Earth: A Novel

By David Brin

Here is multiple-award winning author David Brin's most important, most ambitious, and most universal novel to date—a blockbuster epic that transcends his already distinguished body of work in scope and importance.

A microscopic black hole has accidentally fallen into the Earth's core, threatening to destroy the entire planet within two years. Some scientists are frantically searching for ways to prevent the disaster. But others argue that the way to save the Earth is to let its human inhabitants become extinct: to let the evolutionary clock rewind and start over again.

Earth is an edge-of-the-seat thriller, a kaleidoscopic novel peopled with extraordinary characters and challenging new visions of an incredibly real future: global computer networks that put limitless information at everyone's fingertips, and environment ravaged by the greenhouse effect, a quiet revolution by the politically powerful elderly.

More than a compelling, masterfully told story, Earth is a profound testament about our responsibility to our planet—a message so stirring, it reaches out from the pages to embrace and inspire us all.

Praise for Earth

“The Moby Dick of the whole Earth movement.”—Locus

“A powerful, cautionary tale.”—San Francisco Chronicle

• Language: English
• Publisher: Random House Publishing Group
• Release date: Oct 21, 2009
• ISBN: 9780307573407

David Brin

David Brin is an astrophysicist whose international-bestselling novels include Earth, Existence, Startide Rising, and The Postman, which was adapted into a film in 1998. Brin serves on several advisory boards, including NASA’s Innovative Advanced Concepts program, or NIAC, and speaks or consults on topics ranging from AI, SETI, privacy, and invention to national security. His nonfiction book about the information age, The Transparent Society, won the Freedom of Speech Award of the American Library Association. Brin’s latest nonfiction work is Polemical Judo. Visit him at www.davidbrin.com.

Reviews for Earth

[aagbay-1 · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

Earth, written by David Brin, is an unforgettable journey and story though a not-so-distant future that stresses the importance of taking care of the environment. With the well thought out characters, wonderful story line full of twists and quirks, Earth grabs your attention from the very beginning and doesn't let go until the final word. The story takes place in futuristic 2030. Not so far from where we are today, but the book was published in 1995. However, Brin paints a situation that doesn't seem so far off. Because of global climate change, seas have risen way past current day levels, species have gone extinct, and many other problems that society has taken note of today are found in amounts not to far from what we could expect. With the introduction of new technology, society has become completely connected with one another through the use of a global online resource, sort of like the Internet of today, but much, much greater in extent. All of these things are not too far off from where we are for now, and give a realistic touch to the book that many science fiction stories do not. Throughout the story, Brin takes the viewpoint of different characters from all over the world. Young teenagers, astronauts, and physicists are just a few types of people that make there way onto the list of characters. At first, none of them seem to correlate with each other and are seen as completely individual stories. However, Brin does a good job and ties all of the people together in a way that rivals the similar style found in the Song of Ice and Fire series by George R.R. Martin. Each character is well thought out and completely burst with personality. As the story goes on, they face increasingly difficult situations. However, there are some bad points about the book. With all the details, the book can get bogged down a bit. Some of the more intricate scientific matters presented in the book can still be confusing even though it tries to explain it, but it does a good job at simplifying the hard subject matter. Earth is one crazy journey through science, disaster, and human intuition. Brin calls upon some of the newest sciences of the day and uses them in a way that shows everyone what new technology could do if we are not careful. All of the science found in the book is well explained and will not confuse people without a background of what's going on. The story is gripping and will leave you with wanting to read more to see what continues. Earth is a powerful book and is a must read for all science fiction lovers and environmental enthusiasts.

[wenestvedt_1 · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

A good SF novel.

[dbsovereign · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

Takes the concept of working from home to a whole new level. The future looks a bit dismal, but there's hope in finding a community on-line.

[kvrfan9 · Rating: 2 out of 5 stars]

Sad to say, this book was a clunker. It looked promising in the beginning--like it was going to be a parable about the dark side of technological progress. And it might have worked, had Brin kept his story on a smaller scale, focusing on the effect an abused planet was having on a few people. Unfortunately, he decided to attempt writing an epic, with the result that there were too many characters involved in too many subplots that I couldn't very invested in.

Given the fact that the book was published in 1990 and takes place in 2038, it's interesting to read it in 2012, roughly the half-way point. In some things, Brin was quite prescient, e.g. his portrayal of the Earth suffering from climate change, and especially his take on the pervasive presence of the Internet (which he calls the World Net). In other cases, the story is filled with anachronisms: the space shuttle program is still active, and people are still wondering in 2038 whether there is water on Mars. But the anachronisms could have simply been considered quaint and charming if the approach to the story had been better.

There is one exceptional scene in the first 374 pages, where disaster befalls those tending a space station. I wasn't prepared an additional 200 pages to find out whether there was another. The book became too much of a slog. I gave up.

[dinadansfriend · Rating: 3 out of 5 stars]

This is pretty "Hard" science fiction, but I did have a good time learning something about black holes. David Brin writes rather better than many who make a living in this genre.

[randystafford · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

My reactions to reading this novel in 1991. Some spoilers follow.I liked this novel for one reason: Brin’s skill at building and portraying a world fifty years in the future. I agree with Brin’s Afterword statement that this is one of the hardest types of sf to write. Fifty years is just long enough to change some things significantly (beyond the one or two trend extrapolation of a near-future short story) but not enough to allow any wild speculation (at least not plausibly) on the part of the author. Brin does a good job at covering technological, social, and political change. And the fact that he used the Dos Passos style endears him to me. I regard it as one of the best sf styles. The best part of this novel is Brin’s portrayal of the Net. Brin postulates many uses for hypermedia, world-sprawling grid of cheap information from special interest groups, fanzines, data gathering, political actions, religious junk mail (a Buddhistic group asking if you’re a reincarnated bodhisativa) to sabotage programs that force people to the dreaded Emily Post program before they again send their words out on the Net. I liked his Helvetian War. He explains his reason for creating it in the Afterword: to have a conflict that echoes in his characters’ minds like World War II and Vietnam do in previous generations and gives some plausible reasons why the world would decide to beat up on innocuous Switzerland. While most of the characters in this novel didn’t elicit any strong reactions from me one way or another, I really liked the disaffected youths of Bloomington: Remi, Roland, and Crat. In the year 2038, I'll be one of those old guys they're angry at. But, unfortunately, Brin doesn’t do much with their characters. They seem to serve primarily as symbols. After meeting Joseph Moyers who causes them to examine the direction of their lives, they each take symbolic paths. Remi, ultimatley disaffected, goes out in a blaze of glory in a gangfight; Roland learns the meaning of courage, sacrifice, and heroism when he gives his life in a UN raid on a dealer in animal product contraband; Crat becomes our symbol of the despair of the dispossessed of Sea State and the hope of the novel’s end. (Brin, in the Afterword, admits he exaggerated the probable extent of seal level rise due to the Greenhouse Effect). I also appreciated Daisy McClennon, the eco-fascist. Some may find her character extreme, but she seems all too realistic to me. I also liked Glen Spivey not turning out to be the evil military figure so many, especially Teresa Tikhana (who I found rather annoying), thought him to be. I liked Brin taking to task those who see Western culture and science as to blame for the environmental crisis. For Brin, wise technology is a way to solve problems. He acknowledges that today’s technological solutions sometimes becomes tomorrow’s problem but argues, in the Afterword, that that should not stop us from seeking solutions. And Brin rightly points out that the future creeps in day by day to become giant changes only noticeable in hindsight. But there were many things I didn’t like in the novel. I didn’t mind the super science plot of singularity building and gravity beams, but I thought the end bit with it being used as cheap space dirve to save Earth was predictable. As was Daisy McClennon being swept away in a Mississippi that broke through its confining levee. As was a mothballed Atlantis that reaches space again (and where exactly did Atlantis get enough memory space in its computer to run the program that directs the grazer?). The literal incarnation of Gaia was annoying too. And what was really annoying was the final, vaguely explained battle of surrogate champions -- Jenny Wolling’s tiger and Daisy McClennon’s dragon -- for Gaia and man’s fate. This smacked of the same plot flaw that ruined Brin’s excellent The Postman with its end battle with the souped-up commando. Perhaps Brin frequently resorts to the battle of champion-ending habitually. I guess what I object to is the “everything but the kitchen sink” ending of this novel culminating with the possibility that reporter Pedro Manella is an alien. I realize that Brin thematically tied up everything -- the nature of consciousness, the ultimate value of technology to the environment and man’s place in it, the dichotomy and chaotic relationship of cooperation and competition, the nature of Gaia -- but the ending seemed jarring, contrived -- especially the tiger-dragon fight.

[plyte_1 · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

Earth, written by David Brin, is an unforgettable journey and story though a not-so-distant future that stresses the importance of taking care of the environment. With the well thought out characters, wonderful story line full of twists and quirks, Earth grabs your attention from the very beginning and doesn't let go until the final word. The story takes place in futuristic 2030. Not so far from where we are today, but the book was published in 1995. However, Brin paints a situation that doesn't seem so far off. Because of global climate change, seas have risen way past current day levels, species have gone extinct, and many other problems that society has taken note of today are found in amounts not to far from what we could expect. With the introduction of new technology, society has become completely connected with one another through the use of a global online resource, sort of like the Internet of today, but much, much greater in extent. All of these things are not too far off from where we are for now, and give a realistic touch to the book that many science fiction stories do not. Throughout the story, Brin takes the viewpoint of different characters from all over the world. Young teenagers, astronauts, and physicists are just a few types of people that make there way onto the list of characters. At first, none of them seem to correlate with each other and are seen as completely individual stories. However, Brin does a good job and ties all of the people together in a way that rivals the similar style found in the Song of Ice and Fire series by George R.R. Martin. Each character is well thought out and completely burst with personality. As the story goes on, they face increasingly difficult situations. However, there are some bad points about the book. With all the details, the book can get bogged down a bit. Some of the more intricate scientific matters presented in the book can still be confusing even though it tries to explain it, but it does a good job at simplifying the hard subject matter. Earth is one crazy journey through science, disaster, and human intuition. Brin calls upon some of the newest sciences of the day and uses them in a way that shows everyone what new technology could do if we are not careful. All of the science found in the book is well explained and will not confuse people without a background of what's going on. The story is gripping and will leave you with wanting to read more to see what continues. Earth is a powerful book and is a must read for all science fiction lovers and environmental enthusiasts.

[penforhire · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

Earth tries covers an amazing amount of ground. When I started reading it I had no idea how long ago Brin wrote it. The man is nearly a prophet!I did find it gripping but also demanding. Some characters we follow are just meat for the story's vast grinder. The plot layers on heaping portions of wild speculation, one right after the other.By the end I was dazzled, culture-shocked, and felt like I'd travelled a very long way. I enjoyed it but I think it is impossible to be outstanding (5 stars rating, to me) in such an epic story. I'm not saying Brin did a bad job, just that the job is too much for one book.Certain threads tickled me greatly. I loved the Helvetican war as a historical backdrop. I loved the Settler/Ra-Boy future gangs and their surveillance society. I enjoyed the contrast between Maori myth and modern science though it felt a bit clumsy, like we were beaten over the head with it. A touch more subtlety would have been appreciated.I felt let down, just a little, by the family of Daisy, her daughter, and dad. The plotting around them was critical to the story but didn't hang together as well as other threads. I'm not objecting to Daisy's inhumanity. We see that in too many people around us today. Something about the family's interactions felt tacked on. And the extended family (the hidden wealthy villains) was kept too well hidden from the reader. The people behind the other gravity sites were far too faceless.Four solid stars from me. A lengthy read but worth it.

[systemicplural · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

Explores some really interesting ideas about how camera technology could change society.

[isabelx_21 · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

Written at the end of the 1980s, "Earth" is set at the end of the 2030s, when the countries of the world are working together in a culture of openness as the Net means that secrecy is (supposedly) a thing of the past, and the need to recycle everything means that 'dumpit' has become a swearword. Opinions differ as to whether the environmental measures put in place to protect the earth will work or whether the human race will (or should in the opinion of the extremer Gaians) become extinct, but a new threat from beneath the earth's surface could mean the end of the planet itself.The subject matter of this story, and it's structure with multiple threads, including articles by Net commentators and extracts from books, reminded me of "Stand on Zanzibar" by John Brunner which is one of my favourite books. I wasn't sure that I liked "Earth" to start with, and it's a while since I've read a 700+ page book and it's length was a bit daunting, but it became more and more fascinating as I went on.

[nkmunn · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

I really like this book. I have read it quite a few times. It is entertaining, makes you think, I like the parallel story lines.

[figre · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

I am about to make an unfair comparison. Earth is no Stand on Zanzibar. I say this recognizing that it is unfair to compare any work to a classic like Zanzibar. (Although, really, just how unfair is it?. Zanzibar won the Hugo, Earth was nominated. That’s pretty close.) Unfairness aside, I was instantly drawn to the parallel as I began reading the book. (In fact, the author even brings up Zanzibar, as well as The Sheep Look Up, in his afterward.) In Earth, Brin has placed us in the near future (50 years) and juxtaposed the stories of the main characters with the news and events of the time. He has attempted to give the reader the future shock feel of a media we think we know, but in a way that is still unfamiliar. All these are similar to Zanzibar. However, where Zanzibar reaches heights of “freneticism“, Earth merely gives us a taste, seemingly stepping back from the true immersion and shock that would make us feel a part of this uncomfortable time. It is as though we are being allowed to dip into the effect of this future without being allowed to truly experience it. A tourist’s guide to 50 years from now. But, again, I must admit the comparison is still unfair. Earth not really trying to do the same thing as Zanzibar. There is a different story being told. Rather than focusing on humanity’s efforts to destroy itself, there is a bigger disaster waiting - a black hole circling inside the earth. But ecological disaster and the other aspects of our attempts to eradicate ourselves are still important (if not primarily central) to the story. Brin brings it all to the story - governmental disaster, ecological disaster, zoological disaster, botanical disaster, monetary disaster - and that damnable black hole that is there ready to bludgeon the final nail in our coffin.You see, notwithstanding all the negative comparisons to Zanzibar, this is still a good book. The intertwined stories are well told (stretched a few times, but, hey…) And the concepts are intriguing. The fact that there is a black hole in the earth is only the beginning of the physics tricks pulled. Plus, Brin is an excellent writer and the 100 or so pages that really build to the climax are well-crafted - they move to their conclusion at a faster and faster pace while still catching us up on each individual we have grown to know. So, with all that in mind, this is ultimately the stuff of good science fiction - intriguing technology, interesting people, imminent disaster, and (without really providing a spoiler) solutions that are unexpected but fit within the framework of the story. And, good writing.No, this is not Stand on Zanzibar (although it has sent me back to reread that classic and, if you haven‘t read it, you really should.) But it still stands above some of the other work out there. And it can stand on its own quite nicely, thank you.

[karlstar_1 · Rating: 3 out of 5 stars]

David Brin's vision of a not too far distant Earth, struggling from ozone depletion, resource depletion, over population and black holes in the mantle. It is also Brin's vision of the internet. As this was written in the very earliest days of the internet, it focused on what was thought to be the coming technology of personal search routines, at the time no one envisioned the power of search engines, blogs, or social media. He overdoes the 'abused Earth' theme, but otherwise its a decent book.

[sturlington_1 · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

Earth is as vast and wide as its title character. Set 50 years in the future, it depicts an Earth fully feeling the effects of global warming, where refugees from flooded lands have built a floating country called Sea State; where recycling, conservation and Gaia worship have become religions; where no one can venture out in the sun without extreme protection and endangered animals are sheltered in life arks. On this Earth, the Net has become the only legitimate forum for debate, information sharing and decision making. On this Earth, secrecy has been outlawed, the result of a devastating war against Switzerland that has destroyed all notions of hidden bank accounts and squirreled-away piles of wealth. The elderly record every moment with goggles to prevent crime, and privacy no longer exists.In this setting, a physicist — experimenting with microscopic black holes — discovers an unusual singularity deep inside the planet that is voraciously consuming its mass. He enlists the help of his mentor and a billionaire geologist to figure out a way to dislodge it, and in so doing, discovers that the tiny black hole can be used to focus a beam of gravity that can either be a destructive, unstoppable weapon or a very useful means of lifting things off the planet and moving them through space. As their activities become apparent, they are joined by a relentless investigative journalist and a former Space Shuttle pilot who witnessed the destruction of a space station and death of her husband as a result of one of these “gazers.” The group is frantically trying to control the singularity, but others — governments, clandestine groups, a lone environmental warrior with extreme ideas — have other plans for how to use its power.I reread Earth because of my renewed interest in global warming and the efforts of groups like Worldchanging, where I believe Brin is a contributor. Also, I wanted to see if any of Brin’s future predictions were coming true, now 17 years after the book was published. I do think technology and the Net are becoming as pervasive and as critical to our global society as he predicted. The eroding of privacy and other civil rights in favor of safety has definitely become a threat as cameras and similar technologies become more ubiquitous and wearable. But I feel we are still firmly entrenched in “TwenCen” mode, unwilling to give up even a little luxury to preserve what really is our only home (although the optimist in me says the tide is turning on that issue, too).Brin offers hope — in the ingenuity of human thinking, especially under crisis situations; in the discovery of unimagined technologies that are as likely to save us as destroy us; and in the tenaciousness of our species. Let just hope that this part of his vision is one that comes true.

[imbookingit · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

I liked the plot a lot, but I love the worldbuilding, more of which seems to be coming true by the year.

[sc1_1 · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

This books is a bit hard to get into, but stick with it and you'll be rewarded. Brin, a self described futurist, hits the mark with depressing accuracy as we see many of his ecological and tech prophecies come to light just 20 years after he wrote the book. A book to make you think.

[fwendy_3 · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

Read this when first released and was my first experience with the sci fi genre. It influenced me to read many other of Brin's books plus several other classic and contemporary sci fi books.

[rocalisa_1 · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

Earth by David Brin (10/10)SF. This was a brilliant book 15 years ago and it still is today. It's hardly dated and is being discussed on [Beyond_Reality] this month. David Brin will comment.

[neontapir_1 · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

Writing stories set in the near-future is hard, but this one's holding up pretty well.

[bluesalamanders · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

I liked this book a lot, but the end bothered me - it felt more fantasy than science fiction, after the rest of the book was very science fiction.

[reading_fox · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

One of my all time favourite SF reads. Set in a high tech future where global warming took hold but was bypased, Earth is brought to the brink of distruction by an alien crafted black hole. Fortunalety physists are just up to the job untl politics rears its head. Told from multiple viewpoints including message board excerts and news reports, scattered over the globe this is a delightful read.

[wyvernfriend · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

To be honest I wouldn't have finished this one if it wasn't a bookcrossingIE choice. I'm not sorry I read it but it was a bit too scientific for my real enjoyment and went down some avenues that I wouldn't have gone if I had a choice.In a near future the earth is wracked with ecological damange and various land masses are under water causing mass emigration and more disaster. When some scientists find that there's a black hole eating the planet they're on a race for survival. Interesting but a bit too much science for my taste.