I first read this book many years ago as a teenager (was it Asimov who said the Golden Age of Science Fiction is thirteen?), and have read it again several times since then. It's even better with age. It's a classic, unapologetically politically-incorrect tale of a human child who claws his way to the top in a universe after the downfall of the Terran Empire. If you like classic Heinlein (not the bizarre self-indulgent stuff he cranked out in his last years), you'll love this book.

Like other reviewers, I first read this book in my teens in the late 60's. It immediately clicked with me and I've reread the book at least once every five years since.

We don't know what's happened to humanity, but its legacy is a proud one. And embryos with human genes are prized above all others. Roan is 'purchased' as an embryo, brought to term and raised by his adopted parents, and spends his life seeking his roots. His trials and adventures appeal to teenagers and teenagers-at-heart with questions of 'Who am I?', 'Where did I come from?', 'Why am I different from everyone else?', 'What makes me unique?'.

Roan's parents bankrupt themselves for the opportunity to purchase a son that may actually be human. As a boy living a poor, integrated neighborhood (with all forms of aliens), Roan experiences poverty, prejudice, fear, and dreams for a better life. A traveling, galactic circus gives Roan a chance to experience a new life, where friendship, love, loyalty, and competition give him a chance to develop and forge new relationships while exploring the possibilities of his heritage.

After a pirate attack on the circus, Roan learns to exercise some control over his environment and to become a leader. Roan ultimately traces his lineage back to Terra, where he acts to replace the decadent descendents of humanity with a race that will one day reclaim its place in determining the destiny of the galaxy.

A top notch story that should be made into a movie. If done right it could easily be a box office hit and make millions! Any good screen play writers out there looking for work?

I first read "Earthblood" in college back in the late 60's, I had borrowed it from a friend. A few years later, I was looking to get a copy for myself but it was out of print! Then, years later, while walking by a Library sale of old books I came across a hard copy edition of it and purchased it for $.25! This is a book that should always be around for teenagers to read and love. Let it stay in print forever!