Ring Around the Sun [Mass Market Paperback]

Clifford D. Simak (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: 1969

"Ring Around the Sun" tells the story of an 'alien' invasion (actually parallel Earth humans) and how they attempt to sap Earth economy by introducing disruptive devices at a ridiculously low price, like the Forever Car.

Product Details

• Mass Market Paperback
• Publisher: Avon; 3rd THUS edition (1969)
• ASIN: B000PCCV1E
• Product Dimensions: 6.9 x 4.2 x 0.8 inches
• Shipping Weight: 5.6 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 4.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (14 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,682,491 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

14 of 16 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Worlds without end- human potential without limit, July 6, 2004

By 

OAKSHAMAN "oakshaman" (Algoma, WI United States) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)    (TOP 1000 REVIEWER)   

This review is from: Ring Around the Sun (Masters of Science Fiction) (Paperback)

Jay Vickers was an ordinary man, or so he thought. All he wanted was to be left in peace to finish his next book. However, strange things started happening- from his discovery of a mouse that was not a mouse, to the visit of an old neighbor that was not a man. Or at least he was not an ordinary man. For as it turned out, neither was Jay Vickers.

This is the story of human mutation- the next step in the evolution of the species. What if mutants walked among us already? What if they were organized? What if they had unbelievable powers, such as the ability to cross between alternate worlds or dimensions at will, or to intuitively reach the absolutely correct answer by intuition or "hunch", or to telepathically reach out to the stars? Such supermen would automatically try to conquer lesser men, would they not? Or would they do everything in their power to free the rest of humanity from slavery and suffering? Just what would the political and corporate powers- that- be do to keep their power and their slaves? How would mutants undermine the power of these bosses to set mankind free?

This is a story of unlimited freedom, of worlds without end, ready for the taking. It is also the story of powerful, benevolent beings that exist only to help those who need that help. Simak sets this optimism off against the far-flung future- of 1987. This is a future of a lop-sided mechanical culture of technology that could provide creature comfort for a few, but not human justice or security for the many. It is a future of hate, and war, and worry. Nothing like the way the world really turned out....

Years ago when I first read this novel the uncanny "coincidences" with my own life gave me chills.

But then, there couldn't really be an underground of mutants working to free humanity... could there?

6 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A wonderous book that I need to read again., February 26, 1999

By 

Cathy Lane - See all my reviews

This review is from: Ring Around the Sun (Masters of Science Fiction) (Paperback)

I read this Simak offering so many years ago that I honestly can't recall how long it's been. All I know is that I really NEED to read it again. Simak was one of my all-time favorite SF writers. It helped in no small way that he lived and worked in my hometown of Minneapolis, Minnesota, and that his fictional settings were so familiar to me because he wrote of places I could see just down the road. His gentleness, good humor and his graceful way of writing only endeared him to me more. Please, Mr. Publisher, see your way clear to reissuing this grand old piece of fine science fiction!

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Great Book!, January 20, 1998

By A Customer

This review is from: Ring Around the Sun (Masters of Science Fiction) (Paperback)

This is the first Simak book that I've read, and I loved it! It's about a future where new everlasting products are dominating the world economy, and shutting down nearly all business. Jay Vickers is just beginning to realize the consequences of these new products when he sees a way to get out of the economic collapse. Like many of my favorite books, this one starts out great and you think you understand the plot completely. Then, all of a sudden, WHAM! The scope of the book explodes into something huge! As cool as that was, the characterization of Vickers and the other characters was the best part of the book. Read this book, you won't regret it!