Customer Reviews

Diplomatic Act

5 star:		(2)
4 star:		(8)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

I picked up Diplomatic Act because I wanted to support the creative endeavors of the talented actors on Babylon 5. While the book falls short of the mark of good literature, it is better written than many of the mass-market SF titles that I have read. I found the book's basic premise implausible: that an alien observing earth and learning of its culture from American TV broadcasts could not discern the difference between reality and fiction. Nevertheless, it proved to be an entertaining foundation for an engaging story. I too thought that it was a little slow getting started; I also thought that the adventures of the alien as Faraday on Earth deserved more attention. During the latter half of the book it seemed to be relegated to a very minor story and then suddenly it reappeared in the finale. Despite the faults, I respect the authors' effort to take convention and turn it on its head and to combine humor and SF. Afficianodos of Babylon 5 will find themselves smiling as a detail here and there reminds them of their favorite show. The references are subtle and in no way detract from the story. In fact, those who are unfamiliar with Babylon 5 won't know that they missed a thing.

Story:

Richard Faraday is your typical grade B actor on a new scifi series called Star Peace. In his case though he really thinks that he should be an A actor on A show. Its not his fault that no one recognizes his talent. Actually that something else he is wrong about. Unfortunately for him there is a certain group that thinks his performance might be their salvation.

Unknown to Richard and the rest of the planet, the Galactic Unity is on the brink of war. The division among the Unity's members threatens to dissolve 50,000 years of peace. The only hope lies in finding a member of the race that founded the Unity and then disappeared. The Eldar, a near mythical race that were masters of philosophy, morals, and diplomacy.

Guess who gets abducted because he plays a fictional character that just happens to look like a ancient race that disappeared around 50,000 years ago.....

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This was a pretty good read. The story had me laughing out loud at a few points as the various parties tried to sort out some cultural misunderstandings. This is one of those books that I like because their characters don't do a 180 personality change by the end of the book. They may have some new ideas to think on but they are basically who they are. It's also a pretty good spoof on Hollywood and the various goings on what it takes to get a T.V. series made. Kind of makes you wonder how much of it is real versus satire. This book also more or less gets along on its story and doesn't rely on a lot of sex a violence to move things along. I would recommend this to anyone who likes comic Sci-fi and anyone looking for a good old space romp. m.a.c

Since I like both the authors I decidec to pick up this book. Despite a somewhat slow beginning, this was an excellent book. The wonderfully thoughtout alien that is just not a human in an alien suit is a William H. Keith hallmark. Delightful Alien aliens make this book a keeper. The advanced technology is not used as a crutch to cover a lack of story. This book gets better the second time around, and I found things that I missed the first go 'round. While somewhat implausable, the suspension of disbelief is complete, and you find yourself identifying with the various aliens in this hilarious romp through Hollywood's darker side. Well worth the price.

Good book with a lot in store for B5 fans. The main character is an actor who plays a diplomat on syndicated SF TV show. While many parallels exist with B5 (the diplomat looks like Londo with long white hair, the captain is a pretty boy actor) the fun comes from the differences (the "Great Maker" of this show is facinated by cute aliens, the scripts are very badly written, the directors suck, etc.) The plot itself is very good without being too deep with a lot of fun sections. The end has a slight twist that isn't that surprising although it is very pleasing to the reader's ego.

Oh, as for the cover, just like "The Rising" this book was given a cover that depicts the star author, not the main character. Also, there is this huge "A Star of Babylon 5" message there to insult the intelligence of B5 fans everywhere.

I'm a fan of Sci-Fi, although not particularly interested in Babylon5. But Pete's an old friend so I thought I'd give his book a try. It takes a little while to get started, but it's great entertainment once you do. The Hollywood and standard space alien cliches are wonderful targets for satire. What emerges is a warm and amusing story. The alien-on-earth and human-in-space storylines were juggled very well. I really had a great time with this one. Way to go, Pete!

This book was quite entertaining and presented some interesting ideas. It was comical and engaging (hard to stop at the end of each chapter). Some of it was a little predictable, but the book is just for fun and not a hard-core sci-fi novel. Truly enjoyable reading!

The story glides through the first few chapters like actor Richard Harmon's well-oiled studio limosine, leaving the reader to wonder where this alien tour through Hollywood is taking him.

The writers draw on their extensive experience of behind-the-scenes action in the film and television industry to create background and introduce a number of characters. (Peter Jurasik played that lovable, roguish miscreant Londo in the hit television series Babylon 5)

Gradually, the narrative picks up pace and the humour becomes more fluent and natural. At the same time, key character Harmon learns of the dire consequences for planet Earth, should he fail on the mission the equally confused and bewildered aliens have determined for him.

As the story develops, numerous sentient life-forms are cleverly described and the reader becomes engaged by intricate questions of inter-species philosophy and understanding. Humour and quite serious discussion are capably blended with enough danger and tension to keep things moving nicely. In a very ingenious and lucid section, the hero uses his knowledge of Shakespeare to argue for saving a minor alien race from two giants of inter-stellar destruction.

The story has a warm, furry feel to it (rather like Harmon's pet hound), though in the second half it becomes quite a page-turner. It is `proper' SF with laser weapons, hollowed out planets and interstellar travel, so top marks for that!

Over the course of the novel, the reader is led to believe that no matter how odd, alien, or far beyond human comprehension, out there across the galaxy things cannot really go too badly wrong if left in the hands of a really competent actor! However, there are mischievous forces at work, both ancient and exceptionally powerful. Can even an actor succeed against these odds?

Hilariously written, entertaining, and somehow plausible, this story is much better than the one borrowed... er... written for a movie with a similar plot. The authors obviously had a great working relationship with Keith's technical mastery and humor paired with Jurasik's Hollywood insight. If you like humorous sci-fi and fantasy a la Douglas Adams and Terry Pratchett, this is a must-read!

After a slightly slow start this book takes off making a lot off fun of those who believe in vice all knowing super intelligent aliens. Also one gets a bit of a hilarious alien perspective of our world, i.e. those who like to see a litle fun being made of Hollywood may get a few laughs. In addition, those believing in alien conspiracies get to know one thing that these bigheaded, bigeyed, small, gray ones ultimately may be doing over here.

I bought this book a few weeks ago and didn't devour it immediately. I kept starting and stopping as I felt the first two or three chapters were slow and plodding, but things began to take off when we were in space with Faraday and simulataneously on the earth with the alien. If you persevere you'll find a real page-turner emerges. The satire is good, the characterisation improves once the authors get into their stride and the plot develops very nicely, with gentle hints all the way through about who is really behind what's going on. Recommended.