I believe EARTH is my first reading from the work of acclaimed SF Master Ben Bova, and I was agreeably delighted, especially in light of my recent focus on "classic" Science Fiction and subsequent frequent discovery of unacceptable sexism and bigotry even in critically applauded authors. I found one point of contention in EARTH, actually a couple, one being reference to "Negroid," in terms of genetics. another being a height slur by the "evil mastermind" character.


But I found EARTH to be refreshingly clear-thinking throughout, with the main (almost the only) human female proving to be not the flighty wealthy socialite I first expected, but remarkably strong-minded, determined, an individual of integrity, assertive, not cowed by the man who stalks her, unafraid to choose the right ethical decisions. The male protagonist also is strong-minded, self-aware, highly ethical, very compassionate, emotionally vulnerable but dealing with the tragedies in his past and working to ensure an improved future for non-Earth interstellar civilizations and also in support of android artificial intelligence. His friendship with android Para is heartwarming and heartwrenching but gratifying and inspiring. This is very much a novel about overcoming the "us/not-us" mentality and learning to practice inclusiveness, not rejection, species supremacy, or corruption in the service of overweening greed.

I was excited to read this book as I’ve heard a lot about Ben Bova and hadn’t read his previous work. Unfortunately, I had a lot of trouble following along with the characters and the story and didn’t get past the first couple of chapters. I was hoping I could jump into the series with this book but it didn’t work for me. It felt like I was in the middle of something and I just couldn’t gain my footing.

I wanted this to be an amazing. There are a few great ideas, but it doesn't hold together. I felt the plot lurched from event to event, and the characters just place holders to fill in a string of not quite connected events.

Another story in the arc that Bova has been building for years. I enjoyed the story and it does stand alone but at times I wished that I had read all of his books instead of a few now and then.

Humans were helped by the Predecessors to shield Earth and other planets from the Death Wave crossing the galaxy. Now a survivor of the death of a star ship returns to Earth and wishes to help others protect these planets from the wish of some powerful people on Earth to treat them as colonial subjects to exploit. Who will win?

This is a classic from Ben. I really enjoyed it. The characters are well developed and the story is packed with action and adventure. The author does a great job delivering a story with a solid plot and interesting subplots. But you have to remember that this book is number 22 in Grand Tour series that Ben Bova has been writing for past 30 years.

I've never read any Ben Bova books before. I know, I know, where have I been all my life? Obviously I know his name and reputation well, so I settled back to enjoy this. Unfortunately I'm really sorry to say that I didn't.

There was no indication on this advance reading copy from Netgalley that this was one of a long-running series (Grand Tour) dating from the 1980s. Despite this being a new addition it actually reads like something from the 1980s. Small things irked me. The main character (Trayvon) is supposed to have been in cryo for almost 400 years following a horrible accident which wiped out all his crewmates (and his fiancee) on a space mission to help less developed galactic inhabitants survive a death wave that threatened all life. But that's in the past. He's been back on Earth for about a year and is still in therapy, accompanied everywhere he goes by a human-seeming android, Para, whom he regards as his only friend, contrary to everyone else's treatment of androids as machines. The medical authorities want to wipe his (unpleasant) memories to help him recover, so he skips town on a joyride to Jupiter with a couple of politicians and a woman that he fancies.

I'm not going to delve any further into the plot, but there were so many inconsistencies in the first 25% that I had a few book-meets-wall moments. a) There's no indication of the year, or even the century. b) I'm not sure how interstellar travel works. They seem to get around very quickly when it suits the story, and when it doesn't we are reminded that nothing moves faster than light except their (alien enhanced) communications system. c) Has Tray been away from Earth for 400 years or 1000? Both are mentioned and I don't get the timeline. (If it's time dilation, say so.) d) Also, anyone who has been away for so long should have a lot more difficulty fitting back into society. What about tech developments and language changes, for instance? All that seems to shock Tray is a more liberal attitude to sex. He doesn't feel like a man completely out of his time, in fact he integrates surprisingly well.

Writing-wise, there were some repeated explanations that felt weird, and the characters were flat. Tray's trauma didn't seem to have much of an impact. He's thinking of his dead fiancee (remember it's only been a year for him) but already fancying someone else without the trauma of the past affecting the present. Ben Bova's writing credentials are excellent, so I didn't expect that. I also didn't expect dated sexual and racial bias. There's a pilot of Australian Aboriginal origin continually referred to as 'the Abo'.

I gather that there are 22 previous books in the Grand Tour series, and maybe the others addressed some of the questions I have about this one. All I can say is that this is not a good entry point for reading that series.

NOTE: Having read some reviews of the earlier books it sounds as though they have not aged well with regard to the cold war, sexual and racial politics.

Over the years, Ben Bova has earned his spot in the pantheon of great science fiction writers. This book, however, misses the mark. The writing is compelling, but I had since problems that destroyed my enjoyment of the book.
To start with, the main character, Tray, is developed in only the most minimal way. He has a compelling back story, having survived a mission in space that killed the rest of his crew and stranded him for hundreds of years. But, other than a few flashbacks and giving a reason for him to be under supervision, this matters not at all. But, this still makes him by far the most developed character in the book. The reasons for the behaviors of other characters is mostly straight forward with almost no nuance to their personalities.
To continue with Trayvon though, his age is also a problem for me... and seemed to be for Bova as well. Having spent almost 1500 years away from Earth, would imply that Tray would be a very different person linguistically and culturally from the people he returned to. This is hinted at once as a minor plot point, but in general, they all speak the dance language and speak using 21st century idiom and historical references. The year that this book takes place is not specifically given, but Tray is only half as old as the oldest character in the book so you have to figure at least 3200 years in the future (could be an alternate timeline compared to our Earth... see my full disclosure). However, it has been only several hundred years since the origins of the English language, if I went back a thousand years I would not only be impossible to understand, but would be hopelessly lost culturally. It seems a cop out to create a large historical gap and yet have no one refer to anything that happened during it.
Lastly, the story arc. It seemed like it started as an man against the powers-that-be adventure. Then, it morphed into an take of exploration that hinted at 20,000 Leagues style tech adventure. It then changed to take of intrigue and who-done-it. And finished up as a light political tale. I turned to the last page and stated, "that's it?" loud enough to surprise my wife.
Full disclosure, when I stated reading this, I did not realize that it was part of the Grand Tour saga by Bova. I am not familiar with that saga, so that may have colored my opinions.
All-in-all, chances are if you have read the other 22 books in the Grand Tour, you will be reading this one regardless of anything I say. You will enjoy the authorial style and understand the limits and history of this universe Bova had created in a way I don't. But, if this is your first venture into Ben Bova's works, I suggest starting elsewhere.

I received a copy of this work from the publisher through Netgalley in exchange for an honest review. Thank you to both for the opportunity.

Another great Ben Bova sci-fi novel. Earth well keep you captivated with his well though out plot and characters.

Not the story expected from Ben Bova. The timeline for the protagonist, Tray, makes no sense. Was he away from Earth for 400 years or 1000? When he returns to Earth it seems that the only changes he needs to understand are the different sexual mores. of a different century. If there are other differences Bova does a dis-service by not explaining better the new universe.