The Goliath Stone

Larry Niven · Matthew Joseph Harrington

Jun 2013 · Macmillan + ORM

About this ebook

Scientists must stop nanites from driving an asteroid into Earth in this “brilliantly crafted . . . edge-of-the-seat thriller” (Kirkus Reviews, starred review).

Twenty-five years ago, Doctor Toby Glyer and William Connors made a revolutionary breakthrough in nanotechnology. Their controversial nanites were capable of everything from miracle cures for the terminally ill to AI for asteroid-mining missions. But when the nanite-run Briareus mission to divert an Earth-crossing asteroid dropped out of contact soon after reaching its target, the entire program was shut down and the use of nanotechnology forcibly suppressed.

Now a much, much larger asteroid is on a collision course with Earth—and the Briareus nanites may be responsible. While governments scramble to find a solution, Doctor Glyer knows that their only hope to avoid Armageddon lies in the nanites themselves. On the run, Glyer must track down Connors and find a way to make contact with their wayward children before a two-hundred-gigaton asteroid smashes into Earth. Will Glyer’s be Earth’s salvation, or destruction?

Praise for The Goliath Stone

“A fast read, filled with fascinating characters and mind-binding concepts. I should have worn a crash helmet.” —Larry Bond, New York Times–bestselling author of Shattered Trident

“A future so brilliantly rendered that it feels shockingly real. This stunning book is Niven at the absolute top of his game, a surefire award winner and fan pleaser.” —Whitley Strieber, New York Times–bestselling author of The Grays

“A rollicking good time.” —Publishers Weekly (starred review)

“With witty dialogue and laugh-inducing prose, this is an incredible fun read, sure to entertain SF fans.” —Booklist

Ratings and reviews

A fun little popcorn read, as long as you aren't too allergic to any of the authors' rabidly libertarian and environmentalist-hating political views. Very little real conflict, unfortunately; it's basically an exercise in unbroken Mary-Sue exposition sprinkled with sexual fantasy fulfillment and sci-fi fannish in-jokes and puns. Reminiscent of Robert Heinlein's last works from his extreme old age, which suffered from the exact same problems.

About the author

LARRY NIVEN is the multiple Hugo and Nebula Award–winning author of the Ringworld series along with many other science fiction masterpieces. He lives in Chatsworth, California.

MATTHEW JOSEPH HARRINGTON is the author of Soul Survivor. He is currently living with fantasy artist Valerie Anne Shoemaker and four cats in San Jose, California.