Jack Vance, The Dying Earth
1950 / Audiobook / 175 pages / USA***
Vance wasn't the first writer to take us to the waning Earth, but since he was apparently the first to import generic fantasy themes in that setting, he gets the respect of a pioneer. Since I don't read much fantasy, I found it good pulpy fun for the most part, but it was only the very rare occasions when they came across some dilapidated futuristic technology or mentioned the red sun that I remembered to be impressed. I felt similar about The Book of the New Sun, which might as well be a shared universe.
Robert A. Heinlein, The Green Hills of Earth
1951 / Audiobook / 270 pages / USA
****
I haven't read much of Heinlein's main sequence, preferring his quirkier outlands, but these assorted tales from the colonial neighbourhood make a good primer for the novels, probably.
Faves: 'The Black Pits of Luna,' '"It's Great to Be Back!",' 'Logic of Empire.'
Worsties: 'Delilah and the Space-Rigger,' 'Space Jockey,' 'The Long Watch.'
Faves: 'The Black Pits of Luna,' '"It's Great to Be Back!",' 'Logic of Empire.'
Worsties: 'Delilah and the Space-Rigger,' 'Space Jockey,' 'The Long Watch.'
Carl Sagan, F. D. Drake, Jon Lomberg and Linda Salzman Sagan, Ann Druyan and Timothy Ferris, Murmurs of Earth: The Voyager Interstellar Record
1978 / Ebook / 273 pages / USA
****
Inspiring and mostly interesting accounts from the astrophysicists, artists and historians who put a great deal of thought into creating the ultimate time capsule of Planet Earth. Alien interception may be astronomically improbable, but the grand display of optimism and unity didn't hurt a bit, with a hilarious bureaucratic sub-plot where aliens aren't allowed to hear The Beatles or see full frontal nudity but will at least be helpfully informed about the full complement of the US Senate circa 1977. I hope they find that funny too. Pity us.
David Attenborough, Life on Earth: 40th Anniversary Edition
1979 (updated 2018) / Audiobook / 352 pages / UK****
A necessarily patronising guided walk through evolution down various remarkable and disgusting paths, the audiobook being read by Attenborough himself is a fair trade-off for not having the pics. But it can only ever be a second-rate substitute to watching the shows, so it's a bit redundant unless you're on a bus or something. Kangaroo gestation is insane.
2018 / Ebook / 70 pages / USA
*
Indoctrinate your kids into the amazing world of Flat Earth truth with this really boring adventure featuring all your favourite misguided proofs from the zany side of YouTube. Remember – if you can't see something with your own eyes, from your limited and impractical vantage point, don't believe it! Unless you're generously interpreting your world view from a book written thousands of years ago, obviously.
