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Lucifer's Hammer  By  cover art

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
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Classic

This is a perfectly narrated classic. I strongly recommend. You will not be disappointed. Enjoy.

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    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars

Worth the slightly tedious beginnings ...

I wasn't sure about this one - lots of little sub plots and many various characters in a fairly long beginning. I hung in there though, and am I ever glad I did! As soon as the main event occurs, all the little twiddily bits come together in a beautifully woven fabric of a post apocalyptic tale with a marvelous twist that manages to really differentiate it from what's become kind of same old same old in a lot of other recently released "end of the world as we know it" stories.
This one is worth listening to and recommending... Great narration as well. I couldn't wait for my daily commuter drive times to arrive - you know you've got a good story going when you make sure the do not disturb button is selected at the beginning of your ride. Thanks guys! Great job!

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    5 out of 5 stars
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great read

really enjoyed the book, the beginning was slow building the characters but once the rock hit, story really moved fast.

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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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Great old story....

by two of the best storytellers. If you like end of the world tales...this is a good one.

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Hooked!

What a fantastic story! It was a little slow starting, but eventually had me completely and utterly hooked. A very realistic end-of-the-world scenario that will have you contemplating your own future. Great characters, and a disturbing look into the deep, dark recesses of human nature.

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Loved it!

I really enjoyed it!
Maybe I don't have a lot of disaster fiction to compare it to, but I hope I find something else as good. I liked every aspect, story and narration.
I want more. I love long fiction. Where is the sequel?

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Long book, but worth it.

Well planned and thought out. Excellent story. A slow start, but it hooks you before you know it. Don't expect non-stop action, but it keeps your mind on its mind-toes.

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

I couldn't stop listening.

I couldn't stop listening. Made me wonder what I would do in the same situation. crazy, amazing and scary.

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    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars

Best. Comet. Ever.

I read the book add a teen and loved it. Enjoyed it more as an adult. Narrator was great!

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

Pretty good disaster thriller written in 1977

Would you recommend this book to a friend? Why or why not?

I would recommend this even though some of the technical stuff is dated. The backbone of the story is still good.

What does Marc Vietor bring to the story that you wouldn’t experience if you just read the book?

I enjoyed the narrator's emotions and think he did a great job.

Do you think Lucifer's Hammer needs a follow-up book? Why or why not?

I would love to read a 35 or 40 years later sequel. It would be nice to see how humanity has done and how those who only know the "after" have adapted.

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