Oath of Fealty

Again, Larry and Jerry take a high concept and pull it off. Anyone who has ever lived in or operated a business in Los Angeles, or any big city, and dealt with inefficient, stifling bureaucracy, will find Todos Santos a breath of fresh air. The inhabitants of this archology CHOOSE to live there. This is in no way fascism. It is not the government that runs Todos Santos, but a very efficient corporation. The reason things work... Read Full Review

The book was introduced by Niven and Pournelle as an explication of the philosophy of Rational Libertarianism. In that role, it is quite successful if the reader has a public school grasp of basic history and political philosophy. In former times those who prized liberty and order but liberty above all migrated to Coventry or the American West. R.A.H sent his libertarians to the moon and beyond. In the context of this... Read Full Review

The book was introduced by Niven and Pournelle as an explication of the philosophy of Rational Libertarianism. In that role, it is quite successful if the reader has a public school grasp of basic history and political philosophy. In former times those who prized liberty and order but liberty above all migrated to Coventry or the American West. R.A.H sent his libertarians to the moon and beyond. In the context of this book-... Read Full Review

Only Niven and Pournelle can bring off a libertarian revolution in an environment most readers would consider more in keeping with the strictured life in the Soviet Union or a HUD project.Upon signing the oath, the citizen of Todos Santos acquires the rights and immunities as well as the responsibilities invisioned by the founders of the American Republic. There are ample opportunities for swash-buckling adventure as the... Read Full Review

The best science fiction isn't about technology; it's about the impact that has on people and their lives. That is where Niven has always excelled. A few years along this book is still relevant, and the world it portrays - the "reverse ghetto" - is coming even closer!