Book Description
Scatterbrain is an everything-including-the-kitchen-sink collection of writings from award-winning science fiction master Larry Niven. Perhaps best known for his novel Ringworld and Three Books of Known Space, Niven is a highly versatile writer with a lengthy and notable history. Scatterbrain includes excerpts from his more recent novels and short stories, as well as letters, editorials, and other non-fiction pieces he's written over the past decade or so. This collection will particularly appeal to Niven fans who've read the writer's previous collections, N-Space and Playgrounds of the Mind.


From Booklist
The title appropriately describes the book, and Niven claims it also describes him, at least when he is creating mental playgrounds. Certainly, this is as eclectic a volume as Niven has ever issued. It includes excerpts with comments from novel collaborations with Jerry Pournelle (The Burning City, 2000, and Burning Tower, forthcoming) and Steve Barnes (Saturn's Race, 2000) and a story cowritten with Brenda Cooper that throw light on collaborators and the dynamics of collaboration. There are also several short stories, including "Procrustes," about aging Niven creation Beowulf Schaeffer, and "Smut Talk," a Draco Tavern story originally and aptly published in Playboy. There is much literate space advocacy that avoids extremism, and in the epilogue, Niven's recovery from a torn knee tendon segues into a presentation to librarians on what they can do to encourage curiosity in young readers. Niven started writing during the original era of "the sense of wonder" (about space exploration); now he is readably, vigorously advancing a new one. Roland Green
Copyright © American Library Association. All rights reserved


Book Description
Another dazzling collection of fact, fiction, and wit from the Hugo and Nebula Award-winning master of hard science fiction!

Larry Niven is the New York Times bestselling author of such classic science fiction novels as Ringworld and Destiny's Road. His previous collection, N-Space, was lauded by the Houston Post as "outstanding . . . hours of entertainment," while Publishers Weekly called it "a must for science fiction fans." A follow-up volume, Playgrounds of the Mind, was similarly praised by Kirkus Reviews: "An abundance of Niven's curious yet disciplined inventiveness and his fun-filled knack for turning seemingly absurd notions into credible, absorbing fiction. Grand entertainment."

Now, ten years later, Scatterbrain collects an equally engaging assortment of Niven's latest work, all in one captivating volume. Here are choice excerpts from several of his most recent novels, including his upcoming Ringworld's Child and Rainbow Mars, as well as numerous short stories, nonfiction articles, interviews, editorials, collaborations, and correspondence. True to its title, Scatterbrain roams all over a wide variety of fascinating topics, featuring Niven's singular insights into everything from space stations to convention etiquette.

So give yourself a treat, and feel free to pick the brain-or Scatterbrain-of one of modern science fiction's most fascinating thinkers.

FROM THE PUBLISHER

Now, ten years later, Scatterbrain collects an equally engaging assortment of Larry Niven's latest work, all in one captivating volume. Here are choice excerpts from several of his most recent novels, including The Ringworld Throne and Destiny's Road, as well as numerous short stories, nonfiction articles, interviews, editorials, collaborations, and correspondence. True to its title, Scatterbrain roams all over a wide variety of fascinating topics, featuring Niven's singular insights into everything from space stations to convention etiquette.

FROM THE CRITICS

Publishers Weekly

Larry Niven, winner of five Hugo Awards and one Nebula, presents Scatterbrain, his third collection (after N-Space and Playgrounds of the Mind) to showcase his versatile talent. Selections include novel excerpts, short fiction, collaborative stories and speculative articles on such subjects as Mars, the space station and autograph etiquette. Copyright 2003 Reed Business Information.

Library Journal