Hoka Hoka Hoka

I believe this book is a reprint of 1957's Earthman's Burden, it is all the same stories I think, and Earthman's Burden is long out of print. Anyway, it is awesome, so great that if you have kids or are a kid at heart then this book is a must have. For sure. Period.

Orbiting the G2 star, Brackney's Star III, is the earthlike planet Toka. And, inhabiting the world of Toka are the Hoka, a small, teddy bear-looking race, who are surprisingly strong for their size. Unfortunately for their longsuffering human plenipotentiary, Alexander Jones, the Hoka are the most imaginative race in the galaxy, and as soon as they discover a new book of fiction, they adopt the roles and live the story...invariably with comedic results!This book is a collection of short stories about the Hoka and the unfortunate Alexander Jones. Each story is literally laugh-out-loud funny, the authors having found a perfect medium for their talents! This book is a sequel to the hilarious book Hoka!, and like it is a must-buy.In case you are curious, there are eight stories in this book. #1) The Sheriff of Canyon Gulch tells the story of Alexander Jones arrival on Toka, and his rescue of the cowboy Hokas from the dreaded greenskins. #2) In Don Jones, Jones's visit to Earth with a delegation of Hokas takes a nearly disastrous spin, when they are introduced to Mozart's opera, Don Giovanni! #3) In Hoka Signo Vinces, finds the Hokas in a new craze - space opera, and when they get word that a neighboring system is building a space-dreadnought, it's (the unwilling) Alexander Jones and Space Patrol to the rescue! #4) The Adventure of the Misplaced Hound is side-splittingly funny, telling the story of Alexander Jones and the Hoka Sherlock Holmes on the trail of a space dope smuggler...or the Hound of the Baskervilles (it's hard to tell which). #5) Yo Ho Hoka finds Jones trying to head off a planned attack on Bermuda by pirates, only to find himself press ganged into the British Navy! #6) When Jones's wife crash-lands on a nearby alien world, Jones needs some help to go rescue her, but who can he take? Why, the French Foreign Legion, of course! #7) Joy in Mudville tells the story of the Hoka baseball team (the Teddies), and their quest for the Sector Pennant. (No one can stand before the Mighty Casey, right?) #8) Undiplomatic Immunity finds Alexander Jones and a delegation of Hokas on Earth to request that Toka's status be upgraded. Unfortunately for Jones his Hokas have discovered the spy novel! [Don't forget, if you like this book (and you will), get Hoka!, also by Poul Anderson and Gordon Dickson.]

One of the funniest book I ever read. I (almost) died laughing - but decided to write a review first. So if you are a veeery serious person who doesn't want to be caught smiling - avoid this book. All others: enjoy.

Hoka are a alien race, who look very much like Teddy Bears. Their only problem is they become the characters in the books they read. Cowboys, pirates, space rangers, spies and more, they truly believe in what they become and it drives humans nutty! Yet, in the end, the Hoka always get out of the trouble they have started and sometimes even win something out of it.Loved the cover. Lets hope the Hoka NEVER read the Man-Kzin Wars series. Look for HOKAS POKAS! - the second book is also short stories.

This excellent book is about a space traveler from earth. His expedition to the planet Toka turns into a lifelong adventure filled with intrigue, humor, and suspense. The Hoka are indigenous to Toka and bear an amazing resemblance to big teddy bears. One of the scenarios put into play by the Hoka is an actual baseball loving town with a teddy bear "Casey". I liked Anderson's added lines to "Casey at the Bat" and I really liked this book.