The Fleet of Stars

Much in the same style as a Heinlein book in it's gruff long-lived hero, Anson Guthrie, the story may not please some who want up to the minute hard techno SF or a tight linear plot. The focus on the humanity of the characters, the way they think and feel at first seems distracting but leads you to give real thought to the conflicting philosophies that are presented by the various types of humans and the computer derived "protectors" that they have created somewhat in their image... In between you meet many various characters from different human and evolved animal societies and get involved in what their dreams,wishes, loves, and regrets are... I saw the books questions could be applied to our own here and now and what should be important for humanity to do... Should we be safe and save resources and stay here on our Earth or is there some reason or need to gamble and send man and not just robots to space.. This book explores all that and more withoutpushing answers on you..It's also an entertaining big-question, old-style, many ideas at once SF story...not for everyone...but Poul Anderson sure does write characters you would like to know and can feel for... It moved me and made me cry at the end...and whatever a book's faults I guess that's an endorsement of the characterization...