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Blue Collar Space
The future doesn’t just happen… Somebody has to build it.Martin L. Shoemaker, author of “Today I Am Paul”, presents stories of ordinary people doing extraordinary work. Planning, exploring, constructing… living and growing and dying… across the Solar System.Includes these award-winning Scramble (second place, Jim Baen Memorial Short Story Award, 2012)Unrefined (third place, Writers of the Future, 2014)Racing to Mars (first place, Analog Analytical Laboratory award, 2016)Plus seven more stories!
- GenresScience Fiction
246 pages, Kindle Edition
First published May 21, 2018
83 people are currently reading
82 people want to read
About the author
Martin L. Shoemaker
114 books89 followersMartin L. Shoemaker has dual careers as a software programmer and as an acclaimed, award-winning short story writer. He’s also the author of two novels, The Last Dance and The Last Campaign, installments in the Near Earth Mysteries science fiction series.
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Displaying 1 - 14 of 14 reviews
January 26, 2024
I'm glad I found a copy to keep so I can reread these stories. My inner nerd is so delighted with this descendent of the Golden Age hard science 'pulp' fiction.
"You can work on the project or you can manage the project, but you can't do both. You can only fail at both."
"You can work on the project or you can manage the project, but you can't do both. You can only fail at both."
December 22, 2018
A nice set of stories all focused on people working through environmental or physical challenges in lunar, martian or space settings. The stories are filled with characters that many longtime sci-fi readers imagine themselves to be. That is folks who work hard and generally have an analytical approach to challenges.
For those looking of fiction that addresses stories of minorities or LGBTQ issues, this is not for you. The stories are all set in a place where either those issues have been resolved to the point where none of the characters worry about them anymore or if you are pessimistic about such topics, they are ignored in favor of boring traditional type characters. I would like to think it is the former, but your mileage may vary.
For those looking of fiction that addresses stories of minorities or LGBTQ issues, this is not for you. The stories are all set in a place where either those issues have been resolved to the point where none of the characters worry about them anymore or if you are pessimistic about such topics, they are ignored in favor of boring traditional type characters. I would like to think it is the former, but your mileage may vary.
May 26, 2021
I really like Martin Shoemaker's books. This is perhaps my least favorite. I call his writing "old fashioned science fiction", with a mixture of good story telling, suspense, character development (so you CARE about the characters, even the not-so-nice ones), geeky technobabble, and broad vision of humanity's future. T. O'Connor Sloane once said that science fiction should make clear what inventions need to be invented soon and what fields need to be studied now, if we are to arrive at a bright future. Shoemaker's books help with that endeavor as well.
For me, the trouble with this book is that it is a collection of short stories published over several years in various pubications, loosely organized around the three themes of lunar, martian and jovian exploration. The stories are uneven. Some are among my favorite sf short stories. Some were a little boring. But that is the way with collections, so I still give the book 4 stars.
For me, the trouble with this book is that it is a collection of short stories published over several years in various pubications, loosely organized around the three themes of lunar, martian and jovian exploration. The stories are uneven. Some are among my favorite sf short stories. Some were a little boring. But that is the way with collections, so I still give the book 4 stars.
January 10, 2020
As with most short story collections, there are a couple that don't appeal to the reader, but I enjoyed the majority of these stories.
I really like the theme of "blue collar" which told me from the outset the stories would be more about the working crew, rather than featuring a dashing captain who gets all the women.
Overall, I recommend it as a good book you can pick up, read a story, then go do something else before reading the next story. I read two full novels with this book acting as my spacer (pun intended) between the novels which required much more of my attention for a longer period.
I like short story anthologies. I've got a couple of them myself.
I really like the theme of "blue collar" which told me from the outset the stories would be more about the working crew, rather than featuring a dashing captain who gets all the women.
Overall, I recommend it as a good book you can pick up, read a story, then go do something else before reading the next story. I read two full novels with this book acting as my spacer (pun intended) between the novels which required much more of my attention for a longer period.
I like short story anthologies. I've got a couple of them myself.
September 30, 2020
Interesting collection of short stories
Wasn't sure what to expect as I started the book. I read the synopsis of the book, and have read a different book by Shoemaker, so I knew the type of story telling I was about to dive into, yet despite this, I was still pleasantly surprised. It interesting to go through a series of stories that covers the mundane day to day happenings of living and working in space. Given, this book will never be adapted to a blockbuster sci-fi flick, but can definitely shed light to what the extras in the background should be up to.
Wasn't sure what to expect as I started the book. I read the synopsis of the book, and have read a different book by Shoemaker, so I knew the type of story telling I was about to dive into, yet despite this, I was still pleasantly surprised. It interesting to go through a series of stories that covers the mundane day to day happenings of living and working in space. Given, this book will never be adapted to a blockbuster sci-fi flick, but can definitely shed light to what the extras in the background should be up to.
November 16, 2019
Enjoyable escapist near-future science fiction.
As the title suggests, Shoemaker delivers a work-a-day reality. However, blue collar he may see it, the stories are laden with science. Plot points depend on metallic, orbital, and closed system properties.
Although he sketches the future in solar system activities, I wish he painted the scenes with a bit more impasto.
Nonetheless, I'll read another of his works.
As the title suggests, Shoemaker delivers a work-a-day reality. However, blue collar he may see it, the stories are laden with science. Plot points depend on metallic, orbital, and closed system properties.
Although he sketches the future in solar system activities, I wish he painted the scenes with a bit more impasto.
Nonetheless, I'll read another of his works.
August 9, 2018
Finally! A sci-fi book that tells the stories of the folks who really do all the work!
If that weren't enough, the stories themselves are all solid and with many that are exceptional. They're organized into chapters dealing with different spaces/places/situations. I really enjoyed this one tremendously.
If that weren't enough, the stories themselves are all solid and with many that are exceptional. They're organized into chapters dealing with different spaces/places/situations. I really enjoyed this one tremendously.
April 1, 2020
Love the hardcore blue collar science/engineering
It's been long time since I've read anything as good as Kim Stanley Robinson ( 'tho not as broad-viewed as the latter). Engineers and orbit analysts should love it, too.
It's been long time since I've read anything as good as Kim Stanley Robinson ( 'tho not as broad-viewed as the latter). Engineers and orbit analysts should love it, too.
November 1, 2019
Enjoyed
A fully fleshed out world in space with plausible an.d consistent features. Almost believable. Good story line and exciting action.
A fully fleshed out world in space with plausible an.d consistent features. Almost believable. Good story line and exciting action.
January 5, 2020
Very enjoyable eclectic mix of stories
Play all read easily and I loved the depths of science within his fiction. I will continue to read all of his stories
Play all read easily and I loved the depths of science within his fiction. I will continue to read all of his stories
April 28, 2020
Astronauts solve problems
If you like reading about astronauts solving technical problems in space, then you may enjoy this. Otherwise, you may find it repetitive and shallow.
If you like reading about astronauts solving technical problems in space, then you may enjoy this. Otherwise, you may find it repetitive and shallow.
June 20, 2020
Nice Collection...
...of short stories...easy reading. Characters and story lines appear in later fleshed out novels. Recommended sci fi for all readers.
...of short stories...easy reading. Characters and story lines appear in later fleshed out novels. Recommended sci fi for all readers.
May 27, 2022
I loved this collection. The stories were all fun and enjoyable.
Displaying 1 - 14 of 14 reviews