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Rating: 
Summary: Classic SF from the pulp magazines
Review: He was the nicest, most helpful spaceman on the Venus cargo run . . . and just happened to be the biggest menace in all of space! A classic science fiction novel, originally published in science fiction pulp magazines in the 1950s. Still a lot of fun and better than much of what is being published today.
Rating:
Summary: A book that influenced my writing career
Review: I read this book when it was first published -- I think in a library copy. I was just a kid, and at that time hadn't really decided I would be a professional writer.But I loved the book. I don't write this particular style, true, but I enjoy reading it. And I enjoyed it more as a kid. As a budding writer, this book taught me the value of vivid characters who behave in a consistent manner. I learned one of Robert A. Heinlein's rules from this book -- that what a writer is selling is entertainment. That your work competes for the book-buyers beer money. Later, when I saw R.A.H. articulate that rule, I understood what he was talking about. For myself, I slowly hatched the ambition to grow up to give other people the kind of sheer, soul-satisfying, good READ that Nelson S. Bond gave to me. Of course, there were many other authors that contributed to that ambition, but you know what? I bought this book at a convention at a premium price in the 1970's - and I still have it on my treasure shelf. As a professional reviewer and teacher of writing, I recommend this book for readers in the 10-16 age group -- and those mature enough to be able to enjoy a book aimed at younger readers without being embarrassed. If you like Farscape, Stargate SG-1, and/or Star Trek's new ENTERPRISE -- you really should read this book. This is their source-material. Parents should read this book with an idea to judging at what age their own children would be able to appreciate it. But they'll be asking you what you're laughing at, you'll be having such a howling good time reading. This kind of writing is timeless and can appeal to readers of all ages, if they're mature enough to enjoy for the sake of enjoying. And this is the kind of book no home sf/f library should be without. Live Long and Prosper,
Jacqueline Lichtenberg
Rating:
Summary: A book that influenced my writing career
Review: I read this book when it was first published -- I think in a library copy. I was just a kid, and at that time hadn't really decided I would be a professional writer. But I loved the book. I don't write this particular style, true, but I enjoy reading it. And I enjoyed it more as a kid. As a budding writer, this book taught me the value of vivid characters who behave in a consistent manner. I learned one of Robert A. Heinlein's rules from this book -- that what a writer is selling is entertainment. That your work competes for the book-buyers beer money. Later, when I saw R.A.H. articulate that rule, I understood what he was talking about. For myself, I slowly hatched the ambition to grow up to give other people the kind of sheer, soul-satisfying, good READ that Nelson S. Bond gave to me. Of course, there were many other authors that contributed to that ambition, but you know what? I bought this book at a convention at a premium price in the 1970's - and I still have it on my treasure shelf. As a professional reviewer and teacher of writing, I recommend this book for readers in the 10-16 age group -- and those mature enough to be able to enjoy a book aimed at younger readers without being embarrassed. If you like Farscape, Stargate SG-1, and/or Star Trek's new ENTERPRISE -- you really should read this book. This is their source-material. Parents should read this book with an idea to judging at what age their own children would be able to appreciate it. But they'll be asking you what you're laughing at, you'll be having such a howling good time reading. This kind of writing is timeless and can appeal to readers of all ages, if they're mature enough to enjoy for the sake of enjoying. And this is the kind of book no home sf/f library should be without. Live Long and Prosper,
Jacqueline Lichtenberg
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