Kim Stanley Robinson
Book 2 in Robinson's Mars Trilogy (started in Red Mars). In this second volume, we pick up after the failed revolution of 2061 with the underground scattered and the Transnational Corporations now transitioning into Metanational Corporations (actually taking over multiple nations) and effectively destroying the UN as a decision making organization. Again, traversing approximately 50 years, we follow the leaders of the underground political movements (notice plural form) as they recover and rediscover their purpose. The movements are basically anarchic in form and over the course of the 50 years, a few leaders of each faction (mostly the from the first hundred or 1st generation native) work to try to organize a cohesive and meaningful rebellion. A convention is held to discuss principles of organization for an independent Mars. I find two things interesting about this novel: First, the detailed and careful descriptions of the land and terraforming process of trying to develop a biosphere and Second, the chaos associated with developing a new political entity. The descriptions and events around the political development of a Free Mars is fascinating and makes me think about the reality of the development of the American political system. In the historical textbook way of thinking, George Washington led the revolution and everybody did what he said. In reality, the frustrations and lack of communications and rogue, reactionary groups were probably a dominant part of the entire "revolution". I also particularly like the struggle and tension between advocates of violent revolution and those who are insisting on alternatives. Robinson actually takes time to outline the implications of creating something new and not settling into old forms of "kill the bad guys". Looking forward to the finale.
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Wednesday, May 29, 2013
Friday, May 24, 2013
Red Mars
Kim Stanley Robinson
A science fiction telling of the events surrounding the development of the first permanent colony on Mars. Spanning approximately 50 years, from the launch of Ares from earth, to the end of the first revolution and basic destruction of Mars colony, Robinson provides an amazingly detailed and realistic portrait of what Mars colonization would look like. And while this is definitely SciFi, it is also an exercise in historical analysis. Robinson delves into issues of power and politics, immigration, economics and ecology, the power of charisma, the ethics of applied science in terraforming, mining and GMO's and the implied contracts that colonies have with colonizers as well as science with society. All heavy and full discussions, presented while walking through a vision of the future that includes a level of automation and robotics, genetic engineering and materials chemistry that is plausible and exciting. I would recommend this as an excellent ancillary text for any early US history course to prompt thinking about the new world colonization and eventual rebellion. Great stuff.
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ps Also read The Years of Rice and Salt by Robinson for another sweeping historical fiction that will make you think of society and culture in a new way.
A science fiction telling of the events surrounding the development of the first permanent colony on Mars. Spanning approximately 50 years, from the launch of Ares from earth, to the end of the first revolution and basic destruction of Mars colony, Robinson provides an amazingly detailed and realistic portrait of what Mars colonization would look like. And while this is definitely SciFi, it is also an exercise in historical analysis. Robinson delves into issues of power and politics, immigration, economics and ecology, the power of charisma, the ethics of applied science in terraforming, mining and GMO's and the implied contracts that colonies have with colonizers as well as science with society. All heavy and full discussions, presented while walking through a vision of the future that includes a level of automation and robotics, genetic engineering and materials chemistry that is plausible and exciting. I would recommend this as an excellent ancillary text for any early US history course to prompt thinking about the new world colonization and eventual rebellion. Great stuff.
Read
ps Also read The Years of Rice and Salt by Robinson for another sweeping historical fiction that will make you think of society and culture in a new way.
Monday, May 13, 2013
Nation
Terry Pratchett
When a massive tidal wave crosses the South Pacific, two worlds are altered. Mau is a boy on a solitary journey which is part of his cultures coming of age ritual for young men when the wave hits. Daphne is a young English girl traveling to see her father who governor of the English flagged islands. After the wave, these two teens are the only ones left, and they begin to build (or re-build) the Nation. There are cultural and language barriers to cross, there are pirates and cannibals, and of course a talking parrot (and Pratchett has a little fun with these). But the real joy of this book is the coming of age process for both Mau and Daphne. In their isolation from either of their histories, they are able to explicitly consider what they believe and what they are willing to toss overboard. The questions of identity, God the role of childhood education and culture in belief formation are questions that everyone should ask and discuss. After reading this book, you should definitely sit around with friends over a cup of coffee late at night and explore your own belief system.
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When a massive tidal wave crosses the South Pacific, two worlds are altered. Mau is a boy on a solitary journey which is part of his cultures coming of age ritual for young men when the wave hits. Daphne is a young English girl traveling to see her father who governor of the English flagged islands. After the wave, these two teens are the only ones left, and they begin to build (or re-build) the Nation. There are cultural and language barriers to cross, there are pirates and cannibals, and of course a talking parrot (and Pratchett has a little fun with these). But the real joy of this book is the coming of age process for both Mau and Daphne. In their isolation from either of their histories, they are able to explicitly consider what they believe and what they are willing to toss overboard. The questions of identity, God the role of childhood education and culture in belief formation are questions that everyone should ask and discuss. After reading this book, you should definitely sit around with friends over a cup of coffee late at night and explore your own belief system.
Read
Sunday, May 5, 2013
The Future We Left Behind
Mike A. Lancaster
How about this. The story is set in the future, and is narrated by a history professor who is effectively reading the diary of a kid (Peter Vincent) from ancient history, who is on an adventure guided by the diary of a kid (Kyle Straker) from his ancient history. And yet all of these are in our future. I almost didn't read this after the first chapter because this could have gone all wrong. But I persevered And am glad I did. Peter Vincent lives in a world where everyone is connect to the Link. Imagine a direct brain link to the internet... on steroids. Peter gets a girlfriend and begins to help her investigate the disappearance of her father. The interesting part is the discovery (or suggestion) of what the link is, and really thinking about the impacts of this for computing. I was reminded of the cat in the final scene of Men in Black, with the pendant that is an entire universe of its own. Enough said.
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How about this. The story is set in the future, and is narrated by a history professor who is effectively reading the diary of a kid (Peter Vincent) from ancient history, who is on an adventure guided by the diary of a kid (Kyle Straker) from his ancient history. And yet all of these are in our future. I almost didn't read this after the first chapter because this could have gone all wrong. But I persevered And am glad I did. Peter Vincent lives in a world where everyone is connect to the Link. Imagine a direct brain link to the internet... on steroids. Peter gets a girlfriend and begins to help her investigate the disappearance of her father. The interesting part is the discovery (or suggestion) of what the link is, and really thinking about the impacts of this for computing. I was reminded of the cat in the final scene of Men in Black, with the pendant that is an entire universe of its own. Enough said.
Read
Friday, May 3, 2013
A Million Suns
Beth Revis
Book 2 in Across the Universe trilogy
Last time, in Across the Universe, we found that the space ship Godspeed was traveling to Centauri-Earth (from Sol-Earth) so set up a new colony. The people on the ship were regimented in their lives to maintain order and efficiency. Their leader was nearly as regimented. With the new leader (Elder) rising to power effectively by coup, he has de-regimented the ship... which is where we pick up.
The 3,000 some inhabitants of Godspeed are not as enthralled with their lives as when they were on space-prozac. So Elder continues to work toward maintaining control while finding out what he can about the progress of the ship. Amy, who was woken from cryostasis in the last book, continues to cause trouble just because she is different. Well, and because she is inquisitive and in the middle of a twisted puzzle that threatens to either save or destroy Godspeed. As the ship people revolt and Elder fights for control, the intrigue of clues left by Orion prod Amy onward and in the end reveals a whole new world of possibilites.
Revis does a good job here of creating three books with three distinct plots that each have their own problems and characters and resolutions. This trilogy is not just one story cut into three parts. Much like the Shannara world of Terry Brooks, the independence, story arc and resolution makes this feel like its own book, and yet still fully part of the trilogy.
Read
Book 2 in Across the Universe trilogy
Last time, in Across the Universe, we found that the space ship Godspeed was traveling to Centauri-Earth (from Sol-Earth) so set up a new colony. The people on the ship were regimented in their lives to maintain order and efficiency. Their leader was nearly as regimented. With the new leader (Elder) rising to power effectively by coup, he has de-regimented the ship... which is where we pick up.
The 3,000 some inhabitants of Godspeed are not as enthralled with their lives as when they were on space-prozac. So Elder continues to work toward maintaining control while finding out what he can about the progress of the ship. Amy, who was woken from cryostasis in the last book, continues to cause trouble just because she is different. Well, and because she is inquisitive and in the middle of a twisted puzzle that threatens to either save or destroy Godspeed. As the ship people revolt and Elder fights for control, the intrigue of clues left by Orion prod Amy onward and in the end reveals a whole new world of possibilites.
Revis does a good job here of creating three books with three distinct plots that each have their own problems and characters and resolutions. This trilogy is not just one story cut into three parts. Much like the Shannara world of Terry Brooks, the independence, story arc and resolution makes this feel like its own book, and yet still fully part of the trilogy.
Read
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