Product Description
"A grand and glorious visionary epic."-Robert Silverberg *** Set in the artificial planetary system of Chalco-Doror, which is no more and no less than a vast cosmic machine, The Last Legends of Earth is a love story, a gripping saga of struggle against alien control, and an examination of the machinery of creation and destruction. Above all, it is world-building of the highest and grandest order, on a scale rarely seen in science fiction since the great works of Olaf Stapledon. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (39)

The Last Legends of Earth
Man, I cannot recomend this book enough.I read just about anything, from Horror, Sci-Fi,historical and thrillers.Only one book comes close to the feeling that I had after reading this work, and that was One Hundred Years of Solitude.
The shear scope of this tome is just huge. The ideas are pretty original. By the time I finished the book I realized that it was realy a love story. I could not believe that I had endured a story of lost and gained love.
The bad guys in this story are the most evil villans ever to come across in any format. Darth Vader and Satan have nothing on the Zotl.Keeping someone alive for a thousand years in overwelming agony so they can feed off of the endorphins is just...mean.
The idea of a whole solar system being set up as a trap and humans as bait was fantastic.Some may think that the writer has a way of rambling on and on, but I don't see it that way.I one sentance he crams so many ideas that the mind reals.
All in all a great book that I have read at least three times.

Regarding A. A. Attanasio's "The Last Legends of Earth"
I found "The Last Legends of Earth - A Radix Tetrad Novel" with "Radix" in a used book store and was put off by the thickness of them both. I had never heard of the author, but I noticed that they were smoothly worn without sharp corners.They seemed to have been kept lovingly.I took a chance on not just one, but them both.They made me a life long fan of Mr. Attanasio.The last book of his I read was "Crow, The: Hellbound" which had no science fiction at all, but the biting description of Hell and its demons was equal to his earlier works.
Now I have read "In Other Worlds - A Radix Tetrad Novel" from the library, which one could feel was a dress rehearsal for "Legends," which is not as complete, but still satisfying.I only need to read "Arc of the Dream - A Radix Tetrad Novel" to complete the series.I will have read them out of order as I've found them.
I have to agree with everything James Donnell's favorable review covered regarding "Last Legends of Earth."I haven't read it for 20 years now, But reading Mr. Donnell's comments brought it back to me so forcefully I shed a few tears thinking about the story.It is one of the greatest science fiction books ever written.I loved it as a adult like I loved Arthur C. Clarke's "Childhood's End" in middle school.A.A. Attanasio affects me like "The Lord of the Rings: 50th Anniversary, One Vol. Edition" did in the fantasy category when I was in high school.They were both worlds in themselves that a reader develops an emotional attachment to, and like Tolkien's masterpiece, I consider it to be an almost impossible act to follow.I hope I live to see it brought to life on the big screen, or even as a television series.I deserves a wider following than just us readers.

One of my absolute favourites
This book simply blew me away with its audacious imaginative content. Extremely recommended by anyone who is looking for something different in science fiction. Though a little inconsistent some of AA Attanasio's other novels are recommended as well, such as the loosely linked "Radix" and "Centuries".

One of my all time favorties
I'll put it simply this way, I have read hundreds of Science Fiction books and I have kept exactly ten, this being one of them and probably my favorite of all time. The only other novels I've read in the past fifteen years that have captured me so completely were Ilium and Hyperion by Dan Simmons. Still, this is probably my favorite of all time. The sheer scope of the story is amazing and the many characters drawn out distinctly are impressive. Add to that one of the all time best villainous races ever imagined, a truly alien yet human like central character, landscapes from the microscopic to the gargantuan, the rebirth of the human race, the rebirth of another race from Earth. Well, you get it, it draws you in and starts you thinking about the universe it creates. A very gifted writer and very much under appreciated. Buy the book, read it, think about it and then read it again like I have. Maybe it will become one of your treasures.

Humanity in perspective
I love this book.I read it years ago and forgot the name of the book, the author and only now do I realize it was part of a series of books, and yet I have never forgotten the story.I think for me the most powerful part is how limited humans are relative to the Tryl (a species on Earth that evolves to an intelligence and grace greater than humans 1 billion years after we kill ourselves off) and yet we keep on, going on. Attanasio gives us the big and little of humanity sometimes within the same sentence.I read a lot of science fiction and generally the harder the better but Attanasio, like David Zindell's Neverness series, is an exception to the rule.There is enough "hard" science, like Gai's jumping up from basically the zero point dimension into a dimension much less dense and at much lower energy, to be fascinating in its own right.Another great book it reminds me of -- the Oddessy.The relationship between Gai and Ned O'Tennis (the fighter pilot) is very similar to that between Athena and Oddyseus.All in all, a great read. ... Read more

Product Description
Interior Illustrations by James O'Barr. Cover Art by James Bergin "An Instant Classic"-Washington Pos"Sheer Pleasure"-Minneapolis Tribune"A Truly amazing, original, towering talent"-L.A. TimesA young man's odyssey of self discovery in a world eerily alien, yet hauntingly familiar. Set thirteen centuries in the future, A. A. Attanasio meticulously creates a brilliantly realized Earth, rich in detail and filled with beings brought to life with intense energy. In this strange and beautiful world, Sumner Kagan will change from an adolescent outcast to a warrior with god-like powers and in the process take us on an epic and transcendent journey.Nebula Award Nominee ... Read more

Customer Reviews (35)

Kindle Edition Review only
5 stars for the novel, awesome, I've read it several times.

2 stars for Kindle edition.

I'm halfway through, and this is what I've found:

Sometimes new paragraph is started in mid sentence, where clearly it is not a new paragraph.

Spacing/word errors (e.g. one instance: instead of "light's" it is "ligh t's")Attanasio runs words together as part of his style in this book, I'm not referring to this.

Some scanning errors ("y" to "v") in some instances.

Drift's cultural group is referred to as the "ne" with French accent character.The publisher did a clumsy search and replace to add the accent so words like "neck", "never", and "necessary" have french accent over the "e".Also when they did this for some reason it runs together with the previous word.So "his neck" becomes "hisneck"

Despite all this, the Kindle dictionary is a cool factor here.It's nice to be able to instantly look up words as Mr. Attanasio uses lots of obscure words in this novel.

Perfect scifi story. Enthralling
It has all been said already. This is my all time favorite scifi. if you like it strange and trippy along with psychological and thrilling you'll want to read it.

Sci-Fi Masterpiece
This book is one of the underestimated classics of science fiction. Years ago, during a phase in which I read literally all the sci-fi on my library's shelf, I came upon it by accident. I was astonished at the wisdom in it and in the brilliant writing. This book is not to be missed. I came to Amazon looking to buy a copy as a gift for someone, and was astonished to find that it is out of print--incomprehensible. Don't listen to the tiny minority of critical reviews here: find a copy and read it. It is a masterpiece.

Astonishing breadth and depth
Do yourself a favor...read the Radix tetrad. This is the first one, which is actually my second-favorite of the four. Which makes it my second-favorite fiction book of all time.

The God of writing.
This is probably one of the best fiction books ever written. Of course it will never be elevated to that postion by the critics, who wouldn't be caught dead lauding a 'sci-fi' book as high fiction. The best you will get from them is some amusing and witty remarks.
The power of Attanasios prose is absolutely jaw dropping.
They say every writer, no matter how good, earned his chops under some mentor or studying the writings of others.
But I don't know where Attanasio found better writers to immulate. He seems to be channeling some God of writing.
As Khayyam said of the vineyard owners, "I wonder what they buy, one half so precious as the stuff they sell." One could ask the same about Attanasio.
Read this book. You will never regret it. And you will never forget it. ... Read more

Product Description
In the tradition of Marion Zimmer Bradley's Mists of Avalon, this is the tale of an ancient king and queen whose romance sets the stage for the coming of King Arthur.

Before the beginning of time, as light first cools to matter, the electron glow of Heaven holds the seeds for an epic qest for immortality. The quest unfolds with a creature of Fire, a Unicorn of Light, a Queen with a gift, and a King with a world to save, Sweeping from the mud hut cities on the Euphrates to the glass and steel towers of tomorrow, this is the tale of a King new born, the heir Pendragon, Eagle of Thor-Arthur.Amazon.com Review
The demon Lailoken, as old as time, is tricked by Fire-lordsand trapped in a human body. He becomes Merlinus, a wandering wise manexpert in magic, destined to work for good among humans, opposed bythe Furor (Woden). An encounter with the unicorn--a spirit similarlyearthbound--brings him to Ygrane, queen of the Celts, and she sets hima task to find her king, a man seen in vision and fated to be herlove-match. Merlinus-Lailoken seeks and finds him: Theodosius, astable worker. But Ygrane has commanded the demon-wizard to bring hera king, so Merlinus sets to work making one.

This is an entrancing fantasy, drawing on everything from Norse mythsto feng shui to build a magical, liminal Arthurian Britain. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (44)

I love this book.
I've read lots of sci-fi and many histories. This book blends both together with a critical third element: Magic! It's an amazing, twisting journey, and although not for a casual reader, it is a wondrous escape into fantasy. Attanasio weaves icons we all know into fantastic myths of his own imagination. One of my favs!

This ain't your daddy's King Arthur!
Whatever I was expecting when I first read this book was completely blown out of the water by one of the most unique and well-crafted epics I have read in quite awhile, and since!

While this is a retelling of Arthurian legends, do not be fooled by such well-recognized themes.This novel reads more like an ancient tale told around the fire than it does the dulcet and expected lines of most predictable retellings of Arthurian legend, and yet at the same time, Attanasio adds a strange mix of scientific cosmology with glimpses of the future intersecting with the past.This can be offputting to some, but intriguing to others, such as myself.

This particular volume follows the trials of Ygrane, the celtic priestess with knowledge of her past lives, Merlinus, the demon now shackled by the form of a man who ages backwards, and the rise of Uther, the would-be father of Arthur.The lives of all three intersect, their stories unfolding in vivid, fearless descriptions that harken back to the gritty clash of Christianity and Celtic religion which permeated the ancient times of Brittania before King Arthur's ascent.

I have nothing bad to say about this book other than the beginning starts out slow.But keep reading, my friends, and it does not disappoint, especially if you have a taste for the gritty, sensual, and vividly recreated style of a great myth.

A great adventure nearly ruined.
This book provides the reader with a great adventure.It is creative and beautifully written.So why only 3 stars?Because the author chose to mix this potentially great fantasy with silly, and often contradictory, New Age philosophy.
I often found myself frustrated by how little sense the decisions of the characters made.There were also many moments that were supposed to be times of "great revelation" that were later contracted.One such moment was when Merlinus had a great epiphany about Christianity and how important it's new "I am my brother's keeper" philosophy is to the world.Sounds nice right?Except that that is as much a Jewish philosophy as much as a Christian one.After all, that line is from the Old Testament, not the New.Still, Whats that matter?It matters because it later turns out that the Druids are, in fact, descended from the Hebrew Priesthood themselves.So why don't the Druids already teach the Celts to "Be thy brother's keeper"?We never get an answer to this.
Another such contradiction came in how the Celtic holy men were protrayed compared to the Christian holy men.According to Merlinus, Christianity is the future, Pagans the past.Only the Angels' "nailed god" can stand against Odin and the forces of chaos.And yet Christian holy men are portrayed as blind fools.The Druids are great sages that know the secrets of the world beyond our senses.If the Druids are so great, why can't they stop the forces of Chaos?
Towards the end of the book there was also a strange event where Uther, A Christian, was going through the countryside slaughtering those pagans that wouldn't convert.I did not understand why his wife Ygrane, a devout Pagan Witch, did not object!Confusing.
All in all, I WOULD suggest you read this book.I really enjoyed how the author meshed science with fantasy.But it could have been alot better.

.
=D I love this book, I originally got it for a friend, but I ended up reading it before handing it over.
It has a phraseology for those with more advanced reading skills, but even if you don't have the best vocab, it's still pretty easy to read, and you don't need to have a dictionary on hand to follow the plot

Very original, but not polished enough
I gave this book a four because of the sweeping mythology it outlines.The relationship between the Furor (Odin) and the Fire Lords and the Unicorn and the Dark Dwellers, as well as the author's incorporation of space and the big bang and all that--is very impressive and it was fun to read.Beyond that, though, I felt like the author was pushing himself too hard to be wordy, especially in his descriptions.A lot of the descriptions of the locations were too specific and wordy.I also felt like the book in general didn't draw me in as much as it could have.I was always okay with putting the book down after reading 10 pages or so.I'm not say all books need to be trite Davinci code style mindless page-turners, but the author had some good material and something was just missing there...anyway, I'd recommend it if you wanna read an original Arthur story. ... Read more

Product Description

The boy-king Arthor has beaten back the berserker wolf warriors of the Saxon god, uniting his island kingdom -- but at a terrible cost. For the Grail, the chalice of the Last Supper and the magical shield of Britain, has been stolen.

Without the Grail's protection, Britain lies parched and barren, a demon-haunted landscape where sulfurous vapors taint ther air. To find the Grail, Arthor's mother, Ygrane, must strike a dark bargain with Bright Night, elf-prince of the "pale people,"in the hollow hills. Merlin must use his magic to show the way. But it is Arthor himself who must confront the Serpent, Sword in hand.

A.A.. Atanasio's epic retelling of humankind's most powerful legend weaves together, for the first time, the hallowed yarn of ancient Arthurian lore and the shimmering strands of modern quantum science.

Customer Reviews (6)

Reality (?) bites.
Finally, a multi-faceted, richly textured, thought-provoking and deeply woven and embroidered series of "tales" from a rather masterful story-teller who treats his readers as cogent listeners capable of keeping the various skeins of this historical, cultural, psychosociological and demi-religious tapestry flowing.As an avid and voracious reader with somewhat eclectic tastes, I find Mr. Attanasio's spinning of the threads of these tales to be highly intelligent, deeply fascinating, richly image-evocative and teleportational.So much more so than the typical Freudean psychic-cleansing pap that many current editors seem to qualify as saleable fiction.Yes, life is not easy and we all have our "crosses" to bear; however, can't we have a little more story-telling and a little less Freudean-couch revelations? Occassionally, as with any modern-day story-teller, he has to fall back into reiterrations in order to keep those not willing or able to invest the time and/or money in the preceding tales up with the mulitlayered goings-on in these tales; and yes, he sometimes strays across to "New Age-Feel Good" whining or carping.Yet, his characters for the most part are so fully fleshed and "real" that I feel I'mstanding, next to, or even looking out of the eyes of, each narrating character.
To be honest, I haven't watched TV since I got hooked on the first book of this Middle Earth adventure, nor even listened to the stereo, as the lyricality of this writing, and the characters, both human and demiurge (sometimes even animal) has enraptured all of my senses, especially my own little dreamworld.He has also led me into new forays through the almost-forgotten magical pleasures of my local library, seeking further illumination on Celtic, Drudic, Christian, British, magical and other tangential gems tossed out as asides in his tale.What an extra-special, unexpected treat!Challenge yourself to reasses your own "reality". Wrap yourself up in these tales.

I should like this series more, but. . .
As a confirmed fan of the Arthurian Legend and the various retellings, I should probably like this series more than I do. I can't claim that it's because I'm a traditionalist - one of my favorite retellings is Patricia Kennealy-Morrison's three-book subset of her Keltiad series known as "The Tales of Arthur". For those of you who haven't read it, it's a great series referred to by both to the author and its aficionados as "Celts in Space", so use your imagination. And, it's not because A. A. Attanasio's series is poorly written. The prose is lyrical, yet strong, and the characterizations are full. I think it may be because even though the series is original and the setting non-traditional, it reaches too far for my personal tastes. In this series, Arthur (or, Arthor, as he starts out), is certainly a featured character, but not the main one. Arthur's tale is lost in the maze of all the immortals in all the galaxies in all the universes of the cosmos. The story has its beginning in the beginning of time when all was chaos. To keep it brief, Merlin starts out as the demon Lailoken, spawn of Lucifer along with the others of his ilk, who through a series of miraculous events is given birth as a human living backwards in time, i.e., his body grows younger as time progresses. As a result, Merlin sheds his demonic ways, becomes a devout Christian, and is tasked with guiding Arthor on his quest of uniting the British Isles under the umbrella of Christianity.Opposing him are the Furor and the old (pagan) gods. The Furor is Odin and his cohorts the rest of the cadre of the Norse deities. Throw in the Firelords (i.e., the "good" angels), the immortal Nine Queens of Avalon, and the elfin Daione Sid, and you have a battle royale par excellence. Oh, and throw in the fact additional fact that the earth `s core is formed by a sleeping dragon who is cosmically connected to every other dragon that forms the core of every other planet in the Creation. . . As many of the characters are gods or have god-like characters, time tripping abounds and everyone, save the puny mortal humans, can see the future and has their own ways of trying to prevent the holocaust they all foresee. The fact that they all have different ideas about how to accomplish this is what provides the conflict that makes the story go. Mr. Attanasio tells the story far better than I do, but I find the constantly shifting points of view to be difficult to follow. I like the straight-ahead descriptions of Arthur's dealings well enough, but tend to get lost and gloss over the philosophical and mystical mumbo-jumbo. Also, there are some incongruities with the mainstream Arthurian legend that seem to serve no real purpose, or none that I'm smart enough to discern. The Fisher King appears in the book, but Arthur's the one with the wound that will not heal. Call me an ignorant, lowbrow Philistine, and that's OK with me. I like thoughtful fantasy, but a little sword and sorcery floats my boat, too. As I intimated earlier, I don't dislike these books. I've read all four to date, and will read any more that are published. Which brings up another question in my mind - this book has a complete enough ending that it could be the last in the series. However, it leaves us at the very beginning of Arthur's reign. Will there be more? I can't tell. . . The books are well written and mostly enjoyable. They are a strong addition to the store of Arthurian lore that exists. There not my personal favorites, but I do recommend that anyone who enjoys Arthurian literature at all give them a try and formulate their own opinion.

Arthurian Legend ..... retold (?)
I picked up the first book of this series because I am an Arthurian legend fan. At that time I had never even heard of Attanasio....I am now an avid Attanasio reader.

The Serpent and the Grail is a hard-to-put-down book and continues the fantasy world of Arthur's rule started in the earlier books. The only problem I have with this book is that this is still not the end of the series (I hope!). As an Arthurian fan, I hope that Attanasio will continue telling this story until the end of the legend and that the next book in the series comes out before I forget the characters again (that's another problem ... the wealth of characters!). If you're already familiar with the legend then reading this series is as if you've never heard of Arthur and Camelot before .... very refreshing.

As an Attanasio fan, this is another example of the diversity of Attanasio's vivid epic-telling talents. You need to read other Attanasio's works to appreciate what I mean (personal recommendations: The Last Legends of Earth, The Dark Shore)

My advice to all would-be readers .... get all the books in the series and read them straight through from the first to the last, in sequence. It won't be easy reading, but it will be worth it.

Odin vs. the Industrial Revolution
The Wolf and the Crown, The Eagle and the Sword, The Dragon and the Unicorn, The Serpent and the Grail, so far... Don't know what to make of these well-written but tiresome and confusing books with all the gods and demons and faeries and elementals; mysticism and visions of our industrial future; God (she) as a hermit, Lucifer as a noble exile, the 10000-year-old ladies of the lake; big-bang theory and the sleeping dragon under the earth; Furor (Odin) and Christian monks, the surprisingly civilized poet-king Wesc of the Saxons, and of course Merlin who is the demon Lailoken reborn in the womb of St somebody or other, a nun. (In effect he raped his mother and became his own father; and Morgan la Fay reincarnates the soul of HER own father King Mark into Mordred, the offspring of an incestuous union with her half-brother Arthur -- not exactly wholesome reading for the family -- you get the flavor of this series). Worth reading if you are into this sort of stuff. Stay tuned.

It is, however, beautifully written, no matter how absurd and confusing the plotting is.

The Legend continues....
I have just finished reading the serpent and the grail and I must say that it was again one of the best books I have ever read! Just like the rest of the Arthurian books he has out it was in one word...beautiful.The waythis author writes is incredible.It is almost like reading poetry. Thebook taking place after Wolf and the Crown,finds the young king once againin a quest to save Britian. This book was one of the best i've read in theseries and hopefully not the last. This book is a must read for A.A.Attanasio fans. But if you've just discovered the author and the series irecommend picking up his first book in the series The Dragon and theUnicorn. ... Read more

Product Description
The Warrior King

Arthor, Eagle of Thor, has triumphed through war. Now Britain--and destiny--are his to claim. Already rolling on the roads from Tintagel to Camelot is the great wheel that will become the Round Table.

But the perilous order promised by Arthor's victory is threatened by forces beyond human ken. For Merlin has descended into Hell, to fend with the Fire Lords who give the Universe its shimmering form. And for the young king himself, there is a sacred Graal, and an Earthly love, to seek...

A. A. Attanasio's epic retelling of humankind's most beloved legend weaves into one magnificent tapestry the hallowed warp of Arthurian lore, the shaggy woof of Druidic myth, and the shimmering strands of quantum science.Amazon.com Review
A.A. Attanasio presents a flamboyant recounting of the myths of Camelot in The Wolf and the Crown, which continues the story of The Dragonand the Unicorn and The Eagle and the Sword. This particular Camelot features a demonic Merlin, HollowHills full of tiny faeries "in nightgowns of fog and sticky halos," and acallow High King whose devout prayers to Mary close each of his viewpointchapters. Attanasio loves the surface flash of words, and The Wolf andthe Crown is as dazzling as a jeweled necklace, with occasional flaws,such as references to Brownian motion or "Bunsen blue," that intrude into the concoction of fantasy, mythology, and Arthurian lore. The myths ofCamelot, dear to fantasy readers, provide Attanasio with the perfectsetting for his intricate lapidary. --Blaise Selby ... Read more

Customer Reviews (7)

A Departure from the First Two Books
I have had the first three books from this series on my bookshelf for a long time along with Radix and Last Legends of Earth, and couldn't remember why I didn't like this series.

Now I remember.Its this book.

The first two books are wonderfully lyrical in their writing, and full of the hallucinatory blend of quantum physics and mysticism that I think is Attanasio's trademark.This books isn't any of those things, and seems, as others have said, hurriedly written to fill a deadline.

What I find most painful is the page-and-a-half "chapters" that are the book's structure.The books winds up being just a set of vignettes, really, advancing in parallel the four or five stories that are being advanced.While this technique might be intended to keep the pace brisk, what it really does is completely distance the reader from the characters and the action.Why should I care about any of this given how I'm not invited to connect with it in a meaningful way.

Also, the "Merlin as a lisping dwarf" thing gets old real quick.

I'm slogging my way through and will buy the concluding volume just because I'm a sucker for punishment (and it seems more well-regarded than this book), but as others have said, you read this one because you like the series, not because you like this book.

'Wolf...' interesting but falls short
Attansio's interpretation of teh Arthurian legend is fascinating and well-written, but it took this reader nearly 100 pages to become acclimated to the author's bizarre shortened chapters.Attanasio abbeviates hisscenes so that they last no longer than 1 1/2 pages at themost.

Interestingly, it doesn't appear that his work suffers because ofit...yet it was still disconcerting.This was the first Attanasio bookI've read.Despite what others have written, it is possible to use this asa jumping-off point into his novels.

A terrible disappointment.
Attanasio is one of my favorite writers - constantly innovative, frequently lyrical, and until this book he hadn't disappointed me.It's not a bad story, but it falls far below the standard of work that I've cometo expect from this man. The first two books in this series are delightful,and as good as anything Attanasio's ever done. I finished this one,however, only to keep up with the series.Rerad this book if you've beendrawn into the series, but by no means let it be your introduction to thework of this talented author.

A detailed account of Arthur's first year as king.
The Wolf And The Crown is a beautiful weaving of the classic story of Arthur, except now the tale has an original factor to it. Attanasio is a very talented author; he combines legend with his own mythology. I loved itbecause Attanasio used characters from several beliefs; he didn't justfocus on Christianity. You may believe this weird, but I think that hisstories compare with The Wild Road, mostly because King's and Attanasio'sdetails are similar. Such as: They both describe the weather, surroundings,features of an animal or person, and attitudes very thouroughly. Ireccomend this book to everyone in the universe!!!

Fantastic, not-to-be-missed!
The third book in AA Attanasio's fabulous telling of the King Arthor myths, the Wolf and the Crown follows the young king through the first year of his reign. He must prove to his subjects that he is a worthy king, andmust prove to himself that he is a good man even though he fell prey to hiswitchy half sister's seductions. This book, as all of Attanasio's, is verydifferent from its predecessors. The chapters are short, perfect two-pagecliff hangers that whirl the reader between the various characters andsituations. In some ways, this book is much more horrific than the onesthat came before, but it is leavened with great humor. It focuses onArthor's humanity, but has the elements of the strange and magical we'vecome to expect from Mr. Attanasio. Gods old and new, ghosts, witches,demons, angels, vampires, dwarves, a monkey, elves, stolen and misplacedsouls, the hell that is our present day, the fabulous world tree that isthe magnetic field surrounding the earth, the hollow hills above the dragonat the heart of the earth, heroicadventure, and selfless sacrifice, it isall there weaving a tapestry of magic and realism. Attanasio is not boundby any of the old tellings of this myth, he takes the characters andelements and makes them uniquely believable, uniquely his own. As in manyof Attanasio's books, such as his fantastic first novel Radix and the rareThe Moon's Wife, the heros are flawed by their own humanity and must takeon painful journeys of self-discovery and change. Don't miss this book, Ican't wait for the next ones. I hope he follows the King to Avalon and on,to that far future day of need that is predicted for the King's return. ... Read more

Product Description
130 BILLION YEARS INTO THE FUTURE....One star-chained evening in a Manhattan bathroom, Carl Schirmer spontaneously transforms into light....Then, 130 billion years later, when all of spacetime is collapsing into the vast nothingness of the cosmic black hole, Carl Schirmer is remade from the remnants of his light. He is reborn in time's last world, the strangest of all-the Werld....There, Carl discovers the Foke, nomadic humans who travel among the floating islands of the Werld. Among them he finds the beautiful Evoë, and their life together is blissful in this kingdom that knows no aging or disease. But it is cut brutally short when Evoë is captured by the zotl, a spidery intelligence who hunt the Foke and eat them in an excrutiating fashion. In order to save her life, Carl must return to Earth-130 billion years earlier-where he is shocked to discover that the Earth he's come back to is not the one he left....Can he meet the harsh demands of his task before the zotl find him and begin ravishing the Earth? ... Read more

Customer Reviews (3)

Attanasio is an unparalleled writer of intricate science fiction
This is one of the four books of his 'Radix tetrad'. Though short and fast-paced it is most excellent and highly recommended. Probably my 3rd-favorite of the tetrad, which makes it pretty close to my 3rd-favorite SF book of all time.

An esential book to the Zolt/Rimstalker universe
While this book was much more limited in its scope than the other book in the series (The Last Legend Of Earth), it managed a successful charm of its own.

By showing one human's treck into the Werld (the time/space bubble at the rim of the universal blackhole) and the Zolt and Rimstalkers in their own domain it manages to help flesh out the much larger story, Last Legends of Earth.I will admit, this is a short one and might not be to as many people's liking.HOWEVER, this book adds so much to the later struggle through its little details, while its story is still very good, that it is instantly a must have to fans of Attanasio's sci-fi work.The 5 space minds (the eld skyles) also help to show that no matter how powerful the beings, there is always something else more powerful (a very nice counter balance to the Zolt and the Rimstalkers in Last Legends of Earth).

This book lacks some of the literary flow of the later books, and some of the details are less fleshed out, making this more a testing of ideas for the later books, versus an actual first book in itslef.But don't be deceived, even it you NEVER read and of the author's great books, this is a book unto itself.The light lanced armor is a nice peace of technological creation.Very much a imaginative work in its own right.When the combat takes place with Space/time weapons, and gravity waves, with everything being protected by a different artificial space time distortion the size of a quarter, well just read the book and appreciate the more simplistic tale that still has all of the great elements of his later much more complex works.

A nice book to build you up to his grand masterpiece, the Last Legends of Earth.

Enjoy!

Good, but could be better
This was my first Attanasio novel, one I discovered by accident, when working at a bookstore 14 years ago.It was Attanasio's second novel, after _Radix_, and clearly not his best work.

The story is about Carl Schirmer, a nerdish accountant transported into a world of floating islands and strange creatures, located in a bubble inside a black hole.A living island with powers over space-time gives Carl a new improved body in return for doing various life-saving tasks.It is in this book that Attanasio introduces the villainous Zotl, perhaps the most evil alien beings in all of SF, and their enemies, the mysterious Rimstalkers.Both species return for a final showdown, in _The Last Legends of Earth_.

_In Other Worlds_ is fast-paced and enjoyable.While not of the same calibre as _Radix_ and _The Last Legends of Earth_, it is far easier to read.Most readers would also find it easier to identify with the hero, and other characters, of this novel than those of _Radix_.However, Attanasio crams too many elements, too many gadgets, into the plot, and that detracts from the main story of Carl, his quest, and his love interest(s).

Though an excellent fantasy writer, and imaginative as hell, Attanasio has trouble with the science in science-fiction.That could explain why he switched to fantasy later on.The science in _In Other Worlds_ is no better than that of Star Trek, sad to say. ... Read more

Product Description
THE ARC - EARTH'S LAST HOPE?The Arc, a being of immense power, trapped within a continuum too small, fights for its freedom. Its monumental struggle will touch a few select individuals on Earth-and in doing so, change their lives forever. The Arc may also be the last hope for humanity's survival. ***** Another mind-bending work from the critically acclaimed author of Radix. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (3)

slow start, gets better
I have to say I was a bit disappointed, mostly because it took me quite a while before I got a second-hand copy from the US, the expectations being so high... I absolutely adored Radix and In Other Worlds.... Arc of the Dream was not up to that level, quite painful to get into, gets better though...

slow start, gets better
I have to say I was a bit disappointed, mostly because it took me quite a while before I got a second-hand copy from the US, the expectations being so high... I absolutely adored Radix and In Other Worlds.... Arc of the Dream was not up to that level, quite painful to get into, gets better though...

A must for any Attanasio fan.
Although the artwork and publishing lack the polish of newer works, the text as always is lightyears ahead of most SF out there. A must read for anyone interested in more than "spaceships & robots". C.K. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (19)

Terrific
This is an epic with scope and irony to spare.Any serious reader will find the time well spent.One of the best books I've read. For mature audiences only.Watch for the surprise ending!

Should this story be made into a movie?
If the colorful video that played in my mind while I read this book showed on the big screen, it would probably be the best movie ever made....ever.

Thanks Attanasio for such a great novel
Its an awesome read. I got hooked up to reading AA Attanasio's works the moment I was introduced to "Hunting the ghost dancer". The clarity of description of the world is the best thing I like about this author. Wyvern is an excellent book for anybody who likes adventure. The book takes you through a wonderful journey from the jungle to the wide open seas. If you like dwelving deep into nature, history and geography this is the book for you.
I am sure readers will love every aspect of the book and will remember Wawa, Mala, Matubrembrem, Jalabawan, Batuh, Pym, Riri for a long time!

Exceptional.Unforgettable.
This was the first Attanasio book I ever read, but certainly not the last.However, nothing has ever eclipsed the magnificence of Wyvern.I've never found anything else (by any author) that quite matches this in its sweeping scope.The setting is also wonderfully exotic and refreshingly different from most books in the historical fantasy genre.

Best Novel Ever
I've read alotta great books.
I've listened to alotta great music.
I decided quite awhile back that picking "the Best of..." is something that defines to others what one's sense of culture is all aboot.So - in that sense, and of course with the understanding that there really is no such thing:
Best Album Ever: Abbey Road.
Best Novel Ever: Wyvern.
If you can relate to my album choice then that probably has no bearing on whether or not you will admire this fine piece of fiction laced with the incredible metaphysical observations that seem to reinforce my own worldview: adopted from several sources including this book.Ivy league MBA's probably should pass.Oh - one other thing: for some reason I found the first 89 pages or so rather slow going on the first read.They're now perhaps my favorite part.Has anyone mentioned Candide yet? ... Read more

Product Description
Twice Dead Things is a collection of the captivating, terrifying, and poetic writings of A.A. Attanasio, one of today's most powerful and insightful writers. This volume includes many rare and previously unpublished works, and the re-writing of his popular Lovecraftian tales into a solitary narrative. Over his lengthy career, Attanasio has written in many genres, proving a master of each. Twice Dead Things is a collection of many of those captivating writings. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (4)

Another Masterpiece!
This is an unbelievably amazing collection of stories. As always, Attanasio writes with such amazing style and description that the reader is instantly lost within the tale being spun. He is a master craftsman with the ability to spin the English language into something beautiful, poetic, scary, mysterious, and awe-inspiring. The stories featured are diverse, each with poetic charm, and each have the ability to send the mind off into imaginative ecstasy. I highly recommend this novel, but also the other novels this master has sculpted. Every novel he has written, thus far, exhibits the same mastery of the language, mind-bending stories, and offer something more than just a story. That something else involves, I feel, a psychological trip and evaluation of ones self. Many of his novels, Solis for example, offer a sort of spiritual pathway in which the reader could expand as a person. In my opinion, Attanasio is up there with some of the greatest authors the 21st century including Phillip K. Dick and Aldous Huxley.

Anticipating yet another amazing novel,

Dylan
Devoted fanatic.

Twice Dead
As one would expect fromA. A. Attanasio these are mind blowing, entertaining and thoughtful stories.Some stories are short but still convey the spirit and mood of the full-length novels.

Anthology of a genius.
Wow, what can I say?This anthology relates to the reader the varied styles of AA's storytelling.It's a collection of rare and previously unreleased stories to which I can't even accurately describe the adventures you'll have when reading this book.Rest assured its pure Attanasio, and that's why we're all here right?!

Hopefully an anthology such as this isn't a precursor to the end of a brilliant career.I'm not sure of AA's popularity, but I for one would be terribly disappointed if this was the last release from this genius.If it has to be so, at least we are left with a list of some of the greatest adventures ever written.

Great Collection
This latest collection by A. A. Attanasio is a wonderful way to see the many diverse styles of writing that he has used over the years. All the stories are well written and keep you entertained for the length of the story. The last tale in the book "Twice Dead Things" is an example of Mr. Attanasio in his prime story telling mode, using vivid imagery to make the story come to life on the page. Overall, a great collection and an easy way to get introduced to his varied writing styles. ... Read more

Product Description
In order to be accepted into a new tribe, Timov and Hamr, two survivors of a doomed people, must hunt the savage ghost dancer, a vicious Neanderthal that has been terrorizing the tribe. By the author of Radix and Wyvern. Reprint. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (3)

I envy all those people who havent yet read this book!
This was a book I picked up at my college library simply because there was no other book available. As is obvious I was least interested and was not even sure I wanted to finish reading the book. Fate it seems is not without a sense of irony - I simply fell in love with it and have been craving for more. I finished reading the book in no time even though it was exam time. This book is veryatypical. You are to expect the unexpected. The story is set in prehistoric times - at the times of the last neanderthal man. The book takes you through the life of a confident (or arrogant) warrior who braves the odds to save his pride and loved ones by migrating to the north to join his long lost part of his tribe. The description of the wild landscape and magic conjured is beautiful.

If you like myths and love to be lost in nature long before the smallheads (read as modern man) destroyed it this is the book for you.

Thanks to Attanasio for such great work!

I can't quite put my finger on it...
This story is just so...haunting. Who is the hero? The bad guy?Things were so clear at the start but...who is to say what is right and wrong.
The author really does a good job of keeping you off balance with all of the twists and moral judgements.

Typical for Attanasio: Full of Surprises
Having read a lot of "early man" novels, like Jean Auel's Clan of the Cave Bear, I was excited to see Attanasio was taking a turn, but I forgot to expect the unexpected!Attanasio turns the predictable into the surprising in this novel as in his others.The Ghost Dancer is not really the antagonist. In fact, he is perhaps the most sympathic of characters, despite his supernormal abilities!The more normal humans take the roles of good and evil, while the Ghost Dancer himself is the plot. He is the last of his kind, and he seeks the immortality due his species, but his quest brings him closer and closer to the humans he fears and hates. Only a human girl can help him reach his destination, and their trek together teaches her that there is a morality above the survival of the species.Her brother and her protector track the Ghost Dancer and the girl, always dreading the worst. Not until they reach the end of their resources do they learn that their quest to rescue the girl has changed into a battle to defend the Ghost Dancer against the legendary hunter who eliminated so many of the Dancer's people. Is this a novel about Neanderthal vs Cro-Magnon?Is it a novel about supernatural powers inhabiting and lending strength to cave men? Or is it a novel about learning to understand others in a world where all others are strange and threatening. The relevance to life in today's world is indirect but substantial.This novel challenges and entertains, entrances and horrifies, reassures and rewards.It shows us how a great novelist can keep us questioning and changing, until the plot resolution finally shows what he can really do to bend your mind! ... Read more

Product Description
This modern, demonic fairy tale weaves the themes of passion and self-discovery into an intricate Celtic know of myth, moon magic, and teen romance. Thrust together in a dark, erotic Otherworld, Flannery and Chet discover they know each other better than they know their own hearts . . . but can they sort things out before the black dog finds them? ... Read more

Customer Reviews (4)

A lovely modern fairy tale
At 151 pages, _Killing with the Edge of the Moon_ is an evening's read, but what an enchanted evening it is!

I think Attanasio intended _Killing_as a young adult novel, though I'm not absolutely certain of that. If you're a parent, though, there's nothing in here that's inappropriate for your teen. Despite the cover copy's mention of the "erotic Otherworld," all sexual content is of the briefly-implied sort. Attanasio's Otherworld is seductive, but he does it without filling the tale with smut.

The plot draws upon several old myths: Orpheus and Eurydice, Tam Lin, the Wooing of Etain, and a dash of the Mabinogion. I'm always up for a good "rescuing a loved one from the Otherworld" story. _Killing_ has a deeply archetypal feel due to its basis in the myths, and at the same time, the story is made fresh and individual by the delightful protagonists. Chet is my favorite; I love his leap of faith into a world he doesn't quite believe in, his sense of duty, and little details like the bad poetry he writes for Flannery and his musings about the proper swearwords to use when lost in Elfland. Flannery is also great, a defiant girl who cares more for animals than people; and Nedra, Flannery's Wiccan grandmother, who is more than she seems.

Attanasio is a strongly visual writer. He bills _Killing with the Edge of the Moon_ as "A Graphic Novel (without illustrations)." The prose sets the scene well, whether he's describing an idyllic meadow or a hellish volcanic cavern. Attanasio uses simpler prose for scenes that take place in our world and lush prose for Otherworldly scenes, and it works well. Like the ritual gown that Nedra makes for Flannery, the prose is studded with bits of shining beauty.

_Killing with the Edge of the Moon_ feels more like a fairy tale than a traditional novel, and will be enjoyed by anyone who likes stories of teens confronting the Otherworld.

It's a great story, but not as ambitious....
While I like the story and finished it in like two nights, it just didn't grab hold and warp my mind like A.A's other books have.I didn't expect that this book would or could do that with what is essentially a novella length release, but, one can always hope.

If you're reading this A.A, please don't stop writing and continue to fight the 'man'.Your books are better than 90 percent of what's on the market today.'Last Legends of Earth' is such an amazing book, I know it's weird to say, but it changed my life, or at least what I come to expect from a great Sci-Fi novel, and it has never been topped yet (some of the takeshi kovach stuff is a good second though).Another great A.A read is 'Wyvern', it's not really sci-fi, but mind boggling in scope none-the-less.

One of my top five authors of all time!

A beautiful story
As always, Attanasio's writing is rich and lyrical and a joy to read. The subscript on the title page really says it all - A graphic novel (without illustrations). If that doesn't describe his writing I don't know what does.Although there is some dark and even hellish imagery in the book, the story itself is actually much lighter than in his other novels. One thing I love about his books is that you are often unaware that you are learning about actual mythology. This is a fantasy novel through and through, and lacks some or all of the existentialism found in his other works. However, I was delighted to find reference to the planetary dragon used in his Arthor series.
There is one important thing to note here: This book is SHORT! Currently the title is only available in hardcover, and the price for this does seem a bit much for the length. If you aren't a fan, wait for the paperback.

An excellent read
I thought that this was an excellent novel. Mr. Attanasio,s books are always filled with vivid imagery and this was a prime example. The climatic scenes were very exciting to read and the entire book is like reading a dream. ... Read more

Product Description
An engaging companion piece to THE ARTS OF THE BEAUTIFUL, this volume advances Etienne Gilson's theories about art as a process of "making" by focusing on the substances available to an artist. The basis for his argument is grounded in the distinction between arts concerned with the creation of beauty and arts that are primarily functional. He takes up in turn: architecture, sculpture, painting, music, dance, poetry, and the theater, analyzing in each the basic materials afforded the artist, the possibilities of artistic form, and the means of transformation and creation. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (2)

So you know Clemons is wrong...
I think Gilson is self-defensible, however, for any who didn't read the comment I made on his review, I'll reiterate it formally here.

I simply cannot comprehend (1) that anyone who has read Gilson could possibly consider him some kind of dunce nor (2) the belief that Gilson is popular in academia (!). Very few people I have encountered in academia have even heard of Gilson, and, of those who have, I could count on the knuckles of one finger how many agree with him. Clemons would have been much nearer to the truth if he had said the EXACT OPPOSITE of every single statement he made!

This is an excellent work, but it may not be completely comprehensible if you haven't read his earlier work, The Arts of the Beautiful.Both are excellent, and both show us, I think, a side of Gilson we don't always see in his more historical work, namely that aspect of him which is a very original philosopher and not solely an expositor.Nonetheless, those who have studied his major works should already be aware that, even in his historical writing, he's still very much an original philosopher.Even in his writing on St. Thomas, he is not merely commenting or reiterating -- he is appropriating.

Not much intelligence in this book
I have Gilson's book on Aquinas and have read it twice--many readers, some of whom must be conversant with Aquinas will recognize the lack of intelligent analysis in this book. Gilson's
t overrated and lacks the critical acumen to make cogent judgements. Compare Kenner's books on Eliot, Pound, Beckett etc. and Abrams' two critical masterpieces. I strongly recommend that the reader ignore Gilson. That he is so popular with academics is yet another index of the lunacy of today's literary/religious/ philosophical critics. If only Mark Steyn could be persuaded to write some literary criticism, we could then have critical perceptiveness and fine writing to help us understand literary works. Gilson is pathetic. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (3)

Just what you'd expect from Dietrich
The best way to summarize the contents of this book would be to describe it as a compilation of words that attempt to describe Dietrich as she understood herself. It is rather like a journal in that she writes about her thoughts and opinions, honestly and frankly all throughout. There are no tell-all's, this is not that kind of an autobiography. Instead, reading this book will enable one to understand what motivated the woman and the actress, and what values were her priorities in life. It is very straightforward and often inspiring. There is much to learn here, and I can only say a belated thanks to the lady who was willing to share her wisdom and experience with a devoted audience.

fabulous!!!
this book was an awesome insight into the character of one of the twentieth centuries greatest icons. dietrich was a walking contradiction, and her own words show that... but it also helps to add a touch of humanityto an untouchable.

A truthful look at the star from the legend
This book is essential for any deitrichphile or fan who wants to understand the motivations and life of the Legend. She honestly portrays herself and does her best not to over glamourize her life, but speaksnonchalantly without hesitation. ... Read more

Product Description
Merlin's Beacon

Attanasio's The Dragon and the Unicorn began with the Dawn of Time. This equally ambitious and magical epic begins with the Dawn of History.

The demon Lailoken, Merlin to humankind, has groomed Pendragon's son, the eagle of Thor, to lead the doomed Celts against the Saxon, Pict, and Angle conquerors. In defeat will Arthor find his victory, and Camelot its triumph. Their light will shine across the ages, a beacon to humankind.

But Merlin is shocked to discover that his Eagle is a vicious, callow youth whose only joy is killing. With his Roman sword "Short-Life," Arthor will bathe Tintagel in blood, unless another sword offers itself to his gore-slick hand. A sword that must be pulled from the star-stone at Creation's radiant heart...Amazon.com Review
Merlinus has fostered the future king of Britain with Kyner, aCeltic chieftain, protected by obscurity from the jealous hatred ofthe sorceress Morgeu. As Arthor [sic] grows to manhood, though,he becomes a twisted creature, loving violence and hatinghimself. What kind of king will he be? A chance journey leading towoodland encounters shapes his character and settles his destiny.

Arthor's story is a single thread in a vast, complex web of gods,demons, angels, a sorceress, a unicorn, a carpenter with a wish, adragon, Saxons, an impoverished Aquitanian lady with a secret weapon,battle-hardened Celtic chieftains and treacherous Roman nobles,knights, warring religions, and fairies. A. A. Attanasio'smetaphysics, marvels, and magic will keep your interest and suspensehigh. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (7)

A.A. Attanasio - What happened?
The Dragon and the Unicorn was nothing less than mind-blowing in scale and ambition.In contrast, The Eagle and the Crown was ...not.It maintained the same character names, and some of the same vocabulary, but without the worlds-spanning grand vision of the first book.The very chapters were longer and more majestic in the first work.

Instead, this book is just a chapter at a time view of some greatly diminished characters, with comic relief at times by Merlin and others.The difference is night and day - as if Frank Herbert wrote the first book, and Brian Herbert cranked out the sequel.

This book was OK in the "I want to know what happened to the characters" sense, but definitely did not scratch the same itch that the original book of the series did.

Have read the other 3, but. . .
I can't seem to find a copy of this one!I don't understand, because the other three are almost always available at the local bookstores.It's a great series, and it's upsetting to be missing the second of four books.

Grumble. . . grumble. . .

The demon Lailoken
The eagle and the sword proved to be a very entertaining continuation of Mr. Attanasio's very literate version of the Arthurian legend; however, I must say that it did not fully live up to it's predecessor, the dragon andthe unicorn.The bookhas less of the beautiful mysticism and focusesmore on the life of Arthur (I suppose it is Arthurian legend after all). To me, the best ingredient in this book is the character of The DemonLailoken, aka Myrddin, aka Merlinus, aka Merlin.The characters of Arthur,Morgeu the Fey,and The Furor are well thought out and vivid, but Merlinand Prince Bright Night(a prince of the Daoine Sid) steal the show.Forme, the most fabulous section of the story was when Hannes (an unlikelyapprentice of Merlin) enters the shadowy twilight world of the "hollowhills" to bring back Excalibur.The preternatural, eeriescenealmost wails it's otherworldly ululation right off the page. Overall, thebook is a very interesting read.I reccomend it (and the series) foranyone interested in Arthurian Legend that is tired of the same old, wornout stories endlessly circulating through the halls of bookstoreseverywhere.This is a fresh, creative and ingenious new take on the onceand future King. Finally, I must say that the archaic and oft difficult tocomprehend language of The Dragon and the Unicorn is not carried over tothe Eagle and the Sword.This book is a bit easier to read, butjust asentertaining.

A Review of The Eagle and the Sword
Lailoken, a.k.a. Merlin, Aquila Regalis Thor, a.k.a. Arthor, and Morgue the Fey are the three main characters in the book.In this book, a demon-turn wizard in a human guise, creates the glorious kingdom of Camelot, while looking for a true king, despite complications by thepowerful sorceress Morgue who seeks to avenge her father who hadaccidentally been killed by Merlin.However, as Arthor takes his title asking, Merlin discovers that Arthor is but a callow youth whose only joy iskilling and destroying; can he be stopped? I was greatly entertained bythis fantasy novel with all of its action and suspense.The way the authordisplayed the legendary events in Arthor's time was very detailed andvivid; it allowed the book to come to life.I could see and feel Merlin'slong battles with Morgue.It felt like I had a front row seat as aspectator when Arthor pulled the sword Excaliber out from the giant stone!I also enjoyed how the author created distinct, unique, and boldpersonalities for each of the main characters in the story.What thecharacters wore was interesting because their attire had come to symbolizeeach of them: Merlin with his glamorous and magical robes, Arthor with hissharp and heavy suit of armor, and Morgue with her light and seeminglyswift sheets, appearing and disappearing with the wind.I thought thecharacters were magnificently done. So, I would like to conclude myreview of The Eagle and the Sword by congratulating the author, A.A.Attanasio, on doing a great job of compiling all of the widely known, aswell as some not-so-well known, characters and events into one fabulousbook.I highly recommened reading this book to anyone at or above the ageof 12!I assure you that you will enjoy this book as much as I did!

'Eagle and the Sword' drags on and on and on
'The Eagle and the Sword' is an incredibly heavy-handed dull book.Attanasio uses a running narrative for the entire 340 pages, so that instead of feeling like a part of the action, the reader is treated to ahistory lesson.(Example: This happened, then this happened..and then thishappened..That's the basic gist of it)

At several points I found myselfwondering whether English is Attanasio's original language, or whether thisbook had been translated from another tongue.It's hard to believe thatthis is the same author responsible for the stunning Adam Lee 'Dominions ofIrth' trilogy. ... Read more

Product Description
An epic fanasy novel set in a fabulous world torn between the Abiding Star and the Dark Shore, a place of no return. But there is one who does return, bearing an awesome new power - black magic. ... Read more