Lucifer's Hammer

Rating:
Summary: Entertaining food for thought.
Review: I realy enjoy the reading of this book. It is not often that one reads a book that is food for thought and fun at the same time. Most of the "armagedon" type of books axploit the post-tragedy meihem with all it's harrowing details, yet this is not the case. I found the cannibal ritual rather interesting as a way to for ever brand the new initiates so as to leave them no where else to go. The plot would profit if the author would have elaborated more on the post-hit rather that on the pre-hit, but in essense is a great book.

Rating:
Summary: Great Book - It is Marred by typical racial stereotyping
Review: Great disaster book with correct science. Unfortunately, the book perpetuates typical racial stereotypes - a few superhero blacks, with most blacks portrayed as drug addicts, cannibalistic, incompetents. Niven and Purnelle's final vision is one in which there are hardly any blacks, no hispanics, no asians and no indians. . His finally world is one in which white Americans continue to dominate the United States.

Rating:
Summary: Arguably one of the finest disaster related works ever writt
Review: I first picked up a copy of "Lucifer's Hammer" in 1979 on the advice of a friend. Once I started this novel I could not put it down. The character development was superb and the story line awesome. I can't add much to what the other reviewers have written except to say this is a truly amazing work originaly written at a time well before the current comet/asteroid/disaster craze of movies. This book is definately a must read.

Rating:
Summary: Better late than never...
Review: I finally got turned onto Larry Niven a couple of years ago with Ringworld. Since then, the staff at the local library has started rolling their eyes when I step up to the checkout desk.

Lucifer's Hammer is definitely the best of the lot so far. Niven and Pournelle have put together a fantastic mix of science and speculation, building the book to a conclusion that truly brough tears to my eyes. The optimism throughout the story is astounding--despite everything, there is an undercurrent of hope that I like to think would be present in such a situation. Definitely an amazing read, and far and away the best disaster-related story I've seen.

Rating:
Summary: In a league of it's own
Review: "Lucifer's Hammer" s the greatest end-of-the-world novel ever written. Nothing else can compare to its epic scale, gripping narrative, and utter realism. Only the phenomenal new mainstream novel THE TRIUMPH AND THE GLORY, has stirred my emotions and left me as thoughtful as LUCIFER'S HAMMER.

Rating:
Summary: A Hard SF Look At Disaster
Review: "Lucifer's Hammer" delivers on everything most "apocalpyse tales" promise, and offers a wonderful deal of realism to boot. No angels or demons are requried here, just the courge and failings of the human race.

Niven and Pournelle truly capture the characters they create, each one unique and believable. The actions of these characters drive the story to logical, and sometimes tragically inevitable, conclusions.

Possibly the only drawback comes from one or two improbable coincidences, but these can be forgiven in such a masterwork.

Rating:
Summary: Blame Niven and Pournelle for the sad state of SF today
Review: I have terribly mixed feelings about Lucifer's Hammer. On the one hand, it is a pretty good book, especially by 1990s SF standards. On the other hand, it was the first big, thick, mainstream, third-person, subplotted SF novel to really make an impact in the market. So to speak. (The Mote in God's Eye was more of a conventional SF novel.) With this book, Niven and Pournelle single-handedly (or would that be "four-handedly") fused the suspense and SF genres and, well, kind of made SF what it is today. Which, in my opinion, is less than what it was 20 years ago.

Rating:
Summary: THIS BOOK IS NOW AND WILL REMAIN A CLASSIC
Review: I REAK THIS BOOK AT IT'S FIRST RELEASE. AND A COUPLE OF TIME SINCE. WITH THE COMET/ ASTEROID CRAZE NONE HAVE COME CLOSE WITH STORYLINE, BELIEVABLITY, AND SHEER HUMAN SUSPENCE. READ IT YOU WILL LOVE IT. (JUST GET PAST THE OUTDATED SCIENCE)

Rating:
Summary: Absolutely loved it
Review: The book is amazing. I have read it at least 8 times, and have passed it along to all of my friends, and no one has been disappointed. A story that actually has character development, and a good plot. None of those comet movies can compare.

Rating:
Summary: A chilling look at the destruction of our world.
Review: What can I say that hasn't already been said? I loved this book, the character development and description of the destroyed world is amazing. The only problem with this book, and it's not the author's problem, is that it's a bit dated. Many times while I was reading it I had to stop and remind myself what the world was like when this book was written. If one can get pass the predijuces and the low-tech, out-dated science, one will find this book is excellent and worth reading.