Footfall: Science Fiction Book Group

Continuing with our theme for the year, our next discussion book is the hard science fiction novel Footfall by Larry Niven and Jerry Pournelle.  Of the possible "apocalyptic" ends for the Earth in science fiction literature, the alien invasion is probably the most popular theme.  Footfall (1985) was nominated for a Hugo Award and was a New York Times bestseller.

The aliens who invade earth - the Fithp - have come from Alpha Centauri in an enormous ship.  Much of the technology depicted in the book, while far advanced, is hardly incomprehensible to us.  The Fithp have powerful laser weapons, landing craft, the ability to snag and hurl meteors for directed ground attacks among other "theoretical" technology.  There are a number of interesting twists and Niven and Pournelle are great story tellers.  This is (in my opinion) one of their best collaborations, if not the best.

If you would like to join us, read the book and come to the discussion, we'd love to have you participate!  The next discussion is October 4th at 7pm here at the Hutchinson Public Library.