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)

slow burn but worth it

it's a long story and it takes time for things to start falling into place. lots of characters and locations get developed throughout the story. towards the end things really get ramped up and you are extremely invested in the characters and the story.

Memorable aliens, fun story

The narrator did well with some pretty out there names. Some likeable characters and a lovely take on the aliens, with hints at interesting stories to pursue.

I love this book! It comes to life in audio!

I don't know if it was a new concept when the book was originally published, but it is certainly compelling. The plot development was fabulous and the characters you loved! at the end all I wanted was more of this world to find out what comes next! I know the answer but one can always hope.

Don’t complain, it was the 80s.

What I found most enjoyable about this book was the nostalgic and entertaining perspective of 1980s America. I found myself giggling at how silly the world view was then. This book could be a satire of it, although obviously not intended as one when written.

Just enjoy it for what it is.

One of the best books I've ever read.

The narrator did an absolutely amazing job. The voices of the aliens are just incredible work.

the best alien invasion novel ever written.

seriously. it's got humor. suspense. action. science. it's wonderful. absolutely worth your money. Niven novels are always decent but this one is my favorite by far.

Remains an Incredible Book

I originally read this in 1985. The production made it fuller, the time passed made it a bit out of date, but it was still well worth the listen.

Fun Alien Invasion Novel

I would have liked a bit more of what happens after the war is over but it’s a fun read. Took me a week of listening to get through it.

A Keeper

Based on reviews so far, it looks like this is going to be one of those audios that you either love or hate. I love this book and this audio. In fact, I just finished reading it for the sixth or seventh time earlier this year and still purchased it on audio. I wasn't disappointed. It is classic Niven and Pournelle, and, I think, their best. It has an intelligent, engaging story line populated by believable characters. I don't find it to be a right wing rant. I do hear these two SF writers speaking with frustration over what happened to the space program after Apollo. I disagree with their love for nuclear plants, but none of that detracts from the story line. And, it has one of the best space battle scenes ever written.

As for the narration, I thought it was excellent. I had no trouble understanding it and I'm frankly amazed that they found a reader willing to take it on. The invaders' names are bad enough: Pastempeh-Keph, Fathisteh-tulk, K'turfookrph etc. There are around twenty of those characters. But there is also the invaders' language that is sprinkled liberally through-out the novel which is just as tongue twisting. Then there are at least 30 important human characters, as well as a cast of twenty or so more. In some scenes, the narrator has to try and differentiate conversations among a group of ten or twelve humans, adult and children, men and women, as well as several male and female aliens. I'm willing to give him a pass if he has a problem making each voice in the scene distinctive enough.

I heartily recommend this audio version to those who love the book and to those who have never sampled it before. This is one I know I'll listen to again.

cool book, really enjoyed

It was a great book but I couldnt stand the way the aliens were voiced