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Rating: 
Summary: Fun, Jules Verne-style SF
Review: Forget the Television series. *This* is Buck Rogers. Thrown forward into an Earth of the distant future ruled by the evil Han empire, Rogers enlists with a group of American guerrillas to overthrow the oppressors. It features great early s-f devices--airships, anti-grav belts, and the like. Very reminiscent of ER Burroughs' "Barsoom" novels. Great fun, a great read.
Rating: 
Summary: A good tale, with slight racist and jingoistic undertones
Review: I first read this book in childhood, and then several times later over the years. It is a great example of early 20th century sci-fi. More interestingly it sheds some light on the outlook and attitudes of the early 1900's and American national identity in particular. The crude stereotype of the Han 'anti-Asian' sentiments disguised by the possibility that they were 'mutated' by some aliens who crashed in Asia. The god given right of the white Americans to re-ascend from barbarism and take their rightful place as top dogs.Having said that, the book seems more naive, rather than xenophobic in it's representations. I suspect this is more to do with the time it was written than anything else. I would recommend it to anyone with an interest in the history of Sci-Fi, or who just enjoys a good old-fashioned tale.
Rating: 
Summary: The Not-So-Far-Off Future
Review: I recently re-discovered this book after reading it some 20 years ago. I was amazed at the parallels between the Han lifestyle and our own growing dependence on the internet for our commerce and entertainment. Knowing that the story was written in 1919 makes the predictions even more startling. The idea of "gangs" supplanting family life in America is also strangely prophetic. As to the story itself, what a fantastic tale of American ingenuity overcoming incredible odds! The triumph of the forest-dwelling Americans over the slovenly, city-dwelling Han is at once an inspiration and a cautionary tale. I'd say this seminal "Buck Rogers" tale is far superior to the pulp science fiction which followed in its footsteps. I'd recommend this book to anyone interested in early 20th Century sci-fi, or anyone who just likes a good yarn.
Rating:
Summary: The original Buck Rogers Novel
Review: This is where "Buck" Rogers first appeared. He's just Anothony Rogers, a WWI vet who sleeps for 400 years. He awakes to find American under occupation and leads the fight for their freedom.
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