Footfall

By: Larry Niven, Jerry Pournelle

Narrated by: MacLeod Andrews

Length: 24 hrs and 34 mins

Publisher's summary

They first appear as a series of dots on astronomical plates, heading from Saturn directly toward Earth. Since the ringed planet carries no life, scientists deduce the mysterious ship to be a visitor from another star. The world's frantic efforts to signal the aliens go unanswered. The first contact is hostile: the invaders blast a Soviet space station, seize the survivors, and then destroy every dam and installation on Earth with a hail of asteriods. Now the conquerors are descending on the American heartland, demanding servile surrender - or death for all humans.

©1986 Larry Niven and Jerry Pournelle (P)2010 Audible, Inc.

Critic reviews

“Nobody does it better than Niven and Pournelle. I loved it!” (Tom Clancy)

"Rousing – the best of the genre.” ( The New York Times Book Review)

My favorite sci-fi book

Classic Alien Invasion of Earth. It doesn't get much better. It was written 25 years ago, but nonetheless doesn't seem dated. Some reviewers disliked the narrator's performance and pronunciation of alien names and dialog. I can't DISAGREE more! Ok, a few sentences I rewound the recording to listen again, but maybe 2 or 3 times during the entire book. The narrator essentially read the names and dialog exactly the way I'd pictured it when I read the book years ago. I recommend this, I recommend Niven and Pournelle's "The Mote in God's Eye," and I also recommend another great alien invasion/first contact story: Michael Flynn's "Eifelheim." Not sure which is my favorite sci-fi book of all time: Footfall or Eifelheim.

Wear a jeans vest for this one

A fun book with a lot to offer but it is most definitely a book of the 80's. Very gung-ho Americana. The philosophical discussions and studies into what generations of living within a spacecraft would do to a culture are great food for thought. Entertaining over all for certain just a bit dated.

Long, Dated and Dragged Quite a Bit

Would you say that listening to this book was time well-spent? Why or why not?

Long Book. Hard to care about the characters and nothing exceptional about plot. The Soviet part is dated and makes the not age well.

Thoroughly engaging - a perfect gem!

This book is pure entertainment! It is like candy for my ears. I am still in the first part of the book, but I am having such a great time listening to it, I am ready to rate it. It is one of those rare finds where the story and the narrator are a perfect match and the result is delightful.

Because I haven't actually finished the book, I can't say much about the story but thus far it has totally sucked me in. I can hardly put it down.. The broad range of characters is astonishing and the narrator's ability to voice each one differently and so naturally switch between them is amazing.

I gotta go now. Right now the Russian general's secretary is sitting on his lap unbuttoning her blouse...

Orion Will Rise

This book wasn’t for you, but who do you think might enjoy it more?

I spend money on this book... money well spent. Larry Niven & Jerry Pournelle are 2 writers whos works stays in my permanent libraries, electronic, audible, print. Anyone who likes The Mote in Gods Eye or War World will like this book.

A Pretty Good Yarn

I think the alien words and names were difficult to pronounce. That said, the narrator did the best they could.

Good story

A little long at the start. Once the characters developed the story picked up rapidly.

Finally, half way in I got used to the Narrator.

Awesome story though. I wish there was a sequel. I even tried to find one. Even with the anoint narration of alien and female voices, this is well worth a listen.

Fantastic!

What a great listen. Glad I tried this oldie, but a goodie and definitely recommend to anyone looking for an alien invasion story.

Loved It!!

I love this book 10of10, best of Larry Niven , Jerry Pournelle!
One of the best Sci-Fi books I have ever read, and loved it just as much on Audiobook!