[Duraccione]

I'm reading "The mote in God's eye" by Niven and Pournelle: I'm finding many references to Sparta and previous events told - I guess - in the "Prince of Sparta" series by Pournelle, which I didn't read.

So my question is: should I read that whole series before the "Mote" in order to fully enjoy this book or are these facts a surplus written just to give a background to the story?

[Archren]

To my mind, the "Mote in God's Eye" works perfectly well as a stand-alone. I've never read the Sparta stuff, but "Mote" is one of my all-time favorite SF books. Have fun!

[scooter13]

I agree with Archen. I have never even heard of the Sparta series you mentioned, yet enjoyed Mote immensely.

[Duraccione]

Thank you for the quick replies! :)

I've read just the first four chapter so far but I'm already enjoying this book: the characters are outlined very well and there's plenty of stuff for a fascinating story, I'm sure it will easily get one of my favourites.

My only doubt is about the ages, the main character is only 24 but already commanding a ship (O-6, I guess), but this is a trifle...well, better, just a mote.... ;)

[Hobbit]

To my mind, the "Mote in God's Eye" works perfectly well as a stand-alone.
Agreed.

Though there are references to the Sparta books (and if I remember right, vague references to the Falkenberg books too) they are background and not having read them doesn't spoil Mote. (I read them years later).

Mote is better - stick with Mote!

Hobbit