Rating: 
Summary: Awesome!
Review: "ANCIENT SHORES" is a story filled with wonder and excitement! This is a must read for any person who wonders about other worlds that may exist out there. McDevitt gives us the info necessary for the story and does not add info that we do not need. The characters are "real" and the story is pretty fast paced. If you are looking for a story without a lot of complicated distractions read ANCIENT SHORES! This book will make you think. The ending was fantastic.
Rating: 
Summary: Plenty of Fiction¿no Science
Review: 'Ancient Shores' is only the second novel by Jack McDevitt that I have read. The first was 'Engines of God' which was a far superior work. 'Ancient Shores' is by no means a bad novel. It's just not science fiction. While there is plenty of fiction there is next to no science. Which is fine - the novel is more than entertaining as it is.Two alien artifacts are discovered in North Dakota and the novel follows a large cast of characters as they deal with the repercussions of such a momentous find. This is hardly a new twist in the First Contact genre but McDevitt's story is full of a vibrancy often lacking in other attempts. The plot is mostly character driven - a good thing given the authors adept skills in drawing characters that are at once believable and almost archetypal. The intriguing aspect of 'Ancient Shores' is McDevitt's pessimistic take on how mankind (or, more specifically, white North American mankind) would react to the discovery of alien machines of incalculable value. Let's hope he is wrong. McDevitt has been described by Kevin J. Anderson as 'one of the best hard SF writers in the business.' I look forward to reading more.
Rating:
Summary: One of the best....
Review: A 10,000 year old sailboat is just the start of one of Jack McDevitt's best books. Once again, he puts science fiction, smart characters and a mystery into a pot and makes a delightful meal for the mind. The only problem is I wanted more and I hope he follows up with a second book.
Rating:
Summary: Well deserved nomination for the Nebula Award
Review: A satisfying blend of archaeology, science fiction, social science and a look at human stupidity. Asks the "big" questions and doesn't shrink from providing answers that may not please all. Resounds a bit of Pohl's Tales of the Heechee and many science fiction themes that may not be unique, but still prove to be entertaining and enlightening. Definitely recommended.
Rating:
Summary: Book with potential
Review: A well told story of the discovery of an artifact left by an advanced people. McDevitt poses an interesting
question of how people would react to such a discovery.
Though he develops the story well, he introduced too many characters leaving the reader feeling incomplete and not knowing any individual well. The novel ends in a deus ex machina. In spite of this, an interesting read.
Rating: 
Summary: Not Worth The Wait
Review: After reading, and loving, McDevitt's Engines of God, I eagerly awaited the release of Ancient Shores. While the premise was promising the execution wasn't. It relied too heavily on broad character characteratures and trite plot conventions- and the themes it explored (i.e., what happens to humans when we recieve proof of little green men) was treated better by Sagan's Contact-both the book and movie version.
Rating:
Summary: Not Bad, Not Great
Review: An interesting premise never fully realized. The initial story of possible first contact through an unearthed link to other worlds is intriguing but never really developed. Many minor characters come and go to illustrate the effect of first contact on society, but very few of these characters are interesting and eventually it becomes deadening. The story manages to create an occasional sense of wonder, and there is some suspense at the end, but the payoff just isn't there. The story never resolves itself and is unbelieveable at best, leaving unanswered questions and a sense of unfulfillment. Nicely written but don't expect to discover much about the book's central mystery, which is who built the advanced technology about which the primary story circles and circles and circles without landing.
Rating:
Summary: A Classic Sci Fi Archaeological Story
Review: As an avid Sci Fi reader, I am always looking for the unusual story, but also ones that thread an archaeological story through it. This one hits the bullseye. I could not put it down till I was finished and still relish the story as if I read it yesterday. The story of a family uncovering an ancient ship on their property, made of an unknown substance and probably thousands of years old, is by far a classic science, archaeological find, and sci-fi story. This story put McDevitt on my reading list for ever.
Rating:
Summary: This Book makes me wish for a Sequel!
Review: Fast paced and "Clean" with real world consequences and reactions to the discovery of Alien Artifacts! I Loved this book! This book was A one night read which gets you 5 stars from me almost every time! My only gripe (very small one) is the ending of the book where a group of "friends" get in the act! I would have liked it much better if "they" were involved earlier! This is My favorite Book By McDevitt! (so far I've Read "Moonfall", "Eternity Road" and "Engines of God" which are definite buy recommendations from me!) All in all you can not ask for much better in a Science Fiction Novel and I hope Mr. McDevitt will write a sequel because I am dying to find out about the other "destination" possibilities!
Rating:
Summary: This Book makes me wish for a Sequel!
Review: Fast paced and "Clean" with real world consequences and reactions to the discovery of Alien Artifacts! I Loved this book! This book was A one night read which gets you 5 stars from me almost every time! My only gripe (very small one) is the ending of the book where a group of "friends" get in the act! I would have liked it much better if "they" were involved earlier! This is My favorite Book By McDevitt! (so far I've Read "Moonfall", "Eternity Road" and "Engines of God" which are definite buy recommendations from me!) All in all you can not ask for much better in a Science Fiction Novel and I hope Mr. McDevitt will write a sequel because I am dying to find out about the other "destination" possibilities!
| 
