Forge of the Elders

by L. Neil Smith

Book Overview

In the twenty-first-century world, Marxist communist humans compete with the capitalist Elders, an alien race resembling giant squid, for control of an asteroid ful of valuable minerals and other... This description may be from another edition of this product.

• Format: Hardcover
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0671578596
• ISBN13: 9780671578596
• Release Date: April 2000
• Publisher: Baen Books
• Length: 534 Pages
• Weight: 2.09 lbs.
• Dimensions: 1.7" x 6.5" x 9.6"

Customer Reviews

Gave me an "Aha!" moment - well worth my time

L. Neil Smith was the author who first got me introduced to libertarianism, and it started a friendship with the ideas and ideals of that philosophy that never wore off. This book was a delight, not only because it finally completes the cycle "Questar" never finished, but because, about halfway through the book, I had one of those wonderful "Aha!" moments. I'll describe it at the end of the review, but that moment made my year!The story is very well told. Smith *can* be a tad preachy, but it doesn't interrupt the flow of the story, while making sure you understand not only WHAT happens, but WHY. Smith has taken the concept of alternate realities farther than anyone else, and made it a truly living thing. In these days, when our government waves automatic weapons at terrified children, it's a comfort to think that *somewhere* in the multiverse there are people, (and sea-scorpions, and nautiloids, and ...) who HAVEN'T screwed up. This is a book I plan to re-read, and, with the limits on my time these days, I don't do that often.As to the "Aha!" moment. One of the main characters is "Eichra Oren", a "Moral Debt Assessor" who is a combination of detective, arbitrator, judge, jury, and, if need be, executioner. It hit me about halfway through the book that *ALL* debts are MORAL debts. Money, or any other form of restitution, is simply a tangible expression of that morality. Mr. Smith, if you read this, thank you. A book which hits me like this is a rare and valuable gem.

Smith does it again

In a sense _Forge_ is a fuller and robust re-telling of the basic story underneath _The Probability Broach_. _Broach's_ Win Bear becomes _Forge's_ Soviet American Expedition, as the hapless functionary(ies) from a corrupt and decaying government who stuble onto an incredibly advanced and absolutely individualist civilization.Much of _Forge_ involves the various American characters learning about how this civilization functions, and this is the vehicle by which Smith delivers one of the best argments yet for a completely stateless society. I particularly enjoyed the way he resolves the tiresome "flagpole emergency" objection to the non-agression principle.As before, Smith ably conveys the confusion and wonderment of both the visitors and the hosts as they discover one new aspect after another of their very different cultures. And each such discovery conveys an important idea about the nature of love, trade, justice, freedom, and slavery.And of course there's a real story here with a three-part main plot, several sub-plots, and more than a dozen really strong characters along with "a cast of thousands." All sprinkled liberally with humor, pathos, and just the right amount of sex.

Politically Incorrect--That's why it's FUN!

I've been an LNS fan ever since I accidentally picked up _THE VENUS BELT_, and I can't get enough. Finally someone had the guts to print the Forge of the Elders series (it's actually three books, Contact and Commune, Converse and Conflict, and another the original publisher canceled because it made too many people squirm.)Well, FORGE is full of squirmy moments: the three space shuttles from the American Soviet Socialist Republic (ASSR) are named after Orrin Hatch, Bob Dole, and John McCain. (in the original two volumes they were named after comparably prominent Democrats). Don't go into this book without promising yourself to hold on to the surprise ending. It's a page-turner in the third volume.The book does have certain minor inconsistencies in the third volume, but only nitpickers would find them. Expect well-portrayed aliens who really are alien, along with one of the most original aliens yet. Expect subtlety in characterization and at least one character who transcends indoctrination (the last one you'd suspect). Expect a truly villianous villian, with a certain sick charm but definitely someone in need of killing. Expect hidden meanings and subtle (as well as not-so-subtle) puns. Expect great imagery and writing that, if not entirely consistent in quality, improves as the plot advances. Above all, expect to finish the book thoroughly disgusted by the status quo in this country. Neil's ASSR could happen here, but needn't if enough of us read this book.You won't waste your money if you buy Forge--but you may come away changed. I did.

FORGE IS COMPLETE AT LAST!

Finally! After years of waiting, we get to learn how this story turns out. Originally to be published as a trilogy, the fianl book was cancelled by the publisher for being too radical! L. Neil Smith does his usual fine job of blending outlandish aliens, humor and political philosophy to produce a cracking good read. A fun adventure story which takes a few well-aimed shots at some of the sacred cows of today. This one is pure pleasure!

More Alternate Than Thou

Some readers will think _Forge of the Elders_ is L. Neil Smith's best book so far. He began revolutionizing the alternate world subgenre many years ago with _Probability Broach_. It was comparatively a mild departure from the real world in that the historical difference was the success of the Whiskey Rebellion during Washington's Presidency. A lovely book that I've read at least a dozen times. But _Forge of the Elders_ takes alternate worlds further than ever before. Not to give too much away here, but there is an _infinity_ of parallel worlds, including at least one where homo sapiens never existed, and the Earth is dominated by sapient squid. And these squid know how to travel between the universes. The story, as always with Smith, stands on its own as an adventure. Readers who dig deeper will find lots of scrumptious stuff, including thought-provoking political philosophy, as well as deeply-buried puns and jokes that will reward those who decipher them. Hint: Nero Wolfe fans will find secret messages here. As an adventure novel, _Forge_ is in a league with Tom Clancy's best. As science fiction, it is best compared with _Gulliver's Travels_ and _Mother Night_. As a work of philosophy, it reminds me of _Atlas Shrugged_ and _Moon is a Harsh Mistress_. And somehow, there is a bit of H. P. Lovecraft there, too. Smith is always full of surprises.