Rating: 
Summary: Uplift Saga my favorite
Review: The Uplift novels are my favorite science fiction series. Startide Rising is the first and most difficult of the series. Uplift War is a faster read, although not necessarily better. Each can be read independent of the other. The final three vols must be read in order for them to make sense. Even if you didn't like Startide, read Uplift anyways. The style is much more accessible.
Rating: 
Summary: disappointing
Review: There are some intriguing questions at the beggining of the book, but they aren't solved. You have to read 4 more books for that (I won't). The style is annoying, the aliens ridiculous. I cannot recommend this!
Rating: 
Summary: Marvelous!
Review: There is an indescribably deep emotional undercurrent to this entire novel, which is heavily supported by ambiguous mentions of the Whale Dream and the mystery surrounding the fabled Progenitors who founded all of Galactic society. The myriad alien races battling and allying to grab the prized ship Streaker and her cargo are extremely interesting, and the dolphins themselves only increase the level of the indescribable feeling that pervades Startide Rising. It's sort of like the feeling of swimming in a deep blue ocean. It is truly a testament to David Brin's genius that he was able to craft such a subconscious web into his novel.
Rating:
Summary: Riveting!
Review: Dr. David Brin really ought to stop wasting his time with astrophysics: he's an absolutely gifted writer."Startide Rising," although not the first book in his "Uplift" universe, is one of the best. In this story, you'll learn that the civilization of five galaxies is home to many races of aliens, all coexisting along with the grand tradition of Uplift: they believe that no sapient spacefaring species can exist without being "uplifted" by a patron species through genetic manipulation and breeding. In return for the gift of sapience, such a client species owes thousands of years of servitude to their patrons. Mythical progenitors who uplifted themselves started the process millions of years ago. Enter humanity: stumbling onto this civilization in their first extrasolar spacecraft and with their own genetically advanced chimpanzees and dolphins, they throw the universe into disarray. Most everyone would just as soon have them exterminated than given them any recognition, but are prevented from doing so because of a dolphin-crewed spacecraft's discovery of a fleet of gigantic derelicts that could lead to the secrets of the fabled progenitors. This is just the backdrop to a grand tale that Brin weaves with deft skill. Brin's characters go deep and have strong motivations and emotions. You'll find yourself thinking like a dolphin as Brin describes their language, their interactions with the human and chimpanzee crewmates, their dreams, and their flaws. They and their crewmates struggle to survive the pursuit of the civilization of the five galaxies, and you'll find yourself unable to put the book down as the story progresses. The story itself is a rich tapestry: Brin presents the alien pursuers and their client species in brief flashes, making them more sinister. Other alien races that support humans, dolphins, and chimpanzees receive more attention and detail, and make intriguing characters. But "Startide Rising" isn't only about character development: there's exploration of racial tension, galactic politics, artifical intelligence, spatial phenomena, and romance. This riveting story satisfies and yet leaves the reader hungry for more. Luckily, there are a few other stories out there set in the Uplift universe. And if we're lucky, there'll be more to come.
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Summary: Brin's best and my favorite work of Sci-Fi.... for now.
Review: I recommend this book when ever I get into the inevitable conversation about science fiction with someone I meet that is interested in the subject. I always keep a couple of extra paperback copies around to give/loan to people. No one touches my hardback copy but me. I average reading the entire Uplift Series about every other year. I'm an Uplift junkie and Brin just can't write installments fast enough for my next fix. Brin's aliens are believeable. His space battles are epic. The Uplift Series is a well woven masterpiece. If you only read one Uplift Novel, it should be Startide Rising. It is a truly visual space opra. I haven't seen a movie yet, that can compare to the way this book plays in my head.
Rating: 
Summary: A good read, liked the dolphin characters and aliens
Review: What first attracted me to this book is the combination of animals and science fiction. The dolphin characters are hard to distinguish but take on their own shape later. The space battle scenes are thrilling and remind me of the E.E. 'Doc' Smith lensman series. Some of the prose is simple and at times childish, but I enjoyed the uplift concepts and universe very much, and have started to read Sundiver, although reviews say this is the poorest of the series. The aliens do have very solid characters as species and I found a strong mental image had formed of the different creatures. A good read, money and time well spent.
Rating:
Summary: A work art, original in mood and theme, although...
Review: I would been more original than dolphs as main charachters. Admittedly people LIKE dolphins, but something less playful is likely to fit the mood better.
Rating:
Summary: My #1 all-time Sci Fi favorite! A block buster of a novel!
Review: When I started reading Sci Fi in the 80's, I decided to read every book that won both the Hugo and Nebula awards as 'Best Novel of the Year' for that year. I figured that if both the fans and the critics singled out the same book, it was probably pretty good. 'Startide Rising' is my hands down favorite of the double award winning novels. It is imaginative, action packed, and has great characterization, all on an epic scale. It is a true Sci Fi classic. . . Now, twenty years later, my son is starting to read Sci Fi. I recently dusted off my original copy of 'Startide Rising' for him to read. He enjoyed it as much, if not more than I did. I am thrilled that he is beginning his journey into Sci Fi with such a great tale of adventure!
Rating:
Summary: One of the Best Books of the 80`s
Review: Not as good as all the hype, but still one of the best Sci-fi novels of the 80`s. Worth the read, espically the ending.
Rating:
Summary: cheesy, but I like the dolphins
Review: This book is cheesy in execution. Especially toward the end. I agree with a lot of the negative comments I'm reading here. However, I really like the idea of talking dolphins. After reading this book, I am ready to sign on to that project. I don't think it will be impossible to bridge the gap separating us from our fellow large mammals. We're going to need friends out there.
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