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Protector (Known Space) Mass Market Paperback – September 12, 1987

by Larry Niven (Author)
4.7 4.7 out of 5 stars 228 ratings
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A classic novel of known space

Phssthpok the Pak had been traveling for most of his thirty-two thousand years. His mission: save, develop, and protect the group of Pak breeders sent out into space some two and a half million years before . . .

Brennan was a Belter, the product of a fiercely independent, somewhat anarchic society living in, on, and around an outer asteroid belt. The Belters were rebels, one and all, and Brennan was a smuggler. The Belt worlds had been tracking the Pak ship for days—Brennan figured to meet that ship first . . .

He was never seen again—at least not by those alive at the time.
Previous page
  1. Print length
    218 pages
  2. Language
    English
  3. Publisher
    Del Rey
  4. Publication date
    September 12, 1987
  5. Dimensions
    4.2 x 0.61 x 6.7 inches
  6. ISBN-10
    0345353129
  7. ISBN-13
    978-0345353122
  8. See all details
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Editorial Reviews

From the Inside Flap

Phssthpok the Pak had been traveling for most of his thirty-two thousand years. His mission: save, develop, and protect the group of Pak breeders sent out into space some two and a half million years before...

Brennan was a Belter, the product of a fiercely independent, somewhat anarchic society living in, on, and around an outer asteroid belt. The Belters were rebels, one and all, and Brennan was a smuggler. The Belt worlds had been tracking the Pak ship for days -- Brennan figured to meet that ship first...

He was never seen again -- at least not by those alive at the time.

From the Back Cover

Phssthpok the Pak had been traveling for most of his thirty-two thousand years. His mission: save, develop, and protect the group of Pak breeders sent out into space some two and a half million years before...
Brennan was a Belter, the product of a fiercely independent, somewhat anarchic society living in, on, and around an outer asteroid belt. The Belters were rebels, one and all, and Brennan was a smuggler. The Belt worlds had been tracking the Pak ship for days -- Brennan figured to meet that ship first...
He was never seen again -- at least not by those alive at the time.

Product details

  • Publisher ‏ : ‎ Del Rey; 8/13/87 edition (September 12, 1987)
  • Language ‏ : ‎ English
  • Mass Market Paperback ‏ : ‎ 218 pages
  • ISBN-10 ‏ : ‎ 0345353129
  • ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 978-0345353122
  • Item Weight ‏ : ‎ 4.8 ounces
  • Dimensions ‏ : ‎ 4.2 x 0.61 x 6.7 inches
  • Customer Reviews:
    4.7 4.7 out of 5 stars 228 ratings

About the author

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Larry Niven

Larry Niven

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LARRY NIVEN is the multiple Hugo and Nebula Award-winning author of the Ringworld series, along with many other science fiction masterpieces. He lives in Chatsworth, California. JERRY POURNELLE is an essayist, journalist, and science fiction author. He has advanced degrees in psychology, statistics, engineering, and political science. Together Niven and Pournelle are the authors of many New York Times bestsellers including Inferno, The Mote in God's Eye, Footfall, and Lucifer's Hammer.

Customer reviews

4.7 out of 5 stars
4.7 out of 5
228 global ratings

Top reviews from the United States

bob
5.0 out of 5 stars Seems to be a good time for some of my favorite SF authors, and here's one.
Reviewed in the United States on December 11, 2023
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Wow, how far back in time was it when Niven wrote Ringworld? And each one seems as good as all of the others. Here's another series of characters that keep popping up.(Protector). Niven just can't stop putting out good stories- well developed, imaginative, and one can't stop reading.
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5.0 out of 5 stars Like new
Reviewed in the United States on September 2, 2023
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Fast shipping and above advertised quality. Very pleased.
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Will Pearce
4.0 out of 5 stars Interesting premise and well-written
Reviewed in the United States on April 11, 2023
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It's a very different and interesing take on human "first contact" with another spacefaring race, particularly since the author takes the time to develop the details of the alien culture (which turns out to be germane to the plot).

While the speculative science is a bit dated (1980s era), that didn't distract me from enjoying the story, as this book is well-written and in a style I find to be engaging. If you've read Larry Niven's short story "Neutron Star" (a classic), you'll be familiar with his writing style, which is very similar in this book. Many Niven fans consider this to be his best novel.
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JF
5.0 out of 5 stars Larry Niven has great sci-fi stories
Reviewed in the United States on August 13, 2023
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Great sci-fi. Timelss
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Gary McGregor
5.0 out of 5 stars A classic!
Reviewed in the United States on April 9, 2023
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One of my favorite books! If you've not read much classic SF, read it without expectations, and, and as a start to a larger world.
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Totentanz1980
5.0 out of 5 stars Classic Niven
Reviewed in the United States on May 3, 2016
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This is a classic Larry Niven book that will be satisfying to anyone who has read any of the Ringworld series, or just to newbies coming to Niven for the first time. Though it seems like the concept of the Pak Protector was an interesting thought experiment that Niven decided to create a whole story about, the idea is interesting and works very well. The only complaint I have is that though the Pak do factor in to many of the other Known Space books, none of his other books seem to continue on with this one.
3 people found this helpful
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Biker Dude
5.0 out of 5 stars A must read for new Larry Niven readers!
Reviewed in the United States on April 1, 2014
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I didn't buy this particular book from Amazon, but it's the second book by Niven I ever read, and I'm glad I did. The Pak are a race that are as prevalent in Larry Niven's novels as robots are in Asimov stories. This story tells you about the culture of these aliens to set you up for all the Ringworld and Fleet of Worlds sagas. They're sexless, spooky smart, and extremely strong, and one is heading in our direction. That's all I'm going to tell you. You'll have to read it to find out more about these interesting creatures.
One person found this helpful
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Orville B. Jenkins
5.0 out of 5 stars Fascinating Scenario and Thoughtful Perspective
Reviewed in the United States on July 30, 2013
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This was a fascinating concept which only gradually developed until a small bombshell was dropped. This is a future story about reflections on our human past. The personalities are believable. I found this story moved somewhat slowly, revolving around the ruminations of one astronaut on some experiences on an space assignment that went awry. Niven is in good form here, and as expected, he does not simply recycle the same old ideas and stock story lines.
2 people found this helpful
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Top reviews from other countries

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Padraic Kennedy
5.0 out of 5 stars An excellent novel
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on April 23, 2020
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This Larry Niven' Ringworld novel is a very good read and is worth keeping.
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Vincent Archer
5.0 out of 5 stars A great classic
Reviewed in France on March 21, 2018
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Always worth reading and re-reading. Even if you have to severely suspend your disbelief (because science has caught up, and the "humans are alien colonists" is no longer a viable option for a story).
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Amazon カスタマー
4.0 out of 5 stars Quite good!
Reviewed in Japan on May 22, 2020
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Essentially two shorter stories tied into a bigger universe, but I found it interesting and liked the detective work!
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StayTrue
5.0 out of 5 stars Five Stars
Reviewed in Canada on August 8, 2014
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Greatest set of sci fi books ever conceived.
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UberGob
5.0 out of 5 stars One of his best
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on July 27, 2017
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One of my all time favourite books and one of Nivens best in my opinion. Fore runner to ringworlds. A mystery and an epic space battle across lightyears and decades.
3 people found this helpful
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