Space Viking [Paperback]

H. Beam Piper (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: February 12, 2012

Space Viking is a science fiction novel written by H. Beam Piper and is set in his Terro-Human future history. It tells the story of one man's search for his wife's murderer and its unexpected consequences. The story was originally serialized in Analog magazine. Background Ten thousand refugees from the losing side of The Big War (The System States War of The Cosmic Computer) fled far beyond the boundaries of the Terran Federation and colonized the planet Excalibur. By the beginning of Space Viking, they had expanded to a handful of Sword Worlds (so-called because they are named after legendary swords) and had grown to a total population of three and a half billion, organized in a feudal system of kingdoms, duchies, and other small states, ruled by frequently-warring noblemen. Despite their isolation and the political instability, the inhabitants managed to retain a high level of technology, including space flight. One day, a starship rediscovered the Old Federation. Civilization had collapsed, presumably due to the war; many of the planets had regressed to varying stages of semi-barbarism. Taking advantage of the situation, "Space Vikings" (reminiscent of Norse vikings) proceeded to raid the poorly defended Federation worlds over the next three hundred years for loot.

Product Details

• Paperback: 172 pages
• Publisher: IndoEuropeanPublishing.com (February 12, 2012)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1604441380
• ISBN-13: 978-1604441383
• Product Dimensions: 6 x 9 x 0.4 inches
• Shipping Weight: 11.2 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 4.6 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (27 customer reviews)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

38 of 38 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Gripping, September 6, 2001

By 

Kurt A. Johnson (North-Central Illinois, USA) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: Space Viking (Paperback)

Lord Lucas Trask of Traskon lives on the Sword World of Gram, but is opposed to the Space Viking raids, on which numerous of the most talented Sword Worlders leave and never return. However, when his bride is killed a half-hour after their wedding, Lucas fits out a Space Viking ship and sets out for revenge. Sickened by the waste of the Space Viking life, he finds himself returning to his older convictions: that it is better to build than destroy. But, he finds that there are many who find destroying a simple and easy life, and what is the murderer of his wife up to? This is the story of one man's odyssey across the remains of the old Federation, his life, death and rebirth.

As I've said before, Mr. H. Beam Piper is probably one of the most underrated science-fiction authors ever. Here again, he produced a book with a fascinating milieu, populated by people who act consistently with their culture. I found the book to be quite gripping, proving impossible to put down as it rocketed towards the finale. I highly recommend this book to everyone!

25 of 25 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Still relevant., August 12, 2001

By 

Gilmoure "Gilmoure" (Sandia Park, NM) - See all my reviews

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This review is from: Space Viking (Paperback)

Though some of the technology is dated in Piper's books, the story, characters, writing and themes are perfectly fresh. "Space Viking" is a gripping space opera on surface but is also a great essay on the rights and responsibilities of citizens as well as a questioning of civilization itself. The only other science fiction books to address these concepts so well are Heinlen's "Moon Is A Harsh Mistress" and "Starship Troopers".

20 of 20 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A Master Work, August 23, 1998

By A Customer

This review is from: Space Viking (Paperback)

I've been re-reading this book for 15 years and still find get something new from it each time. I judge all other sci-fi by this book and nothing has ever matched it. Jerry Pournelle once mentioned that he *attempted* to write a sequel to Space Viking but couldn't begin to match the details. The best part is that the reader never notices the acute attention to detail Mr. Piper must have paid to this . . you just enjoy the story. PS. no, I'm not related