Rating: 
Summary: The second half of "N-Space", from an SF master
Review: There is not much to say here that I have not already said in my review of the paperback edition of "N-Space". Especially since "N-Space" and "Playgrounds Of The Mind" really are the first and second part of one, huge collection, I highly recommend that you pick up "N-Space" first, or better yet, buy both books, but be sure to read "N-Space" first.
Rating: 
Summary: Good overview of Niven's work
Review: This collection of Larry Niven's work is a good sampler and shows both what makes Niven good and what keeps him from being great. Niven is a hard science fiction writer, interested in the possibilities of advanced technologies. Although he doesn't always adhere to the laws of physics (his Known Space works rely on hyperspatial travel), he does adhere to as much science as possible. His primary focus is on human-alien interactions and "interesting" worlds, with probably none more well-known than his Ringworld. Even in the featured fantasy stories, there is something of a scientific underpinning to his works. Niven's ideas are often clever and he is a generally proficient writer, which makes his works overall good. On the other hand, he is not a "great" writer. I can't point to many specific examples, but there is something that is stylistically missing that prevents his work from getting to that higher level. Actually, my main gripe with his style seems to be his descriptive abilities; the concepts he tries to convey are sometimes described unclearly, leaving the reader with only a vague picture of what Niven is trying to show. In a hard science fiction writer - who relies on these scientific concepts as his bread-and-butter - this is a significant flaw. Fortunately, it doesn't happen enough to truly mar his overall work. So even if Niven (and this collection) has its imperfections, it is generally good and a fun read. For Niven fans, or just those who want to see what type of writer he is, this is a recommended read.
Rating:
Summary: Good overview of Niven's work
Review: This collection of Larry Niven's work is a good sampler and shows both what makes Niven good and what keeps him from being great. Niven is a hard science fiction writer, interested in the possibilities of advanced technologies. Although he doesn't always adhere to the laws of physics (his Known Space works rely on hyperspatial travel), he does adhere to as much science as possible. His primary focus is on human-alien interactions and "interesting" worlds, with probably none more well-known than his Ringworld. Even in the featured fantasy stories, there is something of a scientific underpinning to his works. Niven's ideas are often clever and he is a generally proficient writer, which makes his works overall good. On the other hand, he is not a "great" writer. I can't point to many specific examples, but there is something that is stylistically missing that prevents his work from getting to that higher level. Actually, my main gripe with his style seems to be his descriptive abilities; the concepts he tries to convey are sometimes described unclearly, leaving the reader with only a vague picture of what Niven is trying to show. In a hard science fiction writer - who relies on these scientific concepts as his bread-and-butter - this is a significant flaw. Fortunately, it doesn't happen enough to truly mar his overall work. So even if Niven (and this collection) has its imperfections, it is generally good and a fun read. For Niven fans, or just those who want to see what type of writer he is, this is a recommended read.
| 
