Кризис империи

Crisis of Empire #1

by David Drake, Thomas T. Thomas, А. Карабанов (Translator)

Шестое тысячелетие после Пакта об объединении 4000 миров. Человечество давно вступило в контакт с другими разумными цивилизациями. Исчезло большинство примет нашего времени. Но осталась мафия, которая, как известно, бессмертна…
Мощный и влиятельный клан Хайкен Мару стремится захватить власть на звездном Скоплении Аврора с главной планетой Палаццо («Достойная оборона»). В случае победы этой мафиозной группировки неизбежно обострение и без того непростых взаимоотношений планет — участниц Пакта, дальнейшее процветание расизма галактического масштаба. В беспощадную схватку со злодеями вступает советник Бюро коммуникаций по имени Тадеуш Бертингас…
Земляне уверенно доминируют, ущемляя права остальных участников Пакта. Дабы сохранить сложившийся порядок, при котором все разумные цивилизации фактически являются рабами человечества, сильные мира сего делают ставку на Ансона Мерикура — хорошего солдата, но недалекого, на их взгляд, политика («Командир звездной системы»).

Genres: Science Fiction, Fiction, Military Science Fiction, Military Fiction, Science Fiction Fantasy, Space Opera

464 pages, Hardcover

First published November 1, 1988

About the author

David Drake is an American author of science fiction and fantasy literature. A Vietnam War veteran who has worked as a lawyer, he is now one of the major authors of the military science fiction genre.

Reviews

[DOUGLAS J BERRY · Rating 5 out of 5]

Some typos ,good beginning to the trilogy.

The word land keeps accidentally being used instead of kind. The trilogy gets better with each book. Some of these events are based off historical events in the Byzantine empire. One gets the feeling this empire was do for a shake up anyway.

[Wilson E. Stevens Sr. · Rating 2 out of 5]

A very difficult book to read. I almost quit several times. The storyline is very twisted and the unusual names make keeping track of the storyline characters difficult. Overall, a book I will never read again, it just isn't worth the time.

[Rob Markley · Rating 3 out of 5]

Tried an a new author and this didn't really click with me

[Sam · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great start! Although set in human galactic politics, several well developed alien species are also worked into the story, creating a nice spin on classic Baen military sci-fi.

[Bob Koester · Rating 3 out of 5]

Just re-read this book, which I first read in undergrad, because I recently by chance acquired the fourth book in this series, which I had thought was a trilogy (each one is by a different author, from an idea by David Drake, so they're not always together at the bookstore).

I still like it, and am planning to continue to re-read in prep for the fourth (by Chelsea Quinn Yarbro, whom I've never read) but I must admit it has aged some. I can see that at the time of release primary-author Thomas T. Thomas was deliberately making the main character a little unlikable at first (reductive towards women, unthinking towards the aliens he helps rule) so that he can then have an arc of increased understanding. BUT reading it today there's an inclination to give up on him early, he's that repulsive, and to find his later successes to be wish-fulfillment. Fortunately though, he's only main character about half the time, with alternating chapters being from the pov of others (many of whom justifiably look down on him).

But the bigger saving grace is a fascinating future universe where many humans have been corrupted by their supremacy over aliens, and where a seemingly-boring public information office involves hyper-physics, black holes and weird time effects as well as trying to word things just so. This particular look at it may be a little basic, but it ends with a sense that things have always been more complex than they appeared, and as I recall the later books broaden it all out. I look forward to finding out if my recollection is correct.

[Jan]

having trouble getting through this one. Starting slow.

[Dan · Rating 2 out of 5]

Fair

[Sandy · Rating 4 out of 5]

I love space opera and this is a great example, moves very quickly. I'm so glad that is is going to be available in e-format

[Chris · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wonderfully imaginative space opera!

Great start to a series. My only complaint is that there are far too many typos in the kindle book.

[Brett]

Science Fiction

[Papal Bull · Rating 2 out of 5]

Not one of his better works. It was very slow and the plot seemed jumbled.

[Kevin Brown · Rating 4 out of 5]

A little clumsy at the start but recovers quickly.