Main page

Editions

Lucifer's Hammer

by Larry Niven

Members	Reviews	Popularity	Average rating	Conversations
1,670	20	1,938	(4.02)	47

Talk topics


Topics	messages	Last message
Books that made me think : Message Board	143	shanglee, October 25
Science Fiction Fans : 5 most reread sci-fi books/authors	118	missmaddie, October 3
Book talk : My top five books set in a Post-Apocalyptic setting	12	TLCrawford, September 8
50-Something Library Thingers : What are You Reading in 2009?	178	megwaiteclayton, September 2
Science Fiction Fans : August 2009 Reading	107	Goran, September 2
Science Fiction Fans : Top 100 Sci Fi Recommendations for New Readers of the Genre: Post Your List	362	RobertDay, August 17
The Green Dragon : Fantasy/Sci-Fi/Horror - Word Association Thread - Part II	362	Emily1, August 7
Book talk : BOOK TALK Another Silly Game Part23	371	moibibliomaniac, July 20
Science Fiction Fans : Post apocalyptic recommendations	66	collin, July 20
List Five Books Parlour Game : Tools of the trade	13	sunbrarian, July 19
Book talk : Survival Fiction	22	hyper7, July 4
Post-apocalyptic Literature : List of books to check out in this genre	30	tkpunk, June 28
Science Fiction Fans : What Are You Reading? : May 2009	148	chione, June 17
What Are You Reading Now? : What Are You Reading the Week of 30 May, 2009?	231	FicusFan, June 8
Science Fiction Fans : SF Villains	27	DugsBooks, April 29
Science Fiction Fans : SF based on reality	10	yaakov, March 16
75 Books Challenge for 2008 : MusicMom41's books for 2008	209	suslyn, January 9
Science Fiction Fans : Your Essential Science Fiction List	153	falkman, September 2008
50 Book Challenge : Ceinwyn starts July '08	1	Ceinwyn79, July 2008
What Are You Reading Now? : What Books Came Into Your Home Today? - #2: May. 2008	147	annatapl, June 2008
Science Fiction Fans : So humans are almost gone - what next?	11	weener, June 2008
Dormant: Graduate Students : The most influential book you have read in your subject	25	medievalmama, March 2008
Dormant: The Green Dragon : Books for the Apocalypse	45	Jakeofalltrades, March 2008
Dormant: Science Fiction Fans : Your Clunkers of 2007	123	Vonini, February 2008
Dormant: List Five Books Parlour Game : Headed for hell?	16	ostrom, February 2008
Dormant: List Five Books Parlour Game : Space	21	SpacemanSpiff, October 2007
Dormant: The Green Dragon : Who is your favorite Fantasy author BESIDES 'The Professor?'	166	AtlantisGirl, July 2007
Dormant: Hitchiker's Guide to Good Books : Welcome!!!	11	cindylouwhom, February 2007
Dormant: What Are You Reading Now? : What You're Reading the Week of 23 Dec 2006	105	bettyjo, December 2006
75 Books Challenge for 2009 : Dulcibelle's 75 for 2009	115	alcottacre, Sunday 11:55pm
50 Book Challenge : usnmm2 50 for 2009	90	billiejean, October 12
75 Books Challenge for 2009 : Prop2gether, 2009, Act 2	226	Prop2gether, October 5
75 Books Challenge for 2009 : What We Are Reading - Fantasy/SF	354	TadAD, September 29
Awful Lit. : I can't believe I wasted my time on this...	465	Hunterin, September 14
75 Books Challenge for 2009 : Sgt Big G's 75 for '09	204	sgtbigg, September 7
Literary Snobs : What are you reading? 1st Quarter, 2009	302	bobmcconnaughey, July 27
75 Books Challenge for 2009 : Tad's Books in 2009, Part 3	197	TadAD, June 18
History at 30,000 feet: The Big Picture : Books left unfinished...	137	wildbill, June 8
The Green Dragon : Fantasy/Sci-Fi/Horror - Word Association Thread	551	clamairy, June 3
Science Fiction Fans : Your first exposure to SF literature	178	rojse, April 16
Science Fiction Fans : Science Fiction versus 'Proper Literature'	566	kevmalone, April 8
Science Fiction Fans : Favorite post apocalyptic or dystopian future novel?	121	thesmellofbooks, December 2008
Read YA Lit : Apocalyptic Lit	61	fabfic-terrificteens, September 2008
Science Fiction Fans : Ice on Mars!!	79	DugsBooks, August 2008
Dormant: What Are You Reading Now? : Message Board	210	injenyworld27, December 2007
Dormant: List Five Books Parlour Game : What's the worst that could happen?	22	footbinding, July 2007

Message snippets

dulcibelle in 75 Books Challenge for 2009 : Dulcibelle's 75 for 2009 (Oct 12, 2009, 11:44am)

55. Lucifer's Hammer by Larry Niven - this one is a reread, but it's been several years. As good as I remember. It's one of hubby's favorite books and this copy shows it - and it's the third copy we've owned. I either need to find a hard cover version or hope it's available electronically ...

Prop2gether in 75 Books Challenge for 2009 : Prop2gether, 2009, Act 2 (Sep 15, 2009, 12:40pm)

... to an old man discuss the "Change" that happened when a comet collided into the Earth. (I should add that I'm a huge fan of Lucifer's Hammer by Niven and Pournelle, a more modern story about the same type of event.) The old man then reads his personal history, fascicle by fascicle, in an attempt ...

omaca in Book talk : My top five books set in a Post-Apocalyptic setting (Sep 7, 2009, 10:19pm)

... that make it even more creepy. I believe Barrett wrote a sequel, which I haven't read. Then, of course, there's Lucifer's Hammer by Larry Niven. And finally, The Postman is a much, much better book than that terrible movie adaptation.

psybre in Science Fiction Fans : August 2009 Reading (Aug 27, 2009, 10:51am)

As a eighteen year old, my favorite part of Lucifer's Hammer was reading about the surf coming in. The geek in me likes all the science fiction in describing Hot Fudge Sunday, too, though not enough to have checked up on the numbers.

GrimCat in Science Fiction Fans : August 2009 Reading (Aug 27, 2009, 9:35am)

Reading Lucifer's Hammer, slow in the beginning, 100 pages in and still being introduced to new characters, but I hear it's worth fighting through so I'll keep going.

Prop2gether in 75 Books Challenge for 2009 : Sgt Big G's 75 for '09 (Aug 19, 2009, 12:09pm)

... the record, it's the team of Larry Niven and Jerry Pournelle who did Inferno, the same duo who brought us the fun Lucifer's Hammer and The Mote in God's Eye and a couple of others. I generally really like their joint works, although this Inferno was one I had missed. It's recently ...

DirtPriest in Book talk : BOOK TALK Another Silly Game Part23 (Jul 19, 2009, 11:38am)

Lucifer's Hammer by Larry Niven

DWWilkin in Science Fiction Fans : Post apocalyptic recommendations (Jul 2, 2009, 9:24pm)

Of those that I own and are in the list, Lucifer's Hammer and Pelbar Cycle are probably the best. I saw 19 checks as I scanned the list just now. But there are ways to think of post apocalyptic. THere is we are hear before the event, live through and try to make a go of it which is very ...

usnmm2 in Book talk : Survival Fiction (Jun 20, 2009, 12:44pm)

... en Fairly standard story about the collapse of the U.S. after an attack by an E.M.P. (electrical magnetic pulse weapon. Lucifers Hammer by larry Niven The gigantic comet had slammed into Earth, forging earthquakes a thousand times too powerful to measure on the Richter scale, tidal waves ...

omaca in Science Fiction Fans : Post apocalyptic recommendations (Jun 12, 2009, 11:08pm)

> 29 fredbacon You're absolutely right about Lucifer's Hammer. Great book when I first read it, but I haven't had the nerve to go back to it. I also agree with you about The Postman being inspired by Niven/Pournelle's work. I loved Niven's Known Space series when I was younger. ...

fredbacon in Science Fiction Fans : Post apocalyptic recommendations (Jun 12, 2009, 10:34pm)

... that I've ever tried to read. I forced myself about a third of the way through it, but had to quit. It was terrible. Lucifer's Hammer is an interesting book. I read it when it came out thirty years or so ago, and I thought it was great. A few years ago, I decided to re-read it. The ...

omaca in Science Fiction Fans : Post apocalyptic recommendations (Jun 12, 2009, 11:18am)

... reason I've always enjoyed post-apocalyptic SF. Some notable titles I remember reading include Through Darkest America, Lucifer's Hammer, The Postman (good book, terrible movie!) and even weirder stuff like Hiero's Journey (far future PA) and some strange novel about intelligent ...

Morphidae in The Green Dragon : Fantasy/Sci-Fi/Horror - Word Association Thread - Part II (Jun 8, 2009, 3:13pm)

Lucifer's Hammer

usnmm2 in What Are You Reading Now? : What Are You Reading the Week of 30 May, 2009? (Jun 1, 2009, 4:01pm)

... The book has a more ominous tone than other ones in this sub genre, (Alas Babylon, Earth abides, Damnation Alley, Lucifers Hammer etc.). I think the author is trying to show how tenuous our hold on and way of life is. In this way he succeeds. But I couldn't get into or care for any ...

usnmm2 in Science Fiction Fans : What Are You Reading? : May 2009 (Jun 1, 2009, 2:14pm)

usnmm2 in 50-Something Library Thingers : What are You Reading in 2009? (Jun 1, 2009, 6:58am)

... The book has a more ominous tone than other ones in this sub genre, (Alas Babylon, Earth abides, Damnation Alley, Lucifers Hammer etc.). But I couldn't get into or care for any of the the charactors. The story just seemed to go from one clique to the next. There were no surprizes or ...

usnmm2 in 50 Book Challenge : usnmm2 50 for 2009 (Jun 1, 2009, 6:09am)

Prop2gether in 75 Books Challenge for 2009 : Prop2gether, 2009, Act 2 (May 28, 2009, 10:51am)

... yes, I've read The Mote in God's Eye and its sequel, The Gripping Hand (which I, alas, enjoyed much less), as well as Lucifer's Hammer (one of my favorites--one of the authors comments that scenes from it are part of too many movies and television movies to count). I've missed a couple of ...

HarmlessTed in History at 30,000 feet: The Big Picture : Books left unfinished... (May 17, 2009, 1:33pm)

Day of the Triffids - great book; must have read that one 3 or 4 times as a teenager. May I add Lucifer's Hammer by Larry Niven to that list?

ronincats in 75 Books Challenge for 2009 : Tad's Books in 2009, Part 3 (May 14, 2009, 4:55pm)

... find The Mote in God's Eye in the top 1000, although I could have missed it when skimming, but Ringworld was 207, Lucifer's Hammer was 473, and The Gripping Hand was 884. There are 10 books that I share with 5 of my 7 friends. The Mote in God's Eye is one of them. 3 of them are ...

Morphidae in The Green Dragon : Fantasy/Sci-Fi/Horror - Word Association Thread (May 14, 2009, 8:48am)

Lucifer's Hammer

StormRaven in Science Fiction Fans : SF Villains (Apr 17, 2009, 12:46am)

... He seems to me more of a victim in the book. How about the Fithp from Footfall, or the cannibal army from Lucifer's Hammer? Or the Kzinti, from the Man-Kzin Wars? How about The Race, from the Worldwar series? Or the ants from City? Or the Xeelee ...

DWWilkin in Science Fiction Fans : Top 100 Sci Fi Recommendations for New Readers of the Genre: Post Your List (Apr 7, 2009, 3:44pm)

... of the Crosstime Saloon Great Kings War Exiles to Glory Manifest Destiny Uller Uprising The Cosmic Computer Lucifer's Hammer Camelot in Orbit Space Viking The Mercenary West of Honor Long Shot for Rosinante Wizenbeak The Rebel Of Rhada Great Kings' War Pl ...

Cyops in Science Fiction Fans : Science Fiction versus 'Proper Literature' (Mar 21, 2009, 4:45am)

... many others have pointed out the problem he did, and many have pointed out alternatives. See Heinlein, many works, or Lucifer's Hammer, or The Time Machine. There are multiple examples. In the 'mainstream' I should have said ... no one gets it and no one is doing anything about it.

StormRaven in Science Fiction Fans : SF based on reality (Mar 10, 2009, 8:01pm)

... Earth by David Brin Thirty Days of Rain and related books by Kim Stanley Robinson Oath of Fealty and Lucifer's Hammer by Larry Niven and Jerry Pournelle Neuromancer, Count Zero, and Mona Lisa Overdrive by William Gibson The Descent of Anansi by L ...

CliffBurns in Literary Snobs : What are you reading? 1st Quarter, 2009 (Mar 3, 2009, 9:51am)

... Mitchell will soon have his most devoted 13-year old fan. And to think I was reading Companion Library books and LUCIFER'S HAMMER at their age...

Prop2gether in 75 Books Challenge for 2009 : What We Are Reading - Fantasy/SF (Jan 21, 2009, 11:48am)

... the Earth by Jules Verne Dune by Frank Herbert Little Fuzzy by H. Beam Piper The Midwich Cuckoos by John Wyndham Lucifer's Hammer by Larry Niven and Jerry Pournelle Otherness by David Brin Planet of the Apes by Pierre Boulle The Andromeda Strain by Michael Crichton The Moon ...

Prop2gether in 75 Books Challenge for 2008 : MusicMom41's books for 2008 (Oct 21, 2008, 11:30am)

I would also suggest Niven and Pournelle's collaborative efforts, especially Lucifer's Hammer (where a comet hits the earth and survivors must adapt--it's set in Southern California) or The Mote in God's Eye (which also has a sequel). And if you'd like to start with "softer" fiction, try Littl ...

MarianV in List Five Books Parlour Game : Tools of the trade (Aug 18, 2008, 8:51pm)

Lucifer's hammer Larry Niven Report from engine co. 82 Dennis Smith The master butchers singing club Louise Erdrich Long Knife James A. Thom The piano teacher Elfred Jelinek

kcs_hiker in Science Fiction Fans : Favorite post apocalyptic or dystopian future novel? (Aug 17, 2008, 1:11pm)

The Stand of course, Swan Song by Robert McCammon, Lucifer's Hammer by Jerry Pournelle, and far more recently S.M. Stirling's Dies the Fire trilogy.

TLCrawford in Science Fiction Fans : Your Essential Science Fiction List (Aug 5, 2008, 10:41am)

... 14. Earth Abides by George R. Stewart 15. Farnhams Freehold by Robert Heinlein 16. Malevil by Robert Merle 17. Lucifers Hammer by Niven & Pournelle 18. The Wind From Nowhere by J. G. Ballard Because, well, stuff happens. 19. Berserker by Fred Saberhagen 20. The High Crus ...

Ceinwyn79 in 50 Book Challenge : Ceinwyn starts July '08 (Jul 9, 2008, 3:35pm)

This is such a great idea! 1. Lucifer's Hammer by Larry Niven and Jerry Pournelle Ack! It's the end of the world -- or maybe just the end of civilization. Or maybe not! Either way, mass death by tidal wave!

dukedom_enough in Science Fiction Fans : Ice on Mars!! (Jul 6, 2008, 2:46pm)

... story, the giant impactor that may have created the northern lowlands of Mars. There's also a mostly positive review of Lucifer's Hammer. It's the "Cosmic Cataclysms" issue. Very interesting stuff about the NEO surveys, both historical and current. People will be happy to hear that it's ...

TLCrawford in Science Fiction Fans : So humans are almost gone - what next? (Jun 11, 2008, 4:21pm)

Check out Malevil by Robert Merle. I liked it as much, or more, as Earth Abides and Lucifer's Hammer. The survivors story covers about the same length of time as in Earth Abides but the survivors are a very different group. I had a hard time finding a hardback copy but I think paperbacks ...

Vonini in What Are You Reading Now? : What Books Came Into Your Home Today? - #2: May. 2008 (May 28, 2008, 10:45am)

... Yesterday Bol.com sent me The long dark Teatime of the Soul (that title would be reason alone to buy it) and today I got Lucifer's Hammer and I still have one in backorder (yays)

hermit_9 in Science Fiction Fans : 5 most reread sci-fi books/authors (May 23, 2008, 12:27pm)

... lazny The Dispossessed by Ursula K. LeGuinn Lucifer’s Hammer by Larry Niven and Jerry Pournell (barely edging out TLCrawford in Science Fiction Fans : 5 most reread sci-fi books/authors (May 23, 2008, 8:30am)

Malevil Lucifer's Hammer Earth Abides Farnham's Freehold Alas, Babylon I am starting to see a pattern. Know wonder nobody ever said I have a sunny disposition.

Morphidae in The Green Dragon : Books for the Apocalypse (Mar 7, 2008, 10:01am)

>28 That was Lucifer's Hammer

hyperpat in Science Fiction Fans : So humans are almost gone - what next? (Feb 26, 2008, 2:51pm)

... points across, he did indicate that there might be other groups that were taking different approaches. This shows up in Lucifer's Hammer, also, as different surviving groups have markedly different characters and goals. Even A Canticle for Liebowitz supports this, as it was only a very ...

system13 in Science Fiction Fans : So humans are almost gone - what next? (Feb 7, 2008, 8:16am)

Lucifer's Hammer dealt with a situation like that. One thing one of the survivors did was stow away as many "important" books as possible. He was a physicist and general bookworm, and so his library was quite expansive. It's been a while since I read the book, but I believe his stowed-away ...

usnmm2 in Science Fiction Fans : Your Clunkers of 2007 (Jan 30, 2008, 9:22pm)

I find that with Niven it's either I like him or can't get into the story. There is no in-between. Lucifer's Hammer and The Mote in God's Eye are two of his I like, both would be on my top 100 list. Footfall couldn't get into it. Same for Destiny's Road. The oringinal Ringworld was OK, ...

jseger9000 in Science Fiction Fans : Your Clunkers of 2007 (Jan 30, 2008, 6:57pm)

... Niven and Jerry Pournelle's Footfall. (I have a copy, but haven't read it yet myself.) I picked that up along with Lucifer's Hammer and The Mote in God's Eye and The Gripping Hand. I hope they aren't all stinkers. What bugged you with Footfall? Write a review so I can see ...

TLCrawford in Read YA Lit : Apocalyptic Lit (Jan 14, 2008, 3:26pm)

Alas, Babylon Malevil Lucifers Hammer Hiero's Journey Some of these are older and might be harder to find. The first deal with the aftermath of a nuclear war but there is a dozen years of technology seperating the two. The third is a natural desaster and the last is so long after the ...

scottveg3 in Graduate Students : The most influential book you have read in your subject (Aug 24, 2007, 9:51am)

... in water resource management. God help me. For me one of the most influential novels was actually a fiction book. Lucifer's Hammer by Larry Niven. I read it in high school and it got me on my current career track. Its the closeness with the land that people must achieve so they don't ...

chani in List Five Books Parlour Game : Headed for hell? (Jul 6, 2007, 3:35pm)

Battle Angel Alita, Volume 6: Angel Of Death (Battle Angel Alita) by Yukito Kishiro Hellsing by Kotha Hirano Lucifer's Hammer by Larry Niven Book of Nod Demon by John Varley

Ardagor in List Five Books Parlour Game : What's the worst that could happen? (Jun 26, 2007, 1:05pm)

The Shadow of the torturer by Gene Wolf Rage of a Demon King by Raymond Feist Lucifer`s Hammer by Larry Niven The Black Death by Philip Ziegler At the Court of the Borgia by Johann Burchard

Noisy in Science Fiction Fans : Favorite post apocalyptic or dystopian future novel? (Jun 21, 2007, 4:26pm)

Lucifer's hammer by Larry Niven and Jerry Pournelle

Antares1 in List Five Books Parlour Game : Space (Jun 21, 2007, 11:30am)

Space by James Michner Earth Abides by George Stewart Lucifer's Hammer Martian Chronicles by Ray Bradbury Star Names

CliffBurns in Science Fiction Fans : Your first exposure to SF literature (Jun 14, 2007, 8:36am)

... stories have fun ideas). When I was a teenager I read some of those fat tomes by Pournelle and Niven, MOTE IN GOD'S EYE, LUCIFER'S HAMMER etc. I shudder when I think about those buggers. I liked anthologies...and didn't discover biggies like LORD OF THE RINGS until relatively late in ...

bmjaspers in Post-apocalyptic Literature : List of books to check out in this genre (Apr 2, 2007, 11:32pm)

... War, although I felt it was slow and the ending was rather weak. I've been meaning to pick up Alas, Babylon, Lucifer's Hammer and I am Legend. Also, Dies the Fire was a good read, I need to check out the sequels. The basic story is that all modern machinery just up and ...

mbvpixies78 in Post-apocalyptic Literature : List of books to check out in this genre (Apr 2, 2007, 11:10pm)

... Robert Merle "A canticle for Leibowitz" by Walter M. Miller “The City, Not Long After" by Pat Murphy "Lucifer's hammer" and “Fallen Angels” by Larry Niven “Z for Zachariah” by Robert C. O’Brien “Emergence” by David R. Palmer “The New Mad ...

booklover79 in Hitchiker's Guide to Good Books : Welcome!!! (Feb 19, 2007, 11:59am)

... ooks: The Stand, also another book where the movie doesn't do it justice. If you haven't read it, I'd recommend it. Lucifer's Hammer by Larry Niven and Jerry Pournelle. A comet is on a course for Earth and all hell breaks loose. The main location is Southern California. The book ends ...

KromesTomes in Awful Lit. : I can't believe I wasted my time on this... (Jan 29, 2007, 9:57am)

Mote in God's Eye and Lucifer's Hammer were both actually by Larry Niven/Jerry Pournelle ... their best, IMHO, was Footfall.

Zeesosa in Awful Lit. : I can't believe I wasted my time on this... (Jan 27, 2007, 10:35pm)

... at myself for letting all that time be wasted with this book. Also, I tried to give Niven a second chance by reading Lucifer's Hammer. Well, I got wise this time and put it down when I couldn't take it anymore. It was actually better than World but I still didn't think it was worth my ...

RhiGirl in What Are You Reading Now? : What You're Reading the Week of 23 Dec 2006 (Dec 27, 2006, 11:45am)

Last Friday I bought: The Historian by Elizabeth Kostova Possession by A.S. Byatt Lucifer's Hammer by Larry Niven & Jerry Pournelle

raptorrunner in Books that made me think : Books that made me think Message Board (Dec 10, 2006, 1:28am)

... and apparently innocent ways to misjudge a different culture, based on your own experience in your own culture. Lucifer's Hammer by Jerry Pournell and Larry Niven and Into the forest by Jean Hegland, which show what a thin, fragile veneer our technology-based culture ...

Herewiss13 in FAQ : Combining Books With No Author/Different Authors? (Nov 26, 2006, 2:14pm)

... as 2nd author...but if Pournelle has (somehow) been listed as the first author on some copies of, say, Footfall or Lucifer's Hammer,I've got no good way to combine the _works_ without combining the authors...who are definitely different people.

system13 in What Are You Reading Now? : What Are You Reading Now? Message Board (Aug 15, 2006, 4:47pm)

I just started Ringworld after finishing up Lucifer's Hammer. Ringworld is quite different from Lucifer's, but I'm enjoying it anyway. (I thought Lucifer's Hammer was excellent.)

system13 in The Green Dragon : Who is your favorite Fantasy author BESIDES 'The Professor?' (Aug 15, 2006, 3:34pm)

... the read. I have the next few books in the series, and I'll probably get around to reading them eventually. I just finished Lucifer's Hammer, and am now reading Ringworld. Ringworld is quite different from Lucifer's Hammer, but I'm enjoying it anyway. I thought Lucifer's Hammer was ...

Buy, borrow or swap

Abebooks
Alibris
Amazon.com (top edition)
Barnes & Noble
BookFinder.com
IndieBound
WorldCat

Swap this book (3/81)

Member Giveaway: Give this away

Popular covers