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The Human Division #4
A Voice in the Wilderness
Albert Birnbaum was once one of the biggest political talk show hosts around, but these days hes watching his career enter a death spiral. A stranger offers a solution to his woes, promising to put him back on top. Its everything Birnbaum wants, but is there a catch? And does Birnbaum actually care if there is?
36 pages, Kindle Edition
First published February 5, 2013
91 people are currently reading
2089 people want to read
About the author
John Scalzi
186 books28.7k followersJohn Scalzi, having declared his absolute boredom with biographies, disappeared in a puff of glitter and lilac scent.
(If you want to contact John, using the mail function here is a really bad way to do it. Go to his site and use the contact information you find there.)
(If you want to contact John, using the mail function here is a really bad way to do it. Go to his site and use the contact information you find there.)
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 96 reviews
August 3, 2020
Unexpected!
Al Bernbaum is a talk radio host who is losing his audience as well as his influence.
With just a few paranoid, government conspiracy fanatics left listening to him, his show is in increasing trouble of being canceled.
One day on his way to meet his new mistress, he is approached by a stranger who seems to know a lot about him. And a lot about what he does with his free time.
The man offers to help Birnbaum increase his audience and bring back the glory of his past.
Birnbaum is more than happy to take him up on his offer, but he never asks to see the contract...
Al Bernbaum is a talk radio host who is losing his audience as well as his influence.
With just a few paranoid, government conspiracy fanatics left listening to him, his show is in increasing trouble of being canceled.
One day on his way to meet his new mistress, he is approached by a stranger who seems to know a lot about him. And a lot about what he does with his free time.
The man offers to help Birnbaum increase his audience and bring back the glory of his past.
Birnbaum is more than happy to take him up on his offer, but he never asks to see the contract...
February 5, 2013
This is my favorite installment so far. Birnbaum accepts an offer to reboot his flagging political info-tainment show & has a more pivotal role in the outcome than he expected. No spoilers but I do look forward to the next & wonder if Michael Washington is an alias & who he works for really.
February 5, 2013
Three and a half stars maybe.
This is a cute short story with many classic Scalzi tropes, but not up to the standard of wit and wisdom long-time Scalzi readers expect. Undoubtedly necessary in the greater scheme of the series but, of itself, forgettable.
Still, a good read.
This is a cute short story with many classic Scalzi tropes, but not up to the standard of wit and wisdom long-time Scalzi readers expect. Undoubtedly necessary in the greater scheme of the series but, of itself, forgettable.
Still, a good read.
March 31, 2013
Hmm. Not such an interesting chapter. It furthers the plot, in the same way as the second episode, but it doesn't include characters to hold on to, to stay interested in. It's a clever enough chapter, but I wasn't emotionally engaged at all. There weren't even references back to the crew of the Clarke, which might've helped.
September 9, 2017
I enjoyed the series more as I went through each episode. At first I struggled because it seemed like random stories set in this universe. But as it continued and I realized it was interwoven story lines I enjoyed them more. The main characters were enjoyable. It's pretty traditional sci fi fare but still worth the read.
June 28, 2021
For the first time, the series of short stories takes the reader to earth where a struggling radio show personality is encouraged to reverse his declining ratings by championing the program by which elderly earthlings are rejuvenated and sent to the stars to fight for the Colonial Union. It’s a controversial move—the Union is not popular on earth at this time—and the results are…surprising.
If you liked this review, you can find more at www.gilbertstack.com/reviews.
If you liked this review, you can find more at www.gilbertstack.com/reviews.
February 6, 2013
The fourth entry in Scalzi's The Human Division provides a vision of what is happening on Earth now that they are aware of the the Colonial Union and the forces arrayed against them spread across the galaxy. The dialogue is tight and quick, the wit is well written and the secret and mysterious deal that talk show host (and main character) Birnbaum accepts is intriguing and enticing all at the same time.
Of special note is the back and forth between Birnbaum and his assistant. The rapid fire barbs and friendly insults are very well written and just as believable. This is the best dialogue in the series thus far, and is well worth the price of admission.
I'm very much enjoying this serialized novel and hope that other authors will think about using this format in the future. It gives me something to look forward to each Tuesday, and I'm happy to read the entire episode on my afternoon lunch break. It's fun and reminds me of my love of comic books in my teens...the waiting for the next issue and wondering where my favorite authors and artists would take the story. Scalzi is tapping into that nostalgia, and I appreciate it.
Of special note is the back and forth between Birnbaum and his assistant. The rapid fire barbs and friendly insults are very well written and just as believable. This is the best dialogue in the series thus far, and is well worth the price of admission.
I'm very much enjoying this serialized novel and hope that other authors will think about using this format in the future. It gives me something to look forward to each Tuesday, and I'm happy to read the entire episode on my afternoon lunch break. It's fun and reminds me of my love of comic books in my teens...the waiting for the next issue and wondering where my favorite authors and artists would take the story. Scalzi is tapping into that nostalgia, and I appreciate it.
June 26, 2014
Brilliant! This is why Scalzi is world famous and I work 9-5 everyday.
So in this episode we're back on earth still with the question of "Should Earth be with the Colonial Union? Or separate from it?" and obviously people don't learn from history - whoever controls the media, controls everything.
All new characters in this short episode but all wonderful characters that were beautifully written.
Can't wait for the next episode/issue/part...
So in this episode we're back on earth still with the question of "Should Earth be with the Colonial Union? Or separate from it?" and obviously people don't learn from history - whoever controls the media, controls everything.
All new characters in this short episode but all wonderful characters that were beautifully written.
Can't wait for the next episode/issue/part...
January 27, 2013
Here we see a bit of what's happening back on Earth through the story of a fading audio talk show host who is promised fame and notoriety if he will espouse the cause of The Colonial Union. What he doesn't know, however, is who is really backing him, or why.
February 14, 2013
Oh ha ha, I get it. He's like Rush Limbaugh. How funny that political discourse will be the same 200 years after we've expanded into space. What an imagination.*
*is not in evidence.
*is not in evidence.
May 21, 2024
( Format : Audiobook )
"Unfinished business."
As arrogant but popular talk show host is losing his ratings and fearful for his job so begins a new on air crusade.
Read by William Curtis again, this is a fun and very quick read, chapter four in the series Human Division. Any in the series can be read as,stand alone but the entire series shows glimpses which, combined, building a bigger worldsystem.
All are Great fun and recommended.
"Unfinished business."
As arrogant but popular talk show host is losing his ratings and fearful for his job so begins a new on air crusade.
Read by William Curtis again, this is a fun and very quick read, chapter four in the series Human Division. Any in the series can be read as,stand alone but the entire series shows glimpses which, combined, building a bigger worldsystem.
All are Great fun and recommended.
June 12, 2019
Less interesting than book 3, but not as bad as book 2; the story was a least a bit interesting. Again though, it felt like an entire piece of world building to establish something that could be described with one sentence, only to then drop it all and move on.
Also, the Scalzi penchant for having universal political dynamics that just seem far fetched came more to the fore in this book again.
Also, the Scalzi penchant for having universal political dynamics that just seem far fetched came more to the fore in this book again.
May 8, 2023
A talk show host known as the Voice in the Wilderness sees his numbers starting to drop. He meets with a mysterious man who informs him of an upcoming but unknown meeting with the big boss. Afterwards, the guy gets him to say certain things about the current government and the numbers go through the roof. A twist in the end comes as somewhat of a surprise. Recommended.
October 11, 2017
Fun. As the previous two stories were a bit disappointing, this one is unpretentious and fun. The story of a jerk, losing money, credibility and fame due his abuse of jerkness, when he has an opportunity to capitalize and focus this jerkitute towards an overall jerky quest. Barely sci-fi.
July 21, 2018
While it was a bit darker due to the ending, it fit an important role in the narrative. As always it well written with Scalzi's good ear for making the future sound much like the present, enough to easily see it!
July 30, 2024
The story propels itself along with today’s headlines. I am not sure if it was written before Trump was shot or after, but what a great way to tag along. And the conspiracy theory of a cabal , I love a great conspiracy theory and this one has always had me inthralled . Great story I loved it.
May 29, 2019
This was brilliant, reflecting our populist times via media. Smashing stuff! The plot thickens!
October 9, 2020
A clever take on how media figures are vulnerable to manipulation in pursuit of ratings
November 23, 2020
Food for thought: when ur voice in the wilderness disappears will search for another or will you be your own voice?
June 22, 2021
Another good one
October 29, 2023
Geopolitical manoeuvring and machination, and all to the benefit of Al Birnbaum or is it? Or is it a nefarious global government cabal conspiracy, that’s going to get someone killed?
January 24, 2024
Another chapter of the whole
February 20, 2024
A great unique plot this episode
What an interesting Twilight Zone like twist. Really good. The long arc of this series is really coming together. I like it.
What an interesting Twilight Zone like twist. Really good. The long arc of this series is really coming together. I like it.
October 14, 2024
This would be a fitting path for several podcasters and pundits I am familiar with.
October 19, 2024
Talk show host is promised fame and fortune if he changes popular opinion to reverse Earth's broken relations with the Colonial Union.
Read
September 30, 2025I'm really enjoying John Scalzy's works - funny, bright, with some suspense. He has some deep reaching idea.
November 3, 2025
Wow. Rereading Fall 2025... makes you think about similar events recently. 😬
Read
February 3, 2026Read as part of Human Division book
July 1, 2013
This review is for the entirety of The Human Division, comprised of The B-Team; Walk the Plank; We Only Need the Heads; A Voice in the Wilderness; Tales From the Clarke; The Back Channel; The Dog King; The Sound of Rebellion; The Observers; This Must Be the Place; A Problem of Proportion; The Gentle Art of Cracking Heads; Earth Below, Sky Above.
My first thought about this, the latest story in the Old Man's War universe from John Scalzi, was annoyance that I hadn't read it whilst it was being released. The individual episodes each come to around 25 or 30 pages on my Nook (except for the first and last parts) and it would have been fun to read them and have the cliffhangers as it happened. In the end, though, being able to read the entire thing in one go was also pretty cool.
At the end of The Last Colony, John Perry and the Conclave revealed the nature of interstellar warfare and diplomacy to the citizens of Earth. This story details some of the fallout from that decision, dovetailing neatly with the B-team mentioned in the first episode and their attempts to remedy the diplomatic events that occur as a result. It's a welcome return to the universe from Scalzi, who has mostly stayed away from writing more tales here for the last five years (since the the publication of Zoe's Tale). I really enjoyed catching up with the universe, and the episodic nature of the story was handled extremely well.
Looking forward to reading Scalzi's next works in this direction, both from the perspective of this universe and the perspective of episodic storytelling.
My first thought about this, the latest story in the Old Man's War universe from John Scalzi, was annoyance that I hadn't read it whilst it was being released. The individual episodes each come to around 25 or 30 pages on my Nook (except for the first and last parts) and it would have been fun to read them and have the cliffhangers as it happened. In the end, though, being able to read the entire thing in one go was also pretty cool.
At the end of The Last Colony, John Perry and the Conclave revealed the nature of interstellar warfare and diplomacy to the citizens of Earth. This story details some of the fallout from that decision, dovetailing neatly with the B-team mentioned in the first episode and their attempts to remedy the diplomatic events that occur as a result. It's a welcome return to the universe from Scalzi, who has mostly stayed away from writing more tales here for the last five years (since the the publication of Zoe's Tale). I really enjoyed catching up with the universe, and the episodic nature of the story was handled extremely well.
Looking forward to reading Scalzi's next works in this direction, both from the perspective of this universe and the perspective of episodic storytelling.
February 10, 2013
A clear pattern has emerged -- I am happy on the "main story" weeks, and disappointed when the serial goes off main story. The story seems to be settling into a rhythm of one on and one off, which so far means I'm a bit disappointed every other week.
Scalzi's writing remains lively and competent. He has said on his blog that this format has been exciting to him, and listed the alternation as something he particularly likes. Because of this, I've searched myself to understand why it puts me off so much.
I think it's hard for me to attach myself to the characters in the off weeks. Birnbaum, the viewpoint character in Voice in the Wilderness, doesn't feel like a protagonist to me. He doesn't change or develop. Things happen in the story, but it feels a bit like a Twilight Zone episode -- an account of an oddity. Being very caught up in the story of the Clarke and its crew, and the fascinating, developing, well-drawn characters in that main arc, these off weeks really frustrate me.
I've thought a lot about the metaphor that this is like a television series, but this pattern doesn't actually match one. There are TV shows (like The Twilight Zone) that deal with different characters each week, and I'm OK if that's the expectation that's set. However, if you watched Firefly and didn't see a member of Mal's crew, it would be a weird episode, and maybe a difficult one. At any rate, the technique should be used sparingly. So I'm having a lot of trouble with these "interlude" weeks when we have the crew of the Clarke waiting in the wings.
A Voice in the Wilderness has mystery and world-building, but it lacks depth. It offers the reader a viewpoint character who is quite unsympathetic. I could not really invest myself here, despite knowing this episode will tie in to the larger story.
I am, however, waiting with baited breath for the Clarke to reappear.
Scalzi's writing remains lively and competent. He has said on his blog that this format has been exciting to him, and listed the alternation as something he particularly likes. Because of this, I've searched myself to understand why it puts me off so much.
I think it's hard for me to attach myself to the characters in the off weeks. Birnbaum, the viewpoint character in Voice in the Wilderness, doesn't feel like a protagonist to me. He doesn't change or develop. Things happen in the story, but it feels a bit like a Twilight Zone episode -- an account of an oddity. Being very caught up in the story of the Clarke and its crew, and the fascinating, developing, well-drawn characters in that main arc, these off weeks really frustrate me.
I've thought a lot about the metaphor that this is like a television series, but this pattern doesn't actually match one. There are TV shows (like The Twilight Zone) that deal with different characters each week, and I'm OK if that's the expectation that's set. However, if you watched Firefly and didn't see a member of Mal's crew, it would be a weird episode, and maybe a difficult one. At any rate, the technique should be used sparingly. So I'm having a lot of trouble with these "interlude" weeks when we have the crew of the Clarke waiting in the wings.
A Voice in the Wilderness has mystery and world-building, but it lacks depth. It offers the reader a viewpoint character who is quite unsympathetic. I could not really invest myself here, despite knowing this episode will tie in to the larger story.
I am, however, waiting with baited breath for the Clarke to reappear.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 96 reviews