Customer Reviews

Birthright: The Book of Man

5 star:		(7)
4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

When Isaac Asimov, Larry Niven and Robert Heinlein charted out their future histories, they created notes and timelines to help them keep events straight. When Mike Resnick created the future history which serves as the background to so many of his novels, he did it in a way which would earn him extra money: he wrote a book. Birthright: The Book of Man tells the history of human exploration and expansion throughout the galaxy. Originally published in 1982, Alexander Books has recently republished Resnick's novel with a forward by Raymond Feist and a timeline of all Resnick's published works which fit into Birthright's framework.

Birthright isn't quite a novel in the traditional sense, nor is it a collection of short stories. Rather, the twenty-six chapters of Birthright form a series of vignettes which, taken together, form something which is much more than the sum of is parts. In total, Birthright is a fable of European conquest, setting the tone for many other fables and allegories Resnick has created based on the histories of Zimbabwe, Kenya and other countries.

The scope of Resnick's book means that he can not focus on a single character. Rather than focus on a family throughout the timeline in a Micheneresque manner, Resnick elected to have each of his vignettes star separate individuals. Although each of these individuals are given distinct personal characteristics, they form a conglomerate character, highlighting the various personality traits which Resnick views as Man.

Resnick's Man is shaped by an understanding of the history of European colonialism. Man has the need to feel superior to alien races he comes into contact with, either subjugating them outright or reducing them to remnants of their former glory. Like a street dog, none of the other alien races can be permitted to stand shoulder to shoulder with Man. Similarly like a street dog, Man must continue to fight when he is no longer at the top of the heap.

While many of Resnick's novels are filled with individuals who are larger than life (Santiago, Jefferson Nighthawk, Koriba) few of the characters in Birthright manage to acquire the same mythic proportions. However, because of Birthright's format, characters of this type are not necessary and would probably detract from the work as a whole.

As originally published, Birthright was a good and interesting book on its own. Republished now after being out of print for 15 years, Birthright provides an interesting look at Resnick's early career and the ideas which he originally wanted to explore. His history is large enough in scope that it can easily accomodate, without conflict, the many and varied stories he has chosen to set among the same background.

Birthright is a good starting place for those who are not familiar with Resnick's work. At the same time, it serves as a recap for those who have already read significant amounts of Resnick's writings. While Alexander Books generally publishes Resnick's non-fiction "Library of African Adventure" reprint series (itself worthwhile), it is nice to see them bringing some of Resnick's older works back into print.

I'm not sure why this book was out of print for so long. I hoarded copies of it, loaning it out to only my most trusted friends for years. It is certainly a book up there with Greg Bear's Eon, Frank Herbert's Jesus Incident and Dune and the Foundation series.

If you're a fan of sci-fi, Galactic strategy games or scathing social commentary, you will completely enjoy Birthright.

I think this is my first amazon review ever and I chose my all time favorite sci-fi book "Birthright: the book of man" to finally break my silence *grin*

I read this as a kid when it came out in the early 80's and again when i was an adult. Each chapter is a different short story of characters and situations and taking place at different periods of time in the future and different worlds all over the galaxy.

This is suitable for pre-teens and above. If you have a child that is interested in reading or interested in sci-fi, give them this book, most of the short chapters are enthralling sci-fi stories! My favorite was the human olympic athlete competing against the alien on the alien's homeworld in a footrace being broadcast across the galaxy. No 'man' had ever lost against any of the alien species in any sport, *ever*, so this human had the weight of the entire human race on his shoulders. The question was: would this be the event that man was shown to be no better than the rest of the galaxy's species? *grin*

First i had this book in russian in late 80, and still love it. Now i bought a kindle edition in english to re-read it. It is one of best science fiction books that i have. And yes, it is underestimated.

Do yourself a favor and buy this book. It tells a complete story, but does it in a short story format based on chapters. This is one of the few books that has really had my imagination running at top speed. I was sad to put it down.

Just read this book for the 4th or 5th time. I have read no other book as often. I guess for this reason alone, I would make it one of my favorite books. Epic story told in small snapshots over the ages. It is not a terribly complex book. Each chapter is a short story within the bigger story. In the end, the chapters tell the complete story of man's conquest of the galaxy. While it was written years ago, it is not dated in the least.

The other reviewers have done a good job of explaining why they think this is a good book and I'm not going to disagree with them. The primary reason I'm writing this review is because I don't think the other reviewers have given a completely accurate view of the book. I've just finished the book and have very mixed feelings about it which I don't think the other reviewers give justice.

My first and biggest argument with the book is that it is completely based on the mankind-exploits-everything viewpoint. A quick look at our collective history does not disagree with that viewpoint, but a more detailed look at history does. Mankind has been evolving as a social critter at a fantastic rate for the last 600 years or so. Things that came naturally in the Dark and Middle Ages in Europe such as witch-burning and stoning people to death are now viewed with total revulsion. Cynics (pragmatists?) will argue that these barbaric methods of repression have been replaced by more effective forms of repression. I'd like to think that they are not looking at the long term history of humanity.

This book, on the other hand, covers the long term very nicely , 17,000+ years of human history running from the near future to the total extermination of humanity by tens of thousands of enraged alien races. The 26 short stories that cover this era give you plenty to think about regarding the human race. Every possible human virtue and sin is in full display here as humanity strives to achieve total domination of the galaxy and then fritters away every last advantage in wanton stupidity and cruelty when we finally succeed. I'm not saying that it isn't reasonable, I'm just saying that I'd like to think that some faction of humanity would survive, that ever-adaptable humanity would find some way to avoid getting totally exterminated.

My other major problem is that the stories are only loosely linked together. We get to meet hundreds of individuals, know them briefly, and then never see them again. This is a natural result of trying to tell 26 very different stores in about 300 pages but the result feels like reading an encyclopedia by reading one paragraph of one entry per letter of the alphabet. You are left with the feeling that there is an extraordinary amount of interesting material all around you that you are never going to be allowed to see. Very frustrating for me personally.

If you feel that I'm trashing the book, please consider the fact that I gave it 3 stars. All I'm saying is that this is not a book that can or should be consumed in one sitting and don't be surprised if you have some very strong emotions when you are done.

Do you belong to the race of man? Then this book is about you. Resnick has brought all five billion of us along on this magnificent journey. You will feel joy and grief, burning shame and blazing pride. Birthright shows humanity's potential- for good, for evil, and for humanity. This book is very personal- for everyone.

If this is as good as his collection, "Kirinyaga", expect excellent, thought-provoking, award-winnig level prose (He recently won yet another Hugo for Short Story).