Stars and Gods [Hardcover]

Larry Niven (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: August 17, 2010

Larry Niven is the New York Times bestselling author of such classic science fiction novels as Ringworld and Destiny's Road. One of his previous collections, N-Space, was lauded by the Houston Post as "Outstanding . . . hours of entertainment," while Publishers Weekly called it "A must for science fiction fans." A follow-up volume, Playgrounds of the Mind, was praised by Kirkus Reviews as "Grand Entertainment."

 

Niven returns with the sequel to his most recent collection, Scatterbrain, which gathers an equally engaging assortment of Niven's latest work, all in one captivating volume. Here are choice excerpts from his most recent novels, including Ringworld's Child, as well as short stories, non-fiction, interviews, editorials, collaborations, and correspondence. Stars and Gods roams all over a wide variety of fascinating topics, from space stations to conventional etiquette.

Give yourself a treat, and feel free to pick the brain of one of modern science fiction's most fascinating thinkers.

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

Niven's (Ringworld) impressive body of work is given a stunning showcase in this hefty volume, which includes short stories, novel excerpts, interviews, and even obscure nonfiction pieces. The short stories and novelettes explore hard science fiction with Niven's characteristic eye for detail and engaging voice. Set in a future where humans have the option of eternal childhood, "Boys and Girls Together" explores the meaning of adulthood and child-rearing. The elegant "Free Floaters" (written with Brenda Cooper) is a touching romance told against the backdrop of a sunless planet and the adventurous creatures that live there. Meanwhile, articles like "Wet Mars" blend the boundaries of fiction and fact by exploring the oft-speculated possibility of water on the red planet. This is an excellent primer for readers wanting to learn more about Niven's work, though novices might find themselves lost by the setting and technical language of the Ringworld excerpts and stories.
Copyright © Reed Business Information, a division of Reed Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Review

"A writer of supreme talent."
--Tom Clancy

"One of our finest . . . Jams ideas for several novels into each one he creates."
--The Seattle Times

"The premier hard SF writer of the day."
--Baltimore Sun

“As eclectic a volume as Niven has ever issued. Niven started writing during the original era of the sense of wonder; now he is readably, vigorously advancing into a new one.”
--Booklist on Scatterbrain

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Hardcover: 368 pages
• Publisher: Tor Books; First Edition edition (August 17, 2010)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0765308649
• ISBN-13: 978-0765308641
• Product Dimensions: 9.5 x 6.5 x 1.3 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.2 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 3.6 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (8 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,064,402 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

LARRY NIVEN is the multiple Hugo and Nebula Award-winning author of the Ringworld series, along with many other science fiction masterpieces. He lives in Chatsworth, California. JERRY POURNELLE is an essayist, journalist, and science fiction author. He has advanced degrees in psychology, statistics, engineering, and political science. Together Niven and Pournelle are the authors of many New York Times bestsellers including Inferno, The Mote in God's Eye, Footfall, and Lucifer's Hammer.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

19 of 19 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars Collection of excerpts and shorts, October 13, 2010

By 

Mark Bassett "Mark" (Washington DC) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Stars and Gods (Hardcover)

This is an unusual book, an eclectic mix of excerpt teases from his novels, short stories, bits of nonfiction work, collaborations and even correspondance. The collection gives a wide variety of samplings of his work, but the value here is more a fannish one of the backstory he gives for past items and the collection of such variety. Not recomended for a new reader as there is no overall theme and the fragmentary parts are not really a full plot or understandable on their own. The Niven fan will see many things you've not read read before, and some explanations about old favorites, just don't go in expecting all new material or a full length book.

CONTENTS:

1. Excerpts from novels
- Ringworlds Children chapter 1
- Rainbow Mars chapter 18
- Escape from Hell 7th circle 3rd round
- Burning Tower chapter 2
- Building Harlequin's Moon chapter 12
- Juggler of Worlds chapter 59

2. Stories
"Choosing Names", "Fly-by-Night", "The Hunting Park", "After Mecca",
"Cadet Amelia", "Cat Toy", "Chicxulub", "The Gatherers Guild",
"The Solipsist at Dinner", "Boys and Girls Together"

3. Nonfiction for Space.Com
"Traveler" "Rocket Men" "Wet Mars"

4/5/6/7 Collaborations
- Beowulf's Children
- "Where Next, Columbus?"
- Achilles' Choice chapter 15
- "Choosing Life", "Free Floaters", "Finding Myself"

8. Draco Tavern Stories
"The Missing Mass", "Safe Harbor"

9. Miscellaneous Nonfiction
Hooking the Reader, Interview by Brenda Cooper in 2000,
Food Story for Con Jose Program book, "Inconstant Moon Has Passed"

20 of 22 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars The short stories alone make this collection worth the price of the book, August 17, 2010

By 

Clarice Marchman-Jones (South Carolina) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Stars and Gods (Hardcover)

Larry Niven's "Stars and Gods" is a collection of excerpts from his novels, short stories, blog posts and essays. Most certainly a treasure trove for Niven fans, but also plenty of interest for readers new to his work. As an avid Sci-Fi fan, I have certainly heard of Larry Niven, but have somehow never gotten around to reading any of his work. I was so excited to win this advance copy of "Stars and Gods" from GoodReads - it was a wonderful introduction to the writing and thought processes of Larry Niven.

Part One "Excerpts from the Novels" reminded me of the Coming Attractions teasers at the beginning of a DVD. These excerpts provide a 1-2 chapter preview of Niven's most recent novels. It had the intended effect, as I will definitely be checking out the Ringworld series. However, I am especially fond of short story collections and consider these to be the Main Feature of "Stars and Gods" with the essays and other offerings being the Bonus Features.

Niven certainly knows his science, but he also has an extraordinary understanding of human psychology which he uses to add depth to his characters - even the non-human sentient beings. His stories are populated with real people dealing with the realistic struggles of being human - usually in alien environments. There are a few stories that are quite cerebral, but there is also plenty of action, drama, and occasionally a little comic relief.

When I truly enjoy a story or a novel, I often wonder what inspired the author to write it. That is why I personally found the author's introductions to many of the pieces to be the most appealing bonus of this collection.

Even if you are not interested in essays, excerpts of larger works, or what inspired the author when he was working on a particular piece, anyone who appreciates good Sci-Fi will find the short stories make this collection worth the price of the book.

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars In Case You Missed Something, October 19, 2010

By 

Arthur W. Jordin (Smyrna, GA USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Stars and Gods (Hardcover)

Stars and Gods (2010) is a collection of recent SF works, including extracts from several novels. It also contains fantasy and non-fiction pieces and provides introductions to the various selections. This book is divided into nine parts.

Preface - comments on this book, writing and a few other topics.

Part One: Excerpts

- Ringworld's Children extract - trapped by a Protector.

- Rainbow Mars extract - captured on Mars.

- Escape from Hell extract - better dining in hell.

- Burning Tower extract - among the oarsmen.

- Building Harlequin's Moon extract - seeing the works from space.

- Fleet of Worlds extract - frustrated by the Gw'oth.

- Juggler of Worlds extract - caught on New Terra.

Part Two: Stories

- "Choosing Names" - negotiating with the enemy.

- "Fly-by-Night" - held hostage among Kzinti.

- "The Hunting Park" - Kzinti hunting in Africa.

- "After Mecca" - the inside story,

- "Cadet Amelia" - cats in space.

- "Cat Toy" - the talking cat and the dead mouse.

- "Chicxulub" - talking with dragons.

- "The Gathers' Guild" - the real tax conspiracy.

- "The Solipsist at Dinner" - an imagination at work.

- "Boys and Girls Together" - the oldest children.

Part Three: Nonfiction for Space.com

- "Traveler" - networking versus traveling.

- "Rocket Men" - the eighth "Access to Space" convention.

- "Wet Mars" - water on Mars.

Part Four: Collaborations with Jerry Pournelle and Steven Barnes

- "Beowulf's Children" - the very large scribe.

Part Five: Collaborations with Jerry Pournelle

- "Where Next, Columbus?" - profits and getting into space.

Part Six: Collaborations with Steven Barnes

- "Achilles' Choice" - the Olympian and the nerd.

Part Seven: Collaborations with Brenda Cooper

- "Choosing Life" - going digital.

- "Free Floaters" - the female who dared.

- "Finding Myself" - a backup was released.

Part Eight: Draco Tavern Stories

- "The Missing Mass" - the forerunners did it.

- "Safe Harbor" - invading the bar.

Part Nine: Miscellaneous Nonfiction

- Hooking the Reader - getting their attention.

- Larry Niven Interview by Brenda Cooper in 2000 AD - a few thoughts.

- Food Story for the Con Jose Program Book - quit smoking and start writing about food.

- "Inconstant Moon Has Passed" - watching the Moon with a friend and a dog.

According to the Preface, the above selections are everything that has been going on within the author's literary life since Scatterbrain. The cutoff date would be a year or so ago, before Destroyer of Worlds. In any case, his writing seems to have slowed down lately, even with the collaborations.

Larry Niven has been on the forefront of SF -- and Fantasy -- for many years. One hopes that the author will publish another collection five or six years from now. Read and enjoy!

Highly recommended for Niven fans and for anyone else who enjoys tales and articles about science and other way out ideas.

-Arthur W. Jordin