The Long Earth

[mojojojo]

Vast numbers of people in the western world suddely finds farming a rewarding profession?

That is what struck me, I really don't see the life of a farmer or a hunter gatherer being all that appealing to most modern westerners. like I said earlier most people I know would gag at the thought of eating unfamiliar animals or eating unfamiliar parts of familiar animals (tripe ,kidneys,etc)

 

[Umbral]

That is what struck me, I really don't see the life of a farmer or a hunter gatherer being all that appealing to most modern westerners. like I said earlier most people I know would gag at the thought of eating unfamiliar animals or eating unfamiliar parts of familiar animals (tripe ,kidneys,etc)

Yes. Its hard to get enough people to work as farmers in the west as-is, with modern conveniences right there. And combers? Unless you're a natural stepper, its going to be more Jurassic Park than the nice picnic they seem to be envisioning!

 

[mojojojo]

Also, in the first book they describe a incredible huge marsupial carrying a joey in her pouch that is as big as a cart horse.Would it really be possible for a marsupial or any other mammal to get that big?

 

[Max Sinister]

I have never enjoyed a book that is a collaboration.

"Good Omens" by TP and Neil Gaiman was pretty good.

 

[mojojojo]

I have finished the 2nd book, and on the whole I liked it. I am a bit puzzled about the Beagles. How was it that there were able to create their civilization without thumbs? It wasn't anything grand, but they had buildings,fences,stockyards,etc. Was the idea that the trolls built all of that for them?

 

[Tocomocho]

Also, in the first book they describe a incredible huge marsupial carrying a joey in her pouch that is as big as a cart horse.Would it really be possible for a marsupial or any other mammal to get that big?

No.

Marsupials would have trouble to reach cart horse's size even as adults. The biggest marsupial ever was the size of a cow. This is tied to the fact that marsupials give birth to very undeveloped issue. Of course, some branch of marsupials could evolve a prolongued gestation that results in more developed newborn and over time they could reach trully gigantic sizes, but then there would be no need of a pouch.

The biggest Paraceratherium ever, the biggest species of land mammal ever, was a little short of 5 meters tall. Females were likely smaller. The biggest African elephant ever (male) was about 4 meters tall but females are 2'3 or so. Newborn elephants exceed 100 kg but are like a small pig in size. I doubt even Paraceratherium gave birth to animals the size of a horse (don't think newborn skeletons have ever been found, though).

 

[Ledalek]

No.

Marsupials would have trouble to reach cart horse's size even as adults. The biggest marsupial ever was the size of a cow.

well, some species of Diprotodon was as large as draft horse, 3 metres long, 2 metres tall, and there were kangaroos which were twice as heavy (or even more), as the largest red kangaroo specimens, though your points about marsupial newborn are correct, its also the reason, why aquatic marsupials are so rare (with exception of water opossum, with its quite specialized pouch, there are none)

 

[mojojojo]

Also, on the subject of the Beagles, is it realistic for a species to be equally comfortable as bipeds or quadrupeds?

 

[Tocomocho]

Orangutans?

 

[mojojojo]

Orangutans?

they don't walk on the ground very fast on two legs

 

[Kevin Renner]

with the stepper requiring a center position switch I was immediately wondering why there was no Madison Up or Down to go with East and West

 

[Mr_ Bondoc]

That is what struck me, I really don't see the life of a farmer or a hunter gatherer being all that appealing to most modern westerners. like I said earlier most people I know would gag at the thought of eating unfamiliar animals or eating unfamiliar parts of familiar animals (tripe ,kidneys,etc)

Also consider that based on historical record, settlement of the Great Plains was neither rewarding or exciting. Most historical records of the period detail the mind-numbing boredom, only punctuated with religious fundamentalism and the occasional natural disaster.

 

[Malta]

Also consider that based on historical record, settlement of the Great Plains was neither rewarding or exciting. Most historical records of the period detail the mind-numbing boredom, only punctuated with religious fundamentalism and the occasional natural disaster.

Followed by a trip to the Land of Oz.

 

[Mr_ Bondoc]

Followed by a trip to the Land of Oz.

Or as Al Swearingen from Deadwood would have pointed out, trips to the gambling hall, the whorehouse, the house of ill repute, the saloon, and the opium den,...

 

[Kaiphranos]

So I just finished reading the second of these, and I was somewhat disappointed--I was expecting a continuation from the end of The Long Earth, but instead we end up with what is pretty much the exact same book all over again, except with [SPOILERS] kobolds and beagles in place of the trolls and elves, Roberta Golding and the Chinese expedition in place of Joshua and Lobsang on the Mark Twain, and the Yellowstone eruption instead of the nuking of Madison as a big disaster on the last page. And the "war" of the title is kind of a damp firecracker...

 

[mojojojo]

Just found this summary of the next novel in the series
http://www.amazon.com/The-Long-Childhood-LP-Novel/dp/0062326724
The Long Childhood

The third novel in Terry Pratchett and Stephen Baxter’s “Long Earth” series, which Io9 calls “a brilliant science fiction collaboration.”

2040-2045: In the years after the cataclysmic Yellowstone eruption there is massive economic dislocation as populations flee Datum Earth to myriad Long Earth worlds. Sally, Joshua, and Lobsang are all involved in this perilous rescue work when, out of the blue, Sally is contacted by her long-vanished father and inventor of the original Stepper device, Willis Linsay. He tells her he is planning a fantastic voyage across the Long Mars and wants her to accompany him. But Sally soon learns that Willis has an ulterior motive for his request. . . .

Meanwhile U. S. Navy Commander Maggie Kauffman has embarked on an incredible journey of her own, leading an expedition to the outer limits of the far Long Earth.

For Joshua, the crisis he faces is much closer to home. He becomes embroiled in the plight of the Next: the super-bright post-humans who are beginning to emerge from their “long childhood” in the community called Happy Landings, located deep in the Long Earth. Ignorance and fear have caused “normal” human society to turn against the Next. A dramatic showdown seems inevitable. . . .

 

[mojojojo]

Does anyone know of any artistic depictions of the creatures of this series (trolls,kobolds,etc) I have looked online but can't seem to find any

 

[mojojojo]

Ok, I just finished the latest novel (which was re-titled The Long Mars), has anyone else read it ? Overall I liked it, I thought the way they handled the super intelligent Next was particularly effect in the way the authors avoided making it a black and white issue. What do the rest of you think?

 

[mojojojo]

Now I would have to say I was a bit put of by the ease the characters had in communicating and bargaining with the intelligent Martians they encountered. To me that seemed unlikely to the point of being annoying.

 

[Spike Torch]

Now I would have to say I was a bit put of by the ease the characters had in communicating and bargaining with the intelligent Martians they encountered. To me that seemed unlikely to the point of being annoying.

Unlike steppers powered by potatoes I suppose?

I've enjoyed this series so far and I'm not a massive fan of either author as individuals.

It's just a really quick, satisfying, and fun read.