What do You think about The Precipice (2002)?
I really enjoyed this book. For the most part this is very plausible science fiction. The characters are well developed and mostly enjoyable. Though occasionally I find some of logic of their actions and motivations a bit flawed, but that's people I suppose. I'm also not completely sold on the protagonist's view that mining the asteroid belt would be such an all encompassing answer the world's escalating environmental and ecological problems, but it made for a good excuse for a great story. I am definitely going to read the rest of Ben Bova's "Grand Tour" series. This good did an excellent job of keeping me up to speed on who all of the characters are, but it is clear that many of them have had starring and supporting roles in earlier books in the series and I'm looking forward to getting to know them better.
—Kris
Once, Dan Randolph was one of the richest men on Earth. Now the planet is spiraling into environmental disaster, with floods and earthquakes destroying the lives of millions. Randolph knows the energy and natural resources of space can save Earth's economy, but the price may be the loss of the only thing he has left--the company he founded, Astro Manufacturing.Martin Humphries, fabulously wealthy heir of the Humphries Trust, also knows that space-based industry is the way of the future. But unlike Randolph, he doesn't care if Earth perishes in the process. And he knows that the perfect bait to ensnare Dan Randolph-and take control of Astro-is his revolutionary new fusion propulsion system.As Randolph-accompanied by two fascinating women who are also brilliant astronauts-flies out to the Asteroid Belt aboard a fusion-propelled spacecraft, Humphries makes his move. The future of mankind lies in Randolph's hands.The Asteroid Wars have begun…
—Francis Gahren
This is the first book I have finished on my new ebook reader and I am glad I read this fantastic piece of literature from one of my favorite Science fiction authors - Ben Bova.I started reading Ben's work when I was in University. To tell the truth I had never heard of his name before when I saw the fantastic artwork on his novel - Titan. It was sitting on the top of the bargain bin at the local news agency and I thought I would give it a shot since the blurb on the back seemed interesting. Boy was I right! Not only is Ben a hugo award winner but he is also a doctor. The way he writes his fiction makes you believe the technology exists because he has actually worked on the development of certain technologies. His books always seem to mention nanotechnology which I surely wish we had in present time as the tasks these nanomachines conduct blow your mind.In this book, it tells the story of Earth's destruction by global warming and the consequences in which humanity has to deal with in order to protect our species and existence. The main plot line surrounds the main character charting humans first long distance exploration of space to the asteroid belt. The asteroid belt was chosen as it possessed many natural resources which have begun to run dry on Earth. The mission went on with a horde of controversy but to know if it was successful you will need to read the book. As the series contains 3 books named the asteroid wars; I look forward to the next installment named The rock rats.Keep up the good work Ben!
—Daniel Lynch
