The Collapsium

Amazon.com

Wil McCarthy is a certified science fiction treasure. A real-life rocket scientist with a gorgeous writing style and rapier wit to boot, McCarthy continually sets a very high standard for good old-fashioned space stories. In The Collapsium, McCarthy builds on a lovely novella to tell the far-future story of two scientists entrenched in a rivalry that may save, or destroy, the solar system. Tamra Lutui, the Queen of Sol, brings together the brilliant enemies in order to prevent the Ring Collapsiter, a vast ring of strange matter, from falling into the sun. So it is that Bruno de Towaji, inventor of collapsium--crystals made up of tiny black holes that can transport matter instantaneously across vast distances--must find a way to work with Marlon Sykes, who came up with the Ring to change the nature of communication forever. McCarthy makes liberal use of his extensive science knowledge, especially when he describes the nature of high-concept physics ideas like collapsium or wellstone (programmable matter!), but luckily, his literary skills are up to the task of moving the narrative along, keeping us in suspense, and creating characters who are worth reading about. His descriptions of the physical phenomena surrounding the artifacts of high-energy material manipulation are deft and fascinating:

A handful of collapsons in low orbit had become--seemingly overnight--a nested cage of fractured spacetimes, one within the other like wooden babushka dolls, magical ones, straining at the very underpinnings of universal law. And orbiting right overhead!

Towaji and Sykes labor to save the Queendom and outwit the saboteur trying to wreck the Ring, all the while burdened by a byzantine and bureaucratic social structure with demands for party appearances, verbal sparring, and quick thinking. While those of us who aren't physics mavens might quail at some of the terms and ideas McCarthy casually uses, it's his characters and story that make The Collapsium a book to savor, a complex and layered story in the grand tradition of science fiction's masters. --Therese Littleton

Book Description

In this stunningly original tale, acclaimed author Wil McCarthy imagines a wondrous future in which the secrets of matter have been unlocked and death itself is but a memory. But it is also a future imperiled by a bitter rivalry between two brilliant scientists--one perhaps the greatest genius in the history of humankind; the other, its greatest monster.

The Collapsium

In a world of awesome technology, the deadly substance called collapsium has given humans all the powers and caprices--including immortality--of the gods they once worshiped. Composed of miniature black holes, collapsium allows the instantaneous transmission of information and matter--as well as humans--throughout the solar system. But while its reclusive inventor, Bruno de Towaji, next dreams of probing the farthest reaches of spacetime, Marlon Sykes, his ambitious rival in science--and in love--has built an awesome telecommunications network by constructing a ring of collapsium around the sun. It appears Sykes may be the victor--until a ruthless saboteur attacks the ring and sends it falling toward the sun. Now the two scientists must put aside personal animosity to prevent the destruction of the solar system--and every living thing within it.

Customer Reviews:

Readable, but not great..........2007-07-24

Decent book. The plus side is that it is readable, but there are some serious flaws as well. First of, the book starts off like a collection of short stories but when it finally settles into the main plot it is pretty good reading for a while.

Writing of a future where absolute death is almost unheard of is difficult, because there is so little to care about. As Orson Scott Card cleverly showed in The Worthing Saga, there is no greatness or heroism if nothing bad can happen to a person. So it takes careful writing to keep the world interesting in these times. And Wil is able to do that for the most part with threats to all of humanity and interesting characters.

But then there's the ending...

Very lame. Without giving too much away, a main character dies, is grieved for, and then comes back to life for a "happily ever after" ending.

Don't kill the character for impact if you are going to magically ressurect the character at the end of the book. That is lame.

P.S. One other thing - I keep seeing "hard sci-fi" bandied around in these reviews. I think that is by people who don't have a scientific background because I do and I didn't see Wil's "science" as hard. It is more akin to the relationship between "hard witchcraft" and "Harry Potter witchcraft." This is fantasy sci-fi, not hard sci-fi. It is clever and it is logical enough to carry the story forward, but it isn't based on much in the way of real science.

A good primer.......2007-01-09

Collapsium is the start of a series of novels that follow in its wake. Curiously, the opening act is actually far worse than what is to follow: "Wellstone," "Lost in Translation," and "To Crush the Moon" provide both better entertainment and better exploration of the implications of the marvelous technology that Maccarthy dreams up. So let us be clear on what Collapsium is and what it is not:
1) It IS a great appendix to reading the aforementioned novels. Besides having a scientific (sci-fi) appendix of its own that explains the (hypothetical) physics behind the technology, Collapsium is really kind of an appendix in its own right, and a decent enough reference to backgrounds of characters that are more fully developed in later novels.
2) It IS a book full of imaginative ideas. Sometimes overly so. Maccarthy's physics is solid, while his speculations on future physics span the full range of plausibility, from "maybe" to "no way!" - but all of it is imaginative, interesting, and good fun to think about.
3) It is NOT a particularly good novel in its own right. Really, the book consists of three somewhat independent and weak novellas: though ordered chronologically they do not share the coherence of ordinary chapters in a single book, and each presents an adventure of its own. The plot (or plots) are not all that engrossing, mainly because they all have a very simple "hero vs disaster" or "hero vs villain + disaster" linearity to them. And since these types of plotlines invariably end with a triumph of our hero, the intrigue is, for the most part, not there. Finally, as other reviewers have mentioned, the character development is somewhat lackluster.

The main raison d'etre for this book, as I see it, is that ideas in it have great POTENTIAL for a full-fledged development. Chief among these is not programmable matter or instant comminication afforded by the collapsiter grids, but the achievement of immorbidity. From this novel alone, it is hard to say what the author makes of it, but the promise is there.

So let me conclude with a recommendation. Skip this one and go straight for "Wellstone." If you enjoy it (which you should), but find yourself wanting details on the background of the Queendom of Sol, its historical figures, and its technological marvels, THEN read Collapsium.

Entertaining, some good ideas, but nothing spectacular.......2005-09-14

Don't get me wrong--this was a good book, I enjoyed reading it, and savored it up until the end. But apparently there are more books in this storyline, and I'm just not interested. That about sums up how I felt about this one.

For this one, I want to contrast some pros and cons point-by-point.

Pro: The characters are (mostly) interesting, and I wanted to see what happened with them. It's certainly outside my experience to come across a collapsium engineer, a madman who keeps cloned copies of his rivals to torture them, or a queen of the solar system.
Con: The characters are kind of ridiculous. Bruno is just too smart and perfect to take seriously, and the few attempts to make him human (like getting drunk at a formal dinner through technology advanced enough to perform any sort of alchemy, but not keep dinner guests from getting drunk--give me a break!) just come across as something added on after the novel was written in a weak attempt to make him human.

Pro: There are some neat technology ideas in this book, and they certainly play a part in the plot.
Con: The ideas are really nothing novel. There's nothing here that hasn't been explored, and probably better, by other fiction authors. The author's book Hacking Matter is probably more interesting from a science (or sci-fi) point of view. It's not hard to read this book and say 'Why, oh why if they had this sort of technology would they still do things this way??' If people had the kind of technology this book proposes, they wouldn't be living like they do--their world would be very different. The book tries to cover for that in several ways, playing into the queendom conceit and pushing certain things off into the world of the insane, like making the bad guy the only one who makes major biological changes to people. Why wouldn't people do this to themselves if they could? I mean, people already get tattoos, which are permanent and have no tangible benefits. People don't have a history of avoiding body modifications, and if they have an economic advantage....

Pro: The writing is pretty good, and the book was obviously edited and vetted by competent people. It was never painful to read, and many places were quite well written.
Con: The style is totally contrived, though this is not unintentional. I assume the style is based on the Queendom setting of the book, and how the author thinks people in such an environment might behave, think, and write. It mostly works, but not until you're well into the book. By the end, I really didn't notice it, but it can be awkward at times. In the end, I can appreciate it, but I'm not sure if it totally worked.

Overall, this was a pretty good sci-fi story, but not a book I'll remember a year from now.

hard sf.......2005-08-14

This truly is hard science fiction. Its good stuff. None of this Lois Mcmaster Bujold garbage, this guy actually understands what sci fi is.
Only complaint is that there was not enough action, most the plot is a psychological/scientific battle between two supergenius' about who can solve a problem the fastest and in the most ingenious fashion.

Wow! It's like living in a future full of excitement and (very) clever people! .......2005-07-16

McCarthy builds a world that continues to surprise throughout the entire book. There is enough solid and clever physics for hard science fiction fans to keep busy and enough interesting (and clever!) people to interest "people" people.

Read it!

"-"

The monarchs of Sol: The collapsium ; the wellstone

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The monarchs of Sol: The collapsium ; the wellstone
Wil McCarthy
Manufacturer: Science Fiction Book Club
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Unknown Binding

General | Science Fiction | Science Fiction & Fantasy | Subjects | Books
ASIN: 0739433881

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The Collapsium

ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

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Collapsium
Wil McCarthy
Manufacturer: GOLLANCZ
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover
ASIN: B000OJPNXQ

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Great book, too bad the publisher doesn't believe in it.

Great Book for Women on the Go

Why are you overworked?

You need this book.

Relaxing and powerful

Meditations for Women Who Do Too Much - Revised edition
Anne Wilson Schaef
Manufacturer: HarperOne
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

Meditation | Alternative Medicine | Health, Mind & Body | Subjects | Books
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Airborne Effervescent Health Formula, Original Orange, 10 Tablets (Pack of 3)

ASIN: 0060736240
Release Date: 2004-11-02

Book Description

A fully revised and updated edition complete with a new foreword by the author of the best–selling meditation book for women that the New York Times says ನould be put at the top of the stack'.

Customer Reviews:

Great book, too bad the publisher doesn't believe in it........2007-05-15

I own the first edition of this book and have found it to be very helpful over the years. I recently bought the new edition and was very disappointed with the quality of the book. It's clearly not made for daily use, much less use over many years. The binding is stiff, hard to pry open and easily broken; the paper is the equivalent of cheap newsprint that will yellow within the year. It's clearly not constructed for daily use, but designed to be one of those quickie, "I know how you feel" gifts that you buy for someone you think is doing too much.

It's a pity because the book deserves a better presentation. It makes you think about the far-reaching effects of perfectionism, workaholism, and "busy-ness" on your emotional, physical, mental and spiritual health. Not every day is a perfect meditation, but every couple of days the alignment of the meditation with the events in your life creates a moment where the lightbulb goes on and you're jolted with the truth of who you are. With that revelation comes the possibility of change: a different decision; maybe a better decision.

I'd love a high-quality version with a daily marker ribbon sewn into the spine. It's a good book and deserves better from its publisher.

Great Book for Women on the Go.......2004-04-11

What I love most about this book is that it is small enough to bring with you anywhere you go, and the wisdom large enough to calm and soothe you no matter where you are. It's the type of book that you can open to any page, and find wisdom ranging on topics such as: Being present to the moment; Busyness; Exhaustion; Goals; Honesty; Wholeness; Live life fully/Curiosity; Forgiveness; Feelings/Control; and the great list goes on - all 365 of them.
If you feel harried and rushed, are in a long supermarket line, or stuck on traffic, this is the perfect book to open up and get you to feed your mind with wisdom to bring you more inner peace. A wonderful book, and I think it is great for men too.
Barbara Rose, author of "Stop Being the String Along: A Relationship Guide to Being THE ONE" and 'If God Was Like Man'
Editor of inspire! magazine

Why are you overworked?.......2003-12-19

This little day-to-day book may help explain to us why as women we often make life choices that leave us over-worked and feeling bitter and unfulfilled. Using a combination of quotes, questions, and tough-love talk, Anne Wilson Schaef's book sheds some 12-step spiritual-style and common-sense light into the dark corners of the busy-rushaholics- work-aholics life. Give this book to a woman you love or admire who "does too much" and then buy a copy for yourself.

You need this book........2002-11-15

We women are raised to take care of the world instead of ourselves. Kids, spouses, jobs, parents, organizations, volunteerism all take precedence in our lives over looking out for number one. What women don't realize that if we don't cut back some and take care of ourselves, we will crash, and who will be there to take care of all that we take care of now?

I bought this book after I coordinated a mini-convention, discovered my mother has cancer, my older cat had breast cancer surgery, and I was attending a class on how to deal with my husband's diabetes. With the holidays coming up, my stress levels were raising more than my cholesterol. Something had to give.

Every night this little gem of a book tells me that it's okay to let go, which was the same advice my best friend gave me the night I purchased it. I am not Wonder Woman, so why am I trying? Why do I feel the need to fix everyone and everything in my life except myself? This book will helps me uncover the behaviors affecting my life and then helps me change them.

You need this book. I'm buying three more copies for other women who need them.

Relaxing and powerful.......2001-09-11

I enjoyed listening to this tape in the car, after a stressing day. Often, it makes me cry. It speaks to my soul while my rest is still doing the things it is used to do, (eventhough they do not make too much sense). The acoustics could be improved.

365 Meditations and Reflections For Women Who Do Too Much Calendar 2007 (Page-A-Day Calendars)

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EVERYDAY INSPIRATION

365 Meditations and Reflections For Women Who Do Too Much Calendar 2007 (Page-A-Day Calendars)
Anne Wilson Schaef
Manufacturer: Workman Publishing Company
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Calendar

Motivational | Self-Help | Health, Mind & Body | Subjects | Books

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ASIN: 0761140778

Book Description

It’s the bestselling calendar that’s a trusted friend and perennial source of support. The one that women turn to every year for its empathy, perspective, rock-solid advice, and uplifting humor. Remember: You’re never too busy to cultivate your creativity. Take a five-minute vacation. Notice the small moments of beauty. Plus debunking the illusion of perfection, letting go of guilt, and inspiring quotes from Toni Morrison, Virginia Woolf, Georgia O’Keeffe, Oprah Winfrey, and others.

Customer Reviews:

EVERYDAY INSPIRATION.......2007-03-17

I keep this calendar on a table next to the chair I use in my counseling office. Each day has a special message that not only inspires me, but my clients as well. Pamela D. Blair, Ph.D., Author, The Next Fifty Years: A Guide for Women at Midlife and Beyond. The Next Fifty Years: A Guide for Women at Mid-Life And Beyond

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Finally a book encouraging women to do less rather than more
Too much to do and too little time? Read this book

Women Who Do Too Much
Patricia Sprinkle
Manufacturer: Zondervan
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

General | Religion & Spirituality | Subjects | Books
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ASIN: 0310246377

Book Description

Help and encouragement in this revised edition for overwhelmed women who desire to know what God created them to do and how to accomplish it.

Customer Reviews:

Finally a book encouraging women to do less rather than more.......2002-12-14

At a time when there is a glut of books telling women how to squeeze more and more into each day, Patricia Sprinkle tells us how to say the "N" word--NO! I love it. As wives, mothers, employees, Christians, daughters, sisters, friends, we are constantly being given MORE to do. Ms. Sprinkle shows us the way to sift the wheat from the chaff and do the things that matter most...to ourselves as well as to others. I'm a big fan of Sprinkle's terrific mysteries, but this book will stay with me a lot longer.

Too much to do and too little time? Read this book.......2002-12-12

Trying to be everything to everyone causes feelings of frustration, resentment, stress, and fatigue. How do you do everything you are expected to do and still have time for yourself? The answer is that sometimes you can't. That is where "Women Who Do Too Much: How To Stop Doing It All and Start Enjoying Your Life" can help provide solutions.

The book starts with an analysis of why we often do too much. The price you pay for this is a loss of your inner peace and happiness. If you want to be at peace and happy you have to stop doing so many things that you don't necessarily like to do and do more of the things that you want to do, the things that bring joy to your life. Of course, that is easy enough to say, but how do you actually go about doing it? That is the subject of the remainder of the book.

Customer Reviews:

DO NOT WASTE YOUR TIME--OR MONEY-YOU CAN HAVE MINE.......2002-08-15

this is one of those books you read while waiting in the grocery store check out line--that much time may even be too much time-to read this entire little, foolish book! There is no wit, thought or style to this little waste of paper! I was taken, hook line and sinker by this stinker! Not what I thought it was going to be--it is a book of one page lists of "rationalizations" or excuses like--Rationalizations for Getting Pregnant--Time off from work! Har Har Har! It is all on this low level--so ill prepared, goofy one liners without the punch of a good one liner! Sad, very very sad! Thanks for showing me that there is indeed a fool born every minute--the last minute was mine--don't let the next one have your name on it! If someone wants this--contact me--FREE!

Natural Superwoman: The Survival Guide for Women Who Have Too Much to Do

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Natural Superwoman
A Gentle Reminder
Disregarded fundamental writing rule: Respect Your Reader

Natural Superwoman: The Survival Guide for Women Who Have Too Much to Do
Rosamond Richardson
Manufacturer: Celestial Arts
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

General | Beauty & Fashion | Health, Mind & Body | Subjects | Books

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Customer Reviews:

Natural Superwoman.......2001-08-23

Simply divine! Reading the book was as much of a healing process as an education.

A Gentle Reminder.......2000-11-03

This book didn't impart any great wisdom, nor did it give me the answer to the mystery of life. However, it provided -- in one gloriously illustrated and simply written volume -- a gentle reminder for how I want to live my life: gracious, mindful, natural and simple.

I was already familiar with much of the material, but it was nice to be reminded of it... how to eat "properly," basic yoga poses, practical advice for communication and relationships, beauty from the kitchen, facials, steams, pedicures, home crafts... there was even a section on how to save you sanity by deletating chores in your house -- and a bit of very useful advice on how to get your spouse to contribute his fair share.

I keep this book on my coffee table and page through it when I'm feeling depressed or stressed out. It never fails to remind me of how simple it is to attain happiness.

Disregarded fundamental writing rule: Respect Your Reader.......2000-09-13

This book really had potential. The photos are gorgeous; so's the book design. And the idea of a survival guide for women with too much to do is appealing.

However, the first problem emerged when Richardson's instructions for "simplifying" my home and office space seemed so major and difficult that they contributed more to overload than to a solution.

But what really annoyed me was her gratuitious put-downs of New Age, twice during the 56 pages I read before turning on my computer in disgust to write this review.

Did I miss something, or isn't the whole intent of this book to provide a holistic, balanced, better life? In short, New Age (except for the spiritual component, which the author doesn't seem deeply interested in). How ironic/short-sighted, then, for her to describe the lifestyle and belief system of readers like me as:

"naricissistic, intellectually vapid eclectic quick-fixes", "shallow" etc.

Funny, I thought one of the fundamental rules of writing was "Respect your reader."

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Meditations for Women Who Do Too Much

Manufacturer: Harper & Row
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover
ASIN: B000BOWPJE

Product Description

Daily meditations to help women break the cycle of doing too much-for workaholics, rushaholics, and careaholics

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Meditations for Women Who Do Too Much
Anne Wilson Schaef
Manufacturer: Harper
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Mass Market Paperback
ASIN: B000GRETFO

Finding Time: Survival Tips for Women Who Do Too Much

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A Solid Effort!

Finding Time: Survival Tips for Women Who Do Too Much
Paula Peisner Coxe , and Paula Peisner
Manufacturer: Financial Sourcebooks
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover

Book Description

For every woman too tired, too busy or just too stressed to think of herself, this new, updated edition of Finding Time is an intimate, yet practical, guide to finding time. A treasure trove of time-honored techniques and inventive new ideas, Finding Time is ideal for every woman who finds herself doing more than there is time to do.

Finding Time will help you: -- Say "yes" to yourself and "no" to others -- Schedule personal time -- Prioritize -- Limit interruptions

Customer Reviews:

A Solid Effort!.......2001-10-03

Paula Peisner Coxe's Finding Time is more inspirational than instructive. As the sub-title suggests, the book is aimed at would-be super-moms, and Coxe does a commendable job addressing the demands that stretch women thin both at work and at home. The book itself will fit nicely into a tightly packed schedule - it's arranged into 36 short chapters, each with its own focus. Within those chapters, harried women likely will find some comfort in seeing that others share their familiar woes. What they won't find are new ways to deal with their troubles. Some of the timesaving tips that Coxe offers: Use an answering machine to screen calls and turn off your cell phone when you don't want to be disturbed. These techniques hardly qualify as innovative, and neither, in truth, does her writing. Coxe actually uses the line, "Elephants remember, people don't." Really. Nevertheless, we [...] recommend this book to any woman who feels that she might not be able to keep up much longer. For that group, Coxe's book offers an important message - You are not alone.

365 Meditations, Refelctions & Restoratives For Women Who Do Too Much Page-A-Day Calendar 2002

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A Beautiful Inspirational Calendar
Must info re Anne Wilson Schaef
for WOMEN who DO TOO MUCH
Repetitive and Hokey
Repetitive and Hokey

365 Meditations, Refelctions & Restoratives For Women Who Do Too Much Page-A-Day Calendar 2002
Anne Wilson Schaef
Manufacturer: Workman Publishing Company
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Calendar

Inspirational | Spirituality | Religion & Spirituality | Subjects | Books

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ASIN: 0761121005

Book Description

This perennial friend and source of support provides empathy, encouragement, and a healing dose of humor for women juggling hectic schedules and multiple demands.

Insightful quotes. Thoughts on compassion, friendship, spirituality. Finding a balance between work and home. Red Flag Alerts (signs we may be doing too much). All from the author of the phenomenal bestseller Women Who Do Too Much.

Customer Reviews:

A Beautiful Inspirational Calendar.......2004-04-22

The inspiration in this calendar is wonderful and brings refreshing ideas for women who are juggling life thoughts about how to take a break and actually enjoy life.
Highly recommended if you are looking for a calendar with inspiration.

Must info re Anne Wilson Schaef.......2003-10-15

www.consumeralertannewilsons.homestead.com I found this to be the most up to date infor re Anne Wilson Schaef a must read as well

for WOMEN who DO TOO MUCH.......2002-01-05

We look forward to reading each days message. Some bring a smile, others remembrances; all bring reflection and agreement.

Repetitive and Hokey.......2001-12-28

Speaking for the 2001 version of this calendar - I was extremely disappointed in its content. Most of the entries were repetitive and completely laughable in corniness. They practically implied that all women are neurotic psychological messes who avoid complete meltdown only by conferring with other such women as their nail polish dries.

Repetitive and Hokey.......2001-12-28

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