- Paperback: 320 pages
- Publisher: St Martin's Press; New edition edition (26 April 2002)
- Language English
- ISBN-10: 0765301539
- ISBN-13: 978-0765301536
- Product Dimensions: 21.4 x 14.2 x 2 cm
- Average Customer Review: 4.2 out of 5 stars See all reviews (15 customer reviews)
- Amazon Bestsellers Rank: 986,057 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
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More About the Author
Product Description
Review
"Contained ideas I wish could be shouted to the world, ideas that come from the American heritage of freedom and which could bring still greater individual liberty, greater technical progress."--Vernor Vinge, author of "A Deepness in the Sky"
"Pick up a new copy of the book and rediscover this exciting world, and reserve me a table at Meep's Texas Barbecue."--"Prometheus"
"Pick up a new copy of the book and rediscover this exciting world, and reserve me a table at Meep's Texas Barbecue."--"Prometheus"
Product Description
In 1980, L Neil Smith turned the science fiction field upside down with the publication of THE PROBABILITY BROACH. Set in the (then) near future, it's the story of Win Bear, a Denver detective on the trail of a murder. But the trail leads him to another America, where things are different. In a world of zeppelins, intelligent apes who can vote and no federal government. Win solves his mystery and things are never the same for him again.
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Customer Reviews
Most Helpful Customer Reviews
1 of 1 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback
I read this novel in 1987, when I was feeling depressed about the deteriorating state of liberty in England. I found it so inspiring that I rejoined the libertarain movement, and have been active ever since.
Politics asie, it is a very good read. It has a strong plot and credible characters. The politics do tend to be obvious. But this is much more than a polemical novel.
I strongly recommend it. I quite often give copies to people as presents.
Politics asie, it is a very good read. It has a strong plot and credible characters. The politics do tend to be obvious. But this is much more than a polemical novel.
I strongly recommend it. I quite often give copies to people as presents.
3 of 4 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback
A detective of the same cut as Phillip Marlowe is blasted into a parallel dimension where governments don't exist, freedom and responsibility rules, and prosperity is everywhere. There he uncovers a plot by the dreaded Federalists to institute a government upon the people and it's up to him and his anarchist buddies to stop them.
Although a bit dated, I first read this novel in the early 80's and loved it. It was a great introduction to libertarianism and a wild ride to boot. One of my all time favorites.
Format:Paperback
This is an amusing book and Neil Smith has created a colourful (and to my mind believable)world in which the story takes place. However, while the basic premiss is promising and the English generally good and light, it falters in execution. The story is not really well paced enough, with a lot of things happening a bit too suddenly, of the 'oh and then this happened' type. If you are both an anarchist (minarchists will like it too) and a sci-fi fan you will enjoy this book. If you have no interest in politics but do like sci-fi you might find it interesting, but may find other books more satisfying. If you are a bit of a lefty you are likely to find the book annoying rather than convincing.
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Most Recent Customer Reviews
Terrible book.
I was pointed towards this book as "the" Libertarian science fiction novel and have just finished struggling through it (in the optimistic and flawed hope that the ending may be... Read more
Published on 26 April 2008 by Paul M. Clark
A New Paradigm for A Discouraged Freedom-Lover
I picked up the sequel to The Probability Broach (The Venus Belt) by accident. That hooked me. L. Neil Smith plays with the language as can no author since Harry Harrison and,... Read more
Published on 2 Jun 1999
Probability Broach is becoming a liberty clasic.
I first read this book many years ago and it was one of many that helped to form my understanding of how a free society could function and some of the dangers that would face such... Read more
Published on 21 April 1999
One of the best SF novels of the hundreds I've read !!
I've read this book at least 3 times in the last 10 years. If I wrote a book, this is one I would use as a guideline for great science fiction. Read more
Published on 4 Dec 1998
One of the classics! Thank goodness it's been republished.
Very few writers have as much fun with the language as does L. Neil Smith. And in "The Probability Broach" he has written a classic, not only in science fiction, but in... Read more
Published on 21 Nov 1998
very good libertarian novel
The Probability Broach is the best book I have read about Libertarian ideas. L. Neil Smith sums up all the thoughts of Libertarian's and puts them into an easy to read, exciting... Read more
Published on 22 Jun 1998
SUPERB!
Kudos to L. Neil Smith for his wild and wooly ride through time! When you open this book, sit down, relax and enjoy the ride! Read more
Published on 28 Dec 1997
Must read for libertarian SF fans!
Smith presents a well-crafted tale of alternate realities in the tradition and style of H. Beam Piper and Heinlein. Read more
Published on 15 Dec 1997
Required reading for non-big government liberals!
Fascinating look into an alternitive reality, one that is totally antithema to todays "big-government, it takes a village air-head liberal" Great fantasy read that takes... Read more
Published on 18 Oct 1997
A 21st century gumshoe Novel. *****
As a 20+ year collector of SF, I feel that this is a refreshing original. Having read it for the first time in 1983, I found that it is still as unique now as it was then. Mr. Read more
Published on 28 April 1997
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