Product Description
"Some of the Math Club nerds have got a real live alien! They're hiding it in a basement rec room."High School junior Mark Bamford didn't believe the silly rumor. For one thing, California homes don't have basements.Besides. A stranded alien?Such a cliche. A movie rip-off. Couldn't the math geeks think up a better hoax?Only... was it a hoax? What about all those black vans from the super-secret Cirrocco Corp cruising all over town, as if searching for something?Time to do some investigating of his own. Only, who could he turn to for help? The skateboarding "X" crowd? The varsity climbing team? When it it came right down to it, should he turn to the least likely ally of them all?Sky Horizon explores a possibility that has always fascinated, since the days of Homer -- that of strangers from beyond -- and gives it new shape under the deft hand of one of science fiction's modern masters. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (5)

A Thought-Provoking Set-Up for A New Sci-Fi Series
SKY HORIZON is a new YA science fiction novel by David Brin.It is a near-future tale of adolescent life and extraterrestrial contact.However, this is not an action-adventure story.It is more a story of thought processes and of trying to determine what the right thing is and then how to do it.

I seem to be in the minority.I liked SKY HORIZON.It is quite different from standard science fiction fare.An extraterrestrial is stranded on Earth is and discovered by the high school "math nerds."After several interesting turns of events, one student tries to do the right thing for the alien visitor, and turns him over to the proper authorities.However, the student does it in front of witness and media; his goal being to prevent the alien from becoming hidden away in a government cover-up.He believes that the world should know what is happening and have a say in future events, and he takes actions to ensure that that happens.

Once the world decides to "do the right thing," and allow the stranded visitor to "phone home," so to speak, an alien rescue ship soon shows up.In an interesting twist, the aliens are neither violent nor kind; they are, in fact, rather rude.They feel beholden to a lesser species, and give the Earth a "gift" of THEIR choosing to pay the debt they owe.What the gift is a sudden and huge shock, and what we do with the gift will be told in future books.

I think David Brin's premise for this book (and the future series) is quite unique and interesting, and it provides a lot food for thought.The writing is quiet and relaxed, yet still has a pace and style that will keep the YA audience interested.I also think that this toned-down little start (only ~ 120 pages) to a new series will keep the audience wanting more.

I have all ways liked books in general and science fiction specifically that make me think.Recommended for all fans of science fiction, young and old alike, especially those looking for something a little bit different.

It's a juvie, and it ends in the middle
... and the title has nothing to do with the book. It's not labelled YA in libraries, nor being sold as a teenagers' book, but it should be - there's no way that these characters or this plot would hold an adult novel together. The plot is a standard high school coming-of-age thing, with a teenager new to his town and school trying to fit in. High school rivalry between the jocks and the nerds. The teenagers are all way smarter than the adults, as is so often the case in young adult novels. Except for one wise history teacher, from whom we get all kinds of philosophical discussions of the sort that high schoolers and college freshbeings think are novel and deep.

The long and short of the story is pretty short: first contact with aliens, who turn out to be snobby toward humans and behave stupidly. As a "reward" for rescuing the stranded alien, an entire high school is beamed to another planet. End of story. Yes, that really is the whole story. All the rest is teenage bickering and high school angst.

Obviously there are intended sequels. Equally obvious to me is that very few people would need to bother with this volume of it as a stand-alone book, all 120 pages of it at the price of a full-size novel; if you're buying it, you're buying it as a collector's item, since it's a limited edition. And as such, I can see where it would be an OK gift for a teenager who's just getting into science fiction. It could be the start of a collection of hardcover science fiction. For someone who's not a collector, however, I'd suggest waiting until after all the volumes, however many that may be, are published and then reprinted as one paperback collection, and then read the whole thing at once.

In short: possibly a good gift for a teenager who wants to collect science fiction books; otherwise, only worth a paperback.

If it hadn't been Brin it would not have been published!
David Brin is one of my favorite writers, one of the few I buy in hardback. So even though this is a Young Adult book, I decided to read it, remembering fondly a lot of Heinlein juveniles and similar classics that turned me on both to SF and to many science concepts. This book will do neither.
There are no interesting ideas in the book. The teen-aged characters have some appeal as they struggle with the typical problems of growing up, but they are too cliched, and the main character has had too many "adventures" as a military brat to be credible. The story is thin.
The cleverest part of the story (which I would not spoil the book by revealing if the professional reviews had not already done it) is the fact that the aliens turn out to be neither menacing nor benevolent but rude.
Brin's afterword says this story has been circulating as a draft since the 1980s.The fact that there seemed to be no great clamor to publish it sooner should have been a warning to him....

Hackneyed, paternalistic, and just plan wrong-headed
Dave Brin's SKY HORIZON clocks in at a mere one hundred and twenty-one pages, but from page one, you realize it's going to be a long haul.

Brin's prose is stiff, not bad so much as mechanically good: he seems to be trying desperately to earn an A from his English teacher. He inserts his efforts at high style into the text so overtly that they break the Fourth Wall. And then he helpfully educates his ignorant, young readers with a jackhammer onslaught of moralisms.

Look, I appreciate books with ethical perspective, but the characters' actions should speak for them. Brin's sermons are condescending rather than inspiring. Since when do teenagers sit around pontificating about ethical abstracts?

Brin's portrayal of teenagers is utterly patronizing. Either they're uptight do-gooders who pointedly admonish the reading audience to Be More Responsible, or they're fantastical idiots who are nevertheless provoked into thoughtful debates through the noble ministrations of their history teacher, Mr. Clements. (Young readers, can you say "authorial substitute"?)

Admittedly, Brin manages to make some valid philosophical points (fear of propaganda constitutes its own propaganda). And he blessedly avoids the frothing-at-the-mouth politics which dominate contemporary sci-fi.

But SKY HORIZON is one of those Humanistic books which exalt the human spirit without ever saying anything truly insightful about it. Mr. Brin clearly believes himself intellectually and ethically superior to his colleagues. The book is fraught with so many smug dismissals of "dumb sci-fi movie clichés" that you want to scream in the author's face, "Yes, we admit it, already! Lowbrow Hollywood directors are stealing your well-deserved fame! NOW MOVE ON!"

Paradoxically, Brin becomes more predictable the harder he strains to avoid cliché. He promises that his aliens are "nothing like the movies", and then he gives us...little grey men with glowing eyes.

You want to talk about clichés? Let's talk about children's lit clichés: our protagonist is a good-hearted military brat who is forced to move from school to school without ever forming any worthwhile friendships (but, conveniently, his Air Force dad sticks in California long enough for the plot to unfold). He's infatuated with an older girl whose dewy-eyed attentions he cannot possibly attract. Of course, she's dating the rich jock whom the protagonist despises. The narrative hints overwhelmingly that he should pay more attention to a younger female friend, who is not conventionally attractive but is more suited to his emotional temperament. The readymade characters alone engender déjà vu from about fifteen different children's series. They all struggle with pressing emotional concerns - not because Brin has any passion for these people, but because he's intentionally attempting to craft well-rounded characters.

Or perhaps I should say well-rounded straw men: most amount to convenient targets for Brin's ongoing ethical crusade. Coming from the pen of a self-proclaimed intellectual, many are surprisingly stereotypical - not to mention surprisingly functional. Several stock characters (the Rastafarian skater dude, the wimpy computer nerd) exist solely to further exactly one plot point and thereafter vanish. When one character falls from a school building, a passing circus performer catches her, then walks away without a word. He never reappears. Let me repeat that plot point for emphasis: /randomly passing circus performer./ This is not a joke.

The kids' dialogue is reasonably good, although they become entirely too articulate when Brin is trying to insinuate philosophical truth. But even the better lines are corrupted with that uncomfortable sense of an old guy trying to imitate teen lingo. Yo, give me a break, dude!

As a side note, Scott Hampton's illustrations are scratchy and drab with irregular human faces. All significant details are masked in monochromatic shadow. To think you could potentially pay one hundred and fifty dollars for the signed edition!

SKY HORIZON isn't a book for young people, nor is it a book for adults who remember what it was like to be young. It's a book for old people who think they know what's good for young people.

Nice Touch
Brin gives new hope & meaning to today's kid crowd via the adult story line. The advanced ordered/signed copy was a nice, unexpected touch. Way short, one hesitates to think it's even Brin?However he redeemed himself with the story line & new approach to alien visitation. I have a feeling the continuation might have been all in one book, as this short version gave the impression the publisher wanted to earn cash ahead of the finished product.Five Stars, with conditions...........if the next installmant doesn't subtract one or more star.It did however read more like a movie script, making up for the horrible misuse of the script from the POSTMAN not following the storyline of the book. Maybe Brin can now control the way his work is turned into film?I expect to see it on DVD soon. ... Read more

Product Description
From bestselling author David Brin comes a collected work that takes the reader on a swooping, controversial ride through worlds of fiction, nonfiction and film. Through Stranger Eyes is a freedom-of-expression free-for-all, offering more than two dozen reviews and commentaries that are sure to enlighten and entertain, possibly infuriate, even make you laugh.From carefully measured views on J.R.R. Tolkien to Brin's infamous, outraged rant about the Star Wars saga, to unusual appraisals of familiar and unfamiliar works, you are guaranteed to come away with perspectives you never imagined before.As readers, we have enjoyed Brin's fiction - the Uplift universe, books like Sundiver and Earth. Now venture into the mind and world of thejourney into the mind of one of the most popular authors alive today, and see what he sees through stranger eyes. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (2)

Writing guide
As usual, David Brin does a great job of getting his ideas across. I especially liked the writers guidance part.

David Brin does it again!
As always, Brin manages to write essays and ideas that keep me thinking and allow me to look at things in new ways.This book is worth the purchase, and gives some great, well-thought-out reviews as well!Give it a try ... Read more

Product Description
It is a smug cliché - that you alone (or perhaps with a few friends) ¬happen to see through the conditioning that has turned all the rest into passively obedient sheep. Cyberpunk plays to this image, by portraying a lone individual ¬or perhaps just a few - scurrying like rats under the dark towers of the ruling masters. In The Matrix, the masters are evil computers. In Johnny Mnemonic they are the rulers of faceless corporations. In The X Files it is a government conspiracy. What these myths share in common is the grimly satisfying image that the masses are useless bystanders, lowing and mooing in confusion.

In fact, it never occurs to the heroes of these tales (above all X Files) to actually appeal to the very masses who pay the hero’s wages and deserve his loyal respect. The common man or woman cannot help resist the Dark Power, because they were long ago indoctrinated into dull, unquestioning obedience.

Ah, but here is the ironic twist.Look around yourself. I’ll bet you cannot name, offhand, a single popular film of the last forty years that actually preached homogeneity, submission, or repression of the individual spirit. That’s a clue!

In fact, the most persistent and inarguably incessant propaganda campaign, appearing in countless movies, novels, myths and TV shows, preaches quite the opposite! A singular and unswerving theme so persistent and ubiquitous that most people hardly notice or mention it. And yet, when I say it aloud, you will nod your heads in instant recognition.

That theme is suspicion of authority - often accompanied by it’s sidekick/ partner: tolerance.

Indeed, try to come up with even one example of a recent film you enjoyed in which the hero did not bond with the audience in the first ten minutes by resisting or sticking-it to some authority figure.

Excerpted from THROUGH STRANGER EYES (paperback, Nimble Books, 2008). Active TOC. ... Read more

Product Description
One Last Adventure!

Isaac Asimov's Foundation Trilogy is one of the highwater marks of science fiction.The monumental story of a Galactic Empire in decline and a secret society of scientists who seek to shorten the coming Dark Age with tools of Psychohistory, Foundation pioneered many themes of modern science fiction. Now, with the approval of the Asimov estate, three of today's most acclaimed authors have completed the epic the Grand Master left unfinished.

The Second Foundation Trilogy begins with Gregory Benford's Foundation's Fear, telling the origins of Hari Seldon, the Foundation's creator. Greg Bear's Foundation and Chaos relates the epic tale of Seldon's downfall and the first stirrings of robotic rebellion. Now, in David Brin's Foundation's Triumph, Seldon is about to escape exile and risk everything for one final quest-a search for knowledge and the power it bestows. The outcome of this final journey may secure humankind's future-or witness its final downfall...

Brin does his best with Asimov's overcrowded legacy, skillfully steering Seldon to an insight about the much-foretold future that satisfies both the old man and the reader, with a spark of human free will and constructive chaos shining through the grayness of predestination. Asimov would have approved. --David Langford, Amazon.co.uk ... Read more

Customer Reviews (53)

Appalling Nonsense Wasting The Work Of The First Two Authors
no, it's not Asimov:but while Benford's first novel ('Fear') was a first rate piece of writing, offering fascinating characters and possibilities the other two other authors have virtually ignored what was given them:at least Bear tried to do something with the offerings in the second volume 'Chaos' and told a worthwhile story and created a fascinating possibility with a new character:but Brin throws it all away ('Triumph') in a nonsensical poorly constructed space opera, ignoring the other characters and creating very poor one dimensional ones of his own

5 stars for Benford

three stars for Bear

and a measly half a star for Brin

Old Hari Seldon sees to the end of psychohistory
Hari Seldon, old and sick, can feel his vitality diminishing day by day. His time vault recording sessions have been completed. The preparations for Terminus, the Foundation, are progressing well with the lead of his daughter Wanda. Suddenly a bureaucrat Horis Antic shows Hari a soil composition analysis. This work may prove to be the missing piece of fitting chaos into the mathematical equations. After a quick plan Hari sneaks out with Horis on a survey ship to research the soil theory further. But little would Hari have known to find the ruins of 20 000 year old fleet, its data bank, and a new robot sect. But there is more. R. Daneel has been preparing different agenda, one that does not include psychohistory. Will Hari see the future of human race in the galactic scale before his time ends?

In the last Foundation novel Foundation and Earth (1986), Asimov introduced Gaia, a mass-mind of enlightened Humanity, the all-encompassing supermind of Galaxia. The Foundation's triumph rounds up the Galaxia concept successfully at the end but the means used to do that are somewhat unorthodox. Several Robot splinter groups appear in the story and want to say their words about the Galaxia plan. They don't all like R. Daneel having kept humanity tame for their best interest with mentalic damping devices that have orbited human colonies for 20 000 years. The other groups manage to bring Hari to the Earth and almost forward him in time to judge the effects of the great Seldon Plan. The previous books of the trilogy are Foundation's Fear (1998 by Gregory Benford) and Foundation and Chaos (1988 by Greg Bear).

Two (3) stars. Written in 1999 by David Brin. The varied schisms amongst the robot factions are the primary devices used to explain all that are happening in the back of the scenes. The book tries hard to provide explanations for nearly all Asimov's novels and myriad short stories. Unfortunately this effort destroys the mysteries Asimov built. It is also not easy to digest that the gentle and beloved figure R. Daneel is sacrificed on the altar of the plot line where he is made a solemn dictator, head of robot empire, evil string-pulling engineer and controller of human race who always knows the best. Hari's character change to a tame lamb, walking in lead rope, accepting everything without questions, accepting that his work is eventually futile, is equally disrupting. Resurrecting the Earth for the sake of introducing a time travel episode is unfit for Asimov readers who had learned that Earth was made completely inhabitable and poisonously radioactive for anyone to visit. There is an urge to build an spectacle about "foster childrens" which dangerously feels too much akin to Brin's own human patronage series, The Uplif Saga: Sundiver, Startide Rising, The Uplift War. In spite of this, a profound attempt of examining the origins of chaos. Somehow the book adequately captures the feel of Asimov in writing and it is consistent enough with Asimov's universe to succeed to bar the trilogy. A little less wheels turning within wheels would have been welcomed and in this regard the book is weaker than action and suspense packed book 2 Foundation and Chaos (1988 by Greg Bear). More dispersing than capturing read.

Plumbing the depths of evil
It's 2008, and I've finally read the second Foundation triolgy, written by other people after Asimov's death.The first two books in the sequence were very promising - but then I splatted up against this book.

Let me start with a definition of evil - the violation of another person's will.Given that, this book transforms R. Daneel Olivaw from the benign, even benevolent, guardian of humanity Asimov designed him to be into an evil despot beside which Khan, Stalin, Hitler, and CheneyBush pale in comparison.

I was sick to my stomach halfway through, and gave up at about the 2/3 point, because I just couldn't stand the perversion that Brin had turned Daneel into.The wierd thing is, nearly everyone here seems to agree that what Daneel did in this book was the "right" thing.

No wonder we're OK with invading Iraq, and destroying the Bill of Rights, and all the other horrors being inflicted on our society at present. Evil has become as banal here and now as it was in Germany in the '30s and '40s.

I have to wonder what Asimov would have thought of what's been done, both to his heroic robot and to this country.

Sharp literary framing
Asimov's straightforward storytelling and large collection of works makes the robots/empire/foundation series a great example of a "future history" canon. Bear and Benford both try to integrate new tales to this continuity but do little better than "fanon". Brin's contribution can be read in the same way, and it does a far better job at contributing to Asimov's universe while also smoothing over the rough edges of the previous authors. For that matter, it helps smooth some of Asimov's rough edges, and is certainly better than a fair amount of his fiction, too.

However, Foundation's Triumph is even better when considered as a form of literary critique of Asimov's body of work. From beginning to end, Brin weaves together the multitude of themes from across Asimov's writings (from essays like "The Magic Society" and "To Life, But Not Forever", to the three laws, psychohistory, Gaia, empires, and religion). Foundation's Triumph enriches the experience of studying Asimov by underscoring his philosophical consistency throughout his decades as a novelist and essayist.

OK, but lose those robots...
David Brin's writing style is better than Greg Bear's in "Foundation and Chaos" and infinitely better than Benson's in "Foundation's Fear."I am not crazy about any of these three books because they all wildly over-emphasize the role of robots in Asimov's Foundation universe setting.Asimov's concept was that robots, at most, provided mankind with nudges here and there to set us on the right path.This "Killer B" trilogy essentially reduces human beings to chattels under the secret but obtrusive control of these wretched machines.

In this novel, Brin at least has the wit to see that this interference shows a complete lack of respect for mankind by these robots.It shows almost a chronic fear of freedom and independence not only by the robots, but by these authors, who largely fail to see the horror of this scenario.(Is this a symptom of the modern welfare state?) **Minor Spoiler** However, his solution, and there did need to be one, is the dismal "Gaia-Galaxia" scenario that Asimov introduced in his latter Foundation novels.I always thought that this "solution" was implausible and unappetizing, so I cannot say that I was happy to see it here.

I gave this one three stars because it was an OK read, but probably I am being overly generous.This trilogy is a disappointment at many levels. ... Read more

Product Description
In the year 2345, young heroes yanked from the 20th century and beyond must fight an enemy more skilled, cunning, and dangerous than they ever imagined. But these young heroes are the world's only hope...

Adam O'Connor is no stranger to trouble. His most recent stunt--setting off firecrackers in a teacher's car--has landed him a school suspension. But even Adam can't have predicted the brand of trouble that awaits him when he's yanked to 2345 to lead an historic meeting between humans and the warlike K'lugu and Devlins. Will he display the "grit" that only a select few in his generation possess? Will he become the hero that he is destined to be? ... Read more

Customer Reviews (1)

Face to Face With the Devlin
In the twenty-fourth century, the Earth is a happy and healthy place.War and disease have been wiped out.It is a utopia.Humanity has become peaceful and calm.So when mysterious aliens nicknamed Givers came and gave humanity the ability to reach the stars with transporters, humans were no longer prepared to face the dangers of a new frontier.As special problems arise, they search in time for special individuals with "grit" and bring them forward to help out.Because teleporters don't seem to work with adults, teenagers are the ones yanked to the future.

The final volume of the series (don't know if more were planned).This time a teen from 1999 who seems to be on a downward slide is pulled to the future to help out.Humanity is going to have a meeting with a belligerent race that is able to teleport adults.The first meeting will be very important and lead to a second closer to Earth.A third race will be acting as hosts and mediators.Each side will have eight delegates.The humans have decided to add three teens with grit to their party.Their main goal will be to find out if the aliens have any knowledge of a lost colony that may have survived from the ship Roanoke.

This story takes a long time to really get going.The mission begins about midway through the book.The framework moves even further away from the first book which leads me to believe that series setting was only very loosely worked out.But in the end it is still a good story even if the framework changes are necessary to some of the plot and not just the setting. ... Read more

Product Description

In the year 2345, young heroes have been yanked from 1999 to battle an alien menace.Soon they must seek help from the more distant past.

... Read more

Customer Reviews (2)

Alien Menace in the Oort Cloud
In the twenty-fourth century, the Earth is a happy and healthy place.War and disease have been wiped out.It is a utopia.Humanity has become peaceful and calm.So when mysterious aliens nicknamed Givers came and gave humanity the ability to reach the stars with transporters, humans were no longer prepared to face the dangers of a new frontier.As special problems arise, they search in time for special individuals with "grit" and bring them forward to help out.Because teleporters don't seem to work with adults, teenagers are the ones yanked to the future.

This second volume has two teens yanked from 1999 although only one was targeted.The other got caught up in the ride.They are joined by a young hand from Sir Francis Drake's ship and a future teen.A research station in the Oort Cloud, the place where comets come from, is slowly being overrun by aliens.They are small, round, furry, enticing and, when in groups, can disrupt electrical systems.The teens must find a way to eliminate the aliens before their interfering disrupts a critical system like life support.

The resemblance of the aliens to the popular Star Trek Tribbles (and Heinlein's originals) is unmistakable.The teens try to stop the aliens as well as learn about them.Stopping them is not so easy when the locals can't seem to bring themselves to harm them.Many schemes are tried until a resolution is reached at the end.

This was a good second volume but some of the framework contradicted the framework of the first book which leads me to believe that the outline for the series was not as rigid or as well-defined as I though.Still, it made for a very entertaining story.

Teens use logic and creativity to combat disaster
In the world of comets far out on the Oort Cloud, impossible for adults to teleport to in the year 2345, children can become heroes.An entire space station run by teens and children, tracking and deflecting waywardcomments, is beseiged by a strange alien life form called Thogs.Thoughthese cute little one-celled furry balls are harmless singly, theyreproduce rapidly and combine to be deadly to electronics and humans. Readers will side with Jerry, 15, and Nan, 14, abducted from our time tohelp in this emergency unrecognized as dangerous by the children runningthe space station.Jerry with his scientific mind and Nan with herpractical leadership must use their wits and their reasoning to drawlogical conclusions, make quick decisions, judge character and think upcreative solutions to combat the Thogs, with the help of a saber-toothtiger imported from extinction, and their vast, talking computer library. I like best the line:"Thanks, Library.You've given me a lot tothink about."Indeed.True in all times. ... Read more

Product Description
Omnibus containing the second and third "Uplift" novels: "Startide Rising" (winner, 1983 Nebula Award, 1984 Hugo Award, 1984 Locus Poll Award) and "The Uplift War" (winner, 1988 Hugo, 1988 Locus Poll Award). ... Read more

Customer Reviews (2)

good story
The story is very interesting and quite good. I don't have much to add to what the previous reviewer has said, except that the story is included in the collection "Otherness" which would be much better value for the money.

A decent story, but poor value for the price
"Dr. Pak's Preschool" is a fascinating short story that raises interesting questions about the relationship between technology and humanity, but it's doubtful that many readers will consider this tiny book a good value.The story focuses on a young Japanese couple: Reiko and her husband Tetsuo.Tetsuo is smart, ambitious, and believes in the synthesis of Eastern traditions and modern Western methods.This has gained him some small reputation as a rebel, for which he sometimes overcompensates by being ultra-conservative.Reiko herself is a very modern Japanese woman, and longs for the respect and independence thatWestern girls have, but mainly she just wants to be included in Tetsuo's life, even as he seems to grow ever more distant.This changes only superficially with Reiko's pregnancy.In an effort to give his child the best possible start in life, Tetsuo involves Reiko in a high-tech experiment in pre-natal instruction, with astounding results.Reiko overcomes her own misgivings for her husband's sake, until she discovers the terrible price her son may have to pay for his intellect.The conflict focuses on modernism vs. tradition, technology vs. spirituality, and the needs of the individual vs. the pressures of society.Brin cleverly sets his story in Japan, even at the risk of alienating his Western readers, in order to heighten these conflicts.There's a good deal of suspense as Reiko tries to understand exactly what's happening to the women who participate in this experiment, but it's a shame that the answers Brin gives us are so outrageous. Believable as the first half of the book is, the second half seems pretty ridiculous, and badly undercuts any serious message this story might have hoped to convey.While this really isn't a bad story, the method of publication is very poorly thought out.The story is published all by itself as Short Story Paperback #45, running just over 40 pages and selling for $1.95, which is quite reasonable for a book, but pretty steep for just a single story.Readers might be better advised to spend their hard-earned dollars on a paperback version of one of Brin's many fine novels, any of which can be counted on to provide many hours of entertainment for perhaps three times the price. ... Read more

Product Description
It's 2345.

THE FUTURE NEEDS HEROES!

They must reach back in time to find them.

WHAT IF THEY COME FOR YOU?

In 2345 there is no war, no pollution, no disease, no crime--but utopia has a price. . . ... Read more

Customer Reviews (9)

Teens Taken to the Future
In the twenty-fourth century, the Earth is a happy and healthy place.War and disease have been wiped out.It is a utopia.Humanity has become peaceful and calm.So when mysterious aliens nicknamed Givers came and gave humanity the ability to reach the stars with transporters, humans were no longer prepared to face the dangers of a new frontier.As special problems arise, they search in time for special individuals with "grit" and bring them forward to help out.Because teleporters don't seem to work with adults, teenagers are the ones yanked to the future.

This first volume has two teens from 1999 yanked to the future to join two others from even further in the past.Their mission, if they accept it, is to teleport to a lost colony and find a secret hidden there by a dying ship's captain.Another alien race also seems to know about the secret and are sending their own people.

The secret concerns one of the steps humanity must take before the Givers will convey even more powerful secrets and abilities.It would not be good for the more belligerent aliens to gain the secret first.

A pretty good start to this series with some nice explanations for the story's framework.Interesting aliens and an important deadline add to the mix and make the book move fairly quickly.A very pleasing read that helps recapture some of the wonder of early science fiction.

A book about heroes
Yanked! tells an exciting story about teenagers from our time confronted with difficult challenges.Not only do they have to deal with a otherworldly situation (literally), but they also have to cope with people from the past and future who have very different views on life: a boy from the past who is a violent, dishonest fellow who is willing to trade people for property, and a robot from the future that can't deal with anything outside its normal experience.How the heroes from our time manage to achieve their goals in spite of these obstacles makes a fine tale.

Excellent writer, bad choices
As a teacher and writer of young adult novels, I have to say that I was very excited by the idea that one of the most brilliant authors of speculative fiction, Nancy Kress, was going to try her hand at a young adult novel.Using David Brin's setup (and when will he get around to writing one, hmmm?), Kress unfortunately populates her story with overly simplistic characters, motivations, and plot events.The novel reads as if she's slumming, and completely oblivious of the revolution in young adult fiction that has taken place in the last twenty years.Anybody who has read Cynthia Voigt's "The Runner" or any of Chris Crutcher's books would know that you don't write down to kids -- you write up to them.What makes it even worse is that within the origins of science fiction YA novels, Robert Heinlein set an example of complexity that makes them classic reads for young and old even today -- and, one suspects, for decades to come.What makes all this still worse is that Nancy Kress is married to one of the masters of today's science-fiction YA form, Charles Sheffield, whose Jupiter novels are absolutely first-rate reading.Having said all that, I do think there are some worthwhile moments in the novel: the rescue scene of the baby is done well, as is the overall tricking of the aliens.The main female protagonist rings a little truer than the male protagonist, although both are thoroughly cliched.The supporting cast is a bit less stereotyped, although not by much.Essentially, I would guess Kress got the novel past an editor who had no clue what YA novels are like these days (which her complaint about the marketing would seem to support).Hopefully, she will either give them up or bring her formidable talent into full play next time.

An Insult to Our Youth
If this book is an example of what "Young Adult" readers think is good (see the high marks by Rebecca), I would be insulted. I think young readers of science fiction are more likely to have limitations of attention span than a need to identify with shallow characters and weak plots. I could (and have!) re-read classic "youth" fiction from Heinlein like Podykane of Mars, Starman Jones, and Citizen of the Galaxy as an adult and they still entertain. For other readers to review it poorly, then say it would be great for youthful readers, is unfair to our youth.

A cool science fiction thriller.
Sharon and Jason are two ordinary teens from New York City. Along with a group of kids from the past, and the near future, they are sent to 2339 to combat an alien menace threatening to destroy an Earth that is now made up completely of pacifists. Now, Sharon and Jason must reach within themselves to find the courage to be heroes and save the humanity of the future. This was a page-turner, edge-of-your-seat science fiction thriller that also gives you a lot to think about. Highly reccomended. ... Read more

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Not Free SF Reader
Public service prevarication brings realistic results.

An ordinary guy who comes up with a scam to get himself through in this nasty postapocalyptic world, after discovering some gear, ends up an important figure in starting to rebuild, and in a conflict. In a society like this it is no surprise that there will be a crazed r*ligi*usly motivated and influenced ultra-right militaristic f*scist group wanting to keep things how they are, and not allow information to again be widely communicated. ... Read more

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Notable science fiction authors are gathered for an out-of-this-world collection! Features "Why I Left Harry's All-Night Diner" by Lawrence Watt Evans and read by Wil Wheaton; "That Only Mother" by Judith Merrill and read by Terry Farrell; "Jeffty Is Five" written and read by Harlan Ellison; "Fermi and Frost" by Frederick Pohl and read by Denise Crosby; "The Nine Billion Names of God" by Arthur C. Clarke and read by Alexander Siddig; "Teangents" by Greg Bear and read by Melissa Manchester; and many others. Unabridged. October '98 publication date. ... Read more

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The Greatest Science Fiction Stories Of The 20th Century
This is a very good unabridged audio of short stories. Was sent and received within a reasonable time and was in good shape. I enjoyed it very much, thank you.

I love "why I left Harry's..." - by WATT-EVANS
I love "Why I left Harry's All Night Hamburgers" by Lawrence Watt-Evans.I also really enjoy the performance of Will Wheaton (reader).It's been a while since I could find my copy, but I used to listen to this story once a week.The Editorial Review is right about this collection being incorrectly named, this isn't representative of the "Greatest ... of the 20th Century",but I remember most being pretty good,and I just can't forget "Why I left Harry's...".It's charm, for me, is the way it brings magic and mystery into a very commonplace existence.A young guy who feels trapped by his rural/small-town life and wants out. (CAUTION: SPOILER) He discovers that the local diner, his McJob, is actually an interdimensional/interstellar travelers' rest-stop.It might be a way for him to escape his frustrating life. ... Read more

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Robots: Machines in Man's Image By: Isaac Asimov
This book talked about everything I needed to know about robots. It covered everything from the creation of robotics till' the engineers who have created them. It gave me a complete and total history all the way back to the early 1700's. This book was entertaining, yet educational at the same time. Once I read the first chapter I didn't want to put it down. I really didn't know that robots had evolved that fast, but by reading this I know that robots can control a lot more than I ever thought. This book even covered the modern day goal, creating artificial intelligence. The famous book Frankenstein started a lot of beliefs of creating artificial intelligence. There certain reasons why we haven't been able to create A.I. yet one of the main factors are because, a brain is extremely complex. The human brain contains 10 billion neutrons and up to ten times as many supporting cells. After reading this book I think the most interesting thing was the engineer, from the 1700's, Jacques de Vaucanson's creation. He had created a mechanical duck that could quack, bathe, drink water, eat grain, and the digest. He had used it to try to collect money for him trying to create A.I. But I recommend this book to everyone who really is into the history of technology, because I found it a really easy read and it doesn't make you think too much because it has already given you all the information. ... Read more

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Kong fans will go bananas over this collection of essays on one of film's most powerful and evocative figures. Experts in the fields of race, gender, evolution, special effects, and film explore the legend of King Kong from every angle in this study of the magical and unparalleled original film. From Why has King Kong affected the American consciousness so profoundly? to What does the story say about race, gender, and sexuality? and Why have the sequels failed to re-create the original's allure?, the essayists examine all aspects of this landmark film and its impact on society, culture, and media. Insights into the new version, due out this year by acclaimed "Lord of the Rings" director Peter Jackson, are also included. ... Read more

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"Whatever happened to Fay Wray?"
King Kong Is Back! And it's a lot of fun to read!

The three sections of the book form a recapitulation of the film-going experience, from being a kid watching King Kong on TV for the first time, to the discovery (or invention) of the "deeper meanings" of the film as an adult.

David Gerrold and Adam-Troy Castro (among other contributors) give intriguing scenarios about what might have happened to the Beast and his Beauty. (They're written almost as nonfiction, but would have made good stories.)

It was nice that a couple of essayists rehabilitate the 1976 remake with Jessica Lange. There's nothing wrong with retelling a classic horror story taking feminism and environmentalism into consideration. Steve Rubio's article on the 1976 movie was particularly good. I'd forgotten how hopeless the 1970s Kong looked and sounded, chained up in the ship's hold for someone else's profit. (There was too much unapologetic racism in the original film to introduce guilt showing a slave ship.)

Robert Hood's essay on who would win a fight - - King Kong or Godzilla - -was interesting. It's obvious the kaiju eiga (giant monster films) of the fifties and sixties were influenced by Kong and Mighty Joe Young, but the respective filmakers (Ishiro Honda and Willis O'Brien) were connected in other ways too.

There's a filmography of movies that were sequels to the original King Kong or influenced by it, but they left one film out I think should have been included. It's a movie where the mad scientist becomes the ingenue - - The Rocky Horror Picture Show.

As Rocky carries his creator's body up the RKO Radio tower, with Riff Raff and Magenta firing deadly ray guns at them both, Rocky gently pulls Frank's arm over his shoulder to protect him. The first time I saw that (in the scummy Tali theater in West Berlin when I was twenty-five) I cried.

But it wasn't the Transylvanian ray guns that got them. "'Twas Beauty killed the Beast."

A barometer on American culture from the 1930's through modern day
Editor David Brin released an essay collection about One Humongous Ape (King Kong) immediately prior to the theatrical re-make of this classic by director Peter Jackson.As a hardened skeptic, I viewed the book as a promotional stunt--but I couldn't have been more mistaken.This is an academic and enjoyable collection of essays on topics ranging from personal experiences with the King Kong films, the science and art of the Kong movies, and the philosophy of King Kong.

The opening essays feature fond memories of the 1933 film version of King Kong from its 1976 to 1985 tenure as a Thanksgiving-day-staple on New York local television, and of reactions to the 1976 re-make.Writers compare the thematic elements of the 1930's and 1970's version, exploring the relationship audiences had with each release, in the days before the VCR.

In his essay on The Making of King Kong, artist Bob Eggleton takes the reader behind the scenes in animation technology throughout the last century, explaining why the 1933 animation feels so much better when compared to the 1976 version, and applauding Jackson's wisdom for making his 2005 film a period piece set back in the Depression.Psychobiologist Dario Maestripieri, on the other hand, teaches the audience about gorilla and primate biology, and explains the truth about gorilla mating, aggression, and general behavior.The exploration of King Kong might be stretched a little far in Joseph D. Miller's argument that Skull Island can be mapped to the region on Sigmund Freud's Triune Brain, but it is a theory to entertain.Robert A. Metzger even argues that King Kong was real, and lists geographical and plot clues that Merian C. Cooper actually had a King Kong-like experience on which the film is based.

The final essays probe the thematic and cultural implications of the Big Ape story, including the parallels between Kong and the experience of enslaved Africans brought America.As a story that has been told in three times in American history, King Kong, and his theatrical success at the time of each release, can be used as barometer for American social and political culture.While there are certainly highs and lows in this collection, overall, it is a landmark piece about all aspects of this American phenomenon.Detailed writer biographies follow each entry, so be prepared to be introduced to some new writing talent and other works to follow up with.

A VARIETY OF FASCINATING ESSAYS!
Well 2005 was truly the year of King Kong with Peter Jackson's wonderful remake of the classic 1933 epic.In King Kong is Back, part of Benbella Books' Smart Pop series, a score of luminaries share their thoughts on Kong in a wildly diverse array of essays spanning from the 1933 original, right up to Jackson's remake, and everything in between, including the Japanese Kong films.While perhaps a bit uneven in their tone and scope, these essays are at worst passionate and at best, often brilliantly considered.

Nick Mamatas and Paul Levinson share similar memories on growing up in New York in the 1970's when the running of King Kong on WOR was as much a tradition on Thanksgiving Day as the Macy's parade or Detroit Lions football. Don DeBrandt's piece tries to make the argument that the 1976 remake is actually better written and acted than the original, almost dismissing it as an airy fantasy.He makes the point that the remake was more socially conscious and more complex, pointing out that the search for Skull Island wasn't about making a film but rather finding oil.That may be, but people don't go to see Kong for social relevance, they go to be entertained.

Rick Klaw's essay "Thirty Three" delves in the colorful history of the two men who brought King Kong to the screen, Merian C. Cooper and Ernest B. Schoedsack.These two have a backround that you'd think had to be written by Hollywood.Both served during WWII and both aided Poland in their fight for independence with Russia.Cooper was a pilot for the Polish Air Force and was made a squadron commander in 1920.He was shot down and captured by the Russians and held in a prison camp until he escaped along with two Polish prisoners and traversed 500 miles to freedom into Lativa.A remarkable history.

Another great essay is from Bob Eggleton who discusses the making of the 1933 film, focusing on stop-motion animation whiz Willis O' Brien, and a man whose name has been nearly lost to the sands of time, Marcel Delgado, who actually made the various Kong models used in the animation process, not to mention the various dinosaurs and other beasties.

Robert A. Metzger's "Dragons Teeth and Hobbits" supposes a true history to Skull Island, King Kong, dinosaurs, and a long lost forgotten race of little people thousands of years old.Metzger hypothesizes about not only Kong's origin, but the origin of the great wall.Seeing as how Kong easily climbed the Empire State Building, this wall would have posed little problem to him...so just who built it and why?Fascinating stuff!

Some of the essays are a little on the dry side but all in all its wonderfully done and a great book for any King Kong fan.

Reviewed by Tim Janson
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Retells the story of David whose faith in God helped him overcome the Philistine giant Goliath. ... Read more

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Colonized by pioneering women and run by matriarchal clans, Stratos is home to Maia and Leie. They are at the age when they must make their way in the world, sailing the vast seas in the boats that are the province of mysterious men. By the author of "Startide Rising" and "The Uplift War". ... Read more