Telempath

Terrifying aliens (that the surviving humans call Muskies) seem to have appeared on Earth at the same time a scientist named Wendell Carlson, now hiding out in the ruins of New York's Columbia University, is believed to have unleashed the "hyperosmic plague," destroying much of the world's population.  Narrator Jacob Stone is determined to exact vengeance -- but finds that his assumptions about who unleashed the plague and the nature of the Muskies are false.

Jacob returns to his home across the river in New Jersey with a different, no less violent plan -- but finds himself in conflict with his community and wild, roving bands.  His life and that of his future wife are in danger, and he must exercise every physical and mental skill -- including telepathic communication with the Muskies -- to save himself, his community, and the remains of civilization. 

Acclaimed first novel by the author of MINDKILLER, CALLAHAN'S CROSSTIME SALOON and many others, including VARIABLE STAR by Robert A. Heinlein and Spider Robinson. 

Spider Robinson is the 2008 winner of the Robert A. Heinlein Award for Lifetime Excellence in Literature, three-time winner of the Hugo Award, and winner of the Nebula Award for the novella STARDANCE, written with his wife Jeanne Robinson.