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Moonrise
(Moonbase Saga #1)
by
There is a dream called Moonbase, nurtured by ex-astronaut Paul Stavenger and his wife, Joanna Masterson Stavenger, head of the powerful Masterson Corporation.
There is a future of astonishing possibilities and vital technological development waiting on a lifeless world of astonishing contrasts, where sub-frigid darkness abuts the blood-boiling light -- a future threatened ...more
There is a future of astonishing possibilities and vital technological development waiting on a lifeless world of astonishing contrasts, where sub-frigid darkness abuts the blood-boiling light -- a future threatened ...more
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Paperback, 576 pages
Published
March 1st 1998
by Harper Voyager
(first published 1996)
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Start your review of Moonrise (The Grand Tour, #5; Moonbase Saga, #1)
So slow that I had to fight not to fall asleep while reading it. Bova is very hit or miss with me.
The hits are Mars, Jupiter, and Venus. This one however, was a big swing and a miss.
The hits are Mars, Jupiter, and Venus. This one however, was a big swing and a miss.
Moonrise, by Ben Bova, is a favorite of mine because it was the novel that finally convinced me that Hard Science-Fiction could be just as entertaining as the action-packed space opera and military science fiction that I have always loved.
In Ben Bova's Grand Tour series, of which this is an early example, the action is confined only to technology that is theoretically within our reach now, the colonisation of the solar system and the actions of the human race as a whole. There are no aliens to f ...more
In Ben Bova's Grand Tour series, of which this is an early example, the action is confined only to technology that is theoretically within our reach now, the colonisation of the solar system and the actions of the human race as a whole. There are no aliens to f ...more
At the dawn of the twenty first century, a scientific endeavour might make Masterson Aerospace the most profitable company in history. Nanotechnology will help the company extract resources from the regolith on the Moon.
But wars have always been fought over global resources, so why should it be surprising that war would loom once more?
Bova's future history is believable because his characters are believable. Society may evolve, but humans are still driven by primal instinct and it is this that d ...more
But wars have always been fought over global resources, so why should it be surprising that war would loom once more?
Bova's future history is believable because his characters are believable. Society may evolve, but humans are still driven by primal instinct and it is this that d ...more
Listening to Ben Bova books while I exercise has been a great combination of fun and works. Truth be told, it is the books that keep me going. Being witness to the history of humankind’s migration to the stars is truly humbling. Bobas characters are compelling and consistent. And he is not afraid to kill off a character for the plot.
Oh. And I soooo want nanomachines!!
Oh. And I soooo want nanomachines!!
Finally continuing on in The Grand Tour... I didn’t realize that this was part of a “saga” until I searched for it to mark it read, but that is feel of this book - following a family and it’s foibles and achievements on Moon Base. Definitely enjoyed it!
Good material on moon base speculations, but very dated in terms of sexism, misogyny, and xenophobia.
EDIT: Finished 2012-04-19. Went between Kindle and iPod (mp3 audiobook) to fit this book into my schedule. I have older-version audiobook -- Dick Hill is an EXCELLENT performer, as noted below -- so this version of Moonrise works best. I just began the sequel, Moonwar, and the narrator (performer) is not as good (the extra engineering -- voice effects, see below -- is also absent).
Bova, because of his background, is noted to incorporate substantial real science into his stories and plots. I wish ...more
Bova, because of his background, is noted to incorporate substantial real science into his stories and plots. I wish ...more
For those of us who were just the right age when the first astronauts stepped onto the moon, who have never stopped being spellbound by the thought of setting foot on other worlds, who still believe humanity will make it to the stars . . . this book is for us.
Bova is at his best when describing the scientific and technological aspects of a lunar colony, such as nanotechnology and the very real dangers of living on an atmosphereless rock. But he can also wax poetic when describing the lunar land ...more
Bova is at his best when describing the scientific and technological aspects of a lunar colony, such as nanotechnology and the very real dangers of living on an atmosphereless rock. But he can also wax poetic when describing the lunar land ...more
This is the story of the early development of the new frontier on the moon, bound up by the lives of a far knit family. Tedious in places, but worth the read. Along with the story of development on the lunar surface, is the story of the triumph of fanaticism in the world. On the moon there is hope, on the earth despair. The truth of religion trumps liberty worldwide.
Whilst I quie enjoyed the story I found the writing a little too simplistic a lot of the time. Too many inconsistencies that bugged me as I read through this novel. I'd recommend it though, as long as you are someone that can get over some annoying aspects of the story telling.
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This is a posthumous recommendation from a beloved close friend who begged me to read this years ago. Sadly, it’s a request I didn’t get around to until some five months after his death. I wish now I had gotten to it sooner; I can only imagine the great discussions we would have had.
Greg Masterson is dead. He either died by his own hand or someone murdered him. His unstable son, Greg II, believes somebody killed his father. He’s sure he knows who it was. The killer surely was Paul Stavenger, an ...more
Greg Masterson is dead. He either died by his own hand or someone murdered him. His unstable son, Greg II, believes somebody killed his father. He’s sure he knows who it was. The killer surely was Paul Stavenger, an ...more
A bit of a jump in focus and topic from Mars, Moonrise is more similar to Privateers et al (the Dan Randolph books), with more of a focus on corporate structure over science.
Amusingly, despite the title/series, Moonrise is only tangentially about the Moonbase, despite a large chunk of the book taking place there. Really, it's about the bizarre broken family and corporate dynamic of Masterson Aerospace and the rise of nanotechnology in Ben Bova's universe. From what I remember of other books in ...more
Amusingly, despite the title/series, Moonrise is only tangentially about the Moonbase, despite a large chunk of the book taking place there. Really, it's about the bizarre broken family and corporate dynamic of Masterson Aerospace and the rise of nanotechnology in Ben Bova's universe. From what I remember of other books in ...more
If I could put 4.5 stars I would have! I loved this book! Bova at times reminded me of Michael Crichton, at time Tom Clancy, and at times... I got a Hitchcock Psycho vibe. This is the third Bova book I've read and I am beginning to think he is the most under-rated Sci-fi author ever! I was smack in the middle of this book when news broke of his passing. I am saddened I didn't find him sooner!
The only reason I didn't or wouldn't give this a 5 star is... every character is a terrible person... I'm ...more
The only reason I didn't or wouldn't give this a 5 star is... every character is a terrible person... I'm ...more
Another hefty sci-fi tome from Bova which details and epic struggle to maintain a base upon the Moon. The usual Bova mechanics are in place; a brave hero, carefully thought out companions, company power struggles and family feuds. Of course the future technology is well detailed and explained, Bova is brilliant at creating believable science fiction scenarios. The action and suspense is well crafted with interesting characters and plot components. Moonrise is no short tale, at six hundred pages
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I picked this up in a used bin hoping for a bit of summer fluff, so I did not bring very high expectations, but this was pretty bad. The action moved along well enough, but the characters were all 1-dimensional, and Bova reveals an embarrassing sexism as he tries (unsuccessfully) to paint strong women characters. As if that were not enough, the science is a little patchwork; I found myself checking and rechecking the publication date, trying to figure out why, writing in the late 90s, he seems s
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This is an early entry in Bova's Grand Tour, and one of the better ones at that. Paul and Joanna Stavenger are desperately trying to keep their vision of colonizing the moon alive while many on Earth (as well as members of their own family) are doing their best to sabotage this mission. Bova again mixes drama with hardcore science fiction to create a suspenseful story about the future of mankind's exploration of the moon as well as the solar system. I really enjoyed this one.
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While I enjoyed the survivalist aspect of the first 2 parts, this book failed for me in so many ways. The characters are like cardboard cutouts of villains, heroes and conflicted in-betweens. Most of the science in the book is fun and interesting but the corporate backstabbing with a murder-plot sewn in made me feel like I was reading a James Patterson book rather than a Sci-fi novel.
To top it all off, the final act is pathetically silly.
(Disclaimer: never actually read a James Patterson book)
To top it all off, the final act is pathetically silly.
(Disclaimer: never actually read a James Patterson book)
With Ben Bova's passing, I just had to dip into one of his "Grand Tour" series. I loved the thrill of science fiction adventure that first called to me in my teens, but...OMG, do not read Bova for deep characterization/relationships or enlightened views on gender or...well, I could go on, but I won't. Give Bova his due, for that which he does well. But I am not particularly drawn to read anymore.
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Needs to lose about 20%, but given the ludicrous villains, who might as well be twirling their moustaches at various points, probably not a salvageable novel. There are some vaguely interesting bits, nothing that hasn't been done elsewhere and better. If you're determined to read it, be prepared to skim read large sections of the book.
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I really enjoyed this book. When I read the (2) books in the Moonbase Saga, I had no idea they were part of a larger collection; the The Grand Tour. I was just happy there was a continuation of Moonrise ... now I have to look into the Grand Tour. Loved the Moonbase Saga.
There are flawed people, they die. More flawed but noble people, they die. Perfectly good characters, they die as well (I'm the guy in the episode who dies to prove how serious the situation is...) I feel like I'm stuck in Homecoming Saga all over again.
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As always Ben Bova crafted another great story with interesting characters and twist plots. I really enjoyed this book and certainly gets you thinking of the future political landscape in space and nanotechnology. If you like SciFi BenBova's books are a must read.
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Excellent science fiction. Bova never disappoints.
Interesting take on the future of the moon with slightly prescient political overtones - just the other side is suppressing freedoms than what is predicted.
Meh, wasn’t good, wasn’t bad. More drama than sci-fi. Not Bova’s magnum opus.
If you enjoy Ben Bova, you will thoroughly enjoy this book. His timeless writing allows this book to be as entertaining and relevant as it was when it was written.
A good story :-)
Even though a little dated, the plot is interesting: moonbase, nanomachines, mega corporations, ...
It is worth a read.
Even though a little dated, the plot is interesting: moonbase, nanomachines, mega corporations, ...
It is worth a read.
Felt more like a suspense /political / family drama novel vs sci fi.
Another Bova Grand Tour book filled with unstable rich people and dysfunctional sex.
I came across this book after reading Km Stanley Robinson's Mars Trilogy, and I was hungry for more great sci-fi. Unfortunately (for Bova and for me), this book was transparently thin. Light on the science, short on the fiction. The story took far too long to develop. The book could have been 350 pages instead of 550. The characters were one-dimensional and their motivations were far too obvious. The conflict was contrived, and the story itself could have gone deeper on many levels. There were p
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| topics | posts | views | last activity | |
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| Goodreads Librari...: Moonrise (Moonbase Saga #1) by Ben Bova | 5 | 12 | 03. September, 02:24 Uhr |
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Ben Bova was born on November 8, 1932 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. In 1953, while attending Temple University, he married Rosa Cucinotta, they had a son and a daughter. He would later divorce Rosa in 1974. In that same year he married Barbara Berson Rose.
Bova was an avid fencer and organized Avco Everett's fencing club. He was an environmentalist, but rejected Luddism.
Bova was a technical writer ...more
Bova was an avid fencer and organized Avco Everett's fencing club. He was an environmentalist, but rejected Luddism.
Bova was a technical writer ...more
Other books in the series
Moonbase Saga
(2 books)
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