Rating: Summary: Bracing adventure sf with an historical perspective Review: A great, now semi-forgotten space opera classic. Space Viking has the sheer readability and forward momentum of good pulp science fiction but with an extra historical dimension lacking in most pulp. Or to put it another way, this could be the best Heinlein-style novel not written by Heinlein. Also could well have been an influence on Star Wars, but don't let that put you off. Set in the same ("Terro-Human") future history as Piper's Fuzzy novels, but after the breakup of the Federation. The stand-alone quality of Space Viking, plus the action and economy, put it a notch higher in my affection than the Fuzzy series. This was probably his best sf novel and should by rights be put back into print.
Rating: Summary: Bracing adventure sf with an historical perspective Review: A great, now semi-forgotten space opera classic. Space Viking has the sheer readability and forward momentum of good pulp science fiction but with an extra historical dimension lacking in most pulp. Or to put it another way, this could be the best Heinlein-style novel not written by Heinlein. Also could well have been an influence on Star Wars, but don't let that put you off. Set in the same ("Terro-Human") future history as Piper's Fuzzy novels, but after the breakup of the Federation. The stand-alone quality of Space Viking, plus the action and economy, put it a notch higher in my affection than the Fuzzy series. This was probably his best sf novel and should by rights be put back into print.
Rating: Summary: A Master Work Review: I've been re-reading this book for 15 years and still find get something new from it each time. I judge all other sci-fi by this book and nothing has ever matched it. Jerry Pournelle once mentioned that he *attempted* to write a sequel to Space Viking but couldn't begin to match the details. The best part is that the reader never notices the acute attention to detail Mr. Piper must have paid to this . . you just enjoy the story. PS. no, I'm not related
Rating: Summary: Gripping Review: Lord Lucas Trask of Traskon lives on the Sword World of Gram, but is opposed to the Space Viking raids, on which numerous of the most talented Sword Worlders leave and never return. However, when his bride is killed a half-hour after their wedding, Lucas fits out a Space Viking ship and sets out for revenge. Sickened by the waste of the Space Viking life, he finds himself returning to his older convictions: that it is better to build than destroy. But, he finds that there are many who find destroying a simple and easy life, and what is the murderer of his wife up to? This is the story of one man's odyssey across the remains of the old Federation, his life, death and rebirth.As I've said before, Mr. H. Beam Piper is probably one of the most underrated science-fiction authors ever. Here again, he produced a book with a fascinating milieu, populated by people who act consistently with their culture. I found the book to be quite gripping, proving impossible to put down as it rocketed towards the finale. I highly recommend this book to everyone!
Rating: Summary: I still have this one Review: Prabably my all time favorite scienc fiction book. Even though I have let many of my child hood SciFi books go I continue to hang on to this one. Don't pass up a chance to read it if you can.
Rating: Summary: One of my all-time favorites Review: The first Piper that I read was Little Fuzzy. I was hooked and went on to read everything that I could find of his. You cannot call yourself a great fan of SciFi if you have missed Piper. This book has to be counted near the top of a MUST READ list for SciFi fans. If you have read Piper and Asimov you will know the plot of every space flick that comes around!
Rating: Summary: Often copied, never matched Review: The first Piper that I read was Little Fuzzy. I was hooked and went on to read everything that I could find of his. You cannot call yourself a great fan of SciFi if you have missed Piper. This book has to be counted near the top of a MUST READ list for SciFi fans. If you have read Piper and Asimov you will know the plot of every space flick that comes around!
Rating: Summary: One of my all-time favorites Review: This book was one of the last Piper books that I read, after reading not only Lord Kalvan but also The Cosmic Computer. I enjoy not only Piper's Unique ideas on government and personal awareness, but his belief in the power of the individual. I must have read this book a dozen times, and I have loved every one of them.
Rating: Summary: astute look at politics Review: This is one of the most biting commentaries on GOVERNMENT that I have ever read! It is also a very enjoyable story. I have worn out two copies.
Rating: Summary: A lost science fiction classic Review: This was one of my favorite books when I was in my late teens; I recently re-read it and found it to be as exciting as the first time around. Piper had the ability to create realistic worlds and the several worlds in this book are no exception. I think its a shame that this, along with most of Piper's other books, is no longer in print.
|