Rating: 
Summary: Dosen't quite deliver
Review: I have to go against the overwhelming tide of opinion that holds this novel to be an excellent work. The first half of the novel isn't bad as we accompany the protaganist and his effort to survive in post-apopcalyptic America. The character isn't heroic. Instead he's a survivor. And then we get started with the postman charade. At first it has potential - the reestablishing of communications to rebuild civilization. The lowly mailman suddenly stepping into a position as savior or at least rebuilder. The mundane civil servant now is heroic. Very intruiging. But then David Brin - ex-NASA scientist - has to bring in technology. Suddenly we have genetically engineered super-soldiers and something called neo-hippie technology. In one quick turn we are in some kind of world involving ressurrected 1960's philosophy! The book wanders around, looking for some kind of philosophical grounding. Why? Isn't it enough to have a story about the rebuilding of the country? Or did David Brin become bored with such an Earthy story and feel the need to go into space - so to speak. No I believe this book suffers from a lack of focus. A good idea, but not carried out completely.
Rating: 
Summary: Important and powerful
Review: I saw the movie before reading the book. I generally agreed with movie critics that it was overdone and terribly acted. But I was fascinated by the central concept of "The Postman." So I decided to read the book. Whereas, the End Times fiction series "Left Behind" depicts the horrors of extremely centralized government, a one-world order, "The Postman" embraces the opposite concept, extremely DE-centralized government. In this story whose chronological setting is the year 2013, the United States has collapsed and a form of government known as feudalism has taken its place, a form of government that existed in Western Europe and Japan several centuries ago. There are numerous self-governing units which have little to no communication with each other. People bound themselves to the land of local dictators in exchange for protection. In the absence of any central government there was no military or police to protect people and their freedoms. These feudal lords were oftenin turn be pledged to even more powerful landowners who might be under feudal lords themselves and so on. But Gordon Krantz, in an effort to keep warm, stumbles upon something terrifying to these lunatic general-dictators. A postal service to bind people of a large republic with communication. Gordon tells several villages about a Restored United States of America and that he is a postman for that new republic. There is no Restored United States of America but that is not the point. People start believing in the possibility of a better future for the first time in a long time. And even if they did not believe the story new ideas had been introduced to them. The Holnists, followers of a long dead Nathan Holn, are committed to the idea that the strong who dominate the weak, otherwise they have been brainwashed by these weaker people. This is a hatable philosophy and serves as the story's main villian. My main complaint is that the book is not quite that engaging. It was not something I was unable to put down. There are several differences between the book and the movie in plot, and characters. But both seem to be in the exact same setting. I think the nuclear war theme is a little overdone and I would like to see how the author could have made the United States collapse in another way. Would he have chosen an extremely bad economy? a series of natural disaster? A book about the events leading to the scenario which "The Postman" describes would be even more fascinating.
Rating:
Summary: I really like this book. It's inspirational.
Review: Postman starts in a postapocalyptic nightmare vision of America where people live day by day in small isolated towns who live in constant fear of attacks by groups of survivalists known as Holnists who are partly responsible for the destruction of the country and almost totally responsible for it's continued nonexistence. Then one day a drifter, seeking shelter from angry Holnists discovers an old postal uniform and a bag of letters, which he takes and uses to try to get free food from towns by lying and saying that the United States does exist and he is a postal carrier. By doing this he unwittingly gives the people he comes across something neither he nor they had seen in a long time: hope. This book is really uplifting and good for the heart.
Rating:
Summary: Read Postman - It's way better that that Costner flick
Review: The Postman is an intelligent work with deep concepts. Describing the aftermath of war in America is done beautifully and with enough ambiguity to make it seem plausible. I live in the States, and there is that underlying survivalist mentality when you leave the Major cities. This representation is a good spin on the concepts and the possibility of post-apocalype survival.
Rating:
Summary: Not an advertisement for the postal service
Review: "The Postman" is set in the 21st century. A war has brought about the collapse of civilization. America, once a great nation, no longer exists. All that is left are ruined cities, scattered tribes and lawlessness. It has been like this for sixteen years. The hero is 34 year-old Gordon Krantz. He is travelling across the country, looking for something. Some sign of revival, someone who is "taking responsibility". After being robbed by bandits, Gordon is left with almost nothing. It looks as if he will either starve or freeze to death. Then, by an amazing stoke of luck, he finds the body of a postman. He puts on the uniform, and from that point, even though he doesn't know it, he has a new purpose. He visits different tribes claiming to be a representative of the new government, the Restored United States. Gordon is really acting out an elaborate scam so he can get food and help. But Gordon is also giving people hope. Gordon becomes totally involved in his role, so that he almost believes in the lie himself. He even delivers mail to people as he travels. "The Postman" has a "Mad Max" feel to it. There isn't as much action however, it's more of an intellectual story. This is the only novel I've read by David Brin. Even though we're told it's wrong to lie, Gordon's deception is the catylist for America's revival. The return of technology, a new beginning. Everyone needs something to believe in. It's what keeps us going when times are hard. This is the message I believe Brin is trying to get across.
Rating:
Summary: The Postman
Review: David Brinn does an excellent job at creating a realistic world after a nuclear war. He does this by using two great characters, Gordon and Nathan Holn. Gordon is a survivalist that was alive before the war and frequently reminds us of what we have now that we take for granted. He is kind hearted, very intelligent and has a strong will to survive. He uses his skills in drama to get food and supplies. Gordon is the opposite Nathan Holn. Nathan is also intelligent and strong willed but he acquired power of a large gang of survivalist called the Holnist and uses them for plundering and destruction. Nathan is also knowledgeable in the fine arts and is impressed with Gordon. These charters become enemies. Gordon was taken prisoner by Nathan's men and went to "boot camp" to become part of the Holnist. Gordon escapes to find out that he created something very special before he left. My favorite part of the book took place during the beginning of the book. Gordon was sitting down to eat his meal at camp when some thieves ambushed him. He had to run away in the bushes. Gordon had his gun but in the postwar days ammo was spare, so he dare not use it. When Gordon went back to his camp after the thieves left, he discovered that they have taken everything of value. Gordon decided to cut them off up the path. As Gordon went through the dusk he saw a shinny reflection from what appeared to be the thieves hide out. Gordon arrived at the "hideout" only to find that it was a mail car from the prewar days. I would recommend this book to anyone that likes adventure or a book that inspires and creates hope.
Rating:
Summary: Not your run of the mill post nuclear war story
Review: A few years back I got interested in seeing how many books out there were written about life after either a nuclear war or massive epidemic that wipes out a lot of the earths population. There are many, to say the least. Most are purely trashy adventure novels full of tough ex military types killing each other and nearly non existant plot lines. The Postman, on the other hand, is one of the few that I personally thought had an element of realism and an interesting plot. Earth Abides would probably be another. A word of caution - if you liked the Costner movie 'the postman' and haven't read the book don't expect many simularities - other than some very general ones. Costner apparently thought that his ideas were more 'filmable' or whatever, but it ruined a great story (which I personally think would have made an excellent movie unchanged from how it was written by Brin). The character Gordon is completely different from book to movie, and this may throw you off if you are expecting the warrior minstrel from the movie in the book. 4 out of 5 because I didn't like the ending (the part about the females).
Rating:
Summary: I enjoyed this book because of the political views.
Review: Anyone who fears a world war should read this book. It is obvious that the author knows a lot about politics and is well read. This book presents an interesting main character, good plot, great setting, and believable back up characters to create a dynamic read overall.
Rating:
Summary: Don't be put off by the movie!
Review: One of the best books I've read all year. Brin's story flows with a grace and power little seen these days. His skillfull use of plot device and interludes ties the story together and reveals it's depth. This isn't just the story of a few minor skirmishs in hope-starved Oregon, this is the story of the history, present and future of the world. Brin conveys great personality and belivability in each and everyone of his characters. It will chalenge your way of looking at the world and at history. Highly recomended!
Rating:
Summary: First time reading David Brin
Review: I had never heard of this book until a friend gave it to me to keep me occupied on a long train ride. I thought it moved slow at first and it took me a while to get through the first couple of chapters. However after a while the plot took off and I found it almost impossible to put the book down. This is one of the most interesting, exiting, and moving books I've read in a long time. Thoroughly enjoyable and highly recomendable.
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