Midas World [Mass Market Paperback]

Frederik Pohl (Author)

Product Details

• Mass Market Paperback: 320 pages
• Publisher: Tor Books; 1st edition (February 15, 1984)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0812549252
• ISBN-13: 978-0812549256
• Product Dimensions: 6.8 x 4.2 x 1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 5.6 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 4.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (3 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #853,435 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Discover books, learn about writers, read author blogs, and more.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Thought provoking, March 31, 2000

By 

R. Bartholomew (New Jersey/NYC) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Midas World (Mass Market Paperback)

I thought the overall theme of this book was conceptually very interisting. Basically, as you may be able to guess from its title, it has to do with more not always being better. Once the human race has developed a virtually limitless source of energy, they had everything they could ever need... and more.

In this new world, robotic factories produce vast amounts of luxuries, and in order to consume them all, every person is given a ration of things they must consume, and only the rich are able to afford to live the simple life, with a nice five room cottage, while the poor have no choice but to live in 26 room mansions, constantly go to operas, have dinner at the club, wear fancy clothes etcetera.

Granted the economics of this whole idea are kind of screwy, but this book isn't really trying to be realistic, but it is trying to make a point about the almost axiomatic belief people seem to have that more is better.

Although it is nowhere near realistic, it is a very good read and quite thought provoking. I would recommend it to any science fiction fan.

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Midas World, October 10, 2003

By 

Laurel Jacobs "MysticCaribou" (Chicago) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Midas World (Mass Market Paperback)

Too Much Of Anything Is Too Much!

When Amadeus Amalfi invented the Fusion Power Device, the earth blossomed, for when power is cheap so is everything else. Soon robots did all the work, and people had all the "fun! fun! fun!" But every pipeline has two ends, and despite the stunning triumph of technology, humanity's success with social engineering was no greater than it had been. Soon the robot factories began to bury mankind in luxury, and the New Poor were forced to spend their lives in frantic consumption so that their masters could live the Simple Life.

And in the process the robots were burning out our world.

3.0 out of 5 stars A little half-baked, but not terrible, August 1, 2010

By 

Steven (Colorado, USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Midas World (Mass Market Paperback)

Midas World is a collection of short-stories by Frederick Pohl. None of these short stories have glaring flaws really, but at the same time I was never really pulled in, with one exception.

In Midas World Amalfi Amadeus discovers a way to bring extremely cheap (basically free) energy to our society by using nuclear fusion. There is a big catch - because energy is so cheap the world is forced into mass-consumption. Each person is rationed to consume many goods, everything from plays to sleeping pills. This creates a unique scenario where poor people own extremely large properties, nice cars, etc and rich people can afford their way into a more simple life.

Here are the list of stories -

"The Fire Bringer" - I don't really consider this to be a story really. It's only a couple pages and all it talks about is Amalfi's discovery of cheap energy (no rating)

"The Midas Plague" - Mass-consumerism takes hold of human society. The poor are forced to consume rabidly, the rich live more simple lives. (3.5/5)

"The Servant of the People" - Aging congressman Fiorello O'Hare is trying to keep his seat. His challenger, Mayor Thom is a robot. (3)

"The Man Who Ate The World" - Mass-consumerism isn't a problem like it used to be, but one character named Anderson Trumie is a bit indulgent. (3)

"The Farmer On The Dole" - A robotic farmer named Zeb is forced out of farming and into a new profession as a mugger. (3.5)

"The Lord of the Skies" - Nuclear fusion has turned Earth into a wasteland. People now live in stations orbiting Earth, which draw power from Earth. Michael Perkins has an accident while hunting a probe and crashes on Earth. Michael meets up with his brother, whom he doesn't get along with all that well. Robots are everywhere, humans are few and far in between. This is my favorite story in this collection. (4)

"The New Neighbors" - Humans move to an apartment building where all other tenants are robots. Robots are unable to harm the humans, though they don't like them all that much. (3)


None of these stories are real stinkers, but none of them are really all that memorable either. If you're a fan of Pohl then check this out!