Terran Empire-like Novels

***TechnoViking*** · Mar 13th, '03, 08:40 AM

I’m looking for some novels that may have influence or are similar to the Terran Empire Setting.

I think noticed similarity between Larry Niven’s Known Space novels and the Terran Empire, can you think of any others?

Mike

**Starwolf** · Mar 13th, '03, 09:35 AM

For an early setting try Bio of a Space Tyrant.

**AlHazred** · Mar 14th, '03, 03:54 AM

Better yet, don't try Bio of a Space Tyrant. Not one of Piers' best works, IMO.

I think TE looks a lot like the Traveller setting, from the Rule of Man era -- a vigorous Earth overthrows an alien foe and carves out their territory in space, the admiral assumes imperial power, alien territories like bubbles surround the humans... Yep, very Traveller-esque. But with the stupid parts removed...

**Garet** · Mar 14th, '03, 08:09 AM

Poul Anderson's Flandry of Terra series in that area. Decandent Empire with new up and coming empire outside. He's a intell type guy.

Garet

**Logan D** · Mar 14th, '03, 09:56 PM

Originally posted by AlHazred
a vigorous Earth overthrows an alien foe and carves out their territory in space, the admiral assumes imperial power, alien territories like bubbles surround the humans... Yep, very Traveller-esque. But with the stupid parts removed...

What stupid parts? I really liked Traveller's setting and history, at least up through the Rebellion period. I prefer the reboot that GURPS Traveller does on the universe from that point, but the setting in general has always been a favorite of mine.

***TechnoViking*** · Mar 15th, '03, 07:38 PM

Originally posted by AlHazred
Yep, very Traveller-esque. But with the stupid parts removed...

The Traveller universe is great up to Traveller: The New Era.

Traveller: The New Era and Champions: New Millenium, didn't anyone learn anything from new Coke

.

Mike

**Lord Mhoram** · Mar 23rd, '03, 11:25 AM

Originally posted by Mike Basinger
The Traveller universe is great up to Traveller: The New Era.

Traveller: The New Era and Champions: New Millenium, didn't anyone learn anything from new Coke.

Mike

Naw its the colon. Any RPG with a ":" in the middle just sucks rocks.

**James_Kiley** · Mar 23rd, '03, 06:00 PM

Originally posted by Mike Basinger
Traveller: The New Era and Champions: New Millenium, didn't anyone learn anything from new Coke.

As far as I can tell, Traveller TNE failed because I was its only fan. I didn't come into it with any Traveller baggage (never played or even read older editions of Traveller) and TNE struck me as just a great setting. Rampaging around the ruins of an old empire, never knowing quite what you're going to find on the next world? Oh man, sold.

jk

**Ron** · Mar 29th, '03, 03:09 AM

Originally posted by James_Kiley
As far as I can tell, Traveller TNE failed because I was its only fan. I didn't come into it with any Traveller baggage (never played or even read older editions of Traveller) and TNE struck me as just a great setting. Rampaging around the ruins of an old empire, never knowing quite what you're going to find on the next world? Oh man, sold.

jk

Although I am no fan of TNE -- GDW changed both the setting and the system -- truth is that it never failed, being a good seller at its time. GDW itself closed the doors ending TNE development. I understand that they closed operations as it wasn't financially a sound business anymore to the partners, they weren't drowing in debts or anything similar.

**Agent Escafarc** · Mar 29th, '03, 09:24 AM

I have two "Empire" type books:

The Dark Wing by Walter H. Hunt has some interesting uses of mental powers and an interesting alien race.

The Deathstalker series by Simon Green is a very HIGH level universe.

**Barghest** · Mar 29th, '03, 11:07 AM

GDW's problem at the time was that they had sunk a ton of money into Dangerous Journeys and were subsequently smacked down by TSR's assinine lawsuit. They lost a great deal of money in that and it just looked like they weren't going to be able to recover from it. There isn't much money in producing RPGs. It's often a labor of love and I think that episode tarnished the labor a fair bit.

***Thag13*** · Mar 30th, '03, 05:07 AM

Harry Harrisons Deathworld books are good.

Going to the Classics you can't help to think of Asimov's Foundation books. Great series. Considering the books were written over 40 years ago, they still hold up quite well.

David Webbers Honor Harriington books are almost requited reading now. Fantasic competing empires, great space battles and very beliveable characters make engrosing reading.

worth picking up

**pawsplay** · Mar 30th, '03, 11:04 PM

Deitz. "Legion of the Damned"
Niven and Pernell. "The Mote in God's Eye."
Foster. "The Tar-aiym Krang."

**NuSoardGraphite** · Apr 1st, '03, 01:49 AM

Try the Star of the Guardians series from Margarete Weis (of Dragonlance fame) and its spin off, Mag Force 7. Good star-spanning, Space Opera feel to those books.

**Spence** · May 28th, '03, 04:56 PM

My current favorites are:

David Webers' Honor Harrington series.

Debra Doyle and James MacDonald's Mageworlds series.

And Sharon Lee and Steve Millers Laiden Universe novels. I just recently found these and they are great reading.