About this title: The trade paper re-launch of a classic sci-fi bestseller from the authors of the acclaimed alien invasion epic "Footfall". For millionaire Tim Hamner, the comet he helped discover is a ticket to immortality. For filmmaker Harvey Randall, it's a chance to redeem a flagging career. And for astronauts John Baker and Rick Delanty, it's a second chance ...
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Note: This is a general synopsis. Each listing is described below.
Description: Used-Acceptable. Cover shows wear. Slight rubbing damage to corners and edges. Cover shows some scuffing. Pages show some yellow from age. Good reading copy. We ship daily. All books are boxed and ship via USPS with delivery confirmation. read more
Edition: Later Printing
Binding: Paperback
Publisher: Fawcett Crest Books
Date Published: 1977
ISBN-13:9780449235997ISBN:0449235998
Description: 0449235998. Reading copy, covers torn with pieces missing. Good internally, solid binding, clean pages.; Mass Market PB; 640 pages. read more
Description: Very Good. 0449208133 Mass Market Paperback, Condition: Very Good; this book is in very good condition with light discoloration due to aging and other light wear. read more
Description: Used-Acceptable. Corner Wear; Edge Wear; Pen Price First Page; store stamp inside cover on two pages; Shelf Wear; Acceptable Condition; Reliable customer service and no-hassle return policy. read more
Edition: 23rd Printing
Binding: Paperback
Publisher: Fawcett Crest, New York
Date Published: 1977
ISBN-13:9780449208137ISBN:0449208133
Description: Good. ILLUSTRATED SOFT COVER COVER, LIGHT SHELFWEAR TO EDGES. INTERIOR PAGES CLEAN AND TIGHT. MAY HAVE NAME OF PREVIOUS OWNER IN INK. read more
Description: Very Good. 0449208133 Mass Market Paperback, Condition: Very Good; this book is in very good condition with light curve to the spine / light reading creases to the covers. read more
Binding: Mass Market Paperback
Publisher: Del Rey
Date Published: 1985
ISBN-13:9780449208137ISBN:0449208133
Description: New. Brand New! Buy with confidence-your satisfaction is guaranteed at B-Logistics! Due to the large scale of our operation, we do not have access to the specific contents/condition of our items. Please note that Expedited shipping is not available at this time. read more
"A nice big book. One that you can get really into. Written by two authors, but you would never know, it all flows together. The first part has a lot of characters thrown at you. Luckily they provided a list at the front so you could refer to who is who until you got to know everyone. Before you know it though, you are familiar with everyone and invested in their story.
What happens if a comet is on course to either hit earth or pass very close? I won't say if it does or doesn't hit, just that the story is a pretty accurate description of what happens to society when the possibility of something of this magnitude is a threat. Hang on through the intro section of the book, you won't be able to put it down."
"It's not a spoiler to say that a large comet collides with the Earth in this book, but you should know it doesn't happen until around page 200 (out of 600 or so). The attempts at suspense are a little lame ("is the comet going to hit the Earth? IS IT?!? The exploding city on the book's cover says yes).
The draw is really how do people respond to global catastrophe, psychologically and physically. In that regard this book a good read indeed and the character build up is a necessary addition to what is otherwise the script for a Hollywood blockbuster. So it's exciting, even if you don't like the personal dramas.
If I could give half stars I'd probably go with 3.5."
"I've always enjoyed this book, which is a classic disaster novel. Some aspects of it have grown very dated over the years, though; the politics is very 1970s, with the take on survivalism very pre-militia movement, and some of the gender politics is problematic. Still, while the authors do allow viewpoint characters to express their glee at the idea that a comet impact would suddenly end feminism along with the rest of civilization, there are some very strong (if under-written) female characters. One would like to see more, for example, of the point of view of Eileen, the plumbing-supply clerk who can drive like James Bond, and whose organizational skills help save civilization. I also always wonder with these sorts of disaster novels what is actually happening away from the coasts. This book focuses almost entirely on Southern California, which probably would be trashed by a comet impact, but I have a hard time believing that there would not be some cities that were inland enough not to have problems with tidal waves, uphill enough to survive massive rainfall and flooding, and near enough to major agricultural areas to keep eating even with a breakdown of national infrastructure. All the canned food comes from somewhere, after all. The world of this novel also seems only to have nuclear or hydroelectric power; surely some areas would have coal plants that could keep generating for a while without resupply. Still, quibbles aside, the story is still enough to hold my attention, the characters are flawed enough to be interesting without being so obnoxious I want civilization (and the book) to end, and it is fun to see details of this book that have influenced later iterations of this subgenre, like Stirling's Dies the Fire."
"I don't "do" science fiction, normally. I donno, don't like it. I go to Sci-Fan instead. However, this is a new addition to our library and I was out of other reads so I picked it up. It wasn't bad, actually. With 2012 looming on the horizon I find I enjoy apocolyptic tales a bit more than usual, even. This seems to be the original death by asteroid book. It's great for cosmology fans (as I am an amateur one) as well as those who enjoy thinking on the state of "civilization" once the big one has landed."
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