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John Ringo

Live Free or Die: Troy Rising I Mass Market Paperback – October 26, 2010

by John Ringo (Author)

779 ratings

Book 1 of 3: Troy Rising

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First Time in Paperback. Beginning a New Series by a New York Times Best-Selling Author. Will the People of Earth Bow Down to Alien Overlords—or Will They Fight Back?

            First Contact Was Friendly

            When aliens trundled a gate to other worlds into the Solar System, the world reacted with awe, hope, and fear. The first aliens to come through, the Glatun, turned out to be peaceful traders, and the world breathed a sigh of relief.

            Who Controls the Orbitals, Controls the World

            When the Horvath came through, they announced their ownership of us by dropping rocks on three cities and gutting them. Since then, they've held Terra as their own personal fiefdom. With their control of the orbitals, there's no way to win and Earth's governments have accepted the status quo.

            Live Free or Die

            To free the world from the grip of the Horvath is going to take an unlikely hero. A hero unwilling to back down to alien or human governments, unwilling to live in slavery, and with enough hubris, if not stature, to think he can win.

            Fortunately, there's Tyler Vernon. And he has bigger plans than just getting rid of the Horvath.

            Troy Rising is a book in three parts—Live Free or Die being the first part—detailing the freeing of Earth from alien conquerors, the first steps into space using off-world technologies and the creation of Troy, a thousand-trillion-ton battle station designed to secure the Solar System.

Print length

608 pages
Language

English
Publisher

Baen
Publication date

October 26, 2010
Dimensions

4.19 x 1.3 x 6.75 inches
ISBN-10

1439133972
ISBN-13

978-1439133972
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Editorial Reviews

About the Author

John Ringo? brings fighting to life. He is the creator of the Posleen Wars series, which has become a New York Times best-selling series with more than one million copies in print. The series contains A Hymn Before Battle, Gust Front, When the Devil Dances, Hell’s Faire, and Eye of the Storm. In addition, Ringo has penned the Council War series. Adding another dimension to his skills, Ringo created nationally best-selling techno-thriller novels about Mike Harmon (Ghost, Kildar, Choosers of the Slain, Unto the Breach, A Deeper Blue, and, with Ryan Sear, Tiger by the Tail). His techno-thriller The Last Centurion was also a national bestseller. A more playful twist on the future is found in novels of the Looking Glass series: Into the Looking Glass, Vorpal Blade, Manxome Foe, and Claws That Catch, the last three in collaboration with Travis S. Taylor. His audience was further enhanced with four collaborations with fellow New York Times best-selling author David Weber: March Upcountry, March to the Sea, March to the Stars, and We Few. There are an additional seven collaborations from the Posleen series: The Hero, written with Michael Z. Williamson; Watch on the Rhine, Yellow Eyes, and The Tuloriad, all written with Tom Kratman; and the New York Times bestseller Cally’s War and its sequels Sister Time and Honor of the Clan, all with Julie Cochrane. His science-based zombie apocalypse Black Tide Rising series includes Under a Graveyard Sky, To Sail a Darkling Sea, Islands of Rage and Hope, and Strands of Sorrow. A veteran of the 82nd Airborne, Ringo brings firsthand knowledge of military operations to his fiction.

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Product details

Publisher ‏ : ‎ Baen (October 26, 2010)
Language ‏ : ‎ English
Mass Market Paperback ‏ : ‎ 608 pages
ISBN-10 ‏ : ‎ 1439133972
ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 978-1439133972
Item Weight ‏ : ‎ 9.9 ounces
Dimensions ‏ : ‎ 4.19 x 1.3 x 6.75 inches

Best Sellers Rank: #418,250 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
- #7,016 in Military Science Fiction (Books)
- #7,172 in Space Operas
- #51,101 in American Literature (Books)

Customer Reviews:
779 ratings

About the author

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John Ringo

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I'm a professional author of... Well, I used to say "science fiction." Then came There Will Be Dragons, which is sf with a distinct fantasy twist. Then came Ghost which is techno-thriller crossed with porn. Then came Princess of Wands, a Christian soccer mom battling demons through the power of God. Who knows what's next? Children's books? (I've actually got that one mapped out. You see, there's this girl who is raised by dolphins... You think I'm joking, don't you?)

:-)

Customer reviews

5 star		71%
4 star		18%
3 star		5%
2 star		3%
1 star		3%

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Top reviews from the United States

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Robert W. Tremaine

No spoilers just my opinions.

Reviewed in the United States on March 12, 2018

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I have been reading science fiction for over thirty years. Like many science fiction fans I have read MANY stories that are written in multiple books. I have liked many of them but I seldom do a review of them because I find it tedious to to comment on each book in the series. I just felt that I needed to do something for this series.

I have read John Ringo in the past and always liked his writing. When I picked up this book I knew I would like it because of my previous experience but I have to say that I was surprised. I have read all three books in the series and I will say that I was really PISSED!! I Loved the premise, I enjoyed the characters, I loved the space battles and even though I am no scientist I liked the science.The reason I was upset when I got to the last book was because I wanted to see the story continue. I was invested in the story and the people and did not want to say goodbye to them. In my estimation, that is what every author should be shooting for and in this instance that is exactly what John Ringo has achieved.

I think that if you read this book you will want to immediately pick up the 2nd and 3rd installments and be very happy to have spent your time because if you like this one you will like the next two as much or more.

45 people found this helpful

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David P. Graf

Great book and series but you BETTER KNOW THIS before you buy it....

Reviewed in the United States on January 13, 2019

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This is a great book with plenty of action and interesting characters as earth has a first contact situation and fights back against the aliens. In a way it reminds me of Atlas Shrugged with the emphasis upon how a great man manages almost by himself to turn the tide. Ringo is also a far better writer than Ayn Rand. The other two books are good too. But, there's something you should know. The third book ends with all sorts of storylines hanging out there with no resolution. We don't even know whether earth will win its war or not. The last book was published around 2011 and I haven't seen any news of a fourth book. So, you have to decide if the great writing is worth feeling like you're holding the bag as a reader when you reach the end of the third book.

9 people found this helpful

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Christopher W

From an unlikely trade comes a foundation for freedom.

Reviewed in the United States on May 16, 2020

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We are not alone. A " star gate " gets installed by a neutral extra terrestrial race, then another race bent on getting most of our mineral resources holds a gun to our planet. The "tribute" as payment for our "protection " is hurting the world economy. A chance meeting with another extra terrestrial race finds a human discovering their addiction to of all things... maple syrup. Trading for "alien" tech far more advanced than our own, gives us a chance that, with time can make a difference for Earth. As seemingly preposterous as this may first sound.... The reasoning , logic, and science is sound, and the story is engrossing to say the least. It's no wonder that the author has such enthusiastic, supportive, and loyal fans. It's a dang good and enjoyable book. I highly recommend reading this.

One person found this helpful

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Clarke F.

Incredible start to a new series by John Ringo.

Reviewed in the United States on September 14, 2016

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Incredible start to a new series by John Ringo.

When aliens put a transportation gate in L2 orbit near the Earth and say that anyone can use it for a fee. We can't get to it without better space technology - but aliens can. The planet is held hostage when the Horvath come through and demand tribute in order to save the earth from their orbital bombardment. Earth is a back-water planet with limited technology and nothing to offer other than all our heavy metals - all of which are now going to the Horvath.

One man has the ideas and the drive to get the Horvath off our necks and the human race into space - this time to stay.

Highly-highly recommended!

7 people found this helpful

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Tracy C

FUN, IMMERSIVE SF with hard and fantasy elements and a hero you'll like and admire!

Reviewed in the United States on July 12, 2018

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I'm 75% through this book right now and I LOVE IT! The pacing is quick, the characters are likeable and this book is just FUN to read. The fun factor comes from two sources as far as I can tell:
1) The plot, characters and dialogue are beautifully free of forcible political-correctness. There are no characters belonging to identity-groups simply for the sake of having them represented. The characters are who and what they are because it serves the story for them to be that way.
2) John Ringo apparently respects the people who buy and read his books. The man has written a lot, he seems to have fun doing the research necessary to write believably about scientific/military industries, and he wants his readers to enjoy what he must have poured a lot of effort into. Thats professionalism. That's passion. It can't be faked.

I won't go into much detail about the plot as it was covered in earlier reviews, but I found it highly plausible for a sci-fi novel, wonderfully inventive as far as the initial conflict between humans and Horvath was concerned, and what drives it all forward is the presence of a HERO who takes on his own hardships, uses initiative and intelligence to rather quickly go from pauper to prince of sorts (while staying rather humble), and demonstrates that human beings might be behind the technological curve compared to alien races, but can catch up quickly and hold our own because we're determined to survive while maintaining our sovereignty.

I heard of John Ringo thanks to people in SF fandom who were protesting his participation in various conventions (which I have never attended). He was said to be racist, misogynist, sexist, etc. so after I bought "The Last Centurion" (which was also fun to read!), I bought this book figuring I'd see some evidence of their complaints. "Live Free or Die" is a pretty popular title. If there are -isms and -ists, they must be found in here.

Guess what I found? There's no evidence to back up what the protestors say. Seems like they were LYING! Personally, I think they're jealous of Ringo's success and writing ability. However, I thank them heartily for bringing my attention to this writer, whose books I will happily continue to buy and read because just like a good spouse, they're FUN to spend free time with, they don't insult my intelligence, and they keep their promises.

And if buying and enjoying more of this author's books makes social-justice worrier heads explode, that's just seasoning on the steak.

23 people found this helpful

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JArchibald

Some of the best Sci-Fi of our day

Reviewed in the United States on May 24, 2021

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Tyler Vernon is a normal guy working himself to death after a gate from aliens is moved into position to allow anyone to transit it. This leads to the Horvath taking control of the Earth.

Tyler Vernon after a bit of luck decides to change that. Oh boy does he Kickstart the fight for Earth, with his motto, "Live Free or Die!"

Helpful

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G. Bethune

Redneck Fantasy for all the family

Reviewed in the United Kingdom on November 25, 2014

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I Want to first say that i am for all relivant purposes a redneck boy. I am a farmer from the back of beyond, i am suspicious of goverment, and i literaly have a redneck from working outside. So no fury please, i say Redneck with affection, own your label boys and girls. Now to the Review.

Its a brilliant story of how just one man can save the world. Much better than that pesky goverment, for Dam..d sure, better than those limp wristed bureaucrats in Washington, they are probably Commies mutter mutter, Obamacare! mutter Mutter.

I Mock but its Brilliant! A wish fufilling fantasy for the Libertarian heirs of Heinelin, after all if one man can sell the moon, one man can save us from alien invaders with nothing more than Maple Syrup and an iron will. It gets progressively sillier as it goes on, books 2 and 3 go from wish fufilling to absurd, but its a crackaling good read, just dont take the politics too seriously.

One person found this helpful

Steven Griffiths

Couldn't put it down! Cover to cover in 1 sitting

Reviewed in the United Kingdom on June 6, 2013

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Admittedly this was right up my street, earth leaping forward in technology and getting out into the big wild universe, but have read it multiple times now and still love it. John Ringo's best work, i hope there is more to come from this series. Hot Gate and Citadel not as good as the first offering, i liked the story more focused on Tyler Vernon than all the other characters, especially didn't enjoy the bits focused on the south american personnel, but that may have been Ringo's aim. Authors political leanings clear from all the 'don't care for his politics, but...' type statements from characters, bit distracting but story wouldn't be the same without them, suspect portion of the motivation to write is authors' frustration with channels other than Fox News!

S. J. Mucha

Fun, but confusing at times...

Reviewed in the United Kingdom on November 14, 2015

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A very fun and interesting storyline with fantastic world building. The characters are entertaining and well thought out, the only negative is the terminology that was introduced early in the book and broken down into acronyms pop up throughout and I had completely forgotten what they meant. Also a lot of American acronyms that I've never heard before living in Ireland.
A definite recommended book though, already got a friend to buy it and he's loving it too!
I would recommend getting the audiobook and playing it on 1.25 speed (it's crazy slow otherwise) and enjoy the ride! It's a lot of fun.

2 people found this helpful

Tim

The "...or die" gets more tempting the more you read

Reviewed in the United Kingdom on May 28, 2021

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Some very reasonable megastructure building, before it descends into literal aryan fantasy of white folks with blonde hair being the only ones who can save us.

Kurt Decoene

it is right wing, but still a good read

Reviewed in the United Kingdom on April 30, 2012

Verified Purchase

I have to agree with Jonathan M. Balmer "Jon Balmer".

If you can get past the all too obvious right-wing convictions of the author and the rather simplistic
worldview or look at international politics you'll be fine reading this book.

One of the big absents in JR's books are the Chinese (my wife is Chinese and I've been a number of
times to that country). But possibly his particular brand of republican is in denial about the
growing prominence of China and the other BRICK countries. Or the decline of the US, or at least the
serious trouble it's in as a 'worldpower'. The author's world view is certainly 'flawed' and it
enters the book...

There is some of the mandatory and juvenile right-wing French-bashing (cuzthe French won't join just
any war the US choses to start no doubt) which was mildly irritating but I can get past it.
I do not need to agree with the author's political views - I take note of it (sometimes admittingly
with a touch of irritation and even exasperation), after all the author creates his own universe.

Back to the book. All and all I find it a good read. Personally I've always liked big ideas and the
mining of asteroids which is found boring by some of the other reviewers makes me wonder whether it would
be possible (without artificial gravity). At times the story is somewhat slow but in the end I find myself
enjoying it and looking forward to the next book in the series and that's really the only thing that matters
in the end.

2 people found this helpful

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Live Free or Die: Troy Rising I Mass Market Paperback – October 26, 2010

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