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Science Fiction & Fantasy |
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Lucifer's Hammer
written by Larry Niven, Jerry Pournelle
Studio : Del Rey
by Del Rey
Release Date : 1985-05-12
Publisher : Del Rey
Released : 1985-05-12
Availability : Usually ships in 1-2 business days
Number of Items : 1
EAN : 9780449208137
Avg. Customer Rating: (based on 204 reviews)
List Price : $7.99
Our Price : $3.91
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Product Description |
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....
"Massively entertaining."
CLEVELAND PLAIN-DEALER |
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You read this and "racism" is what you came away with? |
Thanks for wearing your sign, I'll know to ignore your opinion on anything else.
This is a great story, thought provoking, a good entertaining adventure, maybe even a survival guide for the coming dark ages regardless which socialist senator 'wins' the Survivor: White House edition.
Racism... hmpf. Dumba$$. |
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THIS ONE WILL STAY WITH ME FOR YEARS TO COME!!! |
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Okay, I will admit that I almost did not finish the book. I felt that the beginning was somewhat dry. Then...BAM...the Hammer hits and the book becomes so good that I don't want to set it down at all. I really do not understand the racist comments about the book. White people were the ones being eaten and called "honkies". Who knows what would really happen in this kind of scenario? It does make you think though. All in all, an excellent book and I can't wait to read Footfall. |
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A whale of a tale! |
In Lucifer's Hammer, authors Larry Niven and Jerry Pournelle team up once again to define humanity under pressure.
The Hamner-Brown comet is co-discovered by Tim Hamner, a millionaire amateur astronomer. When the comet seems like it may hit Earth, it is dubbed "The Hammer." But the chances are slim, so slim, that it will actually hit.
Then it strikes. And civilization as we recognize it changes.
This story follows Tim Hamner and others as they escape Los Angeles and find "safety" in the foothills of the Sierra Nevada Mountains. In such a catastrophe, which elements of civilization persist, and which elements disappear?
Each chapter begins, in italics, with either an overview of the comet and its path, or a physical description of Earth's oceans, lands, and climate trembling under the blow.
I must admit that I felt a bit uncomfortable with the authors' decision to make the majority of the "bad guys" black and the majority of the "good guys" white. I suspect, if it was written today, that Niven and Pournelle would have made some alterations to the racial mixtures of all groups. The relative absence of Hispanics in a book centered on Southern California is noticeable!
I've read this book maybe 4 times. The harrowing escape from LA following "Hammerfall", the "reaction" of Earth to the strike, the development of an alternative civilization, and the battle for the power plant are all thrilling and interesting components to this story. |
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Wonderful storytelling! |
Every summer I put on my reading list a book that I read back in my college days. I first encountered Lucifer's Hammer in 1981 and the second time around I found it just a engaging as I remember from all those years ago.
First off, if you are the overly sensitive political correct type, you'll probably find something on these pages to express mock outrage. Too bad, for you'll miss a great story. There are a number of stereotypical characters here, pretty much every main character exhibits outrageous behavior somewhere during this tale.
And why not? It's The End OF The World and people are grappling with new realities. In Lucifer's Hammer, it is human storytelling of how they adapt that sets this book apart and makes it one of the great disaster novels of all time.
Others have commented that the first 100 pages or so are slow. I believe this is a function of comparison....that the later part of the book is so griping that it makes the first part appear slow. However, on it's own I found the introduction of the characters and the build up to Hammerfall to be interesting as people wake up to the crisis they could face.
For all their later prodigious output, Niven and Pournelle were never able craft such an engaging tale as Lucifers Hammer. |
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Strong account of what might happen |
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Not a quick read but a good, solid one. Book is over 600 pages. I really enjoyed it. Felt like two different books. What would happen if we thought a comet was coming close vs. what would happen after it hit us. I would bet this account would be pretty close. Quite a few characters to keep up with and you kind of lose track of a few of them as the story goes on (Harry the Postman for instance). Speaking of Harry, he sure sounds like the same character as "Harry Red" from their book "Footfall." By comparison, I enjoyed this one more than "Footfall." If you are looking for an end of the world type book and have not read "I am legend," check that one out first as it is a incredible, quick read and then move here to "Lucifer's Hammer." |
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