Rating: 
Summary: I read this book at least once a year . . .
Review: I think that the mark of a masterpiece is that it ever changes the life of the person reading it. I have not been the same since reading Bear's "Forge of God." The book leads one through a tale of the ultimate loss: the earth and nearly all it contains destroyed by machines who we cannot reason with nor truly understand. I have never felt the same about our planet: never since have I taken the beauty of the area I live in, architecture, a creek, a freeway system, the neighboring deer and the mountain lion that kills them, my family, or the throbbing mass of humanity, for granted. Not only did this book forge a deeper appreciation of the intrinsic beauty of rock, water, weather, plant and animal life, (not to mention the clever, desperate, honorable and devious human), but I have come to a deeper appreciation of the inate worth of them, simply by virtue of their being. Bear also leads us through the various ways we humans approach death and loss: there are moments of searing compassion and a type of sublime sympathy . . . and Bear does this without being maudlin or using cheap ploys. So I read this book at least once a year, in a personal tribute to our planet and life and humanity, and to remember not to forget the complex and fantastic place we live. Bear has written technically better books, but none with the belly punch impact of "The Forge of God."
Rating: 
Summary: fans of invasion earth novels will find overall enjoyment
Review: In 1996, Jupiter’s sixth moon Europa suddenly vanishes. The media plays the disappearing act for a few weeks, but as usual that fades from their blip screen as they believe the public is apathetic towards some obscure moon. Scientists come up with numerous theories, but each have gigantic holes as no one knows what really happened. Most astronomers remain astounded that a relatively large object is missing sort of like a cosmic David Copperfield making the Statue of Liberty disappear. In Death Valley, three Texas geologists find what seems as the first error of US Geological Survey charts they have ever come across. A very large unmarked mound not shown on the maps rises from the desert. The trio agrees that there is no way that this “mountain” could have been missed. Next they find an ailing alien who needs darkness to live who bears very bad news.. How will the human race react to what appears to be an encounter of a negative kind. Though THE FORGE OF GOD is well written with an engaging premise, the book falls short because talented Greg Bear never decides between a classic invasion tale and a psychological reaction plot. Instead, readers are left with pieces of both, but neither is complete. The story line is fast-paced and entertaining and fans of invasion earth novels will find overall enjoyment. However, this reviewer was left with the disappointment of feeling shorted. Exploring the different mindset of how earthlings and the aliens respond to the end days of human life would have been unique and captivatingly refreshing, something that the audience will keep expecting until the novel is finished....
Rating:
Summary: Very exciting and very readable book
Review: When I started to read this book it seemed rather boring and slow. First few chapters go into the lives of the main characters, introducing their family and feelings, giving some background basically. Later the mystery starts to unfold and the book becomes truly difficult to put down. The astronomers are puzzled by the very unusual movements and images they receive from space, from direction of Jupiter. While the scientists are preoccupied with space, equally strange phenomena start happening on Earth, and are observed by others. As the story progresses the main characters tie the observations together and really see whats going on it becomes really brilliant. I like how Greg Bear skillfully explains the science of what aliens are doing in the book because he explains it in simple English and yet gives something new to think about. The book is very easy to read, action is great, drama almost made me cry, and the ending is very much NOT what I expected. I am sure you will enjoy this book.
Rating:
Summary: you wont be sorry
Review: This is an excellent example of how a sci-fi writer can focus on the story and not the technology. Bear refuses to let his plot get overrun by needless scientific detail and merely uses the sci-fi aspects as a setting. This is a skill that few others have shown. His storyline is both novel and consistent, which is all to rare within this genre. It is also compelling enough to generate interest throughout 470 pages. Criticism is limited to his having included so many characters that none of them are defined with any degree of depth. If you live for cyberunk or "hard-core" sci-fi, this probably isn't for you. But if you like a good story that will draw you in and make you want to read more, look no further. If you like sci-fi that concentrates on plot not science, you'll also like James Halperin's "Truth Machine" and "First Immortal."
Rating:
Summary: A good story of alien invasion
Review: I have read several of Greg Bears books, and found all of them very entertaining. The Forge Of God, while not one of his best, is definitely a good sci-fi novel. The characters are less interesting than the action, which involves an invasion of earth by an unknown alien presence. Although the ending is no surprise, the route there is fascinating. Greg Bear always has a fine eye for detail. The final scenes in the book have stayed in my mind several days since I finished the book
Rating:
Summary: Superbly realized. Extremely disturbing. (SPOILERS)
Review: (SPOILERS) This has to be one of the most convincing and well-executed end-of-the-world fantasies ever written. The physics is very believable, the characterization is good (although there are a lot of characters to worry about!). The description of the end of the world, viewed from Yosemite National Park (among other vantage points), is so well done that I went back and reread it. And it saddened me again. If Greg Bear's vision is accurate, then the Universe is a dangerous place. Brrrrrrr! Some beautiful touches. The US President's "Fire and Brimstone" attitude curtails humanity's ability to respond to the threat. The scientists studying the problem argue about attribution of the research into the imminent end of the world - as if it will matter! The bad aliens two-pronged attack on the Earth's deep oceans and core - ouch. The only quibble I had is that the motives of the "good aliens" (who attempt a rearguard action to save representatives of Earth and its cultures) are not exactly clear. But it was nice to have some hope at the end of the book! Highly recommended.
Rating:
Summary: takes you there
Review: This is a fascinating book by an author who consistently draws the reader into an intricate universe that any reader can enjoy. Of the 100+ Scifi novels I've read, Greg Bear's always rank among my favorites. Right up there with Arthur C. Clarke, Asimov, and Orson Scott Card, he persistently puts the reader into a perfectly realized world that can't help but intrigue the hardest of sci-fi fans while fascinating the casual reader. As a reader, you find yourself empathizing with both primary and secondary characters. Bear is a master of putting the reader right next to his characters. They are real people caught in seemingly real situations. You're right there with them.
Some of the best end of the world visualization that I've read. You really feel that you would put yourself in the same situation given the circumstances. Check out Stephen Baxter's "Moonseed" for similar feelings. I Haven't read the sequel yet, but I've decided that everything that Mr. Bear does must be of superior quality and "Anvil of Stars" is among my "books that must soon be read" list.
Rating:
Summary: A credible novel about a really sad difficult topic
Review: This is the first book I read by Greg Bear and I have sought him out consistently after this. This is about people on our planet finding out that their world is to end, and how selected characters deal with it. The book is powerful in scope, because this is includes some aliens who are involved in this crisis. You truly examine what could be lost, even if our race and anaimals are saved, but the planet is not. This is not overly sentimental, it is a worthy book. It is unfortunate that the sequel did not hold up to it.
Rating:
Summary: Great Job on a Tough, scary topic
Review: Greg Bear writes a book about a threat to Earth that slowly materializes over the course of the book. I will not give away details due to the nature of the ending. Suffice it to say that the ending still haunts me even though I read this [a while] ago. His sensitivity comes clear in this book, and you feel for the people, the Earth and the pain right till the end.
This was the first book I read by Greg Bear, and I have eagerly looked for his books ever since, and while not all live up to this, he is always an author I will explore with.
Rating:
Summary: Bye Bye Earth
Review: Bear is great at coming up with grand ideas to write hard SF around but sometimes the execution lacks a little to be desired. Don't get me wrong, THE FORGE OF GOD is undoubtedly an above average novel, and maybe even great by the low standards I've come to expect from today's authors of any genre. But there are some quibbles. As most readers of this commentary probably already know, the plot revolves around the ultimate destruction of the Earth. The climax, in fact, is a small group of surviving humans watching the plant disintegrate with its billions of human lives. The quibble is the characterization and descriptions of the impending doom, for whatever reason, just don't convey a sense of panic and loss. The main characters are too cerebral and leaden. There just isn't any emotion evoked by the writing style. And the novel seems too long. I can't point to specific things I think should be cut, other than to say that the characterization was rather weak and some plot elements drag on a little too long (especially the little group awaiting the end of the world in Yellowstone National Park). This would have probably made a better novella or short story.
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