Rating: 
Summary: are we missing the point?
Review: 1) Is Anthony running out a ammo for this series? The concept of the same people reborn in different times is cute, and carried the first two books along just fine. However, it seems to me that he is repeating the same themes over and over now. After this book, I don't feel any different than after the first two. He does spend much more time discussing the sexual nature of his characters and maybe its because he thinks it will keep our interest. He's wrong. It doesn't.2) In each of the first two books Anthony had a specific concept or two that he wanted to focus on (growth of the individual, growth of the family). Rather than explore a new topic he just repeats these concepts. Such a waste. There are plenty of other avenues to try - politics, sport, craft, unemployment, etc. I know I said this in the previous paragraph but I'm trying to make a point. Maybe that's what Anthony was doing. 3) some have said that this book is a great historical reference ("like walking down the street in Louis XIV France or ancient Rome") Don't get carried away. It's no such thing. This is a story and while Anthony did a lot of research, he NEVER intended this to be a historical reference and he admits in every book that he takes artistic liberty with historical data. 4) All of that being said, the story is OK but not earth shattering. As is common in a series, the first books are needed to carry the later one and this is no exception. If you loved the first two, ignore this write up and buy the book. If you just thought they were OK, you wont miss anything by skipping this one.
Rating: 
Summary: The best Geodyssey book yet!
Review: After reading Isle of Woman and Shame of Man, I couldn't wait to read Hope of Earth. And I have to say that this one is my favorite. It's about six brothers and sisters, Sam, Flo, Ned, Jes, Bry, and Lin. I feel that in this book you are the most involved in the chacters. Piers Anthony has done an exquisite job at portraying the characters, their families, and the far away times that other wise would be so hard to imagine. The next best thing to actully walking down the street in ancient Rome or meeting King Louis XIV is to read this book. Congratulations Piers Anthony on portraying history in the finest way!
Rating:
Summary: A Brilliant work (excuse the sex)
Review: Anthony has done it again, creating a brilliant mix of history and drama that is sure to capture the attention of any serious reader. I can only imagine the research that went in to the book to make it historically accurate. I have only one criticism which is that the amount of sexual scenes in the book I find unnecessary and quite annoying, I don't know what his preoccupation is with it but he seems to bring it up in the most unlikely places. It seems to me he expressing his own fetish in his work. Despite this, it is one of the best books I have ever read. Don't let my warning deter you from reading it, if I were you I would just skip over those parts.
Rating: 
Summary: Learn to hope; hope to learn
Review: Anthony has long been one of my favorites. I cannot keep up with the outpouring of his titles. Hope of Earth thrilled me as did the other volumes of the Geodyssey series. True to his form of writing, Anthony conjures a vivid portrayal of humanity's history and just makes you rethink some of those ideas you have held as being "the only truth". Anyone who enjoys the annals of history will enjoy the traipsing adventures of characters that are not movers-and-shakers of history, but witness first hand those prime agents of our past. Hats off to Anthony's research assistant as he continualy provides information that gives the detail to live the story.
Rating:
Summary: Learn to hope; hope to learn
Review: Anthony has long been one of my favorites. I cannot keep up with the outpouring of his titles. Hope of Earth thrilled me as did the other volumes of the Geodyssey series. True to his form of writing, Anthony conjures a vivid portrayal of humanity's history and just makes you rethink some of those ideas you have held as being "the only truth". Anyone who enjoys the annals of history will enjoy the traipsing adventures of characters that are not movers-and-shakers of history, but witness first hand those prime agents of our past. Hats off to Anthony's research assistant as he continualy provides information that gives the detail to live the story.
Rating:
Summary: A must read book
Review: I really enjoy Hope of Earth story and characters. The life and misfortune of this siblings through history was really well done. I really like the chapter about Athem but my favorite so far is the last two chapter of the novel. I really like the character of Tourett (as in the nervious illness). You have to read it to understand why is so outstanding. It really touch me. Give it a try!
Rating:
Summary: A must read book
Review: The GeoOdessey series is probably my favorite series, along with the Xanth series. This novel, Hope of Earth, takes the most current facts regarding human evolution and mixes them in with a great plot to make learning even more fun. I would recommend this book to anyone interested in reading.
Rating:
Summary: Best GeoOdessey book; great facts in a great story.
Review: The GeoOdessey series is probably my favorite series, along with the Xanth series. This novel, Hope of Earth, takes the most current facts regarding human evolution and mixes them in with a great plot to make learning even more fun. I would recommend this book to anyone interested in reading.
Rating:
Summary: A roller-coaster ride through history
Review: The third of Piers Anthony's roller-coaster rides through the history of humankind, 'Hope of Earth' showcases a half-dozen characters as they experience a lifetime of five million years. Why should you care about these characters? Because they are archetypes, each of their conversations and actions illustrating humanity's strengths and weaknesses. Why else? The supporting cast features the Ice Man, Boudica, Perikles, Herod, Samo, Toqtamish, and Louis XIV. Imagine meeting even one of these; Anthony's six meet them all.Conflict is important to fictional characters, and here each has a major problem to deal with: for example, one of the characters has a six-fingered hand, the natural successor to the left-handedness in the prior volume. As we have come to expect in the Geodyssey, the score of settings has lush variety. Central to the novel, and a quarter of its length, is the exploration of the war between Athens and Sparta beginning in 431 BC; other interesting locations include the Maginot Line, the supposed Great Wall of China, and the Great Rift Valley.Once molded by evolution to conquer the world, mankind proceeded to do so along Anthony's lines. His message, however, is that the world-conquering gifts our species retains may be our downfall as conquest turns to destruction. The hope of Earth is for us to learn from history and mend our ways. This splendid effort to wake us up to that task is not only inspirational but also enjoyable, and readers can ask for no better combination than that.
Rating:
Summary: I learned more history here than in 14 years of school!
Review: This is definately my favorite of the whole series. If anybody wants to start reading this series, I suggest you begin with HOPE OF EARTH first. It is the most engaging one. The characters are more involved and vivid. I must say that I enjoyed this series as much for the fiction as for the historical referrences. I have learned so many names and dates quite accidentally because this book brings history and historical characters to life so vividly! I especially enjoyed Anthony's sensitivity and admiration for women and ethinic cultures. He doesn't focus solely on Western/Anglo cultures like other historical novels tend to do and he admits that sometimes, when women run things, they are wiser than men. He brings the more obscure and less discussed cultures to readers who probably didn't get exposed to them in school. I started the series by reading HOPE first and I'm glad I did. All three are excellent, but HOPE is the most captivating. Don't worry, you don't need to read the other two to get this one.
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