Rating: 
Summary: Hard science fiction of the highest caliber
Review: I have been a fan of Ben Bova's fiction since the 1970s and have to say that this is the finest book by him that I have read in many years. It is packed with solid science, and the extrapolations of current theories in future practice. The plot is rather straight forward, but has enough twists and turns to keep your interest. The characters are well drawn and interesting as well, but it is the science surrounding the exploration of Jupiter that is in the forefront here.If you like science fiction that makes you stretch your brain cells a bit, this is an excellent choice. Not since Robert L. Forward's "Saturn Rukh" has planetary exploration been this fascinating. Highly Recommended.
Rating: 
Summary: I'd give it 4 1/2, its a top notch Novel
Review: I have not red a great deal of Ben Bova's work; only this and Venus. Yet if the rest of his work is like this, I shall become a fan of his real quick. Bova writes an interesting plot line with realistic science facts, very interesting characters and some interesting messages on morality which is a big part of the story line. I recommend this to anyone
Rating:
Summary: Bova's best yet!
Review: I have to say this is Bova's best, without a doubt. Although it started a little slow, once Archer got to the station, I literally could not put the book down! I only pray Bova writes another Jupiter book, hell, make it a series!
Rating: 
Summary: An SF thriller worth a read (minor spoiler)
Review: I managed to read the entire novel in one day, and it kept me entertained. It has enough mystery, action, and adventure to keep you engaged, and the personality is enough to make you care somewhat about the central character, Grant Archer. Now for the romance. There isn't any. The story has Grant getting married early on, then the newlyweds are separated for the rest of the story. The only point of it seems to be to set up some level of continuous frustration, but it somehow seems to be felt by the reader more than by the protaganist. Favorite line: The next few weeks were quickly dubbed "The Wrath of Wo."
Rating:
Summary: BOVA'S BEST WORK
Review: I really enjoy reading Ben Bova's novels about the planets. He mixes fact with fiction in such a way that his stories are credible. Reading these novels gives one a better understanding of what the planets are like. Grant Archer signs up with the government to do his 4 year hitch of public service and in return gets a scholarship to Harvard. He is told that once he gets his degree in astrophysics he will be sent to the Moon to do his service time. Upon graduating though, Grant is sent to the station orbiting Jupiter. The New Morality, which runs govenments throughout the world, turns Grant into one of their stoolies. They want Grant to report to them what the scientists at Jupiter are doing and why they are keeping it secret. Grant is upset at being sent to Jupiter and understandably so. He is married and will not be able to see his wife for 6 years as it takes 1 year just to get to Jupiter. Grant will also not be able to work on his dissertation on astrophysics. He fears that this will be a waste of his time. He also does not feel right about being a stool pigeon. Grant arrives at Jupiter and right away does not feel like one of the team. Grant is made to do menial jobs until he earns the trust of his co-workers and Dr. Wo the head of the Jupiter Space Lab. Grant then starts to understand what has been taking place on Jupiter and his whole life changes. This is a very entertaining and informative read.
Rating:
Summary: Un-imagineable
Review: I've read a few of Bova's works, His short stories, Mars, Return to Mars, I enjoyed them all but none better then this bok Jupiter. Bova's imagination is great and he does not exceed the point where you say "Hey that could never happen". Bova tells a great tale and I recomend anyone who has enjoyed his books to read this, any sci-fi fan this is a must.
Rating:
Summary: The 21st Century Adventure Novel
Review: In the 19th century, adventure novels were usually set in relatively unexplored areas of Earth - such as the Congo rainforests in 'King Solomon's Mines' by H. Rider Haggard. Little was known about these areas and what lived in them, or we had little understanding of what the peoples were like. And so the stories now seem often rediculous, as we now know a lot more about such places, and their inhabitants. But at the time, they were based on what was known, and were great adventures ! In the 20th century most adventure novels were either set during the wars, which we did know a lot about - after all it was a human event. Some were also set rediculously far in the future, in what was effectively unlikely fantasy environments with little respect to science (e.g. Starship Troopers, Robert Heinlein). Now, at the end of the 20th century, and the beginning of the 21st we have returned to the 19th century style of adventure novel. Only now, we set them on the other planets in our solar system - the new fronteer of exploration. As before we know little about these planets (probably less than Haggard knew of the rainforests !) - and these are very different environments - and so stories are based on the little we do know, and other info is extrapolated from the 'facts'. Ben Bova creates such adventures with his novels about the Moon, Mars, Venus, and now Jupiter. As with the 19th century novels, the characters are often very unrealistic, with odd motivations, and little development. Conversations seem almost childish at points. Infact, the only change in characters nowadays is that the adveturers and explorers have become the scientists. But you can't argue with the great adventure ! Jupiter is by far one of the best I've read. You can imagine yourself in this alien environment, the exitement of discovery in this terrible, inhospitable world of gas, immense gravity, titanic storms ... an alien world larger than anything we can even imagine ! And, of course, driving the characters is the hope that they may find life in the thin layer of liquid, formed by the incredible pressure exerted by the giant's gravitational field, thousands of kilometers below the cloud surface. But, how do you send people into such forces ? The political groups and their motivations, unlike the characters themselves, do come across as likely, and add to the suspense and sense of urgency as the story progresses. And you find yourself holding your breath when the characters are actually in Jupiter. And, the alien lifeforms discussed to live in Jupiter and its moons are admiral attempts at creating organisms unlike anything on Earth. All in all, this is a marvelously crafted adventure to equal those written so long ago. Ben Bova proves we've finally found our sense of adventure and desire to understand the unknown that seemed to vanish early last century.
Rating: 
Summary: Boring
Review: It seemed to be populated by characters I did not care for doing things I found unlikely, such as being only wounded when the submarine springs a leak while crusing in the ocean of Jupiter.
It went into the trade-in pile after 150 pages.
Rating:
Summary: Very similar to Venus, but a bit better...
Review: Jupiter is easily compared to Bova's earlier novel, Venus. Like Venus, it follows a familiar form of someone reluctantly adventuring to another planet. It also similar to the Mars (Mars and Return to Mars) and Moon (Moonrise and Moonwar) series, and actually shares the same "universe" as those books. However, I would recommend the Moon and Mars books before reading either Jupiter or Venus. Then, if you like those, I would then recommend Jupiter and Venus. Furthermore, the books are all loosely connected, in sharing the same "universe", time, and making some references to one another. They also seem to take place in approximately the order they were written. However, beyond the throw-away connections, each "planet" stands alone, so they can be read in any order and independent of one another.
Rating:
Summary: A Fascinating Look at the King of Our Solar System
Review: Jupiter was one of my first forays into the works of Ben Bova. While not the best author around, Bova does some things very well. The main character, Grant Archer just graduated from college and is preparing for mandatory public service. However, he recently got married and was expecting to serve his time on the Moon. Instead, religious zealots, who are in control of governments on Earth, send him out to Jupiter to spy on the scientists here. Now, my main problem with this is how little sense it makes. However, the one thing I've learned from this is that you do NOT read a Ben Bova book for superior characterization. You do NOT read a Ben Bova book for a suspenseful plot. The characters are shallow, their motives simple. The plot is transparent and quite cliche... With that being said, what Bova DOES do well is give us a fascinating glimpse of our solar system and the possibilities therein. Bova gives us a mostly scientific look at Jupiter, and even slips in some fairly believable alien life. Some may criticize Bova's shortcomings, but the bottom line is, I liked this book. If you are looking for deep characters or an awesome plot, look elsewhere: Bova is not the author for you. But if you would like a fast-paced romp through Jupiter's atmosphere and into the ocean below, this is your cup of tea. Bova keeps the pages turning, simply by making you want to know more and more about Jupiter.
| 
