false 41143 <![CDATA[The Years of Rice and Salt]]> http://photo.goodreads.com/books/1169580841m/41143.jpg http://photo.goodreads.com/books/1169580841s/41143.jpg The Years of Rice and Salt poses the daunting question "How would our world have developed without Europe?" (Or, rather, without European culture?) When the scouts of the Mongol leader Temur the Lame (Tamburlaine) enter Hungary in 1405, they find only emptiness and death. Plague has swept Europe off the gameboard of history.

The centuries that follow are initially dominated by expanding Islamic nations and the monolithic Chinese empire. It's a grand chronicle of rising and falling cultures, with individuals forever struggling to make a difference to the slow-motion landslide of events. Extra continuity is given by a touch of fantasy as the Buddhist wheel of reincarnation brings back the same characters (coded by initials) again and again with varied roles, relations and sexes. Their stories are touching and very human.

Episodes of our own history are artfully echoed. America is discovered by Chinese ships from the west, with fateful effects for the native tribes and the "Inka" theocracy further south. The scientific ideas of da Vinci's Renaissance are reflected by the Alchemist of Samarkand, reluctantly devising fresh weapons of war. New forms of government arise. Islamic splinter groups move into empty Europe and in that softer climate develop dangerous notions like feminism. A First World War eventually comes, later than we'd expect but horribly prolonged.

Then Muslim scientists begin to see the implications of the mass-energy theories of a savant from the Indian subcontinent:

Invisible worlds, full of energy and power: sub-atomic harems, each pulsing on the edge of a great explosion...There was no escaping the latent violence at the heart of things. Even the stones were mortal.

This immense tapestry of history that never happened is constantly illuminated by the small comedies, tragedies, romances and triumphs of memorably real individuals. The Years of Rice and Salt is a brave new landmark in alternate history, deservedly shortlisted for the British SF Association and Arthur C Clarke awards. --David Langford

]]> 2723 11 74882 book 2002 The Years of Rice and Salt total:949|5:286|4:290|3:227|2:98|1:48| 949 3515 1613 177 1858 3.82 9488 988 3681037 87312 2723 0553580078 9780553580075 155 <![CDATA[The Years of Rice and Salt]]> http://photo.goodreads.com/books/1161516933m/2723.jpg http://photo.goodreads.com/books/1161516933s/2723.jpg http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/2723.The_Years_of_Rice_and_Salt 3.70 875 trilogy to vivid life, bestselling author KIM STANLEY ROBINSON boldly imagines an alternate history of the last seven hundred years. In his grandest work yet, the acclaimed storyteller constructs a world vastly different from the one we know....

The Years of Rice and Salt

It is the fourteenth century and one of the most apocalyptic events in human history is set to occur–the coming of the Black Death. History teaches us that a third of Europe’s population was destroyed. But what if? What if the plague killed 99 percent of the population instead? How would the world have changed? This is a look at the history that could have been–a history that stretches across centuries, a history that sees dynasties and nations rise and crumble, a history that spans horrible famine and magnificent innovation. These are the years of rice and salt.

This is a universe where the first ship to reach the New World travels across the Pacific Ocean from China and colonization spreads from west to east. This is a universe where the Industrial Revolution is triggered by the world’s greatest scientific minds–in India. This is a universe where Buddhism and Islam are the most influential and practiced religions and Christianity is merely a historical footnote.

Through the eyes of soldiers and kings, explorers and philosophers, slaves and scholars, Robinson renders an immensely rich tapestry. Rewriting history and probing the most profound questions as only he can, Robinson shines his extraordinary light on the place of religion, culture, power, and even love on such an Earth. From the steppes of Asia to the shores of the Western Hemisphere, from the age of Akbar to the present and beyond, here is the stunning story of the creation of a new world.


From the Hardcover edition.]]> 2002 4 3 false Tue May 01 00:00:00 -0700 2007 Fri Jul 27 18:58:39 -0700 2007 Thu Dec 17 02:30:31 -0800 2009
The reincarnation plot (compl...more...]]> 21856156 1130606 2723 0553580078 9780553580075 155 <![CDATA[The Years of Rice and Salt]]> http://photo.goodreads.com/books/1161516933m/2723.jpg http://photo.goodreads.com/books/1161516933s/2723.jpg http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/2723.The_Years_of_Rice_and_Salt 3.70 949 trilogy to vivid life, bestselling author KIM STANLEY ROBINSON boldly imagines an alternate history of the last seven hundred years. In his grandest work yet, the acclaimed storyteller constructs a world vastly different from the one we know....

The Years of Rice and Salt

It is the fourteenth century and one of the most apocalyptic events in human history is set to occur–the coming of the Black Death. History teaches us that a third of Europe’s population was destroyed. But what if? What if the plague killed 99 percent of the population instead? How would the world have changed? This is a look at the history that could have been–a history that stretches across centuries, a history that sees dynasties and nations rise and crumble, a history that spans horrible famine and magnificent innovation. These are the years of rice and salt.

This is a universe where the first ship to reach the New World travels across the Pacific Ocean from China and colonization spreads from west to east. This is a universe where the Industrial Revolution is triggered by the world’s greatest scientific minds–in India. This is a universe where Buddhism and Islam are the most influential and practiced religions and Christianity is merely a historical footnote.

Through the eyes of soldiers and kings, explorers and philosophers, slaves and scholars, Robinson renders an immensely rich tapestry. Rewriting history and probing the most profound questions as only he can, Robinson shines his extraordinary light on the place of religion, culture, power, and even love on such an Earth. From the steppes of Asia to the shores of the Western Hemisphere, from the age of Akbar to the present and beyond, here is the stunning story of the creation of a new world.


From the Hardcover edition.]]> 2002 5 3 false Thu Dec 01 00:00:00 -0800 2005 Thu May 08 09:24:05 -0700 2008 Thu May 08 09:34:08 -0700 2008 more...]]> 23077768 129586 2723 0553580078 9780553580075 155 <![CDATA[The Years of Rice and Salt]]> http://photo.goodreads.com/books/1161516933m/2723.jpg http://photo.goodreads.com/books/1161516933s/2723.jpg http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/2723.The_Years_of_Rice_and_Salt 3.70 949 trilogy to vivid life, bestselling author KIM STANLEY ROBINSON boldly imagines an alternate history of the last seven hundred years. In his grandest work yet, the acclaimed storyteller constructs a world vastly different from the one we know....

The Years of Rice and Salt

It is the fourteenth century and one of the most apocalyptic events in human history is set to occur–the coming of the Black Death. History teaches us that a third of Europe’s population was destroyed. But what if? What if the plague killed 99 percent of the population instead? How would the world have changed? This is a look at the history that could have been–a history that stretches across centuries, a history that sees dynasties and nations rise and crumble, a history that spans horrible famine and magnificent innovation. These are the years of rice and salt.

This is a universe where the first ship to reach the New World travels across the Pacific Ocean from China and colonization spreads from west to east. This is a universe where the Industrial Revolution is triggered by the world’s greatest scientific minds–in India. This is a universe where Buddhism and Islam are the most influential and practiced religions and Christianity is merely a historical footnote.

Through the eyes of soldiers and kings, explorers and philosophers, slaves and scholars, Robinson renders an immensely rich tapestry. Rewriting history and probing the most profound questions as only he can, Robinson shines his extraordinary light on the place of religion, culture, power, and even love on such an Earth. From the steppes of Asia to the shores of the Western Hemisphere, from the age of Akbar to the present and beyond, here is the stunning story of the creation of a new world.


From the Hardcover edition.]]> 2002 2 4 false Sun Jun 22 00:00:00 -0700 2008 Tue May 27 16:25:34 -0700 2008 Mon Jul 21 20:12:37 -0700 2008
Thy premise: The black plague knocks out 99 percent of Western Euro...more...]]> 20234912 537754 2723 0553580078 9780553580075 155 <![CDATA[The Years of Rice and Salt]]> http://photo.goodreads.com/books/1161516933m/2723.jpg http://photo.goodreads.com/books/1161516933s/2723.jpg http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/2723.The_Years_of_Rice_and_Salt 3.70 949 trilogy to vivid life, bestselling author KIM STANLEY ROBINSON boldly imagines an alternate history of the last seven hundred years. In his grandest work yet, the acclaimed storyteller constructs a world vastly different from the one we know....

The Years of Rice and Salt

It is the fourteenth century and one of the most apocalyptic events in human history is set to occur–the coming of the Black Death. History teaches us that a third of Europe’s population was destroyed. But what if? What if the plague killed 99 percent of the population instead? How would the world have changed? This is a look at the history that could have been–a history that stretches across centuries, a history that sees dynasties and nations rise and crumble, a history that spans horrible famine and magnificent innovation. These are the years of rice and salt.

This is a universe where the first ship to reach the New World travels across the Pacific Ocean from China and colonization spreads from west to east. This is a universe where the Industrial Revolution is triggered by the world’s greatest scientific minds–in India. This is a universe where Buddhism and Islam are the most influential and practiced religions and Christianity is merely a historical footnote.

Through the eyes of soldiers and kings, explorers and philosophers, slaves and scholars, Robinson renders an immensely rich tapestry. Rewriting history and probing the most profound questions as only he can, Robinson shines his extraordinary light on the place of religion, culture, power, and even love on such an Earth. From the steppes of Asia to the shores of the Western Hemisphere, from the age of Akbar to the present and beyond, here is the stunning story of the creation of a new world.


From the Hardcover edition.]]> 2002 2 2 false Tue Apr 01 00:00:00 -0700 2008 Tue Apr 15 12:57:11 -0700 2008 Tue May 13 10:53:51 -0700 2008
I think your Mars trilogy is one of the greatest pieces of science fiction every written. I've read it twice in the past ten years and will probably read it three more times before I grow old. I even read the first book in your eco-thriller trilogy and, though...more...]]> 2178452 142790 77508 0553109200 9780553109207 11 <![CDATA[The Years of Rice and Salt]]> http://photo.goodreads.com/books/1170900224m/77508.jpg http://photo.goodreads.com/books/1170900224s/77508.jpg http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/77508.The_Years_of_Rice_and_Salt 3.66 41 The Years of Rice and Salt considers this question through the stories of individuals who experience and influence various crucial periods in the seven centuries that follow. The credible alternate history that Robinson constructs becomes the framework for a tapestry of ideas about philosophy, science, theology, and politics.

At the heart of the story are fundamental questions: what is the purpose of life and death? Are we eternal? Do our choices matter? The particular achievement of this book is that it weaves these threads into a story that is both intellectually and emotionally engaging. This is a highly recommended, challenging, and ambitious work. --Roz Genessee

]]> 2002 5 2 false Sun Jul 01 00:00:00 -0700 2007 Wed Jun 20 14:20:49 -0700 2007 Mon Jul 02 15:26:22 -0700 2007
The book is a series of different short stories that catalogue the lives of people at differe...more...]]> 18887999 1033192 2723 0553580078 9780553580075 155 <![CDATA[The Years of Rice and Salt]]> http://photo.goodreads.com/books/1161516933m/2723.jpg http://photo.goodreads.com/books/1161516933s/2723.jpg http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/2723.The_Years_of_Rice_and_Salt 3.70 949 trilogy to vivid life, bestselling author KIM STANLEY ROBINSON boldly imagines an alternate history of the last seven hundred years. In his grandest work yet, the acclaimed storyteller constructs a world vastly different from the one we know....

The Years of Rice and Salt

It is the fourteenth century and one of the most apocalyptic events in human history is set to occur–the coming of the Black Death. History teaches us that a third of Europe’s population was destroyed. But what if? What if the plague killed 99 percent of the population instead? How would the world have changed? This is a look at the history that could have been–a history that stretches across centuries, a history that sees dynasties and nations rise and crumble, a history that spans horrible famine and magnificent innovation. These are the years of rice and salt.

This is a universe where the first ship to reach the New World travels across the Pacific Ocean from China and colonization spreads from west to east. This is a universe where the Industrial Revolution is triggered by the world’s greatest scientific minds–in India. This is a universe where Buddhism and Islam are the most influential and practiced religions and Christianity is merely a historical footnote.

Through the eyes of soldiers and kings, explorers and philosophers, slaves and scholars, Robinson renders an immensely rich tapestry. Rewriting history and probing the most profound questions as only he can, Robinson shines his extraordinary light on the place of religion, culture, power, and even love on such an Earth. From the steppes of Asia to the shores of the Western Hemisphere, from the age of Akbar to the present and beyond, here is the stunning story of the creation of a new world.


From the Hardcover edition.]]> 2002 4 2 false Wed May 01 00:00:00 -0700 2002 Fri Mar 28 18:35:45 -0700 2008 Fri Mar 28 18:50:10 -0700 2008 more...]]> 33454690 1071206 2723 0553580078 9780553580075 155 <![CDATA[The Years of Rice and Salt]]> http://photo.goodreads.com/books/1161516933m/2723.jpg http://photo.goodreads.com/books/1161516933s/2723.jpg http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/2723.The_Years_of_Rice_and_Salt 3.70 949 trilogy to vivid life, bestselling author KIM STANLEY ROBINSON boldly imagines an alternate history of the last seven hundred years. In his grandest work yet, the acclaimed storyteller constructs a world vastly different from the one we know....

The Years of Rice and Salt

It is the fourteenth century and one of the most apocalyptic events in human history is set to occur–the coming of the Black Death. History teaches us that a third of Europe’s population was destroyed. But what if? What if the plague killed 99 percent of the population instead? How would the world have changed? This is a look at the history that could have been–a history that stretches across centuries, a history that sees dynasties and nations rise and crumble, a history that spans horrible famine and magnificent innovation. These are the years of rice and salt.

This is a universe where the first ship to reach the New World travels across the Pacific Ocean from China and colonization spreads from west to east. This is a universe where the Industrial Revolution is triggered by the world’s greatest scientific minds–in India. This is a universe where Buddhism and Islam are the most influential and practiced religions and Christianity is merely a historical footnote.

Through the eyes of soldiers and kings, explorers and philosophers, slaves and scholars, Robinson renders an immensely rich tapestry. Rewriting history and probing the most profound questions as only he can, Robinson shines his extraordinary light on the place of religion, culture, power, and even love on such an Earth. From the steppes of Asia to the shores of the Western Hemisphere, from the age of Akbar to the present and beyond, here is the stunning story of the creation of a new world.


From the Hardcover edition.]]> 2002 4 1 false Wed Sep 24 15:02:46 -0700 2008 Sun Sep 21 14:31:33 -0700 2008 Wed Sep 24 15:02:46 -0700 2008 more...]]> 27647017 330374 77508 0553109200 9780553109207 11 <![CDATA[The Years of Rice and Salt]]> http://photo.goodreads.com/books/1170900224m/77508.jpg http://photo.goodreads.com/books/1170900224s/77508.jpg http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/77508.The_Years_of_Rice_and_Salt 3.70 949 The Years of Rice and Salt considers this question through the stories of individuals who experience and influence various crucial periods in the seven centuries that follow. The credible alternate history that Robinson constructs becomes the framework for a tapestry of ideas about philosophy, science, theology, and politics.

At the heart of the story are fundamental questions: what is the purpose of life and death? Are we eternal? Do our choices matter? The particular achievement of this book is that it weaves these threads into a story that is both intellectually and emotionally engaging. This is a highly recommended, challenging, and ambitious work. --Roz Genessee

]]> 2002 4 3 false Thu Jan 01 00:00:00 -0800 2004 Fri Jul 18 13:28:37 -0700 2008 Mon Sep 15 05:21:03 -0700 2008 more...]]> 27267540 157567 2723 0553580078 9780553580075 155 <![CDATA[The Years of Rice and Salt]]> http://photo.goodreads.com/books/1161516933m/2723.jpg http://photo.goodreads.com/books/1161516933s/2723.jpg http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/2723.The_Years_of_Rice_and_Salt 3.70 949 trilogy to vivid life, bestselling author KIM STANLEY ROBINSON boldly imagines an alternate history of the last seven hundred years. In his grandest work yet, the acclaimed storyteller constructs a world vastly different from the one we know....

The Years of Rice and Salt

It is the fourteenth century and one of the most apocalyptic events in human history is set to occur–the coming of the Black Death. History teaches us that a third of Europe’s population was destroyed. But what if? What if the plague killed 99 percent of the population instead? How would the world have changed? This is a look at the history that could have been–a history that stretches across centuries, a history that sees dynasties and nations rise and crumble, a history that spans horrible famine and magnificent innovation. These are the years of rice and salt.

This is a universe where the first ship to reach the New World travels across the Pacific Ocean from China and colonization spreads from west to east. This is a universe where the Industrial Revolution is triggered by the world’s greatest scientific minds–in India. This is a universe where Buddhism and Islam are the most influential and practiced religions and Christianity is merely a historical footnote.

Through the eyes of soldiers and kings, explorers and philosophers, slaves and scholars, Robinson renders an immensely rich tapestry. Rewriting history and probing the most profound questions as only he can, Robinson shines his extraordinary light on the place of religion, culture, power, and even love on such an Earth. From the steppes of Asia to the shores of the Western Hemisphere, from the age of Akbar to the present and beyond, here is the stunning story of the creation of a new world.


From the Hardcover edition.]]> 2002 5 6 false Mon Jul 14 00:00:00 -0700 2008 Mon Jul 14 19:23:12 -0700 2008 Mon Jul 14 19:52:52 -0700 2008 more...]]> 2839324 169061 77508 0553109200 9780553109207 11 <![CDATA[The Years of Rice and Salt]]> http://photo.goodreads.com/books/1170900224m/77508.jpg http://photo.goodreads.com/books/1170900224s/77508.jpg http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/77508.The_Years_of_Rice_and_Salt 3.70 949 The Years of Rice and Salt considers this question through the stories of individuals who experience and influence various crucial periods in the seven centuries that follow. The credible alternate history that Robinson constructs becomes the framework for a tapestry of ideas about philosophy, science, theology, and politics.

At the heart of the story are fundamental questions: what is the purpose of life and death? Are we eternal? Do our choices matter? The particular achievement of this book is that it weaves these threads into a story that is both intellectually and emotionally engaging. This is a highly recommended, challenging, and ambitious work. --Roz Genessee

]]> 2002 1 1 false Sat Jan 01 00:00:00 -0800 2005 Sun Jul 08 15:53:58 -0700 2007 Sun Jul 08 16:04:43 -0700 2007 more...]]> 4490418 275867 2723 0553580078 9780553580075 155 <![CDATA[The Years of Rice and Salt]]> http://photo.goodreads.com/books/1161516933m/2723.jpg http://photo.goodreads.com/books/1161516933s/2723.jpg http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/2723.The_Years_of_Rice_and_Salt 3.70 949 trilogy to vivid life, bestselling author KIM STANLEY ROBINSON boldly imagines an alternate history of the last seven hundred years. In his grandest work yet, the acclaimed storyteller constructs a world vastly different from the one we know....

The Years of Rice and Salt

It is the fourteenth century and one of the most apocalyptic events in human history is set to occur–the coming of the Black Death. History teaches us that a third of Europe’s population was destroyed. But what if? What if the plague killed 99 percent of the population instead? How would the world have changed? This is a look at the history that could have been–a history that stretches across centuries, a history that sees dynasties and nations rise and crumble, a history that spans horrible famine and magnificent innovation. These are the years of rice and salt.

This is a universe where the first ship to reach the New World travels across the Pacific Ocean from China and colonization spreads from west to east. This is a universe where the Industrial Revolution is triggered by the world’s greatest scientific minds–in India. This is a universe where Buddhism and Islam are the most influential and practiced religions and Christianity is merely a historical footnote.

Through the eyes of soldiers and kings, explorers and philosophers, slaves and scholars, Robinson renders an immensely rich tapestry. Rewriting history and probing the most profound questions as only he can, Robinson shines his extraordinary light on the place of religion, culture, power, and even love on such an Earth. From the steppes of Asia to the shores of the Western Hemisphere, from the age of Akbar to the present and beyond, here is the stunning story of the creation of a new world.


From the Hardcover edition.]]> 2002 2 1 false Wed Jun 01 00:00:00 -0700 2005 Mon Aug 13 13:50:49 -0700 2007 Mon Aug 13 13:51:03 -0700 2007 more...]]> 5957197 13266 2723 0553580078 9780553580075 155 <![CDATA[The Years of Rice and Salt]]> http://photo.goodreads.com/books/1161516933m/2723.jpg http://photo.goodreads.com/books/1161516933s/2723.jpg http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/2723.The_Years_of_Rice_and_Salt 3.70 949 trilogy to vivid life, bestselling author KIM STANLEY ROBINSON boldly imagines an alternate history of the last seven hundred years. In his grandest work yet, the acclaimed storyteller constructs a world vastly different from the one we know....

The Years of Rice and Salt

It is the fourteenth century and one of the most apocalyptic events in human history is set to occur–the coming of the Black Death. History teaches us that a third of Europe’s population was destroyed. But what if? What if the plague killed 99 percent of the population instead? How would the world have changed? This is a look at the history that could have been–a history that stretches across centuries, a history that sees dynasties and nations rise and crumble, a history that spans horrible famine and magnificent innovation. These are the years of rice and salt.

This is a universe where the first ship to reach the New World travels across the Pacific Ocean from China and colonization spreads from west to east. This is a universe where the Industrial Revolution is triggered by the world’s greatest scientific minds–in India. This is a universe where Buddhism and Islam are the most influential and practiced religions and Christianity is merely a historical footnote.

Through the eyes of soldiers and kings, explorers and philosophers, slaves and scholars, Robinson renders an immensely rich tapestry. Rewriting history and probing the most profound questions as only he can, Robinson shines his extraordinary light on the place of religion, culture, power, and even love on such an Earth. From the steppes of Asia to the shores of the Western Hemisphere, from the age of Akbar to the present and beyond, here is the stunning story of the creation of a new world.


From the Hardcover edition.]]> 2002 2 1 false Fri Jun 01 00:00:00 -0700 2007 Sun Sep 09 16:13:40 -0700 2007 Thu Dec 17 09:47:04 -0800 2009 more...]]> 33704594 927649 2723 0553580078 9780553580075 155 <![CDATA[The Years of Rice and Salt]]> http://photo.goodreads.com/books/1161516933m/2723.jpg http://photo.goodreads.com/books/1161516933s/2723.jpg http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/2723.The_Years_of_Rice_and_Salt 3.70 949 trilogy to vivid life, bestselling author KIM STANLEY ROBINSON boldly imagines an alternate history of the last seven hundred years. In his grandest work yet, the acclaimed storyteller constructs a world vastly different from the one we know....

The Years of Rice and Salt

It is the fourteenth century and one of the most apocalyptic events in human history is set to occur–the coming of the Black Death. History teaches us that a third of Europe’s population was destroyed. But what if? What if the plague killed 99 percent of the population instead? How would the world have changed? This is a look at the history that could have been–a history that stretches across centuries, a history that sees dynasties and nations rise and crumble, a history that spans horrible famine and magnificent innovation. These are the years of rice and salt.

This is a universe where the first ship to reach the New World travels across the Pacific Ocean from China and colonization spreads from west to east. This is a universe where the Industrial Revolution is triggered by the world’s greatest scientific minds–in India. This is a universe where Buddhism and Islam are the most influential and practiced religions and Christianity is merely a historical footnote.

Through the eyes of soldiers and kings, explorers and philosophers, slaves and scholars, Robinson renders an immensely rich tapestry. Rewriting history and probing the most profound questions as only he can, Robinson shines his extraordinary light on the place of religion, culture, power, and even love on such an Earth. From the steppes of Asia to the shores of the Western Hemisphere, from the age of Akbar to the present and beyond, here is the stunning story of the creation of a new world.


From the Hardcover edition.]]> 2002 3 1 false Wed Sep 24 00:00:00 -0700 2008 Wed Sep 24 07:14:32 -0700 2008 Wed Sep 24 07:19:21 -0700 2008
It's an interesting conce...more...]]> 45709657 1314511 2723 0553580078 9780553580075 155 <![CDATA[The Years of Rice and Salt]]> http://photo.goodreads.com/books/1161516933m/2723.jpg http://photo.goodreads.com/books/1161516933s/2723.jpg http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/2723.The_Years_of_Rice_and_Salt 3.70 949 trilogy to vivid life, bestselling author KIM STANLEY ROBINSON boldly imagines an alternate history of the last seven hundred years. In his grandest work yet, the acclaimed storyteller constructs a world vastly different from the one we know....

The Years of Rice and Salt

It is the fourteenth century and one of the most apocalyptic events in human history is set to occur–the coming of the Black Death. History teaches us that a third of Europe’s population was destroyed. But what if? What if the plague killed 99 percent of the population instead? How would the world have changed? This is a look at the history that could have been–a history that stretches across centuries, a history that sees dynasties and nations rise and crumble, a history that spans horrible famine and magnificent innovation. These are the years of rice and salt.

This is a universe where the first ship to reach the New World travels across the Pacific Ocean from China and colonization spreads from west to east. This is a universe where the Industrial Revolution is triggered by the world’s greatest scientific minds–in India. This is a universe where Buddhism and Islam are the most influential and practiced religions and Christianity is merely a historical footnote.

Through the eyes of soldiers and kings, explorers and philosophers, slaves and scholars, Robinson renders an immensely rich tapestry. Rewriting history and probing the most profound questions as only he can, Robinson shines his extraordinary light on the place of religion, culture, power, and even love on such an Earth. From the steppes of Asia to the shores of the Western Hemisphere, from the age of Akbar to the present and beyond, here is the stunning story of the creation of a new world.


From the Hardcover edition.]]> 2002 3 1 false Sat Feb 07 22:05:51 -0800 2009 Sat Feb 07 22:22:20 -0800 2009 more...]]> 42919166 872050 977439 0002246791 9780002246798 2 <![CDATA[The Years of Rice and Salt]]> http://photo.goodreads.com/books/1179953393m/977439.jpg http://photo.goodreads.com/books/1179953393s/977439.jpg http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/977439.The_Years_of_Rice_and_Salt 3.60 5 The Years of Rice and Salt poses the daunting question "How would our world have developed without Europe?" (Or, rather, without European culture?) When the scouts of the Mongol leader Temur the Lame (Tamburlaine) enter Hungary in 1405, they find only emptiness and death. Plague has swept Europe off the gameboard of history.

The centuries that follow are initially dominated by expanding Islamic nations and the monolithic Chinese empire. It's a grand chronicle of rising and falling cultures, with individuals forever struggling to make a difference to the slow-motion landslide of events. Extra continuity is given by a touch of fantasy as the Buddhist wheel of reincarnation brings back the same characters (coded by initials) again and again with varied roles, relations and sexes. Their stories are touching and very human.

Episodes of our own history are artfully echoed. America is discovered by Chinese ships from the west, with fateful effects for the native tribes and the "Inka" theocracy further south. The scientific ideas of da Vinci's Renaissance are reflected by the Alchemist of Samarkand, reluctantly devising fresh weapons of war. New forms of government arise. Islamic splinter groups move into empty Europe and in that softer climate develop dangerous notions like feminism. A First World War eventually comes, later than we'd expect but horribly prolonged.

Then Muslim scientists begin to see the implications of the mass-energy theories of a savant from the Indian subcontinent:

Invisible worlds, full of energy and power: sub-atomic harems, each pulsing on the edge of a great explosion...There was no escaping the latent violence at the heart of things. Even the stones were mortal.

This immense tapestry of history that never happened is constantly illuminated by the small comedies, tragedies, romances and triumphs of memorably real individuals. The Years of Rice and Salt is a brave new landmark in alternate history, deservedly shortlisted for the British SF Association and Arthur C Clarke awards. --David Langford

]]> 2002 5 0 false Thu Feb 01 00:00:00 -0800 2007 Tue Jan 13 11:03:38 -0800 2009 Tue Jan 13 11:23:04 -0800 2009 more...]]> 71900088 1016967 2723 0553580078 9780553580075 155 <![CDATA[The Years of Rice and Salt]]> http://photo.goodreads.com/books/1161516933m/2723.jpg http://photo.goodreads.com/books/1161516933s/2723.jpg http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/2723.The_Years_of_Rice_and_Salt 3.70 949 trilogy to vivid life, bestselling author KIM STANLEY ROBINSON boldly imagines an alternate history of the last seven hundred years. In his grandest work yet, the acclaimed storyteller constructs a world vastly different from the one we know....

The Years of Rice and Salt

It is the fourteenth century and one of the most apocalyptic events in human history is set to occur–the coming of the Black Death. History teaches us that a third of Europe’s population was destroyed. But what if? What if the plague killed 99 percent of the population instead? How would the world have changed? This is a look at the history that could have been–a history that stretches across centuries, a history that sees dynasties and nations rise and crumble, a history that spans horrible famine and magnificent innovation. These are the years of rice and salt.

This is a universe where the first ship to reach the New World travels across the Pacific Ocean from China and colonization spreads from west to east. This is a universe where the Industrial Revolution is triggered by the world’s greatest scientific minds–in India. This is a universe where Buddhism and Islam are the most influential and practiced religions and Christianity is merely a historical footnote.

Through the eyes of soldiers and kings, explorers and philosophers, slaves and scholars, Robinson renders an immensely rich tapestry. Rewriting history and probing the most profound questions as only he can, Robinson shines his extraordinary light on the place of religion, culture, power, and even love on such an Earth. From the steppes of Asia to the shores of the Western Hemisphere, from the age of Akbar to the present and beyond, here is the stunning story of the creation of a new world.


From the Hardcover edition.]]> 2002 1 0 false Sun Sep 20 13:35:12 -0700 2009 Sun Sep 20 13:35:12 -0700 2009
First, there didn't seem to be any overarching storyline. Characters are introduced, some contrived/random events happen, s...more...]]> 63524020 2276593 2723 0553580078 9780553580075 155 <![CDATA[The Years of Rice and Salt]]> http://photo.goodreads.com/books/1161516933m/2723.jpg http://photo.goodreads.com/books/1161516933s/2723.jpg http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/2723.The_Years_of_Rice_and_Salt 3.70 949 trilogy to vivid life, bestselling author KIM STANLEY ROBINSON boldly imagines an alternate history of the last seven hundred years. In his grandest work yet, the acclaimed storyteller constructs a world vastly different from the one we know....

The Years of Rice and Salt

It is the fourteenth century and one of the most apocalyptic events in human history is set to occur–the coming of the Black Death. History teaches us that a third of Europe’s population was destroyed. But what if? What if the plague killed 99 percent of the population instead? How would the world have changed? This is a look at the history that could have been–a history that stretches across centuries, a history that sees dynasties and nations rise and crumble, a history that spans horrible famine and magnificent innovation. These are the years of rice and salt.

This is a universe where the first ship to reach the New World travels across the Pacific Ocean from China and colonization spreads from west to east. This is a universe where the Industrial Revolution is triggered by the world’s greatest scientific minds–in India. This is a universe where Buddhism and Islam are the most influential and practiced religions and Christianity is merely a historical footnote.

Through the eyes of soldiers and kings, explorers and philosophers, slaves and scholars, Robinson renders an immensely rich tapestry. Rewriting history and probing the most profound questions as only he can, Robinson shines his extraordinary light on the place of religion, culture, power, and even love on such an Earth. From the steppes of Asia to the shores of the Western Hemisphere, from the age of Akbar to the present and beyond, here is the stunning story of the creation of a new world.


From the Hardcover edition.]]> 2002 4 0 false Mon Jan 01 00:00:00 -0800 2007 Tue Jul 14 19:11:21 -0700 2009 Tue Jul 14 19:31:33 -0700 2009 2.) This book is long.
3.) If you aren't into Chinese or Persian cultures, there's a chance you'll never make it through this book.

The book is the story of a group of people bound together as they re-incarnate th...more...]]> 72958181 369290 2723 0553580078 9780553580075 155 <![CDATA[The Years of Rice and Salt]]> http://photo.goodreads.com/books/1161516933m/2723.jpg http://photo.goodreads.com/books/1161516933s/2723.jpg http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/2723.The_Years_of_Rice_and_Salt 3.70 949 trilogy to vivid life, bestselling author KIM STANLEY ROBINSON boldly imagines an alternate history of the last seven hundred years. In his grandest work yet, the acclaimed storyteller constructs a world vastly different from the one we know....

The Years of Rice and Salt

It is the fourteenth century and one of the most apocalyptic events in human history is set to occur–the coming of the Black Death. History teaches us that a third of Europe’s population was destroyed. But what if? What if the plague killed 99 percent of the population instead? How would the world have changed? This is a look at the history that could have been–a history that stretches across centuries, a history that sees dynasties and nations rise and crumble, a history that spans horrible famine and magnificent innovation. These are the years of rice and salt.

This is a universe where the first ship to reach the New World travels across the Pacific Ocean from China and colonization spreads from west to east. This is a universe where the Industrial Revolution is triggered by the world’s greatest scientific minds–in India. This is a universe where Buddhism and Islam are the most influential and practiced religions and Christianity is merely a historical footnote.

Through the eyes of soldiers and kings, explorers and philosophers, slaves and scholars, Robinson renders an immensely rich tapestry. Rewriting history and probing the most profound questions as only he can, Robinson shines his extraordinary light on the place of religion, culture, power, and even love on such an Earth. From the steppes of Asia to the shores of the Western Hemisphere, from the age of Akbar to the present and beyond, here is the stunning story of the creation of a new world.


From the Hardcover edition.]]> 2002 4 1 false Sat Jun 13 00:00:00 -0700 2009 Tue Sep 29 20:33:07 -0700 2009 Tue Sep 29 20:33:55 -0700 2009 1 more...]]> 43010897 1862898 2723 0553580078 9780553580075 155 <![CDATA[The Years of Rice and Salt]]> http://photo.goodreads.com/books/1161516933m/2723.jpg http://photo.goodreads.com/books/1161516933s/2723.jpg http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/2723.The_Years_of_Rice_and_Salt 3.70 949 trilogy to vivid life, bestselling author KIM STANLEY ROBINSON boldly imagines an alternate history of the last seven hundred years. In his grandest work yet, the acclaimed storyteller constructs a world vastly different from the one we know....

The Years of Rice and Salt

It is the fourteenth century and one of the most apocalyptic events in human history is set to occur–the coming of the Black Death. History teaches us that a third of Europe’s population was destroyed. But what if? What if the plague killed 99 percent of the population instead? How would the world have changed? This is a look at the history that could have been–a history that stretches across centuries, a history that sees dynasties and nations rise and crumble, a history that spans horrible famine and magnificent innovation. These are the years of rice and salt.

This is a universe where the first ship to reach the New World travels across the Pacific Ocean from China and colonization spreads from west to east. This is a universe where the Industrial Revolution is triggered by the world’s greatest scientific minds–in India. This is a universe where Buddhism and Islam are the most influential and practiced religions and Christianity is merely a historical footnote.

Through the eyes of soldiers and kings, explorers and philosophers, slaves and scholars, Robinson renders an immensely rich tapestry. Rewriting history and probing the most profound questions as only he can, Robinson shines his extraordinary light on the place of religion, culture, power, and even love on such an Earth. From the steppes of Asia to the shores of the Western Hemisphere, from the age of Akbar to the present and beyond, here is the stunning story of the creation of a new world.


From the Hardcover edition.]]> 2002 0 0 true Wed Jan 14 08:43:49 -0800 2009 Sat Jan 17 09:02:38 -0800 2009 more...]]> 64416328 2058253 2723 0553580078 9780553580075 155 <![CDATA[The Years of Rice and Salt]]> http://photo.goodreads.com/books/1161516933m/2723.jpg http://photo.goodreads.com/books/1161516933s/2723.jpg http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/2723.The_Years_of_Rice_and_Salt 3.70 949 trilogy to vivid life, bestselling author KIM STANLEY ROBINSON boldly imagines an alternate history of the last seven hundred years. In his grandest work yet, the acclaimed storyteller constructs a world vastly different from the one we know....

The Years of Rice and Salt

It is the fourteenth century and one of the most apocalyptic events in human history is set to occur–the coming of the Black Death. History teaches us that a third of Europe’s population was destroyed. But what if? What if the plague killed 99 percent of the population instead? How would the world have changed? This is a look at the history that could have been–a history that stretches across centuries, a history that sees dynasties and nations rise and crumble, a history that spans horrible famine and magnificent innovation. These are the years of rice and salt.

This is a universe where the first ship to reach the New World travels across the Pacific Ocean from China and colonization spreads from west to east. This is a universe where the Industrial Revolution is triggered by the world’s greatest scientific minds–in India. This is a universe where Buddhism and Islam are the most influential and practiced religions and Christianity is merely a historical footnote.

Through the eyes of soldiers and kings, explorers and philosophers, slaves and scholars, Robinson renders an immensely rich tapestry. Rewriting history and probing the most profound questions as only he can, Robinson shines his extraordinary light on the place of religion, culture, power, and even love on such an Earth. From the steppes of Asia to the shores of the Western Hemisphere, from the age of Akbar to the present and beyond, here is the stunning story of the creation of a new world.


From the Hardcover edition.]]> 2002 4 0 false Sun Aug 09 00:00:00 -0700 2009 Tue Jul 21 14:35:58 -0700 2009 Sun Aug 09 11:39:27 -0700 2009 more...]]> 8 http://www.goodreads.com/book_link/follow/8?book_id=41143