Moonrise [Hardcover]

Ben Bova (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: December 1996

The development of the first permanent human settlement on the Moon is overseen by the family of brilliant visionary Paul Stavenger, who through subsequent generations must prevent the project from falling into the wrong hands.

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com Review

Ben Bova has a way of writing hard science fiction that can best be described as "definitive." While other writers introduce technology that could be developed under the right set of circumstances, Bova tends to write about advances that we're already capable of, if only we pursued them. In Moonrise he describes a future where space has finally been privatized and the moon is on the brink of becoming fertile commercial ground. But even as former astronaut Paul Stavenger seeks to turn a handful of leftover government moon shelters into a full-fledged moonbase, powerful corporate forces are aligning against him.

From Publishers Weekly

It's the 21st century and the world is on the brink of a scientific renaissance. The U.S. government has finally had the good sense to privatize the development of outer space and, as a result, a number of scientific advances are in the offing. New rocket technology makes it possible to reach any place on Earth within an hour. Nanotechnology promises incredible medical breakthroughs. Not everyone appreciates these scientific marvels, however. Radical environmentalists and religious fundamentalists want to turn back the clock. Standing against the neo-Luddites is Masterson Aerospace, which is involved in most of the major scientific breakthroughs of the day. Unfortunately, Masterson is crippled from within when its CEO apparently commits suicide and his wife, Joanna, backs her lover, Paul Stavenger, a former astronaut, over her mentally unbalanced son, Greg, in the board election that follows. Thus begins a power struggle that eventually leads to murder and the near destruction of Moonbase, where most of the novel takes place. The family intrigues are far-fetched at times, but Bova's picture of life on the moon and the technology necessary to sustain it is highly believable. Although his villains sometimes thin into one dimension, his protagonists, Stavenger and his son, Doug, are both well developed. A former editor of Analog, Bova (Mars) is a longtime supporter of the colonization and industrialization of outer space. His many books on this subject, both fiction and nonfiction, have sold well over the years and this newest work should be no exception. 35,000 first printing; author tour.
Copyright 1996 Reed Business Information, Inc.

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Product Details

• Hardcover: 417 pages
• Publisher: Avon Books (T); 1st edition (December 1996)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0380973022
• ISBN-13: 978-0380973026
• Product Dimensions: 9.4 x 6.4 x 1.5 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.8 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 3.7 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (29 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,178,148 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Great Space Opera, March 16, 2001

By 

"croix19" (Brunswick, GA United States) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Moonrise (Mass Market Paperback)

Bova does it again with this epic tale. The plot thickens with each chapter and it's hard to guess which direction he'll lead you. The science in this book is not far from becoming reality as humanity's knowledge ever increases. Bova also brings out the moral implications of advanced technology and the social consequences of such technology. If you ever wondered what it takes to survive on the moon and make a habitation there, read this book.

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars Readable yarn from the Arthur Hailey school of sci-fi, June 4, 1999

By A Customer

This review is from: Moonrise (Mass Market Paperback)

This has made-for-TV stamped all over it; Politics, a family dynasty with sibling rivalry, clear-cut heroes and villains all wrapped up in a huge dose of political correctness. The plot does rattle along at a fair old pace though and I had no trouble finishing the book. If however you prefer your sci-fi to be on a grander scale and more visionary (Iain Banks for example) , you will probably find this rather tame. On the whole not bad (and much better than the sequel Moonwar), but not a classic.

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Realistic and great!, September 27, 1999

By A Customer

This review is from: Moonrise (Mass Market Paperback)

I thought this book was great! What I like about Mr. Bova's work is that it isn't predictable. In his work, innocent people die, bad guys are not always punished, and so on. Rather than making the book unsatisfying, it makes it more exciting--electric, unpredictable, engaging. Really a wonderful work--I hope the author reads this review, and feels good about making a reader happy. Well done!