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Lucifer's Hammer

By: Larry Niven, Jerry Pournelle
Narrated by: Marc Vietor
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Publisher's summary

The gigantic comet had slammed into Earth, forging earthquakes a thousand times too powerful to measure on the Richter scale, tidal waves thousands of feet high. Cities were turned into oceans; oceans turned into steam. It was the beginning of a new Ice Age and the end of civilization.

But for the terrified men and women chance had saved, it was also the dawn of a new struggle for survival - a struggle more dangerous and challenging than any they had ever known....

©1985 Larry Niven and Jerry Pournelle (P)2009 Audible, Inc.

Critic reviews

"Take your earthquakes, waterlogged condominiums, swarms of bugs, colliding airplanes, and flaming what-nots, wrap them up and they wouldn't match one page of Lucifer's Hammer for sweaty-palmed suspense." ( Chicago Daily News)
"Massively entertaining." ( Cleveland Plain-Dealer)

What listeners say about Lucifer's Hammer

Average customer ratings
Overall
  • 4 out of 5 stars
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    3,501
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    2,481
  • 3 Stars
    1,087
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Story
  • 4 out of 5 stars
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    2,944
  • 4 Stars
    1,672
  • 3 Stars
    790
  • 2 Stars
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  • 1 Stars
    106

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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars

one of my favorite listens.

intriguing story. have listened to it several times and something new always catches my attention.

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1 person found this helpful

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

Timeless!

I, like many others here, read this book 30 odd years ago. As some have stated, it is a bit sexist and uncouth by today's standards, but it was befitting of the time is was penned. It is no secret that we, as a society, have come a long way in our thoughts and beliefs since this book's original release, but that doesn't make it a bad story. It is very well written and I found it just as exciting and suspenseful now as I did when I was 16 years old. The characters are very relatable and getting lost in their lives is quite easy. None of us knows for certain what our world would look like if we were struck by multiple large space rocks, but we can speculate and that's exactly what this story does with beautiful eloquence. It is worth your time to give it a listen and dive into the world of Tim, Maureen, Harvey, Eileen and countless others that you will grow to love and their struggle to survive in a world reshaped by initial impact, tsunamis, floods, fires and cannibals.

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  • Overall
    4 out of 5 stars
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    4 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    3 out of 5 stars

Flashback to 1970s Sci Fi and to being drunk

Yes its a classic and yes its a ripping read as the world is coming to an end... But re-reading this now after so many years I have to admit what stood out for me was how there is so much discussion of alcohol in this book. Every other page someone is drinking... Ok aside from the prudish admonition... Its a story which if you are into apocalypse stuff is great fodder... Moreover if you happen to be an amateur astronomer like the protagonist then I suppose its even more required reading... For being the first of its kind and because it was on sale I would say go ahead and order it... but dont pay full price!

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  • Overall
    3 out of 5 stars

Be Prepared!

You have to love Conspiracy Theory to like this book and I confess, I am. Well let me temper that with the fact that I 'like to be persuaded' and that when I am, I can see how silly I am.
There is much plausable in this book if and when a Hammer does turn up on our doorstep. Our social fabric is woven into the role of constant supply of all things that matter from food to electricity and when that fabric breaks, we will collapse at great speed. So seeing how people might cope is refreshing. One Second After is another similar story you might enjoy.

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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars

Enjoy this book multiple times

What made the experience of listening to Lucifer's Hammer the most enjoyable?

Interesting story line about what could or would happen to our society if comet or pieces of a comet were to hit our world. I bought this nine months ago and I am on my fifth listen. It was as good as I remember with fine characters and what would appear to be good science and a good read of politics and conflict.

Any additional comments?

I am now in the process of searching out more books by these authors

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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

Loved it!

One of my favorite books, well read by actor. Highly recommend this listen to hard science folk!

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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

A Primer for Being Prepared

Would you recommend this audiobook to a friend? If so, why?

I would and have recommended this book to friends. It was fantastic. Fiction for end of the world buffs and prepping fans. An end of the world saga for the survivalist. Truly amazing in every detail.

Who was your favorite character and why?

The postman - neither rain, nor sleet, nor deadly hammer! Made me think about a need to be useful.

Which scene was your favorite?

Two words - Thermite Grenades.

Was this a book you wanted to listen to all in one sitting?

I can't stay awake that long. However, I always looked forward to the next part.

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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars

Worth a credit for sure!

If you could sum up Lucifer's Hammer in three words, what would they be?

TEOTWAWKI from California

What was one of the most memorable moments of Lucifer's Hammer?

Science saves the day near the end- More would be a spoiler.

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  • Overall
    4 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    4 out of 5 stars

Well thought out.

Enjoyable book to listen to. The characters never really came alive to me but the story was cool. Great perspective on post apocalyptic society.

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  • Overall
    3 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    3 out of 5 stars

Lots and lots of plots

This was a bit of a departure for me. I'm usually hard core sci-fi, maybe that's why I never could get into the storyline(s). Speaking of: there are way too many things going on! So many that I think it distracts, overall. The narrator did a really nice job...quite enjoyable!

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