Design for Great-Day

Riveting from the first page. Top read, Alan Dean Foster at his finest. Read half of the book in one day, couldn't put it down. Will there be a follow up? I hope so.

The title says it all, really. It's definitely not a Foster book; it's an _Eric_Frank_Russell_ book. Russell was a great read back when he was first published, and it's great to see it expanded! Think space-opera-ish when you read this. Also remember that while some of the ideas may seem cliched, odds are that Russell is the one who created them the first time. A very (sardonic is a good word) hero, one man against a bureaucracy. A true joy to read, but please remember that Alan only added on to Eric's story. If you like Alan's ideas, rather than his style, you'll love it. If you like this, please scour used bookstores for any of Russell's others; Alan Dean Foster and Jack L. Chalker managed to get several reprinted in the 80's. All are great.

The story covers what sorts of things might happen when different cultures, er "species", encounter each other. War, obviously, is one possible result. The really interesting aspect that Foster delves into is fanatical narrow-mindedness. The antags in this story can't really see how to make use of their resources to prosper. The protags very much can, and do. Also, the protags are very open-minded - in more ways than one. Plus they are quite intelligent and quite well-equiped to deal with intergalactic relations. Prosperity in this book, doesn't come from power or wealth but in a state of mind, a noble pursuit, and the willingness and ability to communicate and cogitate.The plot is very upbeat and yet at the same time not without its share of suspense. The characters are interesting and likeable.

I have enjoyed Alan Dean Foster since first discovering his Spellinger and Flinx series' and make it a point to look up any recent arrivals in the bookstore with his name on it. Here he depicts our future, or rather his desire for what our future SHOULD become. He takes a page from the American Foriegn Policy playbook concerning the policing of lesser developed countries and looks ahead to the far distant future and applies it there. We are no longer squabbling amongst ourselves, but are policing is just the same. Instead now, we are members of a great "Solarian" Galactic consciousness and we now police the lesser developed Galaxies. Its a fun read, and the main character (James Lawson) is a delight to see in action. If you are a foster fan, I recommend it highly.

Classic Russell material, fun and witty, using social and political avenues to defeat bad guys who could almost be government but portrayed as aliens instead!! If you dislike big government and being controlled by it, you will really enjoy this book!