Longtusk [Hardcover]

Stephen Baxter (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: June 5, 2001

Even as a young calf, Longtusk understood the hardships the few remaining of his ancient kind had encountered when the glaciers retreated and grassy forests stole over the vast tundra the herds called home. Worst of all was when the Fireheads came -- cruel, two-legged beasts who kill for pleasure. At a tender age, Longtusk became their prisoner, hobbled, abused, and stripped of his freedom. But through toil and terror, Longtusk never forgot his Clan -- and he carried crucial, intimate knowledge of the Fireheads' ways, though at a terrible price. Now the time is rapidly approaching when he will have to clash with those who seek to destroy every living trace of his proud breed. The dark land before him will be mined with fierce obstacles and awesome challenges. And though it may require the ultimate sacrifice -- and a grim confrontation with the Lost, the most feared enemy of his gargantuan race -- Longtusk must not shun the twisted path in front of him...or what he is destined to become: the greatest hero of them all.

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

Meticulously researched, simply told and appropriate for readers of all ages, this second volume (after 1999's Silverhair) in Baxter's Mammoth trilogy brings to compelling life the complex culture of these giant creatures. It's sixteen thousand years B.C., and woolly mammoths roam the earth, inhabiting the steppes of Beringia, the land bridge linking Asia and North America. Climactic changes have caused the steppes to recede, but humans, whom the mammoths call Fireheads, pose the greatest threat to their survival. Longtusk, whose coming-of-age story this is, must save the mammoths by spearheading an epic journey. Separated from his family, Longtusk is enslaved by the Fireheads, who make him a beast of burden. But a Dreamer (Neanderthal) woman foretells his future: Longtusk will die, along with the Dreamer who once saved his life and that of the Firehead matriarch, Crocus. Although Longtusk escapes his captors and finds a steppe that will support a small mammoth herd, years later Crocus and her people return, seeking to drive the mammoths away from their habitat. Longtusk embarks on a final heroic mission to save the mammoths and meet his fate. The book's themes of ecological disaster, warfare and change resonate deeply with today's concerns. When a mastodont tells Longtusk, "You and I must take the world as it is. [The Fireheads] imagined how it might be different. Whether it's better is beside the point; to the Fireheads, change is all that matters," it's clear that humans have not changed at all. Agent, Ralph Vicinanza. (June 12)John W. Campbell Award, and has been a Hugo and Arthur C. Clarke awards nominee.

Copyright 2001 Cahners Business Information, Inc.

Review

"Affecting" -- -- Kirkus Reviews

"Meticulously researched, simply told and appropriate for readers of all ages." -- -- Publishers Weekly

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Hardcover: 304 pages
• Publisher: Harper Voyager (June 5, 2001)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0380818981
• ISBN-13: 978-0380818983
• Product Dimensions: 7.9 x 5.2 x 0.8 inches
• Shipping Weight: 8 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 4.2 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (5 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,192,792 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
  • #58 in Books > Children's Books > Literature & Fiction > Historical Fiction > Prehistory

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Very Good, August 11, 2002

By 

Kane (Perth, Western Australia) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Longtusk (Hardcover)

This book was equally, if not better than it`s prequel.After reading the first, I wasn`t to sure about reading the second after the first left me feeling pretty depressed, though I did it anyway and was greatly rewarded with a more upbeat book, compared to the first. Longtusk is better probably because of the less violence and a more descriptive plotline. The info on how the Mammoths live was riveting as was how they desribed the Neanderthals and early Homo-Sapiens.It was a great read.I eagerly await the third arriving.

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Sweeping, grand..., October 16, 2001

By 

Kyrillion (Brighton, England) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Longtusk (Hardcover)

As good as Watership Down, Shardik or The Plague Dogs in detailed and accurate research on the part of the author, coupled with believable, fascinating, and often glorious storytelling.

This is the sequel to Silverhair, and in my opinion, excells it, though the first book it wonderful enough.

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars none, June 23, 2001

By 

Gary S. Potter (mount Pleasant, SC) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Longtusk (Hardcover)

Baxter has written a magnificent and majestic tale of myth, legend, adventure, danger, and the fight for survival with memorable characters, accurate setting and detail, intrigue and wonder. A 'Watership Down' of the Ice Age... Gary S. Potter Author/Poet