Table of Contents

IN

About the Author

James P. Hogan is a science fiction writer in the grand tradition, combining informed and accurate speculation from the cutting edge of science and technology with suspenseful story-telling and living, breathing characters. His first novel was greeted by Isaac Asimov with the rave, ¿Pure science fiction . . . Arthur Clarke, move over!¿ and his subsequent work quickly consolidated his reputation as a major SF author. He has written nearly twenty novels including Cradle of Saturn and Bug Park (both Baen), the Giants series (Del Rey), the New York Times bestsellers The Proteus Operation and Endgame Enigma and the Prometheus Award Winner The Multiplex Man.

Reviews

Some residents of Earth see the alliance with the aliens known as Hyadeans as the answer to the world's many problems. Others see the Hyadean presence as a form of conquest or colonizationDand intend to take steps to stop it. With his usual flair for fast-paced action (e.g., Cradle of Saturn), Hogan explores the political and military consequences of contact with extraplanetary races in his latest sf adventure set in the not-too-distant future. For most sf collections. Copyright 2000 Cahners Business Information.

The terrors of a capitalist society in free fall are amply illustrated in this cautionary tale about collusion between an alien superpower interested in exploiting Earth's natural resources (and reorganizing human society along stultifyingly structured lines) and U.S. officials too greedy to care. Roland Cade, a privileged entrepreneurial facilitator with no interest in politics, introduces the alien Hyadeans to wealthy Terran businessmen. Meanwhile, Julia, Cade's lovely and understanding girlfriend, suggests that he use his less savory connections with his ex-wife, Marie, to move "a good friend" of Julia's out of the United States. (Marie, after divorcing Roland, joined revolutionaries who believe the U.S. government fails to put the interests of the American citizenry above financial gain.) Once Roland and Marie are reunited, politics and reignited passions drive Roland to uncover the truth behind a government-ordered assassination plot, while the trusting Hyadeans get a lesson in the subterfuges of the capitalist ruling classes. Struggling to pull the U.S. from the brink of destruction, Roland, Marie, a group of well-meaning revolutionaries and Hyadeans battle for survival as they attempt to reveal the truth through media channels. Although Hogan's aliens are basically just blue people, the virtue of this lively political parable lies in its consideration of such concepts as imagination, power, fear and the unfamiliar. Hard SF fans seeking a fantastic new landscape of creatures and technology may be disappointed, but they'll appreciate Hogan's energetic narrative, engaging characters and strikingly real presentation of a plausible immediate future. (Oct.) Copyright 2000 Cahners Business Information.