DocJim

Scalzi and Wheaton did "Fuzzy Nation" together which is absolutely marvelous. Scalzi writes in a fast pace mode and Wheaton pulls if off. BTW, if you think of Wil Wheaton only from his Star Trek, TNG days, you will find the "man" terrific to listen to!

Anyone who knows anything about original Star Trek, they know that the unknown person who beams down with the away team will die -- hence the title.

The story is amazing, fast paced, and wonderfully philosophical. It is rare that a great sci-fi novel has words from a Catholic priest in the last few minutes.

The book is about the part of the crew of the Star Ship "Intrepid", and of course several centuries in the future. From there it gets "complicated" (a running joke through the book).

From Space Ships and a Star Trek like academy to a roller coaster starting its uphill climb. The 3 Codas at the end are like the end of the roller coaster ride -- smooth and even to bring you back to normality -- but it does not quite succeed. That is what makes a great roller coaster ride.

It is a bit expensive for 8 hrs, but not money wasted. In fact, you might want to listen to "Fuzzy Nation" first to get used to the Scalzi/Wheaton combo.

P.S. I Love You

This is the first book of a great series in an evolving genre of "alternate history". Alternate history is a blend of history and science fiction. In this case a 50 sq. mile of West Virginia becomes part of 1632 Germany. They decide to start a new USA and start the revolution a 150 years early.

Yet they have the knowledge and technology of 400 years. It helps high school and their teachers are involved and handy resources. (like having the Professor along in the 1960's Gillian's Isle series) What would you do?

This series is another GEM of Eric Flint, David Weber, Charles Gannon. Fast paced series and well-developed characters. At the writing of this review, 1634 is supposedly recorded. It is confusing. I think recorded books may have reorganized the series. They may have made the series into 1632, 1633 and 1635 and skipped 1634 and 1636. Print books in the series included 1632,1633,1634,1635 and 1636,

A firm answer to the question of: "does the recorded series titles match the printed titles?" be nice -- but it doesn't matter much. Even out-of-order, the series is wonderful

In the Preface, Allen goes on to explain how he went back to these two older classics of his and did a minor rewrite of both books in the series. I think his words were something like he wanted to keep the story the same, but fill in the literary potholes that as a more experienced writer, he easily solved and simply smoothed things out.

Like a lot of classic Sci-Fi, you can see how the genre has improved.

I loved the book(s). A solid story, plenty of military Sci-Fi, a love story, tactics, and futuristic "idea" on how to travel faster than the speed (called C squared). Fun, solid, and a great example of classic work. In fact, if you did read the preface, you would find the book only slightly dated.

Well worth the credit(s).

I loved the story, but the story does not stand on its own. It needs a setup and some closure that hints at a series. But besides that, the story was fun and well done and the performance was well done.

Serious and fun. I look forward to the rest of the series.

Jay Allen writes a very compelling story of what could be called WWIII (he calls it the unification wars). Lots of of space battles and a very interesting outlook on what politics driving the battles may look like - with lots of speculation. This is fine as it gives the reader something to ponder.

The first book actually has the first 3 chapters of the second book included with it. If the series ends with book 2, it is a good story, and has battles, navies, marines, love, and something to ponder of what will happen in the future. There is a twist which I will not mention as it would be a spoiler

Lastly, Jeff Bower does a FANTASTIC job of narrating the books. A few sound effects tastefully added enhance the book.

I wish in a series like this they would tell you if more books are coming and if so how many. Jay Allen puts in an addendum where he describes the superpowers, space battles in zero gravity -- and things like why a space fleet zipping by and making a firing pass at another fleet at high speeds may need hours to stop, turn around and come back and other such details. It is worth the money.

I loved this story. I am a hard core Sci-Fi Reader, but this one seemed interesting to me. It was better than any of the Sci-Fi book I have read recently.

It starts way back when a southern section of China is captured by the Barbarians. Something evil happens throughout year for the owner, including two WWII.

Entering a US Scholar.

Anything more would be a spoiler, except, I think Allison Hiroto is the Absolutely the best fit of a narrator the this book

What happens to bike chicks, who are former Airborne, who get transported to a planet with low gravity? This story is part Biker Chick, and part Chivalry, and has 6 legged purple leopard people!

First this is an adult adventure - not even close to PG-13. My goodness it is narrated in the 1st person by a that Airborne trained biker chick. Lots a crazy wild sexual thoughts and plenty of sexual action. She is hard to control as she is tough, well-trained and because of the low gravity, she can jump straight up several stories.

Lots of fun adventures at an incredible pace. The pace is truly amazing -- you have to keep up. It was one GREAT FUN SCI-FI book that uses only a little sci-fi and instead uses well-developed characters from another world to carry it along.

Just be warned, it contains hard-care vulgarity in spots. But in trade you get fantastic characters that amazingly face-paced story!

In 1986, or a year or two later, I read this book. I loved it then. But life goes on and even the title escaped my memory. I started listening to it, and low and behold some parts were familiar and other parts forgotten.

The story is timeless, even though it was written in the time of the USSR. I enjoyed it so much I must admit I stayed up WAY too late listening to the book. It is a long book (three parts of 8+ hours, or 24 hours of listening) and it can be hard to just quit listening.

The ending is dramatic and satisfactory. It must be hard for two Sci-Fi greats as Niven and Pournelle to cooperate on such a project, but is was a grand project very well done.

And it is a BARGAIN. 24hrs of listening for one credit! If you like Sci-Fi, this is one you should not miss. 35 years old and still a fantastic read - an ultimate classic.

This book tells about how some early Americans worked hard to live in Brooklyn, mostly poor but together as a community and a family. Eventually this hard working family sends a bright girl who did not go to HS (she took what would be the equivalent of the GED today) and went to college. At age 14 she dressed up to take a 16 year old's job and made a lot of money for her family instead of going to HS as her father dies young at age 35.

Finally some money comes the family's way and she gets to go to college at Michigan. A heart warming Classic that everyone should read. It is a story about working hard and still getting to better yourself through education and do well because of fortitude.

This is a great book on what it is like. He tells the good and the bad. This is a short book and I unusually read Sci-Fi. But this was one of the most entertaining, honest and hard hitting books I have read (listen) to!

This is not a long book and the science is very dated. But what Heinlein could envision is amazing. Reaction mass ships who require some mass purpose stop wars. They do these by having only under their control in set orbits, the Atom Bombs (that is right, Atom Bombs).

They are a military protection patrol. They are not an Army of any state. They keep the peace for the entire solar system.

They also control an elite and invincible Space Marine division. The book uses something like 15 voices and do a voice actions. If you pay cash (it is cheaper by cash than a token) it is fabulous entertainment.

Some Sci-Fi readers who will not find this book worth much because it is dated. But if you love a terrific Sci-Fi that is represented of an very well respected Master of the Genre, you might do as I just did.

I listened to the book in one sitting. What a Reat!

I gave "the story" only 3 stars is because of the dated Sci-Fi. Acknowledge thank it is a listen from a pen of a Master Sci-Fi writer it is written and you will find them