This first book in the "Jupiter Novel" series is still the best (with Cyborg from Earth coming in close second). It's a great short sf read for adults, and a good "entry" sf book for teens.

Follow the new life of frustrated teenager Rick Luban, kicked out of his medicore school. As it turns out, it was the best thing to happen to him--he's given a chance to prove himself able to meet his full potential and learn more than he ever dreamed.

The book does a wonderful job emphasizing the value of working hard and putting an effort into getting a good education (in spite of everything in this case). Yes, as someone has said, there are perhaps some adult themes (for that reason, I would not give this book to anyone under 14 or so--thus only 4 stars since it is advertised for all young adults and doesn't quite fit that in my opinion) but they are fairly tacitful, and fit the context. I wouldn't worry too much, it isn't half as bad as most of those prime time sitcoms on today...

All in all, well written with an adventurous plotline that has good values along with a dose of reality for good measure.

Charles Sheffield and Jerry Pournelle have produced a feat of metallurgical wizardry: they took a plot worthy of the best of Golden Age hard science fiction and alloyed it with up-to-date characters, biting social commentary, and the best of modern space science. Given Dr. Pournelle's history in human factors studies in the space program and Dr. Sheffield's background in -- I believe -- satellite imaging, the realistic science is not surprising. Yet this book DOES surprise, in more than one instance. In a world of predictable plots, I find art that surprises me is GOOD art. "Higher Education" is good art. Because I think the surprises are integral to enjoying this book, I will praise them, but I won't describe them. For the plot, you can read the cover blurb, or the Amazon.com synopsis which covers the same essentials. In a nutshell: restless youth can't fit into the mundane world, and goes to space for a career and an escape. It's no coincidence that many reviewers have invoked the name Heinlein when discussing this book: readers of many of the late Robert A. Heinlein's works (especially his juveniles) can sketch out the broad outlines of the plot from there, as the protagonist grows and learns and becomes worthy of the appelation "hero". Said readers will expect one or more tough-but-caring mentor figures, at least one point where the protagonist realizes just how much he has changed, and a climax wherein his newly mastered skills are key to the resolution. Sheffield and Pournelle, both long-time Heinlein fans, haven't disturbed a formula perfected in works such as "Starship Troopers". Instead, they updated it, added in the aforementioned surprises, and underlaid the whole novel with a subtle primary theme which hides behind the more obvious Heinleinesque themes. And I think Heinlein would be proud: it's a theme he supported in many of his essays. There is one other reason why this book grabbed my attention, and why I expect to reread it very soon. It is my personal perception that the science fiction section of most bookstores is being inundated with the extremes: either fantasy, or else far future space opera that might as well be fantasy. Technological or "hard" science fiction, a staple of the Golden Age, has been a rarity for more than a decade; and hard SF set in the near future in the Solar System has become almost non-existent. It is as if this sub-genre, which in the Golden Age inspired the early pioneers of the space program, has lost its luster, as if this frontier-next-door isn't exotic or exciting enough for modern tastes, no matter how many exotic, exciting Golden Age stories prove otherwise. Recently, Allen Steele and others have been bucking this trend with stories of the next half-century in space. With "Higher Education", Sheffield and Pournelle have added another excellent counter-example: no aliens, no big explosions, no firefights, but a darn good story set in the day after tomorrow. We can only hope it inspires some future engineers like Heinlein inspired them.

"Higher Education" is the best science fiction novel written for young people since Robert Heinlein stopped writing juveniles in the early 60s. Using a future history that is both shocking and sad in its predictions (the satire on education alone will make any student or teacher love the book), Pournelle and Sheffield quickly capture the reader's attention with a classic prank. Like all of Heinlein's juveniles, "Higher Education" is a coming-of-age story, rife with the hardships of that perilous journey. The science is dead-on accurate; the adventure is even better. This is just a first in a series called "Jupiter Novels" all set in this future; while the other novels aren't sequels in the strictest sense of the world (and when will we get that sequel, Dr. Pournelle? Dr. Sheffield?), they are just as wonderful to read. I've taught this novel to high school freshmen over the last several years, and most of them go on to read the other "Jupiter Novels." As an adult who grew up reading Heinlein's juveniles, "Higher Education" brought me back that same sense of wonder.

I read this book under the title of "Plague from Space", published by Orbit Books in 1991. The book was first published in 1966, and it shows. Harrison spins an interesting tale of a plague that arrives in a manned ship that returned from a first descent into Jupiter, and how us humans handle it. The suspense is there, but unfortunately, I kept losing my suspension of disbelief because the future described in the book feels "too old". In particular, medicine and medical research, which are so important in this book, seem a little backward (even though some of the devices used are indeed forward looking).

This is not a bad read, but anyone who wants a good Harrison book to start with would do better to pick up a copy of Death World.

Having read only the Steel Rat series, I couldn't have guessed that Mr. Harrison is more than just a great parody writer. "Plague from Space" (he's got an annoying habit of publishing his books under different titles - I wonder if he thinks it's funny) is a serious, exciting, touching, realistic science fiction thriller. Though not the world's greatest book, it's definitely worth reading. - Olavi Jagg

Past sci-fi tech books such as the one I created will hopefully generate interest in physics and mathematics. Besides being entertaining to the Lost In Space fans I hoped to show a realistic scale and dimension of the Jupiter 2 spacecraft. Episode titles I would encourage to watch in regards to the Jupiter 2 flight systems are: "The Raft", "Blast Off Into Space", "Wild Adventure", & "Cave of the Wizards". Soon I hope to finish the "Jupiter(NICV)Maintenance & Calibration Manual". Look for it!

A very interesting book which explains in excellent detail (diagrams and formulas) the science behind the propulsion system of the ship. Technically dynamic in all areas of the ship it has some unique interior layouts of the saucer. I would have loved to have had this information when I was watching the TV show. Also goes into may other features of the craft: Guidance, Navigation, controls, all nicely layed out and explained. If you enjoyed "Lost in Space" then you should pick this one up.

I did not like book at all! I was so bored the entire time. There was so much unnecessary Jewish talk that it got confusing. I did not care for the main character's attitude when it came to many of the problems that arose. For example, Peter Decker finds out that his 16 year old stepson his sleeping around and having sex with his girlfriend and doing other bad things and all Mr. Decker says is "well, I hope that you use protection." GIVE ME A BREAK! There were so many crazy people in this book with their strange church rituals that it drove me crazy. Then you find out who the killer is after only 180 pages. Faye Kellerman is not my kind of writer, while on the other hand, her husband, Jonathan Kellerman is fascinating! Trust me I have read thousands of mystery novels and this one is not worth it!

I can say that I've never been disappointed by a Faye Kellerman book. But then again, I haven't read Moon Music (and I don't think I will judging by the reviewer comments).

That being said, I enjoyed this book very much. I think Faye Kellerman is a terrific author. Her writing style is terrific, concise, and darn interesting. I hate finishing her books. I was a tiny bit disappointed with the resolution, but I really enjoyed the subplots with Rina's sons and Marge. Anyway, I can't wait to read Stalker when it comes out. Faye Kellerman is one of the few authors whose books I make a point of reading. I do the same thing with Sue Grafton's Kinsey Milhone books. Gotta have it. Like Pepsi.

What is it with all the cult-oriented mystery novels lately? Between this and Death Du Jour (Kathy Reichs) it seems like we're in a spurt of post-Heaven's Gate paranoia. Cults are bad. We get the message.

This is not Faye Kellerman's best book. It's not even close. As far as the mystery itself is concerned, this book would only rate 3 stars at best. The situation feels more than a little contrived in a number of places and the ending is overly sensational. I also think a lot of diehard Peter Dekker fans may be turned off because we see rather significantly less of Rina than we usually do.

What saves the book and made it (in the end) a good read is the care with which Kellerman handles her family unit of Rina Lazarus and Peter Dekker. The trials of Peter and his maturing step-sons contain enough realism and conflict to keep the reader firmly hooked. Kellerman provides enough resolution to leave us satisfied, but nicely sets up the seeds of future problems for later books. Along the way she manages to do some fairly intelligent musing on the differences between orthodox religious adherents and cult members.

Worth a read, particularly if you like the series.

Something odd happened with the previous Falco novel, 'A body in the bathhouse'. The series is generally very reliable, but it started to dive and reached bottom with that book. The Jupiter Myth is inevitably an improvement -- but not much. It's set in Londinium, but the plot is a retread of 'Time to Depart'. Somehow it grates. On the one hand, we expect Londinium to be pretty rural and basic. But on the other hand we have this crime syndicate operating, invisibly? This simply doesn't work. Helena is nagging Falco, which doesn't really work either.

So it's hard to recommend this one. Buy one of the earlier ones: anything up to and including "One virgin too many".

Couple of firsts here for Davis. Initially a direct continuance from 'A Body in the Bathhouse' where the culprit who Marcus had exiled to Gaul, turns up in Londinium as the murdered party, secondly Marcus has a more personal reason for investigating the case. A step away from his usual informing, though it is given an official air by Hilarius and Frontinus, the Roman Britain procurator and governor, respectively. What Davis also does, is impose an even tighter deadline for Marcus to carry out his sleuthing, than in the preceding novel.
After the somewhat muddied effort in 'Bathhouse', the Jupiter Myth is a better offering from Davis (however, I still believe Marcus is at his very best when operating in the familiar surroundings of Rome). It is, however, very slow after opening with Verovolcus' body headfirst in the Shower of Gold's well. By the end, it is ironic that this murder was more a catalyst for the remaining action, rather than particularly relevant. In fact, more effort is given to Marcus' search for Petro who inexplicably takes off over the first hundred-plus pages than any cohesive effort at establishing motive and suspects. Indeed, Petronius' behaviour doesn't match with the character Davis has so painstakingly created over the series. His rough treatment of Marcus, ordering him to stay out of it before he gets killed is blatantly ignored in the immediate as the pair begin to openly meet. I am still not entirely sure what the purpose of the scene was.
Other than mutterings about a widespread protection racket and liberal descriptions of Londinium after Boudicca's revolt the book then stumbles through until we meet Marcus' old flame - the new gladiatrix Amzonia, more personally known as Chloris. It is at the point the entire novel is rescued as Davis' writing lifts, the action becomes precise, fast-flowing and Marcus becomes the fast-witted informer we all love.
We leap from a battle in Londinium's wooden ampitheatre (Helena even gets involved with a pack of dogs), to ballistae at warehouses, legionary fights at locales to the breathless end with Petro's saving and Maia's somewhat exasperated final action.
So, a tale of two parts. On the first part you could see a continuance of 'A Body in the Bathhouse' in that it was beoming more and more evident that Falco doesn't travel very well. However, in the second part, Davis rescues it with the final hours from Maia's 'capture' to the breaking of the racketeering gang. Perhaps this is due to the fact that, this time, Rome follows Falco to Britain and thus the easy familiarity is readily established. By the end of the novel Falco is back to his sleuthing best with plenty of action thrown in making this latest installment a delight to read. However, his insistence on going 'home' to Rome, gives hope that the whole of Falco's next installment (The Accusers) will be back to its very best.

I must admit it was a boring book. But I liked the aspect that it was written in!

this book is so knowledgeable. and enjoyable. alan leo
is the best. also ptolmeys tetrabiblios, mars the war
lord by alan leo, and saturn the reaper by alan leo.
don't pass this up its a must

A good, solidly researched report. Smooth flowing in organization and writing. Author is, on occasion, given to second guessing the factors and motivations confronting key players.

I recommend the book. The information presented is important towards a background and an understanding of the most volatile Cold War battle.

I have to admit that this particular novel didn't really reach me. The story is told from the point of view of a 17 year old - but that doesn't excuse the fact that the novel struck me as being a poor attempt to emulate one of Heinlein's juvenile novels. For the first two thirds of the novel plot was somewhat predictable. Past that point, the plot went haywire - things happening for no reason, simply to allow the author to finish off a story he didn't seem to have a decent conclusion for. I found the work disappointing, and could not recommend it to anyone.

The book is more aimed at a younger audience. The story is about a 17 year old boy who is reaching the turning point in his life. His is maturing faster than he realizes and has some difficulties dealing with his promblems. The story itself is simple and the ending not very suprising, yet it was enjoyable to read. The older more "sophisticated" may find the story a little "low brow", but the teenager may enjoy the story more becasue they can relate to the protagonist.

I found myself interested in the book. I loved the technical info the author writes about. I wish the story hadn't splintered into the "will the project be ended and all the people sent back to earth" and the "is there an alien coming back to our solar system". The original concept for the book about a boy about to be a man and fighting to stay on the ship was interesting. I liked the characters also I wish the reader could have known them better though. I hated the ending, it was incomplete and didn't further the story or help it in any way. This could have been a really great book, it kept my attention two thirds of the way through. In the end it was just a disappointment. It is really a shame.

This book is so full of errors and mistakes that it ends up being more of a waste of time than anything else. In addition, the writing style is amateurish - almost to the point of being funny. You get the impression that the author was simply transcribing Sky&Telescope rather than thinking through what she was actually trying to say.