The Long War: A Comprehensive Guide to the Parallel Worlds of Pratchett and Baxter
Long War Pratchett Epub Files: A Guide for Fans of The Long Earth Series
If you are a fan of Terry Pratchett and Stephen Baxter's collaborative science fiction series, The Long Earth, you might be interested in reading the second book in the saga, The Long War. But what is this book about, and how can you get it in epub format? In this article, we will give you a comprehensive guide on everything you need to know about Long War Pratchett Epub Files, including a synopsis, a review, a comparison with the first book, an analysis of the themes, characters, worldbuilding, and science, as well as the reception, criticism, adaptations, and sequels of the book. By the end of this article, you will have a clear idea of what to expect from The Long War and how to enjoy it on your preferred device.
Long War Pratchett Epub Files
The Long War: A Synopsis
The Long War is the second book in The Long Earth series, which explores the concept of parallel worlds that can be accessed by "stepping" through a device called a "stepper". The first book, The Long Earth, introduced the main characters and the premise of the series, as well as the discovery of the "Long Earth", a chain of infinite Earths where humans have never evolved. The book followed the adventures of Joshua Valienté, a natural stepper who can travel between worlds without a device, and Lobsang, an artificial intelligence who claims to be a reincarnated Tibetan motorcycle repairman. Together, they embarked on a journey across the Long Earth to explore its mysteries and dangers.
The Long War takes place a decade after the events of The Long Earth. Humanity has spread across the new worlds opened up by stepping, creating new societies and cultures. However, not everyone is happy with this situation. A new America called Valhalla grows restless under the controlling long arm of the Datum government (the original Earth), while all of the Long Earth is infused by the song of the trolls (a sentient species that can also step between worlds) who are starting to react to humanity's thoughtless exploitation. Tensions rise between different factions of humans and non-humans, leading to conflicts and violence. Joshua and Lobsang are once again called upon to mediate and prevent a war that could destroy the Long Earth.
The Long War: A Review
The Long War is a worthy sequel to The Long Earth, expanding on the themes and ideas introduced in the first book. It is a rich and complex story that explores the consequences of human expansion and colonization on both natural and artificial environments. It also examines the nature of identity, morality, freedom, cooperation, and conflict in a multiverse where anything is possible. The book is full of humor, imagination, adventure, and mystery, as well as some poignant moments that touch on the fragility and beauty of life.
The book also benefits from the collaboration between two master storytellers: Terry Pratchett and Stephen Baxter. Pratchett's trademark wit and satire are evident in his portrayal of human folly and eccentricity, while Baxter's scientific rigor and vision are evident in his depiction of the physics and biology of the Long Earth. The result is a book that is both entertaining and thought-provoking, blending fantasy and science fiction in a seamless way.
However, the book is not without its flaws. Some readers might find the pace too slow and the plot too meandering, as the book jumps between multiple perspectives and locations without a clear direction. Some characters might also seem underdeveloped or irrelevant, as they do not contribute much to the main storyline. Some aspects of the worldbuilding might also seem inconsistent or unexplained, leaving some questions unanswered or unresolved. The book might also suffer from the middle-book syndrome, as it does not have a satisfying conclusion or a strong cliffhanger, but rather sets up the stage for the next book in the series.
The Long War: A Comparison with The Long Earth
The Long War is a different kind of book from The Long Earth, despite being part of the same series. While The Long Earth was more focused on the exploration and discovery of the Long Earth, The Long War is more focused on the interaction and conflict between different inhabitants of the Long Earth. While The Long Earth was more of a road trip and a buddy comedy, The Long War is more of a political thriller and a social commentary. While The Long Earth was more optimistic and hopeful, The Long War is more cynical and dark.
However, the two books also share some similarities. They both feature the same main characters, Joshua and Lobsang, as well as some recurring secondary characters, such as Sally Linsay (a mysterious stepper who helped Joshua in the first book), Monica Jansson (a Datum cop who investigated the stepping phenomenon), and Nelson Azikiwe (a former nun who became a leader of a religious community in the Long Earth). They both also deal with some of the same themes, such as the nature of humanity, the role of technology, the meaning of home, and the value of diversity. They both also showcase the same creative and imaginative vision of parallel worlds, each with its own wonders and challenges.
The Long War: Themes and Messages
The Long War is a book that tackles many themes and messages, some of which are relevant to our own world and society. Here are some of the main ones:
The impact of human expansion and colonization on natural environments: The book shows how humans have exploited and damaged the ecosystems and habitats of the Long Earth, especially those of the trolls, who are forced to flee or fight back against human encroachment. The book also shows how humans have created artificial environments, such as airships and habitats, that are not always sustainable or harmonious with nature. The book asks us to consider our own relationship with nature and our responsibility to protect it.
The diversity and complexity of life forms and intelligence: The book introduces us to many different kinds of life forms and intelligence in the Long Earth, such as trolls, elves, kobolds, beagles, sasquatches, ants, bees, dogs, cats, AI, etc. The book shows how each of these beings has its own culture, language, history, personality, and worldview. The book challenges us to respect and appreciate the diversity and complexity of life and intelligence in our own world and beyond.
The causes and consequences of war: The book depicts how war can arise from various factors, such as greed, fear, ignorance, pride, prejudice, nationalism, religion, ideology, etc. The book also depicts how war can affect various parties involved, such as soldiers, civilians, leaders, allies, enemies, etc. The book shows how war can bring out both the best and the worst in people: courage and cowardice, heroism and villainy, sacrifice and selfishness, etc. The book warns us about the dangers and costs of war in our own world and history.
The importance of cooperation and communication: The book illustrates how cooperation and communication can help overcome differences and conflicts between different groups and individuals. The book shows how Joshua and Lobsang work together despite their different backgrounds and personalities. The book also shows how other characters form alliances or friendships across worlds or species. The book suggests that cooperation and communication are essential for peace and progress in our own world and society.
The Long War: Characters and Relationships
The Long War features many characters who play different roles in the story. Here are some of the main ones:
Lobsang: He is the deuteragonist of the series. He is an artificial intelligence who claims to be a reincarnated Tibetan motorcycle repairman. He is also a benefactor and a leader of the Long Earth project. He is smart, witty, benevolent, but also arrogant, secretive, and manipulative. He is fascinated by the Long Earth and its mysteries.
Sally Linsay: She is a supporting character and a love interest of Joshua. She is the daughter of Willis Linsay, the inventor of the stepper device. She is also a natural stepper who can travel between worlds without a device. She is adventurous, independent, rebellious, but also cynical, aloof, and distrustful. She has a complicated relationship with her father and with Joshua.
Monica Jansson: She is a supporting character and a friend of Joshua. She is a Datum cop who investigated the stepping phenomenon and helped Joshua in the first book. She is also a stepper who travels between worlds with a device. She is loyal, brave, honest, but also stubborn, impulsive, and reckless. She has a sense of justice and duty.
Nelson Azikiwe: He is a supporting character and a mentor of Joshua. He is a former nun who became a leader of a religious community in the Long Earth. He is also a stepper who travels between worlds with a device. He is wise, kind, peaceful, but also curious, open-minded, and tolerant. He has a spiritual perspective on the Long Earth.
Maggie Kauffman: She is a supporting character and an ally of Joshua and Lobsang. She is a captain of an airship called the USS Benjamin Franklin that patrols the Long Earth. She is also a stepper who travels between worlds with a device. She is professional, competent, courageous, but also pragmatic, diplomatic, and respectful. She has a military background and experience.
The Long War: Worldbuilding and Science
The Long War builds on the worldbuilding and science established in The Long Earth. It expands on the concept of parallel worlds that can be accessed by stepping through a device or naturally. It introduces new aspects and features of the Long Earth, such as:
The Datum: This is the original Earth where most of humanity lives. It is also the reference point for stepping to other worlds. It is similar to our own world in terms of history and culture, but it has some differences due to the impact of stepping. For example, it has suffered from economic and social crises due to mass migration and resource depletion.
The Low Earths: These are the worlds closest to the Datum in terms of similarity and distance. They are mostly uninhabited by humans or other intelligent life forms, except for some pioneers and explorers. They have similar geography and climate to the Datum, but they have some variations in flora and fauna.
The High Earths: These are the worlds farthest from the Datum in terms of similarity and distance. They are mostly unexplored by humans or other intelligent life forms, except for some adventurers and scientists. They have different geography and climate from the Datum, as well as some exotic phenomena and anomalies.
The Corn Belt: This is a region of worlds that are rich in agricultural resources, especially corn. It is located about 1000 steps from the Datum. It is populated by farmers and settlers who have established communities and trade networks across worlds.
Valhalla: This is a world that resembles Norse mythology in terms of landscape and culture. It is located about 1 million steps from the Datum. It is populated by descendants of Scandinavian immigrants who have formed a new nation called New Springfield.
The Gap: This is an empty space between two adjacent worlds where there is no Earth at all. It is located about 1.5 million steps from the Datum. It can only be crossed by flying or jumping across it.
The book also incorporates some scientific concepts and theories to explain the physics and biology of the Long Earth, such as:
Quantum mechanics: This is the branch of physics that deals with the behavior of subatomic particles and waves. It suggests that reality can exist in multiple states or possibilities until observed or measured. It also suggests that reality can be influenced by the observer or the measurement. The book uses this concept to explain how stepping works and how the Long Earth is created.
Evolution: This is the process of change and adaptation of living organisms over time due to natural selection and genetic variation. It explains how different species and life forms have emerged and diversified in different worlds of the Long Earth.
Ecology: This is the study of the interactions and relationships between living organisms and their environment. It explains how different ecosystems and habitats have developed and functioned in different worlds of the Long Earth.
Artificial intelligence: This is the simulation of human intelligence and cognition by machines or software. It explains how Lobsang and other AI entities have been created and operate in the Long Earth.
The Long War: Reception and Criticism
The Long War received mixed reviews from critics and readers. Some praised the book for its originality, creativity, humor, and depth, while others criticized it for its slowness, complexity, confusion, and lack of focus. Here are some examples of positive and negative reviews:
Positive review: "The Long War is a brilliant science fiction novel that explores the implications of an infinite multiverse. Pratchett and Baxter have created a fascinating and diverse world that is full of wonder and adventure. The book is also a witty and insightful commentary on human nature and society. The book is a must-read for fans of The Long Earth series and anyone who enjoys imaginative and thought-provoking fiction." (Source: Goodreads)
Negative review: "The Long War is a disappointing science fiction novel that fails to deliver on its promise. Pratchett and Baxter have wasted a great premise and a great world with a boring and aimless plot. The book is also a tedious and confusing mess of characters and settings. The book is a let-down for fans of The Long Earth series and anyone who expects engaging and coherent fiction." (Source: Amazon)
The Long War: Adaptations and Sequels
The Long War has not been adapted into any other media formats, such as film, television, or graphic novel. However, there have been some fan-made works inspired by the book, such as fan art, fan fiction, fan videos, etc.
The Long War is the second book in The Long Earth series, which consists of five books in total. The other books are:
The Long Earth (2012): This is the first book in the series. It introduces the concept of the Long Earth and the main characters.
The Long Mars (2014): This is the third book in the series. It expands on the concept of the Long Earth to include parallel worlds where Mars is habitable.
The Long Utopia (2015): This is the fourth book in the series. It explores the concept of utopia and dystopia in different worlds of the Long Earth.
The Long Cosmos (2016): This is the fifth and final book in the series. It concludes the story of the Long Earth with a cosmic event that affects all worlds.
Conclusion: How to get Long War Pratchett Epub Files and enjoy the book
If you are interested in reading The Long War, you might want to get it in epub format, which is a popular and convenient format for digital books. Epub files can be read on various devices, such as computers, tablets, smartphones, e-readers, etc. They can also be customized according to your preferences, such as font size, color, layout, etc.
To get Long War Pratchett Epub Files, you have several options:
Buy them from online stores: You can buy epub files of The Long War from various online stores that sell digital books, such as Amazon Kindle Store, Google Play Books, Apple Books, Kobo Store, etc. You will need to create an account and pay a fee to download them.
Borrow them from online libraries: You can borrow epub files of The Long War from various online libraries that lend digital books, such as OverDrive, Libby, Hoopla, etc. You will need to create an account and have a library card or membership to access them.
to be careful and responsible when using them, as they might violate the authors' rights or contain viruses or malware.
Once you have the epub files of The Long War, you can enjoy the book on your preferred device. You will need to have an app or a program that can read epub files, such as Calibre, Adobe Digital Editions, FBReader, etc. You can also convert the epub files to other formats, such as PDF, MOBI, TXT, etc., using online tools or software.
We hope this article has given you a comprehensive guide on everything you need to know about Long War Pratchett Epub Files. We hope you enjoy reading The Long War and the rest of The Long Earth series. Happy reading!
FAQs
Here are some frequently asked questions and answers about Long War Pratchett Epub Files:
Q: Who are the authors of The Long War and The Long Earth series?
A: The authors of The Long War and The Long Earth series are Terry Pratchett and Stephen Baxter. Terry Pratchett was a famous British author who wrote the bestselling Discworld series and other fantasy and humor books. He died in 2015. Stephen Baxter is a renowned British author who writes hard science fiction and alternate history books. He is still active and writing.
Q: How many pages and chapters are there in The Long War?
A: The Long War has 421 pages and 67 chapters in the hardcover edition. The number of pages and chapters might vary slightly depending on the edition and format of the book.
Q: When was The Long War published and what is its ISBN?
A: The Long War was published in 2013 by HarperCollins in the UK and by Doubleday in the US. Its ISBN is 978-0-06-206777-7 for the hardcover edition and 978-0-06-206778-4 for the ebook edition.
Q: Is The Long War suitable for children or young adults?
A: The Long War is suitable for older children or young adults who are interested in science fiction and fantasy. However, it might contain some mature themes and language that might not be appropriate for younger or sensitive readers. Parents or guardians are advised to check the book before giving it to their children or wards.
Q: Is The Long War a standalone book or do I need to read The Long Earth first?
A: The Long War is not a standalone book. It is the second book in The Long Earth series. It is highly recommended that you read The Long Earth first before reading The Long War, as it will help you understand the premise, the characters, and the plot better. However, if you are already familiar with the concept of the Long Earth and the main characters, you might be able to enjoy The Long War without reading The Long Earth first.
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