Do you recognize this sci-fi book I'll describe? Can't remember

KenJackson · 05-10-2014, 08:42 PM

I read a sci-fi book maybe 15 years ago (long before I owned an ereader) which I absolutely loved. But the author hadn't written any other novels. Now I'd like to look again to see if he's written anything since, but I can't remember the title or author. Can you help me?

In the book, aliens showed up in orbit around earth one day and demanded to trade with humans. What do you mean trade?, the humans asked. Are they going to enslave us?

No, the aliens answered. Slavery is too difficult and expensive. There's much more profit to be had by free trade. That's the thing I loved about this novel. No other novel I've ever read applied the realities of free trade in such a bizarre setting as this one.

Anyway, the novel progressed as good novels do, with competing bad aliens, laser pistols and laser-proof clothing (I hope I'm not confusing novels on that point), and the humans finally come out ahead with good inter-stellar trade agreements and new friends to boot.

Does anyone recognize this?

Dhevi · 05-10-2014, 10:52 PM

I'm not quite certain this is the title you are looking for:

http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/8...First_Contract

KenJackson · 05-11-2014, 04:25 PM

Thank you, Dhevi. I think that is the book I was looking for.

I'm pleased that some of the reviewers agree with me on how exceptionally novel this novel really is.

The author, Greg Costikyan, has indeed written other novels, but alas, none of them look like they would be nearly as interesting.

05-10-2014, 08:42 PM	#1
KenJackson Addict Posts: 256 Karma: 112042 Join Date: Oct 2010 Location: Maryland, USA Device: Sony PRS-650	Do you recognize this sci-fi book I'll describe? Can't remember I read a sci-fi book maybe 15 years ago (long before I owned an ereader) which I absolutely loved. But the author hadn't written any other novels. Now I'd like to look again to see if he's written anything since, but I can't remember the title or author. Can you help me? In the book, aliens showed up in orbit around earth one day and demanded to trade with humans. What do you mean trade?, the humans asked. Are they going to enslave us? No, the aliens answered. Slavery is too difficult and expensive. There's much more profit to be had by free trade. That's the thing I loved about this novel. No other novel I've ever read applied the realities of free trade in such a bizarre setting as this one. Anyway, the novel progressed as good novels do, with competing bad aliens, laser pistols and laser-proof clothing (I hope I'm not confusing novels on that point), and the humans finally come out ahead with good inter-stellar trade agreements and new friends to boot. Does anyone recognize this?

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05-10-2014, 10:52 PM	#2
Dhevi Zealot Posts: 144 Karma: 2211224 Join Date: Apr 2012 Location: Ohio Device: Galaxy Note 4, Galaxy S3, Nexus 7.2	I'm not quite certain this is the title you are looking for: http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/8...First_Contract

05-11-2014, 04:25 PM	#3
KenJackson Addict Posts: 256 Karma: 112042 Join Date: Oct 2010 Location: Maryland, USA Device: Sony PRS-650	Thank you, Dhevi. I think that is the book I was looking for. I'm pleased that some of the reviewers agree with me on how exceptionally novel this novel really is. The author, Greg Costikyan, has indeed written other novels, but alas, none of them look like they would be nearly as interesting.

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