Frank Pournelle
20th Century-Fox’s sci-fi adventure Escape from the Planet of the Apes is adapted into a novel by award winning author Jerry Pournelle. The story follows intelligent chimpanzees Cornelius and Zira who are thrown back in time in Tyler’s spaceship to 1973 where they must adapt to a world ruled by humans, and begin to fear for their lives if the humans learn that they’re from Earth’s future and that apes have gained dominion over man. Though based on the film’s screenplay, there are a number of differences; including expanded questioning by the Presidential Commission and more focus on Dr. Victor (instead of Otto) Hasslein plotting against the apes. Pournelle’s writing style is especially good, with a smooth narrative flow and compelling characters. An especially well-crafted novelization, Escape from the Planet of the Apes delivers all of the thrills and intense drama of the film.