What do you think?
Rate this book
EarthCent Ambassador #20
History Night on Union Station
Emigration from Earth has tapered off, leading to a shortage of cheap human labor on the tunnel network, Daniel attempts to organize a job fair for members of the Conference of Sovereign Human Communities, but the aliens and everybody else on Union Station want in on the action. Kelly decides that it's time EarthCent begins documenting the history of the diplomatic service and begins her own search for a historian, while the employees of SBJ Fashions try to deal with rapid expansion by outsourcing and hiring new employees, but can Baa find a human with enough magical talent be her apprentice?
- GenresScience Fiction
242 pages, Kindle Edition
Published July 3, 2022
98 people are currently reading
21 people want to read
About the author
E.M. Foner
60 books247 followersI wrote Date Night on Union Station while taking a break from work on a science fiction epic I've been struggling with for years. The goal was to cheer myself up and to find out if there is still an audience for a science fiction comedy that gets its laughs from dialogue and funny situations rather than from gross-outs and shocks. As many readers have pointed out, the EarthCent series could be rated PG under the old fashioned system, no bloodshed, no graphic sex, no four letter words. And after years of imagining a galaxy for my epic in which multiple human civilizations are at war with each other, it did me a world of good to write about a galaxy where most people are just trying to make a living and find some joy in life. I received so many requests to extend the Date Night universe into a series that I put aside my epic for an extended period to write a sequel, Alien Night on Union Station. The events take place five years after the conclusion of Date Night, and the plot involves a mix of business, diplomacy, gaming and family relations. As a bonus, we finally get to meet Kelly's mother. After the positive response to Alien Night, I wrote a third book for the series, High Priest of Union Station, which is currently in the editing stage and due out in mid-October. I just started a book that extends the EarthCent galaxy with a different mission and cast of characters, though they may intersect at some point.
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 20 of 20 reviews
October 8, 2022
I just really love this series. This time we meet a new character, Ofer, a human being raised entirely by AI with a penchant for Marxism. His interactions with the other characters alone is worth the read. A new project built around Aisha's hit show Let's Make Friends is discussed as is how to progress toward a human empire. This book has the usual trademark's of Foner's work, great character development and a thought provoking storyline. These books are Science Fiction with a difference in that they show us a world where very different people can come together and thrive. I always find them extremely hopeful and uplifting. If you could use some of that, pick up the prequel "Destiny: Union Station and join us on the journey.
October 12, 2022
Another superb Earthcent Ambassador Book
Another great story, Kelly and the gang continue to prosper and end up with an earthcent historian for Union station. We meet several new characters, one raised totally by AI in a wondering space ship and due to his education by AI has become a committed Marxist. We get several good discussions on various economic systems and we see the fallacy of book learning untouched by real world (think business experiences, think academics at various universities). At any rate we are exposed to the normal great character development and humor. The author has a setup for more books on union station and I hope he writes them.
One thing, if you are starting out you need to read the previous books in the series else you will miss the back story on the various characters. The author does not spend half the book on backstory as many do when writing a series, he respects his readers.
I highly recommend this book, another wonderful, uplifting story.
Another great story, Kelly and the gang continue to prosper and end up with an earthcent historian for Union station. We meet several new characters, one raised totally by AI in a wondering space ship and due to his education by AI has become a committed Marxist. We get several good discussions on various economic systems and we see the fallacy of book learning untouched by real world (think business experiences, think academics at various universities). At any rate we are exposed to the normal great character development and humor. The author has a setup for more books on union station and I hope he writes them.
One thing, if you are starting out you need to read the previous books in the series else you will miss the back story on the various characters. The author does not spend half the book on backstory as many do when writing a series, he respects his readers.
I highly recommend this book, another wonderful, uplifting story.
July 17, 2022
Lovely as always
It’s really hard to describe why this long series is so good. Instead of your usual space opera themes of spaceships battling over huge distances and aliens who always turn out to be hostile, this series envisions the human race as an infant foster child to a universe of much older, brusque, but quietly nurturing older alien civilizations. The characters are likable and interesting and this book carries on that tradition adding a young man raised by a spaceship’s artificial intelligence who fixated on Marxism. Add a witch and her invisible cat, an entrepreneurial spaceship, familiar characters who are sadly getting older as the series progresses, and you have a story in a series that is respite in our volatile time.
It’s really hard to describe why this long series is so good. Instead of your usual space opera themes of spaceships battling over huge distances and aliens who always turn out to be hostile, this series envisions the human race as an infant foster child to a universe of much older, brusque, but quietly nurturing older alien civilizations. The characters are likable and interesting and this book carries on that tradition adding a young man raised by a spaceship’s artificial intelligence who fixated on Marxism. Add a witch and her invisible cat, an entrepreneurial spaceship, familiar characters who are sadly getting older as the series progresses, and you have a story in a series that is respite in our volatile time.
July 26, 2022
once again we walk the streets of Union Station,
many of the people we know are there, though i have to admit given the number of them i did begin to lose track of who was whom , but it must be reaching the end for some of them as the earthcent Ambassador is in her late sixties and her husband must be in his seventies, the Aliens live much longer lives so will remain, new characters are introduced giving the plot interesting twists,
and hints that what really happening are given.
i devoured this novel, and have the sad task of waiting for the next to be written…
many of the people we know are there, though i have to admit given the number of them i did begin to lose track of who was whom , but it must be reaching the end for some of them as the earthcent Ambassador is in her late sixties and her husband must be in his seventies, the Aliens live much longer lives so will remain, new characters are introduced giving the plot interesting twists,
and hints that what really happening are given.
i devoured this novel, and have the sad task of waiting for the next to be written…
February 27, 2025
EarthCent ambassador Kelly McAllister wants to document, not the past, but history as it is being made among the human settlements on alien worlds. But why has there been such a demand for human labor in alien empires? It has been found that relegating all the work to AI has led to a species’ loss of purpose and eventual extinction. I think that there is some sort of contradiction here, but another great episode in the Union Station saga.
July 8, 2022
Ack! E.M. Foner can’t write these fast enough!
Reading one of Foner’s Union Station books is like having a surprising conversation with an old friend: you thought you’d heard it all, but then he tells you a whopper! Love the familiarity combined with clever twists and surprises as the new generation takes over. Keep them coming, E.M.!
Reading one of Foner’s Union Station books is like having a surprising conversation with an old friend: you thought you’d heard it all, but then he tells you a whopper! Love the familiarity combined with clever twists and surprises as the new generation takes over. Keep them coming, E.M.!
July 14, 2022
One of the best in series
First off, thanks to M. Foner for slipping in explanations of how each character fits into the storyline and their relationship to the other characters. After 20 books and the other couple hundred books I've read since the Union Station was first introduced to us, it's hard to keep track of everyone.
Another fun and relaxing installment in the series.
First off, thanks to M. Foner for slipping in explanations of how each character fits into the storyline and their relationship to the other characters. After 20 books and the other couple hundred books I've read since the Union Station was first introduced to us, it's hard to keep track of everyone.
Another fun and relaxing installment in the series.
July 27, 2022
New Characters and Old Friends
I enjoy this series so much I'm not sure I can be impartial. The author, E.M Foner continues to add interesting twists and plots that are both fun and thought provoking while moving humanity toward true independence (?) I hope he never gets tired of it because I don't think I ever will.
I enjoy this series so much I'm not sure I can be impartial. The author, E.M Foner continues to add interesting twists and plots that are both fun and thought provoking while moving humanity toward true independence (?) I hope he never gets tired of it because I don't think I ever will.
July 6, 2022
A couple of new characters
But not much happens. On the other hand, not a ton of recap either, which is a good thing. I continue to find them compulsively readable, which is not bad for 20 books into a series not counting spin-offs.
But not much happens. On the other hand, not a ton of recap either, which is a good thing. I continue to find them compulsively readable, which is not bad for 20 books into a series not counting spin-offs.
July 8, 2022
I really like Union Station books!
I call this series lighthearted but not light headed! I recommend starting with the first book in the series, 'Date Night on Union Station'. It grows in the telling, so it's wise to read the books in sequence. Enjoy!
I call this series lighthearted but not light headed! I recommend starting with the first book in the series, 'Date Night on Union Station'. It grows in the telling, so it's wise to read the books in sequence. Enjoy!
July 9, 2022
Not expected
This book read like a textbook on business and government! Boring and hard for us dummies to understand. It seemed way off from the previous books in the series. Sorry if this review is critical, but really!
Fred
This book read like a textbook on business and government! Boring and hard for us dummies to understand. It seemed way off from the previous books in the series. Sorry if this review is critical, but really!
Fred
July 10, 2022
Keeps getting better
I would love to be alive in the Union Station world. It's the best future for earth and humans I can imagine. Each book and spin offs add to the overall story and each book has lots of chuckle and ah ha moments .
I would love to be alive in the Union Station world. It's the best future for earth and humans I can imagine. Each book and spin offs add to the overall story and each book has lots of chuckle and ah ha moments .
July 10, 2022
Book 20 in the series
Kelly and the rest of the crew are back in another interesting story. The plot follows the younger generation of characters as they find their places on Union Station and in tunnel network society. A great read.
Kelly and the rest of the crew are back in another interesting story. The plot follows the younger generation of characters as they find their places on Union Station and in tunnel network society. A great read.
July 15, 2022
Historical reference?
Steeped in business and government language it's an involved read. However overall enjoyable and contained enough plot planks to see that the author intends to continue the story.
Steeped in business and government language it's an involved read. However overall enjoyable and contained enough plot planks to see that the author intends to continue the story.
July 27, 2022
Fun new instalment
The unlikely Human Empire continues to grow, as Kelly learns the value of having your own historian, and a Marxist wolf boy raised by an alien AI learns that the business of the Tunnel Network is business, and the Proletariat is doing just fine without his help.
The unlikely Human Empire continues to grow, as Kelly learns the value of having your own historian, and a Marxist wolf boy raised by an alien AI learns that the business of the Tunnel Network is business, and the Proletariat is doing just fine without his help.
July 28, 2022
What a great series!
It was nice to get back to a story where Kelly is one of the main characters. I love how she manages to end up with a great result despite being a step behind the "alien" species. A terrific series of books. Ready for the next one!
It was nice to get back to a story where Kelly is one of the main characters. I love how she manages to end up with a great result despite being a step behind the "alien" species. A terrific series of books. Ready for the next one!
July 7, 2022
A cast of thousands.
I am going to make up a dramatis personoe. This will allow me to keep the humans ,aliens, cayles and robots straight. Good story though.
I am going to make up a dramatis personoe. This will allow me to keep the humans ,aliens, cayles and robots straight. Good story though.
July 12, 2022
Loved it. Always excited when a new book comes out in these interrelated series. Highly recommended
July 24, 2022
FONER'S MOJO'S BACK
Some later books have been tedious, with little novelty in action or characters. This one introduces new characters and several new plot tracks. Very enjoyable.
Some later books have been tedious, with little novelty in action or characters. This one introduces new characters and several new plot tracks. Very enjoyable.
May 31, 2025
Foner continues to enhance his universe where weapons aren't sexy, there is no war, and sentients who don't like each other simply manage to avoid contact. For newcomers to Foner's work, there is no war because the Stryx, the mighty Artificial Intelligence that has organized a portion of the galaxy, doesn't allow it. Most personal weapons are legal, but no one abuses them because the Stryx are so farsighted that they can head off most dangerous situations.
The many aliens in Stryx space abide by the rules because it is good for business. Humans have a harder time because evolution hasn't had time to tame the aggression that sheer survival has built into them. Humans are the new kids on the block and they have a lot to learn from both the aliens and the Stryx.
That may seem like a dull proposition for sci/fi books, but Foner manages to make it very interesting. His books are chock-full of dialog that most intelligent readers should find engaging. His characters are developed well enough over his two-dozen-plus books that hanging out with them is something to look forward to.
"History Night" takes a look at the importance of open-minded historians to a culture, and along the way takes a particular poke at communism, which has the side effects of stifling both individuality and competitive business. A new character, Ofer, is introduced to push the tale forward. He was raised in solitude by an AI and knows a lot about the theories of community but has no experience that might or might not bear them out. He gets educated as the book progresses.
Man! I think I have managed to make Foner's books seem unbearably dull. I'm sorry about that, E. M. They aren't. They are clever and thoughtful, and given the opportunity, I would definitely move to a Stryx station right now. Or perhaps I would live on Flower, the cantankerous roving spaceship lorded over by an Alien AI. Space never seemed so inviting.
The many aliens in Stryx space abide by the rules because it is good for business. Humans have a harder time because evolution hasn't had time to tame the aggression that sheer survival has built into them. Humans are the new kids on the block and they have a lot to learn from both the aliens and the Stryx.
That may seem like a dull proposition for sci/fi books, but Foner manages to make it very interesting. His books are chock-full of dialog that most intelligent readers should find engaging. His characters are developed well enough over his two-dozen-plus books that hanging out with them is something to look forward to.
"History Night" takes a look at the importance of open-minded historians to a culture, and along the way takes a particular poke at communism, which has the side effects of stifling both individuality and competitive business. A new character, Ofer, is introduced to push the tale forward. He was raised in solitude by an AI and knows a lot about the theories of community but has no experience that might or might not bear them out. He gets educated as the book progresses.
Man! I think I have managed to make Foner's books seem unbearably dull. I'm sorry about that, E. M. They aren't. They are clever and thoughtful, and given the opportunity, I would definitely move to a Stryx station right now. Or perhaps I would live on Flower, the cantankerous roving spaceship lorded over by an Alien AI. Space never seemed so inviting.
Displaying 1 - 20 of 20 reviews