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Invasion: Earth
A space ship crash lands in New York City and the strange creature on board warns of a coming attack on Earth by the warships of a savage alien race
- GenresScience FictionFiction
211 pages, Mass Market Paperback
First published May 1, 1982
1 person is currently reading
151 people want to read
About the author
Harry Harrison
1,293 books1,043 followersLibrarian Note: There is more than one author in the Goodreads database with this name.
Harry Harrison (born Henry Maxwell Dempsey) was an American science fiction author best known for his character the The Stainless Steel Rat and the novel Make Room! Make Room! (1966), the basis for the film Soylent Green (1973). He was also (with Brian W. Aldiss) co-president of the Birmingham Science Fiction Group.
Excerpted from Wikipedia.
Harry Harrison (born Henry Maxwell Dempsey) was an American science fiction author best known for his character the The Stainless Steel Rat and the novel Make Room! Make Room! (1966), the basis for the film Soylent Green (1973). He was also (with Brian W. Aldiss) co-president of the Birmingham Science Fiction Group.
Excerpted from Wikipedia.
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Displaying 1 - 14 of 14 reviews
May 17, 2022
4 / 5 for 'Invasion: Earth' by Harry Harrison
Another cracking little sci-fi adventure by Harrison, a true master of the genre. It's a short book at only 150 pages, but the majority of sci-fi novels from the Golden and Silver Ages of Sci-Fi are short works; I find this is not to their detriment. The subject matter and story style suits a shorter novel, so 150 pages is just about right.
Despite its brevity, this book is exciting and engrossing throughout, detailing humanity's stance against 2 different alien races who arrive on Earth, seemingly in the middle of their own intergalactic war, with both sides trying to convince humanity to side with them against the other.
There are a series of delightful twists and turns as the story progresses and there is a surprising amount of emotional depth when atomic weapons are brought into play and the body count rises into millions. Understandably, this is one of Harrison's less humorous books, but the serious tone suits the story and is pleasantly reminiscent of some of the more gung-ho, 'tough guy saves the world' sci-fi adventures from the 1940s and 1950s. The story builds to an exciting climax and ends quickly but enjoyably.
Sure, there isn't much characterisation, the whole thing feels a little light and swift, and the book is reasonably sexist and perhaps not very well attuned to modern sensibilities, but I feel this is due more to the book being a product of its time, rather than any active misogyny by the author.
Overall, an exciting sci-fi adventure, written by a master of the genre, even if it is a little short and a little light.
4 / 5
Another cracking little sci-fi adventure by Harrison, a true master of the genre. It's a short book at only 150 pages, but the majority of sci-fi novels from the Golden and Silver Ages of Sci-Fi are short works; I find this is not to their detriment. The subject matter and story style suits a shorter novel, so 150 pages is just about right.
Despite its brevity, this book is exciting and engrossing throughout, detailing humanity's stance against 2 different alien races who arrive on Earth, seemingly in the middle of their own intergalactic war, with both sides trying to convince humanity to side with them against the other.
There are a series of delightful twists and turns as the story progresses and there is a surprising amount of emotional depth when atomic weapons are brought into play and the body count rises into millions. Understandably, this is one of Harrison's less humorous books, but the serious tone suits the story and is pleasantly reminiscent of some of the more gung-ho, 'tough guy saves the world' sci-fi adventures from the 1940s and 1950s. The story builds to an exciting climax and ends quickly but enjoyably.
Sure, there isn't much characterisation, the whole thing feels a little light and swift, and the book is reasonably sexist and perhaps not very well attuned to modern sensibilities, but I feel this is due more to the book being a product of its time, rather than any active misogyny by the author.
Overall, an exciting sci-fi adventure, written by a master of the genre, even if it is a little short and a little light.
4 / 5
December 3, 2025
The alien spaceship speared the skies over the United States before crashing in Central Park in New York. Military on the scene found a scene of dead alien bodies. Of two species. The larger, fiercer-looking Blettr attacked a soldier and was killed, its weapon exploding, while further in the ship a different type of alien, the Oinn, is found hanging from restraints. It looks like a captive. The rescued Oinn relates a tale of war between the two species, and accuses the Blettr of aggression. Shortly thereafter Denver is destroyed by a fearsome weapon. Earth sides with the Oinn and aids in the creation of a weapon system in Antarctica, but slowly a captain in the military suspects something fishy is going on. Both the Oinn and the Blettr speak the same language, and when communication is made with the Blettr on the far side of the Moon, they say that the Oinn are the aggressors! Lies abound. A secret plan is drawn up to examine the installation at the south pole and a devious and horrific plot is uncovered. Harry Harrison has peened a pretty standard potboiler here, as episodic and cliffhangery as a Saturday afternoon serial. It trots along nicely and is embellished by some wonderful artwork from Broeck Steadman. Occupies an entertaining, if violent, few hours.
January 31, 2019
Just an old paperback I stumbled across in the bargain bin.
Originally written in 1982, this work reads more like an earlier work by Heinlein. It was a very quick read. It also contains some interesting illustrations. I feel the illustrations are typical of the publication date. The ending is also typical of this time. I liked the overall feel of the story telling. But it is only a fluff piece, good for an afternoon's distraction.
Have a GoodReads.
Originally written in 1982, this work reads more like an earlier work by Heinlein. It was a very quick read. It also contains some interesting illustrations. I feel the illustrations are typical of the publication date. The ending is also typical of this time. I liked the overall feel of the story telling. But it is only a fluff piece, good for an afternoon's distraction.
Have a GoodReads.
August 28, 2024
A short novel of rival aliens battling it out and locked in argument with people on earth. I found the story too vague in its descriptions, though still effective, but mainly just a continuous conversation between the military and aliens right up until the last page. I enjoyed the shorty but was always wishing it would turn in a different direction, especially when it came to the humans exterminating the aliens
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
April 13, 2025
Great plot twist 👏
December 12, 2025
[Sphere Books Limited] (1985). First Printing. SB. 150 Pages. Purchased from smorg_uk.
23 short chapters. Engaging enough - occasionally exciting - but I wouldn’t re-read it.
23 short chapters. Engaging enough - occasionally exciting - but I wouldn’t re-read it.
February 16, 2017
This is another alien invasion story based on a ship appearing out of nowhere and landing in Central Park in New York City. Colonel Robert Haywood of Air Force Intelligence is coincidentally in the city and he along with the rest of his three-man team are the first humans to enter the spacecraft. They find two creatures dead at the controls, kill another like it that attacks them and free another that was manacled to the wall.
That creature says that it is a member of a species called the Oinn and can speak English, it claims that it learned it and Russian from observing Earth’s television broadcasts. Its name is Hes’bu and the story is that his race is in a deadly war with another called the Blettr, the two pilots and the other creature were Blettr and were holding him prisoner.
The Colonel is joined by Soviet intelligence operative Nadia Andrianova, an expert linguist that is quickly able to learn the language of the Oinn. Hes’bu claims that the Blettr are powerful and have been following his ship and are most likely on their way to Earth in order to conquer it. The genuine external threat leads to the end of the hostility between the United States and the Soviet Union as they join forces to prepare for the invasion.
However Haywood and Andrianova have their doubts about the claims made by Hes’bu and they engage in additional intelligence gathering. They quickly learn that all is not as it appears, so alternate plans must be made.
The story itself has some major logical flaws, yet it moves along well enough to keep you entertained. Militarism is a dominant theme, but not to the point where it is overboard. Basically it is a formulaic alien invasion story with a few minor plot twists.
That creature says that it is a member of a species called the Oinn and can speak English, it claims that it learned it and Russian from observing Earth’s television broadcasts. Its name is Hes’bu and the story is that his race is in a deadly war with another called the Blettr, the two pilots and the other creature were Blettr and were holding him prisoner.
The Colonel is joined by Soviet intelligence operative Nadia Andrianova, an expert linguist that is quickly able to learn the language of the Oinn. Hes’bu claims that the Blettr are powerful and have been following his ship and are most likely on their way to Earth in order to conquer it. The genuine external threat leads to the end of the hostility between the United States and the Soviet Union as they join forces to prepare for the invasion.
However Haywood and Andrianova have their doubts about the claims made by Hes’bu and they engage in additional intelligence gathering. They quickly learn that all is not as it appears, so alternate plans must be made.
The story itself has some major logical flaws, yet it moves along well enough to keep you entertained. Militarism is a dominant theme, but not to the point where it is overboard. Basically it is a formulaic alien invasion story with a few minor plot twists.
October 31, 2009
A nice little SF novel dealing with the invasion of Earth by aliens (bet you couldn't have worked that out from the title.) The aliens are part of an intergalactic war going on with another species, which is about to roll over our solar system.
As ever with Harry Harrison, its well written. It's got a nice twist, which unfortunately I remembered after reading it about 15 years before. It's not his greatest work, but it's a good little book which entertains.
As ever with Harry Harrison, its well written. It's got a nice twist, which unfortunately I remembered after reading it about 15 years before. It's not his greatest work, but it's a good little book which entertains.
February 18, 2010
found on my bookshelf, published 1982, 1st chapter talks about the World Trade Tower and it being the tallest building in the world, I don't normally read alien invades the earth type books. I did like this one. Short, simple, 1984 technology is a bit behind but does not really go in to much techy detail.
January 14, 2020
Aliens come to earth.
Aliens warn of a worse enemy coming
Should we help the aliens.
Watch the Justice League season two end story "Starcrossed" for a much better, much more entertaining version of the story.
Or even the "V" mini series
After re-read I liked it a bit better this time but I think the last page really sucks.
Aliens warn of a worse enemy coming
Should we help the aliens.
Watch the Justice League season two end story "Starcrossed" for a much better, much more entertaining version of the story.
Or even the "V" mini series
After re-read I liked it a bit better this time but I think the last page really sucks.
February 14, 2021
A spaceship crashes. The ET in it reports that a hostile alien race wants to conquer earth. They, who are the "good" aliens, try to protect us. But after a while, the military intelligence starts to wonder if that story is really true.
A somewhat interesting variation of the old alien invasion plot. Mostly a militaristic novel with a nearly pacifistic turn at the end. All in all it was not bad
A somewhat interesting variation of the old alien invasion plot. Mostly a militaristic novel with a nearly pacifistic turn at the end. All in all it was not bad
November 6, 2016
A classic alien invasion book with some entertaining twists. Quick pacing helps get this book started and tears through to the end. Harry Harrison does almost come off as a little preachy on the very last page. But otherwise, highly enjoyable.
December 20, 2007
read 04.26.84
February 16, 2016
Good earth invasion SiFi story. Recommended
Displaying 1 - 14 of 14 reviews