Home on Derange by David Gerrold - Thirty Stories Designed To Be Entertaining And Perhaps Disturbing

Home on Derange by David Gerrold

I purchased Home on Derange directly from the author and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

In the introduction to this volume, David Gerrold writes:

"I suppose you are entitled to a warning.

"This is it.

"None of these stories are meant to be taken seriously."

He then proceeds to explain how the thirty entries in this anthology came into existence.

Home on Derange is a collection of thirty stories or other writings intended to be fun, and they most certainly are. It is a book full of varied speculations on life moving from the mundane into the extreme through the masterful use of language. If you enjoy reading tales with a twist, here is a book full of them. I found these stories so rich, I couldn't read them one right after the other. After almost every story, I had to set the book aside because my mind needed time to wrap itself around what I had read.

While I enjoyed every story in this book, I found a few favorites that stood out to me.

The first story is entitled "The Great Pan American Airship Mystery." A group of high-powered personalities take a trip on a passenger blimp across the United States. In their midst, there may be a threat as they discuss the more macabre aspects of their business.

Another of my favorites is "Crystallization." It is a look at a major city's problem of freeway gridlock if taken to the extreme. If you live in a rural area, this one will make you glad you do.

"The Kennedy Enterprise" is a speculation on what might have happened if the Kennedy family had gotten involved in Hollywood instead of entering politics. I found this one the most fun as I pictured JFK the way he was described. I couldn't help but laugh.

Those three represent only ten percent of what is contained in Home on Derange.

My takeaways from Home on Derange are twofold.

As a reader, I loved all the plot twists and swerves I found in this collection. These stories are all on the fringe and each one is bizarre. It is always nice to get away from serious sci-fi for a short time and enjoy something different. I found this an entertaining volume I will read again because there is so much to be found in those pages.

As an aspiring writer, I was mesmerized at the use of language. According to the author, every story, every chapter, every paragraph, and every sentence should be surprising to the reader. I loved the way he used the language to paint pictures of situations I found the characters.

Home on Derange is a marvelous collection of stories to read for fun and entertainment, as well as a diversion from life. If you're down, these stories will help one appreciate that no matter how bad one's own situation may be, it could be worse. A lot worse. They are all masterfully written and easy to digest a little at a time. It is not designed to be read from cover to cover in a single sitting. Each vignette is intended to be savored individually.

If you enjoy speculative fiction in small bites, this one is for you.

Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

David Gerrold lives in California with his son, daughter-in-law, and his toddler grandson. He is the winner of numerous awards for his writing. You can follow him on Facebook or through his Patreon page. He is a self-described curmudgeon, and you are highly advised not to tread on his lawn.

Well, there it is...

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Leaping to the Stars: The Far Side of the Sky Book 3 by David Gerrold - An Amazing Conclusion To A Magnificent Series!

Leaping to the Stars: The Far Side of the Sky Book 3 by David Gerrold

Leaping to the Stars is the third and final book in the Far Side of the Sky series by David Gerrold. The series chronicles the exploits of Charles "Chigger" Dingillian, a young teenager who comes of age as he and his family leave a ruined Earth to find a better situation. Written in the traditional style of science fiction, the author take us beyond the solar system for an exciting adventure brimming with twists and turns as it unfolds. But that's not all. There is a smorgasbord of questions presented to give one food for thought. 

I would recommend that anyone interested in reading this saga to be sure to read the series starting with the first book in the series to see the growth in the principal character. The first book is Jumping off the Planet, followed by Bouncing off the Moon. All three are excellent books that have a great deal of value in great storytelling, characters to care about, and thought-provoking philosophies presented without taking the reader out of the story.

It's no secret David Gerrold is a superior author, and this series is one outstanding example of his brilliance.

This tale picks up shortly following the events of Bouncing off the Moon. Charles has been reunited with his mother and father. He and his two brothers, Douglas, Bobby, along with Mickey - Douglas' love interest - all board a starship in preparation to move to the Outbeyond colony, some thirty-five light years from the earth. Life will not be easy on Outbeyond. Conditions there are going to depend heavily on everyone in the colony, contributing their talents and knowledge to survive.

One thing that may help is the artificial super-intelligent program called HARLIE, contained in a toy monkey bonded to Charles. HARLIE is an acronym for Human Analog Replicant Lethetic Intelligence Engine. The thing is, everyone wants HARLIE for its sheer power to think and come up with abstract ideas to problems. HARLIE's main purpose is to ensure the wellbeing of Charles, and by extension, everything he cares about. What we learn in this story, as far as HARLIE is concerned, is what lengths the program will go to make sure Charles is safe.

Being chased by everyone, Charles and his family get aboard the starship Cascade to begin their journey. Right up to the last minute before their final launch, a law enforcement official is knocking at the hatch of the ship, trying to stop them from leaving. The ship finally blasts away from the moon to begin the journey. And that should be the easy part, but it's not to be.

Onboard the Cascade, there is endless training for the future colonists. There are matters of educating the young and finding out how adult passengers can contribute to the colony. There are matters of conservation and usage of limited supplies, and how the colony will be set up upon arrival.

If it sounds daunting, it is.

The tale is told from Charles's point of view entirely. We get a look at his thought processes and the conclusions he draws. He is often disappointed in what he finds coming from his experiences. For instance, even before he is aboard the starship, it is made clear to him he, and his family, are only welcome because he controls HARLIE.

The best thing about Charles is witnessing him coming into his own as the story progresses. Being forced to grow up makes him appealing to me. The unfortunate thing about him is no matter where he turns, there is always someone trying to take something from him. He is somewhat a tragic character, but he learns about his world despite the setbacks, which there are many.

Charles finds his solace in music. He is an accomplished musician, following in his dad's footsteps. His music has been a sustaining force all his life and in this part of the saga, it also becomes a sustaining force for others.

My favorite point of plot in Leaping to the Stars is in a chapter called "Defining Government" (pp. 192-196 - Kindle Edition). It describes a discussion between students and a wise teacher using the Socratic method to lead students in discovering their own conclusions, namely how they would shape the government for their colony. The students discuss everything from free-living to coming up with a set of rules that must apply to all. These four pages of the book are worth the price of the book.

Another discussion that takes place between two people is on the nature of being good, or maybe behaving well would also fit. The question is, is behaving well desirable because it comes with rewards, or is it a reward in itself?

Finally, my favorite quote from the book is at the core of another concept.

"... knowledge isn't about what you believe, it's about what you can demonstrate." (Page 199 - Kindle Edition)

There is what one knows, and there is what one believes. I think I'll just leave that one right where it is.

I will add, much of what I read in parts of the book dealing with philosophy and world building reminded me of Plato's Republic, but David Gerrold's writing is far more entertaining.

My takeaway from this book shows how difficult it is to maintain a society, and none of us really knows everything that makes a communal living situation work. As the people on the ship move closer to the colony, there are a lot of bits and pieces that need to fall into place. Or maybe more like hammering into place. Everyone will have to contribute to the commonwealth to make it a viable place to live. Just subsisting is not an option.

One of my favorite things about David Gerrold's stories is there is something to be learned from all of them I have read. There is always something to think about after the book is closed, and this book will haunt me as I work through and sort out what I have been given to think about.

But please, don't misunderstand, Leaping to the Stars is not just a treatise on societal living. The story is amazing. It has everything one would want from a good sci-fi book. It has great backdrops for well-developed characters to play in. It has a full gamut of emotional context for the reader. There is even a love story, as well as a budding love story, when Charles is reacquainted with someone he met in the first installment of the series. There is technology at work and even an element of uncertainty with HARLIE. All of this is tied together to round out a trilogy full of unexpected surprises in the tradition of authors such as Robert Heinlein. In a word, it’s fun. Highest Recommendations!

Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

David Gerrold lives in California with his son, daughter-in-law, and his toddler grandson. He is the winner of numerous awards for his writing. You can follow him on Facebook or through his Patreon page. He is a self-described curmudgeon, and you are highly advised not to tread on his lawn.

Well, there it is...

Qapla!

Bouncing Off the Moon: The Far Side of The Sky Book 2 by David Gerrold - More Sci-Fi Goodness From A Master

Bouncing Off the Moon: The Far Side of The Sky Book 2 by David Gerrold

I finished reading the first book in this series, Jumping Off the Planet, a few weeks ago and gave it a five-star review. Bouncing Off the Moon continues right where the first installment ends. This is a tale of an estranged family with parents who are more childish than their children. It is very a very sad state of affairs when parents use their children as weapons against each other; everyone suffers, especially the children.

The story, so far, is told from Charles's point of view. He is the middle child of three brothers who are all different in their interests and behaviors, but they have one thing in common; they depend on each other for support and survival.

Bouncing Off the Moon is a brilliantly written story told in the classic sci-fi style. It is set wholly on Earth's Moon and the descriptions of the backdrop colorfully illustrate the colorless landscape of the colonized satellite. I couldn't help but think about Buzz Aldrin's observation when he encountered the body in 1969. He called it "magnificent desolation" and David brings those words to life in this book.

I was most impressed by the pains the author took to get the science right. However, what really drives the story are the characters.

This second book isn't your typical bridge between the beginning and the end of a trilogy, but it is a complete story unto itself. I found it exciting, scary, sad, and humorous; running a full gamut of emotions.

Charles, also known as Chigger, his two brothers, Bobby the younger, Douglas, the older, have just won their emancipation from their parents and are striking out to seek their fortune among the stars. Economic and political conditions on Earth have deteriorated to where its society seems doomed to collapse. The brothers are accompanied by Mickey, Douglas' newly found love interest.

Realizing they are being pursued for a toy they have in their possession; they learn they have to take an alternate way to avoid being captured. Bobby's toy contains something precious to many people. The boys are joined by Alexei, a friend of Mickey's and a resident of the Moon, who helps them escape from the tether in a cargo pod before they can be captured.

As a resident of the Earth's natural satellite, Alexei knows how to get around and he takes the boys on a fantastic adventure crossing the Lunar surface to seek safety. After arriving at a safe place, all is not what it seems, and the boys must watch their backs because there is uncertainty at every turn.

As for the characters in this second part of the tale, there is significant growth in the brothers. In the first book, they really had little in common with one another other than the schism brought about by their parents. Since they have been away from that influence, they have become closer and depend on one another for strength and support.

The story is told from Chigger's point of view, and we get to follow his feelings through the numerous new, strange, and dangerous situations the boys face. David wrote this story so one can feel what the boys feel, especially Chigger. As a young teenager, he is already emotionally compromised just because of the age. I have to say, though, that he handles much of what he faces well for his age.

My best advice for a reader is to keep an eye on all the characters. Some are not what they seem.

My favorite point of plot for Bouncing Off the Moon is all the swerves, twists, and turns this story takes. Just when one thinks this story is going to be predictable, it takes a turn and moves in another direction. I thought for sure I had a couple of characters figured out, only to find I was completely wrong about them. This alone makes this tale a fun one to read, as David takes the reader on an emotional and literal roller coaster ride.

Another point I appreciated were the descriptions of the surroundings and how the characters move through them while on the moon, not to mention how they get to the moon. The science is well researched, and it adds so much to the authenticity of the story. Everything the author shows the reader in this story is completely plausible. Indeed, it is all made up, but everything is so practical, it wouldn't be difficult to say that David is projecting today’s technologies into the not-too-distant future.

One takeaway from this story is how one must know their surroundings with great diligence. This is true especially with the people once interacts with. With the brothers, they had little choice in who to ally themselves with and it could have cost them their lives had they not been suspicious of nearly everyone they encountered.

But even more, during a scene near the end of the book, two characters get into a discussion of a legal and philosophical nature. The question posed is, "when it is appropriate to break the law?" Many would argue that illegal activity brings about change, but then at what cost does that change take place? Then there is the idea presented by American author, Henry David Thoreau, in an essay commonly known as On the Duty of Civil Disobedience. In nearly every book I've read by David Gerrold, there is something to give me pause and think. As for me, I think this small section is worth the price of the entire book. The conclusion to the argument is, "... it is never appropriate to break the law. It is, however, appropriate to challenge it responsibly." (p. 268, Kindle edition)

Not only is this my favorite part of the story, it is thick with substance and well worth the time, especially in the current political climate.

I recommend Bouncing Off the Moon along with the volume that comes before, Jumping Off the Planet, as something worth the time to read, not only because of the immense entertainment value of the saga but also to have one's mind stimulated with issues relevant to life today. David Gerrold's skill as a writer is shown in this story because the deep issues are not presented in a preachy way, but they are presented as important story points moving the story forward.

Highest recommendations for this book as well as the series (so far) as a whole.

Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

David Gerrold lives in California with his son, daughter-in-law, and his toddler grandson. He is the winner of numerous awards for his writing. You can follow him on Facebook or through his Patreon page. He is a self-described curmudgeon, and you are strongly advised not to tread on his lawn.

Well, there it is...

Qapla!

Jumping off the Planet: The Far Side of the Sky, Book 1 by David Gerrold - A Bittersweet Tale Of A Dysfunctional Family On A Smart Kid

Jumping off the Planet: The Far Side of the Sky, Book 1 by David Gerrold

One thing I really enjoy is a tale told in the style of classic science fiction, which is why the writing of David Gerrold appeals to me in a big way. Jumping off the Planet is a great, character driven story with descriptions of settings to whet the reader's imagination. It contains science that is not with us yet, but it is so well researched that one cannot argue with its plausibility.

The funny thing is, as I started reading this book, I realized it was very familiar for some strange reason, and then it hit me, this story was also included in a collection I bought several years ago directly from the author when he visited the town of Beatrice, Nebraska for a celebration of the life of Gene L. Coon. The collection, which includes four stories, is entitled A Promise of Stars: Stories from Beyond the Sky.

Jumping off the Planet is a sci-fi story that focuses on a dysfunctional family in the not-too-distant future where one can travel into space on a space elevator, and even catch a ride to the moon. Unfortunately, resources on Earth are scarce and availability is an ever-increasing problem, so the more affluent members of the human race live and work on stations along the length of the elevator. There is a lot of sadness and in this story, but it is balanced with some triumph for the principal character, a young man often referred to as "Chigger," a nickname given to him by his grandfather.

Charles "Chigger" Dingillian along with his two brothers and mother live in a Texas shanty town where they try to carve out a decent lifestyle. One day, Chigger's dad shows up with a seemingly fantastic offer. During his time with the boys, he is allowed by a custody agreement, he proposes to the boys they go on a vacation to the moon. The boys are skeptical, believing their dad to be making yet another promise he cannot, or will not, keep.

In effect, Max Dingillian kidnaps his three sons and races off on a cross-country adventure to Ecuador, where he plans to take his sons off the planet and away from their mother.

It isn't long after they depart the planet that Max's plan is discovered, and the chase is on to stop him. 

Chigger has had enough of the situation between his estranged parents and thinks about a solution to end his torment and hopefully give him and his brothers a chance at a better life. He has two choices: either go back to what it has been or divorce his parents.

Charles finds joy in almost nothing. All he wants out of life is to be left to himself and be allowed to listen to his music, the only thing that gives him solace. He really seems to hate his family, but it isn't true. It's not the people in his family he hates, but the situation they had put him in, particularly his mother and father, who are more interested in their own agendas than what is best for their kids. 

What I appreciated most about young Charles is his thoughtfulness about everything. Jumping off the Planet revolves around the inner workings of a kid who is brilliant in many ways. He takes note of his surroundings and comments on them, sometimes negatively, but he doesn't miss a thing. It is tragic knowing what he could be if only had the proper nurturing from adults who could provide an example of what it is to be adults.

One of my favorite things about this story is how Charles finds refuge in music, particularly in the music of John Coltrane. This is not surprising to me when one thinks about his style of jazz he dubbed "sheets of sound." As the sideman for the great Miles Davis, Coltrane invented his technique by the playing of rapid passages of notes that wove themselves together in a curtain of sound. That Charles latched on to them shows an advanced appreciation for music. 

This advanced appreciation is, of course, an extension of the David Gerrold's own appreciation for music of all kinds. One of the most profound statements offered in the book is a nearly perfect description of what the style of jazz music is about:

"Jazz isn't music. Jazz is what happens when the music disappears and all that is left is the sound and the emotion connected to it. Jazz is a scream or a rant or a sigh. Or whatever else is inside, trying to get out."

Gerrold, David. Jumping Off the Planet (p. 73). BenBella Books. Kindle Edition.

As a musician myself, I find this quote not only profound but also poetic and spot on!

My takeaway from Jumping off the Planet is the tragedy of what happens when parents fall out of love with each other and proceed to use their children as weapons against each other. This is idea is clearly illustrated in the text of this tale and hangs like a pall over the entire story.

No one is born knowing how to be a parent. There are no manuals or coaches to teach one how to be a parent. This story has a message to those that would be parents. When a man or a woman begin to feel sorry for themselves enough to put themselves in the center of their universe, they must remember that the small life they brought into the world is, and should be, the center of their universe. A child never asks to be born and in no case do they owe their parents anything, but their parents do owe their children everything.

I recommend Jumping off the Planet as an outstanding work of sci-fi that is also a deep character study of a family in turmoil that has gotten to a point unbearable for the children involved. It is often a disturbing tale with moments of laugh-out-loud irony and an ending that is not only triumphant, but leaves the question of what's next for these youngsters? Fortunately, there are two more books in this series, and I look forward to the continued saga of what will happen to the Dingillian clan and how the characters, particularly Charles, will grow.

Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

David Gerrold lives in California with his son, daughter-in-law, and his toddler grandson. He is the winner of numerous awards for his writing. You can follow him on Facebook or through his Patreon page. He is a self-described curmudgeon, and you are highly advised not to tread on his lawn.

Well, there it is...

Qapla!

Hella by David Gerrold - Colonization Of An Exoplanet Through The Eyes Of A Young Man Coming Of Age

Hella by David Gerrold

I recently read Hella by David Gerrold and found it to be a deeply thoughtful story. The world building is amazing, the characters are compelling and diverse, and the overall story is one that kept me turning page after page. I absolutely hated putting it down when time and responsibilities forced me to stop reading.

Gerrold set Hella in a future where Earth has become an undesirable place to live. While there aren’t many references to what our home planet’s problems are, I imagined that it includes most of the problems we face today. In my estimation, the author wants the reader to fill in the blanks on that score. All one has to do is read the headlines and extrapolate what the future holds for humanity, if we continue on our current course. At any rate, the people have reached for the stars for refuge from a sick planet.

The planet Hella itself is a pristine world invaded by humans. It is a very different place than our native planet. It is smaller than Earth, giving it lower gravity. A year on Hella is about two-and two-thirds times that of a year on Earth. One of the most important parts of the novel is the sheer size of everything natural to the planet. The residents of the planet say everything is “Hella-bigger” than Earth. The bugs, plants, and especially the animals on the planet are huge, and some are very dangerous. The people who colonize the planet are trying to learn to live in harmony with the new environment by building encampments in which everyone lives more or less comfortably.

This story is told through the eyes and thoughts of young Kyle Martin. He is a thirteen and one-half year old (that’s in Earth years, he would be approximately five in Hella years) who observes and thinks about everything. When he was younger, he had some behavioral issues and a chip was implanted in his brain to help him cope. The chip gives him an advantage allowing him to access the net, a vast information network Kyle calls the “noise.” When Kyle hears something he doesn’t understand, he just opens up to the net and finds the information. However, the young man is also at a slight disadvantage; one thing he doesn’t understand is nuance. He rarely understands why people don’t say what they mean; why they dance around the facts and describe things with metaphor, or other methods. His thinking is pragmatic. He observes and draws conclusions based on observation, and his interpretations are factual, and sometimes amusing.

Kyle relies on his older brother, Jamie, when it comes to understanding nuance. He worships Jamie and Jamie is the ideal big brother. Jamie is his mentor, interpreter, and best friend. Jamie appreciates Kyle’s points of view and encourages him to be who and what he is. For the most part, encouragement of this kind seems to be a cornerstone of existence on Hella. The only requirement on the planet is everyone has to contribute to the greater good. Kyle also lives with his mother, who also understands that it is best to give Kyle his space and be who he is.

Another character that Kyle has a lot of respect for is Captain Skyler. Skyler is a role model of someone that could be a hero to many people. He takes Kyle on important missions and also provides a great deal of encouragement to the young man. Along the way, Kyle also befriends others that become good and fast friends that work together for the betterment of the Hella Colony.

One of the best things about this story is the diversity of the cast of characters and how almost everyone is accepting of others in the colony. There are all kinds of people all working for the survival of the whole. It is a refreshing look at how things might be in a place where everyone depends on everyone else to do their part. One of the most interesting aspects of life on this new planet (the colony is a little over a hundred years old) is that people may choose their gender. Kyle was born a girl, but chose to become a boy to be more like Jamie. Apparently this idea is accepted on Hella without judgement or prejudice, and it adds an interesting dynamic to the story.

Not everything on the planet is as easy-going as it appears. Kyle extensively observes and comments on the dangers of living on a planet so different from where humanity evolved to exist. As mentioned before, everything on Hella is bigger. The native animals grow to huge proportions, and their size alone can be a danger to the colony. Some species are migratory and colonists feel their movements from miles and miles away. Occasionally, the native fauna comes too close to the colony and can cause damage to the defenses. There are predator and prey animals, and the prey animals are extremely dangerous and hunt in packs. No one dares to go outside the compound without making very special preparations and traveling in very large armored vehicles.

The weather on Hella is brutal. Summers are extremely hot and winters are just the opposite. Those extremes force the colonists to travel between two major colonies to survive the changing of seasons. In short, survival can be challenging.

Most of the first half of the story serves to set up the second part where we learn that the most dangerous enemy to the colony is an ambitious, power-hungry politician who, with the encouragement of one of his wives, seeks to change how the government operates. This person wants to rule with his own prejudices as a guide. It seems there are no limits to what he will do to impose his will on the people. Ironically, on Hella, the most dangerous obstacle to survival is a human being.

For me, one of the most compelling things about this story is the range of emotion it invoked in me. Through Kyle’s eyes, I laughed over his matter-of-fact observations about fellow colonists. I was appalled because of his treatment at the hands of a few. The descriptions of brutality outside the colony scared me, and I was happy at events that helped Kyle understand himself and others in a deeper sense. I found the story thought provoking in that it helped me imagine what our own world might look like if we, as humans, might improve our world situation if we banded together in a common, benevolent society.

Author David Gerrold and me in Beatrice,  Nebraska - March 3, 2018

I have read other works by David Gerrold and have enjoyed everything I have read. His writing is clear and easy to read. Of everything I have read from this author, I would have to say that this is at the top of the list of favorites. I highly recommend Hella as what should be an important work of fiction, not only for Sci-Fi fans, but for anyone who is open to understanding themselves and others.

Well, there it is...

Qapla!

 

A Promise of Stars: A Great Collection Of Young Adult Fiction And On Meeting David Gerrold

A Promise of Stars by David Gerrold

Back on March 2-4, 2018, the Gage County (Nebraska) Historical Society held a celebration of the life and work of Gene Coon. The event was held in the city of Beatrice, Nebraska, the birthplace of Coon, whom many of us will know as a writer and producer for original series Star Trek. When I learned that David Gerrold was going to appear in person at this celebration, I knew that I had to go. David appeared at the public library at the and of the day for a meet-and-greet and a book signing session. So I waited my turn in line choosing to get two Tribbles (Chrissy would have never forgiven me if I hadn’t brought one home for her) and the book, A Promise Of Stars. As an addendum, I will discuss more about meeting Mr. Gerrold after the book discussion.

When I picked up this book, I thought I was purchasing a short story collection. While there are a couple of short stories contained therein, there are also what Gerrold calls short novels. In any case, A Promise Of Stars is a collection of stories that are young adult sci-fi, owing to the fact that the stories all focus on young people. There are five stories in the volume and each one is unique, but after reading, I found some common threads that connected the stories, mostly in some of the terminology used by the characters. In the seven stories are some interesting and appealing adventures, but it was the first one that I was very much able to relate to personally. I would imagine that many of us who are older, sci-fi fans can relate to it as well. That first story is called Nowhere Man.

Have you ever been that kid that constantly gets picked on? You read hard books for enjoyment, you do well in your classes, you might even be a little bored with school because things come easy for you. But instead of receiving admiration, you have to put up with some bully that constantly ridicules you, and may even cause you harm if you stand up for yourself. Yeah, I was that kid.

I wasn’t necessarily any smarter than anyone else, but I loved school and took learning very seriously. I studied my butt off all the time. I also enjoyed learning when I didn’t have to. I was a nerd before the word nerd even became common. Well, I always wanted to get back at those that made going to school torture outside the classroom and that is what Nowhere Man is about. A young man, a genius really, teams up with his uncle and devises something that allows him to get his revenge. I must say, I wish I had come up with the idea to avenge myself upon my antagonists in the way the hero does.

Other stories include:

• A father attempting to kidnap his sons by taking them to the moon, but there is an interesting twist for this dysfunctional family. 
• A group of young people are taken to the moon to work on a habitat, but as will happen with young people, hormones get in the way.
• A young woman and her grandmother literally knit a starship after their lives are changed due to some shady business practices.

And there are more, including a very short and very interesting list of what future travelers to the moon might comment after they return.

One of the things I appreciate most in an author is that person’s ability to write in such a way that I can visualize the people, places, and things that they are communicating in their stories. If I cannot get pictures in my mind’s eye of what I am reading, then I usually give up on the book. Mr. Gerrold is a master at painting pictures with his words.  I hold his work up there with Asimov, Heinlein, Anderson, and Ellison in that regard. I have not read as much of David’s work as I should, but what I have read fits the bill brilliantly. I will absolutely include the collection, A Promise of Stars as one of those that fit the bill because the writing flowed off the page and the internal visuals I got were stunning.

There’s also a lot of emotional content in A Promise that runs from the feeling of triumph to deep despair. There is also fear, apprehension, and a lot of love. And perhaps that is what sets David apart from more common writers, he loves what he does and it is obvious. I especially enjoy what I call David’s lists. He will take a commonly used phrase and find every synonym to that phrase and then even  make up a few more. Some are quite humorous, some are irreverent, and some will even make the reader blush, but they are never boring. I catch myself reading David’s lists a couple of times to be sure I don’t miss something before I go on with the story.

In any case, I highly recommend A Promise of Stars as a collection of great stories that are well told. One might even read this volume as an introduction to the authors brilliant work without investing in a full novel.

So, with the book review part of the post done, I will continue with my experience meeting and talking, however all too briefly, with David Gerrold. Just a quick note here, I am calling what came before this a book review, which I know David would disagree. A while back, David posted on Facebook what a review is, and there is way too much about myself in what I have written; a book review should be about the book and not about the reviewer (See sir, I am paying attention). So, there is the reason that I am writing reviews on a blog as opposed to writing professionally.

I have known the name David Gerrold for most of my life, ever since I first saw his name as the writer of The Trouble with Tribbles. After that, I began seeing his name on a number of television shows that I enjoyed; Babylon 5, Land of the Lost, and Twilight Zone to name a few. I found him on Facebook and clicked the “Friend” button and waited. And I waited and waited.  And I waited some more. I kind of felt bad that he hadn’t responded to my Friend request until I learned that his cue was completely full, and there was no more room for friends and that I was on a waiting list. So I continued waiting. One day, I was surprised that I had been accepted as a friend.

Since that time, and before, when I was a follower, I have enjoyed reading David’s Facebook posts and have learned a lot from them. David is a self proclaimed curmudgeon, and describes himself as an old grouch and not a nice man. He posts on many subjects and if one takes the time to read his posts, one can gain some insight on humor, politics, and a number of other subects. He is outstanding at expressing himself, as I have already mentioned. He will even accept argument and disagreement, but be warned, your argument better be well researched and based on evidence, otherwise you may find yourself getting launched on his famous “Trebuchet.” In other words, off the friends list. So needless to say, I was not sure about who I was going to meet when I went to the event in Beatrice.

I found out about the celebration for one of Beatrice’s native sons, Gene L. Coon, quite by accident on Facebook from a friend who was planning to go and was spreading the word. I thought it would be fun to take a drive and spend the day at a place I have heard about, but have never been. Then I learned that David Gerrold was going to be a guest speaker and signing books there and that pretty much made it a must go for me.

Although it was touted as a three-day event, I was only able to attend on Saturday. I had brought my Klingon costume and had intended to wear it for most of the day while at the event, but when I arrived, I saw immediately that it was not that kind of event, so my Klingon persona remained in the trunk. At any rate, there was a speaker who talked about Gene Coon’s roots in Beatrice, his time in the military, and how he came to be in Hollywood as a writer/producer for television. I was not aware that Coon had done so much in television and that he had penned episodes for many of my favorite television shows. Following the talk, the audience was treated to an episode each of Wagon Train and Bonanza, both written by Gene Coon. At noon, we were sent to lunch and I finally got to see David Gerrold in the flesh who was the guest of honor at a Q. & A. session at the local Valentino's (I will just add here that the food was excellent, and if you are in Beatrice, consider stopping at Valentino's!). I raised my hand to ask a question, and knowing that David was good friends with Harlan Ellison, I thought to ask after him. It was almost three and a half years since Ellison had had a stroke, and I wondered how he was doing and if he was working again. David’s answer was that Harlan was still Harlan and that he would pass along well wishes to him (in case you weren’t aware, Harlan Ellison, a man that I admired as a champion for what is right, recently passed away).

After lunch, it was back to the theater for David Gerrold’s keynote speech and another Q&A session with the audience. David talked for nearly ninety minutes about his relationship with Gene Coon who turned out to be a mentor. Next up were two episodes of Star Trek by Gene Coon, one was Devil in the Dark and the second was A Taste of Armageddon.

Following an hour dinner break, I headed over to the public library where David was having a book signing session. I finally had my chance and when I got my turn in line, and after purchasing the Tribbles and the book, I asked David if he would mind if I had a photo with him, to which he heartily agreed. So, online, he may be a curmudgeon, but in person, he is a very nice man and friendly with fans. I handed my camera to a friend and took my place behind the table with David. When the picture was snapped, he announced to those gathered, “This is our engagement picture!” everyone, including me, cracked up and it was great fun.  I thanked him for the photo opportunity and told him that I appreciated his writings on Facebook and that I had learned a lot from him. I further mentioned that because of what I do, and the political climate locally, that I was unfortunately unable to interact on Facebook with him. He turned to me, and whispered in my ear some advice. He said, “Keep reading and vote.” Four words that say a lot. To David, I promise you that I will do as you suggest.

It is my hope that one day, I will have the opportunity to see David again and maybe even get him to autograph that engagement picture.

Well, there it is…

Qapla'!

Edited by Benjamin Arrowood

Blood And Fire (Star Wolf #4) By David Gerrold - The Last Book In The Series Is Outstanding And Thought Provoking

Blood and Fire (Star Wolf #4) By David Gerrold

All good things must come to an end, and so it is for the Star Wolf series by David Gerrold. Sometime back, I asked the author what he would recommend for a good space opera book by him to read and he responded with Voyage of the Star Wolf, which I immediately downloaded on my Kindle and started to read. I very much enjoyed it and grabbed the remaining three novels. Blood and Fire is the fourth and final installment in this amazing series of tales.

In this story, it is some time after the events of the third book in the series, The Middle of Nowhere. In that story, the Star Wolf had not earned its name and will still known in the fleet as the LS-1187 (LS meaning Liberty Ship), even though the crew and especially the first officer, Commander Jon Korie, knew that they actually had, several times over. Korie also believed that he had earned his captain’s stars as well. At any rate, the ship was devastated by a small group of imps left behind by a Morethan assassin in the second novel in the series. These imps were doing a thorough job damaging the Star Wolf, and came very close to causing the destruction of the ship itself, but also causing the destruction of the starbase that the ship reported to.

Repairs and upgrades have been made to the Star Wolf and the ship gets a new captain, a woman named Parsons. Parsons is an experienced captain that knows her business and holds the respect of the crew and Commander Korie as well, which has not been the case with previous captains of the Star Wolf. The ship has also earned its name between novels.

Star Wolf has been dispatched on a rescue mission for another Liberty Ship, the Norway, which has not been heard from is some time and is in danger of being lost in a binary star system. When Star Wolf arrives at their destination, they find that the Norway is in danger of being destroyed by a ribbon of plasma that is created when one star is taking the plasma from the other. The Norway appears dead, but life signs are detected on board. Commander Korie leads a boarding party to investigate and he and his people run into some nasty trouble when they discover that the ship is infested with bloodworms that have the ability to eat right through his people’s environmental suits, but multiply when an attempt to destroy them is made with a flame thrower.

The landing party, minus one unfortunate soul, manages to escape and locate the ship’s survivors and attempt rescue, all the while fighting a race against time between the bloodworms and the plasma ribbon.

The book, in its entirety, is a great story as one would expect from David Gerrold. There is plenty of excellently written action with characters that are compelling; in short, it has all of the elements that make a spectacular space opera. However for me, the real meat in this book is the third chapter that defines much of what this piece is about. That chapter is entitled “History.”

Please allow me to digress for a moment to Star Trek. As a Trekkie/Trekker, I have come to think of our future among the stars as being rather utopian. According to canon, one day in the future, after a devastating war, Zephram Cochrane takes the first warp drive capable ship on a little jaunt in our solar system which is noticed by an enlightened race who has warp technology. This race visits the earth and it sparks a new era for humanity. According to Trek lore, we eventually no longer feel the need to acquire wealth or possessions, we no longer have wars over ideologies or belief systems, and we solve all of the problems that plague us today and have for all of our history. According to Star Trek, humans are no longer the problem, it is all of those other races in the galaxy that are messing everything up and all we humans want to do is help everyone get along and play nice with each other. Please don’t misunderstand, I am a lifelong Trek fan and always will be, and it is not my intention to bash something I have enjoyed for most of my life, but Trek does have the tendency for not accurately depicting what I feel would be the reality of what it will be when and if we do ever begin traveling to the stars. I think we will take much of our baggage with us as we move among the stars. I have always thought this and am great full to Mr. Gerrold for helping me clarify my thoughts so I can put them into words.

In the chapter called “History,” Mr. Gerrold briefly discusses what we would actually take with us as we move out among the stars. The opening statement of that chapter hit me like a ton of bricks when I first read it and has given me much food for thought. To quote: “Contrary to popular expectations, the invention of faster-than-light travel did not create an age of enlightenment. Quite the opposite.”

In the test of the third chapter, Mr. Gerrold discusses the memes that we will most likely take with us as we move away from our own solar system and travel to others. In today’s popular culture, memes are pictures usually depicting the image of a celebrity with a sometimes clever statement that is intended to be humorous, ironic, entertaining, or to advance a certain point of view (usually in a disparaging way) that appears on social media. One of my favorite memes of this type is this one:

However, this is not the type of meme that the author intends for the reader to think about while reading. According to the definition of the word meme from the dictionary on my Kindle, a meme is a noun from the study of biology which is “an element of a culture or system of behavior that may be considered to be passed from one individual to another by nongenetic means, especially imitation.” In other words, memes are what we pass from one another in the form of political, religious, economic, and other beliefs which may, or may not be based on fact, as well as being malignant or benign in their nature. History is replete with how memes that are antithetical clash oftentimes resulting in death and destruction on a massive scale. According to the author, often when antithetical memes meet, there is only one result, both sides endeavor to eradicate each other. So, in light of history, and seeing the same thing happening over and over again, I unfortunately have to say, sorry Mr. Roddenberry, I have to go with Mr. Gerrold on this one.

In Blood and Fire, it is the eradication aspect of clashing memes that comes into play as a small group of humans work to create a weapon of mass destruction to be used against the Morethans until something goes very wrong and the weapon works against the people creating it. Solutions to problems have to be found and as more problems arise, more solutions are needed, and sacrifices have to be made.

This book and the three previous installments are all excellent stories that are very compelling to sensitive intelligent science fiction fans and I would place them high on a list of must reads. David Gerrold writes so well in his character development, plot, and voice that I rate his work at least on par with Asimov, Heinlein, Anderson, and other classic masters of the genre. He creates worlds that one can immerse one’s self in and does it in a way that makes reading his stories feel real.

Once again, the books in the Star Wolf series include:

Starhunt

Voyage of the Star Wolf

Middle of Nowhere

Blood and Fire

Well, there it is…

Qaplah!