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Known Space
Crashlander
Crashlander Beowulf Shaeffer has long been one of the most popular characters in Known Space. Now, for the first time ever, Larry Niven brings together all the Beowulf Shaeffer stories--including a brand-new one--in one long tale of exploration and adventure! PLUS--an all-new framing story that pulls together all of Beowulf Shaeffer's adventures and allows Shaeffer and his family to make a clean start at life once and for all!
Contents:
1 • Ghost • [Known Space] • novelette by Larry Niven
8 • Neutron Star • [Known Space] • (1966) • novelette by Larry Niven
32 • At the Core • [Known Space] • (1966) • novelette by Larry Niven
57 • Flatlander • [Known Space] • (1967) • novelette by Larry Niven
107 • Grendel • [Known Space] • (1968) • shortstory by Larry Niven
160 • The Borderland of Sol • [Known Space] • (1975) • novelette by Larry Niven
213 • Procrustes • [Known Space] • (1993) • novella by Larry Niven
Contents:
1 • Ghost • [Known Space] • novelette by Larry Niven
8 • Neutron Star • [Known Space] • (1966) • novelette by Larry Niven
32 • At the Core • [Known Space] • (1966) • novelette by Larry Niven
57 • Flatlander • [Known Space] • (1967) • novelette by Larry Niven
107 • Grendel • [Known Space] • (1968) • shortstory by Larry Niven
160 • The Borderland of Sol • [Known Space] • (1975) • novelette by Larry Niven
213 • Procrustes • [Known Space] • (1993) • novella by Larry Niven
281 pages, Mass Market Paperback
First published January 1, 1994
13 people are currently reading
780 people want to read
About the author
Larry Niven
686 books3,299 followersLaurence van Cott Niven's best known work is Ringworld (Ringworld, #1) (1970), which received the Hugo, Locus, Ditmar, and Nebula awards. His work is primarily hard science fiction, using big science concepts and theoretical physics. The creation of thoroughly worked-out alien species, which are very different from humans both physically and mentally, is recognized as one of Niven's main strengths.
Niven also often includes elements of detective fiction and adventure stories. His fantasy includes The Magic Goes Away series, which utilizes an exhaustible resource, called Mana, to make the magic a non-renewable resource.
Niven created an alien species, the Kzin, which were featured in a series of twelve collection books, the Man-Kzin Wars. He co-authored a number of novels with Jerry Pournelle. In fact, much of his writing since the 1970s has been in collaboration, particularly with Pournelle, Steven Barnes, Brenda Cooper, or Edward M. Lerner.
He briefly attended the California Institute of Technology and graduated with a Bachelor of Arts in mathematics (with a minor in psychology) from Washburn University, Topeka, Kansas, in 1962. He did a year of graduate work in mathematics at the University of California at Los Angeles. He has since lived in Los Angeles suburbs, including Chatsworth and Tarzana, as a full-time writer. He married Marilyn Joyce "Fuzzy Pink" Wisowaty, herself a well-known science fiction and Regency literature fan, on September 6, 1969.
Niven won the Hugo Award for Best Short Story for Neutron Star in 1967. In 1972, for Inconstant Moon, and in 1975 for The Hole Man. In 1976, he won the Hugo Award for Best Novelette for The Borderland of Sol.
Niven has written scripts for various science fiction television shows, including the original Land of the Lost series and Star Trek: The Animated Series, for which he adapted his early Kzin story The Soft Weapon. He adapted his story Inconstant Moon for an episode of the television series The Outer Limits in 1996.
He has also written for the DC Comics character Green Lantern including in his stories hard science fiction concepts such as universal entropy and the redshift effect, which are unusual in comic books.
http://us.macmillan.com/author/larryn...
Niven also often includes elements of detective fiction and adventure stories. His fantasy includes The Magic Goes Away series, which utilizes an exhaustible resource, called Mana, to make the magic a non-renewable resource.
Niven created an alien species, the Kzin, which were featured in a series of twelve collection books, the Man-Kzin Wars. He co-authored a number of novels with Jerry Pournelle. In fact, much of his writing since the 1970s has been in collaboration, particularly with Pournelle, Steven Barnes, Brenda Cooper, or Edward M. Lerner.
He briefly attended the California Institute of Technology and graduated with a Bachelor of Arts in mathematics (with a minor in psychology) from Washburn University, Topeka, Kansas, in 1962. He did a year of graduate work in mathematics at the University of California at Los Angeles. He has since lived in Los Angeles suburbs, including Chatsworth and Tarzana, as a full-time writer. He married Marilyn Joyce "Fuzzy Pink" Wisowaty, herself a well-known science fiction and Regency literature fan, on September 6, 1969.
Niven won the Hugo Award for Best Short Story for Neutron Star in 1967. In 1972, for Inconstant Moon, and in 1975 for The Hole Man. In 1976, he won the Hugo Award for Best Novelette for The Borderland of Sol.
Niven has written scripts for various science fiction television shows, including the original Land of the Lost series and Star Trek: The Animated Series, for which he adapted his early Kzin story The Soft Weapon. He adapted his story Inconstant Moon for an episode of the television series The Outer Limits in 1996.
He has also written for the DC Comics character Green Lantern including in his stories hard science fiction concepts such as universal entropy and the redshift effect, which are unusual in comic books.
http://us.macmillan.com/author/larryn...
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 70 reviews
August 8, 2020
3.5 stars. A solid collection of Beowulf Shaeffer adventure tales in Larry Niven's Known Space, half of which I had read previously as part of Niven's widely acclaimed Neutron Star collection. He provides an interesting, well executed framing story, "Ghost", in eight separate parts interspersed between each of the stories to help tie them together.
Beowolf Shaeffer is Niven's reluctant, sometimes lazy, space hero. These stories typically see him in a detective like role, attempting to catch a criminal(s) either in space or on a variety of alien worlds, and sometimes involving mysterious astronomical phenomena for which Niven provides ample scientific details. The stories are generally well paced, with interesting worlds, comically strange alien species, good action and zippy dialogue. In short, everything you'd expect from Niven.
Beowolf Shaeffer is Niven's reluctant, sometimes lazy, space hero. These stories typically see him in a detective like role, attempting to catch a criminal(s) either in space or on a variety of alien worlds, and sometimes involving mysterious astronomical phenomena for which Niven provides ample scientific details. The stories are generally well paced, with interesting worlds, comically strange alien species, good action and zippy dialogue. In short, everything you'd expect from Niven.
September 20, 2007
In 1966 Larry Niven created the ultimate tourist with his short story "Neutron Star." It was the tale of Beowulf Shaeffer, a laid-off pilot heavily in debt and easy to blackmail, and how the alien race the puppeteers convinced him to make a dangerous flyby of a neutron star. Throughout the late sixties followed several other Beowulf Shaeffer stories, which were previously to be found only in the out-of-print collection NEUTRON STAR. In 1994 Del Rey released CRASHLANDER, which brought back into print the Beowulf Shaeffer stories of the late 60's, together with "The Borderland of Sol" (1975), a new story "Procrustes," and interim material that Niven had just penned to bind the stories together into one novel, as it were (there's no table of contents and the title of each story isn't listed at the head of the page). CRASHLANDER has some good material, but the latest writing shows that Niven's treatment of his Known Space universe has become very poor indeed.
The late-60's Beowulf Shaeffer stories were classics of science fiction, mixing hard science with colourful alien races and futuristic fashion. In "Neutron Star" the reader travels with Shaeffer as he visits what was then a revolutionary concept in astronomy. In "At the Core", the puppeteers convince Shaeffer to take an experimental hyperdrive all the way to the galactic core, where he makes a discovery that spurs the puppeteers into fleeing Known Space. "Flatlander" begins with Shaeffer as a tourist on Earth, and takes him on a journey with a millionaire to a very unusual planet. "Grendel", the last of the golden age of the Shaeffer stories, has Shaeffer foil a kidnapping on a newly-colonized world. These stories are all excellent and are recommended reading for any fan of science fiction.
The last two stories, however, are incredibly disappointing, nearly enough so to taint the eariler works. "The Borderland of Sol" was written after the decline of Niven's writing in the mid-1970's. It nearly repeats the theme of "Grendel" (with Shaeffer becoming something of a detective), but with unbelievable characters, B-movie shoot-outs, and uninspired futurisms. The last story, "Procrustes" dates from the 1990's and is nearly as bad as Niven's novel from the same time THE RINGWORLD THRONE. "Procrustes" has a plot that is convoluted to say the least, and none of the characters act like they have in previous stories. Most disturbing is the Robert Heinlein-esque turn into sexuality explicit scenes that Niven made in the early 90's, as "Procrustes" begins with an orgy. The frame stories were written at the same time as "Procrustes" are are just as bad. They contradict previous Niven stories (such as mentioning the Trinocs when they won't be met for another 200 years, the Puppeteer Fleet of Worlds, etc.) and end in an inexplicable murder that is nothing but a deus-ex-machina.
My recommendation: skip CRASHLANDER and find the out-of-print collection NEUTRON STAR, which brings together all the golden age Shaeffer stories as well as several other fascinating Known Space short stories.
The late-60's Beowulf Shaeffer stories were classics of science fiction, mixing hard science with colourful alien races and futuristic fashion. In "Neutron Star" the reader travels with Shaeffer as he visits what was then a revolutionary concept in astronomy. In "At the Core", the puppeteers convince Shaeffer to take an experimental hyperdrive all the way to the galactic core, where he makes a discovery that spurs the puppeteers into fleeing Known Space. "Flatlander" begins with Shaeffer as a tourist on Earth, and takes him on a journey with a millionaire to a very unusual planet. "Grendel", the last of the golden age of the Shaeffer stories, has Shaeffer foil a kidnapping on a newly-colonized world. These stories are all excellent and are recommended reading for any fan of science fiction.
The last two stories, however, are incredibly disappointing, nearly enough so to taint the eariler works. "The Borderland of Sol" was written after the decline of Niven's writing in the mid-1970's. It nearly repeats the theme of "Grendel" (with Shaeffer becoming something of a detective), but with unbelievable characters, B-movie shoot-outs, and uninspired futurisms. The last story, "Procrustes" dates from the 1990's and is nearly as bad as Niven's novel from the same time THE RINGWORLD THRONE. "Procrustes" has a plot that is convoluted to say the least, and none of the characters act like they have in previous stories. Most disturbing is the Robert Heinlein-esque turn into sexuality explicit scenes that Niven made in the early 90's, as "Procrustes" begins with an orgy. The frame stories were written at the same time as "Procrustes" are are just as bad. They contradict previous Niven stories (such as mentioning the Trinocs when they won't be met for another 200 years, the Puppeteer Fleet of Worlds, etc.) and end in an inexplicable murder that is nothing but a deus-ex-machina.
My recommendation: skip CRASHLANDER and find the out-of-print collection NEUTRON STAR, which brings together all the golden age Shaeffer stories as well as several other fascinating Known Space short stories.
September 5, 2013
(Re-reading this in the final days of summer 2013 as part of an unplanned Larry Niven/Known Space revanche. Have just finished Ringworld series, Protector and A Gift from Earth, before discovering this fix-up novel.)
The stories in Crashlander are a product of the BI (before internet) period, from a time when readers found out about new science from pulp magazines and books, and from hard SF writers such as Niven. Revisiting the stories, forty-odd years after first publication, I was ready for the datedness of the science and the worldview, but not for the surprising breadth, vision and internal consistency of Niven's Beowolf Shaeffer adventures. The best, and the one I am most pleased to have been able to re-read, is the short "Borderland of Sol." This is the type of story that is ideal for Niven's style, with complex science, action and space adventure in a fast moving tale with a great resolution. Plus an added bonus - Borderland provides insight into the paternity of Louis Wu, the main character of the Ringworld books. 'Neutron Star,' another award-winning story, seemed a bit too short and ended abruptly. The author added a tying narrative called 'Ghost' which provided missing details and explanations (or corrections). One detail that was new to me: the real reason for the Puppeteer migration, where they are really headed. Overall, the material is uneven as short story collections, even a fit-in one, tend to be, but still vintage BI Niven. 5 stars.
Decades from now, new fans of the Known Space stories may be hard put to find inconsistencies in Niven's imagined universe. And therein perhaps lies Niven's particular genius, a nearly monomaniacal inclination to provide cogent explanations for everything while still telling a good story. What a trip.
March 9, 2018
I was a little hesitant about this one because I'd already ready the majority of the stories in their original venues and/or earlier Niven collections, but I ended up enjoying it very much. Beowulf Schaeffer is inarguably one of his best characters, and the scientific problems and puzzles with which he's presented are challenging and a lot of fun. This would be a good introduction to the Known Space series.
July 3, 2018
I’ve read a couple of Larry Niven books before, but I am not super- well-versed in the Known Space lore, so I was able to approach this collection of short stories without too many preconceptions.
I am always fond of a good adventure set in a space-operatic universe, and Crashlander didn’t disappoint. The eyebrow-raisingly named Beowulf Shaeffer makes for an easygoing protagonist, and the stories are imaginative, if a little dated (they were mostly written in the ‘60s, with one from the ‘70s and the final story and linking material being first published as part of this collection in the ‘90s).
I picked this collection up for £1 from a used bookshop, so it was definitely worth the entry price!
I am always fond of a good adventure set in a space-operatic universe, and Crashlander didn’t disappoint. The eyebrow-raisingly named Beowulf Shaeffer makes for an easygoing protagonist, and the stories are imaginative, if a little dated (they were mostly written in the ‘60s, with one from the ‘70s and the final story and linking material being first published as part of this collection in the ‘90s).
I picked this collection up for £1 from a used bookshop, so it was definitely worth the entry price!
December 8, 2012
3.5 stars:
This is almost the same book as Neutron Star, but since they each have exclusive material, I'm listing them both. They're both short story collections in Niven's Known Space setting, and they're both largely focused on the adventures of Beowulf Schaeffer (space adventurer!). Despite this, the stories have a pretty good range in styles. In some of them, Schaeffer is down on his luck, in others he's famous, so they didn't feel like rehashes. Neutron Star is the older collection, and contains a couple Known Space stories sans Beowulf. Crashlander is all Beowulf, and has a couple stories that are new to this collection.
Overall, I liked Neutron Star a little bit more. The non-Beowulf stories were really strong, and honestly I didn't feel there was a need to collect all the Schaeffer stories in one book. I didn't think the new stories in Crashlander were quite as strong as the older tales they replaced, but I still enjoyed them. As always, Niven advanced the timeline of Known Space, which I really enjoy. The Known Space stories are a progression, even the short fiction, and it's great to see it as a whole body of work. A new (and very important) alien race is explored in these collections, and it's fun to read about some of the first human interactions with them. These tales set the stage nicely for Ringworld, the novel that first got me into Niven. I guess I'll just have to read that again...
This is almost the same book as Neutron Star, but since they each have exclusive material, I'm listing them both. They're both short story collections in Niven's Known Space setting, and they're both largely focused on the adventures of Beowulf Schaeffer (space adventurer!). Despite this, the stories have a pretty good range in styles. In some of them, Schaeffer is down on his luck, in others he's famous, so they didn't feel like rehashes. Neutron Star is the older collection, and contains a couple Known Space stories sans Beowulf. Crashlander is all Beowulf, and has a couple stories that are new to this collection.
Overall, I liked Neutron Star a little bit more. The non-Beowulf stories were really strong, and honestly I didn't feel there was a need to collect all the Schaeffer stories in one book. I didn't think the new stories in Crashlander were quite as strong as the older tales they replaced, but I still enjoyed them. As always, Niven advanced the timeline of Known Space, which I really enjoy. The Known Space stories are a progression, even the short fiction, and it's great to see it as a whole body of work. A new (and very important) alien race is explored in these collections, and it's fun to read about some of the first human interactions with them. These tales set the stage nicely for Ringworld, the novel that first got me into Niven. I guess I'll just have to read that again...
August 7, 2015
Egads! Yet another compilation of Niven short stories! When will I ever learn??? If I didn't know better, I'd start to think this guy doesn't write anything novel length.
As compilations go, this one was pretty good. The Beowulf Shaeffer character is entertaining. This book even wraps them up into a coherent story, complete with some interim chapters to link them together. Good stuff.
As compilations go, this one was pretty good. The Beowulf Shaeffer character is entertaining. This book even wraps them up into a coherent story, complete with some interim chapters to link them together. Good stuff.
February 2, 2012
I love just about all things Niven, and this collection of shorts on Beowulf Schaeffer is my favorite kind of sci-fi.
There is fast paced adventure without being too puply, and there is science enough without bogging down.
There is fast paced adventure without being too puply, and there is science enough without bogging down.
January 12, 2019
In desperation to read more Known Space, I resort to one of the last two books that has a short story I two I have left in the Known Space Universe.
I had already read Neutron Star, so 80% of this book was already read by me. But I did have "Procrustes" and the "Ghost" chapters that link all the short stories into one "fix-up" novel concept, and basically adds up to be another short story of its own. "Procrustes" was a great short story, finally enlightening me on what really happened between Beowulf Shaeffer, Carlos Wu, Feather, Sharrol, and Sigmund Ausfauller on Fafnir. A major crux in the story between the events of Neutron Star/Crashlander, and the Fleet of Worlds. It was a great read and a great missing piece to the puzzle of this epic, generation-spanning tale.
As far as the rest of the book, the short stories of Beowulf Shaeffer... well, they're some of the best material in the Known Space Canon, deeply important to the over-arching story surrounding Ringworld and Fleet of Worlds, I'd even say the absolute best when it comes down to just considering the short stories (Mostly contained in the "Neutron Star" and "Tales of Known Space" collections)... So yes, this is a book I'd highly recommend to a Sci-Fi fan wanting to get into the Known Space universe as a fantastic place to start. This book, or Ringworld itself, is probably THE best place to start. I'd also recommend this to the casual reader who maybe isn't a big Sci-Fi fan and wants to see what all the fuss is about. It's not the headiest, philosophical, poignant, intelligent Sci-Fi... but it is some of the most fun, adventurous, and entertaining of all the Sci-Fi I've read.
My only disappointment in reading the entire Known Space series (about 13-14 novels if I remember correctly) is when I ran out material to read, following completing Fate of Worlds. Now I'm almost completely out of even short stories... All I have left is one single "Gil 'The Arm' Hamilton" story, and that's it... no more Known Space for me :( One of the most bittersweet completions of a series I've ever had.
Anyway... fantastic book as always from Niven. Read it! Enjoy it!
I had already read Neutron Star, so 80% of this book was already read by me. But I did have "Procrustes" and the "Ghost" chapters that link all the short stories into one "fix-up" novel concept, and basically adds up to be another short story of its own. "Procrustes" was a great short story, finally enlightening me on what really happened between Beowulf Shaeffer, Carlos Wu, Feather, Sharrol, and Sigmund Ausfauller on Fafnir. A major crux in the story between the events of Neutron Star/Crashlander, and the Fleet of Worlds. It was a great read and a great missing piece to the puzzle of this epic, generation-spanning tale.
As far as the rest of the book, the short stories of Beowulf Shaeffer... well, they're some of the best material in the Known Space Canon, deeply important to the over-arching story surrounding Ringworld and Fleet of Worlds, I'd even say the absolute best when it comes down to just considering the short stories (Mostly contained in the "Neutron Star" and "Tales of Known Space" collections)... So yes, this is a book I'd highly recommend to a Sci-Fi fan wanting to get into the Known Space universe as a fantastic place to start. This book, or Ringworld itself, is probably THE best place to start. I'd also recommend this to the casual reader who maybe isn't a big Sci-Fi fan and wants to see what all the fuss is about. It's not the headiest, philosophical, poignant, intelligent Sci-Fi... but it is some of the most fun, adventurous, and entertaining of all the Sci-Fi I've read.
My only disappointment in reading the entire Known Space series (about 13-14 novels if I remember correctly) is when I ran out material to read, following completing Fate of Worlds. Now I'm almost completely out of even short stories... All I have left is one single "Gil 'The Arm' Hamilton" story, and that's it... no more Known Space for me :( One of the most bittersweet completions of a series I've ever had.
Anyway... fantastic book as always from Niven. Read it! Enjoy it!
March 7, 2023
Crashlander
I think that you either had to read this at a younger age than I am or read it in the time that it was written because I think Beowulf is a very workable tricksy rogue type, but he’s nothing special. He seems very insecure from the vantage point of 2023, and it seems like he and Niven don’t recognize that. It’s all “the man” keeping him down.
"Neutron Star" (1966) 3 Stars
I understand the charm of Beowulf, but the Niven focus on hard Science Fiction limits its effectiveness a bit for me. Also, why are the Puppeteers even bothering with Beowulf’s shenanigans? This is an issue I see Niven still struggling with in the later stories, so it isn’t just me.
"At the Core" (1966) 3.5 Stars
This seems like the prototypical Beowulf story: he needs money, gets in over his head, and he has to find a tricksy way out of overwhelming odds. It’s an enjoyable Science Fiction romp.
"Flatlander" (1967) 2.5 Stars
I was expecting the introduction to Beowulf’s true love to be more… interesting? The legal pickpocket thing is really dumb.
"Grendel" (1968) 2 Stars
So… Kidnappers abide by contracts? What the actual hell? The setup of the mystery was alright, but this universe is kind of falling apart on me. Also, the “clever” Beowulf loophole in this is pretty dumb.
"The Borderland of Sol" (1975) 3 Stars
I actually thought this was a pretty fun adventure story. It ticks a lot of the boxes for space adventure and has some fun James Bond spy gadgets.
"Procrustes" (1993) 2 Stars
Not sure mysteries are Niven’s strong suit. I’ve seen some fan point at this as “really bad,” but honestly, it has many of the faults of “Flatlander” and “Grendel” where the mystery just isn’t that compelling and the ingenuity of the hero doesn’t come off that clever, at least not to me.
“Ghost” [The Frame Narrative] (1994) 1.5 Stars
I’ve seen others mention that this frame story isn’t great, and it's not. It manages to be both a very stereotypical reporter interviewing the main character and a powerful (but not that powerful) agent interrogating the main character. It also removes some of the suspense from the stories by revealing their fate too early. Not great.
I think that you either had to read this at a younger age than I am or read it in the time that it was written because I think Beowulf is a very workable tricksy rogue type, but he’s nothing special. He seems very insecure from the vantage point of 2023, and it seems like he and Niven don’t recognize that. It’s all “the man” keeping him down.
"Neutron Star" (1966) 3 Stars
I understand the charm of Beowulf, but the Niven focus on hard Science Fiction limits its effectiveness a bit for me. Also, why are the Puppeteers even bothering with Beowulf’s shenanigans? This is an issue I see Niven still struggling with in the later stories, so it isn’t just me.
"At the Core" (1966) 3.5 Stars
This seems like the prototypical Beowulf story: he needs money, gets in over his head, and he has to find a tricksy way out of overwhelming odds. It’s an enjoyable Science Fiction romp.
"Flatlander" (1967) 2.5 Stars
I was expecting the introduction to Beowulf’s true love to be more… interesting? The legal pickpocket thing is really dumb.
"Grendel" (1968) 2 Stars
So… Kidnappers abide by contracts? What the actual hell? The setup of the mystery was alright, but this universe is kind of falling apart on me. Also, the “clever” Beowulf loophole in this is pretty dumb.
"The Borderland of Sol" (1975) 3 Stars
I actually thought this was a pretty fun adventure story. It ticks a lot of the boxes for space adventure and has some fun James Bond spy gadgets.
"Procrustes" (1993) 2 Stars
Not sure mysteries are Niven’s strong suit. I’ve seen some fan point at this as “really bad,” but honestly, it has many of the faults of “Flatlander” and “Grendel” where the mystery just isn’t that compelling and the ingenuity of the hero doesn’t come off that clever, at least not to me.
“Ghost” [The Frame Narrative] (1994) 1.5 Stars
I’ve seen others mention that this frame story isn’t great, and it's not. It manages to be both a very stereotypical reporter interviewing the main character and a powerful (but not that powerful) agent interrogating the main character. It also removes some of the suspense from the stories by revealing their fate too early. Not great.
March 26, 2018
Ahead of Juggler of Worlds I tracked down the stories and read the collection.
Neutron Star was well written - even by now standards it was good, I can see how that might have propelled a younger Niven ahead at the time.
I was a little worried reading these, Sci-fi tends to date itself horribly. To some extent it is, in fact, terribly dated, but the stories manage to stand up shakily over the decades
The general premise of the collection with 'Bae' Shaeffer getting himself involved on the wrong side of the Puppeteers and then, keeps getting involved it pretty good, it's never forced, its fun, and it fits within the bizarre material. The main character, himself, is pretty interesting - he's flawed, horribly so, constantly winging things and constantly paying for it. It's the kind of thing that would fit perfectly on long form television - surprised it never got the TV treatment. Well - with Netflix Originals - you never know.
I don't recommend unless you're just trying to do the whole "Know Space" thing and, like me, you weren't alive c.a. 1968 to read all his older stuff. Even then, if you can hunt down "Neutron Star" online - it's a quick read and it's deserving of the many rewards it received.
Neutron Star was well written - even by now standards it was good, I can see how that might have propelled a younger Niven ahead at the time.
I was a little worried reading these, Sci-fi tends to date itself horribly. To some extent it is, in fact, terribly dated, but the stories manage to stand up shakily over the decades
The general premise of the collection with 'Bae' Shaeffer getting himself involved on the wrong side of the Puppeteers and then, keeps getting involved it pretty good, it's never forced, its fun, and it fits within the bizarre material. The main character, himself, is pretty interesting - he's flawed, horribly so, constantly winging things and constantly paying for it. It's the kind of thing that would fit perfectly on long form television - surprised it never got the TV treatment. Well - with Netflix Originals - you never know.
I don't recommend unless you're just trying to do the whole "Know Space" thing and, like me, you weren't alive c.a. 1968 to read all his older stuff. Even then, if you can hunt down "Neutron Star" online - it's a quick read and it's deserving of the many rewards it received.
July 24, 2021
This's a collection of Niven's short stories about space pilot Beowulf Shaeffer, tied together with framing-story interludes where he talks with a UN intelligence agent about his experiences. Niven then wraps it up with a new story written for this collection following up on the interludes.
It's very rare for me to like a framing story, and like most, I think this detracts from the short stories in some ways. Beowulf turns out to have been oblivious to some things happening (and not hinted at) there, such as how the Puppeteers probably knew what he'd find in "Neutron Star." But still, there's a lot I like about this artistic choice - it ties the stories together and integrates them more deeply into Niven's Known Space universe. And, finally, the frame is tied off nicely as its own tale with one final adventure story.
It's very rare for me to like a framing story, and like most, I think this detracts from the short stories in some ways. Beowulf turns out to have been oblivious to some things happening (and not hinted at) there, such as how the Puppeteers probably knew what he'd find in "Neutron Star." But still, there's a lot I like about this artistic choice - it ties the stories together and integrates them more deeply into Niven's Known Space universe. And, finally, the frame is tied off nicely as its own tale with one final adventure story.
October 5, 2019
Beowulf Shaeffer is my favorite character from Niven's "Known Space" universe; I was delighted to hear that this compilation of Shaeffer short fiction would include an entirely new story and additional material. Every one of the previously published works in this collection is a masterpiece, but on account of their being, well, previously published, I already owned them. The new story is pretty good—Niven is at his best crafting new alien worlds with strange creatures—but to me it doesn't quite fit within the Shaeffer canon. And the linking material seems kind of contrived. Yet, if you haven't already read Neutron Star and the other compilations with Beowulf Shaeffer, this one is a must-read.
June 24, 2025
A collection of stories from Niven's Known Space. All pretty good. One thing to note, there is a lot of overlap between this book and the book "Neutron Star". I just started that one and the first half of the book was stories included in this book with little interludes between them - conversation between Beowulf and an ARM agent.
Not all the stories are the same so it's worth reading both books but I'd recommend this one first. The stories here that are included in Neutron Star have an interlude between them that adds a little bit. Then when you read Neutron Star you can just skip the ones you already read.
Not all the stories are the same so it's worth reading both books but I'd recommend this one first. The stories here that are included in Neutron Star have an interlude between them that adds a little bit. Then when you read Neutron Star you can just skip the ones you already read.
February 22, 2018
This is again Niven at his best: Short intelligent and quirky stories.
I really enjoyed reading these. As usual it seems that Niven puts all his neat, interesting ideas in these short stories and then he has not that many ideas left for the longer ones. I don't understand why that is so...
Anyway, I highly recommend these stories for adventure, fun ideas and some well written scifi. The only problem is that these stories (except one) have been published elsewhere before but anyway you can get them here now in one book.
I really enjoyed reading these. As usual it seems that Niven puts all his neat, interesting ideas in these short stories and then he has not that many ideas left for the longer ones. I don't understand why that is so...
Anyway, I highly recommend these stories for adventure, fun ideas and some well written scifi. The only problem is that these stories (except one) have been published elsewhere before but anyway you can get them here now in one book.
April 8, 2019
Now we hear it from Beowulf Shaffer's point of view! Sigmund Ausfaller - now there's a champ. This time you hear it from his quarry (or one of his quarries) and it's artful and fascinating to see firsthand what Sigmund has to deduce about hiding places, hull disintegrations, tidal forces pulling one apart, crooked cops, and how Beowulf ends up much shorter.
If I had more space, I'd be keeping this one.
If I had more space, I'd be keeping this one.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
April 13, 2022
I think reading Foundation set me up to be a little skeptical of how I'd find the writing here but honestly I really enjoyed this and would love to read more Niven! Foundation specifically is a hard comparison to avoid, starting off this series of stories gave me major "stories about the smartest guy in every room" vibes but I was really glad to see that's really not what Beowulf Schaefer stories are like at least!
August 5, 2022
chance find in a coffee shop
good, knowing that it was a collection of short stories helped, the worldbuilding in every chapter was annoying, but the connecting tissue of the ghost stories made it a somewhat whole novel.
the book ringworld is better oc, but for additional reading and extra information it's good
good, knowing that it was a collection of short stories helped, the worldbuilding in every chapter was annoying, but the connecting tissue of the ghost stories made it a somewhat whole novel.
the book ringworld is better oc, but for additional reading and extra information it's good
July 24, 2017
I enjoyed reading a book that filled in gaps in the Fleet of worlds series and other series. This book stands alone as a collection of interesting stories or as a companion to other Larry Niven books!
January 3, 2019
Summary: I found this quite hard work, the stories strung together and felt dated.
Plotline: Some interesting plots
Premise: Extension of his universe so not bad
Writing: Heavy., I felt uninvolved
Ending: Short stories, most OK endings
Pace: Never a dull moment!
Plotline: Some interesting plots
Premise: Extension of his universe so not bad
Writing: Heavy., I felt uninvolved
Ending: Short stories, most OK endings
Pace: Never a dull moment!
February 13, 2019
An OK collection of short stories set in the Known Space Universe. The first few stories were enjoyable but as the collection went on the stories seemed less enjoyable. The last story seemed to be a less tightly written story and the flow was just not there.
March 30, 2020
This collection of short stories follows a pilot in Known Space on several adventures. I enjoyed the stories with Puppeteers, but not so much of the other ones. I just find the Puppeteers more interesting, I suppose.
September 23, 2018
Similar to Neutron Star in content but the arc that ties it all together is a nice touch!
January 6, 2019
The chapter "Neutron Star" is great! But a lot of other stuff in Crashlander is subpar, and on occasion really bad.
June 29, 2019
A great collection of Beowulf Shaeffer stories! This was a fun read with a little back and forth from stories within the story, and a happy ending to top it off.
September 11, 2020
Skip the last one and the "ghost" stories...ruined the book totally
April 20, 2021
Conciseness that provides just enough information for you to fill in the gaps. A story that keeps you guessing but which never cheats the reader. Masterful.
Read
June 8, 2021I read a lot of Larry Niven during my youthful years and I remember the books fondly.
September 30, 2021
I can't help but love these characters and the author's wierd, matter of fact, even cocky style of writing...
May 19, 2023
Great collection of all the Beowuff Shaefer stories in one book!
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