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The Little Green Book of Chairman Rahma
A revolution has taken over the government of the United States and the environment has been saved. All pollution has been banned and reversed. It's a bright, green new world. But this new world comes with a great cost. The United States is ruled by a dictatorship and the corporations are fighting back. Joining them are an increasing number of rebels angered by the dictatorship of Chairman Rahma. The Chairman's power is absolute and appears strong, but in The Little Green Book of Chairman Rahma by Brian Herbert, cracks are beginning to show as new weapons are developed by the old corporate powers, foreign alliances begin to make inroads into America's influence . . . and strange reports of mutants filter through the government's censorship.At the Publisher's request, this title is being sold without Digital Rights Management Software (DRM) applied.
- GenresScience FictionFiction
416 pages, Kindle Edition
First published July 8, 2014
7 people are currently reading
705 people want to read
About the author
Brian Herbert
240 books2,144 followersBrian Patrick Herbert is an American author who lives in Washington state. He is the elder son of science fiction author Frank Patrick Herbert.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 40 reviews
November 1, 2014
Well...I thought the concept sounded vaguely interesting. The entire topic is rife with political possibilities and I went into it wondering "which side" the book would come down on.
I'll give it this, as much of that as there is it's done in a "different way".
Did you ever see that commercial a few years ago that got so much attention. It shows the climate police arresting people for not having the right car (and implies for other environmental failings). Well that would be tame in this world. What we have here is the radical...even rabid environmentalist's wet dream. The old hippies (and new hippies for that matter) are happy...and somehow the new Green Government is working hand in hand with anarchists.
This makes no sense to me really...I mean anarchist government???? That's like "anarchist organizations" a sort of contradiction in terms... Oh well. That's dealt with a little when you're "into" the book.
So humans are locked away on reservations, cities are being disintegrated (just read the book for how) and "re-greened".
And so far as I'm concerned the reader is being slowly bored to death.
There are stereotypes from all sides here from the rabid environmentalist who wants humans done away with completely to the evil industrialist who (of course) wants to wipe out nature (much like the evil scientist who wants to "destroy the world for his own gain"). The author dumps these into a literary slow cooker and gives us one of the silliest endings it's been my experience to read...
Look, if you like the book, enjoy. I can't recommend it.
I'll give it this, as much of that as there is it's done in a "different way".
Did you ever see that commercial a few years ago that got so much attention. It shows the climate police arresting people for not having the right car (and implies for other environmental failings). Well that would be tame in this world. What we have here is the radical...even rabid environmentalist's wet dream. The old hippies (and new hippies for that matter) are happy...and somehow the new Green Government is working hand in hand with anarchists.
This makes no sense to me really...I mean anarchist government???? That's like "anarchist organizations" a sort of contradiction in terms... Oh well. That's dealt with a little when you're "into" the book.
So humans are locked away on reservations, cities are being disintegrated (just read the book for how) and "re-greened".
And so far as I'm concerned the reader is being slowly bored to death.
There are stereotypes from all sides here from the rabid environmentalist who wants humans done away with completely to the evil industrialist who (of course) wants to wipe out nature (much like the evil scientist who wants to "destroy the world for his own gain"). The author dumps these into a literary slow cooker and gives us one of the silliest endings it's been my experience to read...
Look, if you like the book, enjoy. I can't recommend it.
August 17, 2016
ARC provided courtesy of NetGalley.
Imagine a world where homicidal hippies escalated the culture war to all-out war against the establishment and that those same fanatical hippies actually won and gained control over all of the Americas, now known as the Green States of America. This is the setting of Brian Herbert’s ecotopian, The Green Book of Chairman Rahma.
The Green States of America is rife with hypocrisy originating from the Chairman himself who wears peace symbols but who thinks nothing of putting to death tens of millions of people for crimes against the environment (which he considers worse than rape or murder of a human). Inequity is another characteristic of this ecotopia and is evenly distributed on both sides of the revolution -- most notably in the form of misogyny which is alive and thriving in the Green States of America where they only way for a woman to get ahead is on her back or on her knees.
Herbert takes inspiration from modern history and the counterculture to masterfully craft a world that is enough like our own that we are aghast at the mutilation of our collective experience of a "free" and "democratic" society, into something that is more akin to the Cold War Era of absolutist dictatorships, cultural indoctrination, propaganda and excesses all fueled by a relentless cult of personality.
Herbert skillfully weaves a character-driven thriller that is a real page-turner by balancing world-building with the exploration of the larger themes of who we are and what is our place in the world. There is however a hiccup with the pacing of the book in the final third of the novel. The uneven pacing of the last part of the book is frustrating to the extent that while some story lines are left unfinished; others make leaps at a disorienting pace that leaves some of the major plot developments fractured in a way that is inconsistent with the intricate and methodical care Hebert applied to construct the rest of the novel.
At the time of this review, it is unclear whether The Little Green Book of Chariman Rahma is a standalone endeavor or the first installment in a new series. Speaking for myself, I hope to read more about the Greenies, Corporates and assorted sycophants and dissidents of the Green States of America in future installments of what I hope will become a new series.
"On the left and right, zealots live in echo chambers, seeking only to converse with people who believe as they do." - Mord Pelley
Imagine a world where homicidal hippies escalated the culture war to all-out war against the establishment and that those same fanatical hippies actually won and gained control over all of the Americas, now known as the Green States of America. This is the setting of Brian Herbert’s ecotopian, The Green Book of Chairman Rahma.
The Green States of America is rife with hypocrisy originating from the Chairman himself who wears peace symbols but who thinks nothing of putting to death tens of millions of people for crimes against the environment (which he considers worse than rape or murder of a human). Inequity is another characteristic of this ecotopia and is evenly distributed on both sides of the revolution -- most notably in the form of misogyny which is alive and thriving in the Green States of America where they only way for a woman to get ahead is on her back or on her knees.
Herbert takes inspiration from modern history and the counterculture to masterfully craft a world that is enough like our own that we are aghast at the mutilation of our collective experience of a "free" and "democratic" society, into something that is more akin to the Cold War Era of absolutist dictatorships, cultural indoctrination, propaganda and excesses all fueled by a relentless cult of personality.
Herbert skillfully weaves a character-driven thriller that is a real page-turner by balancing world-building with the exploration of the larger themes of who we are and what is our place in the world. There is however a hiccup with the pacing of the book in the final third of the novel. The uneven pacing of the last part of the book is frustrating to the extent that while some story lines are left unfinished; others make leaps at a disorienting pace that leaves some of the major plot developments fractured in a way that is inconsistent with the intricate and methodical care Hebert applied to construct the rest of the novel.
At the time of this review, it is unclear whether The Little Green Book of Chariman Rahma is a standalone endeavor or the first installment in a new series. Speaking for myself, I hope to read more about the Greenies, Corporates and assorted sycophants and dissidents of the Green States of America in future installments of what I hope will become a new series.
"On the left and right, zealots live in echo chambers, seeking only to converse with people who believe as they do." - Mord Pelley
January 9, 2015
Possible spoilers ahead.
The Little Green Book of Chairman Rahma was my first book by Brian Herbert and will likely be my last. The book begins interestingly, if not a little silly and weird. In the close future, an army of environmentalists overthrow the government and form a dictatorship that prioritizes its citizens behind nature.
This book explores a few decent themes along the lines of classism, sexism, environmentalism, liberalism, etc. It just doesn't explore them well. The characters are mostly terribly uninteresting, and the focus of a lot of chapters was on unnecessary characters, like Dylan Bane or Artie the Hubot. Dylan is a former scientist who denounced the Green States of America and wants to use guerrilla warfare to destroy the fascists who killed his family. Artie is Chairman Rahma's right hand man-bot who just wants his master to make the right choices. Literally nothing important happens with either of these characters by the end of the book.
As the book continues, we are introduced to the absolutely ridiculous Gilda, the resurrected "glidewolf" and Joss, a man who basically becomes Tree-sus Christ.
Honestly, how this book was published with its last hundred pages not burned and re-written boggles my mind. Quite possibly one of the worst books I've read. I think it's one to skip over.
The Little Green Book of Chairman Rahma was my first book by Brian Herbert and will likely be my last. The book begins interestingly, if not a little silly and weird. In the close future, an army of environmentalists overthrow the government and form a dictatorship that prioritizes its citizens behind nature.
This book explores a few decent themes along the lines of classism, sexism, environmentalism, liberalism, etc. It just doesn't explore them well. The characters are mostly terribly uninteresting, and the focus of a lot of chapters was on unnecessary characters, like Dylan Bane or Artie the Hubot. Dylan is a former scientist who denounced the Green States of America and wants to use guerrilla warfare to destroy the fascists who killed his family. Artie is Chairman Rahma's right hand man-bot who just wants his master to make the right choices. Literally nothing important happens with either of these characters by the end of the book.
As the book continues, we are introduced to the absolutely ridiculous Gilda, the resurrected "glidewolf" and Joss, a man who basically becomes Tree-sus Christ.
Honestly, how this book was published with its last hundred pages not burned and re-written boggles my mind. Quite possibly one of the worst books I've read. I think it's one to skip over.
January 14, 2020
Why were ornithopters in this book? Why did the homicidal hippie dictator fail to scare the reader? Why did a giant flying wolf stuff people and robots into its giant marsupial pouch? Why did the main character get superpowers? Why did the autocrat have so much sex (creepy old perv!)? Why was the text printed in annoying green ink? Why were human eyeballs in robots? Why were there only three mega-nations on the planet, mid-21st century? What message was the author trying to send about environmentalism? Why was publication green-lighted? Why did I read this book? Why am I asking so many questions? There are no answers.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
January 22, 2015
I really, really wanted to LOVE this book.....
But no...
Maybe if there is a sequel?
Maybe I just need a re-read?
But no...
Maybe if there is a sequel?
Maybe I just need a re-read?
August 27, 2014
Wasn't able to finish the book, which is unusual for me. Maybe my 'dune' expectations were too high.
October 9, 2014
**I received a beautiful copy of this book compliments of the author, VJ Books, and the Goodreads First Reads Program**
Joss Stuart is a hardworking and loyal government employee who faithfully serves the future Green States of America. He completes his assignments thoroughly and follows the Little Green Book closely. In return, he leads a comfortable, almost civilized, life. This changes, however, when he unintentionally becomes a threat to the government. Will he sacrifice himself for the good of his country or unleash his survival instincts for control of his life?
November 24, 2014
I'm glad my updates about this book didn't take. I was a little upset and spewing some vitriol. But the truth of the matter is that I didn't like it. Not one bit.
The writing was... ugh. I can't even find word for it. It was dull. The book was full of never ending descriptions unnecessary to the story.
That's all in addition to the preaching the author does about his opposition to environmental concerns. He likens environmentalists and their method of governing to communist China and the evils they perpetrated (and presumably still do) against their people. It was necessary to the story to paint this kind of a picture. But the extent to which Herbert criticized the whole environmental movement is disrespectful and unnecessary.
And there's the imprecise use of language. On page 124, about 1 hour 4 minutes into the audio version that I listened to, he writes "In his mid-twenties, he removed his polished green helmet...". As just one example, he uses this common way of expressing how old a character is. But I always have a big problem with this. As it reads, the sentence explains that this is what a character was doing in his twenties (or at whatever age he may be). It doesn't say anything about the actual character other than at that particular specified unit of time. It's a shitty way to state a character's age. There are better techniques to explain this more smoothly and seamlessly. And like I said, it's just one example of the clunky writing that Herbert uses consistently throughout the book.
It was a chore to get through this book even though I was listening to it. I didn't even begin to care about these characters and only kept listening to make sure I had the correct ending in my mind. And the end... was predictable. Every little bit. I guess it ended for the best, but it felt forced and abrupt.
I wouldn't really recommend this book to anyone, because I think there have to be other authors that have treated this kind of story more thoughtfully and with more openness. Now to go seek some out.
The writing was... ugh. I can't even find word for it. It was dull. The book was full of never ending descriptions unnecessary to the story.
That's all in addition to the preaching the author does about his opposition to environmental concerns. He likens environmentalists and their method of governing to communist China and the evils they perpetrated (and presumably still do) against their people. It was necessary to the story to paint this kind of a picture. But the extent to which Herbert criticized the whole environmental movement is disrespectful and unnecessary.
And there's the imprecise use of language. On page 124, about 1 hour 4 minutes into the audio version that I listened to, he writes "In his mid-twenties, he removed his polished green helmet...". As just one example, he uses this common way of expressing how old a character is. But I always have a big problem with this. As it reads, the sentence explains that this is what a character was doing in his twenties (or at whatever age he may be). It doesn't say anything about the actual character other than at that particular specified unit of time. It's a shitty way to state a character's age. There are better techniques to explain this more smoothly and seamlessly. And like I said, it's just one example of the clunky writing that Herbert uses consistently throughout the book.
It was a chore to get through this book even though I was listening to it. I didn't even begin to care about these characters and only kept listening to make sure I had the correct ending in my mind. And the end... was predictable. Every little bit. I guess it ended for the best, but it felt forced and abrupt.
I wouldn't really recommend this book to anyone, because I think there have to be other authors that have treated this kind of story more thoughtfully and with more openness. Now to go seek some out.
August 17, 2014
Review by Chelsea
I want to say it was an interesting analysis of an oppressive society. I want to say it was unique for exploring environmentalist extremism. But I've also gotta cop to some truth. I never would have picked this book up if it wasn't a free ARC (advanced reading copy) to review. And I was willing to look beyond the disengaging title and really like this book. Seriously, I'll quote myself: "the title is a bit goofy, but it's got a cool description and it's from Tor, so I'll give it a try." And for three months I tried, but- the pacing is like molasses, the descriptions were repetitive, I was rooting for the bad guy to hurry up and kill one of the main characters, and I didn't care if the lot of them died in a fire. Oh- and I could only get a third of the way through it after three months, then read The Girl with All the Gifts and The Broken Eye (not a short book) in the space of two weeks. And- while we're being honest- I hated the title. The Little Green Book of Chairman Rahma. Even after you find out what the "little green book" is, and who "Chairman Rahma" is- even when it makes sense, it doesn't make it better. Also, it kept making me crave ramen.
Continue reading at Whedonopolis.com
August 5, 2014
Really - I wanted to like this. It had a lot of pull. Sci-fi, Brian Herbert, Green Revolution, more...but honestly, it ended up feeling like a lot of preaching, climate guilt-tripping. It certainly spoke to my generation with references to revolutionary-era Berkeley and the free thinking mindset that grew from that time but I guess I just wasn't ready for climatological bible-thumping. Ah well...
December 31, 2014
The plot of this book is so slow, and doesn't progress. The narration is repetitive and the characters are flat. The last forty pages pick up pace, but are so rushed that they aren't impactful at all.
did-not-finish
September 2, 2014I could not finish this book. I think the green text is to distracting.
August 4, 2020
I read this book because I have really enjoyed the Dune books Brian Herbert wrote with Kevin J. Anderson. I honestly don't know how this book got published. The story does not flow, the characters are one dimensional and often seem superfluous to the general story. This book makes appalling omissions in describing unbelievable characters and events.
The book is set a mere 26 years after it was published but in that time the entire earth has been divided into two main dictatorial empires. The Americas are controlled by eco nuts who won a war over corporations but nowhere is it explained how this came to be.
Setting that aside this book has all of the following often for no discernible reason:
- An oversexed dictator
- A flying wolf who only wants to protect the dictator for no reason whatsoever
- Robots with human parts that are super smart and almost sentient
- An explosion that grants a main character super powers that is never really explained.
- A group of enemy's that despite whole chapters devoted to them never launch the attack they planned
- A surprise nuclear attack that is thwarted by a surprise satellite doomsday device.
-The satellite doomsday device is controlled by the eco people who gave up their space program years before as unfriendly to the environment.
- The super dude is able to save hundreds from destruction with a shield energy power and is able to revive hundreds killed in an attack by putting them inside trees to regenerate.
There is more but hopefully this is enough to convince you to steer clear of this abomination. I honestly hope that Brain was high as a kite and wrote this as a stream of consciousness narrative. That is the only way this book makes any sense.
The book is set a mere 26 years after it was published but in that time the entire earth has been divided into two main dictatorial empires. The Americas are controlled by eco nuts who won a war over corporations but nowhere is it explained how this came to be.
Setting that aside this book has all of the following often for no discernible reason:
- An oversexed dictator
- A flying wolf who only wants to protect the dictator for no reason whatsoever
- Robots with human parts that are super smart and almost sentient
- An explosion that grants a main character super powers that is never really explained.
- A group of enemy's that despite whole chapters devoted to them never launch the attack they planned
- A surprise nuclear attack that is thwarted by a surprise satellite doomsday device.
-The satellite doomsday device is controlled by the eco people who gave up their space program years before as unfriendly to the environment.
- The super dude is able to save hundreds from destruction with a shield energy power and is able to revive hundreds killed in an attack by putting them inside trees to regenerate.
There is more but hopefully this is enough to convince you to steer clear of this abomination. I honestly hope that Brain was high as a kite and wrote this as a stream of consciousness narrative. That is the only way this book makes any sense.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
February 7, 2023
The characters are like cardboard, the politics are so unnuanced and naive that the author’s ignorance and bias are visible from orbit. The “green” science is laughably filled with implausible Macguffins. It reminds me of Empire by Orson Scott Card. I wish sci-fi authors put more thought into near future political stories. This just comes across as clueless and ham-handed. This is a lost opportunity, as the premise could have been done with actual research and plausible worldbuilding. Instead, this is Brian’s overplayed metaphor thinly draped over his perceptions of environmentalist overreach. I don’t even have a problem with the dystopian angle of the politics, I just feel like the man should understand the topic and the movement he’s placing at the center of his novel. It’s clearly written as a straw man dystopia. Such a shame.
October 25, 2017
For a review of this book and many others, check out my blog at https://bluedecemberblog.wordpress.com
March 11, 2021
The most exciting thing about this book was the tinted green type. Give it a miss.
July 21, 2024
The two stars is generous. The premise was somewhat original (fascist treehugger government) and had so much potential, but was an utter disappointment. Rushed along with so much missing.
October 4, 2024
Couldn't finish. Interesting concept, boring execution.
November 30, 2025
this book was far fetched at times, but I loved it! very dune-esque and i actually found it very optimistic about a green future.
November 12, 2020
Quit almost halfway through. Just awful .....
March 4, 2017
I thought the premise of this book sounded interesting but after wading through 165 pages of the 412 page book I became impatient that nothing exciting or interesting seemed to be developing. Gave up reading this one.
August 14, 2014
Most of the story is a horrifying vision of what it would be like if the radical environmentalists "conquered" America. The result is indeed happy from the extreme green point of view: most of America has been reverted to something close to natural and most of the population has moved into modern compact cities with minimal impact on nature.
However, to do this requires a ruthless leader with pure vision and a supporting political structure that combines the worst of Hitler, Stalin, and Mao. The story opens with the revolution accomplished and the green leader, Chairman Rahma, firmly in charge of mostly depopulated America. Our hero is the leader of a team of techs who visit now abandoned cities, factories and other sources of pollution and apply their two sided science fiction technology: one kind of beam that melts everything down to an amorphous goo, and the other kind that impregnates the goo with millions of seeds that quickly green it over.
Oh, there were people in that city that was just turned into prototypical goo? Too bad, they probably needed to be recycled anyway. Ruthless for a "good" cause.
About three quarters of the way through the story, deus ex machina occurs: an explosion which transforms the protagonist, giving him new powers so that he now finds himself able to apply the same technology directly from within himself.
The ending is a bit of a surprise, at least providing a hope that the essence of humanity can learn to live with nature, without the need for the kind of repressive rule portrayed in the book up till then. I would have liked a bit more about the new powers and trees. Perhaps there will be a sequel. It would have to be a new story, since Chairman Rahma and the rest of the world's human powered cultures no longer exist.
However, to do this requires a ruthless leader with pure vision and a supporting political structure that combines the worst of Hitler, Stalin, and Mao. The story opens with the revolution accomplished and the green leader, Chairman Rahma, firmly in charge of mostly depopulated America. Our hero is the leader of a team of techs who visit now abandoned cities, factories and other sources of pollution and apply their two sided science fiction technology: one kind of beam that melts everything down to an amorphous goo, and the other kind that impregnates the goo with millions of seeds that quickly green it over.
Oh, there were people in that city that was just turned into prototypical goo? Too bad, they probably needed to be recycled anyway. Ruthless for a "good" cause.
About three quarters of the way through the story, deus ex machina occurs: an explosion which transforms the protagonist, giving him new powers so that he now finds himself able to apply the same technology directly from within himself.
The ending is a bit of a surprise, at least providing a hope that the essence of humanity can learn to live with nature, without the need for the kind of repressive rule portrayed in the book up till then. I would have liked a bit more about the new powers and trees. Perhaps there will be a sequel. It would have to be a new story, since Chairman Rahma and the rest of the world's human powered cultures no longer exist.
August 18, 2014
This is a very fun read. The author keeps you guessing as to who is on the moral high ground as environmentalists battle against corporate interests. In the Green States of the Americas, it is not enough to recycle, sometimes you have to be recycled! Building on the discovery of Dark Energy, scientists in the Green revolution have created a technology that dissolves human creations and reseeds the results with natural life. A long-term project to restore the continent to a pristine, natural state is marred by counter-revolutionaries who want to revert to a free enterprise system.
As the revolution is co-opted by profiteers and power-seekers with hidden agendas, Chairman Rahma tries to keep a technological edge on the enemies of sustainability by deploying a superweapon, but when the security of the green states is threatened, the only person who can save humanity is a dark-energy infused human-plant hybrid. Can humanity evolve to the next level and co-exist with nature, or is humanity destined to destroy the world while battling for supremacy?
There are few heroes in this story, except possibly the glidewolf, an extinct animal restored to life through DNA reconstruction and cloning. The fanciful ideas in this story contrast with the human struggle in a meaningful statement about deep ecology and the wisdom of plants.
As the revolution is co-opted by profiteers and power-seekers with hidden agendas, Chairman Rahma tries to keep a technological edge on the enemies of sustainability by deploying a superweapon, but when the security of the green states is threatened, the only person who can save humanity is a dark-energy infused human-plant hybrid. Can humanity evolve to the next level and co-exist with nature, or is humanity destined to destroy the world while battling for supremacy?
There are few heroes in this story, except possibly the glidewolf, an extinct animal restored to life through DNA reconstruction and cloning. The fanciful ideas in this story contrast with the human struggle in a meaningful statement about deep ecology and the wisdom of plants.
January 19, 2015
The Little Green Book of Chairman Rahma by Brian Herbert is set in 2061 where the most radical environmentalists have conquered the corporations and taken control of the western hemisphere. These are activists who believe that planet Earth is more important than people. As a result, people are confined to reservations and the remainder of the land is greenformed to back to its pristine origins. If you imagine this can not end well, you might be right.
This novel is noteworthy from a writing point of view. One of the most popular advisories to writer is "show, don't tell." This novel contain several examples of why this is important.
A key turning point in the plot happens like this ...
We've made a major breakthrough. It turns out we were closer ... That pilot didn't die in vain. ... he saw something ... it turned out to be the key.
... and I'm like what just happened? What was the key? Show me!
A more trivial example ...
Joss heard Bim Hendrix telling stories, and Kupi laughing. The driver was a wellspring of humorous anecdotes.
... Really? What kind of stories? Tell me one. Show me!
Unfortunately, once the reader realizes that the details that give a story life and depth are not forthcoming...
For more: http://1book42day.blogspot.com/2015/0...
This novel is noteworthy from a writing point of view. One of the most popular advisories to writer is "show, don't tell." This novel contain several examples of why this is important.
A key turning point in the plot happens like this ...
We've made a major breakthrough. It turns out we were closer ... That pilot didn't die in vain. ... he saw something ... it turned out to be the key.
... and I'm like what just happened? What was the key? Show me!
A more trivial example ...
Joss heard Bim Hendrix telling stories, and Kupi laughing. The driver was a wellspring of humorous anecdotes.
... Really? What kind of stories? Tell me one. Show me!
Unfortunately, once the reader realizes that the details that give a story life and depth are not forthcoming...
For more: http://1book42day.blogspot.com/2015/0...
January 19, 2015
The Little Green Book of Chairman Rahma by Brian Herbert is set in 2061 where the most radical environmentalists have conquered the corporations and taken control of the western hemisphere. These are activists who believe that planet Earth is more important than people. As a result, people are confined to reservations and the remainder of the land is greenformed to back to its pristine origins. If you imagine this can not end well, you might be right.
This is science fiction in the classic style: sexist, libertarian, and sexist.
LSD, marijuana, methamphetamines, cocaine, heroine, and more-in the form of food, injections, or pills. All in colorful packages ... held by a pretty female servant.
"Give him some of the women in your harem, Rahma," ... "maybe that serving wench."
But maybe she was too outgoing, too friendly. If she was that way with him, she was undoubtedly that way with other men, and he didn't like that.
If you have been pining for the SF of yore, this could be the retro-novel for you.
For more: http://1book42day.blogspot.com/2015/0...
This is science fiction in the classic style: sexist, libertarian, and sexist.
LSD, marijuana, methamphetamines, cocaine, heroine, and more-in the form of food, injections, or pills. All in colorful packages ... held by a pretty female servant.
"Give him some of the women in your harem, Rahma," ... "maybe that serving wench."
But maybe she was too outgoing, too friendly. If she was that way with him, she was undoubtedly that way with other men, and he didn't like that.
If you have been pining for the SF of yore, this could be the retro-novel for you.
For more: http://1book42day.blogspot.com/2015/0...
July 15, 2014
I was fortunate to receive this book as an advance copy through a Good Reads giveaway. I was keen to read it as I have always been a fan of both his father's and Brian's. It is an excellent read which kept me engaged almost to end. Without being negative or giving out any spoilers, I enjoyed roaming through this different take on a dystopian future in which the Environmentalists/Greenies/Anarchists win and end up running the rest of the America's while the rest of the world continues the current world path (despite becoming mega-countries). The only criticism I have is the end felt like a rushed & weak ending as well as a bit trite, as if the author (who usually does at least trilogies) wanted to move on to other projects. I don't have a problem with the ending concept, other than I feel the characters would be unsustainable with the changes.
Despite that last bit, I gladly give it 4 stars and would say that most science fictions fans (especially those who like his and his father's works) will like the book. Enjoy!
Despite that last bit, I gladly give it 4 stars and would say that most science fictions fans (especially those who like his and his father's works) will like the book. Enjoy!
August 10, 2016
The Little Green Book of Chairman Rahma
by Brian Herbert
The world has been saved, a wild revolution, formed by environmentalists, has seized control of the United States....... It's a bright new green green world....or so it seems.
A world dominated by the Dictator Chairman Rahma, on the surface seems idyllic, but great dictators who rule with complete and absolute authority, will be challenged. In a world ruled by complete censorship and an iron will there is an increasing amount of descent. In this case by corporations and rebels alike, joined by foreign corporations and governments, the the almighty grip of Chairman Rahma, begins to topple.
I enjoyed the romantic notion of a completely green world, where, amongst many other things, air pollution is outlawed..... But the reality of human nature ( and mutants) ..... shows it's true recalcitrant ways.
A incredibly thought provoking read.....
ARC copy provided by publisher.....
October 3, 2014
This book was 1984/Animal Farm/Atlas Shrugged/Brave New World meets Dune meets the Al Gore enviro-nuts. In a dystopian future the had left greens take over the Americas and institute a police state reminiscent of of Stalin and the gulag. Chairman Rahma is a Stalin/Mao hybrid who kills millions in the name of peace and ecology. In the name of ecology, whole families are killed for having plastic shopping bags.
Meanwhile a member of the green army suffers an accident that fuses him with dark enregy and plant DNA, turning him into a kwisatz haderach figure. He saves the remnant of humanity after the eco-nuts trigger armaggedon.
Someone once remarked that 1984 and Atlas Shrugged were supposed to be warnings, not how-to manuals. I feel that same sentiment about this book, over the years i have met a number of people who would be envious of such a green police state.
Meanwhile a member of the green army suffers an accident that fuses him with dark enregy and plant DNA, turning him into a kwisatz haderach figure. He saves the remnant of humanity after the eco-nuts trigger armaggedon.
Someone once remarked that 1984 and Atlas Shrugged were supposed to be warnings, not how-to manuals. I feel that same sentiment about this book, over the years i have met a number of people who would be envious of such a green police state.
July 11, 2014
ARC provided courtesy of Tor.
Starting off with a very interesting premise, a green dystopia, Brian Herbert paints a tragic picture of environmentalism run rampant. Though he starts off well, he takes too long to paint his picture, leaving the book with an odd sense of pacing that seems to flounder somewhat in the middle. The ending attempts to pick up speed, and introduces several interesting twists, but overall this book felt like nothing but setup for the real story, hinted at in the final pages.
Aside from the pacing, it is a fairly entertaining read, the writing quality is excellent, and there are several interesting concepts that are being explored. I suspect I will read the inevitable sequel, though probably not until I can get it from the library.
Starting off with a very interesting premise, a green dystopia, Brian Herbert paints a tragic picture of environmentalism run rampant. Though he starts off well, he takes too long to paint his picture, leaving the book with an odd sense of pacing that seems to flounder somewhat in the middle. The ending attempts to pick up speed, and introduces several interesting twists, but overall this book felt like nothing but setup for the real story, hinted at in the final pages.
Aside from the pacing, it is a fairly entertaining read, the writing quality is excellent, and there are several interesting concepts that are being explored. I suspect I will read the inevitable sequel, though probably not until I can get it from the library.
August 4, 2016
the green states of america, where every eco crime is punishable by death, not only to the criminal but his family as well. Chairman Rhama (Popal) is the leader and his 'little green book' is the bible which everyone owns. People live in sanctuaries and species extinct for eons have been reintroduced thanks to the talents of a hubot Artie. There are rebels out there, including one the chairman's former lovers Kupi. She's an eco tech along with joss stuart, who suffers an accident which alters his d.n.a. Though this isn't anywhere near as good the 'dune' books (which continue his father's fantastic legacy) he wrote with kevin j. anderson, there's well fleshed out character here and an interesting well told story
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