Tripods Trilogy (The White Mountains / The City of Gold and Lead / The Pool of Fire) [Box set] [Paperback]

John Christopher (Author), Tim Hildebrandt (Illustrator)

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com Review

Long ago the Tripods, gigantic three-legged machines, descended upon Earth and took control. They used "Caps," administered ceremoniously near each child's 14th birthday, to control humans' brains and keep them docile. Now there is pleasant life in villages, little technology, and no war--but there is no freedom either. In this powerful and suspenseful series, 13-year-old Will Parker and his friends deal with hunger, humanity, envy, and pride as they struggle to find out all they can about the Tripods and overthrow their rule. Written by John Christopher, author of many juvenile science fiction and fantasy books, The Tripods Trilogy is sure to make a science fiction fan out of any reader--young or old. This box set of paperbacks includes The White Mountains, The City of Gold and Lead, and The Pool of Fire, the chilling conclusion to the series that poses the question: Who would rule the world if it were freed from the aliens? (Ages 9 and older) --Bonnie Bouman

Product Details

• Paperback
• Publisher: Collier Books; 2nd edition (December 1988)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0020425716
• ISBN-13: 978-0020425717
• Product Dimensions: 7.2 x 4.4 x 1.9 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 4.8 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (29 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #38,424 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Most Helpful Customer Reviews

14 of 14 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars The Best Story Since David and Goliath November 26, 1999

By Greg Hughes

Format:Paperback

The Tripods Trilogy was John Christopher's first attempt at writing for young people and it is a triumph. I was introduced to these books back in 1985, when I was 9. I was really taken with the cover artwork of "The White Mountains", which showed this giant three-legged machine and a boy hiding in the foreground.

But I didn't actually read the books until four years later. I was obsessed with it! I loved the idea of a small rebel group fighting something that seemed so invincible. For ages I couldn't draw a landscape without putting a Tripod in it!

These books got me interested in cities and how they'd look when they're destroyed. One of my favourite parts of the story is when the three boys are walking through the ruins of an ancient city. We all know what city it was and we recognise so much that is unfamiliar to them. It's both amusing and moving to see them ponder over the relics of a better time.

These are a series of books I've read over and over. The praise for this trilogy is well deserved.

17 of 19 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars A menacing future April 6, 2000

By Robert Crookall

Format:Paperback

I first encountered the Tripods through the TV series in my teens. I became thoroughly addicted to it, and had to read the books.

John Christopher portrays a future in which human society has been reduced to a medieval level, and is under the complete domination of three-legged, 70-foot tall machines - the Tripods, who keep humans docile by fitting them with "Caps" - devices implanted in the brain during adolescence which rob the victim of his/her power of independent investigation of truth. Thus - culture never develops further, and none of the adults ever question the existence of the Tripods. As the story progresses, it is revealed that the Tripods are controlled by a race of three-legged, three-eyes aliens - The Masters - from their three super-technological domed cities.

The story centres around a small number of boys who flee before they are Capped to a community of rebel "Free Men". The main character, who tells the story in the first person, is partially motivated by the fact that the girl he loves has been taken by the Tripods into their city for her beauty.

"The White Mountains" tells the story of how the boys flee their home in England to the rebel community in the French Alps - "The City of Gold and Lead" reveals the super-technological Tripod city when two of the boys enter it in disguise, and "The Pool of Fire" tells of the final overthrow of the Tripods.

The story is very simplistic and childlike, but it greatly influenced my way of looking at life when I was younger.

10 of 10 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Underrated Author November 2, 2002

By jalcruces

Format:Paperback

Most people have not even heard of John Christopher....I enjoyed John Christopher's books as a young adult and I still enjoy them today. The "Tripod Trilogy" is full of timeless action for male and female alike. I highly recommend this and other books for young adults by the author who also writes adult science fiction.