The moral didacticism was tedious; the predictable PC plot twists made me wince. What is it about English wits that makes them think they can get away moralizing without a license? If you want an older and wiser Pratchett, read the Tiffany Aching books.

Terry Pratchett has created several fascinating worlds, most famously in his Discworld series, but also in his works for children and young adults. In "Only You Can Save Mankind", the first of the Johnny Maxwell trilogy, Pratchett takes real world and virtual reality to an all new level. On par with Douglas Adams and Daniel Pinkwater, Pratchett is at the top of his game in the first novel of this series.

Johnny Maxwell is a twelve-year-old boy experiencing some Trying Times; his parents are divorcing and he's a dweeb/nerd who plays computer games for fun. To make matters worse, there's a real war going on in the world that almost seems too game-like. It all starts out as fun and games when Johnny is playing the title game; but then the aliens he's been shooting at start communicating with him and tell him that they wish to surrender. Pretty soon Johnny finds out that what may be a game to him is real life to these alien ScreeWee and he must take their side to ensure their safety. Or is all of this just some strange dream?

"Only You Can Save Mankind" was first published in 1992, during the first Gulf War, which may have made it dated if there weren't a second war going on right now. Pratchett brings his unique sense of humor and outlook on the world to write a fast-paced story that makes readers question good and evil, reality and illusion. That may sound like a tall order for a young adult novel, but Pratchett delivers a totally believable universe with this fictional creation. Really vode.

I read Only You Can Save Mankind with my 9 year-old daughter. We both loved it. Being a huge Diskworld fan, I was thrilled to find another line of books by Pratchett that were geared towards younger readers. This book is the first of a trilogy. The first thing my daughter did after reading it was check out the other 2 books from her school library!

This book was a great introduction to science fiction for my daughter. The story is about the boy more than it is about the fantasy environment he is in. She was able to relate to him and be amused by the classic Pratchett descriptions of the video game alien world.

Those who are already very familiar with historical sci-fi and video game culture will find the constant references entertaining.

Only You Can Save Mankind is a solid Pratchett book, aimed at the young adult set. While a tiny bit dated (it's set during the First Gulf War, as noted in the preface), it ages pretty well. There were several laugh out loud moments - which is a rarity for any book, particularly one that's not explicitly set out to be comedy. Even for those young-at-heart, it's a great way to spend a lazy morning (or evening) instead of, well, playing video games.

Johnny Maxwell, an ordinary boy who has to deal with a possible divorce of his parents, is thrust into an adventure where he has to save an alien race. Not only does he have to deal with the divorce, but he also has to save the aliens while he is sick. Johnny's friend Wobbler, a computer hacker, gives Johnny a copy of the game, "Only you can Save Mankind," a game where you are the last person left to kill of the alien Scree Wee fleets. After nearly beating one of the hardest levels, a message appears on the screen, apparently sent by the attacking aliens. They surrender and ask for safe conduct. Johnny agrees having no idea what he is getting into.

This book is a very interesting with apt humor and it nicely explains Johnny's school life and his likes and dislikes. I also think that Wobbler is represented well. Another thing this book does is show what kids really do instead of what their parents think they do. Terry Pratchett does a good job with this aspect and handles how Johnny matures in the end of the book and does what he has to, not what is easy.