Friedman, C. S.

Master the GED and get your high school equivalency diploma... Our test experts show you the right way to prepare for this important test. REA's latest GED edition examines all subject areas to be found on the exam including in-depth coverage of the GED's essay test. The comprehensive review covers every possible exam topic: Language Arts/Writing, Language Arts/Reading, Social Studies, Science, and Math. Features 3 full-length practice exams.

Each practice exam question is fully explained to help you better understand the subject material. Use the book's appendix and index for speedy look-ups and smarter searches.

Follow up your study with REA's proven test-taking strategies and study schedule that get you ready to master the GED.

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<u>DETAILS</u>
- Comprehensive review of every subject to appear on the GED exam: Language Arts/Writing, Language Arts/Reading, Social Studies, Science, and Math
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- 3 full-length practice GED exams. Each exam question is answered with easy-to-follow, easy-to-grasp explanations to allow for greater understanding of each problem.
- CD-ROM TESTware program containing 2 of the book's practice exams to give you the closest thing to experiencing an exam live at a computer testing center.
- Fully indexed for quicker and smarter searches.

<u>SYSTEM REQUIREMENTS</u>
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<u>TABLE OF CONTENTS</u>
INSTALLING REA's TESTware
ABOUT RESEARCH & EDUCATION ASSOCIATION
ACKNOWLEDGMENTS
CHAPTER 1 - INTRODUCTION
About this Book and TESTware
About the Test
How to Use this Book
Format for the GED
About the Review Sections
Scoring the Exam
GED Essay Scores
Scoring Worksheet
Studying for the GED
Requirements for Issuance of Certificate/Diploma
GED Test-Taking Tips
The Day of the Test
GED Study Course Schedule
CHAPTER 2 - LANGUAGE ARTS: WRITING REVIEW
Part I Review
Writing I Strategies
Review of Standard Written English
Capitalization
Punctuation
Spelling and Word Usage
Part II Review
The Essay Test
Why Essays Exist
Essay Strategies
Pre-Writing/Planning Time
Writing Your Rough Draft
Revising, Editing, and Proofreading
CHAPTER 3 - SOCIAL STUDIES REVIEW
Social Studies Topics
U.S. History
Economics
Political Science
Geography
CHAPTER 4 - SCIENCE REVIEW
Strategies for Science Sections
Biology
Chemistry
Earth Science
Physics
CHAPTER 5 - LANGUAGE ARTS: READING REVIEW
Language Arts: Reading Topics
Reading Prose
Reading Poetry
Reading Drama
Reading Commentary
CHAPTER 6 - MATH REVIEW
Strategies for Math Sections
Arithmetic
Algebra
Geometry
PRACTICE EXAMS
EXAM I
Answer Key
Detailed Explanations of Answers
EXAM II
Answer Key
Detailed Explanations of Answers
EXAM III
Answer Key
Detailed Explanations of Answers
APPENDIX
ANSWER SHEETS
INDEX

<u>EXCERPT</u>

About Research & Education Association
Research & Education Association (REA) is an organization of educators, scientists, and engineers specializing in various academic fields. Founded in 1959 with the purpose of disseminating the most recently developed scientific information to groups in industry, government, high schools, and universities, REA has since become a successful and highly respected publisher of study aids, test preps, handbooks, and reference works.

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While most test preparation books present practice tests that bear little resemblance to the actual exams, REA's series presents tests that accurately depict the official exams in both degree of difficulty and types of questions. REA's practice tests are always based upon the most recently administered exams, and include every type of question that can be expected on the actual exams.

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Chapter 1: INTRODUCTION

ABOUT THIS BOOK AND TESTware
This book provides you with an accurate and complete representation of the Tests of General Educational Development (GED). REA's three full-length practice tests are based on the latest editions of the GED tests, which were overhauled for 2002. Our topical reviews and drills are designed to prepare you for the very kind of material you will see when taking the actual test. You are allowed 7 hours and 5 minutes to complete each of our sample tests. That's the same amount of time you will be given during the actual exam. (Don't panic! The actual exam is usually administered during two or three sittings over a period of two days. Check with your state's department of education for information on GED test centers, test times, and test dates.) Our sample tests have been carefully calibrated to match the GED's level of difficulty, format, and content. Following each model test you will find an answer key along with detailed explanations designed to help you master the material and score high.

Practice tests 1 and 2 in this book and software package are included in two formats. They are in printed form in this book, and in TESTware format on the enclosed CD. We recommend that you begin your preparation by first taking the practice exams on your computer. The software provides timed conditions, automatic scoring, and scoring information that makes it easier to target your strengths and weaknesses.

ABOUT THE TEST

Who takes the test and what is it used for?
The GED is taken by people who did not complete their high school education and would like to obtain a state-issued high school diploma. The diploma is awarded upon successful completion of the five GED tests. Candidates may choose to take the GED to fulfill requirements for admission to colleges or other schools, to further their careers, or even just for the sake of self-satisfaction. The GED is taken by nearly 800,000 people every year.

Who administers the test?
The GED is developed and administered by the GED Testing Service of the American Council on Education (ACE). Questions for the GED are created by writers and reviewers who are experienced in secondary or adult education. They follow standardized procedures, developed by the GED Testing Service, to ensure that the content and difficulty levels are appropriate. According to the American Council on Education, the writers and reviewers represent a wide variety of ethnic groups and are selected from many geographic areas. All questions are reviewed by a number of people, revised as necessary, and then are standardized based on a nationally selected sample of graduating high school seniors.

When and where is the test given?
The GED is administered on a regular basis in the United States and Canada. To accommodate all candidates, there are many versions of the exam, including administrations in English, French, Spanish, Braille, large print, and on audiotape.

To receive information on upcoming administrations of the GED, contact your local high school, adult school, GED Testing Center, or the GED Testing Service at:

1-800-62 MY GED (1-800-626-9433) or

General Educational Development
GED Testing Service
American Council on Education
One Dupont Circle, N.W.
Washington, DC 20036
Website: http://www.gedtest.org

HOW TO USE THIS BOOK
What do I study first?
Before you do anything else, take Practice Exam I to help you determine what areas may cause you the most difficulty. After you are done with the first practice exam, go through and check your answers against the answer keys found at the end of the practice test. It is also suggested that you read through the detailed explanations of answers found at the end of each practice test, as this will help you to understand what you are doing wrong. Once you have taken a practice test, you should first study the reviews which cover your problem areas. The reviews will cover the information you will need to know when taking the exam.

When you have done this, you should go back and study all of the remaining reviews and the test-taking tips which appear at the end of this introduction. Make sure you take the rev...

Average customer rating: Amazing Trilogy.. Classic status in my library

Crown of Shadows: The Coldfire Trilogy #3 (Coldfire Trilogy) C. S. Friedman Manufacturer: DAW Trade ProductGroup: Book Binding: Paperback Friedman, C.S. | ( F ) | Authors, A-Z | Science Fiction & Fantasy | Subjects | Books General | Fantasy | Science Fiction & Fantasy | Subjects | Books General | Science Fiction | Science Fiction & Fantasy | Subjects | Books Look Inside Science Fiction & Fantasy Books | Trip | Specialty Stores | Books Similar Items: When True Night Falls (Coldfire Trilogy, Book 2) Black Sun Rising: The Coldfire Trilogy #1 The Madness Season (Daw Science Fiction) In Conquest Born (Daw Book Collectors) Blood Bound (Mercy Thompson Series, Book 2) ASIN: 0756403189

Book Description

Unlikely allies Damien and Tarrant are faced with an enemy who may prove invulnerable-a demon who has declared war on mankind. Called Calesta, he is a master of illusion and devourer of pain, and he plans to remake the human species until it exists only to sate his unquenchable thirst for suffering. The war against Calesta will take Damien and Tarrant from the depths of Hell to the birthplace of demons and beyond-in a battle that could cost them not only their lives, but the very soul of mankind.

Customer Reviews:

Amazing Trilogy.. Classic status in my library.......2006-10-04

This is such an unusual trilogy that deviates from the norm. A vampire tale steeped in magic. A vampire is paired with a Church knight on a quest. Each with their own agenda and reasons. The book has its dark and scary moments you long for, yet has the "Good will prevail" sentiment.

It been a little while since I read the trilogy. I pull it off the shelf every couple of years. This is certainly one of my favorites. Magic, Battles, and a good overall story.

Average customer rating: A Grand SF Adventure Original, Interesting, Compelling Profound Sci-fi at its best Excellent science fiction Another Excellent Book by Friedman

The Madness Season (Daw Science Fiction) C. S. Friedman Manufacturer: DAW ProductGroup: Book Binding: Paperback Friedman, C.S. | ( F ) | Authors, A-Z | Science Fiction & Fantasy | Subjects | Books Fantasy | Science Fiction & Fantasy | Subjects | Books | Alternate History | Anthologies | Arthurian | Contemporary | Epic | General | Historical | History & Criticism | Magic & Wizards | Series General | Science Fiction | Science Fiction & Fantasy | Subjects | Books Look Inside Science Fiction & Fantasy Books | Trip | Specialty Stores | Books ( F ) | Authors, A-Z | Science Fiction & Fantasy | 4-for-3 Books Store | Stores | Books General | Science Fiction | Science Fiction & Fantasy | 4-for-3 Books Store | Stores | Books All 4-for-3 Deals | 4-for-3 Books Store | Stores | Books Similar Items: In Conquest Born (Daw Book Collectors) This Alien Shore When True Night Falls (Coldfire Trilogy, Book 2) Black Sun Rising: The Coldfire Trilogy #1 Crown of Shadows (The Coldfire Trilogy, Book 3) ASIN: 0886774446

Download Description

He'd had so many names over the centuries, so many new identities that he could scarcely remember who he had originally been. Now his name was Daetrin, a name given by the alien conquerors of humankind, the Tyr.</p>

Three hundred years had passed since the Tyr conquered the people of Earth as they had previously overcome numerous races throughout the galaxy. In their victory they had taken the very heart out of the human race, isolating the true individualists, the geniuses, all the people who represented the hopes, dreams, and discoveries of the future, and imprisoning them in dome colonies on planets hostile to human life. There the Tyr, a race which shared a unified gestalt mind, had left these gifted individuals to work on projects which would, the conquerors hoped, reveal all of humankind's secrets to them.</p>

Yet Daetrin's secret was one no scientist had even uncovered, for down through the years he had succeeded in burying it so well that he had even hidden his real nature from himself. But, taken into custody by the Tyr, there was no longer any place for Daetrin to run, no new name and life for him to assume. Now he would at last be forced to confront the truth about himself-and if he failed, not just Daetrin but all humans would pay the price...</p>

About the Author:</p>

C. S. Friedman writes, participates in renaissance festivals, designs and makes costumes, and choreographs sword fight scenes.</p>

Reviews:</p>

Friedman's (In Conquest Born) exceptionally imaginative, compelling science fiction novel leaps ahead to the 24th century. For hundreds of years, Earth has suffered under the yoke of alien conquerors: the dreaded Tyr, a reptilian race in which all individuality is submerged into a single, overarching consciousness. Determined to keep humanity cowed, the Tyr have culled from the captive population the most intelligent, the most curious, the most likely to foment rebellion, and banished them from Earth. As the memory of freedom recedes, humanity sinks into a lethargic subservience. Daetrin, the hero of this tale, is a vampire-not a monster, however, but a man, nearly immortal, who embodies the vanished virtues of a once-sovereign Earth. When his existence is exposed by the Tyr, who are appalled to find a human who witnessed the "Conquest," they immediately ship him offworld. Thus begins a journey of self-discovery as Daetrin is forced by adversity to come to grips with the long-suppressed side of his nature and to confront the ancient horror of a bloody heritage.</p> <p align="right"> -Publishers Weekly</p>

Three hundred years in the future, the Tyr, a hivelike alien race, have subjugated the peoples of Earth. Daetrin, an ancient vampiric shapechanger, uses his unique talents to battle the aliens while trying to understand and accept himself. Intriguing plot and excellent characterization combined with good writing ... make for an original science fiction romp.</p> <p align="right"> -School Library Journal </p>

Customer Reviews:

A Grand SF Adventure.......2006-11-29

I first heard about C. S. Friedman while doing research for Vampire Readings. Several people mentioned The Madness Season as an excellent vampire story. What I didn't realize until I began reading it was how well this novel incorporated two of my favorite themes - science fiction adventure and vampire fiction. After 5 years or so I reread the book and enjoyed it as much as the first time. This is an imaginatively written novel that captured my attention from the very first page. Friedman's fiction has a gritty realism in how characters act and how the story unfolds. Her people face daunting situations and must make difficult choices.

Much of the known Galaxy has been conquered by an alien race called the Tyr. Their large reptilian bodies are covered with tough armored plaiting and leathal spikes. When Earth was conquered they dispassionately murdered any human who had fought them and exiled to distant planets any who were likely to defy them. Only those who are willing to submit to their rule remain. One such person is Daetrin, a rather nondescript, middle-aged science teacher at one of the few colleges left, or so he would like everyone to believe, especially the Tyr. But the Tyr have discovered that there is something not quite human about Daetrin. Although he carefully changed his identity over time, he has lived too many centuries, something no human should be able to do. For all of his life, even before the coming of the Tyr, Daetrin has had to hide his difference - his need for blood ( a need he could eventually discard by using science to create a substitute), ageless immortality, aversion to sunlight, and ability to shapeshift. When told by the Kuol-Tyr governor of Earth that he would be taken from his planet never to return, Daetrin assumes this is a death sentence. Instead it becomes a chance for him to acknowledge his true nature and use this to fight the Tyr.

Although Daetrin is the main character there are many others, all fully realized, believable, and even sympathetic, like a particular Raayat-Tyr whose search for knowledge sets him apart from others of his race. In Daetrin he finds someone who can help him in many ways. This works both ways of course. The Raayat even allows Daetrin to given him a particular identity, a name - Frederick. He is only one of the assortment of fascinating characters, alien and human, that populate this grand story of adventure.

Original, Interesting, Compelling.......2006-08-11

I've read much of what CS Friedman has written. I found this particular book to be refreshing and original. It didn't take some of the more commmon paths that I see many novels take. For me, this made it all the more interesting and enjoyable.

I did think the pacing was a little inconsistent. At one point, I felt like things were dragging on slowly. By the end I was wishing that the book was a little longer and fleshed out everythihng that was going on.

But the short of it is, I'm glad I picked up and read this book.

Profound Sci-fi at its best.......2006-07-26

The Madness Season is a beautifully original book.

If you have found this little-known book by chance, do not throw it away! Do not let the thickness of the book faze you or the thought of "vampires" lead you astray, because this is undoubtedly one of the best mixes of Sci-fi and Fantasy the world has seen.

The most important part of this book is not the sub-plot of "Oh no! Earth is Doomed, and has been taken over by Aliens!" In fact, this is not even a major part of the story of The Madness Season. The name of the book is a clear indicator of this (although the reader wont realize the significance until the very end.)

The most important part of C. S. Friedman's story is the psychology and sociology of the different races that have come to live under the Tyr invasion, and of the Tyr themselves.

Species 1: The humans of earth have been brought to heel by the Tyr and are mostly docile, their scientist and thinkers receiving the "privilege" of isolation in excellent facilities on a poisonous Jupiter-type planet. Earth has been so long under the Tyr that most of the population accepts the Tyr overlords, and those who don't are carted away. Which brings us to the story of the main character, who is not all he seems:

Species2: Daetrin, the main character, is haunted by vivid flashbacks from his past. Exactly how long his past is, he longs to forget. In fact, Daetrin is not even strictly human, though he tries to forget this too. The mystery of Daetrin's nature is unfolded skillfully in the book.

Species 3: The Tyr. No one knows where the Tyr came from, or what motivates them; but what makes them invincible to all subversion is their hive mind.

Species 4: The Tech are human servants aboard the Tyrs' galaxy jumping Long Ships.

Species 5: The Mara are perfect mass changers. They "live" for centuries but are sentient without any tie to organic matter. They are the ultimate ambassadors because they can shape-change their bodies, and even personalities, to fit in with the species they are encountering. The Mara can never die, but they have a curse that when they are not around other sentient beings they begin to forget their past.

Species 6: The hraas are perfect killers. Ruthless, efficient, and intelligent. They wander the Tyrs' ships and slaughter any living thing that is not Tyr or Tech.

All of these characters make an engrossing universe to explore in Freidman's story. No character is flat, no world is without its surprises. In The Madness Season the psychology of the species are all so polarized, but Freidman weaves the characters and their different points-of-view together seamlessly. Freidman even takes an ages old tenant of Fantasy, the vampire, and explains it in science fiction's world.

I love books that are exiting while still being profound and thought provoking. C. S. Freidman has it all.

Excellent science fiction.......2003-11-16

This is an interesting and unusual story incorporating several compelling themes and a good variety of well developed characters, against the background of an earth subjugated into the empire of a strange alien culture. Multiple aspects of science, sociology, love, and the politics of conquest are woven into a complex and satisfying work with Friedman's customary skill. Highly recommended.

Another Excellent Book by Friedman.......2002-01-18

How to describe this book? Perhaps as Sci-Fi? How about Occult? Aliens take over the world? Psychological exploration? Romance? All of those (and more) apply. This is a wonderful book that has you *scratching* your head trying to figure out what's going on for the first 75 pages and then has you *slapping* your head over the feeling that you should have known. And from there, it keeps on getting better. One of my favorite books.

Average customer rating: Sigh... Shame on Daw books - quality control issues Sequel in Name Only. Not one of her best. Loved it!

The Wilding (Daw Book Collectors) C. S. Friedman Manufacturer: DAW Hardcover ProductGroup: Book Binding: Hardcover Friedman, C.S. | ( F ) | Authors, A-Z | Science Fiction & Fantasy | Subjects | Books General | Science Fiction | Science Fiction & Fantasy | Subjects | Books Look Inside Science Fiction & Fantasy Books | Trip | Specialty Stores | Books Similar Items: In Conquest Born (Daw Book Collectors) The Madness Season (Daw Science Fiction) This Alien Shore Black Sun Rising: The Coldfire Trilogy #1 Crown of Shadows (The Coldfire Trilogy, Book 3) ASIN: 075640164X Release Date: 2004-07-06

Book Description

The tribal Braxana-created to become the ultimate warriors. The Azeans-raised to master the power of the mind. Two interstellar civilizations fighting an endless war over a long-forgotten cause. Now, after two centuries, the legacy of their greatest military leaders threatens to tear apart both empires.

Customer Reviews:

Sigh..........2007-04-09

This author has been one who continually leaves me in a state of awe. The depth of her abilities, from futuristic stories to ones set in primitive societies... It's incredible. I have absolutely loved every book of hers that I've read.

This one, however, was disappointing. I loved the original in the series, thought it was well written, a captivating ride. The sequel here seems just too shallow, too preconceived, too hollow. The depth of the character development just seemed to be lacking here, there was no sense of being able to sympathize with any of the characters. Even in the most outrageous sci-fi moments of her other novels, the characters still *feel* human, you can still relate to them on some level, see things through their eyes and understand. This novel gave me none of that feeling. Contrived and almost violently pushed into almost a cookie-cutter plot line, there was little sense of flow and even less credibility of the characters. Granted, I liked the last chapter, but the whole story could've been told in a fraction of the time without sacrificing anything.

Shame on Daw books - quality control issues.......2007-02-17

I thought this book was great. In fact, all of Freidman's books are just phenomenal. So, has anyone else noticed that DAW along with other publishers have switched to low quality materials for their hardcover books? Take a look at the paper for instance. Just compare this book and the Colfire Trilogy in hardcover. You won't be thrilled in about 5 years, when those still look great and this one has begun to yellow with age.
Why oh why is DAW books releasing books printed on low quality paper - and at the same if not higher prices!
Hello?! DAW, stop this garbage right now. As consumers we kind of notice when an awesome author like Freidman has her books printed on pulp that will yellow with age in about 5 years.

I hate this new trend with book publishers just to save a buck. None of us get a deal on the price, but they can sell inferior goods to us because they know we want to read the books anyway. Please watch out and if possible, complain to the company. If enough of us do, they will return to the quality we have come to expect. When you look at the earlier books and this one, ther really is no comparison.

Sequel in Name Only........2005-10-10

Although "The Wilding" is billed as a sequel to the unforgettable "In Conquest Born," which was written more than a decade and a half ago, if you're a newcomer to C.S. Friedman's works, don't worry. While this novel picks up the "Never Ending War" generations later, the characters are new, and the situation is very different.

Friedman uses the old twins separated at birth plot as central to this episodic work dealing with the overthrow of a tyrant. Less a novel than a series of incidents that coalesce at the end, the point of view keeps shifting, even within chapters sometimes.

With this author, there are always complications, and you need to be on the alert for foreshadowings and surprises. You need to keep careful track of the characters, too--fortunately there's a glossary to help out.

Friedman writes well, and she creates fascinating characters, all of whom become pawns in a game that's greater than they know. I hope it doesn't take another 15 years before the author drops back into this universe.

Not one of her best........2005-07-29

For an author to return to a universe she created years (and several novels) ago requires some daring, and 'daring' really should be Friedman's middle name. She tackles thorny ethical issues and moral questions--and the consequences of the chosen answers--without flinching.

I'd been waiting years for this book. I'm sorry to say it did not live up to my expectations. "The Wilding" is the long-awaited sequel to her debut novel, "In Conquest Born". I was expecting a return to that universe, perhaps a return tothe characters whose ultimate fates were left dangling so tantalizingly.

Instead, the story begins three generations after the conclusion of ICB, and introduces one of the most morally repulsive male characters ever to be passed off as a protagonist. (Gerald Tarrant wasn't a shining prince, either, but he never made light of rape, or taunted women with the threat of it.) Whatever high points this book had were quickly sunk by this repulsive, sickening man for whom we were supposed to empathize.

Sadly, many of the most intriguing characters were killed off, the most promising plotlines and sub-plots never developed. The scientific theories (many of which are hot-topic debates in the real-world) are sound, and could well hold the attention of readers who wish to read about the mystery of twins living parallel lives, the long-term effects of war on a cultural psyche, and the truly nebulous definition of 'enemy.'

One of Friedman's gifts is that she can take even minor characters and make them memorable, even if they appear only forthe purpose of being killed off a few pages later. Many authors, writing violent stories, downplay the fact that the "people" being killed are indeed people, with names, personalities, and hopes/ambitions/fears. Many people die in Friedman's books, but none of them die as strangers to the reader.

In my opinion, this book would have been far more interesting if we'd been allowed to *learn* about the Diaspora, to *see* the effect of the Plague on the Braxanna, to see how the characters we spent so much time learning of in ICB became the figures of legend so briefly mentioned in "The Wilding." I would have loved to see more about the motivations of the half-blood, about the household of the mysterious supreme leader of the Braxanna, of the history of the Azeans, and the changes in its culture, away from telepathic development and genetics to...what it is in "The Wilding."

(At the risk of spoilers, both sides of the Great War have diminished, greatly. It was sad, to see so much potential reduced to a few pages of exposition, when whole novels could have been produced from it.)

This isn't a *bad* book. It has some unique characters--apart from the repulsive male lead--some interesting questions and conflicts. It is, by many measures, a good book. It is, however, a poor sequel to "In Conquest Born."

I would have given this book a lot more leeway if there *hadn't* been an expanded, revised 'anniversary edition' of ICB released prior to this. The story universe, then, wasn't that far off then, so the clumsy fit with the previous work stands out much more sharply.

If you are a completist, you will want to read "The Wilding." If you want to know what's happened in that story universe since ICB... it may leave you right back where you started.

Loved it!.......2005-07-09

I was (and still am) a huge fan of In Conquest Born and was very excited to hear that this book was based on that universe. Initially it can be a bit hard to get into, because there are several major characters and subplots. Eventually though these plots meld nicely together. I dare say I might like this book even more than ICB. The characters are all interesting and fairly well developed, and as always Ms. Friedman writes an excellent main male character. I have to admit she creates some incredibly yummy men. Her women tend to be a bit weaker in general, but I felt that the ones in this book are much more developed and it is easy to empathize with them. Others complain that the ending leaves you hanging, but I really enjoyed that aspect...it leaves the rest to the imagination!

Average customer rating: Racial tolerance in Sci-Fi My Alien Shore A well layered story Enjoyable sci-fi Completely fantastic

This Alien Shore C. S. Friedman Manufacturer: DAW ProductGroup: Book Binding: Paperback Friedman, C.S. | ( F ) | Authors, A-Z | Science Fiction & Fantasy | Subjects | Books General | Science Fiction | Science Fiction & Fantasy | Subjects | Books Space Opera | Science Fiction | Science Fiction & Fantasy | Subjects | Books Look Inside Science Fiction & Fantasy Books | Trip | Specialty Stores | Books ( F ) | Authors, A-Z | Science Fiction & Fantasy | 4-for-3 Books Store | Stores | Books General | Science Fiction | Science Fiction & Fantasy | 4-for-3 Books Store | Stores | Books All 4-for-3 Deals | 4-for-3 Books Store | Stores | Books Similar Items: The Madness Season (Daw Science Fiction) In Conquest Born (Daw Book Collectors) The Wilding Black Sun Rising: The Coldfire Trilogy #1 When True Night Falls (Coldfire Trilogy, Book 2) ASIN: 0886777992

Amazon.com

The spaces between space are full of dragons. The colonists on Guera went mad--one of the plague of mutations that affected all human colonies and drove Earth back from the stars--but their controlled madness meant that they and they alone could cope with hyperspace, could ask the Earth humans they and other new human species hate for past betrayal back into space. But a virus is infecting the human-machine interfaces by which they live and stay sane, and Earth's racists are the prime suspects. Meanwhile, Jamisia, the subject of endless experiments and host to a myriad of alternate personalities, flees Earth's bloody corporate politics in pursuit of safe haven--and everyone wants a piece of her. The hacker known as Phoenix just wants revenge on the makers of the virus for the death of friends.

C.S. Friedman's galaxy full of altered humanities and vicious politics has room in it for tenderness and honor; this is a satisfying space opera because it is full of characters, some of whom will do the right thing. She is good on what stays the same when things change--the austere, mad, security expert Masada and the sweet slob Phoenix are recognizable types, but attractively individualized. --Roz Kaveney, Amazon.co.uk

Book Description

In the first age of Earth's colonization of space, the FTL drive that powered the starships caused severe genetic damage in the colonists. Generations later, a new mutant race arises, one which can safely conduct people between the stars. But since they use their ability to tightly control all interstellar commerce, rival interests soon seek to break the monopoly. An when a lab-raised young woman narrowly escapes kidnapping, even as a rogue computer virus wreaks havoc on the interstellar "Net," she must flee into "alien shores", evading her persuers while attempting to uncover the secrets of her own existence.

Praise for C.S. Friedman's Cold Fire trilogy:

"The creative genius of C.S. Friedman burns brightly with the publication of her stunning new novel, blending elements of science fiction and fantasy into an extraordinary reading experience."-- Rave Reviews

"Friedman writes cogently on the nature of human desire for knowledge and the dangerous covenants necessary to attain it...."-- Publishers Weekly

"Some of the best writing I have seen in quite a while, and the ending is excellent. Very highly recommended."-- Science Fiction Review

Customer Reviews:

Racial tolerance in Sci-Fi.......2007-01-13

Since Huxley's Brave New World, Science Fiction has been riddled with stories involving "eugenics." This grim vision of a future when, in extreme cases, human beings are practically manufactured has certainly kept readers interested for decades. Now, in This Alien Shore, C.S. Friedman shows us a very different future, one in which, rather than trying to create the perfect carbon-copy human specimen, humanity at large is promoting and protecting as much genetic diversity as possible. And, thanks to a faulty faster-than-light drive, the "Hausman Effect" has caused branchings of the human genome far more bizarre than any imagineable alien race. Only poor Earth, virtually lost in the mutant-controlled galaxy, refuses to embrace the new diversity of man. Sadly for Terrans, all space travel is controlled by the mutants, or "Variants," and these new humans are still very angry at the homeworld that tried to destroy them once the Hausman mutations were discovered.

This is a wonderfully confusing tale of sci-fi, politics, racism, sexuality, language, and insanity. If you're looking for Heinlein, run away quickly. Friedman herein describes a galaxy packed with slimy, tentacled, freakish humans who would make Starman Jones lose his lunch -- and the only way to travel in this mutant empire is to brave a hyperspace teeming with demonic monsters which feed on the human soul. I found the story both refreshing and highly thought-provoking. After all, what does the racism of skin color or religion amount to when we all have two arms and two legs, and how would I react to a neighbor who looked more like a slug than a human, particularly in the realm of real interaction, like MATING? What if that slug were the most brilliant physician, or violinist, or poet the world had ever known? Friedman makes Earth's racial purity movements (still extant in this oh-so-distant future) seem silly, antiquated, and pathetic -- all against the backdrop of a masterfully crafted sci-fi mystery.

My Alien Shore.......2006-12-23

This book has my highest praises because it deals with a subject that controls my life, mental disorders. Yet it doesn't preach that pills are bad or that they are needed. It just holds two different societies up side by side and lets you see the benefits and drawbacks of each. Doing this while creating a story which holds my attention and characters who are so well crafted that I can believe they "suffer" different mental aberrations is nothing short of amazing.

I was only sad that my personal aberration is missing from the book.

A well layered story.......2005-11-06

Anymore the stories that capture me and make want to never lay down a book, or atleast return to it as soon as life lets me, have many layers to the story. Those layers that detail the many view points from individuals leading their lives separately but eventually to a point that profoundly affects each of them. I've read many books I enjoy for this or that reason, but never before did I realize the ones I like most have this quality, until I read this book. It has that quality like many other well written stories, but it also purposes to tell a story about the space inside of us and the many individual thoughts that often come from different places and experiences we've had and eventually fall into place to cause a profound change. After reading this book I looked at my growing collection of books to keep and realized many of them have a similar story telling technique. Though none of the other stories I've read caused me to think about the way I view life as much as this one did. I hope everyone else who read it enjoyed it so much, again and again.

Enjoyable sci-fi.......2005-08-25

I hadn't realized I'd read anything by Friedman before, until I glanced inside the cover and saw Black Sun Rising. This led me to anticipate a good read, an expectation that was not disappointed. The science is explained in layman's terms, including the computer hacking that is central to the book's plot of a major virus infecting (and killing) the Guild Pilots who provide the only means of transport between the far flung human worlds and space stations. While I was not all that fond of the lead female character (Jamisia), she was not annoyingly perfect and jarring like many female-written female leads are. However, I found the male characters (particularly Masada and Phoenix) to be a bit more interesting. The ending is fitting, and not quite what I expected. The only real quibble I had with the novel is that it ends rather abruptly, without really showing Jamisia except as an afterthought mentioned by another character. After the intensity of her climatic scene, it was a bit of a disappointment for her to just disappear off-camera and her fate be really told in passing in another character's final scene.

Completely fantastic.......2005-05-08

This is a complex, but interesting novel. Mankind's first experience in space travel ended disastrously when it was discovered that it caused severe genetic damage to the travelers. Known as the Hausman effect, it caused Earth to abruptly discontinue all contact with her colonies. The Variants, as they came to be called, were left to fend for themselves. Ultimately, the Guerans brought space travel back to Earth. Unlike many of the Variants, they physically resembled humans. The Guerans' Variation was of the mind and psyche and it was this mutation which enabled them to brave the dangers of space. Their resulting monopoly on space travel and the control exerted by The Guild over intergalactic commerce causes many to fear, hate and envy them. Additionally, there is dissension between the Variants and Earth. The Variants have not forgotten, or forgiven, Earth's abandonment while Earth still fears the strangeness of the Variants.

In Friedman's universe the internet is an archaic concept. Rather, she speaks of the Innernet, a planet-wide communication system, and the Outernet, a network spanning the galaxy. Although computers still exist, they are almost entirely obsolete. It has long been decreed that every child would have a computer chip installed in his or her brain at birth. This brainware allows the user to control and access information at a level far beyond our current standards. Now imagine the chaos and destruction that would occur if a virus was let loose in such circumstances. Add in the various factions (Terrans, Guerans, Variants, etc.) and you get a society on the edge of explosion. This is exactly the situation Friedman explores in this novel. She has created several main characters and switches back and forth between them and their seemingly disconnected stories. Jamisia Shido is an orphan, cared for by her tutor, living on a corporate habitat. When treachery befalls the habitat, she is suddenly pushed into a universe of intrigue for which she is ill prepared. Dr. Kio Masada is a highly respected Gueran programmer, trying to unravel the secrets of the virus. Phoenix, a hacker, is trying to discover the creator of the virus, for his own personal reasons.

Friedman has developed a highly complex scenario that can be read on several different levels. On the surface it is purely a high-tech mystery, but if you read more closely Friedman has a lot to say about the way people interact and deal with our differences. You won't need to speak "computerese" to understand the problems caused by the computer virus or the efforts made to stop it. You also won't need to be a psychologist to understand the personalities involved. Additionally, Friedman has inserted some interesting information between chapters. These "asides" provide some important background along the way and shouldn't be skipped over. Overall, Friedman brings all of the various elements of this novel together into a well-knit whole. The characters are interesting and recognizable. I cared about what happened to them and, although it takes a while for the big picture to come into focus, it is well worth waiting for. This is the first book I've read by Friedman, but I definitely plan to add her books to my "must read" list.

Average customer rating: One of my favorite books ever... I love this book Entertaining but frustrating Echoes of Dune Great book, poor publishing

In Conquest Born (Daw Book Collectors) C. S. Friedman Manufacturer: DAW ProductGroup: Book Binding: Paperback Friedman, C.S. | ( F ) | Authors, A-Z | Science Fiction & Fantasy | Subjects | Books Adventure | Science Fiction | Science Fiction & Fantasy | Subjects | Books General | Science Fiction | Science Fiction & Fantasy | Subjects | Books Look Inside Science Fiction & Fantasy Books | Trip | Specialty Stores | Books ( F ) | Authors, A-Z | Science Fiction & Fantasy | 4-for-3 Books Store | Stores | Books Adventure | Science Fiction | Science Fiction & Fantasy | 4-for-3 Books Store | Stores | Books General | Science Fiction | Science Fiction & Fantasy | 4-for-3 Books Store | Stores | Books All 4-for-3 Deals | 4-for-3 Books Store | Stores | Books Similar Items: The Madness Season (Daw Science Fiction) This Alien Shore The Wilding Crown of Shadows (The Coldfire Trilogy, Book 3) Black Sun Rising: The Coldfire Trilogy #1 ASIN: 0756400430 Release Date: 2001-11-07

Book Description

In Conquest Born is the monumental science fiction epic that received unprecedented acclaim-and launched C.S. Friedman's phenomenal career. A sweeping story of two interstellar civilizations-locked in endless war, it was nominated for the John W. Campbell Award.

Download Description

Braxi and Azea-two interstellar civilizations fighting an endless war over a long-forgotten cause; two peoples descended from the human species and bred over countless generations to embody opposing ideals, seeking opposite paths to power.
The Braxana-dominant tribe of the fierce Braxin Holding-are brilliant, powerful, and aloof from the society they rule. There were bred by their primitive forebears to be aggressive, competitive, and secretive beyond all prior human norms. The mysteries of their internal society are legendary even among the people they rule.
The Azeans-masters of genetic science-have redesigned their own race to reflect ancient ideals. Now they seek to unlock the powers of the human mind, using telepathy to penetrate where mere weapons cannot.
But Zatar and Anzha-master Braxana and Azean generals-have exceeded all genetic expectations of their opposed cultures, and have made this endless war a personal vendetta. Who can say what will happen when these ultimate warriors use every power of mind and body to claim the vengeance of total conquest?

Customer Reviews:

One of my favorite books ever..........2007-02-28

This was one of my favorite books in junior high school. I must have read it a dozen times by college. Even now I'll pick it up and re-read it every 3-5 years. I think the complexity of the weave and layers that make up this story and the characters has intrigued me since the first reading.

I'll go along with several of the other readers and say that if you don't like the hard sci-fi genre or the harshness and black & white world views that goes along with a lot of books from this genre, then you probably won't like this book. That said, there are a lot of concepts involved in this book that were revolutionary when this book was written. The approach of engaging the reader in understanding genetic manipulation through scientific genetic modification or through "natural" breeding and eugenics must have been a huge and daunting undertaking for the author. Of course she used 511 pages to tell the story so skimping on pages wasn't the primary goal. Every time I read it though I always wish there was more to read...

The sequel, The Wilding, was not as gripping for me. It may simply be nostalgia that draws me back to Conquest, but I didn't feel the story was as tight or as compelling when... well, no spoilers. It just didn't keep me the same way this classic did.

I love this book.......2007-02-15

I read it when it was first printed. My sister and I each bought a copy, so we could have both covers. I loved the characters, the society, it was all just brilliant. Even now all these years later it is my favorite Hard SCIFI book.

Entertaining but frustrating.......2006-08-23

Storywise, I found this book to be quite entertaining, a far future space opera in which humans have speciated and no one knows which planet is the Source World. C.S. Friedman created several interesting cultures, the main ones being the Azean Empire which has had telepaths for thousands of years and the Braxin Holding which is ruled by the Braxana, a race of cruel and ruthless superwarriors who despise anyone with ESP. Although the Braxana once had women warriors, in the current era the culture is male-dominant. The thought of being dominated by a female is abhorrent to them. The two empires have been at war off and on for thousands of years. There are highly detailed cultural and historical backgrounds for both posthuman races, something I always find enjoyable. Friedman's style is lively and her characters colorful.

That said, there is a lot that is wrong with the book, part of it the author's fault, part the publisher's. This was her first published novel, written over a period of 12 years, and it shows. For one thing this book has one of the largest plot holes I've ever come across. In Chapter 14 Zatar, the Braxana ruler, chases after an Azean ship that has been causing havoc to the Braxian war machine. The pilot seems to be able to make impossible maneuvers (no explanation) and seems to know where the next shot will come from (telepathy of course---telepathic communication apparently can be relayed across the galaxy much faster than the speed of light according to several scenes in the book). After a chase which few but a Braxana could survive, he catches up to the mysterious "swordship" and discovers that the unconscious pilot is not only female but has accouterments indicating that she is a telepath. Seething with hatred for her, he "syncs" her ship to his and heads back to the mothership. The pilot is not actually identified, but the only telepath involved with the war effort in the entire Azean Empire is the protagonist, Anzha Iyu. (The Azean Empire has had telepaths capable of transluminal communication for thousands of years, but no one thought to use them during their incessant wars until now. Figure that one out!) In the next chapter there is no mention of a telepath being held by the Braxana and Anzha Iyu is seen back on her own mothership as if nothing has happened. I read another 40 pages (to P. 262 out of 500) before quitting and there was no explanation to that point.

At times the writing seems a bit self-indulgent and her efforts to manipulate the plot in the direction she wants it to go are transparent. She will write things that contradict what was written earlier in the book in order to justify some plot point. The final straw for me was the scene in Chapter 15 where Zatar and Anzha face off at last after 250 pages. At age 6 Anzha became catatonic when she witnessed the horrifying death of her parents at the hands of none other than Zatar. When she is finally brought out of her catatonia by healing telepaths, they find that she has enormous telepathic potential at an age when telepathic power usually does not even manifest. Anzha is obsessed with revenge against Zatar. Zatar hates Anzha with a passion and wants to kill her. He calls a truce conference with the Azeans in order to have a chance to assassinate her, but his attempt fails. Because of her telepathic powers he is completely at her mercy, but he says to her, "I will kill you by my own hands, in my own time. In my own way." Then she says to him, "I will kill you by my own hands. In my own time. In my own way. None other will have you." Then she lets him go. Oh, man, give me a break! I can only swallow so much.

Actually, I think I might have continued reading if I weren't so annoyed by all the typos in this book. If DAW paid someone to proofread it, they should demand their money back! I have never, ever, ever seen a book with so many typos. "Undedying" instead of "underlying", a character named "Yiril" is twice called "Viril"(Is this a new character? No, it isn't.), commas where they don't belong so that you have to go back and reread the sentence. It goes on and on and on.

It takes a lot to make me give up on a long book that I've gotten over halfway through, but the further I went the more resistance I felt to reading further. The frustrations got to the point where they outweighed the good. The one star rating I gave it is overly harsh---it can be quite entertaining if you can forgive my criticisms---but there is no way it deserves the 4.5 star rating it currently has. This is my effort to move the rating in the proper direction.

Echoes of Dune.......2006-06-18

First off I am almost hesitant to write a review of this novel because I belive Byron 72 "lost child"'s review is a very accurate summation of this excellent science-fiction novel. The best I can probably do is elaborate a bit more on the similarities of these two novels-(In Conquest Born & Dune). One of the most powerful similarities is the sense of history that both authors create in their novels. This sense of history and tradition is what directs the events and shapes the destiny of the two races involved-the Braxi and the Azea. The two main characters are also shaped by their histories, and Ms. Friedman uses their history to add depth and complexity to their actions. If complex, atmospheric, epoch-spanning Science-Fiction is your thing and you are a fan of the Dune novels than you definately need to give this book a try.

Great book, poor publishing.......2006-03-04

I have read and re-read this book many times since it was first published. I find it to be one the all-time best SF books - and one of the few newer ones that can rank with Golden Age classics like Childhood's End and The Demolished Man. I have read most of Friedman's other books as well, and although they range from good (Madness Season) to excellent (Wilding, Coldfire Trilogy), she suffers from what I always think of as Orson Welles Syndrome: never quite being able to match up to that first brilliant work. If you like space opera, if you enjoy getting a visceral kick out of language that sometimes is almost cinematic in its impact ("He stands like a statue, perfect in arrogance." Was there ever a better SF first line?), then you will like this book. You can buy it with confidence. Unfortunately, this new edition takes a powerful book and drops the ball numerous times due to poor editing. While I never found any typos in my original copy (which I still have), this new "collectors" edition has a lot. It's really sad that the publishers couldn't seem to muster up enough passion or energy to go beyond a standard computer spell-check and get an actual person to proof the galleys. There are a lot of times when a needless typo will cause you to stop and re-read the sentence, taking you completely out of the story. I also didn't like the ad copy on the book, which seemed to promise additional story material, when in fact all that was new was a foreward and a sort of index to characters and cultures that really doesn't add anything to the book. All in all, I give the writer's work a full five, with a "Bravo!" thrown in for good measure, and the publishers barely a three for the sloppy job they did on their end.

Authors:

1. Friesner, Esther
2. Frost, Robert
3. Fry, Stephen
4. Frye, Northrop
5. Fuentes, Carlos
6. Fulghum, Robert
7. Fulton, Alice
8. Funkhouser, Christopher
9. Funkhouser, Erica
10. Furey, Maggie

Authors

Authors