Recently I found myself browsing through my various bookshelves, looking for something a little different, a story I could really lose myself in. I moved aside a few stacks of books to see the titles hidden mostly in shadow towards the back of one particular bookcase and my eyes came upon a paperback which, for some reason, has sat unread on the shelf since the day I purchased it back in 1986.

Blowing away the dust, I read the brief description on the back cover as I had dozens of times throughout the years, I smiled at the wonderful artwork by Michael Whelan on the inside flap of the front cover of this particular DEL REY edition and decided that this time I would actually read the thing instead of putting it back. Now that I have reached the final page I can only wonder what was wrong with me? Why did I let this magnificent story sit for so long? I can't answer that but, if you happen to have a copy of Footfall sitting unread on your bookshelf, go pick it up right now, turn to page xiii (the Prologue) and have a great time.

I guarantee it--if you are a fan of solid, character-driven, action-packed, alien-invasion science fiction you will absolutely devour this book and be absorbed by the story. Niven and Pournelle have created an entirely believable alien culture, civilization and language and, perhaps best of all, based it on the one thing most people don't think of when they imagine aliens--elephants. Yes, aptly nicknamed 'Snouts,' these multi-trunked, mini-elephants are out to take over the Earth. The only problem with that is, of course, we pesky humans don't take invasions of our planet very lightly.

Although the human race attempts at first to welcome these visitors, whose massive ship can be seen coming toward the Earth by way of Saturn well in advance, the aliens have just one thing in mind--seize the Earth for themselves. Once the ultimate goal of these interstellar visitors becomes apparent, a roller-coaster ride across the heartland of the United States, not to mention detours into Russia and outer space, ensues catapulting the reader through a wild tale of aliens trying to dominate human beings and our, at first, feeble attempts to fight back against them.

This book is wide in scope and changes settings frequently but the authors manage to keep the reader on pace while also keeping the action coming fast and furious. I found myself actually understanding the alien language, as it comes into the text of the story quite often, and realized how good the authors were at creating this alien race. Although the story features many high-ranking U.S. Government Officials (including the President), a slew of Soviet politicians (the Soviet Union was still around back in 1985 when the book was written), military leaders, scientists and even a small group of science fiction writers, the main characters are for the most part everyday people (despite one California Congressman who figures prominently throughout). This is mainly where the book succeeds, letting the reader know that everyday people would have to rise up and take action themselves without relying on the government for much assistance if such an invasion were to actually take place. People like you and me...

Footfall was a great read, entertaining all the way through. Not too much scientific gobbledygook, not too heavy into the religious aspects of aliens coming to Earth to do away with human beings, not too over-the-top corny as some of these types of stories can often be and, most importantly, not in the least bit dull. Instead, it gives the reader real characters (both human and Fithp), a real struggle (on both sides), a believable insight into the psychology of utterly alien beings and a valid conclusion to wrap things up. I enjoyed it immensely and I know that you will too. You don't even have to take my word for it, just look at some of the endorsements on both the front cover (of my paperback edition anyway) and the first few pages by people like Tom Clancy and Frank Herbert, pretty good authors themselves.

Now, back to the bookshelf to dig out my also unread copies of Lucifer's Hammer and A Mote In God's Eye, both collaborations by these same authors.