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Planet of the Apes Omnibus #1
The Planet of the Apes Omnibus 1
When men discovered that the Planet of the Apes was their own Earth, it was only the beginning of the most incredible adventure of all time. The first omnibus features captivating novelizations of the classic movies Beneath the Planet of the Apes and Escape From the Planet of the Apes
328 pages, Kindle Edition
First published February 28, 2017
48 people are currently reading
148 people want to read
About the author
Michael Avallone
198 books41 followersAlso wrote Nick Carter: Killmaster series under Nick Carter alias with others
Michael Angelo Avallone was a prolific American author of mystery and secret agent fiction, and novelizations based on TV and films. He claimed a lifetime output over 1,000 works, including novels, short stories, articles, published under his own name or 17+ pseudonyms.
His first novel, The Tall Dolores 1953 introduced Ed Noon PI. After three dozen more, the most recent was 1989. The final volume, "Since Noon Yesterday" is, as of 2005, unpublished.
Tie-ins included Man from U.N.C.L.E., Hawaii Five-0, Mannix, Friday the 13th Part III, Beneath the Planet of the Apes and even The Partridge Family. In late 1960s novellas featured U.N.C.L.E.-like INTREX. He is sometimes cited incorrectly as the creator of Man from U.N.C.L.E. (as in the January 1967 issue of The Saint Magazine), or having died March 1.
As Troy Conway, Rod Damon: The Coxeman novel series 1967-73, parodied Man from UNCLE. An unusual entry was the novelization of the 1982 TV mini-series, A Woman Called Golda, the life of Golda Meir.
Among the many pseudonyms that Michael Avallone used (male and female) were: Mile Avalione, Mike Avalone, Nick Carter, Troy Conway, Priscilla Dalton, Mark Dane, Jeanne-Anne dePre, Dora Highland, Stuart Jason, Steve Michaels, Dorothea Nile, Edwina Noone, John Patrick, Vance Stanton, Sidney Stuart, Max Walker, and Lee Davis Willoughby.
From 1962-5, Avallone edited the Mystery Writers of America newsletter. Personal Life:
He married 1949 Lucille Asero (one son; marriage dissolved), 1960 Fran Weinstein (one son, one daughter); died Los Angeles.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Michael_...
http://www.thrillingdetective.com/tri...
Michael Angelo Avallone was a prolific American author of mystery and secret agent fiction, and novelizations based on TV and films. He claimed a lifetime output over 1,000 works, including novels, short stories, articles, published under his own name or 17+ pseudonyms.
His first novel, The Tall Dolores 1953 introduced Ed Noon PI. After three dozen more, the most recent was 1989. The final volume, "Since Noon Yesterday" is, as of 2005, unpublished.
Tie-ins included Man from U.N.C.L.E., Hawaii Five-0, Mannix, Friday the 13th Part III, Beneath the Planet of the Apes and even The Partridge Family. In late 1960s novellas featured U.N.C.L.E.-like INTREX. He is sometimes cited incorrectly as the creator of Man from U.N.C.L.E. (as in the January 1967 issue of The Saint Magazine), or having died March 1.
As Troy Conway, Rod Damon: The Coxeman novel series 1967-73, parodied Man from UNCLE. An unusual entry was the novelization of the 1982 TV mini-series, A Woman Called Golda, the life of Golda Meir.
Among the many pseudonyms that Michael Avallone used (male and female) were: Mile Avalione, Mike Avalone, Nick Carter, Troy Conway, Priscilla Dalton, Mark Dane, Jeanne-Anne dePre, Dora Highland, Stuart Jason, Steve Michaels, Dorothea Nile, Edwina Noone, John Patrick, Vance Stanton, Sidney Stuart, Max Walker, and Lee Davis Willoughby.
From 1962-5, Avallone edited the Mystery Writers of America newsletter. Personal Life:
He married 1949 Lucille Asero (one son; marriage dissolved), 1960 Fran Weinstein (one son, one daughter); died Los Angeles.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Michael_...
http://www.thrillingdetective.com/tri...
Ratings & Reviews
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Displaying 1 - 15 of 15 reviews
January 6, 2020
To be clear, these two stories in Planet of the Apes Omnibus 1 represent the second and third movies in the series. I remember reading “Planet of the Apes” by Pierre Boulle and enjoying some of the major differences between the movie and his book. It has been years since I saw “Beneath the Planet of the Apes” and I never did see “Escape for the Planet of the Apes,” so I thought this would be a good opportunity to reacquaint myself with the franchise.
I felt like it was a sure bet that the omnibus would be good. While I had not heard of Michael Angelo Avellone, his resume shows he has written a lifetime of work (maybe two!). I am very familiar with and am a fan of Jerry Pournelle, and have read many of his books.
The stories were easy reads, and I completed them in a couple of sittings on a Sunday. They are well-written and it was a lot of fun for me to be able to at least experience the third story. I recommend this to all fans of the movies, and for those who never had a chance to see them, I heartily recommend you read Mr. Boulle’s book AND see the original “Planet of the Apes” with Charlton Heston because…well, you will know why after you do so. 😊 Five stars.
I felt like it was a sure bet that the omnibus would be good. While I had not heard of Michael Angelo Avellone, his resume shows he has written a lifetime of work (maybe two!). I am very familiar with and am a fan of Jerry Pournelle, and have read many of his books.
The stories were easy reads, and I completed them in a couple of sittings on a Sunday. They are well-written and it was a lot of fun for me to be able to at least experience the third story. I recommend this to all fans of the movies, and for those who never had a chance to see them, I heartily recommend you read Mr. Boulle’s book AND see the original “Planet of the Apes” with Charlton Heston because…well, you will know why after you do so. 😊 Five stars.
October 12, 2021
Gotta admit this book was a guilty pleasure. Perfect for the beach. Even though I loved the movies, this book provides additional information about all things ape! Loved it!
September 27, 2018
If you're as big a fan of the original Planet of the Apes movies and TV series as yours truly, then you really can't go wrong with this wonderful reissue of the first two novelizations of the second and third theatrically released films; Beneath the Planet of the Apes (1970) and Escape from the Planet of the Apes (1971).
Again, I'm a HUGE fan of the originals, so I'll definitely never be one to get into all too typical and terribly unimaginative trash talk about how the classic Apes films gradually decreased in quality throughout the series. That may be (arguably) true to a certain extent, but for me, they are what they are, and despite their flaws (warts, wrinkles, and all), I honestly think that they stand up pretty darn well to this very day.
What's more, despite not having had the benefit of even a single frame of ultra modern CGI animation (because it obviously didn't even exist back in the late 1960s and early 70s), and the fact that they were made at a time of relative financial crisis in Hollywood history (when budgets for most movies were being drastically slashed), the original Apes films are still remarkably entertaining, and, in most respects, quite well made.
To get back to the actual book review, however, what I really enjoyed most about reading this collected edition is the fact that both authors stuck pretty close to what is seen on screen. As to be expected, however, there ARE some minor differences between the films and novelizations. For example, some of the dialog is slightly different (and yes, I really have seen the original Planet of the Apes films enough times to know when EVEN A SINGLE WORD, or a character name, has been changed), but overall, the two movie adaptations in this first omnibus from Titan Books are extremely faithful to the movies that inspired their creation.
For those who may be slightly confused, wondering why the adaptation for the first (and yes, STILL the very best) film in the series isn't included in this first Apes Omnibus, that's because there never has been one. Instead, back in 1968, when the original film, starring silver screen legend, Charlton Heston, was first released, 20th Century Fox opted to go with the original 1963 novella, "La Planète des Singes," by equally legendary French novelist Pierre Boulle.
The work of the author of the, at one time, even more famous, "Bridge on the River Kwai," is actually, technically speaking, the first book in this series, but again, it is NOT INCLUDED in this collection. Which is fine, I suppose, given that Boulle's is of course THE definitive version, given that he started the whole franchise in the first place. But it sure would have been nice to have gotten an actual novelization of the groundbreaking first film, because Boulle's book and the film version are markedly different in a number of ways.
Yet that's what makes this first Apes Omnibus so delightful. Reading the books is kind of like watching the second and third films -- except that it's actually even better. 'Cause you know how it goes. No matter what, there's always going to be that classic pop cultural comparison. You know, when people say, "Eh! The book was better than the movie."
Well, I can honestly say that even though the films have always been near and dear to my heart (ever since I was in elementary school, in fact, when they were first broadcast on television in the USA), I think that the way the authors fleshed out the scripted material in both adaptations makes them even better! And you can't ask for much for than that, now can you?
Well... I suppose one could wish that better films had been made in the first place, but again, I don't get into all that fancy pants, too big and pithy for your britches, "critic" stuff. For me, the original series of Planet of the Apes films are, quite simply, what they are. And as far as I'm concerned, they are still some of the best motion pictures ever made, bar none.
Even WITHOUT CGI and the huge, multi-million dollar budgets and worldwide marketing campaigns of blockbuster films of today, the classic Planet of the Apes movies still somehow manage to be highly entertaining, extremely thought provoking, and still, even now, they are all very, very much beloved, just the way they are. And having finally read the first book in this fantastic Omnibus collection, I can rest easy, knowing that the very same is also true of the vintage novelizations based on the second and third films in the series.
Again, I'm a HUGE fan of the originals, so I'll definitely never be one to get into all too typical and terribly unimaginative trash talk about how the classic Apes films gradually decreased in quality throughout the series. That may be (arguably) true to a certain extent, but for me, they are what they are, and despite their flaws (warts, wrinkles, and all), I honestly think that they stand up pretty darn well to this very day.
What's more, despite not having had the benefit of even a single frame of ultra modern CGI animation (because it obviously didn't even exist back in the late 1960s and early 70s), and the fact that they were made at a time of relative financial crisis in Hollywood history (when budgets for most movies were being drastically slashed), the original Apes films are still remarkably entertaining, and, in most respects, quite well made.
To get back to the actual book review, however, what I really enjoyed most about reading this collected edition is the fact that both authors stuck pretty close to what is seen on screen. As to be expected, however, there ARE some minor differences between the films and novelizations. For example, some of the dialog is slightly different (and yes, I really have seen the original Planet of the Apes films enough times to know when EVEN A SINGLE WORD, or a character name, has been changed), but overall, the two movie adaptations in this first omnibus from Titan Books are extremely faithful to the movies that inspired their creation.
For those who may be slightly confused, wondering why the adaptation for the first (and yes, STILL the very best) film in the series isn't included in this first Apes Omnibus, that's because there never has been one. Instead, back in 1968, when the original film, starring silver screen legend, Charlton Heston, was first released, 20th Century Fox opted to go with the original 1963 novella, "La Planète des Singes," by equally legendary French novelist Pierre Boulle.
The work of the author of the, at one time, even more famous, "Bridge on the River Kwai," is actually, technically speaking, the first book in this series, but again, it is NOT INCLUDED in this collection. Which is fine, I suppose, given that Boulle's is of course THE definitive version, given that he started the whole franchise in the first place. But it sure would have been nice to have gotten an actual novelization of the groundbreaking first film, because Boulle's book and the film version are markedly different in a number of ways.
Yet that's what makes this first Apes Omnibus so delightful. Reading the books is kind of like watching the second and third films -- except that it's actually even better. 'Cause you know how it goes. No matter what, there's always going to be that classic pop cultural comparison. You know, when people say, "Eh! The book was better than the movie."
Well, I can honestly say that even though the films have always been near and dear to my heart (ever since I was in elementary school, in fact, when they were first broadcast on television in the USA), I think that the way the authors fleshed out the scripted material in both adaptations makes them even better! And you can't ask for much for than that, now can you?
Well... I suppose one could wish that better films had been made in the first place, but again, I don't get into all that fancy pants, too big and pithy for your britches, "critic" stuff. For me, the original series of Planet of the Apes films are, quite simply, what they are. And as far as I'm concerned, they are still some of the best motion pictures ever made, bar none.
Even WITHOUT CGI and the huge, multi-million dollar budgets and worldwide marketing campaigns of blockbuster films of today, the classic Planet of the Apes movies still somehow manage to be highly entertaining, extremely thought provoking, and still, even now, they are all very, very much beloved, just the way they are. And having finally read the first book in this fantastic Omnibus collection, I can rest easy, knowing that the very same is also true of the vintage novelizations based on the second and third films in the series.
September 27, 2018
I thought this was original stories but it's novelizations of the 2nd and 3rd movies of the original movie series. Regardless I loved revisiting this mythology and found some very heartfelt beats in the writing. Especially the ending.
April 11, 2019
Beneath the Planet of the Apes by Author Michael Avallone. This is the novelization of the second Planet of the Apes film and picks up right after the events of the first film with Taylor and Nova heading into the Forbidden Zone. Soon after Taylor goes missing behind a mental projected wall of ice leaving Nova to head back to Ape city in search for help. While this is going on Bret and his ship have just crashed on Earth and he his commanding officer lies dying in the hot sun. Once his commanding officer is gone he barres him and runs into Nova as he begins to explore the wasteland that he found himself in. Nova takes him to Ape city where he meets Zera and Cornelius who tell him of Taylor and give him garb to make him look like a human in that time. As this happens the gorilla General decides that the people of the Forbidden Zone must give up their land so that the Apes can spread out from Ape city into the rest of the country. Bret and Nova pass the ape army as they return to the Forbidden Zone and find out that Taylor had come across the mutants who live underground and who worship the bomb.
Escape from the Planet of the Apes by Author Jerry Pournelle. This is the novelization of the third Planet of the Apes film. The year is 1975 and the only survivors of the holocaust caused by the bomb have taken Taylors ship back through time and crashed off the coast of California. Once they are rescued by the Navy they are taken to the LA Zoo where Dr, Milo is killed by a gorilla in the cage next to theirs. This turn of events makes Zera and Cornelius the only survivors of what happened in 3955. But as they begin to speak the head science advisor to the president warns of humanities downfall by their son and wants to kill both Apes which leads them to have to escape from the facility that they where held in and Zera to give birth to their child who in this novelization is not called Caesar but Milo after their friend. This is a great omibus and one that I recommend to all Planet of the apes fans and all science fiction fans too.
Escape from the Planet of the Apes by Author Jerry Pournelle. This is the novelization of the third Planet of the Apes film. The year is 1975 and the only survivors of the holocaust caused by the bomb have taken Taylors ship back through time and crashed off the coast of California. Once they are rescued by the Navy they are taken to the LA Zoo where Dr, Milo is killed by a gorilla in the cage next to theirs. This turn of events makes Zera and Cornelius the only survivors of what happened in 3955. But as they begin to speak the head science advisor to the president warns of humanities downfall by their son and wants to kill both Apes which leads them to have to escape from the facility that they where held in and Zera to give birth to their child who in this novelization is not called Caesar but Milo after their friend. This is a great omibus and one that I recommend to all Planet of the apes fans and all science fiction fans too.
August 20, 2021
Planet of the Apes Omnibus 1 (As always no spoilers).
This is a review for both Beneath the Planet of the Apes and Escape from the Planet of the Apes. Both books are sequels to the original film starring Charlton Heston, not the Pierre Boulle book Planet of the Apes which actually started it all and was also a very good read.
Beneath the Planet of the Apes
Brent, an astronaut, crash lands his space ship on a desolate planet, he has been sent in search of another group of astronauts who went missing in space.
With his space ship in ruins, Brent goes on a search that will reveal a horrifying nightmare from which there is no return.
Escape from the Planet of the Apes
Cornelius, Zira and Dr Milo have escaped from the planet of the apes in Taylor's space ship, travelling back in time two thousand years to twentieth century America.
Frightened and awed at the same time by what they see, they are loved by the people who have never seen such intelligent chimpanzees, let alone heard one speak, but soon it is revealed what becomes of mankind in the future, and what happens to the planet Earth.
The chimpanzees are helped by a few humans to try to survive, but one man wants Cornelius, Zira and her unborn child dead, in his mind killing them will ensure that mankind does not fall prey to the apes.
Both books are VERY good and stay close to the films with some but not many differences. I really enjoyed reading them and gladly give them 5 stars each.
This is a review for both Beneath the Planet of the Apes and Escape from the Planet of the Apes. Both books are sequels to the original film starring Charlton Heston, not the Pierre Boulle book Planet of the Apes which actually started it all and was also a very good read.
Beneath the Planet of the Apes
Brent, an astronaut, crash lands his space ship on a desolate planet, he has been sent in search of another group of astronauts who went missing in space.
With his space ship in ruins, Brent goes on a search that will reveal a horrifying nightmare from which there is no return.
Escape from the Planet of the Apes
Cornelius, Zira and Dr Milo have escaped from the planet of the apes in Taylor's space ship, travelling back in time two thousand years to twentieth century America.
Frightened and awed at the same time by what they see, they are loved by the people who have never seen such intelligent chimpanzees, let alone heard one speak, but soon it is revealed what becomes of mankind in the future, and what happens to the planet Earth.
The chimpanzees are helped by a few humans to try to survive, but one man wants Cornelius, Zira and her unborn child dead, in his mind killing them will ensure that mankind does not fall prey to the apes.
Both books are VERY good and stay close to the films with some but not many differences. I really enjoyed reading them and gladly give them 5 stars each.
February 6, 2026
Okay, Beneath the Planet of the Apes was a bit of a chore to read. Lots of padding in those pages, so be prepared to skim. Otherwise, the story is very good, and of course the ending is phenomenal.
My rating: 3.5 Stars
Escape from The Planet of the Apes was fantastic! I had seen the film, but it had been a while, so it felt brand new to me. Lots of action, lots of philosophical questions to ponder. And yes, another phenomenal ending.
My rating: 4.5 Stars
Overall the Omnibus gets 4.0 Stars
My rating: 3.5 Stars
Escape from The Planet of the Apes was fantastic! I had seen the film, but it had been a while, so it felt brand new to me. Lots of action, lots of philosophical questions to ponder. And yes, another phenomenal ending.
My rating: 4.5 Stars
Overall the Omnibus gets 4.0 Stars
June 5, 2017
Finally read this...
After watching the movies so long ago, I decided to read the books and I was not disappointed. Just reading and picturing Charlton Heston was amazing. I enjoyed this and will continue to purchase the others.
After watching the movies so long ago, I decided to read the books and I was not disappointed. Just reading and picturing Charlton Heston was amazing. I enjoyed this and will continue to purchase the others.
December 26, 2023
Better than the movies.
Even though the books were written from the movies
, and despite the many typos, they were very good. You can easy figure out what supposed to be written and move on. Definitely worth the read.
Even though the books were written from the movies
, and despite the many typos, they were very good. You can easy figure out what supposed to be written and move on. Definitely worth the read.
July 5, 2017
Read these when they came out in the 70's. Glad to see them back in print.
July 25, 2017
Planet of the Apes Omnibus: Volume 1 is a collection of film novelizations reprinted by Titan Books. Featuring Beneath the Planet of the Apes by Michael Avallone and Escape from the Planet of the Apes by Jerry Pournelle, the adventures of Taylor, Nova, Cornelius, Zira, and Dr. Zaius are continued, first in a journey into the strange and bizarre reaches of the Forbidden Zone and then in a trip back in time to 1973 Los Angeles. Drawn from the original screenplays, the books adhere pretty closely to the films; though there are a few differences here and there, and some alternative/expanded scenes. However, the writing styles are quite different; with Avallone taking a more surreal and dramatic approach, while Pournelle’s is more character driven. A real treat for fans of the franchise, Planet of the Apes Omnibus: Volume 1 finally makes available these long out of print novels.
March 21, 2018
No one messes with a monkey !! Writing style and plot was awesome.
February 23, 2019
Wonder full trip down memory lane, I watched this at a drive in when they first came out.
August 19, 2025
A wonderful read, It gave me more lore than the movies themselves. If you liked the OG movies this series is a must. 5/5 stars.
February 24, 2024
This is the first fiction I have ever read and I think if anyone who doesn't read any fiction or like any fiction they can start from this book as this is not that much complex to understand and it is easy reading book.
Displaying 1 - 15 of 15 reviews