i thought this book did a good job of presenting non-friendly but also multi-dimensional aliens. the book struck me as similar to the "uplift" series by david brin. the basic plot is where humans encounter aliens that are further advanced, but have acquired their technology through means other than self discovery --- therefore, even though humans are less advanced they manage to triumph because of their ingenuity. it's a good line, and it works for me ... i think this line of reasoning pulls us out of being proud to be some ethnicity, beyond being proud of our country, to being proud to be homo sapiens for all that we've managed to accomplish, all on our own.