(Found) SF book with Earth surveillance of far off planet

[sputnik707]

Think I read in 90's or early 2000's, quite well known author. Probably American. Plot involves technology that enables earth bound scientists to survey another planet in quite detail. protaganists from earth are maybe anthroplogists, on the planet are several different life forms, one of which I think rolls rather than walks? They are under threat or at war or oppressed by another lifeform. Eventually the humans end up on the planet. There may be 2 novels?

Thanks in advvnace if it rings any bells!

 

[Danny McG]

This is making me think of one of the Uplift stories by David Brin.
Most likely Brightness Reef...
Brightness Reef - Wikipedia

 

[sputnik707]

Nope not that, but great books must read again

 

[Toby Frost]

Is it really trippy and bizarre? If so it might be Report on Probability A by Brian Aldiss, which involves a lot of surveillance.

 

[-K2-]

Nope not that, but great books must read again

For the record; thank you for responding when someone makes the effort to try and help you. Many folks that post inquiries from what I have seen in this section simply join, pose their question and once they have their answer vanish. So good on you

K2

 

[williamjm]

The humans on Earth observing aliens on another planet was a bit reminiscent of Robert Charles Wilson's Blind Lake. I'm not sure the description of the aliens sounds all that familiar, but I don't remember the book all that well.

 

[sputnik707]

Yes that it! Thanks it was really bugging me

 

[sputnik707]

Looking at the outline of blind lake I think I have mixed up 2 different plots/books. Looks like blind lake has the observation part and the aliens at wars a different book! Anyway thanks again

 

[Danny McG]

Looking at the outline of blind lake I think I have mixed up 2 different plots/books. Looks like blind lake has the observation part and the aliens at wars a different book! Anyway thanks again

Can you think of any more details about the aliens war book? It's gonna haunt me now wondering what it was!

 

[dask]

Could it have been written by Chad Oliver. In addition to writing sf and westerns he was also an anthropologist.