Battlefield Earth by L. Ron Hubbard

Can people seriously rate this book as anything other than drivel? Aliens invade Earth and enslave mankind. Fair enough. One particularly smart human (with a really dumb name) figures out the basis for all the baddie alien technology after a short time in alien prison. Using his new knowledge this guy overthrows his alien overlords and saves the planet and all of mankind. Then when the book should have ended, he discovers that more even worse baddies are on their way, hell bent on wiping out the human race, so he finds other aliens, makes friends with them, negotiates an alliance with them, defeats the bad guys and generally saves the universe.
Jeez this guy makes me sick! The hero of this pulp is so perfect! When we first meet him, he is riding around on a horse with a bow and arrow dressed in animal skins and by the end of the tale, he is some kind of cross between The Fonz and Luke Skywalker zipping around in his star fighter saving the day.
Well what do you expect from the guy that gave us Scientology. The copy I read was printed in the early '80's and has "SOON TO BE A MAJOR MOTION PICTURE" splashed on the cover. I think I know why it took so long to make. No one in their right mind would finance this dross. Travolta wasn't rich enough (or brainwashed enough) until around 2000. The movie BOMBED. Small wonder.
Thetan level 7 my ass!

Writers Of The Future: Volume XX is the 20th anniversary edition of the L. Ron Hubbard presents Writers of the Future anthology. Featuring 15 amazing, original stories showcasing rising creative talent in speculative fiction, all winners of the Writers of the Future contest, Writers Of The Future: Volume XX is an anthology that transcends imagination and transports the reader into the most mind-blowing and exciting new worlds. All the pieces within have never before been published, and the professional judges who screen the submissions include such well-known story weavers as Orson Scott Card, Larry Niven, Anne McCaffrey, Andre Norton, Frederik Phol, and much more. Award-winning black-and-white illustrations, also judged for their expertise, enhance the mass-market edition of this world-spanning and immensely entertaining collection.

One of my favourite books of all time. I originally found it when cleaning out my grandmother's attic. I put off reading it for the longest time due to the old, 70's sci-fi cover art. Then when I was bored as hell and had exhausted all other options, I finally opened it. Incredible! The characters had incredible depth to them, even supporting characters had a well-endowed background. Jonny (the main character) was the kind of man most aspire to, quick-thinking and willing do what has to be done rather than hiding and waiting for the inevitable. The lead protagonist was incredibly life-like in his self-serving dementia. And not only is the book excellent, it has a second part, most books end with the "evil" being overthrown and everyone rejoices, B:E actually deals with the rebuilding and restructuring of the universe after the over-throw. And talk about overkill, I'll leave you to read what I'm talking about there. Very scary thought though considering the state of the world now. Enjoy!