Customer Reviews (1)

Reunited
I read the three books that make up this book years ago.Unfortunately, I lost the first two and had not been able to read them.This book is great.The main character is interesting and is a much better read than most of what is put out today. ... Read more

Product Description
A sequel to the author's "Bill, the Galactic Hero", published over 20 years ago, this book is the first of a new series of novels featuring Bill. With two right arms, an artificial foot, and a set of surgically-implanted tusks, Bill sets out to find the source of Chinger-controlled metal dragons. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (5)

The third in the Starship Troopers, Forever War trilogy
This review was supposed to be for the FIRST BTGH book. Sorry for clicking the wrong title.
Please see Bill The Galactic Hero

Like all of the best parodies, it can be difficult for some people to read and appreciate
The puns in this book whiz by at a rapid and frequent pace, it takes an agile mind to catch and appreciate them all. It is a science fiction story that is a parody of science fiction stories, the human propensity for war and the military mindset that propagates it. Bill is a reluctant soldier, he was drafted into the military yet has no stomach for the arts of war; he would rather spend his time in chemically induced bliss.
Through a sequence of foul-ups, Bill finds himself marooned on a planet with a few other misfits, one of which is called Cy BerPunk. None of them could ever be mistaken for a person with courage and they find themselves riding dragons, fighting with and against mechanical war machines and in the territory of Barthroom, where a southern gentleman named Jonkarta rules with his fiancee Princess Dejah Vue. King Arthur, Merlin, a parody of the Wizard in the Wizard of Oz and many other references to the pulp side of science fiction make an appearance.
To completely appreciate this book it is necessary to know something about the history of science fiction where science is not paramount. For example, the reference to Barthroom has a double meaning, the more obvious one to "bathroom" and the more complex one to the stories of Edgar Rice Burroughs. With parodies piled on parodies, this book is fun to read as long as you take not a single word of it seriously.

Pretty Good Barthroom Humor
Harry Harrison's Bill the Galactic Hero (BtGH) series is the sci-fi equivalent of Robert Aspirin's "Myth" fantasy books: pun-based humor is paramount and the more improbable the plotline the better.

This time around BtGH and company find themselves on the Planet of Usa after a nasty Chinger attack on their military base. Robotic lifeforms are the indigenous species on the planet, with two factions endlessly at war with each other. The Chingers have allied themselves with one of the factions (the one with the robot slaves), leaving the humans to ally themselves with the other. Residing on the planet are several humanoid groups, also endlessly at war with each other.

If you've picked up on the theme of endless war then this book might not be too subtle for you (if the theme escaped you, you might consider a position as a cadet with the Space Troopers). The machinations of war are severely criticized - and parodied - in the novel. In this respect the book is similar to Joseph Heller's Catch-22 (in much the same way that microwaveable pork rinds are akin to a Honeybaked ham), but because so little of the storyline can be taken seriously Harrison's commentary is easily dismissed if you happen to disagree with it.

The first BtGH book was divided into three major sections. Here the story takes place in half a dozen or so set pieces, each having very little to do with each other (beyond taking place on the Planet of the Robot Slaves). Some of them are funny (The Roman Legion vs. King Arthur), some of them are not (the PLDP).

Take away the comedy and there's not a lot to recommend this book. I happen to find character names like Cy BerPunk (computer technician) and Mel Praktis (doctor) mildly amusing - plus my father, brother and a nephew are each named Bill (only the nephew has true Galactic Hero potential), so it's fun to tweak them about their namesake. If these things don't hold true for you, you might want to consider reading a different book.

An enjoyable read with a message
Bill does not like danger, although he is supposed to really get a kick out of it, him being a Space Trooper and all. But no matter what he does -mainly trying to get danger as far as possible away from him or vice versa- heroism keeps following Bill without mercy. That is why he is still alive and kicking. That is, because of an earlier accident: kicking with his two right arms -there weren't any spare left ones- and his chicken leg -there weren't any human legs left. When his camp is attacked by gigantic metal dragons he volunteers not to be made member of the revenge mission, and that is exactly what his commander officer decides not to do...

Harry Harrison has a talent for the absurd. With seemingly no effort he paradises the whole science fiction genre and gets away with it. If you would want to compare him with to writers, you are bound to think of him as Terry Pratchett being genetically cloned in the neighborhood of Douglas Adams. Although Harrison never reaches the level of absurdness of Adams and is only a few times as funny as Pratchett, he still has created a quite enjoyable character in the hero of Bill. What makes this story special is its continuous anti-war message. Although most of the characters crave for some kind of unending battle, it is clear to the reader that the absurdness of the wars described in this book is certainly not far from what is happening in our world. It is certainly quite surprising and refreshing to see such theme appear in this kind of book.

Would the orgy in the front quiet down?
If you enjoy mindless sex and overindulgence in every aspect of life, this book is for you! It all starts out when the garbage tug Bill is on crashes onto an unknown planet called Usa (manufacturer of fine products the galaxy over). As the small little band of soldiers and drunkards are taken on a journey, things get a bit out of hand. If you don't mind the occasional typo and off-color humor, this book is great. I would give just about anything for this book. Verily, even my flabby buttocks! ... Read more

Product Description
This is an EXACT reproduction of a book published before 1923. This IS NOT an OCR'd book with strange characters, introduced typographical errors, and jumbled words.This book may have occasional imperfections such as missing or blurred pages, poor pictures, errant marks, etc. that were either part of the original artifact, or were introduced by the scanning process. We believe this work is culturally important, and despite the imperfections, have elected to bring it back into print as part of our continuing commitment to the preservation of printed works worldwide. We appreciate your understanding of the imperfections in the preservation process, and hope you enjoy this valuable book. ... Read more

Product Description
The epic science fiction trilogy--Homeworld, Wheelworld, and Starworld--from the author of West of Eden and Winter in Eden is now available in one volume. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (2)

A good example of Sci-Fi.
I've just re-read this book (for about the 12th time), and I felt I'd better pitch in my two-cents worth. Now this series is an excellent example of "typical" science fiction. You have the main protagonist who,after living blindly in a world where he was one of the priviledged,realizes what is going on around him and tries to fight the injustices ofthe world. Of course, he doesn't succeed, gets banished to a backwaterplanet, gets into trouble, barely survives, but becomes a leader in the"Great Rebellion",becomes a hero and saves the day. Like Isaid, typical, and predictable.

What makes this series an excellent readis Harrison's ability to create characters with depth, and to weave theplot, predictable as it was, in a way which keeps the reader on the edge ofhis seat, cheering the good guys on. I keep coming back to this book fromtime to time just to re-visit the characters, and to enjoy a goodold-fashioned adventure. This book is well worth the effort to dig it up.

A slightly above average Science Fiction novel
To The Stars is an excellent omnibus colleciton of Homeworld, Wheelworld, and Starworld.

Homeworld is a novel of a single man's personal discovery that the world he has always lived in is a disgusting lie, and his decisionthat he cannot continue living in that lie, that he must actively fight tochange it, and the awful consequences of his decision.

Wheelworld is thedelivery of those consquences onto the back of the maincharacter.

Starworld is the culmination of the plots of the first twonovels.

Homeworld and Wheelworld were written in the early 80s, and thisshows quite clearly.However, this novel is in very little way"dated" in its technological descriptions.What I especiallylike is the extensive descriptions of the possibilities of surveillencetechnology, many of which have become widely accetped as either actualtechnologies or things that are likely to exist in the future.Definitelyan idea taken to it's logical extreme.The main character is caughtseveral times by his own inability to fully understand the scope and trueextent of serveillence tech.

Starworld was written later, and this shows. The end of Wheelworld seems to have pointed future events in a cleardirection, but Starworld seems pick off where Wheelworld ends, and promptlyheads off in a new direction.Not that this is wrong, but it is somethingofa surprise.

The author does not hesitate to use the main character'sviewpoint to convey a complete view of what is going on, and then yank thatout from under both the main character and the reader to show that in therest of the world, things beyond his control are going on, most of whichare not to his benefit.How to phrase this better?The main character isa brilliant electronic engineer, but in his attempts to play revolutionary,he simply cannot--by professional training or sheer intelligence--competewith or beat the security professionals who are tracking him.This issomething I like a great deal, that other people in positions of importancein the universe are clearly shown as competent experts in their field,capable of doing their jobs and not be flim flammed by some johnny comelately.

Overall, I liked this book, and the money I spent on it was wellworth it. ... Read more

Product Description
In the sequel to Planet of the Damned, Brion Brandd, the winner of a planet-wide competition, must battle mindless killer robots and then conquer and lead back to civilization a world of savages. Reissue. ... Read more

Product Description
Fourteen of the author's best science fiction stories include "The Golden Years of the Stainless Steel Rat," "Roommates," and twelve other classic tales. Reprint. PW. AB. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (2)

Not Free SF Reader
An ok collection of stories by Harrison, with the average at 3.31.

The first is easily the strongest, and he finishes with, sensibly enough, yet another Stainless Steel Rat tale, as you would hope given the title.

Stainless Steel Visions : The Streets of Ashkelon - Harry Harrison
Stainless Steel Visions : Toy Shop - Harry Harrison
Stainless Steel Visions : Not Me Not Amos Cabot! - Harry Harrison
Stainless Steel Visions : The Mothballed Spaceship - Harry Harrison
Stainless Steel Visions : Commando Raid - Harry Harrison
Stainless Steel Visions : The Repairman - Harry Harrison
Stainless Steel Visions : Brave Newer World - Harry Harrison
Stainless Steel Visions : The Secret of Stonehenge - Harry Harrison
Stainless Steel Visions : Rescue Operation - Harry Harrison
Stainless Steel Visions : Portrait of the Artist - Harry Harrison
Stainless Steel Visions : Survival Planet - Harry Harrison
Stainless Steel Visions : Roommates - Harry Harrison
Stainless Steel Visions : The Golden Years of The Stainless Steel Rat - Harry Harrison


Native superstition addition.

4.5 out of 5


Battery illusion goad.

3 out of 5


Hereafter reservation.

3 out of 5


End code.

3.5 out of 5


Aid Corps.

3.5 out of 5


Local blending mechanics.

3 out of 5


Longevity minority sabotage.

3.5 out of 5


Big rock time first or last?

3 out of 5


Wrong place to land.

3.5 out of 5


Comic machine.

3 out of 5


Slavery remains.

3 out of 5


Shortage society.

3 out of 5


The Rat goes undercover in aged disguise to spring an old friend from an old crooks prison.

3.5 out of 5


Basically a 3.25 out of 5, here.

Classic science-fiction short stories.
This is a collection of science fiction shorts from Harry Harrison, the creator of The Stainless Steel Rat and Bill The Galactic Hero; 13 of what he considers to be his best. (The rear cover blurb claims 14, but eitherthey can't count, or I can't.)

These are the kind of science fictionshort stories that got me interested in the genre, over twenty years agowhen I was a kid. Some of them have aged better than others; I find myselfshaking my head at some of the stock plots and characters. And some of theideas that are addressed seem a bit dated, 25 years later. But all of themDO address ideas, ideas that were fascinating to a 14 year old 25 yearsago, and would probably be fascinating to one today. Some of them, ofcourse, are fascinating to a 41 year old today.

If you're a fan ofold-fashioned science fiction, you'll love this book. If you're not, butare curious about what kind of stories cause those who are to be so, thisbook is for you. And if you're an inquisitive youngster who HASN'T read alot of science fiction, this book is perfect for you. But if you've read alot of classic science fiction, and have gotten a bit jaded, you may findthis book a bit too reminiscent of an old copy of Analog magazine. ... Read more

Product Description
Adult teens think they're ready to live on their own, but are they?
Will they know how to pick a good room mate? Buy a car? Create a budget and actually live on one? From changing the oil to applying for jobs, best-selling author Harry H. Harrison, Jr. has compiled the definitive book for preparing your teen to live on their own. Or else they might come back!
... Read more

Customer Reviews (6)

Great book for teens
This is a great book! I love all the ideas they have. Great information for tens and preteens!

1001 Things Every Christian Teen Should Know Before They Leave Home
I wish I would have found this book sooner.
It's incredibly useful.
The author lets you know about important things you should look into (especially financial things).

Surprisingly, he consistently mentions God; I thought this was a secular book (minus 1 star for the surprise sermon).
I love God, but I think this book could have easily shared the title of this review.

If God's the only problem, then...
I haven't actually read this yet. It looks like fun and would be something my teen daughter would appreciate. The only negative comments that I've seen for this book are that it puts an emphasis on God and the importance of His presence in our lives. Well...if that's the only "problem" with this book then sign me up! I'll take it.

very disappointed in pro-god preachiness
I bought this book for my teenage daughter at the Bed-Bath-&-Beyond checkout counter. I didn't think about it too much until she started browsing it and asking me questions like "What does it mean to invite God into the bedroom"? I did a double-take, and asked her to show me what she was reading:

#476: They should know that if they can't invite God into the bedroom, then it's no place for them either.

#520: They should know the most intimate act a couple can do together is pray together.

#521: They should know that once they get married, God has an interest in seeing them stay married.

etc.

Anyway, we had a constructive little talk about all of this, and our joint conclusion was that this is a pretty superficial book, without a lot of practical substance or relevance on the very deepest & most important topics. (Unless of course, you're an extremely faith-based parent or teenager.)

I thought for a second that perhaps this was a new reprint from a 1940's or so original, but in fact the copyright is 2007. There is no indication on the back-cover blurb that Harry's idea of "help[ing] parents understand exactly what every teen needs to know to survive in the adult world" is to reinforce the primacy of God / prayer / faith.

I would certainly not recommend this book to anyone.

Useful, but with an Agenda
I got this as a senior in college, to teach myself some valuable nuances of adult life. What I got was little bite-sized bits of information and advice (with little to no explanation as to how to accomplish what is being advised), as well as something a little more repulsive. The author includes advice tinged with religious conservatism (496: "They should know that an abortion will haunt both parents for the rest of their lives" and 520:"They should know the most intimate act a couple can do together is pray together.") and rabid Pro-Americanism ( 115: "They should know what Marxism is, and why a Marxist candidate for dogcatcher is not a good idea."). This says to me, "Let's teach our children to fear God and automatically reject anything that goes against our American Status-Quo." As an atheist and free-thinker, this is not the sort of blind advice I would like passed down to my children, the kind of advice that turns us into complacent zombies without the ability to question or think for themselves. However, there are some decent nuggets of advice for young people that could save a lot of time, money, and embarrassment down the road, and any bit of advice a parent doesn't agree with can be safely ignored.

I would think this book a useful tool for parents raising pre-teen children and for young adults who want to lead an independent life. If anything, it helps one to find oneself as a parent. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (1)

A classic
A series of interconnected short stories, "One Step From Earth" chronicles the future history of the discovery of B-space - instant teleportation between huge distances just by stepping through a doorway.From the first discovery through the far, far future we see how humanity adapts to the technology, and how the technology adapts to humanity's needs.From colonizing Mars, to contact with alien life, to interstellar war, to the future of human evolution, Harrison intersperses bits of humor, intrigue, crime and mystery as only he can.A delightful read! ... Read more