Star Rangers (Central Control, Bk. 1) [Mass Market Paperback]

Andre Norton (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: August 12, 1980

Norton's second novel, first published in 1953. First in the "Central Control" sequence, which also includes the 1955 novel, "Star Guard."

Product Details

• Mass Market Paperback
• Publisher: Fawcett; 1st thus edition (August 12, 1980)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0449240762
• ISBN-13: 978-0449240762
• Product Dimensions: 6.9 x 4.2 x 0.7 inches
• Shipping Weight: 4 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 4.6 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (12 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #2,151,974 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

22 of 22 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Mind and Honor, June 8, 2002

By 

Patrick Shepherd "hyperpat" (San Jose, CA USA) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)    (REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Star Rangers (aka The Last Planet) (Mass Market Paperback)

Blasters, rocket ships, and Space Patrols became staples of science fiction very early in its life as a separate genre, usually used in rather poor, pulp-level stories that were often nothing more than Westerns translated to outer space. But Norton took these common elements and added her own special flavor, and the result is a very satisfying adventure that truly qualifies as 'real' science fiction, one that will tickle that 'sense of wonder' that is such a prime requisite for imaginative fiction.

In the waning days of a vast interstellar empire, a lone ship of the Patrol crash lands on a minor, very out of the way planet. Quickly scouting around their crash site, they find evidence of a long vanished high tech civilization in the Sealed Cities, along with nomadic hunter-gatherer level groups of humans. Looking for better shelter to tend their injured personnel, the rangers enter one of the cities, only to find it occupied by another group of refugees and ruled by the Acturian Cummi, a master telepath, one who is not above overpowering and directly controlling other peoples minds, who is bent on becoming the sole ruler of the planet. Zinga, a member of the ancient historian race of Zacathans (a reptilian race that populates many of Norton's science fiction works), and the human Kartr, both high order telepaths themselves, though not of the strength of Cummi, end up in a memorable mental battle with Cummi. The result of this battle and its aftermath lead to a very surprising and exciting ending, one that has resonated in my mind for forty years.

Norton's work with the telepath aspect was unusual at the time of this book's writing (1953), showing measurable grading of telepathic ability, the dirty, nasty possibilities that such a talent engenders, the intriguing invention of the Can-hound as an android built for external mental control, and the indication that telepaths would not automatically form a society onto themselves, but might still be the object of unreasonable prejudice. She also strikes an accurate note in her depictions of the traditions and customs of the Patrol and the alienation that outsiders to that heritage can be made to feel. Her characterizations of Kartr and Zinga, while not excessively deep, are more than adequate to allow the reader to become engrossed in their problems and actions.

A grand adventure yarn, with more than a bit of meaning, depth, and moral injunctions hiding behind the fast pace. This is Norton at her best.

14 of 14 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars Old fashioned, this tale makes you use your imagination., May 15, 1999

By 

Linda Anderson (Kalamazoo, Michigan) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Star Rangers (aka The Last Planet) (Mass Market Paperback)

This book hooked me on si-fi and Andre Norton. Man has been in space so long that Terra is nearly forgotten. The social and political structure has fallen apart. A group of Space rangers and a ship of civilians crashes on a nearly empty world that has nomads, and sealed empty cities. The leader of the civilians takes control of the city and has the ability to control minds. Hate for non-humans grows and the Rangers choose to go it alone in the wild. They make the amazing discovery that this planet is Terra, the birth place of man. This was my first introduction to science fiction. I hope someday that this book will become a movie. Zinga is a match for a Drak or a Jedi anytime.

14 of 14 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Flight, the chase, and an incredible ending!, December 3, 1997

By A Customer

This review is from: Star Rangers (aka The Last Planet) (Mass Market Paperback)

Star Rangers was written in 1953, reissued in 1985, and at one time had the title of "The Last Planet" but the context of the story could fit in tomorrows worlds. Of all the SF I have read, it had the most lasting effects. A dying society retreating from tryanny finds an incredible discovery on a planet they know little, if anything, about. The ENDING is explosive and will never leave your thoughts, especially when you view the stars at night. I equate this Story along the lines and equal to Starship Troopers!