Dorsai

Rating:
Summary: Good example of military SF
Review: This is acclaimed as a masterpiece of military SF but there are better examples in my opinion (both Heinlein's Starship Troopers and Haldeman's Forever War are markedly better) since this really has little to do with the actual mechanics of the military and the gritty life of a soldier as much as how soldiers fit overall in Dickson's Childe Cycle. At this point we're at book four in the cycle and really this seems to have the least to do with any of the other circulating themes (probably because it was written first and then revised retroactively to fit into what Dickson was building) since there's barely any mention of the Final Encyclopedia or the need to merge the Splinter Cultures. However, there is some crossover from Soldier, Ask Not, so at least we get a sense that everyone lives in the same universe. So we have to judge this one on its merit and honestly it's an entertaining novel, Dickson takes his now pretty much worked out universe and goes nuts by throwing Donal Graeme, a Dorsai who is slightly better than the average Dorsai, into the mix, letting him loose and causing all kinds of havok, the reason for which isn't of course clear until near the end. If you're not a fan of Dickson to begin with, this won't change your mind, Donal is perhaps his strongest character but he's still only an inch away from being a cipher and like all of Dickson's other main character he's so good at everything that it just sucks all the suspense right away, the book is a great read, but don't expect any dramatic tension at all . . . alas, this also makes the book a poor cousin of Tactics of Mistake (the main character was his ancestor) which had the same basic setup, guy really good at intuition outthinks everyone else to a ridiculous degree. On the plus side, we finally get to see a Scientist, even if he's not an average example, but at least they get a mention. Dickson also maintains his inability to write convincing female characters, Anea is a step forward and a step backward, she's a strong, opinionated character, it's just that all her opinions are wrong and she spends most of the book making snide judgements about Donal that clearly make her look stupid . . . plus there's hints of romance that never quite seem to cohere. All in all it's a satisfying read, albeit not one without flaws, it's a good example of pulp SF and Dickson's future history remains as fun as ever but it's not quite the masterpiece that many proclaim it to be. Go in with that mindset and you should have no problem at all.

Rating:
Summary: The best of the Dorsai saga!
Review: This is, I believe, the best of Dickson's Dorsai saga. The youthful but brilliant Donal Graheme uses his powers of intuition to bridge gaps where no leader before him could have gone. The strategy and tactics are particularly well written. But it is in the characterization of Donal that Dickson truly shines. The best of the series, and a must read for any science fiction fan.

Rating:
Summary: Gone, but not forgotten
Review: This was a great book, one of the earliest written and best military science fiction novel I have had the privelege to read. It explores military tactics, training, love, and the human psyche. There's a lot of action, a little romance, and a world of well developed sci-fi concepts that are realistic and very interesting.

Rating:
Summary: They don't make them like they used to!
Review: This was a great book, one of the earliest written and best military science fiction novel I have had the privelege to read. It explores military tactics, training, love, and the human psyche. There's a lot of action, a little romance, and a world of well developed sci-fi concepts that are realistic and very interesting.