Cavelos, Jeanne

The Science of Star Wars: An Astrophysicist's Independent Examination of Space Travel, Aliens, Planets, and Robots as Portrayed in the Star Wars Films and Books

Average customer rating:

Not so long or so far away, some of it could happen
STAR WARS COULD HAPPEN!!?
Very Good
Great Book
Feels like a guilty pleasure, but enjoyable and thoughtful

The Science of Star Wars: An Astrophysicist's Independent Examination of Space Travel, Aliens, Planets, and Robots as Portrayed in the Star Wars Films and Books
Jeanne Cavelos
Manufacturer: St. Martin's Press
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover

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ASIN: 0312209584

Amazon.com

Jeanne Cavelos says, "Star Wars fueled my interest in space exploration and the possibility of alien life," leading her to a career in astrophysics. While these movies have inspired her, she admits that may not have been their intention.

<blockquote> In creating the part science fiction/part fantasy/part myth that is Star Wars, George Lucas did not seek to create a futuristic universe that agreed perfectly with our current understanding of science.... How realistic, how possible, is this galaxy far, far away?

The answer when A New Hope first came out was "not at all." But a strange thing has happened in the years since Star Wars first came out. Science is beginning to catch up with George Lucas. </blockquote>

Cavelos looks at Lucas's planets, aliens, droids, technology, and Force with both rationality and affection. The droids R2-D2 and C-3P0, among others, become more interesting and almost credible after her consideration.

The element of Star Wars that is most true to science is the sense of wonder it calls forth, which has very little to do with how close it is to a possible future. Or, as Steve Grand, director of the Cyberlife Institute, said to Cavelos: "I never try to let scientific implausibility get in the way of a good story!" --Mary Ellen Curtin

Book Description

Could the science fiction of Star Wars be the actual science of tomorrow?

-How close are we to creating robots that look and act like R2-D2 and C-3PO?
-Can we access a "force" with our minds to move objects and communicate telepathically with each other?
-How might spaceships like the Millennium Falcon make the exhilarating jump into hyperspace?
What kind of environment could spawn a Wookiee?
-Could a single blast from the Death Star destroy an entire planet?
-Could light sabers possibly be built, and if so, how would they work?
-Do Star Wars aliens look like "real" aliens might?
-What would living on a desert planet like Tatooine be like?
-Why does Darth Vader require an artificial respirator?

Discover the answers to these and many other fascinating questions as a noted scientist and Star Wars enthusiast explores The Science of Star Wars.

Customer Reviews:

Not so long or so far away, some of it could happen.......2005-02-06

Quality entertainment is its' own reward, so in many ways the plausibility of the scenarios is not an overriding concern. However, there is a threshold of believability that cannot be crossed, for if it is, it can cease to be entertainment. The quality of the entertainment has a great deal to do with the location of the threshold, if the story is very good, the bar is higher, but for a mediocre story it can be much lower. In the Star Wars movies, the bar is generally considered pretty low, as most people who watch them are fairly uncritical of the scientific basis for the events. George Lucas was brilliant when he opened the series with the phrase, " A long time ago in a galaxy far, far away." This is equivalent to the classic "Once upon a time" opening to fairy tales. By immediately giving the Star Wars events the status of a fairy tale, Lucas provides himself with a great deal of scientific poetic license in his Star Wars movies.
However, there are always people who examine the actions on the screen and consider the plausibility based on the current theories of science. In this book Cavelos critically examines the major events in the Star Wars series from the perspective of modern science. The opening chapter is a discussion of the major environments where the action takes place. It starts with the questions concerning how prevalent planets are in the universe. In this case, recent research indicates that there are an enormous number of planets, so the focus moves to planets that could support life, in particular, human life. Here, the odds drop substantially, as the range of temperature, gravity and atmosphere that humans can function in is in all cases very narrow. The existence of specific planets such as Tatooine with its' two suns, the moon "planets" of Endor and Yavin and the ice planet Hoth are all seriously examined. Given the constant number of new surprises that the study of planets in our solar system has provided, while unlikely, most of these environments cannot be ruled out.
Chapter two, which deals with the characteristics of alien life forms, was my favorite. Many of the main species, such as the Wookies, Hutts, Banthas, Jawas, and Ewoks are examined from a biological perspective. How their bodies are constructed and if they could function in their environment makes an interesting exercise in comparative biology. By examining Jar Jar Binks, one can reach many conclusions concerning how his species functions. This is a chapter that would make an excellent study topic in high school biology classes.
Chapters three and four deal with the technology, with chapter three devoted to the artificial intelligence (AI) of droids and four the technology of the spacecraft. Despite many problems in implementation, there appears to be no reason to doubt that droids with the capability of R2-D2 and C-3PO will eventually be constructed. However, the development of interstellar craft that travel through hyperspace will require substantial advancements in harnessing energy and the presence of scientific realities that we currently know nothing about.
The Force, that all-encompassing energy field, is the topic of the last chapter. It is also the most difficult to envision, although in many cases, it is just another name for God. The difference is of course that using the force would mean that an individual could channel the power of God for their own purposes, independent of the goodness rating of the action. Extra-sensory perception and the current "evidence" for it are also examined.
I am a devoted fan of Star Wars, and as I scientist I recognize when scientific laws are broken on the screen. Nevertheless, it was a very fun book to read, because there is scientific evidence that indicates that some of what happens in these movies could actually take place.

STAR WARS COULD HAPPEN!!?.......2001-09-25

What I loved about the Star Wars saga is the fact that travel
across the galaxy is as commonplace and taken for granted as
car and air travel is today. And I love the alien world our
heroes visit like the Fourth Moon of Yavin,the Moon of Endor,
Tatooine,Hoth,Bespin,Dagobah and Coruscant.

This book explores the possibility of rapid interstellar travel
and alien planets and extraterrestrial life and the even how to
build lightsabers and blasters with incredible detail. Cavelos

explains that such breaktroughs may or may not happen in a few
thousand years. Who knows what breaktroughs humanity will make?
We may not be at war with aliens or other civilizations and I
hope it won't happen. But I do hope that someday people will be
able to travel to other solar systems and galaxies as quickly
and easily as crossing our oceans. Cavelos gives interesting
detail on wormholes,warp drives,and even what it would be like
to travel at warp drive with the stars stretching into streaks
of light. That will be a very exciting time. I hope that galactic
travel and even intergalctic travel will be used for tourism as
well as exploration and colonization. People will travel to exotic planets and moons like Yavin 4,Endor,Hoth,Coruscant etc.
and even view our own galaxy from above as a glowing celestial
spiral. That would be a very exciting time!!Perhaps it
will happen in the next thousand years or so.

Very Good.......2000-10-18

I loved this book. Like all Star Wars books I read, I could barely put it down. The only reason it's not perfect is that the whole Star Wars series is very loosely based on science, so this book really has a very shaky fundamental basis. The fact that Jeanne Cavelos can write a great book around this weak foundation, though, is a testament to the skill with which the author writes.

Great Book.......2000-08-31

I am not a huge, or even big Star Wars fan (heck, I didn't even like the first one), but I loved this book. A great concept, very well done. I could not put it down.

Feels like a guilty pleasure, but enjoyable and thoughtful.......2000-07-10

Reading each chapter of "The Science of Star Wars" made me feel like I was indulging in a guilty pleasure, which is odd, since this is an informative look at science through the prism of the Star Wars movies.

The author has different chapters on planets, lifeforms, spaceships and weapons, droids, and the Force. Each chapter looks at the subject as depicted in the various movies, and then speculates on how likely the subject is scientifically. She has an open-mind; even when the subject seems to be scientifically inaccurate, she writes diplomatically that it seems unexplained, or needs some explanation beyond our understanding.

For the most part, she is a good writer. However, the book is sprinkled with repeated lame jokes about wishing bad things unto Imperial stormtroopers. It's kind of funny the first time, but after that, it becomes silly.

Also, the section discussing the Force delves into a heavy dose of quantum mechanics. There are no equations or diagrams, but it is an extended discussion, albeit at a layperson's level.

Finally, the paperback version contains an update based on "The Phantom Menace."

Casting Shadows (Babylon 5: The Passing of the Techno-Mages, Book 1)
Average customer rating:

Well-written, usually interesting

Tech Wizards

Good Background

A Promising Start

Excellent Novelization

Casting Shadows (Babylon 5: The Passing of the Techno-Mages, Book 1)
Jeanne Cavelos
Manufacturer: Del Rey
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Mass Market Paperback

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ASIN: 0345427211
Release Date: 2001-02-27

Book Description

The spectacular space epic continues, as the techno-mages face the growing threat of the Shadows . . .

As Elric and his student Galen watch with taut anticipation, dragons, angels, and shooting stars rain from the sky, heralding the arrival of the techno-mages on the planet Soom. It's the first time Elric-a member of the ruling Circle-has hosted such a gathering, and if all goes well, Galen and the other apprentices will emerge triumphant from the grueling initiation rites, ready to embrace their roles as full mages among the most powerful beings in the known universe.

But rumors fly of approaching danger and Galen and his young lover, Isabelle, are chosen to investigate the dark tidings. An ancient race has awakened after a thousand years, thirsty for war, slaughter, and annihilation. Will the techno-mages be the deciding factor in the war ahead? Or the first casualties?

Customer Reviews:

Well-written, usually interesting.......2006-05-19

This is a well-written novel spinoff from the Babylon 5 and Crusade television series.

Writing is enjoyable, the author appears to have the background data down correctly, and while only 1 character spent any time as a tv character (galen, probably less than 10 crusade episodes + call to arms?) 'early year' books always get some leeway on character development. Obviously Elric was a character in 'geometry of shadows' but 5 minutes of dialogue (if that) is just the bare-bones of a written character.

It was an enjoyable read, and didn't feel contrived or poorly constructed.

My main complaint is why anyone wants to read about the adventures of Anna as a shadown warship cpu. Those pages were skipped. Maybe there is a future plot reason to bring it out now.

The fact book 2 is apparently out of print and sold for multiples of original cover price (as well as the 3rd centauri prime book) is absurd. I am not sure I have ever heard of a published paperback only a few years old being hoarded or sold at absurd mark-ups to this degree....clearly the publisher is in need of a market economics course.

Tech Wizards.......2005-11-25

Cavelos has created the best B-5 trilogy yet. Her novels (Casting Shadows, Summoning Light, and Invoking Darkness) flesh out the background of the techno-mages and Galen's past. She meshes her material with the television series seamlessly and brings out nuances in character and situation. The relationship between the techno-mages and the Shadows is revealed in a striking manner that will satisfy any B-5 fan.

Though the most exciting B-5 trilogy I have yet read, Cavelos has a tendency to focus on emotional-turmoil and bringing the pacing of the plot to a complete and utter halt so a character can brood, mope, brood some more, mope again. Making matters worse, she repeats the same trite descriptions describing these feelings of melancholy and worthlessness over and over. But the rewards of completing this trilogy is worth the pitfalls in the prose. A must for any B-5 fan.

Good Background.......2005-10-28

I, as a big Bab 5 fan, really liked this. It fills in alot of background for the Tchno-mages and their actions parallel to the series, as well as some things about Galen, who featured so much in Crusade. To some extent, it would do well as a stand-alone, so I look forward to the next two books of the series.

A Promising Start.......2005-06-06

I'd certainly like to be an objective reviewer and say something about how non-B5-fans might feel about this book, but it's hardly possible. And, after all, it really is a Babylon 5 book, from the very first page on - the first chapter has both Shadows and Vorlons, and Morden plays a noticeable role in the book, which was enough to capture a fan's attention. So, 5 stars from a sworn B5-fan, and others, well, I guess you've just got to read and see. There is action and adventure, there is magic and romance, so it's pretty much got everything your regular science-fantasy would.

As the series title says, "Casting Shadows" is about the technomages, who didn't get a whole lot of attention in the series, and just a bit more in the spin-off, Crusade. The characters feel real, and through their way of showing off with illusions and such, even minor characters get clear personalities. The plot has its surprises and twists, as always, when the Shadows are involved... And there is romance as well, but the way it's written, it doesn't feel overly sugar-coated.

The only thing that momentarily annoyed me is the author's way of reusing the exactly same phrases several times. It might be a way of creating connections to the earlier moments, but somehow it feels a bit awkward, because surely there would've been some other way of saying those things instead of using the exact same words. Anyway, that's a small nitpicky thing. Overall, this was one of the best TV-show based books I've read, and I'm really looking forward to reading the next one.

Excellent Novelization.......2004-05-30

The 3 vol. series is an excellent tie-in to and novelization of the B5 t.v. series. Based on the Mysterious characters known as Techno-Mages who "use science to create Magic" We learn how the Mages work their Magic? With the aid of a programmable alien symbiotic implant at the base of thier skulls, of course. With it they can acomplish the same feats as the Wizards and Sorcerers in the Fantasy Novels. Endless streams of exploding fireballs, protective shields around their bodies, invisible highspeed platforms of levitation for movement, holographic dragons. Guided by the Circle and dedicated to the code. We also learn that Techno Mages go through various levels of training such as apprentis, chrystalis, initiate then Mage, apparently each candidate spends a couple of years at each stage. But now a new initiate (Galen the charactar from B5 & Crusade) Has discovered the long lost spell of distruction. Just as a large and unusual and sudden amount of activity is being detected on the rim. maybe the Shadows? I've heard from B5 websites that the Techno Mages where made up of numerous different species? but these Novels only describe human and centauri.

Average customer rating:

What Really Happened on Khazad Dum?
Great read
Morden's backstory
Great story from a great author!!
What do you want?

The Shadow Within (Babylon 5, Book 7)
Jeanne Cavelos
Manufacturer: Del Rey
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Mass Market Paperback

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ASIN: 0345452186
Release Date: 2002-11-26

Book Description

The electrifying space epic continues as Anna and John Sheridan battle deadly foes at opposite ends of the universe.

The dedication of the new Babylon 5 Station is fast approaching, and desperate enemies intend to see it end in catastrophe. The fate of the fledgling space alliance lies in the hands of John Sheridan, newly appointed captain of the spaceship Agamemnon. His orders are to stop the attack. Unless he first gets to the bottom of the near-mutinous behavior of the Agamemnon’s unruly crew, Sheridan and his spaceship will share Babylon 5’s doom.

Time is also running out for his wife Anna, headed to Z’ha’dum aboard the Icarus. Young, beautiful, and brilliant, she was thrilled to be appointed chief science officer of the follow-up mission to this mysterious planet on the edge of the known universe, where artifacts rumored to hold stupendous powers have been discovered. But the offer she could not resist threatens to become a dark destiny she cannot avoid, for an unimaginable horror lies somnolent on Z’ha’dum–and the monstrous consequences of disturbing the sleeping evil will haunt every living thing in the cosmos. . . .

Babylon 5 created by J. Michael Straczynski

Customer Reviews:

What Really Happened on Khazad Dum?.......2007-04-03

For those Babylon 5 fans who would like the whole story on what went on at Khazad Dum, when Sheridan's wife and her archeological team woke up the sleeping Shadows, this is the book for them.
It fills in the details of an important incident in the storyline alluded to, but not fleshed out, in the TV series.
For those who also wondered where the creepy Morgan character comes from, who ends up pulling Londo and all of Centauri Prime into the Dark Side, this book will satisfy your curiosity.
Definitely not a "side story"; this is intrinsic to much that follows.

Great read.......2007-03-09

This was a very good read i absolutly loved it if you are reading this buy this book.

Morden's backstory.......2005-12-05

This novel of the Babylon 5 universe fills in the blanks regarding one of the acclaimed series' most intriguing characters: Morden, mouthpiece of the evil Shadows. Even more, it also focuses on Anna, second wife of John Sheridan, and the tale of how she went from loving wife and archaeologist to mindless minion of those aforementioned Shadows.

"The Shadow Within" was originally published in 1997, and four years later the same author wrote a trilogy about the mysterious Techno-Mages, who appeared on the B5 space station in one episode of Season Two but whose story is incredibly fascinating. See the trilogy titled "The Passing Of the Techno-Mages" for more, especially since this book dovetails into that trilogy and serves as a prequel. I cannot recommend this set of four novels highly enough, although I do agree with another reviewer here that this volume is not as spectacular as the trilogy.

Great story from a great author!!.......2005-04-13

I found this novel to be a great intro to the Babylon 5 novel series. It gave a look at Captain Sheridan and Anna before the Shadow Wars and gives an inkling of what is to come. I also was lucky enuff to get a copy that was autographed by the author herself which makes this copy of mine even more treasured. This is definately a must read for any babylon 5 fan.

What do you want?.......2003-08-03

This book tells the tale of what really happened to Anna Sheridan and Morden during the Icarus' doomed expedition to the Shadow homeworld, Z'ha'dum. Plus, there's a subplot concerning Captain Sheridan trying to get the crew under his new command on the Agamemnnon into shape, and then preventing a terrorist attack on the recently completed Babylon 5 space station.

This book, and it's companion volume "To Dream in the City of Sorrows", created a feeling of dread about the Shadows and what they represent, just like on the Babylon 5 TV show. And we all know that Anna joined the Shadows, but her reasons as to why are a shocker. Strongly recommended.

Summoning Light (Babylon 5: The Passing of the Techno-Mages, Book 2)
Average customer rating:

Mixed Feelings

well written, but bizarre intertwining with tv episode

Intense, Angsty, Amazing!

The Excitment continues

When you sleep with the Boss, you can screw his creation too

Summoning Light (Babylon 5: The Passing of the Techno-Mages, Book 2)
Jeanne Cavelos
Manufacturer: Del Rey
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Mass Market Paperback

Cavelos, Jeanne | ( C ) | Authors, A-Z | Science Fiction & Fantasy | Subjects | Books
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ASIN: 034542722X
Release Date: 2001-07-03

Book Description

The explosive space epic continues, as the techno-mages come face-to-face with the devastating evil of the Shadows . . .

War against the Shadows is inevitable, and the ruling Circle has ordered the techno-mages into hiding. Many are unhappy with this decision--none more so than Galen, the only mage who has faced the Shadows and lived. But the Shadows aren't Galen's only enemy--he is driven to hunt and kill Elizar, the traitor who murdered the beautiful mage Isabelle while Galen stood by helplessly, his hands tied by the Circle's sacred code he had sworn to follow.

Now a new mission awaits as the Circle contrives a plan that may enable the five hundred mages to escape without leaving a trace. Dispatched to the Shadow's ancient capitol to uncover the enemy's plans, Galen will find everything he so desperately seeks--including a shocking legacy that threatens to consume his very soul.

Babylon 5 created by J. Michael Straczynski

Customer Reviews:

Mixed Feelings.......2007-04-26

I love how this book interweaves with the TV episode (though I don't think we needed to hear so much about the Green and Purple Drazi.) We learned about all the clever double meanings to events, and the larger picture taking place in the background. At the same time, this was much more tragic than I usually see in tv tie in books. From my perspective, too many beloved characters died needlessly. And the technomages were so nobly, tragically, self sacrificing that I wanted to kick them all in the head. It's well written with great detail, but be prepared for a lot of whams.

well written, but bizarre intertwining with tv episode .......2006-06-15

I do not know who (jms or the author) is responsible for the decision for books 2 and 3 of this series to closely interweave and usually re-write the significance of events in the tv series (in this book the season 2 ep. geometry of shadows is the main one), but I think a very good story from this theme could have been written without. so now the events in Geometry of Shadows have completely different meaning, including Sheridan knowing about the false departure tactic and aiding it, londo's apology being a trick from morden, and most annoyingly the fact sheridan saw the departure vessel explode, something WE didn't see.

I don't know why this sort of tactic for writing this story is used. 4 stars for quality of writing, negative 2 stars for the episode tie-in tactic. I posted a similar note on novel 3 in this series.

Intense, Angsty, Amazing!.......2005-06-08

Whew. I thought the first part of the Technomage trilogy was great, but the second one surpasses it easily. A word of warning: this is a model example of a book that you just can't put down once you've gotten into it. You might waste a good night's sleep reading, like I did.

Take all the angst and all the action from the first book and multiply it by ten, and it might come near this. As troubled as Galen, the nearly initiated young technomage was in the first part, here he ends up going seriously dark side. His mentor, Elric, doesn't have a nice time, either, nor do any of the other colourful personalities among the technomages that were introduced in the first book. And there are some huge revelations too, which strongly remind me of the feeling I used to get from the suprise twists in B5 episodes, before I had seen them too many times over and the surprise wore out.

The book centers around the Babylon 5 2nd season episode "Geometry of Shadows", and certainly made me watch that episode with a whole new attitude. However, as the only complaint that I have about "Summoning Light", the episode and the book do not match perfectly - the way the episode ends and the corresponding event in the book feel a bit too different to be explained simply as an omission from the episode, a thing that wasn't shown and happened off screen, as obviously we see that it just doesn't happen... Ah well. Otherwise, the author does a magnificent job, writing stuff that happens before the episode and during it but unseen, so that it really does fit, and again writes a book that is much more than just a great TV-series extra/tie-in.

The Excitment continues.......2004-05-30

In this second installment to the B5 novelization emphisizing the Techno Mage characters. We learn about the secret history of the ancient technology called the Chrystalis and where it came from. We learn about the ecstacy and agony of the Mages. Their limitations and the extent of their dedication to; 'The Code'. However, I have heard that The Techno Mages are made up of numerous different species? Yet these novels only talk about two, Centauri and Human?

When you sleep with the Boss, you can screw his creation too.......2003-11-29

Only two books out of the thousands I have read in my life so disgusted me with the blatant stupidity of the main character, that I have literally thrown the book. This was one.

Spoiler Alert!
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-
-
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After rampaging through a long corridor full of Shadows and minions, Galen is stymied by the bad guy's toadie holding a weapon to the head of his Mentor?

Why open the door? Remove it. Why talk to the toadie? Remove all but his weapon hand from this universe. Why talk to the bad guys? Remove them. Why step into the room? Remove all of it but the spot his mentor occupies, then fly away with his mentor's remains. His actions after clearing the hallway are stupid stupid stupid ....

Book Description

The electrifying space epic reaches an explosive climax
when one techno-mage battles the ultimate evil

As billions die and the flames of destruction rage unchecked, the Shadows seem poised for absolute victory. Soon the entire galaxy will fall to their evil. But the war isn't over . . . not yet. At long last, in a forgotten corner of the universe, Galen has finally won the Circle's permission to leave the techno-mage hiding place. He is the only mage who has faced the Shadows and lived, the only one who possesses the unstoppable Spell of Destruction.

Galen's orders are clear. Though the galaxy is being torn apart by bloody conflict–in which his powers might tip the balance–he is to locate only three key enemies and kill them. But Galen has unearthed the Shadows' darkest secret–and discovered a monstrous truth about himself.

In this desperate, apocalyptic battle, there's no telling who will be the victor. Or if there will be any survivors at all . . .

Babylon 5 created by J. Michael Straczynski

Customer Reviews:

Am I the only person who does not like being asked to believe all this extra stuff we never see in z'ha'dum?.......2006-06-15

This, like book 2, borrows heavily from the TV show, mainly the last episode of season 3, and expects us to believe all this other stuff was going on at the same time that we never saw, such as but not limited to (spoilers) galen helping sheridan fight drahk and others on z'ha'dum, even telling him so, galen saving morden from the nuke blast, galen meeting lorien, galen planting the idea to see the imminent attack pattern in shadow dancing, there are more than I can easily recall. Also, a fair amount of the novel is regurgitation of events directly from tv episodes.

I don't know if this was the author's idea or specific to JMS's outline to write this this way, but it really violates the 'you expect me to believe this after you showed me something different in the tv series and JMS's own considerable comments on his episodes over the years?' rule - this applies to book 2 also. The book is well-written, though as others have noted galen is not a sympathetic character much of the time.

A Happy Ending to a Wonderful Trilogy.......2005-06-09

Sigh. It's over - no new techno-mage books left to read. That's the one thing that's very wrong about this book: it's the last one of the trilogy, and still leaves quite a gap between its end and the B5 movie Call to Arms, the first TV-thing that includes Galen. Also, one big question remains at the end, and I doubt we'll ever hear the answer: What happens to the techno-mages? Does the "Passing" in the title just point to their passing into hiding and away from the world, or their actual death and the end of the order?

Invoking Darkness is both the saddest and the happiest book in the trilogy. Again, there is death, suffering and chaos, and Galen learns secrets even more horrible than the ones in the previous books. Still, at the end, as open as it might be, there is a wonderful feeling of resolution, a real happy end after all the trouble and angst.

Just as Summoning Light built around and beyond the episode Geometry of Shadows, Invoking Darkness has a lot to do with Z'ha'dum, one of my all-time favourite episodes. At first, I was a bit shocked at the idea that I was supposed to believe that all this stuff was happening in the background of that episode and is just never shown - but it does make a lot of sense and explain some things. Everything the B5 characters, such as Kosh, Morden and Anna Sheridan do and their thoughts as they are described make perfect sense and are completely in character.

Then there is Galen, of course, at the center of it all, whose story these books are. From the eager though shy novice at the beginning of the first book, he grows and evolves into something far more complex, yet more whole than he has ever been. Watching Galen in Crusade is a whole new thing now that his backstory has been described in such detail and colour.

This is certainly the best TV-series-based trilogy I have come across so far. If you're into B5, you absolutely must read this. Even if you aren't, I'd still give it a try. It's probably worth it.

Somber Ending to a fine novelized series!!!!!!!!!!!!!!.......2004-05-30

So thats why the series was titled "The Passing of the Techno Mages." I'm rather dissapointed! O.K. Volume 1 introduced us to the Mysterious characters that where introduced on the B5 and Crusade t.v. series's. We learn they accomplish their magic with the aid of an alien implant called a chrystalis. Volume 2 We learn the secret history of the alien implants, they come from the Shadows; planners and instigators of chaos and war, eternal enemies of the Vorlons. Volume 3 We learn how the Shadows sadistically produce the chrystalis (by kidnapping different species and letting it grow and fester on them and slowly draining the life out of the host.) Now comes the somber ending, Galen with the help of the spell of destruction and John Sheridan, destroy the homeworld of the Shadows and since the Shadows are the only ones that produce the Tech and the Mages don't know how! It's "the passing of the Techno Mages". Kinda dissapointing.

Kosh + Galen = Good Book!.......2003-09-30

Ah...my two favorite characters in the same book...unfortunately, I've only read the exerpt, but from what I read, this book rivals the New Frontier saga in complexity, quality of writing, and interest factor! From the very beginning I was routing for Galen, who's struggles are not unlike that of Kaylenn (see link: http://s2.invisionfree.com/Star_Trek_Galaxy). I can't wait to get the book and read on, and obviously the first two are required reads.
Live Long & Prosper,
TGN/Drakonis/Lunch

Thrilling Conclusion.......2003-08-13

This series has to be the best B5 novel ever written! Gripping and compelling from page one, I devoured all 3 books in a week. This last book is a thrilling climax to the Technomages series, and offers a deep sense of satisfaction at the last. The pages called to me in my sleep; I flipped the pages in heightened anticipation and finished this book in less than 12 fleeting hours.
All the pieces fall together as the frustration is finally, finally stripped away with Galen's hell-bent journey to Z'ha'dum.
Jeanne Cavelos' writing is engrossing, breathes, trembles. The reader is sucked into the world of her novels and the minds of her fully-fleshed-out characters like a ship into Hyperspace. No flat or cardboard creations here! Each one of her characters lives and breathes uniquely. Fabulous!

Average customer rating:

A wide variety of takes on one mysterious man
Good read!
A Clever Concept . . . well exceuted
Excellent concept, and what an anthology ought to be!
A disappointment

The Many Faces of Van Helsing

Manufacturer: Ace Trade
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

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The Journal of Professor Abraham Van Helsing
Blood Thirst: 100 Years of Vampire Fiction
With Signs & Wonders: An International Anthology of Jewish Fabulist Fiction
The Mammoth Book of Best New Horror, Vol. 14
Van Helsing

ASIN: 0441011705
Release Date: 2004-04-06

Book Description

An all-new anthology of stories featuring THE ORIGINAL VAMPIRE HUNTER.

Bram Stoker's Dracula is one of the most famous novels in history. Both Dracula and Van Helsing have become icons: the vampire and the vampire hunter. Yet while the character of Dracula has been endlessly examined, Van Helsing is arguably one of the most well-known yet least explored characters in literature.

Now, Van Helsing gets his due as the stellar masters of horror and fantasy contribute their own unique take on the original vampire hunter.

The tentative list of original stories featured in this unique anthology include such authors as:

Katherine Dunn
Christopher Golden
Elizabeth Hand
Brian Hodge
Nina Kiriki Hoffman
Graham Joyce
Kathe Koja
Tanith Lee
Gregory Maguire
Kristine Katherine Rusch
Steve Rasnic Tem & Melanie Tem
Thomas Tessier
F. Paul Wilson

Customer Reviews:

A wide variety of takes on one mysterious man.......2005-11-05

When purchasing this book, I was interested to see so many different author's takes on one of the most elusive and interesting characters in vampire fiction. There is a wide range of takes on the character, with a great many centering around one of two women: either his insane wife (the vast majority) or Mina Harker (two or three). This son is also the focal point of quite a few, but by far my favorite story in the entire anthology is the first one, the Screaming by J.A. Knrath. It is a very delicious little tale and highly recommended.

A complete list of the stories follows-

*** The Screaming by J.A. Knrath *** Poison in the Darkness by Rita Oakes *** Infestation in the Walls by Thomas Tessier *** Anna Lee by Kathe Koja *** Venus and Mars by Christopher Golden *** The Power of Waking by Nina Kiriki Hoffman *** The Life Imprisoned by William D. Carl *** The Tomb of Fog and Flowers by C. Dean Anderson *** So Far From Us in All Ways by Chris Roberson *** Sideshow by Thomas F. Monteleone *** Hero Dust by Kristine Kathryn Rusch *** Remember Me by Tanith Lee *** A Letter From the Asylum by Kris Dikeman *** My Dear Madame Mina by Lois Tilton *** Ardelis by Sarah Kelderman *** Abraham's Boys by Joe Hill *** The Black Wallpaper by Kim Antieau *** Brushed in Blackest Silence by Brian Hodge *** Empty Morning by Steve Rasnic Tem and Melanie Tem *** Fantasy Room by Adam-Troy Castro *** Origin of Species by A.M. Dellamonica

Over all, the only thing I didn't like is that all the stories are about Van Helsing the man. No adventures, really, and so many of them focus on his wife and child, leaving other ground uncovered.

Still for fans of Dracula or anthology lovers, highly recommended.

Good read!.......2004-10-23

As with any collection of short stories, I liked some more than others. But it was a good collection with lots of variety & a great subject. I really enjoyed it.

A Clever Concept . . . well exceuted.......2004-07-01

ALmost all of the stories fell within the theme of the book. Very few were just standard vampire hunters, and some like Chris Golden's and Joe Hill's were very much outside the box. While more traditional than some of the others, the Monteleone story very much captured the turn of the century sense of wonder and other-worldly aspect of Van Helsing's mission--and had a GREAT twist at the end.

This is a fun book. Get it.

Excellent concept, and what an anthology ought to be!.......2004-04-25

I thoroughly enjoyed reading the stories in this intriguing book. What a pleasant surprise it should be to many readers to find an anthology like this these days, one that is NOT a shared world series based on a game or TV/Movie media tie-in. As such, this more "traditional" anthology might at first glance confuse some readers who are not used to having stories in an anthology sometimes contradict one another. But this is just the kind of anthology a great many readers should relish, presenting stories as it does with a variety of viewpoints from a variety of writers, each with a different take on the character created by Bram Stoker in DRACULA over one hundred years ago, Professor Abraham Van Helsing. For example, about all Stoker told us of Van Helsing's private life was that his wife was insane and his son dead. One of the stories in the anthology, "The Tomb of Fog and Flowers" by C. Dean Andersson, explores that theme and presents Van Helsing's first encounter with a supernatural force, but refreshingly, there are no Vampires and no Dracula present in Andersson's tale, which may surprise some who are aware of his "first person" Vampire novel, I AM DRACULA. Maybe someone will ask him to now do I AM VAN HELSING! However, other stories in this anthology do deal with events in Dracula, or with different kinds of Vampires. One even presents Van Helsing as a Vampire himself! All in all, I highly recommend this anthology. After all, the editor, Jeanne Cavelos, created and edited the excellent Abyss horror line at Dell Books a few years back, and anyone who read any of the Abyss novels should have a high regard for anything to which the Cavelos name is connected. In other words, I highly recommend this book!

A disappointment.......2004-04-21

While there are some standout stories (Thomas Tessier, Nina Hoffman, Joe Hill), there are also some clunkers. One author appears to think that "Van" is Van Helsing's first name, and many others appear to have little to do with Van Helsing other than having his name appended (a few don't even bother with that, and merely present generic vampire hunter stories).

Amazon.com

Jeanne Cavelos feels that "The X-Files is actually the television drama most concerned with science today, incorporating recent discoveries and exploring the limits and values of science." Cavelos's guide to the science behind the stories can be a little confusing if you're not an X-phile (it could use a glossary), but it is a treasure-trove of gross science facts you'll enjoy even if you've never seen the show. Disturbing birth defects, parasitic worms that come out of your eyes, killer fungi, cockroaches in serried ranks--whatever makes you go "Ewww," it's probably in here. Besides these monster-of-the-week topics, Cavelos gives a scientific background to the X-Files mythology: the web of aliens (gray, black oil, shape-shifting, whatever), hybrids, abductions, government cover-ups, and the looming figure of the Cigarette-Smoking Man. Whether you are a wide-eyed, broad-minded (gullible?) Mulder or a skeptical, rationalist, cold-water-throwing Scully, this book has an insight, a silly story, or a good quote for you. --Mary Ellen Curtin

Book Description

By pushing science to its furthest, most marvelous extremes, "The X-Files" has captivated us with stories more strange and surreal than we'd ever dreamed possible. But are they as far-fetched as they look? With the help of leading experts, scientist Jeanne Cavelos explores the scientific theories--and supporting research--that shed light on some of the series' most bizarre and compelling episodes. Includes scientific examinations of: Could a man cause fungi to destroy everything he touched? How could a man made entirely of cancer cells grow back his decapitated head? What sort of nutrition could be derived from a diet of human livers? Could a man burn up in the sun--simply because he believes he's a vampire? How could a salamander hand grow on a man's body? Could concentrated human pheromones really make Scully do "the wild thing" with a stranger? Delve into the truth behind "The X-Files"--and wonders of science will never look the same again...

Customer Reviews:

The awful wonders to fill you with enlightened dread.......2000-08-01

This book is an excellent crash-course in fringe science. Topics touched upon include various discussions of cancer/mutations, extraterrestrial life/astonomy, various advances in VR and other forms of technology, and much, much more. Since I am not a great fan of X-Files, I cannot attest about the book's fidelity to the show, but I should think that it is, since there is quite a number of quoted episodes. Even more than the show, the book exudes a rather creepy feeling about just how fragile we are as individuals, and in that respect it is inappropriate to especially sensitive readers (if any of them enjoyed the show to begin with...). The book succeeds in that it makes most of the odd scientific data relatively easy to swallow and actually has the gut to admit that the writers did make errors. However, at no point did I feel that what I was reading was overly incredulous, or that the author was overly condescending about the show's errors.

Keep watching the skies for more books like this one.

Iguanas and slam dancing and cancer - - Oh My!.......2000-05-25

I had this be in my "to be read pile" for months. I would pick it up, peak at it and instead pick something I thought was more ***important*** to read. Let's face it work, friends and other distractions get in the way of reading - - hence I am forever behind. Big mistake on my part. For one thing, the chapters in the book are strong enough to be read on their own. Secondly. this book is immensely enjoyable and intelligent. I had some reservations that the book may be dry and dense - - but I stand corrected. Reading this book is like listening in to wonderful conversation. Jeanne Cavelos is witty, imaginative and brings the science down to earth. Not only would I recommend this to fans of the X-Files, but to anyone who grooves on science or has a sense of humor. Read the book and discover the relationship between owls, people and grapefruit!

"Better Than The Movie" (and the show)........1999-03-26

In this illuminating book,Jeanne Cavelos carries you far, far beyond the distorted and spacey feelings that some get from actually sitting too-still through the soma-like flow of the "X-Files". The book leaps and vibrates beyond the limits of the screen with a more immediate and gritty intellectual presence. Sometimes I watch the X-files...to relax. This book is much more exciting than I expected because she helps you to believe that many of these bizarre things...can actually happen. I'ts a lot scarier, and vastly more interesting when you are shown that very much of what you thought was science fantasy(or science fiction)--is, more accurately embodied in the single root word...SCIENCE.

Okay book, but really, how far can you take this?.......1999-03-01

This was an interesting read, and yes, I'm a fan of the show, but really this book is aimed at those fan-boy types who have every other piece of X-Files memorobilia and need some more. The author does an excellent job of applying ground-breaking scientific research to the scenarios which are present in the shows, however, I, at times found myself saying "Who cares that much?!?!" Also, the book makes no mention of all of the episodes and phenomena for which there is no scientific explanation, theory, or even a guess.

All in all, it's an interesting read, but I think she's carried the X-Files a bit too far.

Peccadillos.......1999-02-15

Often in these book reviews if a book is generally rated four or five stars, there are occasional one star ratings. I understand that there is variation between different people, and what may be a masterpiece to one person is crap to another. There are many classics I perceive as crap. The idea I am getting at is: If a person is guaranteed to hate a book, then why do they spend money on it? Why do they read it? Why do they review it for crying out loud? An X-Files book should be read by fans of the X-Files. People who hate the X-Files should stay away from it. Instead of condemning 'To Kill a Mockingbird,' I write a deserved praising of 'The Fountainhead.' Yes, I have been been bitching about something that is unimportant. I don't care. The entire purpose of this review (Though I am not actually reviewing the book.) is to raise the average rating of the book.

Average customer rating:

Ever wonder just how plausible the SW Universe is?

The Science of Star Wars: An Astrophysicist's Independent Examination of Space Travel, Aliens, Planets and Robots As Portrayed in the Star Wars Films and Books
Jeanne Cavelos
Manufacturer: Books on Tape
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Audio Cassette

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Customer Reviews:

Ever wonder just how plausible the SW Universe is?.......2000-06-13

As a SW fan, I enjoyed most of this book that provides scientific insight into just how plausible the technical, astronomical and meta-physical aspects of George Lucas' fantasy galaxy are. The sections on planets and technology were my favorites and I found them very intriguing and fascinating. The section on the Force went a bit too far, though. Also, it's important to remember that SW IS ONLY A WORK OF FICTION!

Average customer rating:

The Science of Star Wars
Jeanne Cavelos
Manufacturer: St. Martin's Griffin
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback
ASIN: B000OTE5TO

Average customer rating:

The Science of the X-Files
Jeanne Cavelos
Manufacturer: Berkley Trade
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback
ASIN: B000PKPYQ0

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