Sixty Days to Nowhere - Rated 
Robinson's books have always had strong ecological themes, and this, the final volume of his look at the global warming crisis, is no exception. Unlike so many other books that try and delve in this area, Robinson provides not only a look at what we might expect to happen to our world if our current production and consumption habits don't change, but what we can reasonably do about it.
This is, in fact, the strong point of this work, as Robinson envisions both a group of dedicated scientists who actively try to handle a myriad of different types of technological fixes and a newly elected President who gives far more than lip service to their plans. Many of the things Robinson describes here are both good science and show a good grasp of what is possible in the world of politics when the voting population can actually see and feel the detrimental effects (most of this was detailed in the prior two books). The economic costs of massive programs of this nature (such as pumping huge quantities of seawater into basins and back to the top of the eastern Antarctic) are not ignored, either, though I did feel that expecting a massive shift of dollars from military defense to ecological programs was expecting a little too much.
Unfortunately, the novel that above is wrapped in isn't much of a novel. We are presented with the continuing story of Frank in search of his briefly met mysterious love while still trying to live a feral life inside the city confines, and Charlie and his concerns about his youngest son. The whole incident of the potential election-rigging that formed a prime part of the last book is still here, but muted and almost buried under a somewhat far-fetched attempt to find and root out the super-black intelligence agency responsible for the plan. Now there may be little doubt that there may be intelligence-gathering agencies that have too much unsupervised power, and that current laws do not do enough to safeguard individual's liberties and rights, but Robinson's depiction crosses the line into James Bondian fantasy. Robinson also lets his own political biases show far too much, at one point making an unqualified statement that the people in the current administration are criminals.
The trouble with all of this is there is very little action, and almost no suspense. Frank and Charlie's stories just don't have much emotional grabbing power, so that in the end I felt I was reading more of a treatise (even if a good, well reasoned, and scientifically sound one) than a novel. The other plot threads that were started in the first two books are given conclusions, but almost in a back-handed manner, and with far too much of `everything ends well'. What would have helped this book considerably would have been a look at the world and the political maneuvering from the eyes of Phil Chase, the new President, but we are only given short glimpses of this. By the end of the book, everything just kind of sputters out, leaving me quite disappointed. I expect much better from this author.
--- Reviewed by Patrick Shepherd (hyperpat)
A good, solid read - Rated 
This volume follows on nicely from the events in 'Forty Signs of Rain' and 'Fifty Degrees Below'. It deals with the in-fighting in DC, following the new President Chase as he races to undo the damage wrought by decades of an uncaring, polluting White House. The only downside was the excessive attention paid to Frank's burgeoning relationship - I read the book for the politics and world-making, not for the romance. Still, a good book in the series - looking forward to the next one!
Confusing and disappointing - Rated
I noticed this book in passing at a book store - and as I work in this field tought it would be an interesting read. I was disappointed - the characters weren't really developed, all the interesting science stuff seemed to have happened beore the book began - and so it was really a mix of half-hearted spy-thriller, half-hearted love story with some of references to a couple of far-fetched climate change mitigation activities - and naive political discourse - with lots of talk about how wonderful and easy it is to introduce alternative energies to the US while all the characters continue to fly around the world, live in their huge houses and drive vans without a second thought.
Now, though I see that it is the third book in a series (there was no reference to this in the introduction to the book). Perhaps I would have felt differently about it if I had read the other books - which seem to have a lot more happening in them. Although judging by what I have read in the comments about the earlier books, it seems they suffer from the same problem. I don't think I will be reading the earlier parts.
Counted the days... - Rated 
...until I could get my hands on the final book of this excellent trilogy.
Mixing hard science with optimism and humour Kim Stanley Robinson has created a thoroughly enjoyable book series.
I have found that the true joy is in observing how the different characters view the patterns of the world. The small moments are every bit as pleasing as the large.
In relation to the large, whats more pertinent that climate change given the recent flooding in the UK.
If you enjoyed the first two books, this one is obviously a must-buy.
Awful! - Rated 
I have had the misfortune of reading this trilogy (Forty signs of rain, Fifty degrees below)so far. Each time I hoped in vain for something better, each time I was disappointed. Somewhere among the vague plots, the sociobiological asides, and the incoherent dialogue, there is an eco thriller struggling to get out. If only an editor with some gumption had taken Mr Robinson in hand there may have been a chance of salvaging something from the wreckage, as it is what could have been a riveting end of the world thrill ride bored me senseless! How far Robinson has fallen from the glory days of the Mars trilogy, Antartica, and Pacific Edge. What he really needs to do is go off on a long holiday an recapture the spark he has lost.
I'm fortunate in that I borrowed the previous books from the library, whenever "Seventy days to save the world" is released, I'll leave it on the shelf. I recommend you do the same with this dreary tome.
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