Empire Builders

by Ben Bova

Book Overview

Dan Randolph never plays by the rules. A hell-raising maverick with no patience for fools, he is admired by his friends, feared by his enemies, and desired by the world's loveliest women. Acting as a twenty-first privateer, Randolph broke the political strangle-hold on space exploration, and became one of the world's richest men in the bargain. Now an ecological crisis threatens Earth--and the same politicians that Randolph outwitted the first time...

• Format: Mass Market Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0812511654
• ISBN13: 9780812511659
• Release Date: March 1995
• Publisher: Tor Books
• Length: 416 Pages
• Weight: 0.50 lbs.
• Dimensions: 1.1" x 4.2" x 6.7"

Customer Reviews

Really a 3.5 star rating...

Rating System:1 star = abysmal; some books deserve to be forgotten2 star = poor; a total waste of time3 star = good; worth the effort4 star = very good; what writing should be5 star = fantastic; must own it and share it with othersSTORY: From back cover - "Dan Randolph, has become Dan Randolph, empire builder. His staff has found evidence that the greenhouse effect has been gathering speed and that soon, Earth will be on the edge of the greenhouse "cliff". Millions will die unless humankind changes its ways immediately."On the run from the world government and other forces, Randolph battles to regain all that he has lost and save the world at the same time.MY FEEDBACK:1) At first I was groaning at the thought of some extremist "tree-hugging" storyline. Yet Bova handles the subject matter VERY well without getting overly preachy.2) Some nice plot twists and believable opposition established3) A complaint (not the only one) is that the end seemed to get wrapped up a little too swift and nicely. It ignored some issues that normally would carry on a lot longer considering the "history" Bova built between characters and the world they live in.4) The character of Dan Randolph was enjoyable to read and the people who help him at various turns are a nice mix to watch5) The audio book reader does a good job and even had different voices for different characters, which I always prefer.OVERALL: It was interesting and entertaining. The "hard science" of the book was ok...nothing spectacular. It is worth the effort if you don't have anything else pressing to read.

Typical Bova--Excellent

The best thing about this book is how Bova is able to please the entire political spectrum on the enviromental issues that are addressed in the book. Left wingers will be pleased that the plot includes pending enviromental catastrophe caused by humanity's excesses while right wingers will be pleased that the solution is more freedom, not less. Dan Randolf, the main character of the book, is the best protagonist Bova has ever created.