The Tripods Boxed Set of 4: When the Tripods Came/ the White Mountains/ the City of Gold and Lead/ the Pool of Fire [Box set] [Mass Market Paperback]

John Christopher (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: July 1, 1999

This bravura four book series, the famous Tripod Trilogy and its prequel, has been in print for three decades. Now all four books are available for today's young readers in a four volume boxed set. "Gripping, provocative science fiction."--"Booklist."

Product Details

• Mass Market Paperback: 656 pages
• Publisher: Simon Pulse (July 1, 1999)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 068900852X
• ISBN-13: 978-0689008528
• Product Dimensions: 7.2 x 4.3 x 2.4 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.1 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 4.6 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (84 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #648,782 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

44 of 47 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Greatest Juvenile Science Fiction novels I ever read, July 9, 2000

By 

Peter Dykhuis (Grandville, MI USA) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: The Tripods Boxed Set of 4: When the Tripods Came/ the White Mountains/ the City of Gold and Lead/ the Pool of Fire (Mass Market Paperback)

I do not think there are three juvenile novels that I enjoy nearly as much as these three. The White Mountains, The City of Gold and Lead and The Pool of Fire are absolutely perfect examples of Juvenile fiction. The books teach moral lessons as well as tell a rip roaring good tale.

Without giving to much plot away this tale is covers a not too distant future when Aliens who roam the Earth in giant Tripods rule the land. Every person who reaches puberty is capped and their mind is controlled or at least molded by the Tripods.

These three books follow a group of runaways and rebels who have never been capped and who desperately want to free Earth and its inhabitants. This band of rebels must find a way to defeat the Aliens without knowing who they are, what there weaknesses are or any worthwhile knowledge. On top of this the `rebels' have to defeat these space age aliens with technology at roughly 19th century levels.

These books are even more remarkable as they were written in the late 60's. I first read these books as a cartoon serial in `Boys Life' in the early 80's. I enjoyed the tale back then and still enjoy the stories now. I highly recommend all these books for kids and or there parents. Read and enjoy.=

32 of 33 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Solid scifi adventures, May 4, 2003

By 

E. A Solinas "ea_solinas" (MD USA) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: The Tripods Boxed Set of 4: When the Tripods Came/ the White Mountains/ the City of Gold and Lead/ the Pool of Fire (Mass Market Paperback)

John Christopher's Tripod series has become a classic in science fiction, a haunting and often grim look at a future where free will is gone and the Earth has stagnated under alien rule. While the books aren't amazing, they are solid and very interesting.

"When the Tripods Came" is a haunting look at an alien invasion that no one could have expected. In the not-too-distant future, strange three-legged machines descend on Earth, only to be destroyed. Then a mysterious TV show mesmerizes many people, followed by a second wave of Tripods -- these welcomed by the eager citizens of Earth. Laurie and his friends must try to escape....

"The White Mountains" takes place long after the prequel. Earth has lost disease, war, hunger, misery... and life. Though people go about their everyday activities, the enormous alien Tripods have effectively stagnated human civilization -- through the mind-controlling Caps. Thirteen-year-old Will is creeped-out by the Caps (which has evolved into a rite of passage) and when he learns of a human stronghold unaffected by the Tripods, he and his friends set out to find them.

"The City of Gold And Lead" is the destination of Will, Henry and Beanpole, in the Games that are held every year for young men. The victor will be taken to the City of the Tripods, and may gain valuable information about these alien invaders. The problem is, when a person enters the City, he doesn't return again. And the information Will finds may be the most dangerous and valuable yet.

"The Pool of Fire" wraps up the series effectively. Will has made his escape and is hurrying back with a terrifying revelation: The invaders are planning to effectively kill off the human race by changing the atmosphere. So, of course, they have to fight back (with booze, of all thins) and defeat the Masters before the human race becomes extinct.

John Christopher tends to excel in writing postapocalyptic fantasy/scifi, with mixed resuls. As that subgenre is very tired by now, the results vary from good to bad. The Tripod series is not actually postapocalyptic in the typical sense; it's a simple alien invasion story. But Christopher manages to study human nature and what is important in these stories. It's a bit like Jack Finney's "Invasion of the Bodysnatchers," in its study of human nature.

His writing and dialogue are rather stiff. Though he does a good job of describing things, there's little sense of you-are-there because even in action scenes, there's a detached quality. Despite this, he shows exceptional skill in mapping out this future Earth, similar yet different. The ideas he presents are extremely original, from the Masters to the Tripods to the sinister invasion of Earth.The battle between humans and aliens is definitely a winner.

While not perfect, the Tripod series is an entertaining, sometimes chilling read that adults and kids will probably both appreciate. Solid scif stories, quite well-done.

17 of 17 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Marvellous thought-provoking/adventure read for all ages!, January 4, 2000

By A Customer

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This review is from: The Tripods Boxed Set of 4: When the Tripods Came/ the White Mountains/ the City of Gold and Lead/ the Pool of Fire (Mass Market Paperback)

I read the trilogy (actually #2, #3, and #4) years ago in school and was overjoyed to find this new boxed set! The first book was great to read - always wondered how the world got to the state it was in at the start of The White Mountains.

Anyway, don't be put off by the YA label - that is hogwash! I enjoyed it more this time around than I did years ago in school, and I understood and appreciated a heck of alot more of it this time.

The books are certainly very thought provoking, exploring the essence of free will and its value. Also explores question of nationalism vs. uniting mankind for the greater good. I just can't say enough, I am so glad I ordered this set! :)