Status
Available
Call number
Collection
Publication
Baen Books
Description
New series. Mars is changing. Seemingly overnight the once "Red" planet is turning to gray. Something is happening, something unnatural. A team of, literally, rocket scientists figure out a way to send a probe, very fast, to Mars to determine how and why it is changing. However, when the probe is destroyed well short of the formerly red planet, it's apparent that Mars is being used as a staging ground. The only viable target for that staging ground is Earth. Ranging from rocket design to brilliant paranoids to "in your face" fighting in Iraq, Von Neumann's War is a fast paced look at what would happen if the earth was attacked by a robot race that, quite accidentally, was bent on destroying civilization.
User reviews
LibraryThing member ElementalDragon
Honestly, this is a story about research and development. There are a few minor battles, and it ends with a final major battle, and a somewhat open ending. With a co-author that holds a doctorate in Optical Science and Engineering and master's degrees in Physics and Aerospace Engineering, this is
This story is written from the point of view of the doers, the people who are in charge. There is one section that references what is happening in the invaded areas of the world, but for the most part, you won't see scenes of panic and despair from the people on the street.
Despite the fact that there is not a lot of action in the conventional sense of the word, I enjoyed it enough that I sat down and read it from start to finish within a span of about 8 hours or so.
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not entirely surprising.This story is written from the point of view of the doers, the people who are in charge. There is one section that references what is happening in the invaded areas of the world, but for the most part, you won't see scenes of panic and despair from the people on the street.
Despite the fact that there is not a lot of action in the conventional sense of the word, I enjoyed it enough that I sat down and read it from start to finish within a span of about 8 hours or so.
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LibraryThing member cdhtenn2k10
A rare stand alone novel by Ringo. Typically, Ringo likes series and while he could conceivably stretch this to three books, it's just as well he didn't. The story that needs to be told is told.
This is one of Ringo's novels that is science heavy, which is the influence of Taylor. Ringo likes his
There is a good bit of military action and the characters are likable. There is no human villain, which I appreciate. The world is being overrun by aliens, and a human antagonist would be a distraction in what is a nicely paced book. Lots of authors would find the need to add a human bad guy to pad out the plot and add an extra sense of peril, but that always seems kind of unnecessary to me. Written properly, world destroying aliens should be enough of a threat.
There is a nice easter egg that I really enjoyed. Those in the know will be thrilled with it.
This is a solid stand alone novel By Ringo and Taylor. Quickly paced with action, likable characters, and truly alien invaders. A nice addition to the genre.
This is one of Ringo's novels that is science heavy, which is the influence of Taylor. Ringo likes his
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science and scientists, but like his Looking Glass series with Taylor, there is lots of science talk and some depth of explanation. The science never gets so deep that it can't be followed, and the big concepts get explained. There is a good bit of military action and the characters are likable. There is no human villain, which I appreciate. The world is being overrun by aliens, and a human antagonist would be a distraction in what is a nicely paced book. Lots of authors would find the need to add a human bad guy to pad out the plot and add an extra sense of peril, but that always seems kind of unnecessary to me. Written properly, world destroying aliens should be enough of a threat.
There is a nice easter egg that I really enjoyed. Those in the know will be thrilled with it.
This is a solid stand alone novel By Ringo and Taylor. Quickly paced with action, likable characters, and truly alien invaders. A nice addition to the genre.
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LibraryThing member SunnySD
Aliens are terraforming Mars. At least that's the conclusion scientists draw when the planet formerly known as "Red" starts to turn gray. Earth's up next. Can we survive?
First impressions - lots of science, and (typical of Ringo) lots of characters. Taylor's writing blends pretty seamlessly, and
I enjoyed it. That said, this felt like Act I. The bots still have Europe, and are working on the U.S., so there's more action to come. Hopefully with the stage set, the next installments will be longer on action and little shorter on technical detail.
First impressions - lots of science, and (typical of Ringo) lots of characters. Taylor's writing blends pretty seamlessly, and
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Von Newumann's War is much more reminiscent of Gust Front or A Hymn before Battle than Ringo's later Kildar books. Lots less sex, and the government & scientific community get treated a bit more kindly for one thing - although corporate blindness is still lambasted, and the French turn to cannibalism. (Still no love lost there, that's for sure!)I enjoyed it. That said, this felt like Act I. The bots still have Europe, and are working on the U.S., so there's more action to come. Hopefully with the stage set, the next installments will be longer on action and little shorter on technical detail.
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Original publication date
2006-08
ISBN
1416520759 / 9781416520757
DDC/MDS
| Fic SF Ringo |
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