Berserker Man (Paperback)

~ (Author)

Editorial Reviews

Product Description

The Beserkers, killer machines bent on eradicating all life in the universe, make a vengeful comeback, and the fate of mankind is left in the hands of a child who is half man and half machine. Reprint.

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

• Paperback: 224 pages
• Publisher: Tor Books (April 1992)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0812505646
• ISBN-13: 978-0812505641
• Product Dimensions: 6.6 x 4.1 x 0.9 inches
• Shipping Weight: 4 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 3.7 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (3 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #5,045,522 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

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 10 REVIEWER)    (REAL NAME)

This review is from: Berserker Man (Mass Market 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.

2 of 11 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

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.