Rating: Summary: The ultimate Airport SF comfort read Review: <puts up hand> OK this is the only book I've ever purchased 9 times since the original print run. The "Uplift" universe may be complete with the second trilogy recently, but as a standalone piece of work the mental pictures do not dim as you (in my case) re-read. Fiben is calling out the fire department to calm me down. Oook-okk
Rating: Summary: 100 page idea expanded to 600 pages novel Review: After the streakers disappear, along with the artifact, some of the fanatical alien races (in this case, bird looking creatures) siege the Earth's colony world, demanding that Earthlings give up the ancient relic. This time, it is primarily a world where uplifted shims live. All the Garth species must face the invaders to fight for survival. Although, the idea of uplift is still one of the most original ideas in Science Fiction, this book would be much better if it was somewhat 200-300 pages shorter. After reading the Startide Rising, this novel somewhat loses its originality. Moreover, if you read The Planet of Apes, it will affect your judgment of Uplift War.
Rating: Summary: Final culminations, untied ends Review: Although I prefered the previous book in the series (Startide Rising) to this, it was still a well put together, well thought out story with lots of extras inside.The story unfolds following the discovery by the Streaker in the previous book. The universe at large is looking to either follow up on the dolphins and their findings, or use this incident as an excuse to take out greivances they have had with Earth since its entry into galactic society. The bird-like Gubru are looking to do both on one of Earth's colony worlds, and will use any means within their power to achieve their ends. The first task is to take out humans, and then pull their client races under their wings... The overall style of writing is the same as Startide Rising, in short several story lines proceeding simultanoiously. This makes for somewhat more interesting reading, but at times makes one wonder just how carefully the passage of time was thought out between the different stories. Inconsistancies can mostly be ignored, however, and leave no gaping plot holes lying around.
Rating: Summary: slow starter, but makes up for it Review: as is typical for brin, this was a slow starter, taking a few hundred pages for plots and characters to develop. the wait is well worth it. brin creates a fantastic universe of believable aliens and stunning technology, and continues with his deep-felt message of the massive responsibility we have to our fellow terrans. my eco-views were hardened by reading this. the plot twists and turns wonderfully. at one point a friend asked me to explain it (the plot), and i could do was role my eyes.
Rating: Summary: Exciting and thought-provoking Review: As war rages throughout the galaxy, the bird-like Gubru invade the planet Garth, which is home to humans and their Uplifted client race, the chimpanzees. Cut off from outside help, two young people, one human and one alien, are forced by circumstance to become the leaders of a chimp army in a guerrilla war. There is a lot of action in this third novel of David Brin's Uplift series. So far, each entry has been better than its predeccesor. Brin's prose is frequently clunky, but his story is tight and he has a rare ability to create plausible and fascinating alien cultures and psychologies.
Rating: Summary: It's a matter of opinion. Review: Before embarking on this book, I had previously read Startide Rising, so I was fairly aquainted with the author's idea of "Uplift." (changing semi-sentient species so they become fully sentient) To me, there is really no SCIENCE in the Uplift War but a muddled mix of politics and unexplained scientific procedures. I feel that that the concept of "Uplift" is too awesome a concept to be left alone, to be fully accepted by the characters. I would love to have seen the author delve deeper into the process of Uplift, and making its history detailed, instead of a sketchy myth. The plot itself in the Uplift War is formidable and easy-to-follow, but the lack of actual science makes this book a little tiring for me.
Rating: Summary: Loved it! Review: Brin is smarmy, but great at what he does...The Sci-Fi (hic, See his collection of short stories "The River of Time" to get this reference) thang.Poor boy overwhelms himself attempting to be P.C. As far as weaknesses go I can think of many far more detestable. The essence of this series is that we Earthies have stumbled onto the pastime of THE GALACTICS (Ancient races themselves,,, I mean aaaancient) this being raising presentinet species into the much covetted realms of sapience. As you guessed it we screwed up, 'cause we didn't have an uplift lisence for Chimps ( whom seem to prefer the title PANS), and Dolphins. Lots of good hardcore SF & lovable character development. First trilogy was great,and second trilogy is almost finished... Three thumbs up for all of those who might need their other hand/foot to hang from thier favorite branch. -Nyq Bosson - Berkeley CA
Rating: Summary: Best Uplift Book So Far Review: Brin's The Uplift War is definitely the best of the Uplift Series to this point. Of the first three books in the series, The Uplift War does best what a good book should do...suck the reader in, hold on and not let go until the end. The Uplift War focuses around the Terran colony world of Garth. Due to events that take place in the previous book -- Startide Rising -- Garth is besieged by the Gubru, a fanatical, bird-like race. Most of the humans on Garth are placed in isolation camps after the Gubru overrun the colony. It's up to the few who escape internment (including several friendly aliens), along with a lot of chimpanzees, to try and repel the invasion. I'd like to get it out here at the beginning that this book does occassionally have its slow parts...but then, what book doesn't? That being said, the book certainly has lots of action and enough twists and turns to easily keep the reader interested. The book also gives us our first look at the Tymbrimi...one of the few Galactic species friendly to those claiming an Earthly heritage. I also thought the Tymbrimi corona was a great idea. The corona is a kind of psychic antenna that not only allows the Tymbrimi to sense others' feelings, but also allows the Tymbrimi to craft emotion "glyphs" -- a kind of psychic artform that can influence others in a multitude of ways. All but one of the main characters in this book is a non-human. Brin did a great job of not only telling his tale from the perspective of Tymbrimi and chimpanzees, but also did an excellent job in really defining the similarities and differences of Tymbrimi and chimpanzees with regards to humans. I've seen other reviewers proclaim that Brin is truly an expert at creating and then elaborating on aliens he has constructed with his pen...I enthusiastically add my voice to this chorus. Overall, this book is far-and-away the best of the first three Uplift books. The first three books in the Uplift Series happen to be the first three books I've read of Brin's. I'd say that with The Uplift War he's finally living up to his stellar reputation for great scifi.
Rating: Summary: Best Uplift Book So Far Review: Brin's The Uplift War is definitely the best of the Uplift Series to this point. Of the first three books in the series, The Uplift War does best what a good book should do...suck the reader in, hold on and not let go until the end. The Uplift War focuses around the Terran colony world of Garth. Due to events that take place in the previous book -- Startide Rising -- Garth is besieged by the Gubru, a fanatical, bird-like race. Most of the humans on Garth are placed in isolation camps after the Gubru overrun the colony. It's up to the few who escape internment (including several friendly aliens), along with a lot of chimpanzees, to try and repel the invasion. I'd like to get it out here at the beginning that this book does occassionally have its slow parts...but then, what book doesn't? That being said, the book certainly has lots of action and enough twists and turns to easily keep the reader interested. The book also gives us our first look at the Tymbrimi...one of the few Galactic species friendly to those claiming an Earthly heritage. I also thought the Tymbrimi corona was a great idea. The corona is a kind of psychic antenna that not only allows the Tymbrimi to sense others' feelings, but also allows the Tymbrimi to craft emotion "glyphs" -- a kind of psychic artform that can influence others in a multitude of ways. All but one of the main characters in this book is a non-human. Brin did a great job of not only telling his tale from the perspective of Tymbrimi and chimpanzees, but also did an excellent job in really defining the similarities and differences of Tymbrimi and chimpanzees with regards to humans. I've seen other reviewers proclaim that Brin is truly an expert at creating and then elaborating on aliens he has constructed with his pen...I enthusiastically add my voice to this chorus. Overall, this book is far-and-away the best of the first three Uplift books. The first three books in the Uplift Series happen to be the first three books I've read of Brin's. I'd say that with The Uplift War he's finally living up to his stellar reputation for great scifi.
Rating: Summary: Was Bummed. Not so much now. Review: Bummed out. Life sucks. bought Uplift War. Not so bummed. Life worth living another day.
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