I will suggest
The Mote in God's Eye by Larry Niven and Jerry Pournelle.
from Amazon
Highly recommended. The sequals are also good, but not in class with number 1.
Quote:
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The united 'Second Empire of Man' spans vast distances, due to the Alderson Drive which has enabled humans to travel easily between the stars. After an alien probe is discovered, the Navy dispatches two ships to determine whether the aliens pose a threat… Called by Robert A. Heinlein: "Possibly the greatest science fiction novel ever written," this magnificent exploration of first contact and a truly alien society is a "must read" for science fiction fans.
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