Gerrold, David Books

The Martian Child: A Novel About A Single Father Adopting A Son

David Gerrold

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Customer Reviews:
Total reviews: 34 Average rating: 4.5 of 5

Editorial Review:

Basis for the major motion picture from New Line Cinema —starring John Cusack, Amanda Peet, and Joan Cusack—in theaters November 2007

When David Gerrold decided he wanted to adopt a son, he thought he had prepared himself for fatherhood. But eight-year-old Dennis turned out to be more than he expected—a lot more. Dennis suffered from fetal alcohol syndrome, the son of a substance abuser and alcoholic who abandoned him in a seedy motel at the age of one-and-a-half. His father died of an overdose. Seized by the state, Dennis was shuffled between eight different foster homes in less than eight years. He was abused and beaten severely in at least tow of his placements. Dennis was diagnosed with attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder, and put on Ritalin and then Disipramine. He was prone to violent emotional outbursts. His case history identified him as “hard to place” —a euphemism for “unadoptable.” But for David Gerrold it was love at first sight…

SEASON FOR SLAUGHTER (The War Against the Chtorr, Book 4)

David Gerrold

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Customer Reviews:
Total reviews: 48 Average rating: 4.5 of 5

David Gerrold is a jerk 5 out of 5 stars.
1 of 1 people found this review helpful.

This is an excellent series. I won't write why, because the ground has been covered. David Gerrold needs to finish this series. He hasn't died, so what's the excuse?

15 years for 5th book... 5 out of 5 stars.
1 of 2 people found this review helpful.

It's February 2007 and still NO book 5. Authors website was not updated since 2004...
If Gerolld is alive and well (as we all wish him), so where the hell are promised books? It's maddening - betraying his readers in such a way...

Superb! 5 out of 5 stars.
0 of 0 people found this review helpful.

After the horrible mess that was book 3, the Chtorr series is right back on track here!

We get more insight into the Chtorr when McCarthy discovers one of the main methods by which the original infestation was spread. In the process he gets himself into political trouble and all but ruins his career. He just about manages to get assigned to a new mission, which leads us to the main part of the book; international effort to explore the infestation in South America, which has reached unparalleled size after the Brazilian government decided to try and co-exist with the invaders peacefully.

Lots of action, lots of progress in the relationship between McCarthy and Lizard, many tantalising new facts about the worms and the Chtorran ecology - I think I am even starting to realise where the whole series might be heading with the Chtorr, though knowing Gerrold he probably has at least three new twists planned!

Overall, this is without doubt the very best book of the entire series so far. I can't wait for the next one, even if it does take another ten years!

Editorial Review:

As tenacious aliens transform the wartorn Earth into a replica of their own terrifying world, a handful of scientists, soldiers, and citizens prepares to fight back.

The Man Who Folded Himself

David Gerrold

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Customer Reviews:
Total reviews: 53 Average rating: 3.5 of 5

Time's Lonely Arrow 4 out of 5 stars.
2 of 2 people found this review helpful.

In Gerrold's The Man Who Folded Himself, 19 year old Dan Eakins is given an unusual gift by his Uncle Jim just before he dies...the gift is a belt that allows the user to travel backwards and forwards through time at a whim. What does Dan do with such a remarkable gift? (What would any of us do?) Dan travels into the past and wins big at the track. But Dan is not alone. Dan finds another version of himself...also a time-traveler, to share his temporal exploits...and, over "time", Dan discovers many versions of himself, all time-travelers; and all find themselves in the same predicament Dan finds himself in: How exactly does one find meaning with one's life -- where does one look? -- when the only person that will ever truly understand you, is you?

I didn't really know what I was expecting coming into this book. It is quite short and I wasn't sure how Gerrold was going to fit a full story into the minimum number of pages. However, Gerrold did a good job, despite its length, the story felt complete.

As a time travel story, Gerrold makes a number of predictions about the future. Since this book was first published in 1973, we have had time to see how some of Gerrold's predictions have turned out, and in several cases, Gerrold was quite accurate.

But ultimately, this story is not about whether or not this prediction or that one has come true. This story is not even really about time travel. Gerrold effectively uses time travel as a device to make a statement about the human condition. No matter who we are or where we hail from, no matter our upbringing, people need other people to...for lack of a better way of putting it...make us not feel lonely. This is what Gerrold emphasizes...at times, in ways that are not so subtle.

The only book I have ever read that has made me feel this way after turning the last page was Ken Grimwood's Replay. Both stories use time travel as a device to make it plain that not only do we need other people like us to keep us sane, but those people are out there, and they are often found in the most unusual of circumstances.

Overall, despite Gerrold's brevity with the written word, I certainly recommend this tale to anyone who is interested in a story of time travel that is done in a most thoughtful manner.

Editorial Review:

This classic work of science fiction is widely considered to be the ultimate time-travel novel. When Daniel Eakins inherits a time machine, he soon realizes that he has enormous power to shape the course of history. He can foil terrorists, prevent assassinations, or just make some fast money at the racetrack. And if he doesn't like the results of the change, he can simply go back in time and talk himself out of making it! But Dan soon finds that there are limits to his powers and forces beyond his control.

Worlds of Wonder: How to Write Science Fiction & Fantasy

David Gerrold

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Customer Reviews:
Total reviews: 16 Average rating: 4.0 of 5

Applies to All Writers 5 out of 5 stars.
4 of 5 people found this review helpful.

When my sci-fi fanatic brother handed me this book and raved about Gerrold's exemplary writing style as well as his abiity to coach on the craft itself, I was skeptical. What can a sci-fi/fantasy writer offer a writer of mainly creative nonfiction? The answer is EVERYTHING.

I haven't read any of Gerrold's works, but now I want to. His style, voice, and realism stand out even in a book about writing. I've highlighted nearly every page for either tips I want to remember far into the future - especially when revising and perfecting my own work - or for quotes on the craft or life in general that match my own philosophies. This isn't just a book covering the practical how-to of writing something others will be glued to but also a book on viewing life in general and how writing and life go hand-in-hand, if they aren't one and the same.

Gerrold's clear advice broken into palatable chunks applies to all writers and is guaranteed to introduce new elements to consider for your own work and draw you out of your comfort zone. New ways of looking at the basics, as well as more in-depth knowledge/techniques, such as memes and writing in E-prime, are covered.

Sure, Gerrold uses his own work in example, but that doesn't bother me. Why would you buy a book BY a successful writer if you weren't looking for his own take on writing and how he's developed his own ideas? I've read technique books by lesser authors who, frankly, don't even have enough successful works to quote from. Gerrold doesn't have to mention his own published titles to plug; his name on the cover of the book already does that.

The fact is that he knows what he's writing about and his own work provides perfect examples of all the thought he proves he puts into his creations to make them as near perfect as possible. That's why the book is an excellent resource for writers.

P.S. Gerrold also sites examples from several other authors. :)

Editorial Review:

While both science fiction and fantasy evoke "a sense of wonder in the audience," says David Gerrold in Worlds of Wonder, science fiction "is about what's possible," while "fantasy is about what's not." Writing for both these genres is a lot like "playing with a set of Lego bricks," Gerrold says: you're creating your own world, but you have to work within a logical framework. Like other forms of storytelling, says Gerrold (best known for his "Trouble with Tribbles" Star Trek episode), science fiction and fantasy rely on mysterious first sentences, effective exits, and surprises in every sentence in between. The difference is that your characters inhabit whole worlds of your own making, worlds that may be "marvelous and surprising to the reader," but must remain ordinary to the story's characters. To carry this off, says Gerrold, "you have to write each moment"--no matter how improbable--"as if you lived it yourself."

A Rage for Revenge (War Against the Chtorr, Book 3)

David Gerrold

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Customer Reviews:
Total reviews: 20 Average rating: 4.0 of 5

Meandering est-fest 1 out of 5 stars.
7 of 10 people found this review helpful.

As is common in SF novel series (Dune is the classic example), each successive novel becomes progressively slower and more turgid. The War Against the Chtorr series is no exception.

A Matter for Men sets up the series very well. The hero is flawed, but that's OK from a literary standpoint. The milieu Gerrold created is quite rich, and the mystery of the worms (are they intelligent? how did they get here?) is compelling. However, by the time we get to book 3 here, half the novel is wasted sitting in a room getting some whacked-out est training with the hero. Indeed, the supposed "mode" training is just recycled est psychobabble; just look up est on line (you can even use Amazon's A9 engine) and you'll see what I mean, right down to the chair arranging (lovingly detailed in the novel) and the weird assistants. The mode training is simply sophistry and power-playing forced down our throats as some kind of philophical breakthrough. Not only did I not buy it, it bored me to tears.

And let's not overlook the clumsy and inexplicable relationship between Jim and Lizard. There is no basis whatsover for the attraction or relationship, as far as I can tell, and it's written like a high school student imagining what two people in love actually say to each other.

In between fumbling around with his girlfriend and getting brainwashed, Jim hangs out with some renegades (more brainwashing and psychobabble). After an interminable amount of time, the book peters out, thankfully. This novel not only fails to provide any answers to any of the "big mysteries" set out earlier in the series, it just piles on more of them. And by Book 3, we ought to be getting somewhere.

In my opinion, this is the worst of the four novels; A Season for Slaughter actually picks up the pace somewhat and provides some kind of advancement to the story, even if it's still peppered with huge doses of modie "philosophy."

Avoid. Although if you've already read books 1 and 2, you'll end up reading this one out of curiosity no matter what the reviews say.

Taking the Red Pill: Science, Philosophy and Religion in The Matrix (Smart Pop series)

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Customer Reviews:
Total reviews: 19 Average rating: 4.0 of 5

An amazing look at how the Matrix could indeed be real 5 out of 5 stars.
9 of 10 people found this review helpful.

Every essay in this book will shed new light on the way you view this world. It is so well researched, written, and edited that I'm hard pressed to find another book that I would rate so highly. There are theories presented here that will have you talking to anyone who will listen about the almost unreal possibilities these authors present. They are the top people in their respective fields and were not chosen because they just had cool ideas. They were chosen because they know what they're talking about. I can say this with some authority as one of my good friends is basically 2nd in command at the publishing company. So, do not hesitate to pick up this book and gain unbelievable new insights.

Editorial Review:

** COMPLETELY UNAUTHORIZED **

This thought-provoking examination of The Matrix explores the technological challenges, religious symbolism, and philosophical dilemmas the film presents. Essays by renowned scientists, technologists, philosophers, scholars, social commentators, and science fiction authors provide engaging and provocative perspectives. Explored in a highly accessible fashion are issues such as the future of artificial intelligence and virtual reality. The symbolism hidden throughout The Matrix and a few glitches in the film are revealed. Discussions include “Finding God in The Matrix,” “The Reality Paradox in The Matrix,” and “Was Cypher Right?: Why We Stay in Our Matrix.” The fascinating issues posed by the film are handled in an intelligent but nonacademic fashion.

The Flying Sorcerers

David Gerrold, Larry Niven

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Customer Reviews:
Total reviews: 12 Average rating: 4.0 of 5

An overlooked treasure 5 out of 5 stars.
6 of 6 people found this review helpful.

This is one of the funniest SF books out there. I've got an old tattered copy, and I will order the new edition when it comes out. The book is full of cultural, SF and fandom references. Some might be a little dated (for example, the symbol of the sheep, the horned box, is a reference to a TV with antenna, and how many people have seen one of THOSE lately?), but overall, this book holds up very well.

To answer another reviewer's question would be a spoiler, but anyone who wishes to know who Purple was based on can email me at my nickname at hotmail.

Editorial Review:

This funny and insightful science fiction classic introduces Shoogar, the greatest wizard ever known in his village. His spells can strike terror in the hearts of even his most powerful enemies. But the enemy he faces now is like none he has ever seen before. The stranger has come from nowhere and is ignorant of even the most basic principles of magic. But the stranger has an incredibly powerful magic of his own. There is no room in Shoogar’s world for an intruder whose powers match his own, let alone one whose powers might exceed his. So before the blue sun can cross the face of the red sun once more, Shoogar will show this stranger just who is boss.

Blood and Fire

David Gerrold

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Customer Reviews:
Total reviews: 7 Average rating: 3.5 of 5

Different writer? 2 out of 5 stars.
4 of 7 people found this review helpful.

One of the best books I've ever read in Sci-Fi, was The Voyage of the Star Wolf. In fact, I had re-read it in anticipation of the final book of the trilogy.

It was as fresh and engaging as the first time I had read it. I had forgotten some of the plot, so it was fun to see how Brik and Korie would out smart the terrifying Morthan assassin. Characters were well developed and smartly defined, with fast paced action. The reader is left on the edge of the seat to the very last minute; even past the very last minute.

Blood and Fire reads like a NASA narrative of a Mars mission. Some of the story seems intended to fill pages. Take this passage:

"On the Bridge, Captain Parsons watched the progress of the docking procedure with deep concern."

No, this is not a NASA narrative, this is one of those silly soliloquies one expects from the mouth of an airhead blond on "Days of Our Lives".

Why couldn't Gerrold show us Captain Parsons' concern?

Compare that with this passage from The Voyage of the Star Wolf:

--------

"Korie looked to the captain. The old man was frozen.

"Sir-?"

Captain Lowell started to lift a hand, as if he was about to say something. A thought flashed through Korie's mind. He's never been in a real battle.

Korie whirled. ""Targeting-? Get a lock on her. Battle stations! Stand by to fire.""

HARLIE replied instantly. "Targetting now."

Captain Lowell blinked, as if abruptly realizing where he was: "Uh- what did the flagship say?"

-----

See the contrast? We don't need the author to tell us Captain Lowell was completely freaked out by the Morthan attack, we could feel what was going on in the Captain's mind. We were on the deck of that ship with the attack of the dreaded Morthans underway.

This is Gerrold at his best. Which is why Blood and Fire is a real disappointment. It's as if a really good story concept, Star Wolf, was being used to generate a sequel, and the job was handed off to a team of contract script writers because the original writer was fighting over a contract.

Come on David, you can do better then this.

Two stars only because I admire the author.

Editorial Review:

Executive Officer Korie had faced and defeated seemingly invincible Morthan battleships, elusive bio-computer imps, and dreaded Morthan assassins. It would be on the starship Norway, however, that he would meet his greatest challenge-a challenge that could change the outcome of a war and the destiny of humankind. The latest installment of the Star Wolf series, this third galactic struggle concludes the popular trilogy with a rescue mission that is far from routine. Never before published, Blood and Fire is the long-awaited conclusion to the Star Wolf series.

DAY FOR DAMNATION, A (War Against the Chtorr, Book 2)

David Gerrold

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Customer Reviews:
Total reviews: 12 Average rating: 4.5 of 5

Gerrold Betrays Readers 5 out of 5 stars.
9 of 18 people found this review helpful.

The first 4 books of this series are one of the greatest achievements in Sci-Fi literature. That also makes it one of the greatest betrayals ever perpetrated by an author upon his readers. I don't know what the deal is, greed, illness, a lobotomy, but books 5 (A Method for Madness) & 6 (A Time for Treason) don't look like they will ever see daylight. I found the author's site where there is mention of a movie based on the series but I don't think it's going anywhere and he wouldn't reply to email.

There is a special place in **** reserved for authors of unfinished series, David Gerrold claimed his with this one. I recommend against reading this, it's too painful to stop so abruptly. An incredible tragedy.

Editorial Review:

McCarthy was drafted from his college biology studies and became a member of the Special Forces. Then he is given the opportunity to contact the Chtorr, but when a helicopter crash leaves him and his companions stranded in enemy territory, he must decide whether to communicate with the Chtorr--or kill them!

The World of Star Trek

David Gerrold

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Total reviews: 4 Average rating: 4.5 of 5

GREAT JOB!!! 5 out of 5 stars.
3 of 3 people found this review helpful.

"The World of Star Trek" is a masterpiece! With episodes, interviews, pictures, and TONS of information about the cast, sets, makeup, etc., it's no wonder that it's my favorite Star Trek book. I highly suggest that any Star Trek-or even science fiction in general-fan should READ THIS BOOK!

An insider's look behind the making of Star Trek 4 out of 5 stars.
3 of 3 people found this review helpful.

As someone who viewed the original Star Trek series when it aired for the first time, I can be considered an original Trekkie. While the science segment of the science fiction was often weak, the ideas and the vision for the future that it represented extended beyond what anyone could have imagined at the time. It represented a future where humanity had finally been able to end the conflicts on Earth, build a mighty fleet of star ships and find species on other planets that became allies. However, the future was not altogether rosy.
In episodes such as "The Space Seed" there were allusions to a ghastly, incredibly destructive nuclear war on Earth. It was hinted that this was the event that finally galvanized the human race to end conflict and join together. There were also the continuous conflicts between the Federation and the Romulans and Klingons. However, while there was the mention of a brutal war having been fought between the Federation and the Romulans, war is averted in the two episodes where the Enterprise and the Romulans meet.
Gerrold was the writer of "The Trouble With Tribbles" considered by many to be the best episode in the original series. He takes us behind the scenes in the creation, piloting and filming of the original series. He pulls no punches in his description of Star Trek, describing the strengths and weaknesses of the series. When something was done poorly, he explains that some of the failures were a consequence of the time. The late sixties was a time when women and minorities were not given strong roles, what you see in the original series was ground-breaking for the times. Any attempt to go any farther than what was done was blocked.
Gerrold also mentions how the show began to show signs of fatigue, as the story lines began to be repeated in an attempt to save money. Star Trek was a high budget show, so there was every attempt to save production costs, often to the detriment of the show. Finally, Gerrold also describes the development of the first three Star Trek feature movies and the fits and starts that took place before the first one was ever made. Given the success of the series of Star Trek movies, it is amazing to read how much time and effort it took to get the first one made.
Gerrold has an insider's view of the Star Trek phenomenon and he tells his stories very well. If you want to go beyond the basics of the series and learn something about how things were really done, then this is a book you need to read.