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Summary: Correction of Mark Warren's 2-Star Review
Review: Since there are plenty of accurate reviews (negative and positive)of Forge of God, I will respectfully offer a correction of another review:Mark Warren insists that Bear leaves too many questions unanswered. He says: "Bear leaves all sorts of important, nagging questions about the plot completely unanswered... questions like 'if the aliens just need materials, why are they singling out an inhabited planet, when--look! There's Venus, there's Mars--let's give them a try!'" But the answer is actually clear: The aliens are primarily looking to eliminate all possible competition in the galaxy by exterminating all other intelligence -- the "building materials" gleaned from the destroyed Earth are simply an advantageous by-product which enable the automated killers to move on to the next system. Also, to address another criticism from the same review: I agree that the various alien contacts were dubios in some respects. However it is not unlikely that the "planet killer" aliens had good reason to contact us and sew confusion and distrust of the "good" aliens (who build the Ships of the Law). Obviously the last thing the planet killers want is a bunch of angry vengeful aliens looking for them -- see the sequel, Anvil of Stars! Anyway, I did like this book (although it was not without flaws, as other reviewers have pointed out) and wanted to clear that up.
Rating: 
Summary: Would've made a pretty decent short story
Review: Greg Bear has a pretty interesting idea about how aliens could destroy our planet. And some occasionally compelling ideas about the way in which people face death. And he has a good time with actually describing Earth's destruction. But his mechanics are all off. The first few pages are rife with weak characterization, lazy writing that *tells* us what kind of person we're dealing with instead of showing us. Then he introduces all of these other characters, in an equally lazy fashion, and has them try to save the planet. One of the problems with this book (one of it's many problems) is that no one comes close to saving the planet. The best they do is figure out how they're going to die, and all the plots twists and turns are a waste of time. It's not so much that I'm disappointed with Bear for setting up a tragic and hopeless situation from the get-go, but instead by the fact that Bear could have used the plot like a bolt of lightening, sharply illuminating the human condition. We are, after all, all going to die, aliens or not. What an interesting device to show how we cope with that! Denial, desperation, angst, moments of raw sweet joy... Bear had all of these powerful existential themes at his fingertips, and payed far too much attention to plot maneuverings that we all knew didn't matter. Of course, this might seem a bit abstract and opinionated, so let's point out some concrete problems. Bear never shows us his evil eco-cidal aliens, which is fine enough, except that they're not believable even when they're hidden from us. Even cold, cruel aliens should act within the confines of logic. Bear leaves all sorts of important, nagging questions about the plot completely unanswered. Not "well you'll just have to read the next book to know how that works out" kind of questions, but ones that were basic to the plot making any real sense (questions like "if the aliens just need materials, why are they singling out an inhabited planet, when--look! There's Venus, there's Mars--let's give them a try!" Or "why would the aliens go through all the trouble of ever even contacting humans when there was nothing to the Earthlings could offer in the way of resistance, and anonimity would have certainly kept anyone from being suspicious?") So. A silly book, deeply unsatisfying, but if you do read it, skip to the last hundred pages or so, as they're the only ones worth the time.
Rating: 
Summary: only because i had to for school
Review: I read this book for a college class I'm in right now. The book itself was well writen and easy to follow, minus the scientific crap. The plot I found to be well described yet most of the details were useless. The book could and should have been summed up sooner but due to wordy-ness it wasn't. Having read no other sf books I cannot form an opinion on his writing except for this book. I believe it had the potential to be better and for that reason I gave it 3 stars. If you have to read it for school or whatever else well, have fun. If your reading or going to read it for fun I suggest you should reconsider your choice.
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Summary: the same Greg Bear?
Review: I read Forge of God a little while back, and have just finished reading Anvil Of Stars. Quite frankly, I am amazed that the same Greg Bear wrote both books. The difference in quality is huge. I liked the idea / premise behind Forge of God - earth's impending destruction - but to tell the truth I was more excited by all the reviews I read on Amazon beforehand than (most of) the actual book itself! Problems? Most of Forge of God doesn't flow, has poor characterisation, poor visuals and a weak plot that takes too long to get going. A lot of the book is unnecessary waffle. Too long! Bear writes like an amateur, reducing what should have been an exceptional work of sci-f into a frustrating, annoying book that does not fulfil the potential of its premise.. That said, I did feel the anxiety of Earth's impending destruction, but I should have felt more. When the earth's destruction finally occurred, it was an anti-climax (maybe because it had been so well documented in these review pages). I did not really connect with the book. It lacked what Anvil of Stars had in spades, namely believable characters and the ability to pull you in. With Anvil of Stars, I felt it all. Whereas with Forge of God its pull hinged almost entirely on the destruction and not much else, so it was a largely empty experience. There were some notable moments in Forge of God - the nuking of the bogey, Harry Feinman's deathbed letter, the destruction of Seattle, etc; but I was left with the feeling that Bear was impatient, as if he just wanted to get to the climax of climaxes, and having to write the book before that point was just getting in the way complete destruction of the planet earth. Which is all very well, but I like to enjoy a whole book and not just the ending. With Forge of God, it was almost good enough...but not quite. Thankfully Forge of God is actually strengthened by having Anvil of Stars as a sequel. As a two part series, the pair are unbeatable. Good on you, Bear.
Rating:
Summary: gripping, yet dissatisfying and overly long
Review: This novel started strong, as the aliens "invade" and sceintists and politicians attempt to deal with it. Actually, as other reviewers have revealed, it's more of an execution than an invasion. Two thirds of the way through the book I sudddenly realized "Hey, they're not actually going to save the earth, are they?" Okay, so I was a little slow on the pickup. From that point on I realized that there really wasn't any point at all to any of the plot twists and characterizations that had already happened or were yet to come. Still, Bear kept it interesting and I actually finished the book in a couple of days. But I would not recommend this book as it requires an emotional investment, then kicks you in the stomach for a payoff.
Rating: 
Summary: The Forge of God
Review: This book by greg bear, the Forge of God, is too real. The way he tells the story, the plot, his descriptions non-vague. I recommend this book and it deserves 6 stars for it. If you're into science fiction I highly recommend this book
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Summary: Humans don't always win
Review: What a good read! Refreshing and thought provoking in the best tradition of SF story, evocative in images of some of the best parts of Amerika. I recommend this book highly.
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Summary: Not just for SF fans
Review: I read this book years ago and it is one of the most memorable books I have ever read. Many SF books can be appreciated only by fans of the genre. The Forge of God trancends that narrow classification. There are many "end of the world" stories out there in literature and on film. This one is outstanding not only as a remarkably inventive work of science fiction but also for its portrayal of the range of emotions experienced by people who face either death or salvation. The scene in which a group of people watches the approach of the catastrophe that will annihilate them is particulary moving. One does not have to be a fan of science fiction to be deeply affected by this book.
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Summary: Pure amusment
Review: This book reads away very easily, you don't want to put it down, for you MUST know how it ends. The characters act believable and the story itself is to say at least intriguing. The story is filled with questions and suprises, it might not be a profoundly deep, religious book that will be seen as a new sort of bible, it's still a book that will amuse you for days after you have read it. I recomend it.
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Summary: some sf novels do get better than this.
Review: 1. If you are "into" sf, this book deserves reading. 2. The end of the earth scenes make you remember the book which through them manages whispering you after you part with it, uniqe in books, i dare say. 3. The book IS a rush, you run almost "amok" reading it. 4. The charachters are quite credible. 5. The pilot is "weak" . 6. The main problem, as with the "anvil of stars" is, the book is not a clever one. It has gaps, some quite concrete and deep, which reminds you meals looking good - served well but you certainly decide to be less than "tasty". The development of the story is less than average. No well defined and sized bookmarks around depicting the steps of the story, you read on and on. 8. Thank you bearing with my review.
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