Executive (Bio of a Space Tyrant) [Mass Market Paperback]

Piers Anthony (Author)

Book Description

Series: Bio of a Space Tyrant | Publication Date: December 1985

This is the fourth in the series BIO OF A SPACE TYRANT, featuring the stages in the life of Hope Hubris, the Tyrant of Jupiter, and his beloved sister Spirit.

--This text refers to the Hardcover edition.

Editorial Reviews

About the Author

Piers Anthony is an established novelist with more that 130 books published, 21 of which were New York Times bestsellers. He lives in backwoods Florida with his wife. --This text refers to the Paperback edition.

Product Details

• Mass Market Paperback: 330 pages
• Publisher: Avon Books (Mm); 1ST edition (December 1985)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0380898349
• ISBN-13: 978-0380898343
• Product Dimensions: 6.7 x 3.9 x 1.1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 0.8 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 4.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (7 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,412,618 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Very interesting but not as good as the first three books, November 27, 2003

By 

Atomicwasteland (Rockville, MD USA) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)   

This review is from: Executive (Paperback)

This is the fourth book in Piers Anthony's five book Bio of a Space Tyrant series.

The basic idea is that the main character, Hope Hubris has now reached the level of highest office, that of Executive, and is complete ruler ("Tyrant") of Jupiter. He now has to escape assasinations and reform business and society for Jupiter to survive.

In my opinion the first three books in this series are absolutely fantastic and are some of the best sci-fi I have ever read. Unfortunately, I don't find this fourth book to be on the same level. I give this book 4 stars for those who loved the previous books (as I did), but only 3 stars for the casual reader.

Though quite interesting and enjoyable in many individual parts, the author doesn't weave as compelling a story here (after all, the main character is now ruler), and the book's continued allusions to communism and problems of the 80's give it a dating that starts to detract somewhat from the plausability of some of the plot-points.

That being said, it is interesting to see how the main character progresses through his "term" and how the office affects him. Also, it is very interesting to hear how someone with absolute power would solve society's ills -especially when you then get to go into the backlash that would follow.

All in all, worthwhile if you liked the series, but not something I'd consider a must-read like the others.

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars Is Tyranny the best policy?, June 4, 2006

By 

James P. Lea "James P. Lea 'bookaholic" (Vancouver, WA USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Executive (Hardcover)

With the rest of the reviewers I have to highly recommend that reading the first three books in this series is essential to fully grasp their nature and purpose. In this one (Vol.4) Hope Hubris has assumed total command of Jupiter and is attempting to institute many overdue changes in the governmental and societal structure of Jupiter. Through a heavy dose of satire and allegory Piers Anthony is able to demonstrate and spotlight many of the problems in our own political and social structure.Although this book is not as fast paced as the previous ones in this series it is still a highly entertaing and thought-provoking look at how the best intentions and ideas can become buried in bureaucratic quagmire, and the lengths (and sacrifices), Hope must go through to accomplish his goals. In the end the book does make you wonder if perhaps a tyranny is the best form of government.

4.0 out of 5 stars One I missed, September 18, 2009

By 

P. Vandenberg - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Executive (Bio of a Space Tyrant) (Mass Market Paperback)

I had read all the other books in this series, but never this one. Now, thanks to Amazon, I was able to get a copy in new condition. It's every bit as good as the other books in the Space Tyrant series. Just a good story well told, and a delight to read.