Rating: 
Summary: Science fiction with an Arthur Hailey style.
Review: I had to refresh myself with Moonrise so I could pick up with Moonwar. I usually don't read sci-fi but I make an exception for Ben Bova. Moonwar is a great story of corporate takeovers and politics. It is about ethics, dirty deals, murder and standing firm. The lunatics refused to take a life in defense of their base. It was kind of refreshing to read. I thought it was a great book. Die hard science fiction fans may be disappointed that the emphasis is on people, not technology but they won't waste their time on this book.
Rating: 
Summary: Up & Down
Review: I haven't been able to find a special Sci-Fi novel in a LONG time. So, I've been giving Ben Bova's Solar System Series a try. First JUPITER, then VENUS, now MOONWAR... With Moonwar there were quite a few aspects that I liked. I found it to be interesting, though more "standard" than exceptional. I know it sounds a bit corny, but I thought the profanity and graphic imagery was disappointing. No big deal, though, just a personal view. In any case, it'll have a place on my bookshelf... just not as high up.
Rating:
Summary: Good premise, so-so science
Review: I've always enjoyed Bova's writing, and this is no different. The premise, that the radical social conservatives will one day dominate politics and squelsh cultural and scientific diversity seems too close to home at times. A bit of a twist on 1984, perhaps? The time is never established, but appears to be the not to distant future, as the U.N. is the dominant world power. But the technology seems much further into the future than this suggests, especially the nanotechnology. I had problems with nanos being able to stem the flow of blood from a properly slit throat. However, one aspect of Bova's writing I truely appreciate is how his protagonists are able to achieve their goals without resorting to violence. Although I've long admired Heinlein, the violence and patriarchal attitudes depress me. I much prefer Bova's egalitarian society and nonviolent protagonists.
Rating:
Summary: Murder and War between the scientists and the fanatics
Review: Moonbase has expanded, and now is host to over two thousand employees and researchers. Doug Stavenger lives on Moonbase as Earth is too dangerous for him because the Luddite extreemist factions are out to kill anyone who uses nanotechnology.The UN is determined to stamp out use of Nanotechnology on the surface, but thier ulterior motives are to gain controll of Nanotechnology for use as they see fit. Moonwar is a bit predictable, and the 'bad guys' are just way too disfunctional as people to have attained the positions of power in government they have achieved. The 'New Morality' which is quickly gripping the world in a theocracy, opposes nanotechnology, and will use Murder and terrorism to attain thier goals. Soon, forces culminate into a battle at Moonbase, those in Moonbase thwarting two different attacks and flushing out suicide bombers. It's a bit too easy for them though. Overall, a nice book if you've read the first one, but not as realistic as it could be, and not very beliveable.
Rating:
Summary: Murder and War between the scientists and the fanatics
Review: Moonbase has expanded, and now is host to over two thousand employees and researchers. Doug Stavenger lives on Moonbase as Earth is too dangerous for him because the Luddite extreemist factions are out to kill anyone who uses nanotechnology. The UN is determined to stamp out use of Nanotechnology on the surface, but thier ulterior motives are to gain controll of Nanotechnology for use as they see fit. Moonwar is a bit predictable, and the 'bad guys' are just way too disfunctional as people to have attained the positions of power in government they have achieved. The 'New Morality' which is quickly gripping the world in a theocracy, opposes nanotechnology, and will use Murder and terrorism to attain thier goals. Soon, forces culminate into a battle at Moonbase, those in Moonbase thwarting two different attacks and flushing out suicide bombers. It's a bit too easy for them though. Overall, a nice book if you've read the first one, but not as realistic as it could be, and not very beliveable.
Rating:
Summary: Ben Bova at his best and worst...
Review: MOONWAR exemplifies Ben Bova at both his best and his worst. As a sci-fi thriller, it is near first-rate. Moonbase continues to face resistance from Earth's nano-Luddites-religious fanatics who fear the nano-tech used to sustain the luna colony-and from U.N. Secretary General Georges Faure, who has an agenda of his own. Bova keeps the action and suspense rolling, as the hero of both this and the previous Moonbase novel, Doug Stavenger, struggles to counter these overwhelming odds. Bova proves something of a master of page-turning suspense, keeping his reader on the edge of the seat. Unfortunately, Bova seldom develops his characters beyond anything more than the bare bones, one-dimensional heroes and villains in whom it is very difficult to invest emotionally, even when their lives are on the line. Faure remains a moustache twirling villain throughout the novel when he could well have been developed into a complex figure of real politick. Stavenger proves a near Christ-like entity, finding himself resurrected again and again thanks to the nano-bugs introduced into his system in the previous novel. Worse is Killifer, a vindictive former Moonbase employee, who becomes so monstrous in his actions that he rivals Greg Masterson, Doug's ludicrously evil half-brother from MOONRISE. It is frustrating that a writer with such a great sense of pace and suspense should indulge again and again in such unsatisfying plot devices. As a prose stylist, Bova has his strengths-terse and immediate at times, lavishly descriptive at others-but weaknesses, as well. His physical description of characters especially-laden with tried and stale observations-almost always make me wince. One female character is "vigorous and feisty" with "steel-gray eyes," another has "Texas cheerleader's looks," another is a "petit brunette with video-star looks." On the other hand, Bova's descriptions of the luna surface and of Moonbase's infrastructure are often masterful and enthralling, though there is more of both in the first novel than the second. Both Moonbase titles are quick, decent reads, but lack the sense of real wonder that Bova captures in his Mars novels.
Rating: 
Summary: Exiting Non-stop Action SF
Review: Moonwar is by far one of the best SF books I have ever read. It was even better than Moonrise.... A great plot and action throughout the book.I would definately recommend this book to any sci-fi fan!
Rating:
Summary: Bova handles a classic science fiction topic well.
Review: Moonwar postulates a colony on the moon dependent on nanotechnology for its survival. Under the influence of Luddites (people who are against potentially dangerous technologies) the U.N. has banned nanotechnology, including on the Moon. Rather than return to earth the moon's owner, a corporation represented by Doug Stavenger, decides to declare independence. A war ensues. But it isn't much of a classic war. Diplomacy is war by another means, and it is diplomacy and backstabbing that occupy center stage. Ben Bova did a great job showing his character's motivations. My major criticism is that the novel is, like so many published today, too long. You would cut it by a third and loose nothing worth reading. But publishers these days demand big, bulky novels. Some readers must like them.
Rating:
Summary: Tastes great, less filling
Review: Serialized science fiction bothers me. By trimming the fat from "Moonrise" and "Moonwar", Bova could have given us one really good book instead of two pretty good books. This sequal to "Moonrise" deals with the nations of Earth banning nanotechnology and trying to impose that ban upon the moon by force. A ban which would make it impossible for the moonbase colony to survive. This book has a much faster pace and was more entertaining than "Moonrise," but was less satisfying overall. "Moonrise" was more drama while "Moonwar" is all action.
Rating:
Summary: a pleasant read
Review: Simply said: its enjoyable bedtime reading. The author presents interesting ideas and believable concepts without delving too much into _boring_ detail.
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