Which Robert Goddard book?

Waylander · 03-08-2015, 06:32 AM

Hi, looking for something to read and Robert Goddard looks interesting. Which one of his many books would you consider the ideal one to start with?

crich70 · 03-08-2015, 08:20 AM

Do you mean the author or the early rocket experimenter?

BenG · 03-08-2015, 09:00 AM

In Pale Battalions is good, but it's the only book of his that I've read so I can't say if it's the best one to start with.

Mike L · 03-08-2015, 02:21 PM

In my opinion, his three earliest books are his best: Past Caring, In Pale Battalions, Painting the Darkness. After that, they went downhill: repetitive, over-long, formulaic.

But that's just my opinion. He is an enormously popular author, and many people enjoy his work.

Mike

gmw · 03-08-2015, 08:45 PM

My favourite is still In Pale Battalions I think that is wonderfully done, but Past Caring, Take No Farewell and Beyond Recall are up there too.

I have enjoyed most of his books (Painting the Darkness I felt dragged on too long), even his recent work. But there is (at least) an element of truth in what Mike L says, there is a definite similarity in how the stories work (the weaving of past and current events). All this means is that is better to read one now and then, interspersed with other books, rather all his books one after another. I can think of several other authors, of various genres, that fit this description.

ETA: There is no particular reading order required, all the books are independent stories - except for Into the Blue, Out of the Sun and Never Go Back, which feature the same character, Harry Barnett, and so should probably be read in the order given here.

Lynx-lynx · 03-16-2015, 05:55 AM

I really enjoyed:

The Ways of the World (book1)
The Corners of the Globe (book 2)

of his James Maxted series. Book 3 is due to be released this year I think.

The series is set during the period of the Treaty of Versailles, Paris, 1919.

They're real boys own adventure books and immensely enjoyable! However Book 1 doesn't really start off that brilliantly - it starts to become good about one third of the way in.

I didn't think that much of Pale Battalions, which was a family saga style book.

And I haven't read any of the others (yet).

orlok · 03-16-2015, 06:24 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BenG

In Pale Battalions is good, but it's the only book of his that I've read so I can't say if it's the best one to start with.

This. I've read all of his books, and for me the earlier ones were the best, and In Pale Battalions the best of them all.

03-08-2015, 06:32 AM	#1
Waylander Guru Posts: 662 Karma: 2905052 Join Date: Oct 2013 Device: Kindle Paperwhite 5 16GB, Kindle Paperwhite 6, Kobo Clara,	Which Robert Goddard book? Hi, looking for something to read and Robert Goddard looks interesting. Which one of his many books would you consider the ideal one to start with?

03-08-2015, 09:00 AM	#3
BenG Home Guard Posts: 4,730 Karma: 86721650 Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: Alpha Ralpha Boulevard Device: Kindle Oasis 3G, iPhone 6	In Pale Battalions is good, but it's the only book of his that I've read so I can't say if it's the best one to start with. Last edited by BenG; 03-08-2015 at 06:25 PM.

03-08-2015, 08:45 PM	#5
gmw cacoethes scribendi Posts: 5,818 Karma: 137770742 Join Date: Nov 2010 Location: Australia Device: Kobo Aura One & H2Ov2, Sony PRS-650	My favourite is still In Pale Battalions I think that is wonderfully done, but Past Caring, Take No Farewell and Beyond Recall are up there too. I have enjoyed most of his books (Painting the Darkness I felt dragged on too long), even his recent work. But there is (at least) an element of truth in what Mike L says, there is a definite similarity in how the stories work (the weaving of past and current events). All this means is that is better to read one now and then, interspersed with other books, rather all his books one after another. I can think of several other authors, of various genres, that fit this description. ETA: There is no particular reading order required, all the books are independent stories - except for Into the Blue, Out of the Sun and Never Go Back, which feature the same character, Harry Barnett, and so should probably be read in the order given here. Last edited by gmw; 03-08-2015 at 08:48 PM.

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03-08-2015, 08:20 AM	#2
crich70 Grand Sorcerer Posts: 11,310 Karma: 43993832 Join Date: Feb 2010 Location: Monroe Wisconsin Device: K3, Kindle Paperwhite, Calibre, and Mobipocket for Pc (netbook)	Do you mean the author or the early rocket experimenter?

03-08-2015, 02:21 PM	#4
Mike L Wizard Posts: 1,479 Karma: 3846231 Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: Edinburgh, Scotland Device: Kindle 3, Samsung Galaxy	In my opinion, his three earliest books are his best: Past Caring, In Pale Battalions, Painting the Darkness. After that, they went downhill: repetitive, over-long, formulaic. But that's just my opinion. He is an enormously popular author, and many people enjoy his work. Mike

03-16-2015, 05:55 AM	#6
Lynx-lynx Treachery of images ... Posts: 4,115 Karma: 92523791 Join Date: May 2012 Location: Australia Device: Sony 650, Kobo Glo, H2O, Aura One, Forma, Libra 2, Libra Colour	I really enjoyed: The Ways of the World (book1) The Corners of the Globe (book 2) of his James Maxted series. Book 3 is due to be released this year I think. The series is set during the period of the Treaty of Versailles, Paris, 1919. They're real boys own adventure books and immensely enjoyable! However Book 1 doesn't really start off that brilliantly - it starts to become good about one third of the way in. I didn't think that much of Pale Battalions, which was a family saga style book. And I haven't read any of the others (yet).

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