Vacuum Diagrams

Baxter's main work is called the "Xeelee Sequence". It is a story of the future of the Universe, which Baxter tells in 4 books: Raft, Timelike Infinity, Flux and Ring. Vacuum Diagrams is the fifth book of the series. It is not a one-story book, but a set of 21 short stories chronologically placed. The first one is set on year 3,672 and the 21st happens some time after year 4 Million. The 21 stories are snapshots of the future, logically linked to the main concepts of the Xeelee Sequence. In general, each story presents new and creative sci-fi concepts. If you have read and enjoyed other works from Baxter, you will surely like this book. If you haven't read him but are a Clarke (or even an Asimov) fan, you will probably enjoy this, too. Notwithstanding my 5 star rating, I must warn you of two issues I had with this book: - Its style, with so many short stories, that are linked in time and in concept, can be tiring. On sci-fi terms, its like turning on a hyperdrive to move to a new galaxy, take a look at it and when you're beginning to understand what's it all about, you have to jump again. You are always left wondering about so many details and ramifications of each story. It can frustrating. - Maybe because of this, I found the book became a little bit tedious when I got to story 18 (Shell). It took me a while to regain my energy and read the last 3 stories. I don't think it will be fair to get into details about the Xeelee Sequence, but for those who are curious about it, here are some of its main concepts: - Around 3000 AD, humankind develops new technologies that allow it to travel quickly through space. The solar system is colonized. - As the human civilization expands, it finds many different and curious forms of life in planets and satellites. - Eventually, humanity is "conquered" by other galactic races, for some time. However, Man is persistent and resilient and gets its freedom back. - Through all the time, humankind and the other galactic races are somehow obsessed about the Xeelee, a mysterious, ancient and very powerful civilization that has technologies far beyond what the rest of races have. - The Xeelee are so developed that they manipulate stars and planets and build a huge "Ring" somewhere in the Universe. The ring has such a gravity field that stars in its vicinity look blue. These are just some of the basic premises of the Xeelee Sequence. I am surely missing some key elements. Hopefully just with what I wrote here you will be compelled to try any book of the Sequence. If you're into sci-fi, you wont be dissapointed.

I hope you read this review first. When I was halfway through the book I was eager to write a book review. I would have given the book a 2 out of 5. In all fairness, I decided to finish the book, then write the review. I felt the book was disjointed, that the author often became tired of writing and filled pages with random thoughts just to finish his work. At the same time I was amazed at the technology mentioned. This brought the author to a 2 out of 5 instead of a 1 or 0. I kept reading. I'm too cheap to spend 8 bucks for a book and not finish it. I'm glad I didn't throw the book away. When I finally finished I was stunned. This is the first book I've read by Stephen Baxter, but it will definitely not be the last. I've read science fiction all my life. I was underwelmed by authors such a Ray Bradbury and exceedingly impressed by Zindell. None have ever gone as far as 'Vacuum Diagrams'. This book is an epic masterpiece encompassing the history of man as a footnote. The bigger picture covers 30 billion years and an ancient race trying to save the universe. I don't want to blow the story line so I'll just say, "If you like SciFi and Tech and you're not a dumby, read this book." I've long finished the book and have done something I NEVER do. I read it for a second time. I can't wait to read more books by this author. I hope they are as good as this one.

Not for Stephen Baxter the piffling concerns of most science fiction this is a man who goes for the big picture. A set of stories which reveal the past and future history of not just mankind but the whole universe itself until the stars dim and go out!I confess I have found some of his books pretty hard going (Raft, Flux etc) but this is much more digestible, a lot more fun and you don't need a Phd in quantum mechanics to enjoy it.

It was absolutely unbelievable. Baxter had me convinced that it actually happened. This man's storytelling ability is unparalled. I am an avid Clarke and Asimov fan, but this tops the cake, even better than his previous masterpiece Ring, if you never read another book the rest of life, read this one.

Vacuum Diagrams is a collection of short stories which are more or less related to the grand background theme that Baxter calls "Xeelee Sequence" - a vast vision of the history of the Universe spanning a period of 5 million years, depicting the rise, fall and rebirth of mankind and its participation in the epic battle between two vastly superior but incompatible life forms. There stories range from those that are light and entertaining (like "The Xeelee Flower" or "Pilot"), to stories that carry deep phylosophical shades ("The Sun-People", "Cilia-Of-Gold", "Vacuum Diagrams") that rise questions about the role of intelligence, about destiny and fate, about logic and chance. Above everything else, the stories are deeply humanistic and show that we should value much more things that we take for granted. If you like Clarke, Simak or Heinlein, then I think you'll love this book.