Rating: 
Summary: A very good first try!
Review: I did enjoy the book. I write short stories and know how hard it is to get a book done. Good continuity. Nice characters. I hope I will write as good as you Jimmy. Please write a lot of interesting books. And write them for a long long time.
Rating:
Summary: A very good first try!
Review: I did enjoy the book. I write short stories and know how hard it is to get a book done. Good continuity. Nice characters. I hope I will write as good as you Jimmy. Please write a lot of interesting books. And write them for a long long time.
Rating: 
Summary: Science fiction with lots of technology -- a very good read!
Review: I loved this book but must admit that I got lost in the techno babble. The characters are well thought out -- people we would like to meet. I hated to read the end because I felt like friends had moved away. I also agree that the end was a bit sudden and a little too pat. All the same, I can hardly wait for book 2.
Rating:
Summary: Very enjoyable...Thanks James Doohan.
Review: I read mostly for entertainment and enjoy the old star Trek series the most. I often wondered what Star Trek life was like besides Star Fleet. I am glad James pulled out somebody else to write about. I also can't wait for the 2nd book.
Rating:
Summary: A riveting adventure in deep space!
Review: James Doohan breaks onto the literary side of sci-fi with this explosive and engaging novel. With a plot brimming with subversion, suspicion, action and edge-of-your-seat suspense, this book will keep you reading rabidly. Doohan shows great understanding of the human psyche as he weaves a tale of betrayl and war in deep space with humans fighting with a faction of fanatically religious humans and their alien allies. A far cry from the unified and relatively peaceful Star Trek universe, the flight engineer series throws humanity into a war which they are on the wrong side of and makes the reader realise just how tenuous humanity's control on the universe could be. Anyone who enjoyed playing the Wing Commander series of video games will slip right into this series. Anyone who enjoyed the original Star Trek will also be able to easily immerse themselves in "Scotty's" debut on the literary scene. Be warned, once you pick this book up you will not want to put it down and you will be salivating for the next installment in this series.
Rating:
Summary: War From the Hanger Deck
Review: Rising is the first novel in the Flight Engineer series. Commander Peter Raeder was an ace fighter pilot, but lost his right hand in a Mollie ambush. Now he is a young flight engineer assigned to the Fast Carrier Invincible.The Mission of Life Lived in Ecclesia sect, the Mollies, have rebelled against the Commonwealth. Since this religious group is rather abrasive and intolerant, none would deny them autonomy if antihydrogen was available anywhere else. If the Mollies become independent, however, the Commonwealth will suffer a tremendous economic setback. Moreover, the Mollies have allied with the Fibians, alien sentients, which has generated xenophobic fears in the Commonwealth population. War soon followed. In this novel, Raeder has been released from therapy and received his orders. After a shuttle ride to Lunabase, he boards the freighter Africa for transport to Ontario Base. Enroute, Africa's convoy is attacked by raiders and Raeder thwarts the assault by crossing over to a raider ship in his spacesuit and breaking its sensors with a hammer. In his spare time, he wins most of the crew's available money playing Dynamics. On the Invincible, Raeder is responsible for keeping 36 Speed fighters and seven stealth fighters operating. He controls everything on the hanger deck except operations. His second-in-command is Lieutenant Cynthia Robbins, an excellent technician but short on people skills. As he learns during his interview with the Captain, Raeder also has the unofficial responsibility for discovering the saboteur who killed his predecessor. Raeder is an innovative, experienced and pragmatic officer. His methods are often outside the box, but produce good results. In other words, he is the kind of engineer, and officer, that combat commanders love to have in their units, but that desk jockeys despise and fear. This novel draws upon Doohan's experience as a engineer, artillery commander, and flying officer in the Canadian Army during World War II. It may even have been influenced by his years playing Scotty, chief engineer on the Enterprise under Captain Kirk. Recommended for Stirling and "Scotty" fans and anyone else who enjoys tales of mavericks thumbing their noses at authority while getting the job done.
Rating:
Summary: War From the Hanger Deck
Review: Rising is the first novel in the Flight Engineer series. Commander Peter Raeder was an ace fighter pilot, but lost his right hand in a Mollie ambush. Now he is a young flight engineer assigned to the Fast Carrier Invincible. The Mission of Life Lived in Ecclesia sect, the Mollies, have rebelled against the Commonwealth. Since this religious group is rather abrasive and intolerant, none would deny them autonomy if antihydrogen was available anywhere else. If the Mollies become independent, however, the Commonwealth will suffer a tremendous economic setback. Moreover, the Mollies have allied with the Fibians, alien sentients, which has generated xenophobic fears in the Commonwealth population. War soon followed. In this novel, Raeder has been released from therapy and received his orders. After a shuttle ride to Lunabase, he boards the freighter Africa for transport to Ontario Base. Enroute, Africa's convoy is attacked by raiders and Raeder thwarts the assault by crossing over to a raider ship in his spacesuit and breaking its sensors with a hammer. In his spare time, he wins most of the crew's available money playing Dynamics. On the Invincible, Raeder is responsible for keeping 36 Speed fighters and seven stealth fighters operating. He controls everything on the hanger deck except operations. His second-in-command is Lieutenant Cynthia Robbins, an excellent technician but short on people skills. As he learns during his interview with the Captain, Raeder also has the unofficial responsibility for discovering the saboteur who killed his predecessor. Raeder is an innovative, experienced and pragmatic officer. His methods are often outside the box, but produce good results. In other words, he is the kind of engineer, and officer, that combat commanders love to have in their units, but that desk jockeys despise and fear. This novel draws upon Doohan's experience as a engineer, artillery commander, and flying officer in the Canadian Army during World War II. It may even have been influenced by his years playing Scotty, chief engineer on the Enterprise under Captain Kirk. Recommended for Stirling and "Scotty" fans and anyone else who enjoys tales of mavericks thumbing their noses at authority while getting the job done.
Rating: 
Summary: A light, but worthwhile trip though a new galaxy
Review: The authors have created an interesting galaxy (it's more than a world) with a war going on in it. On top of that, they've created some very interesting, although superficial, characters. This galaxy is a pretty straightforward place and while the characters aren't all that complex, they are quite likable. There's the reserved captain who wants and expects results, the young lieutenant who needs experience, the hot shot pilots, and of course the miracle worker engineer. It's not a deep story by any means, but it seems to me that it's not meant to be and it fills its niche admirably. The middle of the story was a page turner for me (I found the beginning a bit slow, but the setting up of the basics of this universe kept me going without too much effort), but having turned all the pages, I found myself wishing that the resolution had some complications to it and wasn't so quick. But some interesting sidebits (not important to the resolution of this book) were included near the end that will ensure that I pick up the second volume when it becomes available.
Rating:
Summary: This the one of my favorite books!
Review: The Rising by S.M. Stirling and James Doohan is a masterpiece. This book is a must read for anyone who likes Science Fiction. Order this book now!
Rating: 
Summary: Basically a good story that needs polish
Review: The Rising has a fairly well executed plot, with twists and turns that keep you guessing how things will work out. The protagonist, Peter Raeder is a likable sort, as are his shipmates (if not likeable, believeable). However, if you've never read S.M. Stirling's work before, don't judge him by this novel. Read his Island in the Sea of Time or Domination of the Draka, to get a handle on what he can do with a story. There were several things about the book that I found to be amateurish. The story is set on a military space ship, but the dialog and references show a lack of knowledge of military jargon, particularly the way people address each other. Since Stirling has written accurately about military situations in his other books, I have to say the book wasn't well edited. James Doohan should also have some understanding of military conduct from his role on the original Star Trek. There were also a few places were it was difficult to follow the characters. However, on the whole the story is a good one. The motivations of the characters are natural and well thought out, and the plot has plenty of twists and turns to keep you guessing. However, the book could have used a bit more editing before it was published.
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