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The Pool of Fire Paperback – January 1, 1985
- Print length218 pages
- LanguageEnglish
- PublisherMacMillan Publishing Company
- Publication dateJanuary 1, 1985
- ISBN-100020427204
- ISBN-13978-0020427209
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Product details
- Publisher : MacMillan Publishing Company (January 1, 1985)
- Language : English
- Paperback : 218 pages
- ISBN-10 : 0020427204
- ISBN-13 : 978-0020427209
- Item Weight : 5 ounces
- Customer Reviews:
About the authors
Sam Youd was born in Lancashire in April 1922, during an unseasonable snowstorm.
As a boy, he was devoted to the newly emergent genre of science-fiction: 'In the early thirties,' he later wrote, 'we knew just enough about the solar system for its possibilities to be a magnet to the imagination.'
Over the following decades, his imagination flowed from science-fiction into general novels, cricket novels, medical novels, gothic romances, detective thrillers, light comedies ... In all, under his own name and a variety of pen-names, he published fifty-six novels and a myriad of short stories.
He is perhaps best known as John Christopher, author of the seminal work of speculative fiction, The Death of Grass, and a stream of novels in the genre he pioneered, YA dystopian fiction, beginning with The Tripods Trilogy.
'I read somewhere,' Sam once said, 'that I have been cited as the greatest serial killer in fictional history, having destroyed civilisation in so many different ways - through famine, freezing, earthquakes, feral youth combined with religious fanaticism, and progeria.'
Titles published under the pen-name of Hilary Ford and under his own name are also available on Amazon.
Discover more of the author’s books, see similar authors, read book recommendations and more.
Customer reviews
Customer Reviews, including Product Star Ratings help customers to learn more about the product and decide whether it is the right product for them.
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Learn more how customers reviews work on AmazonCustomers say
Customers find the stories engaging, well-crafted, and fun. They describe the books as an excellent read for young teenagers and adults. Readers praise the series as a good trilogy that introduces reading to young readers while providing a page-turner for adults.
AI-generated from the text of customer reviews
Customers enjoy the story. They find it engaging and suspenseful, with an awesome TV experience. The books are fun for young teenagers and adults. Readers mention that the book is well-crafted and a great adventure.
"...It is an interesting saga starting after man's collapse at the hands of aliens from the perspective of one of the men taking the earth back...." Read more
"...It follows into all the other great science fiction authors, and it is engaging, worthwhile literature." Read more
"...when produced as a TV series by the BBC (or maybe ITV) was an awesome TV experience...." Read more
"...These books are great fun, suspenseful and kind of eerie." Read more
Customers find the book easy to read. They say it's an excellent read for young teenagers and adults. The writing is good and an improvement over dystopian writings of today.
"...the other great science fiction authors, and it is engaging, worthwhile literature." Read more
"...An improvement over dystopian writings of today...." Read more
"...This entire set is an excellent read that both young teenagers and adults will enjoy. My daughter and I really enjoyed these books!" Read more
"I read these books as a young person. Still important. A really good distopia read. Made an effect on me in 1970, still does...." Read more
Customers enjoy the series quality. They say it's a good trilogy, even for a younger audience.
"...This is the third book in the series, starting with The White Mountain and The City of Gold and Lead...." Read more
"The Tripod trilogy is magnificent, and for 11-13 year olds, it can be a wonderful introduction to adult reading...." Read more
"...The trilogy of books is phenomenal!!" Read more
"good trilogy even if written for a younger audience" Read more
Customers enjoy the book's literacy. They say it's a great introduction to adult reading for young readers, yet also engaging for adults. The books are written for youth but well received by 12 year old boys.
"...is magnificent, and for 11-13 year olds, it can be a wonderful introduction to adult reading...." Read more
"These books were written for youth, yet they are page turners for adults as well...." Read more
"well received by 12 year old boy, yeah" Read more
Top reviews from the United States
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- Reviewed in the United States on September 12, 2015Good continuation to the series. My son really enjoyed me reading this set to him before bed. The chapter breaks are just the right length for one chapter each night. It is an interesting saga starting after man's collapse at the hands of aliens from the perspective of one of the men taking the earth back. This is the third book in the series, starting with The White Mountain and The City of Gold and Lead. The tripods and the masters are a plausible alien race. The author does a good job fitting in enough minute details to drive a clear image of the landscape, action, and realism.
- Reviewed in the United States on April 9, 2013The Tripod trilogy is magnificent, and for 11-13 year olds, it can be a wonderful introduction to adult reading. It follows into all the other great science fiction authors, and it is engaging, worthwhile literature.
- Reviewed in the United States on June 16, 2016Book is writ for 12 y/o's, and in the late 1960's. That's not a dis, just a fact.
This is the third of a Tripods Trilogy, which when produced as a TV series by the BBC (or maybe ITV) was an awesome TV experience. Season 2, encompassing the second book, "The city of gold and something,' was awesome.
But the TV season didn't last to a 3rd season, hence this book was never filmed. Having seen the first 2, I wanted to know how the trilogy ended. That's my story.
As a third of a trilogy, one has to see this book much like one would regard "The Return of the King," from the Tolkien trilogy. Pool of Fire is the third of such a series, and so, if you are 12 y/o, or a parent of a 12 y/o, and are looking for a decent sci-fi series to read, Tripods series is recommended, although was it is writ in the '60's, and came before the days of edgier books like Harry Potter. Yet not as childish as, say, The Phantom Tollbooth.
You decide. There you go, it's like that.
- Reviewed in the United States on July 8, 2015Excellent perspective and relay of life under extraterrestrial invaders on earth. An improvement over dystopian writings of today. Cannot get over that this was written in my youth and I just found out about it while substitute teaching an 8th grade classroom. The trilogy of books is phenomenal!!
- Reviewed in the United States on May 8, 2004The Pool of Fire is the last of The Tripods Trilogy. In this novel the reader enters the fascinating world where humans no longer are in control of the planet, but are enslaved by the ruling cast referred to as the masters. Will, Jean-Paul, Henry, and fritz are left with the challenge of aiding the rebellion in hope of destroying the Masters before it was too late. John Christopher has a wonderful style of capturing the readers and especially my attention in this novel. Of course there are some very important details that John Christopher could have done to improve the novel and to reach its full potential, such as the descriptions of many of the events and actions that were undertaken by Will and his companions. This left me with some sense of yearning and disappointment for more descriptions of the events that took place. Also it left me astonished that John Christopher did not attempt to mold the character of Will by the end of the story or even all three of the books that this character has been in. The ending was also vague and skipped many years in a short amount of pages. This left me wondering what happened between the time of the defeat of the Masters and the development of a space ship. This was disappointing considering that I was looking forward to reading this book and finding out that the ending was in all not that exciting or interesting. Considering that this is the last book of the Trilogy John Christopher should have taken more measures to see to it that the ending was more informative of the aftermath of the events. After the climax it just completely died and just left me. John Christopher also did not manage to say how the world recovered from the grip of the officious Masters. Yet despite these faults, there were many qualities that Christopher John managed to succeed. I was bonded into the world created which was filled with adventures and dangers, with John Christopher's style of writing. Another quality that makes this book worth reading is that John Christopher involved all four of the main characters to fit important roles that make the reader highly interested. Though the novel had some weak descriptions the overall flow of events were incredible and left me wanting more. Most of the book was upfront about the events, even though John Christopher could have elaborated more. The good thing about the ending was the situation that took place, which left me and probably many readers in complete awe. John Christopher also has the gift of surprising his readers by leading them onto a certain path and then completely turning the tables on them and knocking them off their feet. At least that's what happened to me. Not only did John Christopher entertain the reader but he also had some messages that could be interpreted there. This novel also teaches the importance of unity and the things that could be accomplished if man could work together in peace.
- Reviewed in the United States on December 22, 2012These books were written for youth, yet they are page turners for adults as well. Very well written, You need to read the trilogy and the prequel as well. These books are great fun, suspenseful and kind of eerie.
- Reviewed in the United States on November 5, 2006This is the fourth and final book in the Tripod series. In order, they are: "When the Tripods Came", "The White Mountains", "The City of Gold and Lead", and "The Pool of Fire". This entire set is an excellent read that both young teenagers and adults will enjoy. My daughter and I really enjoyed these books!
- Reviewed in the United States on February 6, 2013I can't believe how perfectly this author makes you see all the characters in your mind's eye and sweeps you into another land so instantly and keeps you there for 3 books!!...What an awesome story this is....and timeless.....one I won't forget for a long time...The seller sent the book so very quickly and I am happy with my purchase....Thanks so much!!!!
Top reviews from other countries
- Demosthenes ParisReviewed in France on June 5, 2020
5.0 out of 5 stars A good read
I read this series of books about 45 years ago and bought them for my son, who loved them. Still a good read after all those years.
-
Marcel ZahmReviewed in Germany on February 28, 2018
5.0 out of 5 stars Kindheitserinnerungen
Teil 3 der Trilogie. Es ist eine geschlossene Geschichte von Teil 1-3, eigentlich ein Roman, der in drei Bänden veröffentlich wurde. Daher kann ich hier nichts besseres als Copy-Paste meiner Rezension zu Teil 1:
Die Tripods-Trilogie kenne ich von der Fernsehserie, die in meinen Kindertagen (irgendwann in den 80ern) im Fernsehen lief und die für mich damals ziemlich gruselig, aber faszinierend war. Die Serie habe ich mir dann mal auf DVD gekauft. Da die Serie aus Kostengründen (Tricktechnik damals sehr teuer) nie zu Ende geführt wurde, habe ich mir die Bücher geholt.
Was bekommt man:
- Story sehr sehr nah an der Serie (bzw. umgekehrt)
- eher Jugendbücher, nichts wahnsinnig Verwickeltes
- auf Englisch gelesen, eignet sich bestimmt für Sprachtraining, nicht weiter anspruchsvoll
- eine SF-Story, die in sich geschlossen ist und den Trick gut hinbekommt, dass zugleich die Geschichte der ganzen Menschheit und einiger Jugendlicher erzählt wird und das (soweit möglich) recht glaubhaft
- inhaltlich haben Aliens die Menschheit unterworfen, nichts wahnsinnig Neues, aber hier - ohne Spoiler gesagt - in einer nicht völlig standardmäßigen Variante
Ich muss bemerken, dass ich positiv voreingestellt war, weil Kindheitserinnerungen bei mir eine deutliche Rolle spielen.
- Dom VReviewed in Canada on December 25, 2016
5.0 out of 5 stars For the nostalgic of the UK series.
For the nostalgic of the UK series.
- The Keen ReaderReviewed in the United Kingdom on February 23, 2013
4.0 out of 5 stars The Tripods - can they be defeated?
This is the third and final book in the Tripods trilogy (fourth if you also consider the Prequel, When the Tripods Came, set prior to the main storyline and explaining the Tripods arrival on Earth).
The Resistance now know of the Masters' awful plans for Earth; but they also know of a way that the Masters can be harmed, or even killed. Can they take the knowledge that they now have, and find a plan that will allow them to reclaim Earth, to destroy the Masters and to build a new planet? Will and his friends must take on their most awful challenges yet, to try and overcome their own individual prejudices, insecurities and fears, and work together for all of humanity.
This is the last story in the Tripods volumes, but it does leave a future which the reader is left to think about long after turning the last page; and that's how it should be, with a series that deals with the future of humanity and Earth. A great end to a great series; it's just a pity that we never got to see the entire series brought to television all those years ago. At least I know now how the story was supposed to continue. Highly recommended.
- Robert BassettReviewed in the United Kingdom on January 4, 2009
3.0 out of 5 stars Now I know how it ends!
Like many others, I guess, I watched the bbc adaptation of the books in my youth. Michael Grade in his wisdom cancelled the series halfway through (and doctor who, good work Michael!)
I'd forgotten about the story but then read that there's going to be a film this year so i picked up the books second hand. All I can say is, good story, not a great set of novels. Anyone who thinks that Harry Potter falls into the same category should read these - they make JK Rowling seem like Shakespeare!
There's a massive massive story crammed into three tiny books. The characters are pretty thin, but it's a great yarn. Buy the books, trawl through them over a weekend and then wait for the film, when you'll be able to complain that it's not as good as the books.
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