Hercules Text (Ace Science Fiction Special) [Paperback]

Jack McDevitt (Author)

Product Details

• Paperback
• Publisher: Ace (November 1, 1986)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0441373674
• ISBN-13: 978-0441373673
• Product Dimensions: 6.8 x 4.1 x 0.9 inches
• Shipping Weight: 5.6 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 4.2 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (10 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #320,652 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

12 of 12 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Still one of my favorites, refreshing and different, May 10, 2004

By 

Dave (Indiana) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)   

This review is from: Hercules Text (Ace Science Fiction Special) (Paperback)

I first read this book in college and enjoyed it at the time as a refreshing break from the traditional sci-fi literature. I've moved seven times in the intervening years, and this book is one of only a dozen or so that have been worth hauling city to city, state to state.

As with other reviewers, I enjoyed the fresh spin on the first contact storyline, and the inclusion of a psychologist and a cosmologist in the group of main characters. But having just re-read the book for the first time so far this decade, I have to say that my favorite part of the book is the idea of a bureacrat as the protaganist.

In most sci-fi stories the hero is a military person, or a brilliant scientist. That's great, and there are many soldiers and scientists that read sci-fi, but I'd guess there are far more sci-fi readers that have paperwork-intensive desk jobs, organizing meetings or creating reports. Carmichael's ordinariness creates a connection with the typical reader that is not found in many books.

McDevitt wrote an outstanding book. This is great stuff, and you should read it if you get a chance.

6 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Refreshing, knockout, intelligent story, March 23, 2004

By 

Avid Reader (Franklin, Tn) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Hercules Text (Ace Science Fiction Special) (Paperback)

This is one of the first efforts of Jack McDevitt and surely one of his best. The story of the dull bureaucrat who struggles to balance politics, great minds and personal crises is an old one but here it is given a new twist - he emerges the reluctant hero.

Yes, I loved CONTACT which was a great book and an even better movie in my opinion. But the relationship between cultures, especially the effects on humanity and how we define ourselves was better in HERCULES. Particularly interesting was the inclusion of a psychologist who provided excellent comments and insight.

I am surprised that no one recognized or commented on the almost poetical nature of some of the translations. These are simply beautiful renditions of "alien" thought made understandable to humans. They lifted the novel from the very good to the great. The "group" consciousness idea was yet another good addition and makes sense considering the ant and the honey bee. All in all, a terrific read.

9 of 11 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Same flavor as Sagan's "Contact", only better., August 25, 1999

By A Customer

This review is from: Hercules Text (Ace Science Fiction Special) (Paperback)

The Hercules Text was Jack McDevitt's first novel and probably his best. It follows the same theme as the better known novel Contact by Carl Sagan--alien transmissions from outer space being received by humans and their subsequent reactions to the knowledge that "we are not alone"--but I believe McDevitt's novel is much better. It also must be noted that McDevitt wrote and published The Hercules Text before Sagan published his book. The thing I liked about McDevitt's book is that he seemed to have a clearer grasp than Sagan of the contrasts between science and religion and how the different disciplines affect people's lives. McDevitt seems to understand that just because someone is a theist doesn't automatically make them a buffoon (I believe this was one of Sagan's shortcomings). The characterizations in both novels, though, are excellent, and I must admit that Sagan did have a better grasp of the science aspect of the theme. I recommend The Hercules Text wholeheartedly. A good read, well worth the time.