Considered by many readers the best alien invasion novel to date, FOOTFALL was called “thought-provoking and exciting” by Library Journal and “the best of its genre” by The New York Times.

An alien craft is approaching Earth. Attempts to communicate go unanswered. The welcoming committee of Americans and Russians at a space station is blasted, its occupants killed or captured. Soon the entire Earth, with special emphasis on the United States, is bombarded by asteroids, destroying dams, highways, and infrastructure. The message to humans: total surrender or death to all. A giant rock, the “footfall”, is launched towards Earth, causing even more damage. The aliens land, determined to conquer or utterly eliminate the human race. Understanding a truly “alien” culture and learning how to confront such an overwhelming power make FOOTFALL stand out as an exciting and truly original novel.
“Niven and Pournelle keep the outcome up in the air right up to the last pages.”
- Newsday

“FOOTFALL is simply the best science fiction adventure story I’ve read in a long time.”
- The Providence Sunday Journal

“This nuclear age update of THE WAR OF THE WORLDS is highly recommended.”
- Library Journal

“Fast paced.”
- The Philadelphia Inquirer

"Niven and Pournelle have produced another world-in-peril winner ... I loved it!"
- Frank Herbert

"I like Footfall because I like a good old-fashioned invader-from-space story with the noble and ignoble earthlings scrambling for cover."
- John D. MacDonald