The Spheres of Heaven
 Charles Sheffield
 (Sr. Staff Reviewer - D. H. BROWN)
 2001 Baen Books
  ISBN: 0671319698


Spacer Chan Dalton is torn between two masters. The pacifist aliens who hold Earth in Quarantine have ordered him to find out why their starships are disappearing and Earth's military also want Dalton to find out why their own ships are vanishing. The trouble is, the aliens believe that killing intelligent life, even in self-defense, is the greatest sin.

Dalton has a problem - should he discover who is responsible for those vanishing airships no matter foe or friend, he is expected to stop them with extreme prejudice. On the one hand it was Earth's violent ways that put the Quarantine into effect while on the other hand if he destroys anyone, those pacifist aliens will banish him forever from space.

Senior Staff Reviewer D. H. BROWN writes:

Charles Sheffield has lived up to his reputation once again as one of the very best hard science fiction writers in the world today. He writes a plot that is definitely science fiction without the hard part getting in the way of the dialogue.

The Spheres of Heaven, the sequel to The Mind Pool, stands on its own, with no needed propping.

The idea of alternate universes has been around in science fiction for decades & is a subject revisited many times. This time Sheffield has brought it to light in another dimension.

Good space opera! Grabs your attention, keeps your nose in the pages & doesn't let go to the very taut ending.

A very fine read & something I enjoyed immensely. Science fiction is richer because of Sheffield's talent.

I'm looking forward to his next endeavor with baited breath. His background as a mathematician & a physicist allows him to bring the concepts to light in a new & imaginative way.

Charles Sheffield is a mathematician & physicist & has been the past president of both the American Astronautical Society & the Science Fiction Writers of America. He has also been the chief scientist of the Earth Satellite Corporation.

In science fiction, Dr. Sheffield has received the coveted Nebula & Hugo Awards as well as the John W. Campbell Memorial Award for his novel: Brother to Dragons. More from this author: The Mind Pool; My Brother's Keeper; The Compleat McAndrew; Convergent Series; Transvergence; Proteus in the Underworld; Borderlands of Science & The Web Between the Worlds.
(11/18/01)

D. H. BROWN
A RebeccasReads.com Sr. Staff Reviewer

Reviewer's Bio:
D. H. BROWN is the author of the critically acclaimed HONOR DUE and the Citizens Warrior Series. The son of missionary parents and with the help his Uncle Sam, he has touched base in more than 40 countries.  In 1986 he produced the independent children's film Lessie's Rainbow.  During the late 80s and early 90s, he wrote the book Common Sense and delivered the seminars of the same name for the Community Action Network of Seattle (CAN).  While doing his early Vietnam recovery work, he counseled Veterans and spoke widely to men's groups in Washington state, and was a founder of The Lodge of the Wolf.

D. H. BROWN has worked as a Logistics and Weapons Specialist in Viet Nam; day laborer; Director of Security; Armored Car Driver; Police Officer; Professional Hunting Guide; Trapper; Dog Sledder; Homesteader; Truck Driver; General Contractor; Minister; Editor; Writer; Speaker; Restaurateur; Movie Producer; Antique Restoration Specialist; Personal Care Worker; PC Repair Specialist; Computer Instructor; Webmaster and Web Designer. "I write about what I know."

He lives deep in the Pacific Northwest rainforest with his wife, author and editor Rebecca and Buddy Dog, working on his next book.
Visit him at: www.dhbrownbooks.com