Conqueror

Rating:
Summary: Using the Reputation
Review: Conqueror is the second omnibus edition in the General series, containing the third, fourth and fifth novels. Eleven centuries after the Fall of the interstellar civilization called the Federation of Man, the planet Bellevue is in a downward spiral toward barbarism. The Civil Government controls only a portion of the planet and has been pushed out of the Old Residence, the original capital. Other areas are controlled by the Brigade and the Colony.

Raj Whitehall is a General in the army of the Civil Government of Holy Federation. He has foiled an invasion by the Colony and retakened the Southern Territories from the Squadron. He has been aided in these endeavors by the Center, a pre-Fall military/political computer facility. It has the ability to communicate by voice and pictures to and from Raj and can present detailed, lifelike scenarios to him for various projected actions.

His friend Thom Poplanich, a scion of the previous imperial dynasty, is being retained in suspension within the Center, learning the skills of governing.

In The Anvil (1993), the third novel in the series, Raj commands the campaign against the Western Territories and the barbarians of the Brigade, who hold the Old Residence.

In The Steel (1993), the fourth novel in the series, Raj has taken Lion City and continues his march toward the Old Residence.

In The Sword (1995), the fifth novel in the series, Raj has taken the Old Residence, but his wife Suzette has shot the Governor's young heir, Cabot Clerett, when the man tried to shoot Raj. The Governor is about to reduce Raj to quivering protein, but is interrupted by news that the Colony has invaded the Eastern provinces, taking Gurnyca. The military situation looks hopeless, so Raj is reprieved and given command in the East, with full Viceregal authority.

This story presumes a level of technology -- i.e., ships, armaments and equipment -- at about the pre-Civil War stage, much higher than that of Byzantium during the time of Belisarius, but still not as devastating as that of World War I. Thus, the force multipliers of firepower and mobility increased the damage that could be done by smaller forces against the more primitive Squadron and Brigade forces. However, the forces lead by Whitehall did not have such technological superiority over the Colony forces and, indeed, had a numerical disadvantage, so Raj used superior maneuvering, massed artillery fire, and defensive positions against them.

Recommended for Stirling & Drake fans and anyone else who enjoys military SF set in a early industrial milieau.

Rating:
Summary: Good Military 'Alt-History' Series
Review: This hardback reprint from Baen includes the final 3 books in David Drake's/S.M. Stirling's "The General" series about Raj Whitehall (in an alt-history role replacing the Byzantine general Belisarius). The books were first released in paperback ~ 10 years ago, glad to see them back in print. This hefty 3 volume sequel follows up to the first two books, also combined and released in hardback as 'Warlord'.

I enjoyed these books when they first came out, I remember being very frustrated each time I'd finish a book because I had to wait months before the next book in the series came out. Play your cards right and you'll have all the enjoyment, none of the frustration. As it should be.

After you've finished these books you may find yourself curious about the history behind this alt-history series. If so, I also recommend 'Count Belisarius' by Robert Graves.

Rating:
Summary: Good Military 'Alt-History' Series
Review: This hardback reprint from Baen includes the final 3 books in David Drake's/S.M. Stirling's "The General" series about Raj Whitehall (in an alt-history role replacing the Byzantine general Belisarius). The books were first released in paperback ~ 10 years ago, glad to see them back in print. This hefty 3 volume sequel follows up to the first two books, also combined and released in hardback as 'Warlord'.

I enjoyed these books when they first came out, I remember being very frustrated each time I'd finish a book because I had to wait months before the next book in the series came out. Play your cards right and you'll have all the enjoyment, none of the frustration. As it should be.

After you've finished these books you may find yourself curious about the history behind this alt-history series. If so, I also recommend 'Count Belisarius' by Robert Graves.

Rating:
Summary: Excellent 5 book series, now in 2 volume omnibus
Review: This is the standard by which I judge all military fiction. I have never found another series that was it's equal. Even when the same authors got together again for books 6 and 7 (which I have reviewed separately) they couldn't recreate the magic of this series.

THE GENERAL series (now released in a two volume omnibus edition - Warlord and Conqueror) is about a fallen interstellar society which has climbed it's way back up to the technological level of the American Civil War. The hero, Raj Whitehall, has to reunite the planet in order to reach the stars again some day. This involves a lot of fighting and empire building. What gives Raj his edge is the pre-fall computer he has linked with that can see through his eyes.

This series has outstanding character development, a solid and well thought out overall plot line, and good story resolution in each book. The two things that really make the series the top of its genre are the interaction between the computer and the hero, and the realism of the situation. The interaction is a delicate balance that the authors perform magically. If the computer (Center) contributes too much, then the hero has too much of an edge, he doesn't have to try, and the story becomes boring. Without the computer, the hero is just this god like superhuman character that can do no wrong. The computer assistance makes Raj identifiable to the reader, even after he overcomes overwhelming odds to defeat the enemy. The realism comes from the fact that Raj is based on the life of a real person. The whole story is very similar to the story of Byzantine General Belisarius who conquered most of the Mediterranean world for his Emperor after the fall of the Western Roman Empire. That makes it very believable. The characters are very real. Their actions really happened a millenium and a half ago.

This is a must read for any fan of military fiction or empire building.


Rating:
Summary: Drake-Flavoured Stirling
Review: While i really have no ides just how much of the three volumes comprising this book, i find in reading it that i see a lot of Stirling in the actual writing, and that the Drake elements i detect are primarily in the over-arching plot of the series as a whole.

That is, the characters and the action of the stories put me most strongly in mind of Stirling's own series in which the Coast Guard training ship Eagle and the island of Nantucket have been cast back into the distant p[ast, and the protagonoists must work to shape history in their own favour and image. I never really felt as if i were reading descriptions of characters and situations that put me in mind of Hammer's Slammers or other Drake creations.

That said, David Drake's interest in history has clearly shaped these books; i'm fairly sure that the basic plot is derived from events and actions from late Roman ages. Although the period is not one i am particularly familiar with, it would not surprise me to learn that the protagonist is inspired by Belisarius.

Another aspect that seems more Stirling than Drake is tghe manner in which the campaigns and battles that make up the majority of the sotry are handled; again, more a matter of perception of style than of definite evidence. I am well-acquainted with he work of both, and that's the feeling i get.

As to the story (stories) itself, while not the most wonderful military sf i've ever read, there was enough of interest to keep me going, pushing along to see what was going to happen. On the other hand, if i was encountering the series for the first time in individual book form, i doubt that i would get past the first volume. Too much shooting, not enough substance.

The setup and mechanics of the stories are interesting -- i particularly like the ocncept of huge dogs replacing horses (though i doubt that they'd be as much like real dogs physically as they are protrayed, the square-cube law being what it is), and i like the way that the implications of this are worked out.

The mix of primitive and advanced (and Extremely Advanced) technology employed makes for interesting logistic considerations ("Amateurs study tactics. Professionals study logistics.") and action sequences.

The political maneuvering -- the most Drake-like parts of the story, to my taste -- is interesting, but too superficially-presented.

All in all, a good solid read for those who like Drake, Stirling or military SF in general, but not one i would advise running out and spending the rent money on.