Take a photo of a barcode or cover
3.88 AVERAGE
3.88 AVERAGE
Short stories that epitomize classic science fiction.
This takes place in Niven’s known space universe that contains Ringworld, but you don’t need any prior knowledge to enjoy these stories.
While the stories are separate, several contain the adventures of Beowulf Shaeffer. A lanky opportunistic star pilot that gets suckered into several adventures. He’s quite a lazy rogue but he’s very clever and his rascality pairs perfectly with Niven’s somewhat sophomoric sense of humor. He’s a great grinning companion for the reader and seems to actually grow heroic (at least a little) by the final story.
These stories paint a fascinating world and have plenty of great science fiction plot twists. A few of the stories got so science-y that I had to mentally review my high school physics knowledge. The stories that don’t contain any twists or mystery fall a little flat but the rest make up for it. For an anthology, the stories flow very well and the setting is very consistent.
If you like strange new worlds and seeking out new life, this is a great pick. Niven seems to really shine when he’s snappy and doesn’t have to fill a whole novel.
This takes place in Niven’s known space universe that contains Ringworld, but you don’t need any prior knowledge to enjoy these stories.
While the stories are separate, several contain the adventures of Beowulf Shaeffer. A lanky opportunistic star pilot that gets suckered into several adventures. He’s quite a lazy rogue but he’s very clever and his rascality pairs perfectly with Niven’s somewhat sophomoric sense of humor. He’s a great grinning companion for the reader and seems to actually grow heroic (at least a little) by the final story.
These stories paint a fascinating world and have plenty of great science fiction plot twists. A few of the stories got so science-y that I had to mentally review my high school physics knowledge. The stories that don’t contain any twists or mystery fall a little flat but the rest make up for it. For an anthology, the stories flow very well and the setting is very consistent.
If you like strange new worlds and seeking out new life, this is a great pick. Niven seems to really shine when he’s snappy and doesn’t have to fill a whole novel.
Beowulf Shaefer stories are funny with a unique science hook for each story. The standout story was the paranoid guy who ran forever, that shook me.
This is what space opera should be. Massive movements, interesting flawed characters, firm science (space opera doesn't work with hard science, in my opinion). I've not been a very big fan of Niven. [b:Ringworld|61179|Ringworld (Ringworld series, Book 1)|Larry Niven|http://photo.goodreads.com/books/1170563307s/61179.jpg|924711] and [b:The Gripping Hand|218453|The Gripping Hand|Larry Niven|http://photo.goodreads.com/books/1172796352s/218453.jpg|441605] in particular stick out in my head as books I disliked. This convinces me I do need to find more of his short stories, though.
An interesting set of stories. I plan on reading more of the ringworld books and this was a good introduction to the universe.
From the descriptions on here I was well-prepared for a very hard form of sf. So I was pleasantly surprised to find this book to contain many lighter-spirited moments as well. Sure, the titular story is very technical (and a bit dry), but for me it was made interesting through the amazing world worldbuilding throughout, with the later stories also back-referring to other stories. Some interesting technology and the depiction of alien races (and the foreigner's look on Earth in "Flatlander"), too.
To be honest, I liked the less "physical" stories (the ones after "Neutron Star" and "At the Core") better than what it probably Niven's more popular work. Niven has some interesting takes on familiar ideas like decisions under uncertainty (in "Flatlander"), mental health and responsibility (in "The Ethics of Madness") and evolution (in "The Handicapped"). Actually, espeically "The Handicapped", but also the general feeling, made me think of Lem's earlier works (which is a good thing).
Unfortunately, my German version is missing half of the stories. I should look out for "A Relic of the Empire", "The Soft Weapon", and "Grendel". And I should certainly get my hands on Ringworld!
To be honest, I liked the less "physical" stories (the ones after "Neutron Star" and "At the Core") better than what it probably Niven's more popular work. Niven has some interesting takes on familiar ideas like decisions under uncertainty (in "Flatlander"), mental health and responsibility (in "The Ethics of Madness") and evolution (in "The Handicapped"). Actually, espeically "The Handicapped", but also the general feeling, made me think of Lem's earlier works (which is a good thing).
Unfortunately, my German version is missing half of the stories. I should look out for "A Relic of the Empire", "The Soft Weapon", and "Grendel". And I should certainly get my hands on Ringworld!
Delightful collection featuring a former commercial-spacepilot running into all kinds of trouble and (mostly) getting himself out of it. Alien artifacts, dangerous planets, new species -- this collection has it all. My printed copy from the 1978 run even has an excellent, mystifying back-matter ad from the publisher reminding readers that the energy crisis is a thing "because we only have one Texas" (so in other words: good to the last page). I'd read some stories by Larry Niven when I was in high school and had not liked them at all, but I enjoyed this batch a lot.
It's worth noting that while this is solidly old-school sci fi topically, thematically, etc., Niven's skilled writing keeps the stories feeling fresh and only the occasional telltale betrays its publication date.
4 stars: would recommend to anyone who enjoys the genre.
It's worth noting that while this is solidly old-school sci fi topically, thematically, etc., Niven's skilled writing keeps the stories feeling fresh and only the occasional telltale betrays its publication date.
4 stars: would recommend to anyone who enjoys the genre.
Good read, for a fan of Known Space. If the only thing you're read from KS is Ringworld, you'll found some new information, some old and really decent writing. Quite delightful.
This book is also advertised as a good starting point into KS. I'd label it as borderline spoilerific though.
This book is also advertised as a good starting point into KS. I'd label it as borderline spoilerific though.
I read the short-story version (about 13 pages).
I like the premise and the plot, and the science as handled by Niven is realistic for its time period. However, I do not like the puppeteers. Call me anti-alien if you must, but they are not believable to me, not because of their amazingly useless body structure but because they are annoying in their personality traits. Why introduce them? In this story, they accomplish nothing that could not be handled by a human character.
Oh, well.
The story is good. It works. The approach to a neutron star is believable in its unbelievability. There is the wonder of the science without falling into magic or pure fantasy. If you love Niven, you'll like this. If you are not a huge Niven fan, this will be all right.
I like the premise and the plot, and the science as handled by Niven is realistic for its time period. However, I do not like the puppeteers. Call me anti-alien if you must, but they are not believable to me, not because of their amazingly useless body structure but because they are annoying in their personality traits. Why introduce them? In this story, they accomplish nothing that could not be handled by a human character.
Oh, well.
The story is good. It works. The approach to a neutron star is believable in its unbelievability. There is the wonder of the science without falling into magic or pure fantasy. If you love Niven, you'll like this. If you are not a huge Niven fan, this will be all right.