Rating: 
Summary: original and fast-paced storytelling....
Review: ....of a time when humanity fights to the death with Berserkers, the automated killing machines left from some ancient interstellar war. Exciting short stories with interesting plots...and characters true to this alien telepath's remark about us: "Under this burden some men became like brutes, and the minds of others grew to be as terrible and implacable as the machines they fought against. But I have touched a few rare human minds, the jewels of life, who rise to meet the greatest challenges by becoming supremely men." Long live Johann Karlsen!
Rating:
Summary: original and fast-paced storytelling....
Review: ....of a time when humanity fights to the death with Berserkers, the automated killing machines left from some ancient interstellar war. Exciting short stories with interesting plots...and characters true to this alien telepath's remark about us: "Under this burden some men became like brutes, and the minds of others grew to be as terrible and implacable as the machines they fought against. But I have touched a few rare human minds, the jewels of life, who rise to meet the greatest challenges by becoming supremely men." Long live Johann Karlsen!
Rating: 
Summary: The Berserkers are monstrous machines (think death star)
Review: A very easy and enjoyable read. Berserker is actually a collection of loosely chronological vignettes about the first parts of the Berserker wars. The Berserkers are monstrous machines (think death star) from some ancient unknown race, who's sole goal is to destroy life. When the Berserkers reach the arm of the galaxy populated by man, life fights back. The first is a fairly large, non-chronological series. Saberhagan's web page says the rest can be read in any order, but read Berserker first...
Rating:
Summary: The Berserkers are monstrous machines (think death star)
Review: A very easy and enjoyable read. Berserker is actually a collection of loosely chronological vignettes about the first parts of the Berserker wars. The Berserkers are monstrous machines (think death star) from some ancient unknown race, who's sole goal is to destroy life. When the Berserkers reach the arm of the galaxy populated by man, life fights back. The first is a fairly large, non-chronological series. Saberhagan's web page says the rest can be read in any order, but read Berserker first...
Rating:
Summary: Quite excellent
Review: Berserker is a true classic. The theme of humanity fighting machines has been used many different times: in the fiction of Gregory Benford and Greg Bear; in television shows like Star Trek; and in movies like the Matrix and the Terminator. It is refreshing to read one of the earliest versions of this story because Saberhagen's writing - which was doubtlessly an inspiration to others pursuing similar stories - remains distinct and his stories unique. The structure of this Berserker book is a bit loose - it has perhaps 10 stories bracketed by the narration of an alien historian (whose introduction to the book is one of its finest parts). This narration has an intentionally Homeric effect - Saberhagen clearly had Greek epics in mind. Some of his characters recall figures in Greek mythology: the stoic Johann Karlsen, the vengeful Hemphill, and the vain Felipe Nogara. The stories themselves are very well-crafted. Saberhagen applies an admirable minimalism when writing, though at times he will indulge in descriptive prose (most notably in the excellent final story). Humanity is depicted with both its flaws and virtues, as the struggle against the Berserkers brings out the best and worst in us. Other reviewers disliked the loose structure - I rather liked it. Novels can often tightly confine their worlds and limit them. These somewhat connected stories hint at a much larger and grander story arc with all manners of other untold stories. Finally, if you stumble on the audio edition of this, I would strongly recommend it. The narrator who handles the Campan historian is excellent; the second narrators rendition of the voices of Berserkers is truly chilling.
Rating:
Summary: Quite excellent
Review: Berserker is a true classic. The theme of humanity fighting machines has been used many different times: in the fiction of Gregory Benford and Greg Bear; in television shows like Star Trek; and in movies like the Matrix and the Terminator. It is refreshing to read one of the earliest versions of this story because Saberhagen's writing - which was doubtlessly an inspiration to others pursuing similar stories - remains distinct and his stories unique. The structure of this Berserker book is a bit loose - it has perhaps 10 stories bracketed by the narration of an alien historian (whose introduction to the book is one of its finest parts). This narration has an intentionally Homeric effect - Saberhagen clearly had Greek epics in mind. Some of his characters recall figures in Greek mythology: the stoic Johann Karlsen, the vengeful Hemphill, and the vain Felipe Nogara. The stories themselves are very well-crafted. Saberhagen applies an admirable minimalism when writing, though at times he will indulge in descriptive prose (most notably in the excellent final story). Humanity is depicted with both its flaws and virtues, as the struggle against the Berserkers brings out the best and worst in us. Other reviewers disliked the loose structure - I rather liked it. Novels can often tightly confine their worlds and limit them. These somewhat connected stories hint at a much larger and grander story arc with all manners of other untold stories. Finally, if you stumble on the audio edition of this, I would strongly recommend it. The narrator who handles the Campan historian is excellent; the second narrators rendition of the voices of Berserkers is truly chilling.
Rating:
Summary: not bad
Review: Berserker is one of the better science fiction novels that I've read in recent years. It deals with a futuristic war between humans and gigantic starships named berserkers, whose orgins are not revealed in this volume. While the plot may sound like a cliche, the writing is crisp and original. The best part of the novel is the lengthy chapter in the middle that covers the climactic battle between humanity and the berserkers. It's a scene of high suspense and excellent descriptions of the action. Afterwards, there are several chapters pertaining to other incidents that are only loosely connected to the main storyline. These chapters aren't quite as entertaining, and some of them are downright silly. It would have been nice if the author had stuck to just one single plotline. Even so, the overall book is highly original and well worth reading.
Rating:
Summary: not bad
Review: Berserker is one of the better science fiction novels that I've read in recent years. It deals with a futuristic war between humans and gigantic starships named berserkers, whose orgins are not revealed in this volume. While the plot may sound like a cliche, the writing is crisp and original. The best part of the novel is the lengthy chapter in the middle that covers the climactic battle between humanity and the berserkers. It's a scene of high suspense and excellent descriptions of the action. Afterwards, there are several chapters pertaining to other incidents that are only loosely connected to the main storyline. These chapters aren't quite as entertaining, and some of them are downright silly. It would have been nice if the author had stuck to just one single plotline. Even so, the overall book is highly original and well worth reading.
Rating:
Summary: A direct ancestor to Star Trek's Borg and the Matrix
Review: Fred Saberhagen, in the first book of the Berserker series, introduces us to an unstoppable enemy to whom life itself is irrelevant. This collection of stories on a common theme predates the Terminator, the Borg and the Matrix by at least 30 years, and presents the idea of man's triumph over machines in a high-energy format which borders on the positive side of the classic pulp magazines. If you REALLY want to see the man vs. machine conflict dealt with in an original way, get this book NOW.
Rating:
Summary: A direct ancestor to Star Trek's Borg and the Matrix
Review: Fred Saberhagen, in the first book of the Berserker series, introduces us to an unstoppable enemy to whom life itself is irrelevant. This collection of stories on a common theme predates the Terminator, the Borg and the Matrix by at least 30 years, and presents the idea of man's triumph over machines in a high-energy format which borders on the positive side of the classic pulp magazines. If you REALLY want to see the man vs. machine conflict dealt with in an original way, get this book NOW.
| 
