A neoclassical space opera of destiny, unity, and unyielding hope
In the wake of the explosive revelations at the heart of Araphon, the crew of the Rusty Bucket finds itself at a crossroads of history. Ancient technologies—and their hidden overseers—lie buried within Araphon’s crust as the galaxy teeters on the brink of collapse.
Carson, once a humble file clerk on Earth, turned reluctant captain, must harness the inscrutable guidance of the Cube—a sentient AI artifact whose designs stretch back to the dawn of galactic civilization. Calista a Rigellian, his brilliant engineer, wife, and steadfast partner, battles to master alien glyphs that could reshape reality itself. A mysterious Gray alien, appointed to the team by an ancient decree, brings secrets that could unite—or undo—their fragile alliance of pirates and Rigellians. And through it all, Rusty, the ship’s sardonic AI, guides them with ironic wit concealing profound loyalty.
This is a universe where alliances fracture under the weight of centuries-old vendettas and where the promise of peace demands the ultimate sacrifice. Yet through every firefight in zero-G, every betrayal born of fear, and every whispered memory of a vanished legacy, the true force that binds this found family love. Not as sentimentality, but as an unbreakable standard—proof that excellence, moral courage, and the relentless pursuit of self-improvement can conquer even the darkest of cosmic designs.
Legacy of the Founders reinvents the grand tradition of Asimov, Clarke, and Heinlein for a new era. High-concept technologies collide with character-driven drama; heart-pounding action gives way to awe-inspiring wonder; and a tapestry of alien cultures weaves a cinematic universe alive with color, conflict, and possibility.
Delve into Book 2 and
The origins of the Grays’ silent guardianship and the truth behind the Founders’ agendaHow a fractured crew becomes a family through sacrifice, unity, and shared purposeThe cosmic stakes that ripple from Araphon’s depths to the furthest frontierPraise for
“A masterful blend of heart-stopping action and philosophical wonder—Araphon soars beyond the ordinary. The story is a model of how average people can self-improve and chart the course of their own destiny.” — M.R. Proofreader, Life Coach, Avid Sci Fi fan
“Araphon delivers breathtaking action and philosophical depth—this saga soars beyond the stars.” — A.A., computer scientist, mathematician, university professor, and devoted sci-fi aficionado
“I can’t conceive how Bar-Lev can imagine such a complex and rewarding story; it’s breathtaking!” — N., reader & reviewer
“The complexity of his story overlays some simple truths universal in all of excellence, grit, determination, and a just cause do triumph over evil in the end where those of less solid foundations will falter and fail.” — G., reader & reviewer
Legacy of the Founders – Book 2 Forge your destiny. Kindle your courage. Ignite your hope. Available August 12, 2025 on Amazon Kindle. Audio version, PaperBack and Hardcover will be available in the following days.
And of course I've ordered the next book... Which unfortunately I must wait for until February. But after reading his life story I need to add one more degree... He has a PhD in WebSmith.... I'm completely astounded by the complexity and incredible completeness of all the orations and descriptions of situations. And one other big point in his favor is that through all the trials and tribulations he didn't succom to the temptation to take the easy way out by just putting blood and guts, death and destruction as I read so often in other books. 🙂
Araphon wasn't as good as book 1 (Carson's Folly). It lacked the warmth and romance that the first book in the series had. While Araphon had a glossary to explain the terms and characters, a lot of information was constantly being thrown at the reader making it hard to follow. My hope is that book 3 will return to its roots from Carson's Folly.