Deathworld Trilogy

This is a one-volume combination of the novels Deathworld 1,2, and 3 plus the short story "The Mothballed Spaceship".

Harrison might well be known for his short story "Make Room, Make Room" which was the basis for teh classic movie "Soylent Green". This is not 7000 page long epics like something from Asimov. This is pulp science fiction at its best. Our Hero, Jason Din Alt is just that. A hero. He could have been played by any modern top actor. Dynamic and smart and, yeah sure, a of a smart alic but what does that mater. The character has a mild Psy ability that allows him to "help" the odds while gambling at dice games. His skill draws the attention of the Pyrans in their desparate battle for survival. The World images are harsh and strong. The stoic attitude of the Pyrans in their struggle is harsh and pulls at you. The solution is a science fiction classic. The other two stories take us to other worlds where death is at ever doorstep. Here we have a hero that uses his brains to solve problems. Much like teh Stainless Steel Rat series. Brains prove more powerful than brawn.

I refer to Deathworld and the others in the triology everytime someone asks me to recommend a SF classic. Believe it or not, I still have the fan magazine where it was first published. Unfortunately, this was the high point of Harry Harrison's career. The Stainless Steel rat series was good (but should have died several volumes earlier), and so was Soylent Green; but Harrison never again captured the magic that was Deathowrld... and I believe I have read and own them all. Imagine a planet where the grass has curved, needle sharp tips, you sit on a rock and the lichen tries to get you, all the animals have one thing in common - kill the human invaders. Imagine that to survive you need to attend a pre-school for colonists and your survival skills never extend beyond "first grade". This is Deathworld. If you never read another SF, at least read his finest - Deathworld.

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!

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!