The Praxis (Dread Empire's Fall) (Hardcover)

~ Walter Jon Williams (Author)

Editorial Reviews

Product Description

An infinite, sweeping saga of interstellar war - the first SF classic for the 21st century. The empire of the Shaa lasted 10,000 years. Years of terror, infinite violence and oppressive, brutal order. Now the Shaa are no more, but the terror and violence are only beginning...The Shaa, rulers of the universe, began to commit ritual suicide when it became clear that their minds - profoundly intelligent but limited - would accept no further information. Near immortality was their one, great mistake. And so began the war between the Naxids, oldest client race of the Shaa, who believed themselves inheritors of the empire, and a frail alliance of other races, including humanity. And so, the story of a dread empire's fall begins...

About the Author

Walter Jon Williams is American, but was brought up in the UK. He has written SF novels since the mid-80s, and is the winner of the both Hugo and Nebula Awards. His novels include HARDWIRED, ARISTOI and METROPOLITAN. He lives in New Mexico, USA.

Product Details

• Hardcover: 512 pages
• Publisher: Earthlight (October 7, 2002)
• ISBN-10: 0743461118
• ISBN-13: 978-0743461115
• Product Dimensions: 9.3 x 6.1 x 1.6 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.5 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (2 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #4,057,371 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

5.0 out of 5 stars A Painless History Lesson, December 1, 2003

By	Clayton D. Strand (Dallas, TX United States) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

Like most of Walter Jon Williams' books, The Praxis (Dread Empire's Fall) is a beautifully written story of the beginning of the final demise of the Shaa empire, set in far future. Don't let the wormholes, anti-matter bombs and aliens fool you though, if you understand the politics and relationships of the characters in this fine tale, you understand the Roman Empire and how it worked, looked and felt to the upper classes who exploited it for their personal benefit. All in all, the most painless introduction to the politics and life of the Empire which is the most immediate predecessor to modern Western Civilization a fan of space opera is ever likely to encounter.

5.0 out of 5 stars The Praxis (Dread Empires Fall), June 10, 2003

By	Claudia Volenik (Grayshott, Hindhead, Surrey England) - See all my reviews

I'm sorry I'm not somebody for writing great reviews, I'd rather spend my time reading. However, I have to make an exception for this fine piece of space opera.
If you are feeling bored, because there is no new book by Peter F Hamilton to read, the old classics feel a bit too dusty, Weber and Banks haven't produced anything original recently, please, please pick up this book.
It has everything, story telling on a grander scale with a fascinating backdrop of a future universe, to the intimate details of the individual personae and how they come together. I won't give anything of the plot away, you have to read it for yourselves and find out.