Brian Stableford (1948–2024)

An adult read.

I saw this book on the shelf when I was still in high school...The DAW cover pic was enticing but when I read a bit of the back synopsis and the first couple of pages...it did not fit my desire for adventure, like say: Gate of Ivrel

Nor did it fit with the normal Sci-Fi notion of once star travel is discovered: then BOOM! Earth is suddenly surrounded by successfully colonized Star systems numbered in the HUNDREDS...

But now as an adult, I was moved to revisit some of the older books that the Kid passed over as too boring. And I must say that when you have an appreciation for good writing the Daedalus Series should be given a try.

No space battles. No Alien Empires. No Ancient mysteries. No Laser blasting...

And Most of all-- No sprawling Star Empire of Man.

Instead, the writer touches and delves into the unspoken social, technological and biological issues that underlie the whole simplistic 'Colonize the Stars' scenario.

What REALLY happens after a 'can' of colonists and materials is unloaded on a planet? What problems could evolve from humans, who are now the ALIENS, trying to transplant themselves on a world that is not Earth? What are the realistic policy issues behind the Colonizing agencies back on Earth?

A Team of 'specialists' set out to re-establish contact with colonies that went out a century before. They must ascertain the colony's current condition and possibly help correct some problems the colonists may not be aware of... Is the colony thriving or failing? Are the colonists still HUMAN or are they being changed by the planet?

...but first the Daedalus team must overcome internal disagreements as well as local hostility or worse, local politics as they go from world to world.

But most of all, the writer soberly explores the intellectual thought experiment: Exactly how HARD is it to colonize another World?

Sober, skilled writing. Technologically timeless so it avoids being 'dated'. Not as flashy or fantastic as I would have wanted when I was 17-- but a solid, contemplative read half a century later...… (more)