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Title: Evolution by Stephen Baxter ISBN: 0-345-45782-X Publisher: Del Rey Pub. Date: 04 February, 2003 Format: Hardcover Volumes: 1 List Price(USD): $25.95 |
Average Customer Rating: 3.91 (23 reviews)
Rating: 4
Summary: Thoroughly Absorbing
Comment: I would like to say from the outset that even though the foraging, encountering pitfalls and dodging predators was a tad tedious, Baxter's portrayal of our evolving progenitors throughout the ages was brilliant. I thoroughly enjoyed this book.
Having said that, I think this book is not for everyone. I would not characterize the bulk of this novel as purely science fiction. I liken it as a thesis that offers a serious and credible account of how events most likely transpired in near and distant past and a discerning speculation into the near and distant future. However, Baxter does provide elements involving a cursory look at cryogenics, solar system changes, and robotics.
If one is especially interested in anthropology, paleontology, evolution, or in my case simply having a penchant for all sorts of scientific endeavors, then most likely the book would gratify.
Rating: 4
Summary: Impressive but Tedious
Comment: In EVOLUTION Baxter takes the really, really long view tracing (fictionally) the human species from the first tiny mole like creature scurrying around the feet of huge dinosaurs, to the very last tiny mole like creature, a human descendant, trying to survive on a dying Earth where most living things are extinct.
This is a difficult book to review because it is both very impressive but at the same time it can be very tedious. The novel is made up of vignettes describing the life of human ancestors or descendants, from pre-sentience to sentience to post-sentience. The book is tied together by snapshots of near future humanity at the beginning of the epoch where modern humans begin to de-evolve.
The best parts of the novel are where we see pre-humans developing intelligence and self-awareness and the societies that coalesce. It is also very character driven which helps provide empathy in the otherwise merciless cycle of life. There are some really clever off-shoot chapters as well.
Overall the book is well done, if a bit tedious at times.
Rating: 4
Summary: reads more like short story vignettes
Comment: In 2031, the latest save the earth ecology conference is ironically being held in Darwin, Australia. The global climatic destruction threatens Homo Sapiens' domination of the planet and the nearby orbs. While forests burn out of control and pollution holds sway, the enormous Rabaul Volcano erupts. Mankind's reign seems nearly through while the Martian robots have now replicated themselves.
Terrorists attack the conference as attendees discuss the battles for supremacy through the ages with the victors goes the spoils until primates evolve during the Tertiary Period. Ultimately apes leave the trees for life on the ground until they build high rises. Now in the year 2031, Earth is on the brink with the volcano being the final straw to end humanity's dominion. Mars appears as the next evolutionary step as machines that replicate establish colonies throughout the galaxy.
This book reads more like short story vignettes than a novel, but fans of Stephen Baxter and anyone who relishes a deep look at evolution and devolution will want to read this epic. Mr. Baxter is at his best when he describes prehistorical winners and losers and speculates on the future devolution of the primate on earth. Though another form of evolutionary supremacy, the robot revolution seems to belong in a more science fiction realm than the speculative fiction employed throughout EVOLUTION. Another triumph for Mr. Baxter who has evolved into best-selling specie that Darwin would have enjoyed reading the author's works.
Harriet Klausner
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Title: Darwin's Children by Greg Bear ISBN: 0345448359 Publisher: Del Rey Pub. Date: 01 April, 2003 List Price(USD): $24.95 |
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Title: Ilium by Dan Simmons ISBN: 0380978938 Publisher: Eos Pub. Date: 01 July, 2003 List Price(USD): $25.95 |
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Title: Altered Carbon by Richard Morgan ISBN: 0345457684 Publisher: Del Rey Pub. Date: 04 March, 2003 List Price(USD): $13.95 |
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Title: Coalescent by Stephen Baxter ISBN: 0345457854 Publisher: Del Rey Pub. Date: 02 December, 2003 List Price(USD): $25.95 |
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Title: Manifold: Time by Stephen Baxter ISBN: 034543076X Publisher: Del Rey Pub. Date: 28 November, 2000 List Price(USD): $7.50 |
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