By the Waters of Babylon

Rating:
Summary: Very interesting for its era.
Review: ... The number of things the author had right - especially since he died two years before the first Atomic bomb - is almost frightening.
This type of fiction appears to be out-of-genre for the author, best known for historical writings, but one can see in it the basis of his motivations, pre-Pearl-Harbor, concerning United States entry into World War II.
Taken in context with its era, it is a very important work - ...

Rating:
Summary: Excellent book!
Review: Although I haven't read it since high school,I would have to say this is one of the best books I have read. It has such depth. This author really grabs your attention, and getting into your mind, he gives you a "wake up call" as to how the reality of this story is not all that fictional. I would highly recommend this book to all!

Rating:
Summary: Deceptively complex
Review: For those who enjoy intelligent, symbolic literature, I highly recommend this. It is a brilliant commentary regarding the possible developments of humanity should we not become more responsible regarding the maintenance of our Earth and the relationships of our fellow humans.

Rating:
Summary: Great book!
Review: I belive that the book "By the Waters of Babylon" was very insightful. When I was reading the book I realized that it took place in the future. Jon's charater seemed very courageous and wise. The main theme in the book would have to be that knowledge can have good and bad aspects on life. The story had to do with a Great Burning that occured a long time ago and a new civilization began called the Hill People. This story has a lot of foreshadowing and you need to use your knowledge in order to understand the book. It is related to the nuclear bombing that will or has occurred on Earth. The message states that too much knowledge can destroy a spirit and it is better to die with your spirit living on, then to die with no spirit at all.

Rating:
Summary: Great book!
Review: I belive that the book "By the Waters of Babylon" was very insightful. When I was reading the book I realized that it took place in the future. Jon's charater seemed very courageous and wise. The main theme in the book would have to be that knowledge can have good and bad aspects on life. The story had to do with a Great Burning that occured a long time ago and a new civilization began called the Hill People. This story has a lot of foreshadowing and you need to use your knowledge in order to understand the book. It is related to the nuclear bombing that will or has occurred on Earth. The message states that too much knowledge can destroy a spirit and it is better to die with your spirit living on, then to die with no spirit at all.

Rating:
Summary: Weird
Review: I guess this book is written more for adults, but I did not comprehend a lot of the story. It is set in the future after some kind of atomic bomb or war, and people are trying to start a new life. What I want to know is where the Hill and Forest people came from if all of civilization was wiped out. My teacher is making me read this. Personally, I do not enjoy science fiction books. I think it was good that that boy explored things that he was forbidden, and would rather die than lose his spirit. He learned a lot of important things for his life. But this is one messed uo book.

Rating:
Summary: Complex, Intersting!
Review: I just read this book as the reading comprehension part of my ILA final! It is amazing how deep this novel is. As a piece of science fiction, it gives a great theme. Basically, humans create without understanding the consequences. (Similar to The FLying Machine by Ray Bradbury). The elements of foreshadowing are evident everywhere, and it teased me throughout. It makes people think about the direction our country and world are headed in! Even people who are not science fiction fans will probably like it, contrary to what other reviewers have said.