Lucifer's Hammer by Larry Niven, Jerry Pournelle
|
List Price: Our Price: $4.37 You Save: $3.62 (45%) Availability: Usually ships in 1-2 business days Buy Used: from $1.21 (click here) Category: Book See more book details and other editions |
|---|
Book Reviews of Lucifer's Hammer
Book Review: The second most important book I ever read!
Summary: 5 Stars
This is the second most important book I've ever read, and I've read it 8 times. It isn't about survivalism, it isn't about racism (absurd assertion make by bigots who haven't read it), and it isn't a political commentary on the 70's. It is about stark reality and what is important if the delusions of political correctness,quotas, and journalistic provarication are [taken] away.The comet is just a metaphor for a slate wiped clean, by whatever means. It says most gangs are black or hispanic and most farmers are white.That is not racism it's reality. And only woman have babies too. Sorry, that's just the way it is.
BUT, this book debunks every stereotype. There are blacks, women, whites, hippies(it was written in the 70's)... every kind of person, as heros as well. The heros are the people who value education, self reliance, forethought, and above all, an open and flexible mind. The villains are the lazy, the users, and the unmotivated.
The messages of this book is that some people are better than others, but it is up to the individual, himself, whether he is on the top or the bottom. Self respect, hard work, and education may, in the final outcome, mean everything.
Book Review: AN UNFORGETTABLE BOOK.
Summary: 5 Stars
I first read this book back in 1983, after its second release. At the time, I remember being greatly affected by the premise of a giant comet striking the earth and putting the earth back into an ice age. At the time, it caused me to question our obsession with technology and the uselessness of all our advances in the face of an event that all but wipes out our species.(And this was before cell phones, the FAX machines, computer/telephones, and email) I found myself asking what I would take if I had only a week or a month to prepare for the end of civilization. But that was 1983. I am a reader. I read book after book and have for most of my 68 years. Hundreds of books ago, I read this book. I have now reread it, and I must say that this book has stayed with me longer than some much more "literary" books I have read. I have never forgotten it, and athough it is not considered a literary masterpiece, it has certainly made a lasting impression on me. It is the best end-of-the-world story I have ever read, hands down. It is impossible to put down, and it stays with you for many, many years. That's why I give it five stars. I feel duty-bound to do so.Book Review: It doesn't get ANY better than this!
Summary: 5 Stars
I agree that this is the best book of all time. This in spite of the fact that it would at first seem to have two strikes against it: first, all the major characters come from the decadent, anything-goes culture of 1970s California; second, it is a disaster novel, which puts it in a genre which has been mined to death. It gets both of these strikes commuted to balls and hits a grand slam to win the world series. Harry Randall, Tim Hamner, and Maureen Jellison, oversexed decadent slobs that they are, seem positively heroic, ESPECIALLY because of where they came from. The disaster novel theme is turned on its head, as the authors show beyond a doubt that with the help of technology, we can not only survive but TRANSCEND a comet's collision with earth. You'll be turning pages frantically all the way up to an ending guaranteed to bring tears to your eyes. Also, I appreciate the fact that Niven and Pournelle put in an epilogue to show the readers what became of the characters' final decision. I sincerely hope that this story will join the ranks of Hamlet and A Tale of Two Cities as one of the all-time classics of literature.Book Review: when the Hammer drops...kiss your a** goodbye!
Summary: 5 Stars
This is a monstrous, massive novel about what happens when a comet slams into the earth. About 17 years ago I was saying to someone that I thought Stephen King's THE STAND was the best end-of-the-world book I'd ever read and then was recommended LUCIFER'S HAMMER. They weren't kidding. This book has some of the most jaw-droppingly awesome descriptions of worldwide destruction ever committed to paper. After watching the Boxing Day Tsunami wipe out 250,000 people and after witnessing the Drowning of New Orleans it is impossible to read this book without thinking of those recent disasters.
LUCIFER'S HAMMER is filled with memorable characters and an epic scale of destruction and struggle. It ranks among the top 3 epic post-apocalyptic novels alongside THE STAND and SWAN SONG. It has everything; its like the Mother of ALL Disaster stories wrapped around a war/adventure/struggle for survival tale with an army of cannibals as the last major villains. How can you beat that? Unlike THE STAND and SWAN SONG there are no fantastical elements to LUCIFER'S HAMMER, just dirty, savage fighting for the scarcest of resources.
Book Review: The best "survival manual" I've ever seen!
Summary: 5 Stars
Although published in 1977, this book continues to be one of my favorites.
A great sci-fi suspense thriller. From the initial sighting of a new comet, speculation grows as to whether or not the comet will strike the earth. The characters are well presented and you easily follow their actions and reactions to this catastrophic event. You will quickly become involved with the characters as Tim Hamner, who first sights the comet, fights to stay alive after being blamed for the terrible things that are sure to happen if the comet hits earth. Amidst the turmoil there is a wonderful story of love, death, relationships and ultimate human survival instinct that you will enjoy.
Every time I want to relax and enjoy a good thriller- sci-fi survival story I pull out my tattered copy of Lucifer's Hammer. When ever I see a copy in the store, I quickly purchase it, just to have a new copy around. I have given this book as gifts to many family members and friends.
I just wish that Larry Niven and Jerry Pournelle would write a sequel just to let us know how these characters are progressing in their quest to rebuild the world