Deathworld

It's a darned shame that this book spends most of its time out of print. (Or for all I know, all of its time out of print nowadays.) The trilogy is one of Harrison's best "machinegun typewriter" books by far. The opening premise of the first novel is that "Deathworld" is a jungle planet teeming with life that evolves with a speed and ferocity unlike any other planet in the universe. To survive for even a moment on the surface you must be superbly trained and superbly armed and prepared to kill hordes of clever and supremely deadly predators. And then you need to figure out how to get work done in the meanwhile!And obviously, people with the skills needed to survive on Deathworld might find work elsewhere ... in sequels perhaps.A slightly different flavor than the Stainless Steel Rat but nonetheless terrific non-stop action. Grab the next copy you see.

I bought this book on a whim as I waited for a friend to arrive at Penn Station in 1978. I was so enthralled that I almost missed his arrival! It is really that good. Compossed before the PC era of Mr Harrison (when no one dies and all "good people", fight for "equality and social justice", it concerns the ultimate expression of darwinism on a planatary scale. A race of people whose homeland is literlary evolving to kill them, will of need themselves evolve to become the most leathal race of men in the galaxy.(Ok, so Dune was first!) Sarcasm, wit and action, ballanced with just the right level of homocidal ferver and hair splitting suspence! A true 70s must read!

When I was much younger (in my 20's) I read this trilogy. I received the book as a part of my SciFi book club choices. It was so good that it made it's way quickly through my circle of friends. This book gives just enough intro and detail while still providing nearly non stop action. If you are ever afforded the opportunity to read this trilogy, especially if you are new to SciFi, I highly recommend it!

I'm another who read and re-read this book from about 13 yrs old to ??. Have read this more than any other book (4 or 5 times) and I went through A LOT of sci-fi at the time! True adventure with a character every boy will identify with. Man v. Nature, Good v. Bad, David v. Goliath. And his gun is just "so cool"! :-)

I have read the trilogy three times. "Deathworld" is about a planet literally at war with its settlers, a race of supermen. Jason din Alt, a smart-aleck gambler, becomes embroiled in their cause against his will. "Deathworld 2"--din Alt is marooned on a backward planet of slavery, steam engines, and flintlock rifles. "Deathworld 3" is one of the most exciting. The protagonists of the original "Deathworld" decide to colonize a planet run by conquerors reminiscent of the Mongol hordes, complete with their own Genghis Khan leading them. Jason din Alt has to infiltrate the horde. All 3 books are very exciting reads!