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Gene Roddenberry's Earth: Final Conflict #1
The Arrival
Jonathan Doors. A man at the head of the world's largest corporation, Doors International. A man of wealth and power, with the resources to change the world. A man whose life is about to change forever.
In the early days of the twenty-first century, The Earth stands still to hear the "We are the Companions...."
The Taelons have arrived from beyond the stars on mission of mercy, to help humanity claim its destiny. Contacted by these Companions, Jonathan Doors helps introduce the aliens and their fantastic technology to the world. but there is a dark shadow behind the Taelons' bright promises, and when it is revealed to Jonathan Doors, he will become their greatest enemy.
In the early days of the twenty-first century, The Earth stands still to hear the "We are the Companions...."
The Taelons have arrived from beyond the stars on mission of mercy, to help humanity claim its destiny. Contacted by these Companions, Jonathan Doors helps introduce the aliens and their fantastic technology to the world. but there is a dark shadow behind the Taelons' bright promises, and when it is revealed to Jonathan Doors, he will become their greatest enemy.
- GenresScience FictionFiction
315 pages, Mass Market Paperback
First published December 17, 1999
2 people are currently reading
115 people want to read
About the author
Fred Saberhagen
335 books495 followersFred Saberhagen was an American science fiction and fantasy author most famous for his ''Beserker'' and Dracula stories.
Saberhagen also wrote a series of a series of post-apocalyptic mytho-magical novels beginning with his popular ''Empire of the East'' and continuing through a long series of ''Swords'' and ''Lost Swords'' novels. Saberhagen died of cancer, in Albuquerque, New Mexico
Saberhagen was born in and grew up in the area of Chicago, Illinois. Saberhagen served in the [[U.S. Air Force]] during the Korean War while he was in his early twenties. Back in civilian life, Saberhagen worked as an It was while he was working for Motorola (after his military service) that Saberhagen started writing fiction seriously at the age of about 30. "Fortress Ship", his first "Berserker" short shory, was published in 1963. Then, in 1964, Saberhagen saw the publication of his first novel, ''The Golden People''.
From 1967 to 1973, he worked as an editor for the Chemistry articles in the ''Encyclopædia Britannica'' as well as writing its article on science fiction. He then quit and took up writing full-time. In 1975, he moved to Albuquerque, New Mexico.
He married fellow writer Joan Spicci in 1968. They had two sons and a daughter.
Saberhagen also wrote a series of a series of post-apocalyptic mytho-magical novels beginning with his popular ''Empire of the East'' and continuing through a long series of ''Swords'' and ''Lost Swords'' novels. Saberhagen died of cancer, in Albuquerque, New Mexico
Saberhagen was born in and grew up in the area of Chicago, Illinois. Saberhagen served in the [[U.S. Air Force]] during the Korean War while he was in his early twenties. Back in civilian life, Saberhagen worked as an It was while he was working for Motorola (after his military service) that Saberhagen started writing fiction seriously at the age of about 30. "Fortress Ship", his first "Berserker" short shory, was published in 1963. Then, in 1964, Saberhagen saw the publication of his first novel, ''The Golden People''.
From 1967 to 1973, he worked as an editor for the Chemistry articles in the ''Encyclopædia Britannica'' as well as writing its article on science fiction. He then quit and took up writing full-time. In 1975, he moved to Albuquerque, New Mexico.
He married fellow writer Joan Spicci in 1968. They had two sons and a daughter.
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Displaying 1 - 7 of 7 reviews
March 31, 2011
I am an Earth: Final Conflict fanatic. I have all the DVDs and still watch them. I believe the strength of the series was in its unique approach in that it showed US through objective alien eyes. The focus was on EARTH not the stars. Too bad the potential was never realized to the max. Same with this book.
It was so devoid of strong plot lines. I felt almost NONE of the strength of character of Jonathan Doors which we have come to know and love in the series. His father's story was not captivating in the least. There was too much deux ex machina - things being pulled out of a hat with no explanation.
Truth be told this book read like a bad fan fiction novel whose author decided to try and capitalize on the fanaticism of us fans. Case in point - why the hell is Lilli on the cover when to my recollection she was not even in the book? I'm surprised they didn't put Da'an on the cover (he at least had a cameo appearance)...
PS - I love Lilli. Rene Palmer eat your heart out!
It was so devoid of strong plot lines. I felt almost NONE of the strength of character of Jonathan Doors which we have come to know and love in the series. His father's story was not captivating in the least. There was too much deux ex machina - things being pulled out of a hat with no explanation.
Truth be told this book read like a bad fan fiction novel whose author decided to try and capitalize on the fanaticism of us fans. Case in point - why the hell is Lilli on the cover when to my recollection she was not even in the book? I'm surprised they didn't put Da'an on the cover (he at least had a cameo appearance)...
PS - I love Lilli. Rene Palmer eat your heart out!
July 4, 2019
I seem to be in the minority but I think this is an excellent prequel to the TV series. It does a good job of explaining Jonathan Doors’ motivations and mistrust of the Taelons. The story of Doors’ father is mysterious and entertaining. I quite enjoyed it.
I did read this once when it was first published and I’m surprised that my brain retained so much of it. I remembered it pretty well.
I did read this once when it was first published and I’m surprised that my brain retained so much of it. I remembered it pretty well.
February 26, 2020
Fun for Sci-fi fans
January 1, 2024
A good expansion to the first season storyline (that thankfully doesn't rely on anything from season 2 onwards). Leaves some questions unresolved, but on the whole, a good addition to the show.
April 26, 2009
I wish I had noticed that it was about a TV show before I read it...but it was good. It was Sci-Fi, which is what I needed at the time. Also, he seems like a good writer. I'll have to read more of his.
July 22, 2012
It's a ok book for a sci-fi story but as part of the universe of earth final conflict tv show is simpy bad with the characters and taelons being profoundly different from the show, to make it worst most of the book is told my doors father past which is plain uninteresting.
April 24, 2017
I'm a huge Saberhagen fan and I loved this book! I only wish he had written the others in the series. I never watched the show so rated it based on the book and not with a comparison to the TV series.
Displaying 1 - 7 of 7 reviews