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Ecolitan Matter #4
The Ecolitan Enigma
L.E. Modesitt, Jr.'s science fiction novels have been pleasing readers for nearly two decades. Among his earlier novels were three books set in the future universe of the Ecolitan Institute. Now Modesitt returns to that world to tell another story of cultural conflict and interstellar diplomacy. The Ecolitan Enigma is sure to thrill his old fans and win new ones.Nathaniel Firstborn Whaler is an Ecolitan, both a professor at the Institute and a field agent with extraordinary powers. Sent to a backwater colony planet nominally to determine its economic viability, Whaler evades assassin's bullets only steps from the spaceport. He soon uncovers evidence that the planet will become the flashpoint for interstellar conflict between two empires, with each prepared to blame the Ecolitan Institute should war break out. Whaler must do everything in his power to stop what might become the worst disaster in human history.And Nathaniel whaler just may have more power than any man in the galaxy.
384 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 1997
6 people are currently reading
252 people want to read
About the author
L.E. Modesitt Jr.
191 books2,591 followersL. E. (Leland Exton) Modesitt, Jr. is an author of science fiction and fantasy novels. He is best known for the fantasy series The Saga of Recluce. He graduated from Williams College in Massachusetts, lived in Washington, D.C. for 20 years, then moved to New Hampshire in 1989 where he met his wife. They relocated to Cedar City, Utah in 1993.
He has worked as a Navy pilot, lifeguard, delivery boy, unpaid radio disc jockey, real estate agent, market research analyst, director of research for a political campaign, legislative assistant for a Congressman, Director of Legislation and Congressional Relations for the United States Environmental Protection Agency, a consultant on environmental, regulatory, and communications issues, and a college lecturer and writer in residence.
In addition to his novels, Mr. Modesitt has published technical studies and articles, columns, poetry, and a number of science fiction stories. His first short story, "The Great American Economy", was published in 1973 in Analog Science Fiction and Science Fact.
-Wikipedia
He has worked as a Navy pilot, lifeguard, delivery boy, unpaid radio disc jockey, real estate agent, market research analyst, director of research for a political campaign, legislative assistant for a Congressman, Director of Legislation and Congressional Relations for the United States Environmental Protection Agency, a consultant on environmental, regulatory, and communications issues, and a college lecturer and writer in residence.
In addition to his novels, Mr. Modesitt has published technical studies and articles, columns, poetry, and a number of science fiction stories. His first short story, "The Great American Economy", was published in 1973 in Analog Science Fiction and Science Fact.
-Wikipedia
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Displaying 1 - 11 of 11 reviews
August 10, 2023
"A/A+": a hard-eyed look at an ancient human dilemma
Monsters as political leaders have been a recurrent nightmare in our history - from Lenin, Hitler, Stalin & Mao to such comparative small- timers as Idi Amin, Pol Pot & Saddam Hussein. The record of "good governments" in dealing with monsters is not encouraging. Millions of lives could have been saved with a few snipers' bullets... why weren't they?
Modesitt posits the Ecolitan Institute, on the Coordinate capitol world of Accord, as a genocide-prevention force: "The Institute, for better or worse, operates on principle. They try to avoid small wars... by deceit, assassination, or economic warfare. They will try any type of small-scale
tactic to avoid war... That's the good side... The other side is that when they do fight, they insure they don't have to fight that enemy again."
My 2004 review:
https://www.amazon.com/review/R4I0GVB...
Monsters as political leaders have been a recurrent nightmare in our history - from Lenin, Hitler, Stalin & Mao to such comparative small- timers as Idi Amin, Pol Pot & Saddam Hussein. The record of "good governments" in dealing with monsters is not encouraging. Millions of lives could have been saved with a few snipers' bullets... why weren't they?
Modesitt posits the Ecolitan Institute, on the Coordinate capitol world of Accord, as a genocide-prevention force: "The Institute, for better or worse, operates on principle. They try to avoid small wars... by deceit, assassination, or economic warfare. They will try any type of small-scale
tactic to avoid war... That's the good side... The other side is that when they do fight, they insure they don't have to fight that enemy again."
My 2004 review:
https://www.amazon.com/review/R4I0GVB...
June 27, 2020
Ecolitan Institute field agent Nathaniel Whaler is sent to a colony planet to evaluate its economic development potential after he is targeted for assassination. His discovery of a plot for interstellar war threatens the government.
October 23, 2020
Of the 4 books in the Ecolitan Series, this is the best. Modesitt is getting better as an author. If you enjoy science fiction and you don't mind reading a book by an author, who when this was written, was still relatively new at his craft, this will get you through a stormy day.
March 5, 2022
Will review at Fantasy Literature.
August 14, 2022
My least favorite of the 4 books in the series. It felt rushed to the end.
February 24, 2013
The plot was a little squishy at times, but I found it a fun read, 'specially from midway to the end.
It described, in stark terms, the difference between claiming morality versus justification. And, though, tasteless as it may be, you /cannot/ save everyone, and that waiting for justification, while more politically appealing, may be the more morally reprobate course. Though the book describes this in terms of planetary warfare, the idea scales, I think, to more boring realities like healthcare, environmentalism, corporate responsibility, etc.
It described, in stark terms, the difference between claiming morality versus justification. And, though, tasteless as it may be, you /cannot/ save everyone, and that waiting for justification, while more politically appealing, may be the more morally reprobate course. Though the book describes this in terms of planetary warfare, the idea scales, I think, to more boring realities like healthcare, environmentalism, corporate responsibility, etc.
August 25, 2009
Felt stupid the entire time I was reading it. It was alright not sure i'd read it again.
December 23, 2008
More eco-politics and commandos.
Read
January 17, 2016Ecolitan
September 12, 2016
meh. It was a library book. I read it. It was mildly interesting.
October 16, 2012
Sequel to The Ecologic Envoy
Displaying 1 - 11 of 11 reviews