Jerry Pournelle's writing is characterized by its deep engagement with military themes, often exploring fictional mercenary forces with a grounded approach to technology. Drawing on his background in aerospace and strategic projections, his narratives offer realistic insights into tactics and probabilities. Pournelle consistently advised aspiring writers to prioritize consistent writing and completing their projects. He also held a leadership role as President of the Science Fiction and Fantasy Writers of America.
Recognized as a Prometheus Award Hall of Fame finalist, this novel is celebrated as one of the top 100 science fiction works from 1949 to 1984, according to critic David Pringle. Its significance in the genre is underscored by its innovative ideas and enduring themes, making it a must-read for science fiction enthusiasts.
Set in 1977, the narrative explores the early dreams and ambitions of future tech moguls Elon Musk and Jeff Bezos against the backdrop of a pivotal time in space exploration. With the space shuttle's launch on the horizon and the Apollo program in the past, a quirky aerospace engineer and professor poses critical questions about humanity's return to space and its purpose beyond Earth. The book delves into the vision and challenges of space travel during a transformative era in aerospace history.
"NO REST FOR THE WEARY! Rick Galloway's still not sure what inspired him to volunteer to fight Cubans in Angola, and he certainly never expected to end his African adventure shanghaied by a flying saucer when his CIA superiors cut him and his men adrift as the Cubans overran their final position. He didn't expect to end up on the planet Tran, God only knew how many light-years from Earth, raising drugs for an alien cartel under the auspices-more or less-of a galactic civilization administered and run by a slave class of humans for their alien masters, either. But he did. And since then, he's survived mutinies, civil wars, battles against Byzantine "Romans," medieval knights, and Mongol raiders on a world where catastrophic "climate change" races unchecked through a 600-year cycle. Along the way he's found love, lost it, found it again, and become a great noble . . . all the while knowing his alien "employers" will probably nuke his people back into the Stone Age when they're done. He's managed his impossible balancing act for 13 years. He's lost people he cared about, been forced to do things he's hated, and tried along the way to make life better for the people trapped on Tran with him, and he's tired. So tired. But now, everything has changed . . . again. New Starmen have arrived on Tran, with dangerous gifts and star weapons of their own. Everything Rick Galloway thought he knew about his mission on Tran is about to be turned on its head. And everyone expects him to fix it"-- Provided by publisher
A modern soldier finds himself abducted by aliens and thrust into a world populated by warriors from various historical eras, including medieval knights and Roman soldiers. His primary challenge is to navigate this perilous environment and ensure his survival. This volume features three best-selling works by Jerry Pournelle, showcasing his unique blend of science fiction and military adventure.
"An unexpected sequel from the universe of The mote in God's eye and The gripping hand by Larry Niven and Jerry Pournelle"--Cover
Exploring the timeless conflict between freedom and tyranny, this volume features two complete novels by bestselling author Pournelle. "Birth of Fire" delves into the challenges faced by those fighting for liberty, while "King David's Spaceship" presents a gripping narrative of adventure and resilience in a galactic setting. Together, these stories offer a compelling examination of the human spirit's quest for autonomy in the face of oppression.
The people of Tep's Town are desperate. Monstrous invaders have emerged from the desert, and people are being slaughtered. Danger on the roads means no trade. No trade means that Tep's Town itself will die. The fire god Yangin-Atep has retreated into myth, leaving the town's residents unprotected for the first time in its history - and they now face an army of fearsome birds with blades for wings, consumed by an inexorable lust for blood. Lord Sandry and his beloved, Burning Tower, must travel far beyond the walls of their home to discover the origin of these terror birds. They enter a world where magic is still strong - and someone or something has been waiting to destroy them ...
Set against the backdrop of a new ice age, the story explores the chaos unleashed when radical environmentalists gain control of the U.S. government. Meanwhile, the space colonies, left to fend for themselves, face a dire need to replenish their air supply. They rely on scoopships that dive into the hostile atmosphere, highlighting the struggle for survival in a world transformed by extreme climate change. The narrative delves into themes of environmentalism, survival, and the consequences of radical ideologies.
There was fire on Earth before the fire god came. There has always been fire.What Prokeet, the fire god, gave to mankind was madness ... They burned the city when Whandall Placehold was two. And then again when he was seven. Prokeet possessed one of the lordkin, the lust for fire took hold and the burning began. Whandall was himself one of the lordkin, but his insatiable curiosity about the hostile natural world and about the different peoples who surrounded him, allied to his intelligence and courage, marked him out for something more than burning down his own city. And when he felt Prokeet enter him, it was just the start of an epic journey that would turn him into a legend. The writers of classics such as LUCIFER'S HAMMER, FOOTFALL and THE MOTE IN GOD'S EYE have created a masterly tale of magic, gods, wizards and heroes that ranks among the very best in the genre. More information on this book and others can be found on the Orbit website at www.orbitbooks.co.uk
A new generation is growing up on the island paradise of Camelot, ignorant of the Great Grendel Wars fought when their parents and grandparents first arrived from Earth. Setting out for the mainland, this group of young rebels feels ready to fight any grendels that get in their way. On Avalon, however, there are monsters which dwarf the ones their parents fought, and as the group will soon learn, monsters also dwell in the human heart.
