The Precipice
Encyclopedia
The Precipice is a science fiction
novel by Hugo Award
winner Ben Bova
. This novel is part of the Grand Tour
series of novels. It is the first book in the The Asteroid Wars series. It was first published in 2001
. The title "The Precipice" refers to the "greenhouse cliff", or the ultimate collapse of Earth's biosphere, preceded by the steady encroachment of climate change.
is threatening the earth. Two rival industrialists, Dan Randolph and Martin Humphries believe that the key to earth's survival is to mine the asteroid belt
and move earth's heavy industry to space.
Millionaire Dan Randolf is going bankrupt, due to the lack of work for his aerospace company, Astro Corp, due to the fact that the "greenhouse cliff" has put Earth at a higher priority than space. Cold-hearted multi-billionaire Martin Humphries shows Randolf a fully laid-out plan to reach the Asteroid Belt and mine it for its abundant metals. Randolf immediately takes up the idea, putting his entire life savings into the plan. Humphries donates much of the funds from his own pocket, planning to use that leverage later, after Randolf has put in all of his own work, to destroy Randolf, take over Astro Corp, and have a monopoly on all metals arriving from the Asteroids Belt.
While Dan Randolf wants to distribute the Asteroids' resources fairly at a very modest price to aid in the restoration of Earth's climate system, Martin Humphries intends to take over the company and use the monopoly to his own financial gain.
, The Precipice "highlights current environmental issues and scientific speculation while simultaneously telling a tale of heroes and villains that should appeal to most fans of hard sf.
Science fiction
Science fiction is a genre of fiction dealing with imaginary but more or less plausible content such as future settings, futuristic science and technology, space travel, aliens, and paranormal abilities...
novel by Hugo Award
Hugo Award
The Hugo Awards are given annually for the best science fiction or fantasy works and achievements of the previous year. The award is named after Hugo Gernsback, the founder of the pioneering science fiction magazine Amazing Stories, and was officially named the Science Fiction Achievement Awards...
winner Ben Bova
Ben Bova
Benjamin William Bova is an American science-fiction author and editor. He is the recipient of six Hugo Awards for Best Professional Editor for his work at Analog Science Fiction in the 1970's.-Personal life:...
. This novel is part of the Grand Tour
Grand Tour (novel series)
-Summary:The novels present a theme of exploration and colonization of the solar system by humans in the late 21st century. Most of the books focus on the exploration of one particular planet or planetary moon....
series of novels. It is the first book in the The Asteroid Wars series. It was first published in 2001
2001 in literature
The year 2001 in literature involved some significant events and new books.-Events:* The film version of J. R. R. Tolkien's classic book, The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring, is released to movie theaters...
. The title "The Precipice" refers to the "greenhouse cliff", or the ultimate collapse of Earth's biosphere, preceded by the steady encroachment of climate change.
Plot synopsis
The greenhouse effectGreenhouse effect
The greenhouse effect is a process by which thermal radiation from a planetary surface is absorbed by atmospheric greenhouse gases, and is re-radiated in all directions. Since part of this re-radiation is back towards the surface, energy is transferred to the surface and the lower atmosphere...
is threatening the earth. Two rival industrialists, Dan Randolph and Martin Humphries believe that the key to earth's survival is to mine the asteroid belt
Asteroid belt
The asteroid belt is the region of the Solar System located roughly between the orbits of the planets Mars and Jupiter. It is occupied by numerous irregularly shaped bodies called asteroids or minor planets...
and move earth's heavy industry to space.
Millionaire Dan Randolf is going bankrupt, due to the lack of work for his aerospace company, Astro Corp, due to the fact that the "greenhouse cliff" has put Earth at a higher priority than space. Cold-hearted multi-billionaire Martin Humphries shows Randolf a fully laid-out plan to reach the Asteroid Belt and mine it for its abundant metals. Randolf immediately takes up the idea, putting his entire life savings into the plan. Humphries donates much of the funds from his own pocket, planning to use that leverage later, after Randolf has put in all of his own work, to destroy Randolf, take over Astro Corp, and have a monopoly on all metals arriving from the Asteroids Belt.
While Dan Randolf wants to distribute the Asteroids' resources fairly at a very modest price to aid in the restoration of Earth's climate system, Martin Humphries intends to take over the company and use the monopoly to his own financial gain.
Characters
- Dan Randolph, protagonist
- Martin Humphries, antagonist
- George Ambrose, Dan Randolph's personal bodyguard.
- Pancho Lane, Leading astronaut, hired by Dan Randolf
- Amanda Cunningham, astronaut, also the love-object of Martin Humphries
- Lars Fuchs, asteroid specialist and love-mate of Amanda Cunningham
- Zack Freiberg, inventor of the spracecraft fusion-propulsion system
- Kris Cardenas, Nobel-laureate, solar system's top expert on nanotechnology
Reception
According to Library JournalLibrary Journal
Library Journal is a trade publication for librarians. It was founded in 1876 by Melvil Dewey . It reports news about the library world, emphasizing public libraries, and offers feature articles about aspects of professional practice...
, The Precipice "highlights current environmental issues and scientific speculation while simultaneously telling a tale of heroes and villains that should appeal to most fans of hard sf.
Publication history
- 2001, USA, Tor BooksTor BooksTor Books is one of two imprints of Tom Doherty Associates LLC, based in New York City. It is noted for its science fiction and fantasy titles. Tom Doherty Associates also publishes mainstream fiction, mystery, and occasional military history titles under its Forge imprint. The company was founded...
ISBN 9780312848767, Pub Date 26 October 2001, Hardcover - 2001, UK Hodder & StoughtonHodder & StoughtonHodder & Stoughton is a British publishing house, now an imprint of Hachette.-History:The firm has its origins in the 1840s, with Matthew Hodder's employment, aged fourteen, with Messrs Jackson and Walford, the official publisher for the Congregational Union...
ISBN Hodder & Stoughton Ltd, Pub Date 1 Feb 2001, Hardcover - 2001, UK, New English LibraryNew English LibraryThe New English Library was a United Kingdom book publishing company, which became an imprint of Hodder Headline.- History :New English Library was created in 1961 by the Times Mirror Company of Los Angeles, with the takeover of two small British paperback companies, Ace Books Ltd and Four Square...
ISBN 9780340769614, Pub Date 16 Aug 2001, Paperback - 2002, USA, Tor BooksTor BooksTor Books is one of two imprints of Tom Doherty Associates LLC, based in New York City. It is noted for its science fiction and fantasy titles. Tom Doherty Associates also publishes mainstream fiction, mystery, and occasional military history titles under its Forge imprint. The company was founded...
ISBN 9780812579895, Pub Date 15 December 2002, Paperback