Time is running out. The Earth of the 22nd century is on its way to global self-destruction. Fortunately, faster-than-light (ftl) space travel is available to help teams find a new home. One such place is Quaraqua, a planet of mystery. It turns out, an ancient civilization previously inhabited the planet. Now Richard Wald, an interstellar archaeologist, and Priscilla Hutchins, his pilot, must collect as much data on the site before the planet is terraformed. So goes The Engines of God by Jack McDevitt. The story continues in DeepSix, Chindi, and Omega.

McDevitt is an awesome presence in SF today. I've enjoyed everyone of his books. This novel is one of a series of about 8(?) books that imagine a future with faster-than-light travel, an Earth of continuing trouble, and memorable characters on far away missions. McDevitt combines science fiction and fact with mystery and danger. SF doesn't get any better.