Lunar Descent

Near Space #3

by Allen M. Steele

A tale of subversion and riot on a moon-based mining operation. The author also wrote "Orbital Decay", "Clarke County" and "Space".

Genres: Science Fiction, Fiction, Ebooks, Amazon

Hardcover

First published January 1, 1991

About the author

Before becoming a science fiction writer, Allen Steele was a journalist for newspapers and magazines in Massachusetts, New Hampshire, Missouri, and his home state of Tennessee. But science fiction was his first love, so he eventually ditched journalism and began producing that which had made him decide to become a writer in the first place.

Since then, Steele has published eighteen novels and nearly one hundred short stories. His work has received numerous accolades, including three Hugo Awards, and has been translated worldwide, mainly into languages he can’t read. He serves on the board of advisors for the Space Frontier Foundation and is a member of the Science Fiction and Fantasy Writers of America. He also belongs to Sigma, a group of science fiction writers who frequently serve as unpaid consultants on matters regarding technology and security.

Allen Steele is a lifelong space buff, and this interest has not only influenced his writing, it has taken him to some interesting places. He has witnessed numerous space shuttle launches from Kennedy Space Center and has flown NASA’s shuttle cockpit simulator at the Johnson Space Center. In 2001, he testified before the US House of Representatives in hearings regarding the future of space exploration. He would like very much to go into orbit, and hopes that one day he’ll be able to afford to do so.

Steele lives in western Massachusetts with his wife, Linda, and a continual procession of adopted dogs. He collects vintage science fiction books and magazines, spacecraft model kits, and dreams.

Reviews

[Phil · Rating 4 out of 5]

Another outstanding Near Space novel by Steele! This takes place about 8 years after Orbital Decay, so 2024 or so, and most of the main characters are 'moondogs'-- the workers on the Descartes Lunar base that mine and process lunar ore into oxygen, aluminum, and other products necessary for Skycorp to build powersats. Since Orbital Decay, the moon base has expanded to over 100 people, but they are not happy campers. Skycorp, who owns the base, recently carried out a surprise inspection of the base and found all kinds of drugs, etc., in open use and fired half of the employees, including the director. In perhaps a desperate move, Skycorp rehires an old director of Descartes-- Lester-- who we briefly meet in Orbital Decay. Lester has been on the wagon for 8 years and running a campground in New Hampshire; he is also told that they need a hard ass to bring the base up to snuff. So much for the basic plot.

Steele, as usual, has many subplots brewing, including a con man who makes it to the moon, the potential sale of the base to a Japanese firm (when this was published in 1991, Japan was considered to be the next industrial powerhouse). So we have corporate intrigue, some sort of con games, and overlapping all of it is Steele's vividly imagined base in all its functioning glory. I should reiterate that this really is a hard science fiction novel, and most of the main characters are the actual grunts who operate the base, run the factories and so forth. Yes, the tech has a slightly dated feel, but it does not detract from the story.

Lunar Descent differs in the writing style from Steele's first two novels, with each chapter being introduced by newspaper clips, interviews and so forth that took place after the events on the moon base; this is a difficult motif to pull off successfully, but Steele does an excellent job here and foreshadows upcoming events in a lucid way. There is a lot of humor here as well and some of the side stories (e.g., space pirates and the vacuum suckers) are very funny. A true pleasure to read. 4.5 stars.

[Richard · Rating 1 out of 5]

A decent yarn but limited by uninspired dialogue and a sensibility that must have already felt a bit dated when the book was first published. The critics are very correct that this is SF of a particular, classic sort, and it's easy to see how Steele has a fan base. But for me the story kept moving in directions that were not as interesting as they might have been and too easy to predict if you've read The Moon is a Harsh Mistress--a problem shared by Clarke County, Space. Again, if that's your thing, you will probably like this very much, but it's not for me.

[Tony · Rating 4 out of 5]

Lunar Decent is an alternate timeline story set in the very near future. It revolves around problems with Descartes Station on the moon, and the efforts of a reluctantly appointed general manger. I found Lunar Decent (Near Space #3) to be a nice mix of hard science and storytelling set in a creative world.

I do have a couple of negative comments, and I’ll get them out of the way first. I found the first couple of chapters filled with an annoying number of product names, almost like a sponsorship. I don’t really see the point, other than to anchor the reader in the current timeline with familiar names. I also found the plot somewhat predictable, however the story was told well enough that it didn’t have that big a negative impact.

On the positive side, I enjoyed the world that the author created. The addition of hard science, without over-describing it, kept the story moving seamlessly. I also liked the short “in between” chapters that filled out the macro details of the story without having the characters describe what is going on elsewhere. Kudos to the author for inserting himself as an interviewer in one of these chapters. By using this technique, the author kept the story moving without having to introduce other characters and backstory.

I also find it hard to believe that the story was first published thirty years ago. Despite its age, it seems to be contemporary, taking place in the next few years. When taken in that context, it seems visionary.

Overall, Lunar Descent (Near Space #3) was an enjoyable, fast-paced read. Although this is the first story I have read in the series, it seems to work well as a standalone, and I am looking forward to following up with the other stories set in this world. A solid four of five stars on Goodreads.

[Nicholas Whyte · Rating 4 out of 5]

https://fromtheheartofeurope.eu/lunar-descent-by-allen-steele/

This is the first novel by Allen Steele that I have read in full – I read the two sections of Coyote that were Hugo finalists, but never sat down to read the full thing. I confess that I got it purely because it is set in 2024, 33 years after the publication date of 1991. The world is not so different from the present day except that there is a functioning lunar industrial colony, churning out special components for Earth’s booming electronics industry. The colony is badly run, and our protagonist, a disgraced former astronaut with addiction problems, is sent to sort things out. He is joined by a tough female NASA security agent and a hacking genius who specialises in undetectable electronic crime. It’s rather a good romp, inevitably reminiscent of The Moon is a Harsh Mistress, but from a rather more obviously left-wing point of view (and I’m not saying that is a bad thing).

[Robert D · Rating 3 out of 5]

Another of Allen Steele's near space novels. The first half is largely character setup.

Descartes Station is Skycorp's mining base on the moon. Recently 50% of the workforce has been fired. Skycorp recruits a washed up former station manager, Lester Riddel, to go back and get things in order. It's a hard job but someone has to do it. The kicker, the remaining employees and the new replacements have 6 weeks to meet a new higher quota. Oh and since they have not been meeting it, all non-essential supplies and bonus pay is suspended until they do.

To the amazement of many Lester Riddel accomplishes the task. The problem, Skycorp didn't think he would, they have plans for the station and it's not in the best interest of the current employees. So the moonbase employees strike, and things get dicey.

[Mal Watts · Rating 2 out of 5]

I "think* this book was written (in 1991) to be in the style of the early Sci Fi classics, a nod and a wink to Heinlein (at least). I can see reflections of 'The Moon is a Harsh Mistress' and 'Have Space Suit, Will Travel'. But I couldn't get past the 1950s writing style. I like Mr Steele's 'Coyote' series, so I know he can write. Just a bit perplexed that he chosen to write this one in this anachronistic style.

[Susan · Rating 3 out of 5]

This story, which was written in the 1980's and set in the mid 2020's, is not an accurate reflection of the times. But once I stopped letting the date bother me, I was able to enjoy this book.

[Roger · Rating 5 out of 5]

Very good and enjoyable story

[Grady · Rating 2 out of 5]

Just over two decades old now, and very much of its time, with a plot revolving around a labor dispute between under-appreciated lunar grease monkeys ('moondogs') and perfidious upper management that intends to sell the lunar colony to a Japanese conglomerate (horrors!). But, while the plot is fine, the book is marred by its incredibly sexist treatment of its two main female characters, who are mostly there to sass the male leads until they sleep with them as a reward for the guys' showing some guts at key plot points. Surely this was nearly as offensive 20 years ago as it is today. There are a couple major plot holes in the final resolution, but the adventure part of the story more or less works.

[Michael · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is the 3rd book in the Near Space series by Allen Steele. In this one the men and women who have built and are now manning the moon base for Skycorp are tired of their work conditions. First half the workforce is fired and shipped back to Earth and replaced with under trained newwbie's and then their pay and bonuses are cut. To top it all off a new station manager is being sent up to straighten out the workforce. Only one thing can be done. It's time for a Strike! This book is a great read in this series and I recommend it.

[Andreas · Rating 3 out of 5]

These two near future novels are about workers in Earth orbit and on the Moon respectively. Not spectacular, but solidly enjoyable, especially Lunar Descent. The authenticity of the characters is great. These are not “Roger Ramjet” astronaut heroes, but working class Joes trying to make it work.

http://www.books.rosboch.net/?p=1305

[Dave Musicant · Rating 3 out of 5]

Like one of his other books that I read (Orbital Decay), this was very much a look at blue collar workers in space. Orbital Decay was funny, and so it had something of a Red Dwarf vibe to it. This one was more straight. I liked the book and enjoyed aspects of it, though I never really warmed up to it.

[Devero · Rating 3 out of 5]

Ho atteso lustri interi prima di leggere questo romanzo. Meritava di essere letto prima. C'è tutto: pionierismo spaziale, corporalismo aziendale, scioperi e scontri tra i lavoratori sulla Luna, un enigma ma specialmente tanti personaggi ben delineati ed una storia corale solida.
Avrei dovuto leggerlo lustri fa, non so perché mi sono ritrovato ad attendere tanto.

[Marsha Johnson · Rating 3 out of 5]

I got a little tired of how the author kept going into asides all the time to introduce the reader to new characters, etc. but it worked out into a nice story. I really liked the ending, and it did catch me by surprise.

[Joel Sprague · Rating 5 out of 5]

Like other Allen Steele books I read, I found this one interesting. Though the best part was seeing company I worked for mentioned as company that made the lunar lander that the Space Marines were riding.

[Craig · Rating 4 out of 5]

An excellent, realistic look at life and work in near-future outer space. It's beginning to be a bit dated now, I suspect, but it's still a great blue-collar story; the characters aren't always lovable, but they sure ring true. It's a good story with a cool twist; Moondoggies forever!

[Charl · Rating 4 out of 5]

Other than a couple of errors in orbital dynamics, this was excellent! It strongly reminded me of The Moon is a Harsh Mistress (which is intended as a huge compliment) while still being original and entertaining on its own.

[Buzz Ryan · Rating 5 out of 5]

After a large body of work, this is still my very favorite Allen Steele work!

[Keith B]

I'm enjoying Allen Steele all over again.

[Howard]

10

[Mark Baller · Rating 4 out of 5]

Ah another good old science fiction novel - spys - rude astronauts - love and life on the moon.

[Phorc Ewe · Rating 3 out of 5]

If he hadn't stopped using (Overusing!) the word "Copacetic" by a third way through the book I probably would have throw it out my door.
But he did, and it turned out to be enjoyable.

[Zoid 72 · Rating 4 out of 5]

A very solid hard sci-fi story.

[BIblioteca Ponteschiavo]

A 26