Tor, Oct 2001, 25.95, 349 pp.
ISBN: 0312848765
In a distant future, the planet earth is in on the brink of extinction due to the greenhouse effect leading to ecological mayhem and consequently mass starvation. The future looks nonexistent with the only glimmer of hope seemingly in outer space. Dan Randolph and Martin Humphries agree that saving planet earth depends on harvesting raw materials from other solar system orbs so that pollution would lessen on their homeworld and subsequently reduce the greenhouse effect.
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The caring optimist, Dan actually believes in saving his fellow human beings while Martin wants to keep costs down so as to increase his profit even if it means destroying his home planet. Martin's goal is simple: he plans to rule over the survivors that he personally chooses to allow to live with Dan his only true obstacle to success.
Fans of Ben Bova's outer space tales will full enjoy his latest thriller THE PRECIPICE. The story line is loaded with action, but in many ways is very simplistic with Dan and Martin as two opposite extremes if they ever took the Myers-Briggs Type Indicator psychological test. Though typical of Mr. Bova's science fiction theories on industrializing (environmentalists would say polluting) the solar system, the audience will relish this great author's latest this outer space thriller.
Harriet Klausner
The review of this Book prepared by Harriet Klausner
