Berserker Man (Berserker, Bk. 4) (Hardcover)

by Fred Saberhagen (Author)

Editorial Reviews

Product Description
For countless millennia the dreadful Berserkerr fleets have ranged across the galaxy in a relentless war against all things living. Their equally relentless opponent has been one of the least evolved of intelligent species, for of all the starfaring races, only mankind still has the heritage and instinct of battle, facing the enemy of all life in battle after battle. Here are four of those battles in the war between humans and the powerful death machines. Berserker's Planet: When a Berserker, severely damaged in a great battle between the fleets of humanity and the exterminating robot ships, hides on a planet whose inhabitants are just entering a period corresponding to the middle ages on Earth, a cult arises dedicated to death and worship of the Berserker's mobile robots. A lone rebel, armed only with medieval weaponry, doesn't stand a chance-or does he? The Berserker Throne: Exiled from the Eight Worlds, a prince discovers an operable Berserker-and the secret code which will give him control over the ancient war machine. With its help, he may return to power-but can a mere human really control a Berserker? Brother Assassin: The Berserkers reach back through time to kill a pivotal scientist in a planet's history, and only Time Operative Derron Odegard has a prayer of stopping them. Berserker Man: Over a century after the Beserkers had suffered an overwhelming defeat, humans have become complacent. But the killer machines have repaired and rebuilt themselves, and this time may succeed in eradicating humanity from the galaxy-unless they can be stopped by a child who is half man and half machine.

From AudioFile
In a swarm of asteroid-sized, machine-like undead, theBerserkers flow into human space once again, and again their object isannihilation of all life. The humans create a weapon of subtlety andpower: a body suit/ shield/ hammer/ mind-expander/ energy-blaster. Butit is suited only to special warriors, and our young hero is the firstexemplar. Barrett Whitener captures Fred Saberhagen's humanity andemotion. His subtle narration carries each scene in crisp, breathydetail. Science fiction rarely gets better than this as we imaginewhat it's like to be alone among the stars. D.R.W. © AudioFile2001, Portland, Maine-- Copyright © AudioFile, Portland, Maine --This text refers to the Audio Cassette edition.

Product Details

• Hardcover: 688 pages
• Publisher: Baen (October 5, 2004)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 074349878X
• ISBN-13: 978-0743498784
• Product Dimensions: 9.2 x 6.3 x 1.4 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.9 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 3.7 out of 5 stars See all reviews (3 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #1,132,447 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

6 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Fantastic piece of storytelling, July 29, 2004

By	K. A Knostman "Keith" (Victorville, CA United States) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

This review is from: Berserker man (Paperback)

This was one of the first sci-fi books I read as a kid. I've re-read it many times since then (over the last 20 years) and it always sets my hair on end.

This is more of an "epic" climax than the other beserker books in the series. It has what feels to be an ultimate conclusion that will stay with you for years after reading the book.

4.0 out of 5 stars protagonist != goodlife, August 8, 2008

By	W Boudville (Terra, Sol 3) - See all my reviews (TOP 50 REVIEWER)    (REAL NAME)

This review is from: Berserker Man (Berserker, 4) (Paperback)

Berserker Man is a middling novel in Saberhagen's long running Berserker series. The central idea in the series has proved a popular one in terms of audience reception for the stories based on it that Saberhagen put out.

This particular novel explores one variation, where a human might have within him a Berserker component or controller. And where he is distinct from "goodlife", which are the organic traitors to all life, that work for Berserkers. In all Saberhagen's novels, goodlife are depicted as the lowest of traitors, to the extent that anything is shown about them. A striking contrast to the protagonist here. Whose eventual human side wins out.

Somewhat puzzling that there are no prior reviews. The book has been around since the early 90s. Then again, perhaps this also indicates that it was only a modest success with readers.

As an aside: If you like this series, there is not much more. And certainly nothing new is likely to emerge at this point in 2008, since the author died last year. The most we can hope for is the release of any unpublished manuscripts. Perhaps Saberhagen's estate can let another author take up the Berserker theme? Someone well versed in hard military science fiction. Say Pournelle, Stirling or Weber.

1 of 10 people found the following review helpful:

2.0 out of 5 stars A not-too-good book by a god author, December 9, 1999

By	"commander-shark" (USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Berserker Man (Paperback)

The book seemed slow and un involving unlike the other books in Saberhagam's Berserker series. It was also hampered by the effect of a bad ending that left you thinking "Huh? um, ok.... Let's go read a half-way decent Star Wars/Trek novel." Sorry, but it just wasn't a good book.