What do you think?
Rate this book
Johnny Maxwell #1
Only You Can Save Mankind
The alien spaceship is in his sights. His finger is on the Fire button. Johnny Maxwell is about to set the new high score on the computer game Only You Can Save Mankind.
Suddenly:
We wish to talk.
Huh?
We surrender.
The aliens aren't supposed to surrender -- they're supposed to die! Now what is Johnny going to do with a fleet of alien prisoners who know their rights under the international rules of war and are demanding safe-conduct? It's hard enough trying to save Mankind from the Galactic Hordes. It's even harder trying to save the Galactic Hordes from Mankind.
But it's just a game, isn't it? Isn't it?
Master storyteller Terry Pratchett leaves readers breathless -- with laughter, and with suspense -- in a reality-bending tale of virtual heroism.
Suddenly:
We wish to talk.
Huh?
We surrender.
The aliens aren't supposed to surrender -- they're supposed to die! Now what is Johnny going to do with a fleet of alien prisoners who know their rights under the international rules of war and are demanding safe-conduct? It's hard enough trying to save Mankind from the Galactic Hordes. It's even harder trying to save the Galactic Hordes from Mankind.
But it's just a game, isn't it? Isn't it?
Master storyteller Terry Pratchett leaves readers breathless -- with laughter, and with suspense -- in a reality-bending tale of virtual heroism.
208 pages, Hardcover
First published January 1, 1992
353 people are currently reading
5979 people want to read
About the author
Terry Pratchett
680 books46.2k followersSir Terence David John Pratchett was an English author, humorist, and satirist, best known for the Discworld series of 41 comic fantasy novels published between 1983–2015, and for the apocalyptic comedy novel Good Omens (1990), which he co-wrote with Neil Gaiman.
Pratchett's first novel, The Carpet People, was published in 1971. The first Discworld novel, The Colour of Magic, was published in 1983, after which Pratchett wrote an average of two books a year. The final Discworld novel, The Shepherd's Crown, was published in August 2015, five months after his death.
With more than 100 million books sold worldwide in 43 languages, Pratchett was the UK's best-selling author of the 1990s. He was appointed an Officer of the Order of the British Empire (OBE) in 1998 and was knighted for services to literature in the 2009 New Year Honours. In 2001 he won the annual Carnegie Medal for The Amazing Maurice and His Educated Rodents, the first Discworld book marketed for children. He received the World Fantasy Award for Life Achievement in 2010.
In December 2007 Pratchett announced that he had been diagnosed with early-onset Alzheimer's disease. He later made a substantial public donation to the Alzheimer's Research Trust (now Alzheimer's Research UK, ARUK), filmed three television programmes chronicling his experiences with the condition for the BBC, and became a patron of ARUK. Pratchett died on 12 March 2015, at the age of 66.
Pratchett's first novel, The Carpet People, was published in 1971. The first Discworld novel, The Colour of Magic, was published in 1983, after which Pratchett wrote an average of two books a year. The final Discworld novel, The Shepherd's Crown, was published in August 2015, five months after his death.
With more than 100 million books sold worldwide in 43 languages, Pratchett was the UK's best-selling author of the 1990s. He was appointed an Officer of the Order of the British Empire (OBE) in 1998 and was knighted for services to literature in the 2009 New Year Honours. In 2001 he won the annual Carnegie Medal for The Amazing Maurice and His Educated Rodents, the first Discworld book marketed for children. He received the World Fantasy Award for Life Achievement in 2010.
In December 2007 Pratchett announced that he had been diagnosed with early-onset Alzheimer's disease. He later made a substantial public donation to the Alzheimer's Research Trust (now Alzheimer's Research UK, ARUK), filmed three television programmes chronicling his experiences with the condition for the BBC, and became a patron of ARUK. Pratchett died on 12 March 2015, at the age of 66.
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 658 reviews
May 3, 2021
Nice story for the young and young at heart from late Sir Terry Pratchett. 7 of 10 stars
November 16, 2016
So this is Terry Pratchett outside of Discworld.
It was ok, but I think it was a short story stretched into a book.
The big theme of war being real and not a game was a bit preachy, but maybe that's because it's aimed at the YA audience.
Then the author touches on universal problems faced by kids everywhere: parents on the verge of a break up, trying to fit in with the other kids, surviving in the inner city, etc. But since these are not the main story, he never goes anywhere with them.
I wasn't entirely riveted by the main story either.
It starts well with the aliens surrendering, but it was too slow after that for me.
It was ok, but I think it was a short story stretched into a book.
The big theme of war being real and not a game was a bit preachy, but maybe that's because it's aimed at the YA audience.
Then the author touches on universal problems faced by kids everywhere: parents on the verge of a break up, trying to fit in with the other kids, surviving in the inner city, etc. But since these are not the main story, he never goes anywhere with them.
I wasn't entirely riveted by the main story either.
It starts well with the aliens surrendering, but it was too slow after that for me.
December 22, 2023
2023 Revier
This book does age well, even though such games are by now obsolete. It hits differently too, with what is going on in Gaza at this point in time.
Also Johnny is far superior to Harry Potter because Johnny actually sees people.
Older Review
Considering the popularity of first person shooters, this book is still very timely. It's Pratchett, it's funny and delivers a message. Kristi is the protype of Hermonie. Enjoyable.
A really good what if type of a story, especially if you ever played Space Invaders. There are a couple questions concerning the aliens and the game that Pratchett doesn't answer.
This book does age well, even though such games are by now obsolete. It hits differently too, with what is going on in Gaza at this point in time.
Also Johnny is far superior to Harry Potter because Johnny actually sees people.
Older Review
Considering the popularity of first person shooters, this book is still very timely. It's Pratchett, it's funny and delivers a message. Kristi is the protype of Hermonie. Enjoyable.
A really good what if type of a story, especially if you ever played Space Invaders. There are a couple questions concerning the aliens and the game that Pratchett doesn't answer.
April 21, 2012
Another great story by Pratchett. He must wake up every morning and think, "What should I make fun of today?" And then he proceeds with mockery while sneaking in valuable social insights. This book is shorter than most of his other books, but it made for great audiobook listening on a four-hour road trip.
January 6, 2014
This book was how Terry Pratchett dealt with the first gulf war, I think. I wish I had read it when I was a kid and images of that war were broadcast over my TV screen, interrupting my favorite television shows and occupying the conversation of adults. The main character in the book, Johnny, cared a bit more than I did, but felt basically the same-- these images carried no meaning, as bland and removed from life as an old, out of date video game.
There's one hugely funny bit where Johnny defines sexism for the ScreeWee Captain: " "It just means you should treat people as people and, you know... not just assume girls can't do stuff. We got a talk about it at school. There's lots of stuff girls can't do, but you've got to pretend they can, so that more of them will. That's all of it, really"
"Presumably there's, uh, stuff boy's can't do?"
"Oh, yeah . But that's just girls' stuff," said Johnny."
There's one hugely funny bit where Johnny defines sexism for the ScreeWee Captain: " "It just means you should treat people as people and, you know... not just assume girls can't do stuff. We got a talk about it at school. There's lots of stuff girls can't do, but you've got to pretend they can, so that more of them will. That's all of it, really"
"Presumably there's, uh, stuff boy's can't do?"
"Oh, yeah . But that's just girls' stuff," said Johnny."
February 24, 2010
From School Library Journal
Johnny Maxwell, 12, thinks he's a loser. People don't seem to notice him, his parents are threatening to split up, and he's not very good at the shoot-up-the-bad-guys computer games that he and his friends are always playing. But after his hacker buddy, Wobbler, gives him an illegal copy of Only You Can Save Mankind, strange things happen. The captain of the alien fleet that Johnny is supposed to shoot up surrenders to him–unheard of in a computer game–and soon after that all of the aliens from all copies of the game have vanished. Players looking for someone to shoot at sail through light years of empty space and return the game to the store, demanding their money back. Johnny also discovers that he is able to enter the alien ship in dreams and grows convinced that the aliens are somehow real, and are actually dying when human players shoot at them. And soon the day arrives when the humans can resume their shooting. The story is told against the backdrop of the 1991 Gulf War, in which many of the battles were fought with the help of PC screens, and the antiwar message of the story soon becomes a little too heavy-handed and obvious. Although the storytelling here is not as polished as it is in Pratchett's The Wee Free Men (HarperCollins, 2003), the humor is sharp and the story is great fun to read. This is the first in a trilogy published in England; U.S. editions of Johnny and the Dead and Johnny and the Bomb will soon follow.
I read this because I so thoroughly enjoyed Terry Pratchett's book Thud! This one was a bit different in flavor, and felt a bit slower-paced to me. The video game stuff was very outdated, as the book was first published many years ago, and Johnny spends a little too much time wondering if the game is real before he takes action. Overall, though, I did enjoy the book, especially his interactions with "Sigourney."
Recommended for Grade 5-8
Johnny Maxwell, 12, thinks he's a loser. People don't seem to notice him, his parents are threatening to split up, and he's not very good at the shoot-up-the-bad-guys computer games that he and his friends are always playing. But after his hacker buddy, Wobbler, gives him an illegal copy of Only You Can Save Mankind, strange things happen. The captain of the alien fleet that Johnny is supposed to shoot up surrenders to him–unheard of in a computer game–and soon after that all of the aliens from all copies of the game have vanished. Players looking for someone to shoot at sail through light years of empty space and return the game to the store, demanding their money back. Johnny also discovers that he is able to enter the alien ship in dreams and grows convinced that the aliens are somehow real, and are actually dying when human players shoot at them. And soon the day arrives when the humans can resume their shooting. The story is told against the backdrop of the 1991 Gulf War, in which many of the battles were fought with the help of PC screens, and the antiwar message of the story soon becomes a little too heavy-handed and obvious. Although the storytelling here is not as polished as it is in Pratchett's The Wee Free Men (HarperCollins, 2003), the humor is sharp and the story is great fun to read. This is the first in a trilogy published in England; U.S. editions of Johnny and the Dead and Johnny and the Bomb will soon follow.
I read this because I so thoroughly enjoyed Terry Pratchett's book Thud! This one was a bit different in flavor, and felt a bit slower-paced to me. The video game stuff was very outdated, as the book was first published many years ago, and Johnny spends a little too much time wondering if the game is real before he takes action. Overall, though, I did enjoy the book, especially his interactions with "Sigourney."
Recommended for Grade 5-8
April 4, 2020
Johnny Maxwell'i tanıyor musunuz? Tanımalısınız.
Johnny, Terry Pratchett'ın şimdiye dek yazdığı en harika karakter olabilir. Ve ismini verdiği seri de, hâliyle, en harika serisi.
On iki yaşında, yalnız bir çocuğun -ve arkadaşlarının- başından fantastik, bilimkurgusal maceralara odaklanan JM Serisinin bu ilk kitabı bizi ta 90'lı yıllara, Körfez Savaşına götürüyor; hem de bilgisayar oyunlarıyla ve Alien filmleriyle iç içe bir atmosferde. Savaş karşıtlığı, etik yargılar, ötekileştirme, sanallık ve gerçeklik gibi derin konuları bir grup bilinçli çocuğun goygoyları üstünden başarıyla anlatan, olağanüstü bir serüven.
Laf olsun diye değil, gerçekten öyle.
Şiddet içerikli oyunların, filmlerin, müziklerin falan şiddeti körükleyip körüklemediği uzun yıllardır süregelen bir tartışma. Şimdilerde biraz duruldu aslında, fakat hatırlayanlar hatırlayacaktır ki bu tartışma aslında doksanlı yılların satanizm temalı reality showlarına kadar uzanır. (Cidden, 90’larda o ne furyaydı öyle...) Elbette boş bir tartışma bu. Hemen her konuda, tartışma adabını bilmeden yaptığımız hemen her tartışma gibi, boş. Çok iyi hatırlıyorum: Üniversitedeyken hocanın biri, 2003’teki Irak savaşına giden ABD askerlerinin metal müzik dinleyerek motive olduğunu söylemişti derste. Neyse ki hemen o anda, uzun saçlı, deri ceketli bir metal neferi çıkıp o çok bilen okutmanın ağzının payını vermişti, ama... Nasıl boş bir yorumdu o! Bomboş, bommmboş. (Gerçi düşününce... cehaletin, en uzak kalması gereken yerlerden bile yayılabildiğini göstermesi açısından yararlı bile sayılır, evet.) Yıllarca anlatmaya çalıştık biz de hep birlikte: Önemli olan, ürünün niteliği değil; ürünün nasıl alımlandığı. Nasıl bir insan olunduğu. “Bu icat kötü ellere geçerse işimiz bitti!” demek, işin kolayına kaçmak olur; üretim ve düşünüm biter, insanlık ilerleyemez olur.
Johnny Maxwell de işte bu minvalde düşünerek beni fazlasıyla sevindiriyor neyse ki. Aslında ne savaşan askerler savaşmak, ölmek ve öldürmek istiyor, ne de izleyen insanlar bunları izlemeyi arzuluyor. Fakat inandırılmışız işte, kanıksatılmışız savaşın hayatımızın kaçınılmaz, normal bir unsuru olduğuna.
Müthiş mesajı ve müthiş mizahıyla, müthişten de öte bir kitap, İnsanlığı Ancak Sen Kurtarabilirsin. (Çünkü, normal yani, müthiş kere müthiş müthişkare yapar.)
Johnny, Terry Pratchett'ın şimdiye dek yazdığı en harika karakter olabilir. Ve ismini verdiği seri de, hâliyle, en harika serisi.
On iki yaşında, yalnız bir çocuğun -ve arkadaşlarının- başından fantastik, bilimkurgusal maceralara odaklanan JM Serisinin bu ilk kitabı bizi ta 90'lı yıllara, Körfez Savaşına götürüyor; hem de bilgisayar oyunlarıyla ve Alien filmleriyle iç içe bir atmosferde. Savaş karşıtlığı, etik yargılar, ötekileştirme, sanallık ve gerçeklik gibi derin konuları bir grup bilinçli çocuğun goygoyları üstünden başarıyla anlatan, olağanüstü bir serüven.
Laf olsun diye değil, gerçekten öyle.
Şiddet içerikli oyunların, filmlerin, müziklerin falan şiddeti körükleyip körüklemediği uzun yıllardır süregelen bir tartışma. Şimdilerde biraz duruldu aslında, fakat hatırlayanlar hatırlayacaktır ki bu tartışma aslında doksanlı yılların satanizm temalı reality showlarına kadar uzanır. (Cidden, 90’larda o ne furyaydı öyle...) Elbette boş bir tartışma bu. Hemen her konuda, tartışma adabını bilmeden yaptığımız hemen her tartışma gibi, boş. Çok iyi hatırlıyorum: Üniversitedeyken hocanın biri, 2003’teki Irak savaşına giden ABD askerlerinin metal müzik dinleyerek motive olduğunu söylemişti derste. Neyse ki hemen o anda, uzun saçlı, deri ceketli bir metal neferi çıkıp o çok bilen okutmanın ağzının payını vermişti, ama... Nasıl boş bir yorumdu o! Bomboş, bommmboş. (Gerçi düşününce... cehaletin, en uzak kalması gereken yerlerden bile yayılabildiğini göstermesi açısından yararlı bile sayılır, evet.) Yıllarca anlatmaya çalıştık biz de hep birlikte: Önemli olan, ürünün niteliği değil; ürünün nasıl alımlandığı. Nasıl bir insan olunduğu. “Bu icat kötü ellere geçerse işimiz bitti!” demek, işin kolayına kaçmak olur; üretim ve düşünüm biter, insanlık ilerleyemez olur.
Johnny Maxwell de işte bu minvalde düşünerek beni fazlasıyla sevindiriyor neyse ki. Aslında ne savaşan askerler savaşmak, ölmek ve öldürmek istiyor, ne de izleyen insanlar bunları izlemeyi arzuluyor. Fakat inandırılmışız işte, kanıksatılmışız savaşın hayatımızın kaçınılmaz, normal bir unsuru olduğuna.
Müthiş mesajı ve müthiş mizahıyla, müthişten de öte bir kitap, İnsanlığı Ancak Sen Kurtarabilirsin. (Çünkü, normal yani, müthiş kere müthiş müthişkare yapar.)
July 24, 2017
I'd never read this series before, but I picked up the second and third at library sales a few years back, and in preparing for a month of reading, I came across them on the shelves and thought it was time. The Johnny Maxwell series is solid middle-grade SF with a touch of typically Pratchett-esque humor. In this book, Johnny is playing a video game that involves slaughtering invading aliens when his screen displays the message that the aliens want to surrender. They're tired of dying (when a player dies, of course he returns again and again, but the aliens are permanently destroyed when they're shot) and want Johnny to give them safe conduct back to their own world. Johnny, at first (reasonably) disbelieving, comes to realize it's true--though is it, really, or is he simply retreating from a world in which his parents fight all the time and school is a nightmare?
The book is fairly slight, but I've come to appreciate that Pratchett, in his later books (The Colour of Magic came out in 1983, and this one was first published in 1992 and reissued in the early 2000s, so it's not that much later, but still) never missed an opportunity to drop serious moments in between the jokes. Johnny's home life is a disaster, with his parents so focused on their own fighting that they neglect him; his friend Yo-less's mother, a nurse, and the parents of his would-be friend Kirsty/Sigourney (who is a hoot), seem to be the only ones who notice that Johnny is suffering. He's an ordinary kid for the most part, but the aliens make the point that he is the only one of all the people playing the game who responded to their plea. And the question of what is reality comes up repeatedly, from Johnny wondering if the human players he kills in defending the aliens suffer to Johnny and "Sigourney" altering the alien ship through their desires because it's all in their heads...or is it?
It's a quick read, and I enjoyed it enough to move on to the next immediately.
The book is fairly slight, but I've come to appreciate that Pratchett, in his later books (The Colour of Magic came out in 1983, and this one was first published in 1992 and reissued in the early 2000s, so it's not that much later, but still) never missed an opportunity to drop serious moments in between the jokes. Johnny's home life is a disaster, with his parents so focused on their own fighting that they neglect him; his friend Yo-less's mother, a nurse, and the parents of his would-be friend Kirsty/Sigourney (who is a hoot), seem to be the only ones who notice that Johnny is suffering. He's an ordinary kid for the most part, but the aliens make the point that he is the only one of all the people playing the game who responded to their plea. And the question of what is reality comes up repeatedly, from Johnny wondering if the human players he kills in defending the aliens suffer to Johnny and "Sigourney" altering the alien ship through their desires because it's all in their heads...or is it?
It's a quick read, and I enjoyed it enough to move on to the next immediately.
August 23, 2020
1st Read 4/5
Reread
...my mother says they were creations of Satan."
"Yes, but your mother says that about practically everything," said Wobbler
"This is true," said Yo-less gravely "It's her hobby."
Oh i so over invested in this one :lol . I rated it before from my vague memories of reading it as a kid and this time, my inner child still liked it but my outer adult was SOooo into it :) .
Firstly this would make a great film, espeically with all the 80s/90s nostalgia around now. Also while in the 90s all they had were cruise-missiles to make wars look like video games, the rise of drone warfare makes this far more relevant today.
It was johnny himself who had my outer adult really worried though. The story is so horrifying if your into it. Its like johnny was in the hitler youth, then when he finds out about what they do he had to take over for Schindler. He really feels the weight of the responsibility and my outer adult was just like.. 'someone help that poor child!' :lol .
Combined with the Troubling Times, the fever, his outbursts in school and kirstys, the small details like his meals/clothes etc. The stuff with BigMac too, THAT hit my outer adult aswell, probably more than my inner child. Plus some minor stuff about race and gender, there are just so many more layers.
There where some small quibbles, i think the first aside with the Scree-Wee should have been moved, we shouldn't have seen them up close before Johnnny does and there were a couple of bits that were a little heavy handed, mostly about the war.
However i still enjoyed this WAY more than i did as a child, and possibly given most reviews i've seen more than i should have :D .
Now for the love of god will someone please get that poor kid a decent meal!
Reread
...my mother says they were creations of Satan."
"Yes, but your mother says that about practically everything," said Wobbler
"This is true," said Yo-less gravely "It's her hobby."
Oh i so over invested in this one :lol . I rated it before from my vague memories of reading it as a kid and this time, my inner child still liked it but my outer adult was SOooo into it :) .
Firstly this would make a great film, espeically with all the 80s/90s nostalgia around now. Also while in the 90s all they had were cruise-missiles to make wars look like video games, the rise of drone warfare makes this far more relevant today.
It was johnny himself who had my outer adult really worried though. The story is so horrifying if your into it. Its like johnny was in the hitler youth, then when he finds out about what they do he had to take over for Schindler. He really feels the weight of the responsibility and my outer adult was just like.. 'someone help that poor child!' :lol .
Combined with the Troubling Times, the fever, his outbursts in school and kirstys, the small details like his meals/clothes etc. The stuff with BigMac too, THAT hit my outer adult aswell, probably more than my inner child. Plus some minor stuff about race and gender, there are just so many more layers.
There where some small quibbles, i think the first aside with the Scree-Wee should have been moved, we shouldn't have seen them up close before Johnnny does and there were a couple of bits that were a little heavy handed, mostly about the war.
However i still enjoyed this WAY more than i did as a child, and possibly given most reviews i've seen more than i should have :D .
Now for the love of god will someone please get that poor kid a decent meal!
April 20, 2015
A surprising book that left me with a tremendous sense of appreciation for Pratchett's ability to inject seemingly silly or small stories with heart and message. Appropriate reading for teens and adults, like most of Pratchett's work, I'd heartily recommend this quick read to anyone.
The book does an effective job of portraying the early 90s computer gamers. I was especially taken by the nostalgia of it all as I myself was roughly Johnny's age during that first Iraq war and often in front of a computer screen.
By the end, I realized all the ideas that Pratchett had embedded in this narrative and his young protagonist. The book challenges you to re-evaluate what you think of as 'mankind'. Johnny's friends are a mix of outsiders, created by class and racial division, yet serve as an extended family while his nuclear family is going through "Trying Times". Johnny becomes heroic through anti-violence.
No mistake this book was republished in the wake of the second Iraq war, and the critiques of violence/war and racism and nationalism are unfortunately relevant still today. Pratchett does a masterful job of presenting these ideas in a fairly light-hearted and engaging tale of a young boy playing video games alone in his bedroom.
The book does an effective job of portraying the early 90s computer gamers. I was especially taken by the nostalgia of it all as I myself was roughly Johnny's age during that first Iraq war and often in front of a computer screen.
By the end, I realized all the ideas that Pratchett had embedded in this narrative and his young protagonist. The book challenges you to re-evaluate what you think of as 'mankind'. Johnny's friends are a mix of outsiders, created by class and racial division, yet serve as an extended family while his nuclear family is going through "Trying Times". Johnny becomes heroic through anti-violence.
No mistake this book was republished in the wake of the second Iraq war, and the critiques of violence/war and racism and nationalism are unfortunately relevant still today. Pratchett does a masterful job of presenting these ideas in a fairly light-hearted and engaging tale of a young boy playing video games alone in his bedroom.
May 29, 2016
I picked up this book to read something short and light in between another books. Oh, and because it’s Terry Pratchett.
I was surprised by this book. It’s definitely short but not as light as I was expecting. Even the title of the book is not how it seems. You don’t need to save mankind from aliens. You need to save mankind from…well, mankind.
Only You Can Save Mankind is about war and Johnny Maxwell coping with it. It’s about the difference between reality and a dream. Or, to be more precise, it’s about the similarity of reality and dreams. And it’s about that all of us are not so different.
This book is a great way to talk about war. I think it should be the only way to talk about it. Because any war is wrong. Because killing people is not a game. Because aliens are people too.
I was surprised by this book. It’s definitely short but not as light as I was expecting. Even the title of the book is not how it seems. You don’t need to save mankind from aliens. You need to save mankind from…well, mankind.
Only You Can Save Mankind is about war and Johnny Maxwell coping with it. It’s about the difference between reality and a dream. Or, to be more precise, it’s about the similarity of reality and dreams. And it’s about that all of us are not so different.
This book is a great way to talk about war. I think it should be the only way to talk about it. Because any war is wrong. Because killing people is not a game. Because aliens are people too.
November 27, 2012
Okay, I give this book a 3...sort of. I like Sir Terry's writing. He's sharp and can generally make a sharp quip with a dull point. This book isn't quite so good.
Oh, there are some laughs and the plot while not totally new (that the "world inside games is real in it's own way") is a good one. It opens with a cute idea. The young man playing a new computer game is busy fighting his way through the "enemy alien fleet", he's made it to the huge mother-ship...and they surrender. He gets text on his computer from the "aliens" and they want to surrender... Humm.
Yes good idea and as I said some good humor.
But not as much as I would usually expect. Sir Terry gets a bit heavy handed in this one with his political commentary. Apparently he's among the individuals who believe electronic violence at least somewhat equates to real violence. That's cool. A lot of people "feel" that way. I didn't however come to this novel to be informed, convinced or indoctrinated. I came for the story and the humor.
To each their own I suppose. I'm sure many of you will like it better than I. As noted there are a few good laughs. The cometary however isn't all that great. Will it influence the young people who read this/these books to throw away their violent computer/video games? Who knows.
3 stars and "just that" I'd almost say 2.5 stars. Okay but far from Sir Terry's best.
However I do wish him the best.
Oh, there are some laughs and the plot while not totally new (that the "world inside games is real in it's own way") is a good one. It opens with a cute idea. The young man playing a new computer game is busy fighting his way through the "enemy alien fleet", he's made it to the huge mother-ship...and they surrender. He gets text on his computer from the "aliens" and they want to surrender... Humm.
Yes good idea and as I said some good humor.
But not as much as I would usually expect. Sir Terry gets a bit heavy handed in this one with his political commentary. Apparently he's among the individuals who believe electronic violence at least somewhat equates to real violence. That's cool. A lot of people "feel" that way. I didn't however come to this novel to be informed, convinced or indoctrinated. I came for the story and the humor.
To each their own I suppose. I'm sure many of you will like it better than I. As noted there are a few good laughs. The cometary however isn't all that great. Will it influence the young people who read this/these books to throw away their violent computer/video games? Who knows.
3 stars and "just that" I'd almost say 2.5 stars. Okay but far from Sir Terry's best.
However I do wish him the best.
February 2, 2019
This book was excellent. Recommended for teens and adults who want to (or need to) be considering ethical questions of war, virtual reality, human behaviour, diversity and culture change.
March 9, 2022
Издателство „Прозорец“ сериозно се е захванало с мисията да не оставя верните почитатели на Тери Пратчет да скучаят, като междувременно привлича и нови последователи към легионите му от всеотдайни фенове. Ето, че преди броени дни в книжарниците се приземи новото илюстровано издание на „Само ти можеш да спасиш света“, първия том на небезизвестната трилогия за Джони Максуел. Враговете от популярна компютърна игра развяват бялото знаме и искат мир! Как се очаква да отървеш човечеството от страховита заплаха, ако заплахата чисто и просто отказва да бъде заплашителна? Това противоречи на всички правила на драматургията! Но извънземните от играта не играят по правилата. А и защо са ни драматургичните правила, ако не за да бъдат нарушени от някой като Тери Пратчет? Прочетете ревюто на „Книжни Криле“: https://knijnikrile.wordpress.com/202...
December 28, 2018
Pračet će uvek kod mene bez oklevanja dobiti najveću ocenu.Ova knjiga nije bez mana, ali moramo uzeti u obzir publika kojoj je namenjena.Ta "Pračetovska" linija je prisutna i ovde, u vidi kratke rečenice, misli ili tematike kojom se bavi.Divna knjiga za one koje ulaze ili su tek ušli u pubertet
December 1, 2021
As an avid Pratchett fan I honestly can't remember if I've read this mini series, I don't think I have. Still science fiction but based on earth with British kids exploring a video game where the aliens are real and surrender.
In the background there are other poignant things going on but dealt with in the way kids themselves deal with things - they just skim over them or don't confront them. There is the fact that Johnny's parents are separating and the neglect of Johnny to the point where he is not eating as there is no food in the house and his parents are never in. However, he also doesn't accept meals at his friends' houses as that is seen as being poor - so the social pressure to fit in with your peers. His friends' parents do notice though although nothing is mentioned about it - probably because Johnny himself won't know the outcome.
One of Johnny's friend lives on a dangerous estate and happens to be intelligent so hides it to fit in in his social group outside of school. The friend avoids arrest during a carjacking gone wrong by going off with Johnny instead of entering the car and all his friends help him afterwards dealing with the death of one of the passengers.
One of Johnny's friends is a person of colour and they touch on is it racist if this friend likes the film question.
Throughout all of this is the 90's Gulf war on the TV. Seen through Johnny's eyes this is all very barbaric and horrific. Pratchett does a lot to instil the reason why they teach history in schools is so you can learn about others and have empathy for them so why don't we have it for other nations in today? This then links into the plot with the alien race surrendering and how to help them in the game.
Overall an interesting read and it hasn't aged too badly. There are some problematic sentences (one was fatphobic that stuck out for me) however in the introduction from Pratchett in 2004 he does mention he hasn't changed much from his original publication except the slang.
In the background there are other poignant things going on but dealt with in the way kids themselves deal with things - they just skim over them or don't confront them. There is the fact that Johnny's parents are separating and the neglect of Johnny to the point where he is not eating as there is no food in the house and his parents are never in. However, he also doesn't accept meals at his friends' houses as that is seen as being poor - so the social pressure to fit in with your peers. His friends' parents do notice though although nothing is mentioned about it - probably because Johnny himself won't know the outcome.
One of Johnny's friend lives on a dangerous estate and happens to be intelligent so hides it to fit in in his social group outside of school. The friend avoids arrest during a carjacking gone wrong by going off with Johnny instead of entering the car and all his friends help him afterwards dealing with the death of one of the passengers.
One of Johnny's friends is a person of colour and they touch on is it racist if this friend likes the film question.
Throughout all of this is the 90's Gulf war on the TV. Seen through Johnny's eyes this is all very barbaric and horrific. Pratchett does a lot to instil the reason why they teach history in schools is so you can learn about others and have empathy for them so why don't we have it for other nations in today? This then links into the plot with the alien race surrendering and how to help them in the game.
Overall an interesting read and it hasn't aged too badly. There are some problematic sentences (one was fatphobic that stuck out for me) however in the introduction from Pratchett in 2004 he does mention he hasn't changed much from his original publication except the slang.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
June 22, 2019
If not you, who else?
Many people who are worried about female role models love Terry Pratchett because he has a LOT of realistic female characters of varying ages and sizes. While I fiercely love his women, I think his male character are underrated as role-models, especially the hero of my childhood Johnny Maxwell, who is thoughtful, empathic and generally favours non-confrontative and clever approaches to his otherworldly problems.
In a world in which even well-read and scientifically oriented Hiccup from the book universe is turned into a standard action character when translated to the big screen, I miss heroes who are NOT action heroes. I think this book is Johnny Maxwell at his most action-prone, but there is no gratuity.
Thus, when I was sixteen and depressed and had lost all faith in human goodness Terry Pratchett's books gave me back the my will to live, love of life, and my faith in humanity. Here was someone who was writing funny Fantasy with a deeply ingrained respect for human dignity. This book was part of this and it made me feel so much better. It still has this effect on me, and I can't really put my fingers on why. I can see the shortcomings today, but it still has a shadow of that same impact it had back then.
Many people who are worried about female role models love Terry Pratchett because he has a LOT of realistic female characters of varying ages and sizes. While I fiercely love his women, I think his male character are underrated as role-models, especially the hero of my childhood Johnny Maxwell, who is thoughtful, empathic and generally favours non-confrontative and clever approaches to his otherworldly problems.
In a world in which even well-read and scientifically oriented Hiccup from the book universe is turned into a standard action character when translated to the big screen, I miss heroes who are NOT action heroes. I think this book is Johnny Maxwell at his most action-prone, but there is no gratuity.
Thus, when I was sixteen and depressed and had lost all faith in human goodness Terry Pratchett's books gave me back the my will to live, love of life, and my faith in humanity. Here was someone who was writing funny Fantasy with a deeply ingrained respect for human dignity. This book was part of this and it made me feel so much better. It still has this effect on me, and I can't really put my fingers on why. I can see the shortcomings today, but it still has a shadow of that same impact it had back then.
November 15, 2018
A nice but old novel, with starships, aliens and video games.
The story was a nice mix of scifi and fantasy, with a good pace and characters with interesting backgrounds. The crew wasn't really fleshed, but various topics were addressed, like dealing with familial difficulties, and I liked how the friends were different but fitted with each others. If the writing didn't have a distinct Pratchett's touch in my opinion, on another hand the focus on "there are 2 sides to a war" felt very much like a societal topic important to discuss, and we know how much he liked those. Following Johnny's adventures wasn't outstanding, but the boy had heart and the story was entertaining, even if it felt outdated on the technological side. I'm not sure I'll pick the sequel, but it could be a nice choice if I want something nice to read.
The story was a nice mix of scifi and fantasy, with a good pace and characters with interesting backgrounds. The crew wasn't really fleshed, but various topics were addressed, like dealing with familial difficulties, and I liked how the friends were different but fitted with each others. If the writing didn't have a distinct Pratchett's touch in my opinion, on another hand the focus on "there are 2 sides to a war" felt very much like a societal topic important to discuss, and we know how much he liked those. Following Johnny's adventures wasn't outstanding, but the boy had heart and the story was entertaining, even if it felt outdated on the technological side. I'm not sure I'll pick the sequel, but it could be a nice choice if I want something nice to read.
June 15, 2022
Only You Can Save Mankind is the first book in the Johnny Maxwell series. It is a fantasy adventure story. The main character is Johnny, a twelve year old, who is going through ‘Trying Times’ (His parents are getting divorced I think.) In the story, there is a war on the TV news which is treated by the people who watch it as a game and Johnny plays a video game that is treated like a real war by its players. I think the book is enjoyable and comical, but it is also quite sad and horrible when you consider that the author is really telling us that life is not a game and when someone dies in war they don’t come back to life again.
November 28, 2014
Even though this is a children's book it was still enjoyable to read and this is probably because its still a terry Pratchett novel. The book follows the character Johnny who instead of killing the aliens in his computer game accepts their surrender. He's joined by his friends and gets help in game by sigourney a kick ass girl. Lots of fun Pratchett style follows. This would be perfect for your younger children as well.
September 2, 2021
Considering this book first came out in 1992, you can imagine the gaming part could easily feel a bit outdated. While some details might feel that way, the concept still stands like a tree.
Johnny Maxwell is defeating aliens in a video game. All of a sudden, the aliens surrender, begging him not to destroy them. But the aliens aren’t real, are they?
Fun, cleverly written book with a message about war that demands attention. Recommended.
Johnny Maxwell is defeating aliens in a video game. All of a sudden, the aliens surrender, begging him not to destroy them. But the aliens aren’t real, are they?
Fun, cleverly written book with a message about war that demands attention. Recommended.
October 5, 2019
“If not you, who else?”
I enjoyed this fun YA story, it reminded me of The Last Starfighter. What if your game aliens weren’t just in your game, but actually real & searching for help! Plus with Pratchett there’s always an underlining meaning, think before you automatically push that fire button, just because it’s what you are supposed to do, doesn’t mean you should do it!
I enjoyed this fun YA story, it reminded me of The Last Starfighter. What if your game aliens weren’t just in your game, but actually real & searching for help! Plus with Pratchett there’s always an underlining meaning, think before you automatically push that fire button, just because it’s what you are supposed to do, doesn’t mean you should do it!
April 15, 2012
From BBC Radio 4 Extra:
Sci-fi drama from Terry Pratchett.
This is not my cup of tea.
Sci-fi drama from Terry Pratchett.
This is not my cup of tea.
December 26, 2014
Apparently Goodreads didn't save my review... The short version: I love this book. It's a quick read. Give it a try!
May 16, 2016
Love Pratchett's writing! Really easy to get in to!
Read
January 9, 2022What an enjoyable book! I felt like a child again for a while.
November 5, 2016
Also posted on my blog Got My Book.
A fun little MG Paranormal SF that may require some explanation of history.
BOOK DETAILS:
Only You Can Save Mankind by Terry Pratchett, read by Richard Mitchley, published by Random House Audio (2011) / Length: 4 hrs 11 min (this is the Unabridged version)
SERIES INFO:
This is Book #1 of the "Johnny Maxwell" trilogy. All of them are available on audio.
SUMMARY:
Like most Pratchett book, this one is a pleasure to read for people who love interesting characters.
Note: It takes place during the first Gulf War; so you might need to explain who "Stormin' Norman" is, and other such things, to children who are going to read it. It isn't absolutely necessary though. The book has some interesting commentary on how the war is just another "show" to kids who have grown up with lots of different screens in their lives, and yet they can't help but be affected by it.
CHARACTERS:
Johnny: On the surface, he's an absolutely normal tween kid in a home that is breaking up. And yet this is just the first of the weird things that end up happening to him. He isn't sure if he's crazy or this is real, or even what "real" is. I think his character can be summed up by the fact that he's the only one who listened and was willing to answer.
Kirsty: She's used to being the best at everything she does. But she also expects things to be the way they "should" be. Her character can be summed up by saying that Sigourney Weaver is her hero.
There is a fun cast of quirky supporting characters that includes Johnny's 3 best friends (this is definitely the "left-overs" clique) and the Scree Wee captain.
WORLDBUILDING:
This is Gulf War era small-town England. And it is video game space ship interiors. One of the best bits of worldbuilding is the way Johnny's fighter comes with all sorts of smells, sounds, and tastes he didn't expect when he is "in" the game. Real life (even a virtual version) just has so many additional dimensions.
PLOT:
It starts with Johnny having died 6 times already (and it isn't even 5 o'clock). I was pulled right in by him, his likeable ordinariness, and the baffling situation he now finds himself in.
Although there are 3 books in this series, they are each completely separate adventures. The ending wraps up everything with a typically quirky (and entirely satisfactory) detail.
HIGHLIGHTS / CAUTIONS:
--The food delivery run (and the alien's way of describing human foods)
--The changes that take place inside the game world once Kirsty enters.
I COULD HAVE DONE WITHOUT: The game pirating (enabled by a father who copies the instruction manual at work) / Parents who try to be "friends," but don't make sure that their children have clean clothes and something to eat. / A couple of small vulgarities
OTHER CAUTIONS(?): Johnny & his friends sometimes do each others homework. / Big Mac is a self-proclaimed skin-head, but one of his best friends is black (sorry, I don't know the British equivalent of African American), and he spends a night in their home with no problems. I think it is all part of his effort to look tough to the people in his bad area of town.
NARRATION:
Character voices differentiated = Yes. The captain's voice sometimes approached irritating. But I think he did an excellent job with Kirsty "actually." / Opposite sex voices acceptable = Yes / Accents = Mid-Atlantic? Sound good to me / Phrasing, Pacing & Pronunciation = Good / Emoting = Good / Speed = listened on 1.25, my usual
A fun little MG Paranormal SF that may require some explanation of history.
BOOK DETAILS:
Only You Can Save Mankind by Terry Pratchett, read by Richard Mitchley, published by Random House Audio (2011) / Length: 4 hrs 11 min (this is the Unabridged version)
SERIES INFO:
This is Book #1 of the "Johnny Maxwell" trilogy. All of them are available on audio.
SUMMARY:
Like most Pratchett book, this one is a pleasure to read for people who love interesting characters.
Note: It takes place during the first Gulf War; so you might need to explain who "Stormin' Norman" is, and other such things, to children who are going to read it. It isn't absolutely necessary though. The book has some interesting commentary on how the war is just another "show" to kids who have grown up with lots of different screens in their lives, and yet they can't help but be affected by it.
CHARACTERS:
Johnny: On the surface, he's an absolutely normal tween kid in a home that is breaking up. And yet this is just the first of the weird things that end up happening to him. He isn't sure if he's crazy or this is real, or even what "real" is. I think his character can be summed up by the fact that he's the only one who listened and was willing to answer.
Kirsty: She's used to being the best at everything she does. But she also expects things to be the way they "should" be. Her character can be summed up by saying that Sigourney Weaver is her hero.
There is a fun cast of quirky supporting characters that includes Johnny's 3 best friends (this is definitely the "left-overs" clique) and the Scree Wee captain.
WORLDBUILDING:
This is Gulf War era small-town England. And it is video game space ship interiors. One of the best bits of worldbuilding is the way Johnny's fighter comes with all sorts of smells, sounds, and tastes he didn't expect when he is "in" the game. Real life (even a virtual version) just has so many additional dimensions.
PLOT:
It starts with Johnny having died 6 times already (and it isn't even 5 o'clock). I was pulled right in by him, his likeable ordinariness, and the baffling situation he now finds himself in.
Although there are 3 books in this series, they are each completely separate adventures. The ending wraps up everything with a typically quirky (and entirely satisfactory) detail.
HIGHLIGHTS / CAUTIONS:
--The food delivery run (and the alien's way of describing human foods)
--The changes that take place inside the game world once Kirsty enters.
I COULD HAVE DONE WITHOUT: The game pirating (enabled by a father who copies the instruction manual at work) / Parents who try to be "friends," but don't make sure that their children have clean clothes and something to eat. / A couple of small vulgarities
OTHER CAUTIONS(?): Johnny & his friends sometimes do each others homework. / Big Mac is a self-proclaimed skin-head, but one of his best friends is black (sorry, I don't know the British equivalent of African American), and he spends a night in their home with no problems. I think it is all part of his effort to look tough to the people in his bad area of town.
NARRATION:
Character voices differentiated = Yes. The captain's voice sometimes approached irritating. But I think he did an excellent job with Kirsty "actually." / Opposite sex voices acceptable = Yes / Accents = Mid-Atlantic? Sound good to me / Phrasing, Pacing & Pronunciation = Good / Emoting = Good / Speed = listened on 1.25, my usual
June 26, 2025
The right mix of fun and heavy. I do love it when the evil aliens aren’t actually evil.
January 8, 2012
Who else indeed? And that's really the question, isn't it? The old saw says that one person can make a difference, but no one ever thinks that it's them so no one does anything. And no difference is ever made. That's what the question on the cover of the book points out, if not you, then who else will?
In this case, Johnny is that one person, one out of thousands, but the only one who listens and takes on the responsibility of trying to do something. He has no power in the "real" world; his parents are on the verge of splitting up and he feels like he's just drifting through life. But now he has both power and responsibility, as little as he thinks he wants either.
It's always been just a game to him; kill the aliens and advance to the next level. But what happens when the aliens surrender? When they place their lives in his hands, ask for his protection? They just want to go home, to escape the strange humans who attack them without provocation. Johnny has the challenge of not just helping them, but learning to see them as people instead of just "things." Because it's all too easy to kill a thing. When you let that "thing" become a person to you, become real instead of an object, then it's not easy anymore.
And that's the lesson here, in a story where the first Gulf War is always on the TVs and being discussed in the background. It's all too easy to wage war when you see your opponents as less than human. When they're nothing more than a target on a screen. It's a lesson that Johnny initially fights against learning, but one that he comes to accept, just as he accepts that he's the only one both willing and able to help these aliens who are becoming people to him.
Eventually he does have help in the form of a genius with the nickname of "Sigourney" (good ode to the "Aliens" franchise). A girl who despite her intelligence, is caught in the mindset of having to win at everything, even if it means killing everything. It's the hardest on her to learn that the ScreeWee are people, and the lesson doesn't drive home until it's nearly too late. Her character is a good commentary on the entire "kill 'em all!" mindset and the way high intelligence doesn't always negate prejudice or massive blind spots in morality.
As always with Terry Pratchett, I have the distinct feeling that a great deal of the humor is going far over my head in that British way that, as an American, I just can't grasp. However, the story itself is so solid, as are the characters and the messages, that it doesn't matter much. There are plenty of jokes that I did get and I enjoyed the rest of it for what it was. I'll be looking forward to seeing the other two books published here in the states.
In this case, Johnny is that one person, one out of thousands, but the only one who listens and takes on the responsibility of trying to do something. He has no power in the "real" world; his parents are on the verge of splitting up and he feels like he's just drifting through life. But now he has both power and responsibility, as little as he thinks he wants either.
It's always been just a game to him; kill the aliens and advance to the next level. But what happens when the aliens surrender? When they place their lives in his hands, ask for his protection? They just want to go home, to escape the strange humans who attack them without provocation. Johnny has the challenge of not just helping them, but learning to see them as people instead of just "things." Because it's all too easy to kill a thing. When you let that "thing" become a person to you, become real instead of an object, then it's not easy anymore.
And that's the lesson here, in a story where the first Gulf War is always on the TVs and being discussed in the background. It's all too easy to wage war when you see your opponents as less than human. When they're nothing more than a target on a screen. It's a lesson that Johnny initially fights against learning, but one that he comes to accept, just as he accepts that he's the only one both willing and able to help these aliens who are becoming people to him.
Eventually he does have help in the form of a genius with the nickname of "Sigourney" (good ode to the "Aliens" franchise). A girl who despite her intelligence, is caught in the mindset of having to win at everything, even if it means killing everything. It's the hardest on her to learn that the ScreeWee are people, and the lesson doesn't drive home until it's nearly too late. Her character is a good commentary on the entire "kill 'em all!" mindset and the way high intelligence doesn't always negate prejudice or massive blind spots in morality.
As always with Terry Pratchett, I have the distinct feeling that a great deal of the humor is going far over my head in that British way that, as an American, I just can't grasp. However, the story itself is so solid, as are the characters and the messages, that it doesn't matter much. There are plenty of jokes that I did get and I enjoyed the rest of it for what it was. I'll be looking forward to seeing the other two books published here in the states.
December 22, 2013
Woah are there some bad reviews here. This book is admittedly very different from Terry Pratchett's others. It reads like a combination of a number of sci-fi/dystopian works, none of them taking place in the discworld. Nevertheless, as a librarian I would be far more likely to give this to your average male high-schooler. This is a world kids will be able to get into and to get behind. The main character isn't exceptionally well-developed, nor is the world-building flawless, but what you have here are a lot of really interesting ideas connected to gaming, reality, and even the psycho-emotional turmoil of adolescence portrayed with sensitivity and humor. It's about a boy who's more or less invisible to the outside world, barely real even to his own parents, who starts to question the reality of his own waking existence when he joins the side of the aliens in a computer game war. In his dreams, the game war becomes reality, and a truer reality than the one he faces in his everyday life, in which war seems to be just another game people watch on the television. I love how Terry Pratchett applies many of his insights into the nature of reality and society, free will and destiny, to a world much more recognizable than any I have ever seen in his other books. This is a young adult novel, through and through, and it neither demonizes technology nor war, but interrogates the reality of the real world as much as the virtual one, and to an extent the ways in which pacifist humanism must be put aside to achieve peace.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 658 reviews