Lion on Thartee

by Grant Callin

Dr. Whitedimple is determined to lead the Earth expedition to an alien spacecraft orbiting Saturn and take the promised two-year voyage to the alien home world.

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0671653571
• ISBN13: 9780671653576
• Release Date: October 1987
• Publisher: Baen Books
• Length: 342 Pages
• Weight: 3.70 lbs.

Customer Reviews

Not quite as polished as Saturnalia, but still a classic

A classic to me, anyway. A Lion On Tharthee is not as focused as Saturnalia, since it represents an epic feel, and many of the crewmates are given the short shrift because of the probable publsiher limitations on the size. Still, Callin's technical wizardry (as a Boeing engineer) and his love of his characters shows through again.I'm probably the only person on Earth who has Callin's summary for his 3rd book in the series (which was never written, but is/was intended as the finale), but for now, the world will have to stick with the two, unfortunately.

Exciting from start to end and for many sides of your mind

To enjoy the whole of A Lion on Tharthee, it would take a man experienced in many fields, as this book not only is a good SF story, but also drives you from a plausible 100-year-away future to a complete A-Z project management history, to interface between species, through so many fields, that the author seems to master all. Great reading.

If you find Saturnalia (book one of this saga) Get it!

I have read both of Grant Callin's books (Saturnalia, and Lion on Tharthee). The first (Saturnalia) is an absolute joy to read and unbelievably humorous. I caught myself laughing outloud on several times during my read, and in fact have read the book again and got the same laughs. This is the only SF book that has done this to me. An absolute joy to read. Lion on Tharthee is a continuation of this story and is nearly as entertaining as the first. Saturnalia is going to be difficult to find, but if you run across it, just get it ok? Its out of print, has a real hoky cover, but it will be a treasured read, guaranteed.

One of the best first contact stories I've ever read.

An excellent first contact story set about 100 years in the future. Very good hard science fiction.Now if only they would put the prequel, Saturnalia, back into print.

Is one of the best science fiction books I have read.

A Lion on Tharthee is probably one of the best science fiction books I have read. I believe this book is very under rated or at least under read since I have never meet anyone who has read it (other then by my recommendation). I am rating the book a nine, but then again I have never given a ten. The story theme is of mankind's first encounter with another race in the near future (+100 years). While lightly technical (and accurate), it mainly concentrates on character development and human (and non-human) interaction. The story is engaging with a number of unanticipated twists and turns as the tactics and politics of individuals and cultures shape events. Overall this book presents one of the most mature, sophisticated and believable accounts of two cultures meeting that I have read.