Man-Kzin Wars XIV

I am a longtime fan of Larry Niven and Jerry Pournelle. Together they have created some of the very best Sci-fi such as the "Mote in God's Eye." I love the way in which Larry, and the authors he allows into his universe, connect the various parts of his universe into a synergistic whole. For example: the "Ring World" series is connected to his "Known Space" universe which is connected to "Crashlander" and "Flatlander" which is connected to the "Fleet of Worlds" series. A good book to get a handle on all of this is "The Guide to Larry Niven's Ringworld" by Kevin Stein. A key to understanding all this is the development of human interaction with the Kzin and the Puppeteers. From 2040 to 2893 humans, thru Larry and his co-authors, explore the human condition thru the their interaction primarily with the Kzin and Puppeteers. Book XIII provides backstory to this universe. The short stories are about interaction with one or two Kzin and humans and how these Kzin discover that their interactions with humans are changing themselves. "Two Types of Teeth" is a great example. This short story leads a Kzin prisoner to first realize surviving rather than suicide, due to dishonorable capture, is preferable because he can take back information about his human captors to help against them. What he comes to realize is that there is more than the "Scream and Leap" tactic of the Kzin. Read this book to find out what the "second" tooth is. Book XIV also provides backstories but is more varied in that there are a couple of stories with no Kzin. In both books all the stores are well written and consistent with Larry's universe. I enjoyed all the stories except one. If you love Larry and the Known Universe these books are for you.
One of the things both books should have done is put the date and specific planet location on the title page to help readers set the context.

There are seven new stories in the latest Man-Kzin Wars anthology, and I enjoyed meeting characters I know and love again, plus the new heroes: man and kzin.

A Man Named Saul, the longest story, by Hal Colebatch (one of my favorite Man-Kzin Wars authors) and Jessica Q. Fox has multiple threads that take a look at the past histories of various characters, including the Judge, Kzin collaborators and their crimes,Vaemar, Karan, the kits, and the abbot. The finding of the wreck of the Valiant brings them all together...

Heritage by Matthew Joseph Harrington (another of my favorite Man-Kzin authors) is a story of survival with a well-written ending when rescuers arrive...

The Marmalade Problem by Hal Colebatch is the story of a cowardly Kzin so you can imagine what the other Kzinti think of him... Good story.

Leftovers by Matthew Joseph Harrington is a fun story about a Protector. (I've always liked her.)

The White Column by Hal Colebatch is another story--like Marmalade--with an unexpected ending.

Deadly Knowledge is a flashback to the time of human slaves and their Kzin masters; it's a mystery with insights into human and Kzinti thinking.

Lions on the Beach is the story of a human and his adopted son, a Kzin kitten; it's a rite of passage tale and a complex father son relationship, complicated by aliens.

As usual, the quality of all the stories is above average--excellent even. And My Favorites are: Leftovers and A Man named Saul.

Well, this just put a great series in the toilet. Right wing propaganda as a sci-fi story centerpiece is about as attractive as a turd floating in the punchbowl. Thanks for ruining the Man-Kzin Wars series for me.

Man-Kzin Wars XIV (2013) is the fourteenth SF anthology in this series, following [[ASIN:0671720082 Man-Kzin Wars XIII]]. The initial work in this sequence is [[ASIN:1416532838 The Man-Kzin Wars]]. This work contains seven original novelettes.

In the previous volumes, Kzin invade human colonies. Using the hyperspace drive, humanity drives back the invaders. Yet many Kzinti survive in the colonies under the restored human governments.

- "A Man Named Saul" by Hal Colebatch & Jessica Q. Fox is a tale of remorse and redemption.

- "Heritage" by Matthew Joseph Harrington involves two lost starships and many heroes.

- "The Marmalade Problem" by Hal Colebatch concerns a telepathic Kzin kitten who is afraid of everything.

- "Leftovers" by Matthew Joseph Harrington forces an ARM Marshall to confronts a Protector.

- "The White Column" by Hal Colebatch shows a VIP a small glimpse of the future.

- "Deadly Knowledge" by Hal Colebatch considers the influence of Moby Dick upon the Kzinti.

- "Lions on the Beach" by Alex Hernandez takes a human and his adopted Kzin son out to sea.

These tales mostly address relationships between humans and Kzinti, but "White Column" is a very different story. And the Kzin are merely faraway enemies in "Heritage". The other stories take place among the mixed populations in the aftermath of the Kzin Wars.

Although this installment has seven tales, only four authors were involved. Despite this small cabal of writers, the stories cover a wide range of topics. Colebatch & Fox have a forthcoming -- [[ASIN:1476736405 Treasure Planet]] -- in this series.

The Man-Kzin Wars appear to be fading into the [[ASIN:0345333926 Ringworld]] era. The next installment in this sequence has not yet been announced on Amazon

Highly recommended for Niven fans and for anyone else who enjoys tales of cultural conflict, alien psychology, and the trauma of war. Read and enjoy!

-Arthur W. Jordin

Excellent series. He picks only the best to write "in his world".

Should be titled Man-Kzin Lectures. It's a free country, Mr. Niven is welcome to propound his political views as much as anyone, but selling it under this title is a bit much. Not what I paid for. I've read the entire series up to now (and they're getting worse not better) but this is the last. I'm not paying for any more of this. SF is supposed to about original ideas, hm ? Didn't see any in this book. After "Bowl of Heaven" and this book, I am not inclined to read any more of his new work.

More of the Kzin Wars stories, how could a fan not love it? Good stories, each with its own flavor, all very enjoyable! Don't miss it.

Great seller - Great stuff - Thanks again!!!!!!

The stories in this latest collection are all good. The stories are as fresh and exciting as ever. Some Marxist idiot on another site gave himself away by claiming the major story "A Man Named Saul" was "on the wrong side of history". Perhaps he's be happier if it was set in Havana or North Korea. The story is actually about men and kzinti slowly coming to live together, and the constructive power of Honour; a concept our Marxist friends traditionally have trouble understanding.

Actually,almost all the stories are about honour, one way or another. The exception is "The White Column",by Hal Colebatch, which seems to have strayed into the wrong collection as it's not about the Kzin at all - but still a neat little story of its kind and a nice subversion of cosmic pessimism

n all, both a subtle and exciyting collection, with good values. Good storytelling and good SF are not dead yet!

Good read