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 there is because everyone feels they have a stake in it. Jerry used to work for Sam Yorty, and knows a thing or two (or three!) about how city governments works, or in the case of Los Angeles, DOESNT! The reactions of Angelinos and terrorists hostile to the archology in their midst only serve to reinforce Todos Santos'raison d'tre. Think of it as evolution in action.

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- absent space flight, an Urban Monad makes sense. One reviewer is reminded of the apartment blocks of the Soviet Steppes or HUD housing enclaves and points up the creative contrast. Another, not meeting the criteria outlined in paragraph one (above) fails to grasp the irony and misses the underlying theme of the work all together. Political polemic takes a back seat to this creative and swashbuckling novel. It stands with the works of Heinlein and bypasses the ponderous pontifications of Ayn Rand. Highly recommended for the flexible, thinking reader.

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- absent space flight, an Urban Monad makes sense. One reviewer is reminded of the apartment blocks of the Soviet Steppes or HUD housing enclaves and points up the creative contrast. Another, not meeting the criteria outlined in paragraph one (above) fails to grasp the irony and misses the underlying them of the work all together. Political polemic takes a back seat to this creative and swashbuckling novel. It stands with the works of Heinlein and bypasses the ponderous pontifications of Ayn Rand. Highly recommended for the flexible, thinking reader.

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 upstart Arcology fights for an uneasy peace with an America that has abandoned the guiding principals that made it the last, great hope of freedom.

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!