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New America
Continuing from Orbit Unlimited, New America is the next chapter in the story of the planet Rustum, where the Constitutionalists continue their mission to build a more perfect nation Civilization on Rustum has come a long way since its early days, when a few brave colonists traveled twenty light-years from Earth to found a society, New America, on the principle of personal liberty. Some call themselves Constitutionalists, others Jeffersonians, but whatever the title everyone can Rustum has a problem. With one-and-a-quarter times the gravitational force of Earth and a host of inedible flora, Rustum is most habitable on its highlands, leaving the lowlands sparsely populated and creating a great imbalance on the planet. Dan Coffin, an original settler of Rustum, agrees to join an expedition back to the lowlands, where he is one of the rare individuals who can survive in the dense air without a helmet. New America follows Coffin’s endeavors to build a new life with a wife, children, and an effective governing body that can help give the lowlanders not only survive, but thrive.
- GenresScience FictionFiction
233 pages, Kindle Edition
First published June 30, 1987
80 people are currently reading
135 people want to read
About the author
Poul Anderson
1,625 books1,111 followersPseudonym A. A. Craig, Michael Karageorge, Winston P. Sanders, P. A. Kingsley.
Poul William Anderson was an American science fiction author who began his career during one of the Golden Ages of the genre and continued to write and remain popular into the 21st century. Anderson also authored several works of fantasy, historical novels, and a prodigious number of short stories. He received numerous awards for his writing, including seven Hugo Awards and three Nebula Awards.
Anderson received a degree in physics from the University of Minnesota in 1948. He married Karen Kruse in 1953. They had one daughter, Astrid, who is married to science fiction author Greg Bear. Anderson was the sixth President of Science Fiction and Fantasy Writers of America, taking office in 1972. He was a member of the Swordsmen and Sorcerers' Guild of America, a loose-knit group of Heroic Fantasy authors founded in the 1960s, some of whose works were anthologized in Lin Carter's Flashing Swords! anthologies. He was a founding member of the Society for Creative Anachronism. Robert A. Heinlein dedicated his 1985 novel The Cat Who Walks Through Walls to Anderson and eight of the other members of the Citizens' Advisory Council on National Space Policy.[2][3]
Poul Anderson died of cancer on July 31, 2001, after a month in the hospital. Several of his novels were published posthumously.
Series:
* Time Patrol
* Psychotechnic League
* Trygve Yamamura
* Harvest of Stars
* King of Ys
* Last Viking
* Hoka
* Future history of the Polesotechnic League
* Flandry
Poul William Anderson was an American science fiction author who began his career during one of the Golden Ages of the genre and continued to write and remain popular into the 21st century. Anderson also authored several works of fantasy, historical novels, and a prodigious number of short stories. He received numerous awards for his writing, including seven Hugo Awards and three Nebula Awards.
Anderson received a degree in physics from the University of Minnesota in 1948. He married Karen Kruse in 1953. They had one daughter, Astrid, who is married to science fiction author Greg Bear. Anderson was the sixth President of Science Fiction and Fantasy Writers of America, taking office in 1972. He was a member of the Swordsmen and Sorcerers' Guild of America, a loose-knit group of Heroic Fantasy authors founded in the 1960s, some of whose works were anthologized in Lin Carter's Flashing Swords! anthologies. He was a founding member of the Society for Creative Anachronism. Robert A. Heinlein dedicated his 1985 novel The Cat Who Walks Through Walls to Anderson and eight of the other members of the Citizens' Advisory Council on National Space Policy.[2][3]
Poul Anderson died of cancer on July 31, 2001, after a month in the hospital. Several of his novels were published posthumously.
Series:
* Time Patrol
* Psychotechnic League
* Trygve Yamamura
* Harvest of Stars
* King of Ys
* Last Viking
* Hoka
* Future history of the Polesotechnic League
* Flandry
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Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 10 of 10 reviews
July 1, 2021
In the 21st century, Planet Earth was in the grip of an orientalized, paternalistic World State that gave all – and took all. Only in the land that was once the United States were the principles of freedom paid so much as lip service, and even there liberty flickered toward extinction. In such a world as this the Jeffersonians were a band of hopeless visionaries, political cranks, a quixotic underground dreaming of the reinstitution of the American Constitution. So both sides were happy when the chance came for voluntary exile to a distant planet. But two hundred years later the less benevolent descendant of the World State that had let them go was to decide that the cosmos was not big enough to hold both it and a free people.
Continuing from Orbit Unlimited, New America is the next chapter in the story of the planet Rustum, where the Constitutionalists continue their mission to build a more perfect nation. Civilization on Rustum has come a long way since its early days, when a few brave colonists traveled twenty light-years from Earth to found a society, New America, on the principle of personal liberty. Some call themselves Constitutionalists, others Jeffersonians, but whatever the title everyone can agree: Rustum has a problem. With one-and-a-quarter times the gravitational force of Earth and a host of inedible flora, Rustum is most habitable on its highlands, leaving the lowlands sparsely populated and creating a great imbalance on the planet.
Dan Coffin, an original settler of Rustum, agrees to join an expedition back to the lowlands, where he is one of the rare individuals who can survive in the dense air without a helmet. New America follows Coffin’s endeavors to build a new life with a wife, children, and an effective governing body that can help give the lowlanders not only survive, but thrive.
Continuing from Orbit Unlimited, New America is the next chapter in the story of the planet Rustum, where the Constitutionalists continue their mission to build a more perfect nation. Civilization on Rustum has come a long way since its early days, when a few brave colonists traveled twenty light-years from Earth to found a society, New America, on the principle of personal liberty. Some call themselves Constitutionalists, others Jeffersonians, but whatever the title everyone can agree: Rustum has a problem. With one-and-a-quarter times the gravitational force of Earth and a host of inedible flora, Rustum is most habitable on its highlands, leaving the lowlands sparsely populated and creating a great imbalance on the planet.
Dan Coffin, an original settler of Rustum, agrees to join an expedition back to the lowlands, where he is one of the rare individuals who can survive in the dense air without a helmet. New America follows Coffin’s endeavors to build a new life with a wife, children, and an effective governing body that can help give the lowlanders not only survive, but thrive.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
August 28, 2021
3.5 stars
ENGLISH: This is the second part of the book Orbit Unlimited, one of my two best-beloved science fiction novels of all time. It consists of four additional stories, which I had never read before, and which follow the life of the same child that was lost in the last story of the previous book, until at the end he is a great-grandfather (colonizers marry early).
Although the four stories describe interesting adventures related to the colonization of planet Rustum, the moral dilemmas posed are much less striking than those in the first book in the series. In fact, some of those problems have to do with the conservation of extra-terrestrial species, or with purely economic situations.
Only in the fourth story there is a real important moral dilemma, when the colonizers learn that the Earth has sent a new expedition, whose arrival threatens the way of life they had developed, as it will introduce an industrial proletariat. The dilemma, in this case, can be described thus: "Should we accept the new colonists, or by rejecting them, force them to seek another planet in a different star, or return to Earth?"
The publisher has added to this book two additional stories by Anderson that have nothing to do with planet Rustum, although this planet is mentioned once in the first story ("The Queen of Air & Darkness"), which I had read before, as it is included in several collections. The second ("Home") is new for me, and has reminded me my own sci-fi novel Under an orange sky. This story takes place at a time when interstellar exploration has started, but the Earth decides to terminate it. Therefore it's somewhat contradictory with the other five stories in this book.
Finally, a paper written by Anderson about the actual possibility of interstellar exploration has been added to the book. This paper has reminded me strongly of my own work in this area, in my books La Vida En Otros Mundos and El tiempo y el hombre.
ESPAÑOL: Esta es la segunda parte del libro Orbit Unlimited, una de mis dos novelas de ciencia ficción preferidas de mi vida lectora. Consta de cuatro historias adicionales, que no había leído antes y que siguen la vida del niño que se perdió en la última historia del libro anterior, que hacia el final ya es bisabuelo (los colonizadores se casan jóvenes) .
Aunque las cuatro historias describen aventuras interesantes relacionadas con la colonización del planeta Rustum, los dilemas morales planteados son mucho menos llamativos que los del primer libro de la serie. De hecho, algunos de esos problemas tienen que ver con la conservación de especies extraterrestres, o con situaciones puramente económicas.
Solo en la cuarta historia hay un dilema moral realmente importante, cuando los colonizadores se enteran de que la Tierra ha enviado una nueva expedición, cuya llegada amenazará la forma de vida que habían desarrollado, porque introducirá un proletariado industrial. El dilema, en este caso, se puede describir así: "¿Debemos aceptar a los nuevos colonos, o al rechazarlos les obligamos a buscar otro planeta en una estrella diferente, o a regresar a la Tierra?"
La editorial ha agregado a este libro dos cuentos adicionales de Anderson que no tienen nada que ver con el planeta Rustum, aunque este planeta se menciona una vez en el primero de esos cuentos ("La Reina del Aire y de la Oscuridad"), que ya había leído, porque lo han incluido en varias colecciones. El segundo ("Home") es nuevo para mí y me ha recordado mi propia novela de ciencia ficción Bajo un cielo anaranjado. Este cuento tiene lugar en un momento en que la exploración interestelar ha comenzado, pero la Tierra decide ponerle punto final. Por lo tanto, es algo contradictorio con los otros cinco cuentos de este libro.
Por último, se ha añadido al libro un artículo escrito por Anderson sobre la posibilidad real de la exploración interestelar. Este artículo me ha recordado mucho mi propio trabajo en esta área, en mis libros La Vida En Otros Mundos y El tiempo y el hombre.
ENGLISH: This is the second part of the book Orbit Unlimited, one of my two best-beloved science fiction novels of all time. It consists of four additional stories, which I had never read before, and which follow the life of the same child that was lost in the last story of the previous book, until at the end he is a great-grandfather (colonizers marry early).
Although the four stories describe interesting adventures related to the colonization of planet Rustum, the moral dilemmas posed are much less striking than those in the first book in the series. In fact, some of those problems have to do with the conservation of extra-terrestrial species, or with purely economic situations.
Only in the fourth story there is a real important moral dilemma, when the colonizers learn that the Earth has sent a new expedition, whose arrival threatens the way of life they had developed, as it will introduce an industrial proletariat. The dilemma, in this case, can be described thus: "Should we accept the new colonists, or by rejecting them, force them to seek another planet in a different star, or return to Earth?"
The publisher has added to this book two additional stories by Anderson that have nothing to do with planet Rustum, although this planet is mentioned once in the first story ("The Queen of Air & Darkness"), which I had read before, as it is included in several collections. The second ("Home") is new for me, and has reminded me my own sci-fi novel Under an orange sky. This story takes place at a time when interstellar exploration has started, but the Earth decides to terminate it. Therefore it's somewhat contradictory with the other five stories in this book.
Finally, a paper written by Anderson about the actual possibility of interstellar exploration has been added to the book. This paper has reminded me strongly of my own work in this area, in my books La Vida En Otros Mundos and El tiempo y el hombre.
ESPAÑOL: Esta es la segunda parte del libro Orbit Unlimited, una de mis dos novelas de ciencia ficción preferidas de mi vida lectora. Consta de cuatro historias adicionales, que no había leído antes y que siguen la vida del niño que se perdió en la última historia del libro anterior, que hacia el final ya es bisabuelo (los colonizadores se casan jóvenes) .
Aunque las cuatro historias describen aventuras interesantes relacionadas con la colonización del planeta Rustum, los dilemas morales planteados son mucho menos llamativos que los del primer libro de la serie. De hecho, algunos de esos problemas tienen que ver con la conservación de especies extraterrestres, o con situaciones puramente económicas.
Solo en la cuarta historia hay un dilema moral realmente importante, cuando los colonizadores se enteran de que la Tierra ha enviado una nueva expedición, cuya llegada amenazará la forma de vida que habían desarrollado, porque introducirá un proletariado industrial. El dilema, en este caso, se puede describir así: "¿Debemos aceptar a los nuevos colonos, o al rechazarlos les obligamos a buscar otro planeta en una estrella diferente, o a regresar a la Tierra?"
La editorial ha agregado a este libro dos cuentos adicionales de Anderson que no tienen nada que ver con el planeta Rustum, aunque este planeta se menciona una vez en el primero de esos cuentos ("La Reina del Aire y de la Oscuridad"), que ya había leído, porque lo han incluido en varias colecciones. El segundo ("Home") es nuevo para mí y me ha recordado mi propia novela de ciencia ficción Bajo un cielo anaranjado. Este cuento tiene lugar en un momento en que la exploración interestelar ha comenzado, pero la Tierra decide ponerle punto final. Por lo tanto, es algo contradictorio con los otros cinco cuentos de este libro.
Por último, se ha añadido al libro un artículo escrito por Anderson sobre la posibilidad real de la exploración interestelar. Este artículo me ha recordado mucho mi propio trabajo en esta área, en mis libros La Vida En Otros Mundos y El tiempo y el hombre.
October 13, 2022
Cannot continue reading, there's better stuff out there.
April 17, 2025
At the end of Orbit Unlimited, the child Danny Coffin has a traumatic experience getting lost in the unexplored lowlands of planet Rustum. In New America, Danny starts as a young adult who conquers his childhood trauma when he helps recover important scientific equipment from the lowlands. He eventually settles there, and the stories follow his life until he is a grandfather.
Besides the Rustum stories, the book includes two independent short stories that I liked less:
-The Queen of Air and Darkness
-Home
Plus an essay discussing the physical possibility of star travel.
Besides the Rustum stories, the book includes two independent short stories that I liked less:
-The Queen of Air and Darkness
-Home
Plus an essay discussing the physical possibility of star travel.
December 24, 2010
This is apparently a "little known book" by Anderson, that is based on a great idea that would make a great story...I wish Anderson had told it. The book is probably "little known" for a reason.
I was introduced to science fiction back in the late 1950s and on into the 1960s. As a boy I guess my first "official" science fiction would have been a Tom Swift book. But...in the 1960s it was A.E.van Vogt and Poul Anderson. He has written some great books. I find that I agree with many of the ideas he espouses, I would say he's a strong early influence in my science fiction/fantasy "addiction". BUT I guess you can't hit every time.
Politically speaking I'm very much a "Constitutionalist" and find myself in agreement with many Libertarian ideas. When I ran across the synopsis of this book (I forget where) I set out to "track it down". Unfortunately I've seen Anderson fall prey to what happened here before, a great sweeping idea that doesn't come across in the novel. What he apparently attempted here was to tell the story through a sort of "micro story telling" watching individuals. It's a viable way of telling a story, it just didn't go over that well here. You will get a readable story that carries off the "basic intent" but never quite lives up to the subject matter's promise. Not a horrible book, but I've placed it with my "to be sold or traded titles" I don't plan to be going back to it.
As I said, the idea behind this book caught my imagination and I knew it would make a great novel...I wish Anderson had written it.
I was introduced to science fiction back in the late 1950s and on into the 1960s. As a boy I guess my first "official" science fiction would have been a Tom Swift book. But...in the 1960s it was A.E.van Vogt and Poul Anderson. He has written some great books. I find that I agree with many of the ideas he espouses, I would say he's a strong early influence in my science fiction/fantasy "addiction". BUT I guess you can't hit every time.
Politically speaking I'm very much a "Constitutionalist" and find myself in agreement with many Libertarian ideas. When I ran across the synopsis of this book (I forget where) I set out to "track it down". Unfortunately I've seen Anderson fall prey to what happened here before, a great sweeping idea that doesn't come across in the novel. What he apparently attempted here was to tell the story through a sort of "micro story telling" watching individuals. It's a viable way of telling a story, it just didn't go over that well here. You will get a readable story that carries off the "basic intent" but never quite lives up to the subject matter's promise. Not a horrible book, but I've placed it with my "to be sold or traded titles" I don't plan to be going back to it.
As I said, the idea behind this book caught my imagination and I knew it would make a great novel...I wish Anderson had written it.
March 19, 2020
This is a multifaceted book. Anderson presents four linked short stories from the 1970s that
make for an interesting tale of human colonists adapting to and developing a far distant planet.
He adds a novella, The Queen of Air and Darkness. that deals with colonists from Earth on another distant planet that finds another group of colonists in conflict with an almost supernatural native population hidden away in the wilderness. A stand-alone short story, Home, describes the ending of a generations long scientific study of another inhabited planet, an ending that invokes the question of, Where is home? The book concludes with a technically based essay on the possibilities of Man ever reaching these distant worlds. It draws on scientific thinking current at the time of writing (1975). The stories make good reading, but, the essay deals extensively with theoretical physics, so the reading is of a different nature.
Overall, an interesting collection of space-traveling science fiction of the era. The sociological and political economy themes in the opening quartet of stories are well handled and worth consideration..
make for an interesting tale of human colonists adapting to and developing a far distant planet.
He adds a novella, The Queen of Air and Darkness. that deals with colonists from Earth on another distant planet that finds another group of colonists in conflict with an almost supernatural native population hidden away in the wilderness. A stand-alone short story, Home, describes the ending of a generations long scientific study of another inhabited planet, an ending that invokes the question of, Where is home? The book concludes with a technically based essay on the possibilities of Man ever reaching these distant worlds. It draws on scientific thinking current at the time of writing (1975). The stories make good reading, but, the essay deals extensively with theoretical physics, so the reading is of a different nature.
Overall, an interesting collection of space-traveling science fiction of the era. The sociological and political economy themes in the opening quartet of stories are well handled and worth consideration..
October 30, 2022
not his best
Over the years (at least 60 since I started reading SF in high school) I have enjoyed many of the author’s books. I enjoyed others a lot more. I am not a professional reviewer so this is my opinion only. Don’t judge his other books by this one.
Over the years (at least 60 since I started reading SF in high school) I have enjoyed many of the author’s books. I enjoyed others a lot more. I am not a professional reviewer so this is my opinion only. Don’t judge his other books by this one.
January 24, 2023
Interesting
Not my cup of tea. Poul is a wonderful writer. It is not however, something that I can personally enjoy. Too cerebral for my tastes. He paints an amazing picture. Definitely worth reading.
Not my cup of tea. Poul is a wonderful writer. It is not however, something that I can personally enjoy. Too cerebral for my tastes. He paints an amazing picture. Definitely worth reading.
October 8, 2022
Good read
A novella followed by two short stories which is each disappointedly too short. I was left wanting more every time.
A novella followed by two short stories which is each disappointedly too short. I was left wanting more every time.
Displaying 1 - 10 of 10 reviews