But What of Earth?

A really long time ago, an evil Editor and a bunch of Moron Copy Editors ruined Piers Anthony's book. He's still super pissed about it, so has re-written the whole thing and included footnotes in which he tells us what these people wrote in the margins of his manuscript and argues back at them. He comes off as insulting and bitter, even though the other people come off as stupid meddlers. The story itself is pretty average, but better than the version that was actually published.

High rating for really everything a reader looks for --experience, grace, escape, reflection, insight. And for that subtle advantage one has over non-readers. Piers Anthony delivers all, in space.

His wonderful first-person idiosyncratic "Introduction", braces us for the two parts of the book: The first is the "story", and the 2d part, presented entirely in Endnotes, is a detailed manual on the publishing world of the 1970's period in which this book and the larger series it engages, was written.

The story, Piers Anthony explains, was worked up from the notion that "the level of civilization in the world may be governed by population". [7] He reminds us of the experiment done with mice--they multiply, and even if you do your best to show more provide ample food and a pleasant environment, their own numbers will result in nasty behaviors. As population increases, so does fighting. Those who survive overcrowding are not sweet and gentle, even when food and resources are provided.[212] But what if Earth was depopulated by an entirely peaceful event? Here, by "instantaneous transmission" of volunteers -- emigration to remote colonies.

Those of us dimly or brightly aware of the rat-paradise experiment and the Malthusian imperatives dictated by breeding, will find the author's topic relevant and his insights valuable. show less

I found this to be an enlightening book, both as a fiction piece and as an example of what can happen if one does not be careful as to what changes they allow an editor to run through on a book or other piece for publication. The story follows the time line of a man during a time when colonization of other planets is released to the public and just what happens to Earth as it flows. The story itself has some interesting spots. The more interesting part for me was the commentary by the author of what happened after he submitted it to the publisher by the six (!!!) Copyeditors. For writers, I recommend reading this for the information. For others, I recommend reading it for the information the story presents as something to think about.

Interesting; includes description of the unpleasant editing process for this book.