A modern update to the space elevator idea. The author was clearly influenced by Clarke's earlier book from the late 70's. This book is more immediate and gives you the sense that the technical obstacles are not impossible to overcome and in deed a space elevator could really be built. It's primary benefit would be massive collection of solar energy. I found it to be a compelling idea. However, the author has would I would consider to be a unrealistic view of government. His view of US history is romanticized. And NASA is viewed as the greatest government agency ever created.In this book, Dr. Morgan is one of the main visionary characters as was the engineer Morgan in Clarke's book. I enjoyed the book and find myself dreaming of the day when a space elevator exists! I had mixed feelings about this novel. The science about space elevators seemed well researched, and the beginning was interesting as it flipped back and forth in time. There were many believable elements such as Senators nixing the space elevator project and pulling NASA funding (as happens today) while private entrepreneurs decide to take on the risk.However, there were a lot of weepy speeches and long nostalgic pages which I found a bit tedious, especially in the last third of the novel. The disasters also seemed a bit forced. I was also disappointed that, after spending much time early on describing how to protect a long tether from space debris, this was totally ignored when they decide to add "wagon wheel" spokes radiating out from it at 1,000 miles up to different continents. If you can get around those issues that I had, the novel does convey a message of hope we can overcome many obstacles to better our lives on Earth, and it invokes the "can-do" American space attitude of the 1960s.
What do You think about Pillar To The Sky (2014)?
I really loved the book a lot and I will read again. I look forward to more of your books.
—Celina
Interesting idea poorly executed. Could have used more thorough editing.
—dakota
I couldn't even finish this one... not worth the effort :(
—Elle
