Mars was harsh and unforgiving, but for the colonists who called it home, its future was as bright as the comets that hung in the night sky, for locked in those icy bodies were the water and gases that would make Mars live again, mined from the vast Oort Cloud beyond Pluto. Young Dekker DeWoe yearned to become an Oort miner. But when he finally arrived on Earth to begin training, the mining project was abruptly canceled. Then he began to hear rumors of a plan to force the restoration of the mining -- a plan that would result in the deaths of millions . . .
From the Paperback edition.
"synopsis" may belong to another edition of this title.
Medium-future didactic novel about the terraforming of Mars and the human impulse to violence, from one of sf's longest-serving and most distinguished professionals. Cold, arid, airless Mars can be terraformed--for a hefty price--by bombarding its surface with comets captured from the Oort Cloud, a huge collection of dirty snowballs orbiting far beyond Pluto. Young Martian Dekker DeWoe longs to become an Oort ``miner'' as his father once was. Yet when his dream comes true and he travels to Earth to begin training, Dekker learns that the price Mars has to pay for Earthly finance may be decades of near-slavery while its product sales are undercut by new Earth-orbiting habitats. Schooled in nonviolence and cooperation, Dekker finds himself increasingly at odds with current Earth attitudes: armies have been banished; social-awareness training is required; but full-sensory ``virts'' offering intimate vicarious experiences are freely available--including those featuring violence and war. But just as it seems that the Oort project will be canceled outright, Dekker's training schedule is accelerated; soon he and his classmates join a Mars-orbit station whence they direct incoming comets. The proffered explanation for the speed-up doesn't wash, and gradually Dekker uncovers a conspiracy among his colleagues: Their monstrous purpose is to smack a small comet into Japan, whose financial dealings (coupled with their own racism) they blame for jeopardizing the Oort project. Pohl's message--that humans must be tutored in nonviolence; simply abolishing war is not enough--meshes flawlessly with the story. Otherwise, a professional recycling of mostly standard notions, with above-average characters and a rather thin plot. -- Copyright ©1992, Kirkus Associates, LP. All rights reserved.
Martian-born Dekker DeWoe's desire to become a miner of the Oort Cloud takes him first to Earth for rigorous training and then into space, where he collides headfirst with those who oppose his dream of terraforming Mars. Pohl is a master at the intricacies of space adventure, and his realistic detail and likable, if ingenuous protagonist make this a good choice for sf collections.
Copyright 1992 Reed Business Information, Inc.
"About this title" may belong to another edition of this title.
Shipping:
FREE
Within U.S.A.
Shipping:
US$ 5.99
Within U.S.A.
Seller: SecondSale, Montgomery, IL, U.S.A.
Condition: Good. Item in good condition. Textbooks may not include supplemental items i.e. CDs, access codes etc. Seller Inventory # 00066334317
Quantity: 2 available
Seller: Wonder Book, Frederick, MD, U.S.A.
Condition: Very Good. Very Good condition. Good dust jacket. A copy that may have a few cosmetic defects. May also contain light spine creasing or a few markings such as an owner's name, short gifter's inscription or light stamp. Seller Inventory # F10I-00568
Quantity: 1 available
Seller: Wonder Book, Frederick, MD, U.S.A.
Condition: Very Good. Very Good condition. Very Good dust jacket. A copy that may have a few cosmetic defects. May also contain light spine creasing or a few markings such as an owner's name, short gifter's inscription or light stamp. Seller Inventory # K06B-01175
Quantity: 1 available
Seller: Goodwill, Brooklyn Park, MN, U.S.A.
Condition: Good. Cover/Case has some rubbing and edgewear. Access codes, CDs, slipcovers and other accessories may not be included. Seller Inventory # 2Y6JCK00AKEQ_ns
Quantity: 1 available
Seller: The Maryland Book Bank, Baltimore, MD, U.S.A.
hardcover. Condition: Very Good. First Edition. Seller Inventory # 15-A-3-0029
Quantity: 1 available
Seller: HPB-Ruby, Dallas, TX, U.S.A.
hardcover. Condition: Very Good. Connecting readers with great books since 1972! Used books may not include companion materials, and may have some shelf wear or limited writing. We ship orders daily and Customer Service is our top priority!. Seller Inventory # S_392672116
Quantity: 1 available
Seller: HPB-Diamond, Dallas, TX, U.S.A.
hardcover. Condition: Very Good. Connecting readers with great books since 1972! Used books may not include companion materials, and may have some shelf wear or limited writing. We ship orders daily and Customer Service is our top priority!. Seller Inventory # S_400237185
Quantity: 1 available
Seller: HPB Inc., Dallas, TX, U.S.A.
hardcover. Condition: Very Good. Connecting readers with great books since 1972! Used books may not include companion materials, and may have some shelf wear or limited writing. We ship orders daily and Customer Service is our top priority!. Seller Inventory # S_375594337
Quantity: 1 available
Seller: Half Price Books Inc., Dallas, TX, U.S.A.
hardcover. Condition: Good. Connecting readers with great books since 1972! Used books may not include companion materials, and may have some shelf wear or limited writing. We ship orders daily and Customer Service is our top priority!. Seller Inventory # S_364612720
Quantity: 1 available
Seller: Better World Books, Mishawaka, IN, U.S.A.
Condition: Very Good. 1st. Used book that is in excellent condition. May show signs of wear or have minor defects. Seller Inventory # 2283350-75
Quantity: 1 available