Empire Builders (The Grand Tour Series)

"Solid action-adventure/ politicking/consciousness-raising from a veteran pro" features a rebel billionaire rescuing earth from ecological disaster ( Kirkus Reviews). Dan Randolph never plays by the rules. A hell-raising maverick with no patience for fools, he is admired by his friends, feared by his enemies, and desired by the world's loveliest women. Acting as a twenty-first privateer, Randolph broke the political strangle-hold on space exploration, and became one of the world's richest men in the bargain. Now an ecological crisis threatens Earth—and the same politicians that Randolph outwitted the first time want to impose a world dictatorship to deal with it. Dan Randolph knows that the answer lies in more human freedom, not less—and in the boundless resources of space. But can he stay free long enough to give the world that chance? "I believe that by far the science fiction author who will have the greatest effect on the science fiction world, and the world as a whole, is Ben Bova. " —Ray Bradbury