Customer Reviews

There Is No Darkness

5 star:		(8)
4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(2)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

I read this in my late teens and recently went back and re-read it after buying it used through Amazon. It is a science fiction story complete with the Haldeman brothers exacting science (I think I read somewhere that one is a biologist and the other a physicist) but told through the eyes of a `farm boy' type going off to college (in the form of a starship based university). This naïve farm boy happens to exist in the form of a fairly large bio-engineered colonist bred to survive on a harsh backwater planet. His experiences are played out brilliantly as he explores the people and planets of this not to distant future with his fellow students among whom he develops both friends and enemies.

My favorite section is when the school stops on the planet Hell, which rents itself out to other worlds who wish to wage war in a controlled environment. The vision the Haldemans paint of a future earth is brilliant, frightening, and altogether real.

This is a character study similar in style to a book like "Ender's Game" or in some respects "Starship Troopers" though on a smaller scale (no major planet threatening wars here). I think people who enjoyed those books would enjoy this one. It is well worth the extra effort to find a used copy.

It's been almost twenty years since I read this book and it still sticks with me. I finally decided to track it down and read it again. This is more than just a work of fiction, it more than a good sci-fi yard, this is the story of how a farm boy became a man while remaining true to his soul. And because it's fiction and a good sci-fi yarn, he is a genetically engineered giant on a university spaceship.

Yes, this book truly rules.

Written by brothers Joe and Jack, both great writers by themselves, this novel surpases anything either have done by themselves (though Joe's FOREVER WAR comes close and my husband likes Jack's VECTOR ANALYSIS better). The story is about a student on a University/Space Ship who happens to be bio-engineered (strong and tall) to live on a hostile world. His mind is the tool that develops on this journey in ways I can not explain adequately. Let me just say his journey opens his mind and spirit. A wonderful book, you should track it down and read it! What a classic!

You won't find this in most bookstores, or even used SF bookstores, because the people with copies keep them! Seriously, this is a SF classic. If you liked "The Forever War" do yourself a favor and get a copy.

This is perhaps my favorite Haldeman book. It distills the best talents of both brothers into a very enjoyable piece of Sci-fi. Both are scientist so are spared some of the more difficult to stomach abuse of science we must often endure in this genre. Most importantly the story is well written and pretty hard to put down.

I also suggest trying the classics "Forever War" and "Worlds" by Joe Haldeman along with (the late) Jack Haldeman's brilliant sci-fi/disease/political/thriller/satire "Vector Analysis" a book that's a lot more fun than the title sounds (I once read where Joe Haldeman referred to it as "All The President's Parasites" which I think would have made a much better title).

Still I think if you read nothing else by either, don't miss this one. This is the best of both.

You truly can't go wrong with Joe Haldeman. I consider this novel his second best effort, right after the incomparable Forever War.

I read this book when it first came out... While not quite Forever War, I still have my copy of it. The problem is its in a box in storage. Not a book to be tossed out and one of his most clever and, well, plausible. Well worth the read.

I first read this book when I was 11 or 12, and it has stuck with me throughout my life. I have litterally read at least one copy to tatters, and will be soon buying a new copy.

The book is basically a coming of age story of Carl, a genetically engineered "giant" from a planet where only giants could stand up in the windstorms, let alone survive.

The book covers his travels to 3 planets on an interstellar university: Earth, Hell and Construct. All three stops show insight into his character, and you can watch him grow mentally, emotionally and spiritually.

I highly recommend this book for purchase.

This is a set of three short stories with the same protagonist, genetically engineered 2+ meters 175kg (7 feet 400 pounds of muscle, for the metric challenged) teenage heavy-worlder Carl. He's traveling on the starship "Starschool", a 'high school' for future world leaders touring planets.

In story one, Carl visits Earth. He fights a bull, a shark, and a polar bear. This was not truly science fiction, it was all about gladiatorial fights to earn money. I managed to confuse the characters Pancho and Octavio for much of this story. Two stars.

In story two, Carl visits Hell, a planet dedicated to warfare. He goes through abbreviated boot camp and is forced into war, but the war uses only technology from 1900. This was not truly a science fiction story (except for an encounter with acid snails), it was about how terrible war and coercion are. Throughout the story, a conflict with Miko is on the back-burner, but nothing comes of it... potential wasted. Two stars.

In story three, Carl visits Construct, a huge space-station where an advanced alien race invites other races into an open zoo environment, to facilitate first contacts and knowledge for their own amusement. This story actually was science fiction, good use of weird telepathic brainstates, but supporting details were lacking. Three and a half stars.

The characterization of Carl and B'oosa was OK; both were written as tough men. Everyone else is a 'talking head'. The only thing I know about the tepid love interest Algeria is Carl wishes she was a meter taller. No hair color, no identifying characteristics -- nothing. This lacking level of detail haunts the book.

If you want good Handleman, try The Forever War and Forever Peace (Forever War, Book 2) or even Tool of the Trade. This is a young adult centered book, and the writing level leaves much to be desired unless you are also a male teenager new to the genre.

I read this book in high school because I had to read a book for my class. I loved this book and recommend it to teens and adults alike. Very descriptive, believable, and interesting. I am surprised it hasn't been made into a movie. Awesome book.