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Description
The Alliance has been fighting the Syndic for a century-and losing badly. Now its fleet is crippled and stranded in enemy territory. Their only hope is Captain John "Black Jack" Geary-a man who's emerged from a century-long hibernation to find he has been heroically idealized beyond belief. Now, he must live up to his own legend.
Pages
293
DDC/MDS
| 813 |
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User reviews
LibraryThing member fyrefly98
Summary: When Commander Black Jack Geary escaped from his dying ship in a survival pod at the end of a losing battle with the Syndic forces, he never imagined that he'd have to remain in hibernation for 100 years before he was picked up. And he certainly never imagined that during that time, he
Review: The good news? Dauntless reminded me a lot of Battlestar Galactica, which is one of my absolute favorite shows. The bad news? The comparison mostly just made me want to re-watch BSG. More good news? It's really obvious that the battle scenes and military strategy bits were written by someone with ample military experience. More bad news? The same is true about the characterizations.
Basically, Dauntless had a ton of really cool potential, and the story itself was solid, but the way it was executed was just not to my taste. I really like the idea of an average guy, coming back from the dead (essentially) and finding out that he'd been turned into a legend in the intervening time. (Side note: are there other books that use this same basic premise? Particularly with King Arthur, who Campbell notes as an inspiration?) But Campbell's handling of Geary's mental and emotional journey lacks depth, and rarely reached beyond the obvious reactions. There's not much help to be found in the secondary characters, either, most of which are pretty one-dimensional, and whose relationships with Geary are perfunctory at best.
I think the main problem is that I prefer my sci-fi with a minimum of space battles, but space battles seemed to be most of what was on offer here. Granted, they were mostly well-thought-out space battles, and I did appreciate the obvious attention to detail concerning how the speed of light would affect the tactics of battle on an interstellar scale. That's not something that I'd seen addressed in sci-fi before, and it added a very unique element. But even so, listening to a battle scene that is essentially the commander barking out maneuvering orders for ten minutes is not really my cup of tea, and the periods between battles are mostly spent discussing either past or future battles, or other bits of military tactics.
I was also not particularly enamored of the audiobook production. All of the secondary characters seemed to have accents, none of which were indicated in the text, which is a big pet peeve of mine. There were also no noticeable breaks or pauses between sections, with the result that the story would jump forward in time by hours or days, and leave me wondering if I'd accidentally skipped a track. Overall, while neither the story nor the audio production were ever bad enough that I wanted to give it up, never were they ever good enough that I got excited about listening to more. 2.5 out of 5 stars.
Recommendation: If you like your military science fiction super-heavy on the military side of things, you might have better luck with this book than I did. If you're more interested in the characters, though, and just want the military as seasoning, I'd point you towards The Vorkosigan Saga - particularly The Warrior's Apprentice - instead.
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would become a legendary hero to the Alliance fleet that has been battered and broken during a century of endless war. He also never imagined that the Syndics, following a defeat of the Alliance in Syndic home space, would execute all of the leaders of the Alliance fleet, leaving Geary in charge of a fractured fleet. The Syndics are demanding surrender, but Geary knows that the fleet must make it back to Alliance space if they ever want to end - let alone win - the war. But they're deep in Syndic space, with a long way to go and the Syndics in hot pursuit, and Geary must find some way to hold together a fleet that seems to have lost all hint of the military knowledge and discipline that he'd taken for granted.Review: The good news? Dauntless reminded me a lot of Battlestar Galactica, which is one of my absolute favorite shows. The bad news? The comparison mostly just made me want to re-watch BSG. More good news? It's really obvious that the battle scenes and military strategy bits were written by someone with ample military experience. More bad news? The same is true about the characterizations.
Basically, Dauntless had a ton of really cool potential, and the story itself was solid, but the way it was executed was just not to my taste. I really like the idea of an average guy, coming back from the dead (essentially) and finding out that he'd been turned into a legend in the intervening time. (Side note: are there other books that use this same basic premise? Particularly with King Arthur, who Campbell notes as an inspiration?) But Campbell's handling of Geary's mental and emotional journey lacks depth, and rarely reached beyond the obvious reactions. There's not much help to be found in the secondary characters, either, most of which are pretty one-dimensional, and whose relationships with Geary are perfunctory at best.
I think the main problem is that I prefer my sci-fi with a minimum of space battles, but space battles seemed to be most of what was on offer here. Granted, they were mostly well-thought-out space battles, and I did appreciate the obvious attention to detail concerning how the speed of light would affect the tactics of battle on an interstellar scale. That's not something that I'd seen addressed in sci-fi before, and it added a very unique element. But even so, listening to a battle scene that is essentially the commander barking out maneuvering orders for ten minutes is not really my cup of tea, and the periods between battles are mostly spent discussing either past or future battles, or other bits of military tactics.
I was also not particularly enamored of the audiobook production. All of the secondary characters seemed to have accents, none of which were indicated in the text, which is a big pet peeve of mine. There were also no noticeable breaks or pauses between sections, with the result that the story would jump forward in time by hours or days, and leave me wondering if I'd accidentally skipped a track. Overall, while neither the story nor the audio production were ever bad enough that I wanted to give it up, never were they ever good enough that I got excited about listening to more. 2.5 out of 5 stars.
Recommendation: If you like your military science fiction super-heavy on the military side of things, you might have better luck with this book than I did. If you're more interested in the characters, though, and just want the military as seasoning, I'd point you towards The Vorkosigan Saga - particularly The Warrior's Apprentice - instead.
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LibraryThing member BobH1
A book needs two things to enable me to read it in one sitting: it needs to be quite light weight, nothing too complicatd; and it needs to be engaging and exciting. This book had both and indeed, I read it in one, eight hour, session. I enjoyed it, particularly the character of the main protagonist
The real problem with these light weight books that you can't read them twice. I'm not sure that this book costing eight pounds for a mass market paperback, gave real value for money. I still look for more than a pound an hour from my books!
Yes, I will read the rest of the series, but only when I can find them on the second hand shelves.
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"Black Jack" Geary and his thought processes.The real problem with these light weight books that you can't read them twice. I'm not sure that this book costing eight pounds for a mass market paperback, gave real value for money. I still look for more than a pound an hour from my books!
Yes, I will read the rest of the series, but only when I can find them on the second hand shelves.
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LibraryThing member SaintBrevity
A sort of homage to a pastiche of Glen Cook and David Weber that adds in the Reluctant Hero Smarter And More Moral Than Everyone Else And Always Does The Right Thing. This is not an improvement.
A minor officer thought to have heroically sacrificed himself in a major battle in space is discovered
I'm not really impressed; I might pick up the next book in the series, but only if the library has it or something and I'm out of other books.
A minor officer thought to have heroically sacrificed himself in a major battle in space is discovered
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one hundred years later in a lifeboat capsule, and shortly thereafter becomes head of the fleet in a dire situation. The usual space battle scenes follow (points to the author for remembering that information propagates at most at the speed of light, even in The Future), followed by the usual fleet training and maneuvering wankery, followed by the usual new and improved fleet kicks butt wankery.I'm not really impressed; I might pick up the next book in the series, but only if the library has it or something and I'm out of other books.
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LibraryThing member Karlstar
This is a good book by a new author. Its got a good mix of action, plotting and characterization, done in a readable style. Its a good, basic, science fiction 'navy' book, without being hard core military sci-fi, more traditional sci-fi.
LibraryThing member OmerE
Ever picked up a book, read a few pages, then realized the book is pretty mediocre? Then you _still_ ended up reading the whole book - followed by sitting in a corner, feeling a bit dumber and slightly ashamed of having read it? No? Uh, me neither. But this is such a book.
Having been rescued from a
The only interesting 'twist' is that battles in space take place with both sides operating under the limitations of the speed of light - both for communication and visibility, thereby - supposedly - adding further depth to the pre-engagement tactics and strategy planning, but we never get to see any of these tactics or planning.
One and a half stars, as it's short enough to actually read through, and is unlikely to seriously maim anyone if you hurl it out the window - a definite plus in my book, though your mileage may vary.
Bottom line -
Would I recommend this book to a friend? Certainly, if I wanted to make an enemy out of her. Otherwise, no.
Having been rescued from a
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century of hibernation, Captain John "Black Jack" Geary finds himself commanding a battle fleet manned by officers who enjoy the pastimes of eating glue and finger painting. You know, the kind that should not be left unattended near a plastic bag, let alone a starship. It looks like they were written this way in order to make our protagonist seem smarter by comparison, but honestly, they're so dim that they would suffer in comparison with 5-watt bulb, thus our hero is merely the smartest kid on the short bus.The only interesting 'twist' is that battles in space take place with both sides operating under the limitations of the speed of light - both for communication and visibility, thereby - supposedly - adding further depth to the pre-engagement tactics and strategy planning, but we never get to see any of these tactics or planning.
One and a half stars, as it's short enough to actually read through, and is unlikely to seriously maim anyone if you hurl it out the window - a definite plus in my book, though your mileage may vary.
Bottom line -
Would I recommend this book to a friend? Certainly, if I wanted to make an enemy out of her. Otherwise, no.
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LibraryThing member BruderBane
Lately I’ve found myself brushing up on a number of sci-fi novels and genres I had left to atrophy to realize that I have missed a few gems. One of these “The Lost Fleet: Dauntless” by Jack Campbell is definitely a fine stone mined from the search engine of both Amazon and Librarything. Mr.
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Campbell’s novel, while military sci-fi, takes on the bold and daring qualities of a number of the nautical adventures of recently perused. However what makes Mr. Campbell writing and style stand out is that his character is not only literally out of place in his time –by one hundred years- but also his mores are so incongruent to his allies’ that he often finds himself butting heads with his contemporaries. This juxtaposition of morals, time, three-dimensional characterization, hard science and gritty action make for a great read. I will definitely be picking up the next edition when I hit the bookstore. Show Less
LibraryThing member MusicMom41
John Wayne in Space! Commander John “Black Jack” Geary performed an heroic feat getting his all by one of his spaceships away to safety while he held off the enemy escaping in his survivor pod when the ship was destroyed. Unfortunately he was never recovered and a legend grew up around him and
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he became the symbol of daring and bravery in the war that was just beginning. He was posthumously promoted to captain and became the “ideal” that all space navel officers as the war drug on. Nearly a hundred years later Captain John Geary is rescued from survival hibernation and circumstances force him to take command of the large fleet which rescued him. And the fun begins! Luckily it’s a series so there will be more fun ahead. Show Less
LibraryThing member gagejp3
This book is a good read if you like to read book series. Not everything gets solved in one book but the books are fast to read and full of detail space combat. This book introduces us to "Black Jack" Geary, the main character and the books are told from his point of view. He wakes up from a 100
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year survival sleep to a world where is a Legend and Hero even though he was put into stasis at the first battle of a century long war. Not only that, he gets put into command of a fleet trapped deep within enemy territory and caught in the middle of an ambush, and charged with trying to find a way out of the trap and get the fleet home. That's all in the first week he is out of stasis. I recommend this book to anyone who likes space battles and military fiction. Show Less
LibraryThing member MJ_Crow
Lost Fleet by Jack Campbell (the pen name of John Hemry) is a military sci-fi novel that revolves around the main character Captain John "Black Jack" Geary. Geary is war hero of historic proportions and the hero of the battle in the Grendel system. The Syndics (a human corporate empire) ambushed
Geary awakes to find that, shockingly, it's an entire century since he commanded the battle at Grendel and the war is still going. He is disturbed by the reaction the crews of the fleet have when they see him, after all he's the legendary "Black Jack". Crews swear by his name much in the same way people use the name "Jesus" in real life. This all disturbs Geary and in fact he finds it just plain annoying. As with most legends, Geary's has been inflated beyond how he can actually perform so he is constantly trying to point out that he is not the person they think he is.
Well, he gets little time to convince them otherwise: Shortly after he awakes the commander of the fleet and his staff are killed by the Syndics in an act of treachery. Admiral Bloch left Geary in charge of the fleet in his absence. Now in charge Geary mush lead the battered, out-gunned fleet home after their terrible defeat.
The Lost Fleet: Dauntless is a great example of Military Sci-Fi. Those who like John Scalzi should like Campbell's style of writing: not overly complicated and doesn't require a degree in physics to understand the technology. Good solid storytelling. The pacing of the story is outstanding and balanced. While there isn't as much combat in the book as one would suspect for this type of novel, Campbell manages to keep the pages turning with the subplots. Many of the subplots revolve around the logistics of running a fleet and managing problems with the crew.
Jack Geary is a very interesting character. Instead of the author pushing him as the "man god" Geary plays down his prowess and despises the legend worship he is met with. He struggles with grasping the new technology of the day and the culture of the fleet has completely changed.
While the setting is covered very thinly, there is enough to get an idea of the cultures of the two human factions involved in this book. Hopefully in future books we will get more background on the Alliance, Syndics, and the characters themselves.
Conclusion: If you like military Sci-Fi this book should be right up your alley. There's enough action, plenty of subplots and a really fun story to be find within the pages of this novel. I feel comfortable saying that Campbell is in the same class as Scalzi, Haldeman, and Ringo. If you like these authors, you should find Lost Fleet: Dauntless to your liking.
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the Alliance at Grendel where Geary made himself famous with his heroic "last stand". Geary is thought to be lost in battle at the helm of his ship but a hundred years later an Alliance fleet finds Geary aboard an escape pod, in stasis. Geary awakes to find that, shockingly, it's an entire century since he commanded the battle at Grendel and the war is still going. He is disturbed by the reaction the crews of the fleet have when they see him, after all he's the legendary "Black Jack". Crews swear by his name much in the same way people use the name "Jesus" in real life. This all disturbs Geary and in fact he finds it just plain annoying. As with most legends, Geary's has been inflated beyond how he can actually perform so he is constantly trying to point out that he is not the person they think he is.
Well, he gets little time to convince them otherwise: Shortly after he awakes the commander of the fleet and his staff are killed by the Syndics in an act of treachery. Admiral Bloch left Geary in charge of the fleet in his absence. Now in charge Geary mush lead the battered, out-gunned fleet home after their terrible defeat.
The Lost Fleet: Dauntless is a great example of Military Sci-Fi. Those who like John Scalzi should like Campbell's style of writing: not overly complicated and doesn't require a degree in physics to understand the technology. Good solid storytelling. The pacing of the story is outstanding and balanced. While there isn't as much combat in the book as one would suspect for this type of novel, Campbell manages to keep the pages turning with the subplots. Many of the subplots revolve around the logistics of running a fleet and managing problems with the crew.
Jack Geary is a very interesting character. Instead of the author pushing him as the "man god" Geary plays down his prowess and despises the legend worship he is met with. He struggles with grasping the new technology of the day and the culture of the fleet has completely changed.
While the setting is covered very thinly, there is enough to get an idea of the cultures of the two human factions involved in this book. Hopefully in future books we will get more background on the Alliance, Syndics, and the characters themselves.
Conclusion: If you like military Sci-Fi this book should be right up your alley. There's enough action, plenty of subplots and a really fun story to be find within the pages of this novel. I feel comfortable saying that Campbell is in the same class as Scalzi, Haldeman, and Ringo. If you like these authors, you should find Lost Fleet: Dauntless to your liking.
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LibraryThing member plappen
The century-long war between the Alliance and the Syndic (Syndicated) Worlds has been going very badly for the Alliance. Now the Alliance fleet is badly outnumbered, and stuck deep in Syndic territory. But the Alliance has a reluctant ace up their sleeves named John Geary.
"Black Jack" Geary was
In their present condition, any sustained battle with the Syndics would be a disaster for the Alliance. Geary takes the fleet into a nearby wormhole to another star system. They are able to replenish their supplies at a Syndic base before the Syndics show up. Mankind does not have faster-than-light travel (or communications); the most frustrating thing for Geary is having to deal with the communications delay. Geary takes the fleet into another star system by wormhole, not taking the route that would get them back to Alliance space the fastest. The Alliance has a couple of weeks before the Syndic arrival, so Geary drills the fleet on flying in formation and basic tactics. Some of the ship commanders are not happy with what they consider constant retreats; for them, the Alliance tactical plan can be reduced to one word: Attack!
First of a series, this book is really good. The characters, especially Geary, are real people, and not just square-jawed stereotypes. It has action, it has believability, it has a good story and the reader will not go wrong with this one.
"Black Jack" Geary was
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famed for his heroic "last stand" in the early days of the war. He was thought dead, but was revived after a century in survival hibernation. He is totally disgusted with the absolute hero worship that has grown up around him during the century that he was in hibernation. He becomes the reluctant commander of the fleet when the former commander is murdered during "negotiations" with the Syndics.In their present condition, any sustained battle with the Syndics would be a disaster for the Alliance. Geary takes the fleet into a nearby wormhole to another star system. They are able to replenish their supplies at a Syndic base before the Syndics show up. Mankind does not have faster-than-light travel (or communications); the most frustrating thing for Geary is having to deal with the communications delay. Geary takes the fleet into another star system by wormhole, not taking the route that would get them back to Alliance space the fastest. The Alliance has a couple of weeks before the Syndic arrival, so Geary drills the fleet on flying in formation and basic tactics. Some of the ship commanders are not happy with what they consider constant retreats; for them, the Alliance tactical plan can be reduced to one word: Attack!
First of a series, this book is really good. The characters, especially Geary, are real people, and not just square-jawed stereotypes. It has action, it has believability, it has a good story and the reader will not go wrong with this one.
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LibraryThing member Shrike58
I usually don't spend much time on military procedurals, seeing as there is too much straight military history on my reading list, except that my book group decided that this cross between "The Anabasis" and "Rip Van Winkle" would be a good read. Though this isn't really a bad novel, I still feel a
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little generous giving it three stars. While John Geary has his virtues as a main character, and the author does deal with some serious questions, the rest of the characters are mostly cardboard, as is the society the Alliance fleet is supposed to represent; it makes you appreciate John Scalzi even more. Maybe my expectations will be met in the follow-on books. Show Less
LibraryThing member amf0001
I must have read too many of these in a row, because although this came well recommended, it was too formulaic for me and I just didn't get into it. I liked the main character Jack - disoriented from waking from deep hibernation to find that he had been almost cannonized as a great hero, and
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irritated by the changes that had happened over the century he had lost - but no one else really sprang to life for me and I started skimming. When it was time to return it to the library, I did, even though I hadn't finished it. So disappointing but I don't know if it was the book or me, and perhaps if I had read it at a different time, I would have liked it more. I think I've just read too many similar books too recently. Show Less
LibraryThing member conformer
A nice, tight, smart little sci-fi thriller in the tradition of naval adventure potboilers. In true hard SF form, the space battles are based on existing physics, so real-time strategy and delayed-light tactics are used every time "Black Jack" Geary steers his fleet into action. The
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"man-out-of-time" element also serves to enhance the already artificial glow of this reluctant hero placed in an impossible situation. Show Less
LibraryThing member voodoochilli
Simplistic, but great fun read, lots of action. Will probably read the squeals.
LibraryThing member malcrf
Rather light weight, and in some ways a little juvenile, but I kept picking it up and reading it. When push comes to shove I really rather enjoyed it......!
LibraryThing member othersam
“Set grapeshot to fire in sequence as we cross the cruiser’s estimated path,” Desjani ordered. “Charge null-field and stand-by…”
How does the line above make you feel? If you think it sounds gung-ho militaristic, clunky, humourless and a bit silly I’m sure you’re not alone. Hell, for
The Lost Fleet is a series about SPACE BATTLES. If feasibility’s your thing it’s here if you want it: the author has military experience and takes pride in making sure the battles strictly obey the laws of physics. More importantly for me there’s stuff blowing up – and heroism too, as Captain “Black Jack” Geary struggles with the chain of command and the weight of his own reputation in his efforts to bring his fleet home through enemy space and overwhelming odds.
This is old-school thrilling sci-fi, the kind I didn’t think people allowed themselves to write or to publish any more – or not outside of established (and tired) continuities like Star Trek or Star Wars. I overcame my hesitations. I’m glad I did. And if I was ten I would be eating these books up with a spoon.
How does the line above make you feel? If you think it sounds gung-ho militaristic, clunky, humourless and a bit silly I’m sure you’re not alone. Hell, for
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the first pages of The Lost Fleet: Dauntless by Jack Campbell those were the conclusions I was reaching about this whole book. But then, when I read those words above, something odd happened. An old thrill stirred in my heart, the back of my neck tingled, the corners of my mouth lifted in an enormous grin and I realised: this book is FUN.The Lost Fleet is a series about SPACE BATTLES. If feasibility’s your thing it’s here if you want it: the author has military experience and takes pride in making sure the battles strictly obey the laws of physics. More importantly for me there’s stuff blowing up – and heroism too, as Captain “Black Jack” Geary struggles with the chain of command and the weight of his own reputation in his efforts to bring his fleet home through enemy space and overwhelming odds.
This is old-school thrilling sci-fi, the kind I didn’t think people allowed themselves to write or to publish any more – or not outside of established (and tired) continuities like Star Trek or Star Wars. I overcame my hesitations. I’m glad I did. And if I was ten I would be eating these books up with a spoon.
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LibraryThing member cabri
Fast-paced military space opera. I like the protagonist who takes charge by virtue of the lost knowledge he retains. There are the first clues to a series arc so hopefully the later books in the series won't get repetitive. I like that his external "conscience" is a non-military (and hopefully not
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romantic) character. Show Less
LibraryThing member Hiromatsuo
The Alliance and Syndics have been at war for over a century. During the early days of this war, Captain John “Black Jack” Geary made a heroic last stand and was presumed KIA. However, in reality, Geary survived and was in stasis for 100 years…until now. The Alliance has recovered Geary and
That is the premise of “The Lost Fleet: Dauntless”, book 1 of the series. Jack Campbell (real name John Hemry), a retired naval officer and graduate of Annapolis, has written an interesting science fiction/Rip Van Winkle story of a man who awakes in a time where he has been elevated to near messianic proportions and must deal with those who idolize him and those who despise him. The story itself is easy to follow and is largely a leadership study set against the backdrop of a war. Campbell's military background allows him to really capture the naval culture well. The book isn't chock full of silly military cliches, but is more accurate in portraying the fleet as a collection of individual Captains, each with their own motives. Geary must turn the fleet around, both literally and figuratively. Over time, the officer corps has attrited and their tactics have become sloppy. Geary, by virtue of his knowledge of long-lost tactics, must teach them to fight again.
The action itself takes place on a very macro level. (On a side note, it’s very weird that all the U.S. covers show Geary as some kind of infantryman, when all the action happens between ships). Don’t expect lots of gunfights and individual acts of valor. Campbell writes the action as seen from the Geary’s perspective, that is, the view of the fleet commander. In this respect, the ships and their Captains become the characters rather than purely the individuals. This is both good and bad in my opinion. By keeping things on a macro scale, the action remains easy to follow. However, characterization suffers a bit. We don’t learn much about the protagonist (other than regards to his leadership skills) and the supporting characters seem rather flat. It’s not terribly done, but the story could benefit from some deeper characterization.
All being said, the book thankfully doesn’t have a cliffhanger ending and actually made me want to continue with the series (the second book being Fearless). It’s a quick read and is easy to follow, but don’t expect any Pulitzer Prize literature here. Think of this book as a popcorn flick, it’s not super-deep and thought-provoking, but it’s entertaining, rather in line with John Scalzi’s “Old Man’s War” in terms of writing. I’d give it 4 out of 5 because the lack of deeper characters holds it back a little.
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over the past century, his story has become the stuff of legend. Now, stranded in enemy territory, he must lead the fleet home.That is the premise of “The Lost Fleet: Dauntless”, book 1 of the series. Jack Campbell (real name John Hemry), a retired naval officer and graduate of Annapolis, has written an interesting science fiction/Rip Van Winkle story of a man who awakes in a time where he has been elevated to near messianic proportions and must deal with those who idolize him and those who despise him. The story itself is easy to follow and is largely a leadership study set against the backdrop of a war. Campbell's military background allows him to really capture the naval culture well. The book isn't chock full of silly military cliches, but is more accurate in portraying the fleet as a collection of individual Captains, each with their own motives. Geary must turn the fleet around, both literally and figuratively. Over time, the officer corps has attrited and their tactics have become sloppy. Geary, by virtue of his knowledge of long-lost tactics, must teach them to fight again.
The action itself takes place on a very macro level. (On a side note, it’s very weird that all the U.S. covers show Geary as some kind of infantryman, when all the action happens between ships). Don’t expect lots of gunfights and individual acts of valor. Campbell writes the action as seen from the Geary’s perspective, that is, the view of the fleet commander. In this respect, the ships and their Captains become the characters rather than purely the individuals. This is both good and bad in my opinion. By keeping things on a macro scale, the action remains easy to follow. However, characterization suffers a bit. We don’t learn much about the protagonist (other than regards to his leadership skills) and the supporting characters seem rather flat. It’s not terribly done, but the story could benefit from some deeper characterization.
All being said, the book thankfully doesn’t have a cliffhanger ending and actually made me want to continue with the series (the second book being Fearless). It’s a quick read and is easy to follow, but don’t expect any Pulitzer Prize literature here. Think of this book as a popcorn flick, it’s not super-deep and thought-provoking, but it’s entertaining, rather in line with John Scalzi’s “Old Man’s War” in terms of writing. I’d give it 4 out of 5 because the lack of deeper characters holds it back a little.
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LibraryThing member jessicariddoch
this could be your standard space opera book. A fleet is lost within the enemy territory and has to battle its way home. Along the way it has picked up a hero thought dead. But it is more that just that.
Initially I was surprised as the collection of the hero happens before the book even begins,
We have the reluctant hero, fighting an image that he knew nothing about and does not think is what he is like. We are introduced to how this has affected the family he has left behind (brothers family as he has no loved ones to miss so no heart breaking crying sissy stuff like that) and how it has affected the whole of society. Can you imagine being a common catchphrase?
this is a book about a battle, it is about being a hero by doing the right thing.
this is the first of 6 book, with a new series starting that has the smae characters. I am looking into reading them all
Initially I was surprised as the collection of the hero happens before the book even begins,
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this I can appreciate as although essential to the plot the story itself would not fit well with the rest of the book. We see the character take a deep breath and leap into action seeing what needs to be done and just doing it, even though he has to fight to do it. the book begins when he takes command of the fleet, which is truly where this story begins.We have the reluctant hero, fighting an image that he knew nothing about and does not think is what he is like. We are introduced to how this has affected the family he has left behind (brothers family as he has no loved ones to miss so no heart breaking crying sissy stuff like that) and how it has affected the whole of society. Can you imagine being a common catchphrase?
this is a book about a battle, it is about being a hero by doing the right thing.
this is the first of 6 book, with a new series starting that has the smae characters. I am looking into reading them all
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LibraryThing member Bill.Bradford
I believe the correct term now is military science fiction, but I prefer space opera - and this is a good space opera which is not only fun but also raises some interesting points about how people become heroes.
LibraryThing member crazybatcow
It is military science-fiction - definitely science-fiction in that they are in spaceships, in the future. Definitely military in they they are at war - in their spaceships which are treated like naval ships would be, complete with marines and officer rankings - with a human enemy.
It is a bit
There is a bit of character development in the main character, though the rest of them are pretty much cardboard cut-outs. Mostly, they are there for the main character to reflect his own thoughts off. Fortunately the main character is actually pretty interesting. He has a bit of conflict both within himself ("will power corrupt me?") and with the other ship captains ("is he corrupt?" or "will he get in my path en route to glory?")
I quite liked the story, and how Black Jack's history was brought into the story, and how this history is used to make him who he is. I have bought the next couple in this series.
It is a bit
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space-opera-y in that the characters will be recurring in future installments, and the overall plot encompasses multiple plantary systems and characters.There is a bit of character development in the main character, though the rest of them are pretty much cardboard cut-outs. Mostly, they are there for the main character to reflect his own thoughts off. Fortunately the main character is actually pretty interesting. He has a bit of conflict both within himself ("will power corrupt me?") and with the other ship captains ("is he corrupt?" or "will he get in my path en route to glory?")
I quite liked the story, and how Black Jack's history was brought into the story, and how this history is used to make him who he is. I have bought the next couple in this series.
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LibraryThing member buffalogr
Exciting book that shows the author's Navy ship driver background topped with some amount of imagination. The hero is riding on the space ship Dauntless and leads a fleet of aggressive captains who can't follow orders. So, it's a study in leadership, too. However, the story ends as they story
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continues--now, I have to buy book number two. I don't doubt that I'll also buy numbers 3...4.... Show Less
LibraryThing member publiusdb
Jack Campbell's got a great idea, a promising premise and a good protagonist. Waking from a 100 year hibernation, a soldier finds he's been idolized into a legend he never was--and his fleet is stuck deep in enemy territory. The only way out is in.
I enjoyed the idea, and I enjoy a good space
I also liked that Campbell payed attention to the quandrys that would arise between an upstart officer and ambitious insubordinates, as well as the politics and moral dilemmas of war and democracy.
I only gave it three stars because, despite the good ideas, he punches through the complex issues too quickly, doesn't spend enough time giving depth to the characters, or makes them completely one sided, a friend or a foe of the protagonist, himself completely noble and unbelievable in his characteristics.
A fun, and quick, read, but, in the end, probably completely forgettable.
I enjoyed the idea, and I enjoy a good space
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battle, especially when there is attention to the physics of outer space. This is no George Lucas creation where the laser screech by and the fighters fly like airplanes in an atmosphere. Kudos to Campbell for attempting to keep true to the physics of deep space.I also liked that Campbell payed attention to the quandrys that would arise between an upstart officer and ambitious insubordinates, as well as the politics and moral dilemmas of war and democracy.
I only gave it three stars because, despite the good ideas, he punches through the complex issues too quickly, doesn't spend enough time giving depth to the characters, or makes them completely one sided, a friend or a foe of the protagonist, himself completely noble and unbelievable in his characteristics.
A fun, and quick, read, but, in the end, probably completely forgettable.
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LibraryThing member JudithProctor
The characters are totally one-dimensional. They have no interest in life apart from combat and most of the ship captains feel like a bunch of petulant school-children.
However, and it is a big plus, the combat scenes are very good. The feel of space combat with speed of light limitations on vision
Basically, as long as you go into the book not expecting great character depths, you'll probably enjoy it.
However, and it is a big plus, the combat scenes are very good. The feel of space combat with speed of light limitations on vision
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and communication is well handled. Which is fortunate as most of the book is about space battles and tactics.Basically, as long as you go into the book not expecting great character depths, you'll probably enjoy it.
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LibraryThing member Meggle
The first novel in the military sci-fi series The Lost Fleet. Captain John "Black Jack" Geary is found after being lost in space for a hundred years and thought dead. In that time his heroics before he was declared dead have made him a hero. Now a living legend, he must find a way to save the
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Alliance from the same enemy he was fighting a century ago. Show Less
Publication
Ace (2006), Edition: Reissue, 304 pages
Original language
English
Original publication date
2006-07
Physical description
293 p.; 6.75 inches
ISBN
0441014186 / 9780441014187