Customer Reviews

Manhattan Transfer

5 star:		(9)
4 star:		(6)
3 star:		(3)
2 star:		(3)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

It always amazes me that John E. Stith --- author of such great books as REDSHIFT RENDEZVOUS, and this one, MANHATTAN TRANSFER --- isn't often mention in the same breath as Brin, Bear, Benford, Card, and other major SF writers. He's every bit their equal, as this story demonstrates. It's a sort of melding of KIDNAPPED and James Blish's CITIES IN FLIGHT (in that the whole city of Manhattan in kidnapped by aliens, and torn right off the planet into space). Actually, if it reminds me of any other book, it's probably Arthur C Clarke's RENDEZVOUS WITH RAMA. That won a Hugo --- why didn't this?

I picked this book up in the library onboard the USS Santa Barbara. Friday nights in the middle of the North Atlantic can be kind of boring. The cover was quite interesting and I wasn't about to read a book on new fishing tackle. Needless to say, the next 3 days were the most excitment I had during my 9 month cruise. I had always loved hard sci-fi, but never imagined anything of this calibre existed. That was 4 years ago. Today I proudly own Mr. Stith's entire collection. His characters become your best friends as they're molded into the story. By the book's end you're paralized with shock, terror, and excitement all at once. Manhattan? Ripped from Earh. What happens? Read the book! Stith gives you every detail in picturesque painting that only he can. A must read.

I bought this book on a lark almost 5 years ago. I still reread it occasionally.

The Story follows Manhattan island in the near future, abjucted by aliens. Yup, the whole island. The book deals with the citizens of the city trying to figure out what the heck is going on and how to get out of it. I mean, who would abduct an entire city?

I found it an extremely entertaining read. The characters weren't too two dimentional, and it certainally captured the action/adventure, "Man against the universe" theme very well, with interesting (not totally cliche'd) alien interactions to boot.

It won't ever win any awards, but for a sci-fi fan, it's definately work checking out.

Has the spirit of the Buck Rogers/Flash Gordon tales. But since the book came out, there is a poignant note for American readers. When Manhattan is captured by aliens and put inside a vast spaceship, with cities captured from other races, the humans go to the highest building to see these other cities. That building is one of those in the World Trade Center. And later, when our intrepid humans tunnel out to another alien city, they get their bearings by looking for the tallest towers of Manhattan.

If this book is even made into a movie, certain scenes will have to be altered from the book's.

Manhattan Transfer is a great present-day sci-fi adventure novel, filling all the requirements: dangers, aliens, technology and the rest. I believe this could be a box office hit if it's filmed.

It had an intriquing premise, believable characters, and a great mystery about why Manhattan was ripped out of the earth and transported into outer space. My only problem with the book is that the technical information was a little excessive, but in most parts it made the story more credible.

This original and facinating story ranks in my top ten favorite sci-fi novels. I rate it with some of Asimov's masterpieces. I've read it three times.

Hey, how come it's been so long since the last John Stith book? This one was great: like Clarke's RENDEZVOUS WITH RAMA crossed with Blish's CITIES IN FLIGHT. Manhattan ripped right out of the Earth by aliens! Cool! It's fast paced, exciting, and really has that sensawunder.

Whoever says that a book cannot be judged by its cover would be wrong about "Manhattan Transfer." The heart of America's greatest city is ripped out, alive and beating, and tucked away for safekeeping.

To his credit, Stith keeps the action taut and fast, allowing his New Yorkers to function within their world with the same take-life-as-it-comes attitude famed in their real-life counterparts. Not once does he give you a reason to put it down.

Stith hits pay dirt, subway tunnels, and everything else, in this uplifting and unusual science-fiction romp.

Forget the World Trade Center. What if the entire Manahatten island was suddenly gone, kidnapped by aliens and taken into outer space by a giant UFO? Sure New Yorkers can deal with a lot,but how much? Yes everyone knows NYrs are tough,this book shows you just how tough.
This book shows you how all of New York(Manhatten)not only deals with the unthinkable but the unimaginable.Interesting premise,very interesting and original story. would probably make a great movie too. Recommended for fans of good old school sci fi with lots of aliens, battles and explosions. Good old John Stith has done it again. Thank you Mr Stith! =)