Rating: 
Summary: Return of the Dinosaurs
Review: Back in 1992, Robert J. Sawyer altered how science fiction was perceived, with a very unknown novel about sentient dinosaurs as an allegory not only to Galileo, but also to the Catholic Church. There were very few speculative works that used science, religion and cleverly designed non-human characters to build an entire world, and after the publication of Sawyer's '92 novel, he continued the line into a trilogy, now known as the Quintaglio Ascension, with each book taking another stance on religion and using a main character who anthropomorphizes the work of important scientific figures (Darwin and Freud)._Far-Seer_ is now back in print, in a larger format with a better layout and cover design; even the Map has been updated. The story is the same as the original mass-market paperback, but if you have not picked up this series from Hugo- and Nebula-Award winning novelist, it's time to start. Afsan, an apprentice astronomer, ventures out as part of his step into adulthood to gaze fully upon The Face of God, the large heavenly body that is on the opposite side of their world from their homeland. His quest for knowledge has Afsan viewing the different smaller bodies that revolve around The Face of God, and soon he determines that the Quintaglio history of God, their home being the center of the universe, and their entire existence, does not match with his observations. Afsan must now determine whether this information should be shared, and save his kind from destruction, or kept to himself in fear of retaliation of disrupting years of religious doctrine. The only help he has is the Emperor Dybo, a dear friend of his, his master Saleed, and his far-seer, which helped him in determining the composition of the heavens. _Far-Seer_ is a departure from formulaic and mainstream science fiction, and it's wonderful that this series is now back in print. With _Fossil Hunter_ and _Foreigner_ due out before the end of 2005, readers can collect these remarkable books, the first trilogy from the author of the Hugo-Award winning _Hominids_ (part of the Neanderthal Parallax with _Humans_ and _Hybrids_). A definite must-have!
Rating: 
Summary: Fascinating; historically accurate; educational; fun!
Review: Back in the 1600s, we knew nothing of the heavens and how they truly worked. The Ptolemaic model - that of an earth-centered universe - and the concept that God created everything and maintained an active role in the universe - were accepted unconditionally as the truth. Then Galileo observed for himself the planets, their shapes and phases, and their motions. He challenged the teachings of the Catholic Church, resulting in his trial before the Inquisition and subsequent house arrest for refusing to recant. "Far Seer" is a Galilean allegory. And Newtonian, and Copernican, and Keplerian. It uses an intriguing blend of fiction and fact to draw the reader in. Retold here, in painstakingly accurate detail, is the process by which Galileo first turned telescope to the heavens and developed his own model of a heliocentric - sun-centered - solar system. Here we read of the wonder of the Renaissance scientist and his struggle against the church of his day. The story's fictional protagonist struggles against the incumbent religion of his world to the point of threat of death. He is able to bring around a shift in world-view only after suffering personal injury , valuing the truth above his own life. We realize the suffering the real Galileo must have endured. But here, too, is the unwavering logic that is modern astronomy. The shifting phases of the planets; the rings of Saturn; the tidal forces that give rise to those rings; the earth-shattering (pun intended) consequences for moons of large planets. It's all here, explained in a way that the layperson can understand. After reading this book, I gained a new insight into the lives of astronomy's pioneering minds. My lifetime interest in the topic, due to the nature of available materials, rarely ventures into the scientist's private life. This is a book I can recommend not just to the dedicated SF fan or dinosaur lover, but to those who want to know how astronomy developed from its astrologic beginnings to the inexact but beautiful science it is today.
Rating: 
Summary: The Beggining of the Quintaglio Ascension Trilogy
Review: Far Seer is the first volume of what became a trilogy of novels that takes place in a world inhabited by saurian beings. This stage is set with the idea of drawing some paralell lines with relevant personnages of our history, but also developing fully independent trains of action. Thus, Far-Seer deals with a character akin to Galileo. In the next two volumes Sawyer will mirror the lives of Darwin and Freud. Rarely enough, the whole trilogy was been out of print for a while, a fact which is unfortunate. Indeed, I can consider Far-Seer one of my favorite books by Robert Sawyer. Although short, this is a well crafted story with engaging prose and characters. Sawyer manages to create credible and attractive landscapes and consistent cultural traits. Even after considering the fact that the author is mirroring the story of Galileo the imagined situations are good enough to maintain the attention. Although being fully independent, Far-Seer still leaves a thread that is to be followed in the next two installments: Fossil Hunter and Foreigner.
Rating: 3.5
Rating:
Summary: The Beggining of the Quintaglio Ascension Trilogy
Review: Far Seer is the first volume of what became a trilogy of novels that takes place in a world inhabited by saurian beings. This stage is set with the idea of drawing some paralell lines with relevant personnages of our history, but also developing fully independent trains of action. Thus, Far-Seer deals with a character akin to Galileo. In the next two volumes Sawyer will mirror the lives of Darwin and Freud. Rarely enough, the whole trilogy was been out of print for a while, a fact which is unfortunate. Indeed, I can consider Far-Seer one of my favorite books by Robert Sawyer. Although short, this is a well crafted story with engaging prose and characters. Sawyer manages to create credible and attractive landscapes and consistent cultural traits. Even after considering the fact that the author is mirroring the story of Galileo the imagined situations are good enough to maintain the attention. Although being fully independent, Far-Seer still leaves a thread that is to be followed in the next two installments: Fossil Hunter and Foreigner.
Rating: 3.5
Rating:
Summary: Not a human in sight!
Review: Great book, told entirely from the point of view of a world of intelligent dinosaurs. No human beings in it at all (heck, no MAMMALS at all!). But the characters Sawyer draws are as real as any you've ever read, and the book is loads of fun. Should appeal to adults and to the YA crowd as well. Enjoy!
Rating:
Summary: Not a human in sight!
Review: Great book, told entirely from the point of view of a world of intelligent dinosaurs. No human beings in it at all (heck, no MAMMALS at all!). But the characters Sawyer draws are as real as any you've ever read, and the book is loads of fun. Should appeal to adults and to the YA crowd as well. Enjoy!
Rating:
Summary: The best science fiction book I've ever read.
Review: I really enjoyed this book. Afsan is a person who you can learn something from. I really enjoyed this book.
Rating:
Summary: Mirrored world
Review: So long as priests are granted the monopoly of declaring what is moral and what is not, the war of science and religion will never cease. Robert Sawyer here shows how that conflict not only crosses cultural lines, but species ones, as well. Merging the lives of Earth's Copernicus, Galileo, Kepler and Newton into one dinosauroid individual, he recapitulates three centuries of striving to understand Nature's secrets. Each worked in fear of the church's displeasure, addressing the absolute monopoly with various levels of success. Sawyer presents Afsan as one determined to reveal truth at whatever cost. Afsan uses the first telescope to examine the heavens, challenging the established tradition of the role of priests and their dogmas. The discoveries are too important to allow the priests to quell them. Afsan knows the future of his race is at stake. Although Sawyer must compress many people and events into one modestly heroic character, it doesn't detract from the quality of this book. Making dinosaurs into near humans takes a special skill, but Sawyer manages it with little falsity. He exhibits a vivid imagination, but doesn't let it run away with his presentation. While the portrait of a race still using claws for emotional expression and hunting while building a civilization of stone, metal and ships may give the purist pause, Sawyer's story-telling abilities overcomes these doubts. The book remains an entertaining and clever interpretation. For the fullest enjoyment, of course, the next two volumes become mandatory reading.
Rating:
Summary: Mirrored world
Review: So long as priests are granted the monopoly of declaring what is moral and what is not, the war of science and religion will never cease. Robert Sawyer here shows how that conflict not only crosses cultural lines, but species ones, as well. Merging the lives of Earth's Copernicus, Galileo, Kepler and Newton into one dinosauroid individual, he recapitulates three centuries of striving to understand Nature's secrets. Each worked in fear of the church's displeasure, addressing the absolute monopoly with various levels of success. Sawyer presents Afsan as one determined to reveal truth at whatever cost. Afsan uses the first telescope to examine the heavens, challenging the established tradition of the role of priests and their dogmas. The discoveries are too important to allow the priests to quell them. Afsan knows the future of his race is at stake. Although Sawyer must compress many people and events into one modestly heroic character, it doesn't detract from the quality of this book. Making dinosaurs into near humans takes a special skill, but Sawyer manages it with little falsity. He exhibits a vivid imagination, but doesn't let it run away with his presentation. While the portrait of a race still using claws for emotional expression and hunting while building a civilization of stone, metal and ships may give the purist pause, Sawyer's story-telling abilities overcomes these doubts. The book remains an entertaining and clever interpretation. For the fullest enjoyment, of course, the next two volumes become mandatory reading.
Rating:
Summary: I LOVE THIS BOOK!
Review: This book is the best sci-fi I've ever read. I could not put it down! Also Recommended: Fossil Hunter, Foreigner
| 
