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Michael D. Resnick

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Birthright: The Book of Man Kindle Edition

by Mike Resnick (Author) Format: Kindle Edition

4.1 160 ratings

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The epic story of humanity writ large across the galaxy: “A tour de force . . . an award caliber novel . . . a profound contribution to science fiction” (Barry Malzberg, author of Beyond Apollo).

In the twenty-fifth century, settlements are established on Mars and the inner planets, but the stars are still light-years away, just a twinkle in humanity’s eyes. Hyperspace is a myth—until it’s not. A young scientist devises a theory for an engine that propels a ship at faster-than-light speed—and suddenly the galaxy is there for the taking.

It’s a story that’s been told before in the annals of human history. And here, Hugo and Nebula Award–winning author Mike Resnick has it all covered, from our first alien contact and the colonization of new planets to the exploitation of resources by miners and merchants and the politicians who pave the way. Here is humanity in all its glory, its rise and inevitable fall as power and oppression give way to defiance and anarchy. Ambitious in scope, Birthright shows that the nature of humans doesn’t change, just the size of the playing field . . .

Editorial Reviews

From AudioFile

It seems like Resnick's episodic science fiction novel should make an ideal audiobook. Though it covers the next several thousand years of human history, he tells his sweeping story in a series of adventures that illustrate single, focused ideas in clear, accessible prose. However, Adams Morgan's narration doesn't fit the work, and so diminishes its appeal. Morgan's voice is clear, but he keeps a great emotional distance and maintains too regular a pace, undercutting the action and adding an irony not in the original. What's more, because individual character voices are not well differentiated from one another, humans and aliens sound pretty much alike, which is confusing. G.T.B. © AudioFile 2003, Portland, Maine-- Copyright © AudioFile, Portland, Maine --This text refers to the audioCD edition.

Review

Birthright is a kaleidoscope image of humanity's strengths and weaknesses, a patchwork quilt of vivid assumptions on just what being human is all about. And at the heart of that question are answers which reveal the seeds of humanity's ultimate downfall.

-- "Raymond E. Feist "

Birthright is a kind of magicked mirror, where we find our own image amid strange scenes, with alien companions. It's well worth your attention.

-- "Locus "

Resnick has a beautiful style, his characterizations are well handled and his descriptions vivid. The situations his characters face are exciting and clearly presented.

-- "Martha Bartter, author of The Utopian Fantastic " --This text refers to the audioCD edition.

Product details

ASIN ‏ : ‎ B0B8C6FQJS
Publisher ‏ : ‎ Open Road Media Sci-Fi & Fantasy (September 13, 2022)
Publication date ‏ : ‎ September 13, 2022
Language ‏ : ‎ English
File size ‏ : ‎ 3079 KB
Text-to-Speech ‏ : ‎ Enabled
Screen Reader ‏ : ‎ Supported
Enhanced typesetting ‏ : ‎ Enabled
X-Ray ‏ : ‎ Not Enabled
Word Wise ‏ : ‎ Enabled
Sticky notes ‏ : ‎ On Kindle Scribe
Print length ‏ : ‎ 354 pages

Best Sellers Rank: #562,336 in Kindle Store (See Top 100 in Kindle Store)
- #1,658 in Space Exploration Science Fiction eBooks
- #3,829 in First Contact Science Fiction eBooks
- #4,226 in Exploration Science Fiction

Customer Reviews:
4.1 160 ratings

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Michael D. Resnick

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Mike Resnick is the author of numerous science fiction novels and short stories, including Dragon America, Lara Croft: Tomb Raider: The Amulet of Power, Mutiny, Return to Santiago, and Santiago. He is the editor of This Is My Funniest and has won five Hugo Awards and the Nebula Award. He lives in Cincinnati, Ohio.

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4.1 out of 5

160 global ratings

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C. Bolton

The Ultimate Psychological Test

Reviewed in the United States on December 4, 2022

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You believe yourself to be a "good person" who is optimistic about the future of the human race. You grew up in that tradition. You believe that the stupidity you see around you and the recorded history of innumerable human civilizations rising and falling are just a prologue to a galactic humane civilization in the far future. So, buddy, read this book. If you emerge with your ideals in tact and don't end up in a straightjacket, call me. We should talk.

One person found this helpful

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Carlos

old childhood book ive been looking for years. couldn't remember the author.

Reviewed in the United States on June 5, 2021

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not necessarily a classic. Basically the rise and fall of man in space. in the form of short stories. very much in the style of the author

3 people found this helpful

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jlclaspy

Boring

Reviewed in the United States on March 9, 2020

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I had to force myself to finish. A bit too predictable. Read one chapter you have essentially read the book.

Reviewed in the United States on March 29, 2023

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This is a brilliant work! The journey of the human race as it travels through space, and as always, seeks domination...
The story takes the reader on a ride into the future with many twists and turns along the way. I didn't want it to end!
Enjoy!

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Kindle Customer C H Dailey

Classic

Reviewed in the United States on January 10, 2023

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I read this book many years ago & loved it. It is great; only one thing. I seem to remember there were more stories in book. Is this an abridged version or were these parts edited out?

One person found this helpful

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shsilver@ameritech.net

Resnick's Outline of the Future

Reviewed in the United States on April 1, 1998

When Isaac Asimov, Larry Niven and Robert Heinlein charted out their future histories, they created notes and timelines to help them keep events straight. When Mike Resnick created the future history which serves as the background to so many of his novels, he did it in a way which would earn him extra money: he wrote a book. Birthright: The Book of Man tells the history of human exploration and expansion throughout the galaxy. Originally published in 1982, Alexander Books has recently republished Resnick's novel with a forward by Raymond Feist and a timeline of all Resnick's published works which fit into Birthright's framework.
Birthright isn't quite a novel in the traditional sense, nor is it a collection of short stories. Rather, the twenty-six chapters of Birthright form a series of vignettes which, taken together, form something which is much more than the sum of is parts. In total, Birthright is a fable of European conquest, setting the tone for many other fables and allegories Resnick has created based on the histories of Zimbabwe, Kenya and other countries.
The scope of Resnick's book means that he can not focus on a single character. Rather than focus on a family throughout the timeline in a Micheneresque manner, Resnick elected to have each of his vignettes star separate individuals. Although each of these individuals are given distinct personal characteristics, they form a conglomerate character, highlighting the various personality traits which Resnick views as Man.
Resnick's Man is shaped by an understanding of the history of European colonialism. Man has the need to feel superior to alien races he comes into contact with, either subjugating them outright or reducing them to remnants of their former glory. Like a street dog, none of the other alien races can be permitted to stand shoulder to shoulder with Man. Similarly like a street dog, Man must continue to fight when he is no longer at the top of the heap.
While many of Resnick's novels are filled with individuals who are larger than life (Santiago, Jefferson Nighthawk, Koriba) few of the characters in Birthright manage to acquire the same mythic proportions. However, because of Birthright's format, characters of this type are not necessary and would probably detract from the work as a whole.
As originally published, Birthright was a good and interesting book on its own. Republished now after being out of print for 15 years, Birthright provides an interesting look at Resnick's early career and the ideas which he originally wanted to explore. His history is large enough in scope that it can easily accomodate, without conflict, the many and varied stories he has chosen to set among the same background.
Birthright is a good starting place for those who are not familiar with Resnick's work. At the same time, it serves as a recap for those who have already read significant amounts of Resnick's writings. While Alexander Books generally publishes Resnick's non-fiction "Library of African Adventure" reprint series (itself worthwhile), it is nice to see them bringing some of Resnick's older works back into print.

53 people found this helpful

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M Nixon

Okay

Reviewed in the United States on June 27, 2018

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This book was not a personal favorite of mine. Not a lot of action. More like the history of the human race and its activities. Mankind’s relationship with other aliens and the inevitable consequences of the negative aspects of human nature. Not to my taste, a bit overwhelming, I did not like the ending.

One person found this helpful

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Tom Kretzmer

Mind Expanding

Reviewed in the United States on February 9, 2017

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I first read this story as a teenager, and it echoed in my mind for decades such that I looked for it everywhere. Decades later the Internet made it a lot easier to find and I was so glad to find it, read it again, and share it with my kids, who also loved it. Very unique view of Mankind, our nature, and how we respond as a species to the passing of time within a history of successful expansion. Truly mind opening, more so than most any other book I've read.

4 people found this helpful

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Helmut Lichtenegger

Großartig

Reviewed in Germany on June 5, 2019

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The Birthright ist eine Sammlung von Kurzgeschichten über den Aufstieg des Menschen über die gesamte Galaxis bis zur völligen Auslöschung durch die Alienrassen.

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