The gods of Olympus offered a fateful choice to the warrior, Achilles--a short, glorious life, or a long, dull one.Achilles chose glory.This is the story of the Eleventh Olympiad in the late 21st century--a contest not only for glory but for survival--and of the woman who dared to compete for the highest stakes of all.The future of humanity.From Publishers WeeklyThe world of 2048 is ruled by a council of computer-enhanced, "linked" people, with new members chosen every four years through a competitive mental, physical and aesthetical Olympics. In training, contender Jillian Shomer debates whether to use a "boost" to enhance her chances. Nobody who has not boosted can prevail over anyone who has, at least in the physical contests, but those who use the boost and do not win will die within 10 years--only the link can counteract its effects and only a council member can be linked. Seeking to learn why the council would so allow the destruction of the majority of the world's finest youths, Jillian discovers unsavory aspects to her utopia. Then someone, or something, catches her spying. Niven and Barnes's ( The Descent of Anansi ) romance-like light fiction, with its predictable plot, loosely drawn characters and no more than a promise of a resolution, is, nevertheless, fun to read.Copyright 1991 Reed Business Information, Inc.Review"Achilles' Choicetranscends science fiction. As one formerly shortlisted for the Olympics, I recognize the truth in Niven's and Barnes' depicion of the sports world. They understand the intense competitiveness that overrides all else, that turns people into something more, and less, than human.Achilles' Choiceis about believable people who must make that choice." --Morgan Llywelyn"A masterpiece!" --Andrew M. Greeley"Larry Niven and Steven Barnes seem to bring out the best in each other.Achilles' Choiceis ample proof of that." --Mike Resnick"Set in an all too plausible, sinister near future,Achilles' Choicenot only tells an exciting s