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Rating:  Summary: If you like made-for-TV movies, you'll love this book. Review: A woman marries two different men, and each sires her a son. Both end up fighting over the future of the family corporation: to save the moonbase, or destroy it. It's a pat set-up, and entirely unconvincing, but once you get to the action on the moon, the story gets as good as it gets. Saving yourself from a solar flare where there's hardly any protection -- a cliched space scene, but well done in this case. This book should have been categorized under juvenile fiction. Bova seemed to have an idea about what action he wanted to have happen, and he forced the characters to make stupid and unlikely decisions, just so he could make the action happen. Once you get over the idea that the characters should be believable, it's an action-packed book, perfect for a made-for-tv movie. But if you want sympathetic characters, get another book. I wish I'd bought it at Amazon, instead of paying full price at my local store. Then I'd have more money to get a book I might really enjoy.
Rating:  Summary: Yet another Bova book at his best! Review: I have been reading Ben Bova's works since the early to mid eightys. I have seen Bova tackle many levels of science fiction from near possibility to distant future. Even some are a bit of a flight of fancy such as his Orion Saga. One element remains constant throughout all his books: they are all base on hard core science theory...theory that may soon be reality. Of all his books, I've noticed a re-occurance of a couple of themes that this particular book refines and improves upon. Foremost is Bova's love for writing about Moonbase. This place has been a centerpiece for many of his works. Secondly is the field of nanotech. The first series I remember him introducing this in was the Voyager series. This particular topic has recieved the most improvement out of them all. This book above all others adequately describes what is more than likely to be feasible applications of nanotech. Furthermore, this book also discusses the dangers the world faces should the ultra conservative Luddites gain control. In conlusion, this book deserves no less than 5 stars because Bova once again ties together elements of science and philosophy and wirtes them together in a believeable plot that works on many levels
Rating:  Summary: Betrayal and Turmoil on the new Frontier Review: In Moonrise, Ben Bova writes a good story of what could be on the Moon in the future. While it is somewhat predictable, it's still a good story.Masterson Corperation is working on exploring and mining the Lunar surface for solar power and other minerals, and it is the dream of Paul Stavenger, retired astronout and designer of one of the compainies most profitable products, the Clippership which makes travel around the world possible in less than an hour by ships which work above the atmosphere in low orbit. The company is in turmoil as Gregory Masterson the second dies sudenly and under questionable circumstances, and Gregory Masterson the third expects to take his place as President of the company. However, the wife of the late president nominates Paul Stavenger, her lover and fiance to the position, setting forces in motion which could tear the company apart as Gregory the second rages and plots to regain his rightfull place. The trials and triumpsh of Moonbase, and of Nanotechnology are closly linked. Nanotechnology is opposed by an extremist religious movement which organises protests and terrorism against any who use it, Moonbase becomes the last place where it is safe to use nanites. However, even this is in danger. Joanna Masterson/Stavenger must walk a tightrope between her son, and doing what is best for him, and her new husband, and protecting him, and later her second son, Doug Stavenger, son of Paul, from the plots of her criminally insane elder son. However, we can see where a mother's love and protection can go too far in trying to protect one who should be locked up. In the end, it's up to Doug to save his father's legacy and dream of a future on the Moon, even if it kills him.
Rating:  Summary: Amazing Review: This book was excellent, I couldn't put it down. I'm in the middle of reading the sequel, which I am thus far unable to put down as well. I was amazed at the end of this book and found myself disappointed that I'd finished it, because that meant I wasn't reading it anymore. The only reason I gave it 4 stars instead of 5 was I thought the characterization could be a little better. I tried really hard to like Paul Stavenger, I really did, but I just didn't find his character to be all that sympathetic. I liked him just fine until he cheated on his wife with Melissa and it all went downhill from there. Doug was more sympathetic than Paul, but he really had the opposite problem. Paul was at least real to me, even if I didnt like his personal life. Doug is a great guy and all, but jeez, give this guy some flaws already! No one is THAT perfect. But despite the character issues, it was still a wonderful book.
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