a little far fetched, this book is exciting and magical. Filled with tension, hope and thrills. You wont be disappointed if you can get over the opening premise.
While a little far fetched, this book is exciting and magical. Filled with tension, hope and thrills. You wont be disappointed if you can get over the opening premise.
May 14, 2025
a great and needed sequel
I enjoyed the perspective that this second book gives in support of the earlier work. Having just finished it, I’m at a loss of what to say other than read both books, you won’t be disappointed.
I enjoyed the perspective that this second book gives in support of the earlier work. Having just finished it, I’m at a loss of what to say other than read both books, you won’t be disappointed.
June 16, 2025
To start- I loved Bart SO much!
I truthfully enjoyed the heck out of this book!! All of it. I can’t even really describe what it is I liked specifically which may sound strange….But there were just so many parts I found myself reading with a sincere heartfelt smile on my face. That and then the added bits of suspense, it was just a cool book! Different concept. And after I put it down I just could not stop telling people about the it!
Very well written and I Loved the shorter chapters- I helped switch up the scenes quickly and kept me intrigued!!
Definitely recommend checking it out!!
I truthfully enjoyed the heck out of this book!! All of it. I can’t even really describe what it is I liked specifically which may sound strange….But there were just so many parts I found myself reading with a sincere heartfelt smile on my face. That and then the added bits of suspense, it was just a cool book! Different concept. And after I put it down I just could not stop telling people about the it!
Very well written and I Loved the shorter chapters- I helped switch up the scenes quickly and kept me intrigued!!
Definitely recommend checking it out!!
Read
March 15, 2025Good sounding science, great plot, liked thr characters and well edited. So refreshing to have a hopeful point of view.
August 28, 2025
a good read
A fun and different story with compelling characters and a novel plot. A good sequel to a better opening book. Worth the time.
A fun and different story with compelling characters and a novel plot. A good sequel to a better opening book. Worth the time.
Displaying 1 - 11 of 11 reviews