The Far Shore of Time (Eschaton Sequence)

Rating:
Summary: The Lion in Winter
Review: frederik pohl's book is a sequel to "siege of eternity" which i didn't read. (someone should write something about this sequal plague phenomena in todays sci-fi literature ..) since i haven't read the previous book, i left with some holes about the story plot. the story itself is very plain, there is planty of activity the there is a good flow of events. the story doesn't seem to be very reliable - the characters are very superficcial, and the eliens characters are quit redicoulous. the story is very plain and unclever (the way the aliens are being beatten) i don't think i'll read the next sequel (there will surely be one) - i give this story 3 stars.

Rating:
Summary: Well-done story with fascinating characters.
Review: I quite enjoyed the previous books in this series. But this last entry has the flaws more typically associated with a middle book. Relatively little happens and few if any new ideas are introduced. Because the premise of the series was the struggle to control the "eschaton" at the end of time, perhaps Pohl was discouraged by the mounting astronomical evidence that the universe will not collapse.

Rating:
Summary: Humorous light science fiction by a great storyteller.
Review: I thoroughly enjoyed this book, mostly because it doesn't take itself too seriously. For anyone familiar with the first two books in this series, or Pohl's numerous novels of the Heechee, these aren't "hard" science fiction-but rather stories with entertaining plots and speculation. The writing is reminiscent of Spider Robinson's early work and uses humor and bizarre characters to make the reader smile, and think. Recommended light reading.

Rating:
Summary: Pohl at his best
Review: Part of a true three novel trilogy Eschaton, including (The Other End of Time, The Siege of Eternity, The Far Shore of Time). This trio deals with first contact but Pohl couldn't let it be a simple aliens encounter, there are two different and of course warring alien alliances but that is as far as the "of course" goes. The leaders of earth first have to come to terms among themselves so they can choose correctly from slim, hidden and misleading evidences, which group of aliens is truthful and altruistic and which will conquer and enslave.
Besides the wonderful Sci-Fi and multitude of sentient beings there is a good study of the human psyche in captivity. Also a twist in dealing with unwanted clones; not knowing which is the original, if there is an original, which clone gets the spouse and like conundrums.
You have to stay alert to the fast pace and changing / multiplying cast. A very good read with interesting alien customs and biology's.

Rating:
Summary: I expected better
Review: There just isn't much to praise in this book. Standard aliens, standard plot, and one glaring scientific error at the end when Pohl's plot relies on methane having a greater density than average Earth atmosphere and sinking and pooling at the surface of the Earth-- in fact, methane has only about half the density of "air" and rises up through it. How does someone of Pohl's experience and stature make a freshmen chemistry mistake like this? Answer: it was a rushed book, and it shows.

Rating:
Summary: I expected better
Review: There just isn't much to praise in this book. Standard aliens, standard plot, and one glaring scientific error at the end when Pohl's plot relies on methane having a greater density than average Earth atmosphere and sinking and pooling at the surface of the Earth-- in fact, methane has only about half the density of "air" and rises up through it. How does someone of Pohl's experience and stature make a freshmen chemistry mistake like this? Answer: it was a rushed book, and it shows.

Rating:
Summary: The best is last
Review: Though the third book in the Eschaton Sequence is in some ways the conclusion, Pohl leaves enough room so that more novels could be written about Dan Dannerman (well one of them at least). The third book introduces the Horch, in the form of Beert and his nest. The Docs are represented mostly by Pirraghiz, who acts as Dan's nurse and later becomes his friend. Wisely Pohl keeps the science mostly in the fictional realm, so not to overburden the reader. With over half of the book set in the "prison" camp that had been liberated by the Horch, and only the occasional appearance one of the other Dans, there was not nearly the confusion of characters, that are the same person (most of the confusion occurred when dealing with the Pats), which happen a lot in the second book. Ironically, the only drawback to the book was that most of the other characters from the other books did not make appearences.

Rating:
Summary: The best is last
Review: Though the third book in the Eschaton Sequence is in some ways the conclusion, Pohl leaves enough room so that more novels could be written about Dan Dannerman (well one of them at least). The third book introduces the Horch, in the form of Beert and his nest. The Docs are represented mostly by Pirraghiz, who acts as Dan's nurse and later becomes his friend. Wisely Pohl keeps the science mostly in the fictional realm, so not to overburden the reader. With over half of the book set in the "prison" camp that had been liberated by the Horch, and only the occasional appearance one of the other Dans, there was not nearly the confusion of characters, that are the same person (most of the confusion occurred when dealing with the Pats), which happen a lot in the second book. Ironically, the only drawback to the book was that most of the other characters from the other books did not make appearences.