The City of Gold and Lead

Rating:
Summary: The City of Gold and Lead, A all around good story
Review: Summary of The City of Gold and Lead

The City of Gold and Lead, by John Christopher, is a science fiction story. It starts out by having the three main characters, Will, Fritz, and Beanpole, travel to a sort of Olympics to be selected to serve the aliens as slaves in the city of gold and lead. They want to infiltrate the aliens' city to learn information that could help them save the world. Only Will and Fritz are selected to come to the aliens' city. When they feel they must escape, the two boys find a way to get out. They decide that swimming in a river under the city's wall is the best way to exit the city. Fritz tells Will that it would be too risky if both of them go. Fritz forces Will to leave him in the city. Once Will gets under the wall he finds Beanpole waiting for him. In the end, Will and Beanpole make the long journey back to the White Mountains.

Critique of The City of Gold and Lead

The City of Gold and Lead, by John Christopher, is a science fiction story about two boys who are trying to save the human race from alien domination. I found that I had a lot of trouble trying to put this book down. As I was reading, I figured out why. It was because I would forget that I was reading and I would think that I was in Will's place. For example, when Will and Fritz were trying to escape from the city, I feared for my life and my friend Fritz's life when Fritz said, "I'm not going to escape. They will suspect something." I think that this feeling was due to the fact that John Christopher's style of writing brings all of the characters to life. Although this book is not quite in the class of Isaac Asimov's science fiction stories, it is still a great science fiction novel. I would recommend this book to anyone who has an adventurous mind and likes science fiction.

Rating:
Summary: When the lights go down in the city
Review: The second book (or third, if you consider the prequel the first book) in John Christopher's massive Tripod series. Continuing where, "The White Mountains" left off, the book follows the adventures of Will and his fight against the Tripods and their alien masters. The book furthers our knowledge about the invaders of Earth and their personal lives. Will and a fellow uncapped boy are given the chance to enter into the home of the Tripods. Once there, Will finds himself a slave to one of the aliens that live in the city and his companionship with this creature leads to further knowledge. This book also marks the point at which Will learns of the aliens' final solution (referred to here as The Plan) for earth's original inhabitants.

I found myself enjoying this book far more than "The White Mountains" itself. Though the first book in the series was far more action packed and filled with gripping chase and escape sequences, the second book is filled with fascinating descriptions of the Masters and their alien lifestyle. This is the kind of book we've been waiting for. Who are these creatures that fit every human with a silver mesh of a cap, making them docile and compliant? Where are they from? How extensive is their knowledge? And, most importantly, how can they be beaten?

Christopher has inserted a clever handicap into this tale that keeps Will from doing anything rash or careless. Neither Will nor his fellow uncapped slave can reveal their true intentions. From the moment they enter the city of gold and lead (so nicknamed for its design and intense gravity) to the moment they are supposed to leave, our heroes mustn't reveal to the Masters that they are uncapped or that a resistance has been planned. The writing in this tale never lingers unduly and the narrative is crisp and swift. Even reluctant readers will breeze through this tale, stopping to marvel at the amazing world the author has created within the boundaries of the city.

I'll admit it right now. Until this book I never really noticed the similarities between this series and H.G. Wells' remarkable "War of the Worlds". Certainly both stories rely on the world being conquered by huge tripods from outer space. In both cases, the aliens responsible for earth's enslavement are unwilling to consider human beings' rights. But the final similarity, and the most striking, is the physical resemblance between the aliens found here in "City of Gold and Lead" and the Wells classic. Both books contain aliens that have tentacles and can't breathe Earth's air. Has Christopher stolen his ideas and made them palatable to children? Perhaps. If so, I've no real objection to his strategy. Slightly more infuriating is his continued dismissal of women in general. If there are female aliens, we're never told of them. As for the girls sent, like the boys, to the city to work as slaves for the Masters, they are quickly dispatched. Apparently Christopher reasoned that while men can handle physical labor and pain, girls cannot. As such, women are killed and the most beautiful amongst them are placed in glass display cases to be observed. Forget trying to search for any symbolism here. It's obvious that the aliens, in addition to being wholly male, are just as sexist as their human counterpoints. While the first book in the Tripod series had a few weak willed females here and there, this book hasn't a single living woman in it AT ALL. This is fairly weird, even for a boy's adventure novel. So on a level of one to five (one being the least chauvinist and five being the most) I'd place this book squarely at 4.7.

Otherwise, I've no objections at all. The book is well paced, well written, and well thought out. All in all, a delightful read that makes one even more eager to read the final chapter in the trilogy.

Rating:
Summary: When the lights go down in the city
Review: The second book (or third, if you consider the prequel the first book) in John Christopher's massive Tripod series. Continuing where, "The White Mountains" left off, the book follows the adventures of Will and his fight against the Tripods and their alien masters. The book furthers our knowledge about the invaders of Earth and their personal lives. Will and a fellow uncapped boy are given the chance to enter into the home of the Tripods. Once there, Will finds himself a slave to one of the aliens that live in the city and his companionship with this creature leads to further knowledge. This book also marks the point at which Will learns of the aliens' final solution (referred to here as The Plan) for earth's original inhabitants.

I found myself enjoying this book far more than "The White Mountains" itself. Though the first book in the series was far more action packed and filled with gripping chase and escape sequences, the second book is filled with fascinating descriptions of the Masters and their alien lifestyle. This is the kind of book we've been waiting for. Who are these creatures that fit every human with a silver mesh of a cap, making them docile and compliant? Where are they from? How extensive is their knowledge? And, most importantly, how can they be beaten?

Christopher has inserted a clever handicap into this tale that keeps Will from doing anything rash or careless. Neither Will nor his fellow uncapped slave can reveal their true intentions. From the moment they enter the city of gold and lead (so nicknamed for its design and intense gravity) to the moment they are supposed to leave, our heroes mustn't reveal to the Masters that they are uncapped or that a resistance has been planned. The writing in this tale never lingers unduly and the narrative is crisp and swift. Even reluctant readers will breeze through this tale, stopping to marvel at the amazing world the author has created within the boundaries of the city.

I'll admit it right now. Until this book I never really noticed the similarities between this series and H.G. Wells' remarkable "War of the Worlds". Certainly both stories rely on the world being conquered by huge tripods from outer space. In both cases, the aliens responsible for earth's enslavement are unwilling to consider human beings' rights. But the final similarity, and the most striking, is the physical resemblance between the aliens found here in "City of Gold and Lead" and the Wells classic. Both books contain aliens that have tentacles and can't breathe Earth's air. Has Christopher stolen his ideas and made them palatable to children? Perhaps. If so, I've no real objection to his strategy. Slightly more infuriating is his continued dismissal of women in general. If there are female aliens, we're never told of them. As for the girls sent, like the boys, to the city to work as slaves for the Masters, they are quickly dispatched. Apparently Christopher reasoned that while men can handle physical labor and pain, girls cannot. As such, women are killed and the most beautiful amongst them are placed in glass display cases to be observed. Forget trying to search for any symbolism here. It's obvious that the aliens, in addition to being wholly male, are just as sexist as their human counterpoints. While the first book in the Tripod series had a few weak willed females here and there, this book hasn't a single living woman in it AT ALL. This is fairly weird, even for a boy's adventure novel. So on a level of one to five (one being the least chauvinist and five being the most) I'd place this book squarely at 4.7.

Otherwise, I've no objections at all. The book is well paced, well written, and well thought out. All in all, a delightful read that makes one even more eager to read the final chapter in the trilogy.

Rating:
Summary: OK, Uglies, let's see what you got
Review: The second part of the White Mountain series, Will and his companions embark on a dangerous mission to inflirate the mysterious Tripod city.

They are joined by a German boy, Fritz, and Will and Fritz make it into the city. There they discover the true nature of the Tripods. Meanwhile they work as slaves to the Masters. Together they learn of the secret plans for the world.

This book expands upon Will's nature and contrasts him well with Fritz. It also provides an excellent contrasts between the humans and Masters.

Like the first story, this will inspire and entertain young readers and continue to entertain older ones.

Rating:
Summary: science fiction for a novice...
Review: this book is a great one to start off your reading of science fiction with. with many twists and turns, this book shall keep you on the edge of your seat, and perhaps even make you fall of of it!
it's a basic sciecne fiction story, two kids go to an alien city, try to get info on how to kill the aliens, and actusally almost get killed along the way.
this is a great book, no doubt, but it does have a couple boring parts. good luck with reading it!
-by Sickity Wicket, aka chilihead.

Rating:
Summary: A good sequel to 'The White Mountains'
Review: This sequel to "The White Mountains" is, in my opinion, an improvement. Of course, you'll have to read its predecessor to fully understand what the book and I are talking about.

The story begins with a better view of life at the rebels' base by the Jungfrau. The chairman, Julius, selects Beanpole, Will, and a sullen German lad named Fritz to infiltrate the Tripod city at present-day Essen, Germany.

They are led to the Rhine River by a burly guide called Primo (this part could use some more detail, I think). There they board the barge "Erlkonig" and sail down the river under the thumb of the tough barge-owner Ulf.

This adventure is personally preferred over the previous French one. Judge for yourself: - When Ulf delays on a drinking binge, Will searches for him but is convicted for bar brawling. His punishment? Confinement in a dank pit, where he is to be starved and tormented. - When the "Erlkonig" leaves without Beanpole & Will, they construct a flimsy raft out of the side of a house. - When the raft gets smashed by a Tripod, the two come to a river isle run by an unCapped hermit. In exchange for saving their lives, he makes them fell trees. The scene where they steal the man's boat is extremely sad. In the end, the three boys all make it to the Games, the physical competition they have all been training for whose champions make it into the City. In the end, at least one boy makes it.

At this point, the second half of the story, a whole new world opens up for the reader. The adventure fans have been satisfied by the German quest; now the science-fiction people enter the aliens who invaded Earth, the Masters (see "Barlowe's Guide to the Extraterrestrials"). The different sides and styles of this book make it a great deal more enjoyable than the original, and the ending will make you hunger for more of the Masters!

Rating:
Summary: Adventure/Sci-Fi; Improvement on Original
Review: This sequel to "The White Mountains" is, in my opinion, an improvement. Of course, you'll have to read its predecessor to fully understand what the book and I are talking about.

The story begins with a better view of life at the rebels' base by the Jungfrau. The chairman, Julius, selects Beanpole, Will, and a sullen German lad named Fritz to infiltrate the Tripod city at present-day Essen, Germany.

They are led to the Rhine River by a burly guide called Primo (this part could use some more detail, I think). There they board the barge "Erlkonig" and sail down the river under the thumb of the tough barge-owner Ulf.

This adventure is personally preferred over the previous French one. Judge for yourself: - When Ulf delays on a drinking binge, Will searches for him but is convicted for bar brawling. His punishment? Confinement in a dank pit, where he is to be starved and tormented. - When the "Erlkonig" leaves without Beanpole & Will, they construct a flimsy raft out of the side of a house. - When the raft gets smashed by a Tripod, the two come to a river isle run by an unCapped hermit. In exchange for saving their lives, he makes them fell trees. The scene where they steal the man's boat is extremely sad. In the end, the three boys all make it to the Games, the physical competition they have all been training for whose champions make it into the City. In the end, at least one boy makes it.

At this point, the second half of the story, a whole new world opens up for the reader. The adventure fans have been satisfied by the German quest; now the science-fiction people enter the aliens who invaded Earth, the Masters (see "Barlowe's Guide to the Extraterrestrials"). The different sides and styles of this book make it a great deal more enjoyable than the original, and the ending will make you hunger for more of the Masters!

Rating:
Summary: Gripping adventure
Review: Three young men seek entry to one of the strongholds of the extraterrestrial Masters who have conquered the earth. Two are successful, and they strive to learn as much as possible about the enemy so that they may report back to the last existing colony of free humans. I preferred this novel to the previous one, "The White Mountains." Both novels share the same deficiency, a tendency to relate certain events too sketchily and a failure to develop key characters, in this case the German boy, Fritz. However, the Masters themselves and Wil's adventures in their city are fascinating, and John Christopher's style does make for a fast-paced story. My interest is piqued and I look forward to reading the final book in the trilogy.

Rating:
Summary: Gripping adventure
Review: Three young men seek entry to one of the strongholds of the extraterrestrial Masters who have conquered the earth. Two are successful, and they strive to learn as much as possible about the enemy so that they may report back to the last existing colony of free humans. I preferred this novel to the previous one, "The White Mountains." Both novels share the same deficiency, a tendency to relate certain events too sketchily and a failure to develop key characters, in this case the German boy, Fritz. However, the Masters themselves and Wil's adventures in their city are fascinating, and John Christopher's style does make for a fast-paced story. My interest is piqued and I look forward to reading the final book in the trilogy.