Download Venus Audiobook

" I didn't realize it when I started, but Venus is actually one of an extended series by Ben Bova. This particular installation follows the weak, ineffective, and largely unlikable Van Humphries, son of a powerful billionaire who can't stand his younger son. His older son Alex, Van's beloved brother, was killed on an expedition to Venus, and he places a very large reward for anyone who can bring back his son's body. Van, who will be left penniless without the reward, decides to undertake the mission, competing against his father's hated enemy for the money. The catch is that Venus is likely the most inhospitable planet in the solar system, with an atmospheric pressure similar to the deepest parts of the ocean, clouds of sulfuric acid gas, and temperatures that can melt aluminum. In the end, it was the adventure of exploration and discovery, as well as the fascinating imaginings of Venus, that pulled me through this book. Van is somewhat self-centered and whiny through the majority of the plot, but it's a small price to pay for a seat on the first expedition to a dangerous planet, and danger-free at that. "

" (june 2004) i can't believe i actually finished this. it was horribly written, and i barely cared about the hysterical characters--particularly the snivelling protagonist--to bother to turn the pages. still, the science (fiction) kept me reading til the lurid and quite predictable, comic book ending. "

" I haven't read all of the Grand Tour novels yet, but this is one of Bova's best, and I have read a lot of Bova. The main character is more fully defined than in many of his other books, and it's yet another fast, fun romp through the solar system. "

" Ben Bova is a great scifi writer and this book is very readable. "

" By far the weakest so far of the Grand Tour books, this one follows a fairly cheesy storyline into the clouds of Venus. "

" With all the things he is not, Van, training to deal with it. You who are in opposition against him fight him. That is what he muses in his high adventure. Or a round trip to Venus, at the top of its clouds and certainly its secrets, and a kind of story that tell what is not left to wonder about all the times nor offered. All human beings on the earth and the moon, the future of life in cities without many of the concerns of being sick or immortal, witness indescribable adventures from space, the earth was unable in the past to reach. Earth is under a debate globally, and collects its data for proof to demonstrate a kind of evolution of the planets are underway. This book is interesting and well written. The scenario opportunity presents a fast read and walk-quality of the neighboring sister planet. "

" Good story, filled with action and unexpected twists. "

" The narrator is horrid, but the story is interesting. He shows some character development over the course of the book, but he only becomes less horrid, not likable. "

" An easy read. I enjoyed aspects, but found the protaganoist a little whiney and insipid at times. And very predictable. "

" the grand tour of the universe to Earth's sister planet. "

" this,if a film would be bovas stupidly expencive blockbuster,..rich with action & them characters we've met before,.exciting read. "

" Cutting bova some slack for his other novels. This one wasn't worth the time. "

" Another in the Mars book Series. This one was not nearly as good as the others. Somewhat disappointed. "

" trying to get dad to actually pay attention to him , very real and relatable topic "

" Van Humphries is his father's unloved second son. He becomes engaged in a race to Venus to recover the remains of his older brother despite a life threatening medical condition. During the expedition he discovers many truths about himself and others. "

" Bova again creates an exciting, strange world based partly on science. The characters could be fleshed out more (like a lot of sci-fi), but I recommend this as good escapist literature. "

" Goodish space opera action story. Told at a fast pace and enjoyable (but not strongly written) characters...a little predictable in the plot twist, and unlikely in the action sequences but a fair holiday read overall. "

" Not everyone's cup of tea...quite pulpy science fiction, but I've become a sucker for Bova's "Grand Tour" series, as I attempt to write a sermon-series on the planets and the mythology that surrounds their names. "

" Lots of science, lots of action, good characters. Awesome! "

" The science is good, The fiction is okay. Story is a bit juvenile, but still fun, even though the twist ending should be obvious less than halfway through. "

" Good story, filled with action and unexpected twists. "

" I haven't read all of the Grand Tour novels yet, but this is one of Bova's best, and I have read a lot of Bova. The main character is more fully defined than in many of his other books, and it's yet another fast, fun romp through the solar system. "

" An easy read. I enjoyed aspects, but found the protaganoist a little whiney and insipid at times. And very predictable. "

" Lots of science, lots of action, good characters. Awesome! "

" Man's first landing on Venus, all on a dare. "

" Bova again creates an exciting, strange world based partly on science. The characters could be fleshed out more (like a lot of sci-fi), but I recommend this as good escapist literature. "

" the grand tour of the universe to Earth's sister planet. "

" Not everyone's cup of tea...quite pulpy science fiction, but I've become a sucker for Bova's "Grand Tour" series, as I attempt to write a sermon-series on the planets and the mythology that surrounds their names. "

" I love space opera. Pure brain candy! "