Генетичният генерал

by Gordon R. Dickson, Гордън Диксън

The story of Donal Graeme of the Dorsal has become a classic of science-fiction interstellar conflict. Gordon R. Dickson's first great novel, it is a powerful vision of a family bred to military triumphs, and of the vast star-strewn galactic civilization which required the services of such a genetically bred family of generals.

Donal, Dorsai of the Dorsai, was the final outcome of that long inheritance —a master of space war and strategy—and yet Donal was something new also. For he was the focus of a strange force beyond himself, possibly beyond the very galaxy he served—and that force would place him at the very focal point of a crisis where he would "have to tackle the impossible and conquer the invincible!"

Genres: Science Fiction

190 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1960

About the author

Gordon Rupert Dickson was an American science fiction author. He was born in Canada, then moved to Minneapolis, Minnesota as a teenager. He is probably most famous for his Childe Cycle and the Dragon Knight series. He won three Hugo awards and one Nebula award.

Reviews

[Craig Herbertson · Rating 4 out of 5]

My first reading of Dickinson's Genetic General suggested he was a bit over the top with complex and convoluted language. My second reading tended to overlook this as I caught up with his ideas. His is a mind overflowing with ideas. Genetic General is about military strategy and politics. This is a double book, one from the Childe series (no3 I think) under another title and other less interesting tale about politics in a future earth.

I really like the Dorsai series

This is my worst ever review....

[Joel Menkes · Rating 5 out of 5]

Read this as a young teen and ever since i wanted to be just like donal graeme. Who wouldn't? Heck, i even remember his name after about 60 years. In later years i did finally follow up and obtain the dorsai novels, not at all disappointed with them though i was surprised to learn the genetic general was a sort of sideshow novel to the series. I always thought he was main character all the way. The ultimate man, ultimate warrior, ultimate thinker, and completely unique. As i noted, who wouldn't want to be him. Who in the real world we live in doesn't want to be unique, superior, and strange.

[Bruce · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book was originally published as a series in a magazine. Then published as this book. Later republished as Dorsai!

[Stuart McMillan · Rating 3 out of 5]

3

I wrote a long and detailed review of this but goodreads barfed and I can't be bothered recreating.

TLDR;

1959 classic that kickstarts the 'childe' cycle. Great ideas, ok plotting, characters that are tropes now but mebbe notsomuch when the book was written.

Worth reading for the casual use of technology (interstellar travel, personal comms etc.) and for the setup to the whole cycle. Definitely of its' time tho' in the quality of writing.

[Todd · Rating 5 out of 5]

The fact that Gordon Dickson is a master is evident in this first of the Dorsai books. Donal Graeme is “odd”, yet I want to follow him anyway, and this strange power over others is never fully explained in this book. It is hinted at towards the end, an ending which surprised and frustrated me, but leaves me wanting more. Fortunately, there’s more. I will say that the subterfuge and plot twists had me wondering who was next, so I’m almost afraid to read the next book...but I will.

[Evans]

not good

[Alien · Rating 2 out of 5]

Dickson wrote more than 60 SF novels and countless short stories. So he is one of the greats of science fiction, at least when it comes to quantity.

The Genetic General is the first of a cycle.

It is military SF about a mercenary from a clan of mercenaries from the planet Dorsal. He just finished Military academy and while looking for a suitable first assignment, he meets a dubious businessman with political ambitions.

Positive things I can say about the book: it has an original idea and avoids some of the tropes of SF of that time.

The negative: it´s military SF and I don't like that sub-genre. The novel is unrealistic. A greenhorn with no merits is not only taken seriously by important people, they entrust important and intimate facts to him. And they give him a responsible military assignments.
The plot, especially his military endeavors, is unconvincing and sometimes hard to understand.

I did not finish this book.

[Brian Greiner]

Ah, Ace doubles ... I spent many an hour in my youth buying and reading those. And look at the price on the cover! Affordable, even taking inflation into account.
Although competently done, neither of the books in the double are Mr. Dickson's best works, but 'The Genetic General' formed the basis for his subsequent Dorsai novels. Still, it is impressive at how well it stands up over time (at least to me), and I've reread it several times over the years with enjoyment.

[SciFiOne · Rating 5 out of 5]

Ace Double Novel D449
Genetic General grade A
Time to Teleport grade C+

[David Minor · Rating 5 out of 5]

First of the Dorsai series and this was first published in 1959 as a series in Astounding Science Fiction under the title Dorsai.