Rating: Summary: Very interesting, but a bit hectic. Review: I must say, this book truly stimulated many thoughts. It brings up interesting points on our race's fate, while also providing a valid scientific point of our possible future. Although it was a good read as well, I should warn you, this is not for the on and off reader, as many as 3 characters at a time will be introduced in a paragraph or two, as well as the all the abbreviations can get confusing if your not regularly reading this novel. But, overall, this book is excellent, so go pick it up ASAP!
Rating: Summary: Science not too far off, still an excellent read Review: If you liked the movie "Midway," or other battle extensive stories, then In Death Ground provides the punch you've been looking for. People looking for heavy characterization should look for "real" literature or buy the Honor Harrington Series. Still, what it lacks in character depth and thematic insight is made up for in its enjoyable story. In Death Ground is NOT a shoot 'em up at all; it is an honest look at warfare and how its conducted; the political intrigue of both Crusade and Insurrection (which pale in comparison to that in his HH series) play a less pivotable role in this novel. However, David is dealing with a nightmarish situation; he may have accidently broken from his Clausewitzian hold and recognized that war is NOT a continuation of policy by other means, but something far darker and more primitive. As for the science, as with most Starfire novels it's left to a bare minimum; however, note Starfire employs gravity drives and inertial compensators. "Turning radii" are quite possible with these blatant examples of deus ex machina, and because of the use of such drives on fighters, carrier operations in space quickly gain a new level of precedence (obviously, a propellent fighter wouldn't be able to get much of anywhere quickly, considering even the most optomistic total delta-v's possible; a battle-line warship, in that case, would clearly be the dominate space-navy weapon--its weapons reaching out hundreds of times farther and thousands of times faster than any reaction-mass drive could).
Rating: Summary: What do you get when you crossTom Clancy with space opera? Review: If you can ignore the bad science and dialogue and you want a Tom Clancy aircraft carriers and submarines techno-thriller in a space opera setting you will find this book addictive. It is hard to ignore the dumb science. Would you arm a marginally trained miltia with a hand-held weapon (HVM) which, if fired at the owner's toes, creates an explosion approaching that of a small tactical nuke? Suspension of disbelief is impossible. A spaceship is not an airplane or a boat - it does not have a "turning radius". The quality hard science of a Niven is badly lacking. The more you think about the underlying science the more irritating this book becomes. Some of this is not Weber's fault. The Starfire war-gaming universe which he uses imposes much silliness on the author. The dialogue and characters are second rate. The characters' contempt for democracy and civil authority is corrosive. But if you like space battles, with a steady crescendo from single ship duels to increasingly massive fleets, you will read this book again and again and again.
Rating: Summary: Well written page turner... no warning for a long wait Review: While this is one of the best books I have seen which combine the work of two authors, I did find the unexpected need of a sequel sadley disappointing. Still I would suggest this read if you enjoyed Crusade.
Rating: Summary: Not a bad book, but not the best of Weber either Review: The universe of the Federation always makes for an enjoyable read, but in this book, Weber makes (for the first time since I've been reading him) the mistake of thinking that bigger is better. 'In Death Ground' reads like a laundry list of battles, with no intimacy. It's hard to feel in the middle of a battle with thousands of ships, and Weber just keeps adding more to each chapter. By contrast, the final battle between only two ships in Weber's 'On Basilisk Station' is one of the finest ever written. To Weber - give up on the big stuff, or write it from a more involved perspective. To the reader - It's worth reading, but not the right introduction to this fine writer. If you've never read Weber, go buy 'Crusade' or 'On Basilisk Station' instead.
Rating: Summary: Realistic and riveting. Review: This book by David Weber is the first of his I have ever read and I found it to be a real page turner. The Characters were realistic as was their situation, it was easy to get lost in this story. The technology was extremely realistic as well thankfully laking in any kind of Star Trek glorification mumbo Jumbo or simplification. All in all a great read with an in depth web of politics that does not bog the reader down. Quite refreshing indeed.
Rating: Summary: Very Weber, but a cracking read Review: If you've read Crusade or Insurrection and liked them, then you will love this book. It deals with the technical side of space warfare very well, and manages to have you believing all the little technical tricks. If it has a downside, its that the story lie historically between Crusade and Insurrection, and so you know the ending. Another downside is the sudden ending (When is the sequel due?) All that aside, it's fast paced and will definitely entertain.
Rating: Summary: Starts off great, but.... Review: This one starts off with a bang. Once one is used to the authors' highly technically strategically detailed style and all the characters, the book is absolutely great. I'd rank it with a 9 up to the Bugs arrival in Alpha Centauri. The sequence up until Antonov leads his fleet off is worth maybe a 6 or a seven. The last section, dealing with Antonov's fleet is pretty lousy. The initial combat against the Bugs under the various commanders is incredible, as their war machine rumbles on despite their massive losses. In particular, the equating of Murakuma's refusal to leave the last system with insanity instead of bravery. The book continues to be engrossing during the Orion Khanate's fight for its systems. The story falls down when the Bugs find the warp point into Alpha Centauri, but it remains readable. The last section, dealing with Antonov's fleet is, as I have said, terrible. This guy is supposed to be tis super-genius tactician and strategician, but the guy has learned, apparently, nothing about them, despite having fought them first hand. Other than that, my only problem was the fact that the authors' played a bit fast and loose with naval terms. They invented superdreadnaughts (ships bigger than battleships) and invented this fiction that they are the only "real" combat ship. A Battleship is defined as "the largest size vessel holding the maximum armament", so this makes little sense. Still, the book is worth a read, especially the first two thirds.
Rating: Summary: Not Bad But... Review: I read the book and found almost in the same vein as Starhip Troopers. Except that these Bugs are of the space traveling kind. The problem that I had with the book is that you really never get to know the Bugs. I guess the next book will deal with contacting and communicating with them.
Rating: Summary: A Pre-qua equalling to its predicesors. Review: This book is an incredible read. It pulls you in with dynamic characters. It is 50 years after the Theban War and the world of the Terran Federation is peaceful. They explored new territories, but unfortunately meet up with the Aracnids " bug"-most likely a copy of Bugs by Robert Heilein. I enjoyed its technical side in fighting a war in space, but it wasn't so borning and esoteric that one can't undestand it. It also bore many characters one would love to meet in person. They were loyal, honorable, and duty bound.
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