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Ecolitan Matter #3
The Ecologic Envoy
Four hundred years after winning Secession from the Terran Empire, the star system Accord wants to sign a simple trade treaty on microchip export affairs, but the top economist at the Ecolitan Institute is chosen as Accord's Envoy. Reissue.
288 pages, Paperback
First published September 15, 1986
9 people are currently reading
232 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 - 20 of 20 reviews
January 6, 2018
This is the first science fiction novel I've read by Modesitt, after having read over thirty of his fantasy novels, the great majority of which I thoroughly enjoyed. It's also one of the oldest of his seventy-plus novels, having first been published in 1986. I was interested by the commonalities with his fantasy books. Like most of those, it has a serious, hard-working, highly-talented central character. As with the fantasy works, the world is well thought out and detailed, this time with a particular emphasis on trade and international relations.
Yet there was one significant difference from the fantasy books, over and above the division between fantasy and science fiction. For a long time, arguably for the entire book, I had little insight into the main character's motivation. I saw that Whaler was working very hard to complete his assignment, but I didn't know *why* he was doing so. Is Whaler patriotic? Or striving for success in his career? Or does he dislike the Empire? Is he trying to safeguard people he loves? Or to safeguard people in general? Or is he merely trying to survive? For at least the first half of the book, I missed the answers to these questions. (Possibly this was a reader error, since I read about a hundred pages while on a plane flight, which I find far from optimal conditions.) Based on Modesitt's other work, and on the typical conventions for fiction, I assumed that Whaler's motivation was a worthy one, but I would still have liked to be privy to it. This reduced, but did not remove, my enjoyment in the book. The action sequences and espionage elements entertained me, and the science fiction elements held up well for a book that appeared over three decades ago. Overall: mildly fun, but not captivating.
Yet there was one significant difference from the fantasy books, over and above the division between fantasy and science fiction. For a long time, arguably for the entire book, I had little insight into the main character's motivation. I saw that Whaler was working very hard to complete his assignment, but I didn't know *why* he was doing so. Is Whaler patriotic? Or striving for success in his career? Or does he dislike the Empire? Is he trying to safeguard people he loves? Or to safeguard people in general? Or is he merely trying to survive? For at least the first half of the book, I missed the answers to these questions. (Possibly this was a reader error, since I read about a hundred pages while on a plane flight, which I find far from optimal conditions.) Based on Modesitt's other work, and on the typical conventions for fiction, I assumed that Whaler's motivation was a worthy one, but I would still have liked to be privy to it. This reduced, but did not remove, my enjoyment in the book. The action sequences and espionage elements entertained me, and the science fiction elements held up well for a book that appeared over three decades ago. Overall: mildly fun, but not captivating.
February 19, 2018
Well it is defintely an old school sci-fi novel.
It is very detailed, has long passages that focus upon building up the world, seems to go off on tangents about economics and similar. It has been quite a while since I have read such a book.
For the first 50 or so pages I struggled to get into the flow of it. The chapters were short but I felt that I just couldn't sit down and blast through it, I didn't want to invest into this world. However, then it got more interesting. The story behind the Institute, the Empire, the situation that has brought the characters of the book together, the hidden agendas and behind the scenes hands at work, all came together to create a fairly interesting thriller novel.
It is very detailed, has long passages that focus upon building up the world, seems to go off on tangents about economics and similar. It has been quite a while since I have read such a book.
For the first 50 or so pages I struggled to get into the flow of it. The chapters were short but I felt that I just couldn't sit down and blast through it, I didn't want to invest into this world. However, then it got more interesting. The story behind the Institute, the Empire, the situation that has brought the characters of the book together, the hidden agendas and behind the scenes hands at work, all came together to create a fairly interesting thriller novel.
August 1, 2019
An interesting read, and a far better one than both Timediver's Dawn and The Timegod. Nathaniel Whaler is the Envoy from Accord sent to negotiate a trade agreement. Numberous attempts are made on his life, but he is quicker on his feet than his enemies estimated. As he goes along, trying to figure out what he doesn't know, things progress along. There is plenty of politicking and mystery, and even a bit of romance as his time draws to an end. If you enjoy Modesitt, you will enjoy this, the first in a 4 book series. I look forward to reading the next installment.
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June 7, 2019Asmovian
Is the word.
How quickly we have
Forgotten him
Is the word.
How quickly we have
Forgotten him
June 27, 2020
Can the negotiator/assassin prevent a devastating interstellar war?
March 10, 2021
Very economically based, but gets to the action eventually.
June 9, 2022
not as interesting as the first 2 book in the series but still entretaining
August 22, 2024
Master negotiator Nathaniel Whaler succeeeds with new trade treaty and gets Sylvia Ferro-Maine to come home with him.
July 23, 2019
The Deliberate Man
The MC was a very deliberate man, his actions were all carefully choreographed in such a way that I really couldn’t follow his streams of thought and actions until the final 3rd of the book. A fun Spy Thriller.
Favorite Line: Fruit a little rotten can only get more rotten…
The MC was a very deliberate man, his actions were all carefully choreographed in such a way that I really couldn’t follow his streams of thought and actions until the final 3rd of the book. A fun Spy Thriller.
Favorite Line: Fruit a little rotten can only get more rotten…
May 12, 2016
In order to avert war with the Empire, Accord sends Envoy Nathaniel Whaler to broker a trade deal with the Empire. But it appears that there are forces within the Empire who do not want such a deal and prefer war. Whaler must deal with attempts on his life as well as not knowing who to trust. This work is action packed and well worth the read, especially for James Bond fans. Stayed up late to finish it.
November 3, 2023
Generally I find Modesitt an easy relaxing read. Not this time. The introduction to characters, plot and concepts were very jumbled. The story could have been interesting if I didn't spend all my time just trying to remember who was who.
Later, I noticed that this is a third book in the series. Maybe if I'd read the other 2 first. But then again, each book should still stand on its own.
Later, I noticed that this is a third book in the series. Maybe if I'd read the other 2 first. But then again, each book should still stand on its own.
March 26, 2016
One of Modesitt's early books. A sci-fi spy thriller, but less fast-paced. Fraught with slow tension, and as usual the reader is left to read between lines and draw his own conclusions. A satisfying read, although less polished than his later works. You can see some of his favourite themes developing here.
August 24, 2024
Not my favorite author, however in this case a fair effort is made to explore the dichotomous nature of of two diverging human cultures. Unfortunately does revert to convention toward the end. Nonetheless a quick linear read with just one protagonist, which alone makes this comparatively better a lot of th garbage being produced nowadays. Not great maybe, but a decent effort.
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February 28, 2008I found this book at a dollar store. Very good sci-fi read!
December 23, 2008
Professor of economics and an elite commando/assassin in one main character? That's a cool idea.
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January 17, 2016Ecolitan
February 16, 2010
Finished Rereading for about the 3rd time. Interesting how many Modesitt characters have significant others and how romance can play a role in SF.
March 2, 2010
Second time around for me and was worth the reread. Fair amount of action and yes even romance, however the moral ethics would be hard going for those unfamilar with Modesitt style.
May 12, 2013
Economics professor slash special agent...
July 29, 2016
I am really enjoying the series as a whole. Who doesn't like professor/spy? Good times. I'm looking forward to finishing the series.
Displaying 1 - 20 of 20 reviews