Great read!

I read this one years ago, asked audible.com staff to consider recording it, they did. Hearing it was even better than reading it. The characters and theme are developed with great care.

14 people found this helpful

Damn Great Book

Would you recommend this audiobook to a friend? If so, why?

Absolutely, I read this few years ago, and listening to it performed brings an entirely different element to it.

What did you like best about this story?

I love colonization books, and this one is one of the best thought out plots/story I think I have seen.

What about Tom Weiner’s performance did you like?

Awesome!!!!

If you were to make a film of this book, what would be the tag line be?

something to do with grendels and their speed I am sure

Any additional comments?

nope

8 people found this helpful

John Wayne in space

Very disappointed with this. I'm a big fan of Niven and Pournelle's other work, especially the Mote books. So I expected more great writing and big ideas here. Instead, it's a story that could've been taken from a John Wayne western from the 1960's. You've got the gruff, inarticulate, manly-man hero, the strong supportive women, the one token ethnic guy in an otherwise all-white cast, and of course an evil monster that they can all fight and try to destroy. No big ideas at all in the entire book, except maybe the one clever biology twist that comes about 2/3 of the way through the book. (And you've got to wonder, what exactly was the process that resulted in all these not-too-bright, selfish, hormone-driven, extremely flawed individuals end up getting chosen to crew a zillion-dollar interplanetary starship?) I slogged through the whole thing, but kept hoping it would be over soon so I could move on to something better.

7 people found this helpful

Disappointed

Spoiler: in some science fiction setting, all women are throwing themselves at the 'most interesting man in the world.' Was expecting more from Niven

6 people found this helpful

Outstanding! Magical!

When Niven, Pournelle and Barnes get together to write a novel well it's pure chemistry. It's magical, because I can read these stories over and over and never tire of them! The Legacy of Hearot , the children of Beowulf, Footfall, all the Ringworld stored, and takes of known Space. Niven is a master story teller but Barnes and Pournelle really complaint him.

4 people found this helpful

Still my all time favorite

If you could sum up The Legacy of Heorot in three words, what would they be?

Hold your breath

Any additional comments?

I first read this book back in 87 when it first came out, and it was my favorite book. I have read some great books since, but I still think this is my #1. I remember reading it, and it being a "can't put down page turner", until the big climax. Then I realized I was only 1/3 through the book. Again, the next big climax, and I was 2/3 through the book.I have always been a Niven fan, but not so much with Pournelle, and when Barnes joins in, I usually don't like the books much at all (Saturn Rising, no thanks), but in this book, they absolutely nailed it.I especially like the way the story gives voice to the thoughts of the Grendel. I almost made a spoiler there. I better stop now, before I let something slip.Just get this book, you'll love it!

7 people found this helpful

Good story, hard to understand sometimes

Would you recommend this audiobook to a friend? If so, why?

I would recommend this book. While under 30 years old, you can still tell the difference in societal norms. Cigarette smoking being glamorous, women in mostly subservient roles to men. But still a very good story. Because of the deepness of the narrator's voice it was sometimes hard to understand, but overall a very enjoyable listening experience.

Did the narration match the pace of the story?

Yes, the narrator did a very good job.

4 people found this helpful

What a disappointment

This very well could be one of the worst things I have ever listened to. I do not know how three of the most talented science fiction writers on the planet could have come up with this. The premise is great, colonists stranded on a planet light years from earth are stalked by fierce creatures. I love creature fiction and Aliens is one of my favorite movies so I thought this could not miss. But the dialog and characters are so trite and silly; it distracts from everything else. Over and over you get speeches along the lines of, “This is our planet damn it, we rule here and no animal is going to take it away from us!” and “How could this animal exist? I have never heard of animal able to move this fast!” I wanted to scream: It is an ALIEN planet. Yes there are likely to be ALIEN life forms on the planet that you have never seen before! I know the book is more than 25 years old but the male/female relationships in the book seem to be based more on 1950s middle school fantasies than what you would expect from scientists exploring and colonizing a far away planet.

10 people found this helpful

Very good.

I've read this book about 10 times and it gets better every time. The two sequels are pretty good two. These guys are great authors. 👍

The performance spoiled an old favorite

I rarely write reviews, but in this case felt the need to share my disappointment in the performance of what was once a favorite SF adventure. In decades past I must have read this book at least four times, and while it's now somewhat dated in the presentation of relationships between men and women, I was so excited to find it on Audible that I didn't listen to a sample. My mistake, as I found myself disliking virtually every depiction of the characters by this narrator.