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Neutron Star (Known Space)
by
Larry Niven
The human is a highly complex organism, motivated by a variety of emotions – curiosity, courage, cussedness, love, hatred, boredom, and combinations of several more.
The puppeteers were gentle – in fact one of their most laudable and dominant characteristics was cowardice. Which made for a very high survival factor. At least for puppeteers.
The most admirable thing, of cours...more
The puppeteers were gentle – in fact one of their most laudable and dominant characteristics was cowardice. Which made for a very high survival factor. At least for puppeteers.
The most admirable thing, of cours...more
Mass Market Paperback, 285 pages
Published
1971
by Ballantine
(first published 1968)
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Nov 03, 2010
Stacey
rated it
5 of 5 stars
·
review of another edition
Shelves:
science-fiction,
short-stories
Holy crap was this ever good. I'm not sure how I missed reading any of the Ringworld series before, but with this being the 40th Anniversary, I figured it was time.
With epic series like this, I usually hit the 'net to see if there's a recommended reading order, or anything that will help me to "get it" a little more easily. Every site I visited recommended starting with Neutron Star. This is an anthology of 8 short stories (each novelette length,) set in the universe of Ringworld - the future o...more
With epic series like this, I usually hit the 'net to see if there's a recommended reading order, or anything that will help me to "get it" a little more easily. Every site I visited recommended starting with Neutron Star. This is an anthology of 8 short stories (each novelette length,) set in the universe of Ringworld - the future o...more
Oct 17, 2011
Josh
rated it
5 of 5 stars
·
review of another edition
Shelves:
science-fiction,
short-stories
I'd been in the mood to read some classic sci-fi: something distant and cynical, taking place in deep space, where there was fantastic technology and alien races and not many people to mess it all up. This was perfect. Neutron Star is a collection of short stories from Niven prefacing Ringworld and highly worthwhile if you like the latter. I'll be re-reading Ringworld soon with these stories in mind. Plus let this also be a good reminder to just read more Larry Niven. There aren't many writers s...more
I first read this quite some years ago and was blown away by it. It stands up well to repeated re-readings.
The title story - a Hugo winner - introduces us to star pilot Beowulf Shaeffer (who appears in three other stories in the book, "At the Core," "Flatlander," and "Grendel"), as well as the Puppeteers who also feature in Niven's later Ringworld series. These are the tales that introduce us to Known Space. I particularly enjoyed the Shaeffer stories for the character's voice (told first-person...more
The title story - a Hugo winner - introduces us to star pilot Beowulf Shaeffer (who appears in three other stories in the book, "At the Core," "Flatlander," and "Grendel"), as well as the Puppeteers who also feature in Niven's later Ringworld series. These are the tales that introduce us to Known Space. I particularly enjoyed the Shaeffer stories for the character's voice (told first-person...more
Terrific short story collection, all occuring in Niven's "known space" milieu. Most probably known for his 'Ringworld' novels, I think Niven is underrated for his short stories. Known space is always a hoot, populated as it is with adventurers, oddballs, and those out to make a buck. I always find his aliens to be fun as well - extremely inventive but practical and mostly believable. Most of the stories in this collection revolve around Beowulf Shaeffer, a pilot who keeps managing to find himsel...more
This is what space opera should be. Massive movements, interesting flawed characters, firm science (space opera doesn't work with hard science, in my opinion). I've not been a very big fan of Niven. Ringworld and The Gripping Hand in particular stick out in my head as books I disliked. This convinces me I do need to find more of his short stories, though.
This is almost the same book as Crashlander, but since they each have exclusive material, I'm listing them both. They're both short story collections in Niven's Known Space setting, and they're both largely focused on the adventures of Beowulf Schaeffer (space adventurer!). Despite this, the stories have a pretty good range in styles. In some of them, Schaeffer is down on his luck, in others he's famous, so they didn't feel like rehashes. Neutron Star is the older collection, and contains a coup...more
I was wondering if I would start reading the Ringworld cycle, and decided to try some short stories by Niven first. I am not going to read Ringworld anymore. The first two stories, "Neutron Star" and "Flatlander", were so disappointing that I came to a conclusion which I am usually very reluctant to make. I had the feeling that I could have written both stories better myself, and I don't even consider myself as having a writing talent in particular.
Jun 02, 2009
Mike
rated it
4 of 5 stars
·
review of another edition
Shelves:
science-fiction-fantasy
These stories are mostly of Beowulf Shaeffer, and are all a bit longer than Larry Niven's normal short stories, but I quite enjoyed them. Up until now I had only seen references to Beowulf Shaeffer in Niven's other novels and short stories, so it was interesting to read the original stories. Though I probably prefer some of his other anthologies, the slightly longer format allows the characters in these stories come out much clearer.
Sep 17, 2011
Chris Westin
rated it
5 of 5 stars
·
review of another edition
Shelves:
science-fiction
Awesome collection of short stories. Interesting aliens, and interesting technology tid-bits.
All the Tales of Known Space series books are good; these are stories of Beowolf Shaeffer or Louis Wu, and includes the full length Ringworld series novels. But I would steer clear of Niven's works for the earlier period of galactic history, e.g., The Integral Trees, etc, those are lousy.
All the Tales of Known Space series books are good; these are stories of Beowolf Shaeffer or Louis Wu, and includes the full length Ringworld series novels. But I would steer clear of Niven's works for the earlier period of galactic history, e.g., The Integral Trees, etc, those are lousy.
A collection of early short stories by Larry Niven that take place in his "Known Space" universe (i.e., Ring World). Mostly of a "hard science" sort of story lines, where actual aspects of physics are a part of the plot line. I really enjoyed at least half of the stories in this book. Would recommend for fans of the hared science short stories of Asimov and Clarke.
This book was hilarious and engrossing. It's one of those novels that makes you pull faces and laugh inappropriately loud on the bus. I definitely plan to read it again, and I'm already passing it around to other people.
I also learned a TONNE about space, space travel, stars, gravity, even atomic structure. Crazy!
I'm now reading A World Out of Time, another Larry Niven book; Neutron Star left me wanting more!
I also learned a TONNE about space, space travel, stars, gravity, even atomic structure. Crazy!
I'm now reading A World Out of Time, another Larry Niven book; Neutron Star left me wanting more!
Neutron Star is my favorite short story collection, with quite a few gems from Niven’s Known Space universe. Unfortunately it is out of print. Luckily though, all the Beowulf Shaeffer stories have been republished in Crashlander with the addition of two newer stories.
http://www.books.rosboch.net/?p=255
http://www.books.rosboch.net/?p=255
I read the short-story version (about 13 pages).
I like the premise and the plot, and the science as handled by Niven is realistic for its time period. However, I do not like the puppeteers. Call me anti-alien if you must, but they are not believable to me, not because of their amazingly useless body structure but because they are annoying in their personality traits. Why introduce them? In this story, they accomplish nothing that could not be handled by a human character.
Oh, well.
The story is go...more
I like the premise and the plot, and the science as handled by Niven is realistic for its time period. However, I do not like the puppeteers. Call me anti-alien if you must, but they are not believable to me, not because of their amazingly useless body structure but because they are annoying in their personality traits. Why introduce them? In this story, they accomplish nothing that could not be handled by a human character.
Oh, well.
The story is go...more
If you've not read Larry Niven, this collection of short stories is an excellent place to start. All are set in his 'Known Universe', a foundation for many, many fine works.
Housing Works Bookstore Fair! $1 books! Had been interested in reading Mr. Niven, seemed as good a place to start as any--the price was right.
what a great way to start my crusade into the ringworld series. i plan on reading all of the books of the known space. Niven seems to have a great knack of telling stories. i enjoyed this book very much
I don't often give up part way through a book, but I finished the first few and realized, you know? There are better books out there.
Short, but both interesting and a good introduction to Niven's Known Space universe. If you're going to read Ringworld, you should read this first.
One of my favorite books ever. Short stories that are all part of Mr. Niven's space universe.
A perfect example of 'hard' science fiction. Short, well thought-out, but somehow unfulfilling.
The first Niven book I ever read. Started me on the Sci-fi path. Awesome first read.
Larry Niven has a great imagination and he is a really nice person. Love his books.
Excellent short stories. Enjoyed it more then Ringworld or Mote in god's eye.
(Read in 8.5 hours @ 192 wpm)
Some early short stories from Niven's Known Space universe. All of them are pretty good and pretty science-fictiony.
Some early short stories from Niven's Known Space universe. All of them are pretty good and pretty science-fictiony.
A highly entertaining collection of great sci-fi short stories!
Some of the best shorts that Niven wrote (some, not ALL!).
Short Stories
14
Niven at his best
For people who haven't read the book, a quick physics test. The hero agrees to put his ship on an orbit that will take it to within one mile of the surface of a neutron star. His employers assure him, correctly, that the ship's hull will stop any form of radiation. Nevertheless, it's a really stupid idea. Why?
If you didn't get it, don't feel bad. Beowulf Shaeffer doesn't either, and finds out the hard way.
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Laurence van Cott Niven's best known work is Ringworld (Ringworld, #1) (1970), which received the Hugo, Locus, Ditmar, and Nebula awards. His work is primarily hard science fiction, using big science concepts and theoretical physics. The creation of thoroughly worked-out alien species, which are very different from humans both physically and mentally, is recognized as one of Niven's main strengths...more
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Sep 27, 2012 01:37pm