Man-Kzin Wars VI [Mass Market Paperback]

Donald Kingsbury (Author), Mark O. Martin (Author), Gregory Benford (Author), Larry Niven (Designer)

Book Description

Publication Date: July 1, 1994

After two unpleasant defeats at the hands of the humans from Earth, the Kzin have decided a change of strategy is in order. Not scream and leap, but the more subtle feint and pounce.

Editorial Reviews

From Booklist

Conceived by Larry Niven in one of his first published short stories, the saga of humanity's interstellar clashes with the warlike, feline Kzinti race has enlisted a wide range of contributors over the years, with mixed results. The latest episode sent for review (another by Mark O. Martin and Gregory Benford will be in the published book), The Heroic Myth of Lieutenant Nora Argamentine by Donald Kingsbury, concentrates on various Kzin warriors' political stratagems as they maneuver to break the stranglehold humanity has on their territory since the recent human acquisition of the hyperdrive. While powerful military Kzin scheme to produce their own version of the hyperdrive, a human lieutenant, Yankee Clandeboye, eagerly volunteers for a rescue mission when he learns that his cousin, long presumed dead, may still be alive, enslaved by the Kzin. Kingsbury's frequent shifting of narrative focus as he delves into Kzin cultural minutiae (including a twisted new religion resembling Christianity) will probably only confuse newcomers to the saga. They should begin at the beginning; meanwhile, seasoned fans will be pleased to watch the trouble brewing for a new interstellar war in future installments. Carl Hays

Product Details

• Mass Market Paperback: 320 pages
• Publisher: Baen; First Edition edition (July 1, 1994)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0671876074
• ISBN-13: 978-0671876074
• Product Dimensions: 6.7 x 4.2 x 0.9 inches
• Shipping Weight: 8 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 4.3 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (3 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #800,715 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

7 of 8 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Kinsbury's novella is the highlight of this episode., May 24, 1999

By A Customer

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This review is from: Man-Kzin Wars VI (Mass Market Paperback)

The Man/Kzin Wars have been full of dering-do but light on character development and cultural insights. Donald Kingsbury remedies this in "The Heroic Myth of Lt. Nora Argenine",the novella that comprises most of Man/Kzin VI. My only critique is that some of his intricate creations--Kzin mathematical traditions, for example--sit uneasily against the Kzin we see in most of this series--written as hidebound, unimaginative goons. For a refreshing foray into real characterization, try this story. The book's other story, "The Trojan Cat", is a decent effort with an unexpected ending.

3 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Excellent, if rather depressing, science fiction., February 21, 2002

By 

James Yanni (Bellefontaine Neighbors, Mo. USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Man-Kzin Wars VI (Mass Market Paperback)

For those of you new to this series, the Kzinti are a race, created by Larry Niven, which he has given other authors permission to write stories about in this series. They are a spacefaring, sentient race evolved from carnivorous hunting cats rather than omnivorous monkeys, just as intelligent as humans and slightly more advanced technologically, at least in some areas. The only thing that has kept them from enslaving all of humanity is that they have a code of honor that frowns upon sufficient caution; their general idea of strategy and tactics is "First you scream and then you leap".

In many ways, this installment is the best of the series so far; the quality of the writing in both stories is extremely good. The only drawback is that while in neither story can it be said that the heros "fail", the price for their success in each story is depressingly high.

The first story is a continuation of the first story in volume IV of the series; those who read and enjoyed that story will not want to miss this one.

5.0 out of 5 stars Excellent!, November 8, 2004

By 

Creation27 (San Jose, CA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Man-Kzin Wars VI (Mass Market Paperback)

If you like Sci-Fi and you like Space, then You've GOT to read Larry Niven's Man Kzin books. He's gotten together with scientists and over 20 writers and created a so-fi world unlike any that's ever been created.

His sci-fi world will continue perpetuating itself long after he's gone because many young writers have bought into his sci-fi version of space as well as MANY older well established ones.