Buck Rogers in the 25th Century

Buck Rogers #1

by Addison E. Steele

Vintage TV tie-in paperback

Genres: Science Fiction, Fiction, Science Fiction Fantasy, Time Travel, Novels

256 pages, Mass Market Paperback

First published January 1, 1978

Reviews

[Charles · Rating 3 out of 5]

I liked it pretty well. The beginning and ending were both exciting while there was some lag in the middle. However, you have to note that it followed the script of the TV episodes very closely so the issues here were also issues in the show. Since I used to watch the TV show regularly it brought back some fond memories.

[Blake · Rating 3 out of 5]

(FYI I tend to only review one book per series, unless I want to change my scoring by 0.50 or more of a star. -- I tend not to read reviews until after I read a book, so I go in with an open mind.)

I'm finally going through my physical tv, film etc. tie in library owned book list, to add more older basic reviews. If I liked a book enough to keep then they are at the least a 3 star.

I'm only adding one book per series (etc.) and I'm not going to re-read every book to be more accurate, not when I have 1000s of new to me authors to try (I can't say no to free books....)


First time read the author's work?: N/A

Will you be reading more?: Yes

Would you recommend?: Yes


------------
How I rate Stars: 5* = I loved (must read all I can find by the author)
4* = I really enjoyed (got to read all the series and try other books by the author).
3* = I enjoyed (I will continue to read the series)
or
3* = Good book just not my thing (I realised I don't like the genre or picked up a kids book to review in error.)

All of the above scores means I would recommend them!
-
2* = it was okay (I might give the next book in the series a try, to see if that was better IMHO.)
1* = Disliked

Note: adding these basic 'reviews' after finding out that some people see the stars differently than I do - hoping this clarifies how I feel about the book. :-)

[Bryan Frazier · Rating 5 out of 5]

I just finished the first ( Of two ) novelizations of the " Buck Rogers In The 25th Century " novel .The novel is a lengthy read at 256 pages . But , it is also a fun novel that moves at a brisk pace . The book is a paperback novelization of the premier episode of the classic 1978 TV Series . (I DO have the original novel , the one that introduced the character , but I have yet to read that novel !! ) The book starts off in the (Then ) far off year of 1987 . Captain Buck Rogers is shot into space , on a mission . Only , something goes wrong , ( Thanks to a meteor shower !! ) and Buck is lost in space . The next chapter begins with Buck's frozen form in a state of suspended animation . ( Buck was put into this state , due to the various chemicals used in his ship and elsewhere , and into an orbit that worked as the perfect freezing agents . Buck , once revived , is thrown into a world five hundred years in his times future . From there , he must try to adjust to this future world , as well as survive being exiled from the domed safety of the Inner City , prove that he is not a spy , and stop an alien races plans to conquer Earth via deception . This novel is a grand first adventure for Buck Rogers in the 20th Century !! The writing is solid , and makes the reader want to keep reading . Overall , I recommend this book 100 % !!

[Gerhard · Rating 3 out of 5]

Brings back so many childhood memories of the TV series! Charming old school writing ☺️

[Mark P · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a fun book. It lags in places but I enjoyed it. You need to keep in mind, it's the novelization of the movie that was released in 1979. Glen Larson basically took the pilot and released it theatrically to build support for the upcoming TV series. He had done the same thing with the original Battlestar Galactica. I enjoyed the book, but I liked the movie better. Of course, that might have had something to do with Erin Gray's and Pamela Hensley's costumes (and me being an older teenager). The TV series was ok, but the movie (Theatrical version) I've watched numerous times. The movie was edited when it was shown on TV (a few mild "swear words" were removed). For me it was a quick read and one that I enjoyed. I no longer have the paperback, but if I ever come across it at a used book store or flea-market, I'll pick it up and add it to my book case. I certainly wouldn't mind reading it again.

[Chiara Prova · Rating 5 out of 5]

Se si cerca una classica, e sottolineo classica, avventura spaziale è il libro giusto.
Nessun colpo di scena, in senso positivo, ci sono tutti gli elementi: l'eroe in gamba e sicuro di sé, la regnante bella e crudele, la donna forte e dolce, il fedele androide, navi spaziali e nemici coi laser. Ma considerando che si tratta di un libro degli anni '80 ispirato ad una serie degli anni '30, non ho nulla da ridire. La lettura è anche molto scorrevole.
Consigliato per una lettura leggera e spensierata.

[Dianne · Rating 5 out of 5]

And what a wild trip it was! Priceless-circa 1978-foray into the future. Replete with 'stormtroopers', 'AI', pirates and 'Nazis'! Sci-fi with an intricate plot, twists and turns and intrigue and fighter pilots and sumptuous warrior women and rulers, complete with a domed post-apocalyptic- robot led Earth! Hats off to the skill, in 1978, for seeing - this far into the future- much less THAT far! It was nerd-vana, cheese, farce, rom com and StarWars all in one. What a hoot.

[Collin J Wood · Rating 5 out of 5]

Started 2022 off with this one. Its a fun read, especially if you are a fan of the show. This is the adaptation of the 'Movie' or Pilot of the show. In ways, its a better read than the show is a watch - pacing is better, and timeline is a little better - events occur in a more logical order in the book.

This is not the OG Buck Rogers novel though.

[Kevin Noel · Rating 4 out of 5]

A fun and faithful adaption of the theatrical release and pilot to a great, unfortunately short-lived television series.

[Kevin · Rating 4 out of 5]

A faithful and entertaining adaption of the theater released pilot to a fun, short-lived television series.

[Shawn · Rating 3 out of 5]

It is a solid 3 as a book, a 5+for nostalgia. Loved the show and this was the book version of the first episode. As good as I remember for that.

[Jon · Rating 3 out of 5]

Poorly written screenplay. Adds virtually nothing to the movie.

[Brent Knorr · Rating 3 out of 5]

It's your pretty basic script adaption. Well done but nothing outstanding.

[D · Rating 3 out of 5]

I think this genre is called space opera... I read it when I was 15 or so... parts of it still stick with me!

[Tom Rowe · Rating 4 out of 5]

Loved this back in the day. Don't know if I would like it now.