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Honorverse
Worlds of Weber
Your Ticket to the Many Worlds of New York Times Best-Selling Writer David Weber.
First Time in Paperback.
A mammoth volume (over 250,000 words) of the many facets of one of science fiction’s most popular talents. Here are treecats, starships, dragons, alternate history, self-aware Bolo supertanks, wizards, sailing ships, ironclads—and, of course, Weber’s fantastically popular starship commander, Honor Harrington. For nearly two decades, David Weber has been taking enthralled readers to destinations strange and fantastical, from his best-selling Honor Harrington novels and short stories to the heroic fantasy of Bahzell of the Hrandai, and the shared universe stories set in worlds of his own creation, and those of others, such as Eric Flint’s best-selling Ring of Fire series, the popular Bolo series of Keith Laumer and more.
Visit 17th-century Magdeburg for the creation of the United States Navy a hundred and fifty years early, and go with John Paul Jones as he wins the Revolutionary War—For George III. Fight dragons and demons with U.S. Marines in a most unexpected campaign, find out how humans and treecats first met and share Honor Harrington’s very first battle. But once you step into the worlds of Weber, you may not want to go home again.
First Time in Paperback.
A mammoth volume (over 250,000 words) of the many facets of one of science fiction’s most popular talents. Here are treecats, starships, dragons, alternate history, self-aware Bolo supertanks, wizards, sailing ships, ironclads—and, of course, Weber’s fantastically popular starship commander, Honor Harrington. For nearly two decades, David Weber has been taking enthralled readers to destinations strange and fantastical, from his best-selling Honor Harrington novels and short stories to the heroic fantasy of Bahzell of the Hrandai, and the shared universe stories set in worlds of his own creation, and those of others, such as Eric Flint’s best-selling Ring of Fire series, the popular Bolo series of Keith Laumer and more.
Visit 17th-century Magdeburg for the creation of the United States Navy a hundred and fifty years early, and go with John Paul Jones as he wins the Revolutionary War—For George III. Fight dragons and demons with U.S. Marines in a most unexpected campaign, find out how humans and treecats first met and share Honor Harrington’s very first battle. But once you step into the worlds of Weber, you may not want to go home again.
960 pages, Mass Market Paperback
First published September 30, 2008
35 people are currently reading
573 people want to read
About the author
David Weber
322 books4,552 followersDavid Mark Weber is an American science fiction and fantasy author. He was born in Cleveland, Ohio in 1952.
Many of his stories have military, particularly naval, themes, and fit into the military science fiction genre. He frequently places female leading characters in what have been traditionally male roles.
One of his most popular and enduring characters is Honor Harrington whose alliterated name is an homage to C.S. Forester's character Horatio Hornblower and her last name from a fleet doctor in Patrick O'Brian's Master and Commander . Her story, together with the "Honorverse" she inhabits, has been developed through 16 novels and six shared-universe anthologies, as of spring 2013 (other works are in production). In 2008, he donated his archive to the department of Rare Books and Special Collections at Northern Illinois University.
Many of his books are available online, either in their entirety as part of the Baen Free Library or, in the case of more recent books, in the form of sample chapters (typically the first 25-33% of the work).
http://us.macmillan.com/author/davidw...
Many of his stories have military, particularly naval, themes, and fit into the military science fiction genre. He frequently places female leading characters in what have been traditionally male roles.
One of his most popular and enduring characters is Honor Harrington whose alliterated name is an homage to C.S. Forester's character Horatio Hornblower and her last name from a fleet doctor in Patrick O'Brian's Master and Commander . Her story, together with the "Honorverse" she inhabits, has been developed through 16 novels and six shared-universe anthologies, as of spring 2013 (other works are in production). In 2008, he donated his archive to the department of Rare Books and Special Collections at Northern Illinois University.
Many of his books are available online, either in their entirety as part of the Baen Free Library or, in the case of more recent books, in the form of sample chapters (typically the first 25-33% of the work).
http://us.macmillan.com/author/davidw...
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Displaying 1 - 25 of 25 reviews
July 16, 2013
Well, I just had to go and start my re-read of the Honor Harrington series. It's convenient as I can catch up to my current style of reviewing.
This is just absolutely brilliant!! Even if only two of the stories are Harrington-related, LOL.
Series:
"A Certain Talent" (Legion of Space, 0.5; originally published in The Williamson Effect )
"In the Navy" (Ring of Fire, xx.5; based on Eric Flint's 1632 series; originally published in Ring of Fire Anthology #1 )
"Sir George and the Dragon" (Earth Legions, 1.5; originally published in Foreign Legions )
"Sword Brother" (War God, 1.5; as part of a reissue of Oath of Swords )
"A Beautiful Friendship" (Honorverse: Stephanie Harrington, 0.75; originally published in More Than Honor (Worlds of Honor, 1))
"Ms. Midshipwoman Harrington" (Honor Harrington, 0.5)
"Miles to Go" (Originally published in The Triumphant (Bolos, 3; Bolo, 6))
"Traitor" (Originally published in The Last Stand (Bolos, 4; Bolo 7))
The Stories
"A Certain Talent" is a Jack Williamson homage and excellent! It's a too funny introduction to the thieving, passionate, and extremely talented Giles Habibula who is tricked and then blackmailed into joining the Legion of Space.
I loved this! There's a comic turn to it but it's also full of humanity! I'll have to search this series out! I must know more about Colonel Jartha, and I am curious as to whether Jartha is correct about Ethrya Coran...hmmm...
"In the Navy" relates to an Eric Flint series for which I've had a hard time finding the starting book, and after reading this story...well, I'll just have to put my thinking cap on! Weber doesn't provide a lot of backstory on this, just enough to tease and make me want to know more about how a chunk of the U.S. gets dropped into seventeenth century Europe. I love the strategy, politics, and economic issues involved in this short. Very well thought out.
This story finds President Mike Steams realizing that the U.S. does indeed need an ironclad---or three, and he's forced to deal with his sister's father-in-law and his enemy: John Chandler Simpson.
"The Captain from Kirkbean" is my least favorite as Weber compresses time intensely, and I kept confusing the English Captain Sir John Paul with John Paul Jones. Still, it's a lovely bit of a scary naval strategy in which Captain Paul pits his much weaker force against a stronger French force in this battle in the American Revolutionary War. And he is doing this off his own initiative and against orders...eek…!
Originally published in the anthology, Alternate Generals .
"Sir George and the Dragon" is brilliant with Sir George and what remains of his company "rescued" for nefarious purposes to get around the Prime Directive.
This was later expanded into The Excalibur Option of which there only appears to be a French version.
"Sword Brother" is tense and mixes American warriors with magical ones when Wencit of Rūm teleports Gunnery Sergeant Kenneth Houghton and Corporal Jack Mashita along with "Tough Mama" to his universe to help battle demons and evil wizards.
Specifically written to go with a reissue of Oath of Swords (War Gods, 1).
"A Beautiful Friendship" explores Stephanie Harrington's encounter with Climbs Quickly, and they become the first bonded pair of human + treecat. It's a fascinating bit of backhistory of an ancestress of Honor Harrington's and the treecats.
It takes place 60 T-years after the Star Kingdom of Manticore is in place.
"Ms. Midshipwoman Harrington" finds Honor Harrington about to embark on her final test, a cruise as a midshipwoman. Now if she can just survive that idiot Lieutenant Santino and their encounter with Confederacy pirates/revolutionaries, she'll be all set.
It introduces the problems that Honor has with her treecat aboard ship, the issues with Pavel Young, and her encounter with Captain Bachfisch whom we'll meet again.
"Miles to Go" made me cry and cry and cry. Oh, god, it was so amazing with its combination of exile, home, love, friendship, and honor. The title is from a poem by Robert Frost, and just thinking about this story is making me cry again. It's friendship that develops into love between man and machine, and if you can read this and not cry, you need to see a shrink!
"Traitor" is along the same line as "Miles to Go" with a battle machine that feels honor and shame as she chases down a traitorous battle partner, only to discover how wrong she was. Keep the tissues out, 'cause you'll be crying again.
The Cover
It's a Baen cover all right and uses the complementary colors blue and orange with a pastel quality to this portrait of Honor in her helmet and skinsuit as she approaches the pirate-ravaged ship with a huge planet looming behind her.
The title emphasizes the short story I was most interested in reading as I adore all things Honor Harrington. However...Weber has intrigued me into wanting to read the series that his other short stories reference in this Worlds of Weber: Ms Midshipwoman Harrington and Other Stories.
This is just absolutely brilliant!! Even if only two of the stories are Harrington-related, LOL.
Series:
"A Certain Talent" (Legion of Space, 0.5; originally published in The Williamson Effect )
"In the Navy" (Ring of Fire, xx.5; based on Eric Flint's 1632 series; originally published in Ring of Fire Anthology #1 )
"Sir George and the Dragon" (Earth Legions, 1.5; originally published in Foreign Legions )
"Sword Brother" (War God, 1.5; as part of a reissue of Oath of Swords )
"A Beautiful Friendship" (Honorverse: Stephanie Harrington, 0.75; originally published in More Than Honor (Worlds of Honor, 1))
"Ms. Midshipwoman Harrington" (Honor Harrington, 0.5)
"Miles to Go" (Originally published in The Triumphant (Bolos, 3; Bolo, 6))
"Traitor" (Originally published in The Last Stand (Bolos, 4; Bolo 7))
The Stories
"A Certain Talent" is a Jack Williamson homage and excellent! It's a too funny introduction to the thieving, passionate, and extremely talented Giles Habibula who is tricked and then blackmailed into joining the Legion of Space.
I loved this! There's a comic turn to it but it's also full of humanity! I'll have to search this series out! I must know more about Colonel Jartha, and I am curious as to whether Jartha is correct about Ethrya Coran...hmmm...
"In the Navy" relates to an Eric Flint series for which I've had a hard time finding the starting book, and after reading this story...well, I'll just have to put my thinking cap on! Weber doesn't provide a lot of backstory on this, just enough to tease and make me want to know more about how a chunk of the U.S. gets dropped into seventeenth century Europe. I love the strategy, politics, and economic issues involved in this short. Very well thought out.
This story finds President Mike Steams realizing that the U.S. does indeed need an ironclad---or three, and he's forced to deal with his sister's father-in-law and his enemy: John Chandler Simpson.
"The Captain from Kirkbean" is my least favorite as Weber compresses time intensely, and I kept confusing the English Captain Sir John Paul with John Paul Jones. Still, it's a lovely bit of a scary naval strategy in which Captain Paul pits his much weaker force against a stronger French force in this battle in the American Revolutionary War. And he is doing this off his own initiative and against orders...eek…!
Originally published in the anthology, Alternate Generals .
"Sir George and the Dragon" is brilliant with Sir George and what remains of his company "rescued" for nefarious purposes to get around the Prime Directive.
This was later expanded into The Excalibur Option of which there only appears to be a French version.
"Sword Brother" is tense and mixes American warriors with magical ones when Wencit of Rūm teleports Gunnery Sergeant Kenneth Houghton and Corporal Jack Mashita along with "Tough Mama" to his universe to help battle demons and evil wizards.
Specifically written to go with a reissue of Oath of Swords (War Gods, 1).
"A Beautiful Friendship" explores Stephanie Harrington's encounter with Climbs Quickly, and they become the first bonded pair of human + treecat. It's a fascinating bit of backhistory of an ancestress of Honor Harrington's and the treecats.
It takes place 60 T-years after the Star Kingdom of Manticore is in place.
"Ms. Midshipwoman Harrington" finds Honor Harrington about to embark on her final test, a cruise as a midshipwoman. Now if she can just survive that idiot Lieutenant Santino and their encounter with Confederacy pirates/revolutionaries, she'll be all set.
It introduces the problems that Honor has with her treecat aboard ship, the issues with Pavel Young, and her encounter with Captain Bachfisch whom we'll meet again.
"Miles to Go" made me cry and cry and cry. Oh, god, it was so amazing with its combination of exile, home, love, friendship, and honor. The title is from a poem by Robert Frost, and just thinking about this story is making me cry again. It's friendship that develops into love between man and machine, and if you can read this and not cry, you need to see a shrink!
"Traitor" is along the same line as "Miles to Go" with a battle machine that feels honor and shame as she chases down a traitorous battle partner, only to discover how wrong she was. Keep the tissues out, 'cause you'll be crying again.
The Cover
It's a Baen cover all right and uses the complementary colors blue and orange with a pastel quality to this portrait of Honor in her helmet and skinsuit as she approaches the pirate-ravaged ship with a huge planet looming behind her.
The title emphasizes the short story I was most interested in reading as I adore all things Honor Harrington. However...Weber has intrigued me into wanting to read the series that his other short stories reference in this Worlds of Weber: Ms Midshipwoman Harrington and Other Stories.
Read
April 14, 2021What particularly caught my attention were the two stories set in Weber’s popular ‘Honorverse’. In his lengthy (this man does nothing by halves) introduction, Weber explains why he will never write a book about Honor Harrington’s life that predates ‘On Basilisk Station’. Not willing to disappoint his legion fans, however, he found a loophole: the short story – or in this case, two novellas.
The first is called ‘A Beautiful Friendship’ and details how humans first encountered Treecats. I found this to be the most engaging story in the collection. Told in equal halves from the point of view of both humans and Treecats, the story centers around the young Stephanie Harrington, who has just arrived on the recently colonized planet Sphinx. The existence of a six-legged predator known as the Hexapuma limits Stephanie’s ability to wander the natural forests of her new home. However, an adolescent with an enquiring mind and boundless energy will soon find a way around any rule their parents can put in place and indeed Stephanie does just this, resulting in a first contact situation with a sentient species resident on Sphinx that no one even suspected existed. This is one of those complete stories from start to finish that explores more than just an idea, while adding to the mythos of one of Weber’s most enduring worlds.
The second is called ‘Ms Midshipwoman Harrington’ and takes us back to the very beginning of Honor Harrington’s career, her first assignment aboard a war ship. There are four ‘middies’ on this cruiser, which will serve as both initiation and final exam for the bunkmates. The story follows the predictable arc of the ‘snotties’ falling under the command of a less than exemplary officer who takes every opportunity to belittle and abuse his charges, only to fall prey to their more subtle machinations, be deposed and sent home in disgrace. But while the plot may sound familiar, it gives Weber the opportunity to detail not only the personalities of Honor and her Treecat but the room to expand upon the politics of the world he has created, making this short story almost as immersive as a full length novel.
With over 250,000 words packed into this volume and only seven other stories to explore, you may be getting an inkling of the depth of commitment required to not only write, but read this book. Although most of the stories have appeared in other collections, they work well together here as a showcase of Weber’s many talents and diverse worlds. Each story is as full of his wit and wisdom as it is plots, characters and intrigues. I would recommend it to fans, but I’m sure they already bought the hardcover. This paperback edition is the perfect opportunity for those like me who’d like to sample Weber’s work.
The first is called ‘A Beautiful Friendship’ and details how humans first encountered Treecats. I found this to be the most engaging story in the collection. Told in equal halves from the point of view of both humans and Treecats, the story centers around the young Stephanie Harrington, who has just arrived on the recently colonized planet Sphinx. The existence of a six-legged predator known as the Hexapuma limits Stephanie’s ability to wander the natural forests of her new home. However, an adolescent with an enquiring mind and boundless energy will soon find a way around any rule their parents can put in place and indeed Stephanie does just this, resulting in a first contact situation with a sentient species resident on Sphinx that no one even suspected existed. This is one of those complete stories from start to finish that explores more than just an idea, while adding to the mythos of one of Weber’s most enduring worlds.
The second is called ‘Ms Midshipwoman Harrington’ and takes us back to the very beginning of Honor Harrington’s career, her first assignment aboard a war ship. There are four ‘middies’ on this cruiser, which will serve as both initiation and final exam for the bunkmates. The story follows the predictable arc of the ‘snotties’ falling under the command of a less than exemplary officer who takes every opportunity to belittle and abuse his charges, only to fall prey to their more subtle machinations, be deposed and sent home in disgrace. But while the plot may sound familiar, it gives Weber the opportunity to detail not only the personalities of Honor and her Treecat but the room to expand upon the politics of the world he has created, making this short story almost as immersive as a full length novel.
With over 250,000 words packed into this volume and only seven other stories to explore, you may be getting an inkling of the depth of commitment required to not only write, but read this book. Although most of the stories have appeared in other collections, they work well together here as a showcase of Weber’s many talents and diverse worlds. Each story is as full of his wit and wisdom as it is plots, characters and intrigues. I would recommend it to fans, but I’m sure they already bought the hardcover. This paperback edition is the perfect opportunity for those like me who’d like to sample Weber’s work.
May 14, 2009
I would say this book contains 5 short stories and 4 novellas. The book starts a little slow with four short stories. "A Certain Talent" wherein a 'crook's' talents are used for spying is somewhat predictable. "In the Navy" places a modern West Virginia steel-town into late medieval-early Renaissance Germanic Europe. "The Captain from Kirkbean" is an 'alternate' history of an incident set in the Napoleonic Naval Wars. A futuristic/historical setting and theme are contained in "Sir George and the Dragon."
"Sword Brother" is a combination of contemporary times and fantasy. A Lightly Armored Vehicle is magically transported to an alternate universe and/or time to combine forces with a magician and others to defeat evil. Two of the novellas are essentially back stories to the Honor Harrington series of novels. "A Beautiful Friendship" describes how Honor and Nimitz became a couple while "Ms. Midshipwoman Harrington" relates her experiences on her midshipman cruise. The development of a relationship between an army officer and a war machine and the effect it has on both is explored in "Miles to Go". The book ends with a short story, "The Traitor," wherein one machine chases another who has been a traitor to his squadron mates.
"Sword Brother" is a combination of contemporary times and fantasy. A Lightly Armored Vehicle is magically transported to an alternate universe and/or time to combine forces with a magician and others to defeat evil. Two of the novellas are essentially back stories to the Honor Harrington series of novels. "A Beautiful Friendship" describes how Honor and Nimitz became a couple while "Ms. Midshipwoman Harrington" relates her experiences on her midshipman cruise. The development of a relationship between an army officer and a war machine and the effect it has on both is explored in "Miles to Go". The book ends with a short story, "The Traitor," wherein one machine chases another who has been a traitor to his squadron mates.
March 29, 2012
I read this after having read a few of the later stories of Honor Harrington. It reminded me of another story: "Mr. Midshipman Hornblower" so much that I smiled. C.S. Forrester is probably smiling from above at the notion that a David Weber created a young women character much in the mold of Forrester's iconic seaman who went to sea as a awkward youth, and who later rose to the highest levels of his beloved Navy, by putting duty, honor and loyalty above all else, no matter the personal and political costs.
The life lessons are legion here and it's a shame that so few people today look at those qualities as attainable let alone desirable.
The life lessons are legion here and it's a shame that so few people today look at those qualities as attainable let alone desirable.
August 24, 2021
Frankly, I have read only the title story in this collection, and that is what gets my 4-star rating. The story has a few scattered shortcomings, but it's a nice, breezily readable introduction to (yet) another spaceship-as-naval-ship setting and to the godlike protagonist who'll star in the series.
July 11, 2023
For new fans of Weber
This is a large volume of work, in different realms that he either created or worked in. Several complete novellas, included one merged into 'A Beautiful Friendship' by mistake.
Thing is, all of it is previously published, but still a great value
This is a large volume of work, in different realms that he either created or worked in. Several complete novellas, included one merged into 'A Beautiful Friendship' by mistake.
Thing is, all of it is previously published, but still a great value
March 17, 2019
The Honor story and the treecat story were great, the others average.
July 13, 2020
Great read
Some new some old, great stuff as usual. Whenever David puts his mind to a space opera, Ask no questions Buckle up for you are in for one hell of a ride.
Some new some old, great stuff as usual. Whenever David puts his mind to a space opera, Ask no questions Buckle up for you are in for one hell of a ride.
December 11, 2020
If you don’t know David’s work, read this and then go find his other books. Such a great taste of his tales.
November 1, 2025
“Ms. Midshipwoman Harrington” is an addition to the 'Honorverse' series but, as I haven't read any of them, it also serves as a prequel.
She's young, looks younger, and yet shows some indication of the warrior she will become as she joins the 'War Maiden'.
Most of the short book is taken up with details of her working life aboard ship, her inactions with the crew (in particular the obnoxious Lieutenant Santino.)
About two-thirds of the way through I was seriously wondering what the fuss was all about … and then it gets very interesting as Honor is plunged into solo combat against a formidable opponent.
That last third really makes the difference!
3.5 Stars, raised to 4 Stars.
She's young, looks younger, and yet shows some indication of the warrior she will become as she joins the 'War Maiden'.
Most of the short book is taken up with details of her working life aboard ship, her inactions with the crew (in particular the obnoxious Lieutenant Santino.)
About two-thirds of the way through I was seriously wondering what the fuss was all about … and then it gets very interesting as Honor is plunged into solo combat against a formidable opponent.
That last third really makes the difference!
3.5 Stars, raised to 4 Stars.
April 26, 2011
Not worth the money in hardcover, although as an introduction to Weber's major worlds, it works well. I was disappointed to find that all the Honorverse stories are collected elsewhere. It was hard to get into short stories about universes that I had no interest in reading.
However, I will say that the writing style is quality, just like all of Weber's work that I've read previously. I truly enjoyed the story about St. George and the Dragon, a very imaginative retelling of a legend. This would be a good way to find out if reading a whole series of books in one universe of Weber's is worth your time; just wish I had waited till it was out in paperback.
Note: I only read to page 168, the first four stories. Of the remaining 5 stories, 2 were Honor Harrington stories I had already read and the other 3 were from storylines I had no interest in.
However, I will say that the writing style is quality, just like all of Weber's work that I've read previously. I truly enjoyed the story about St. George and the Dragon, a very imaginative retelling of a legend. This would be a good way to find out if reading a whole series of books in one universe of Weber's is worth your time; just wish I had waited till it was out in paperback.
Note: I only read to page 168, the first four stories. Of the remaining 5 stories, 2 were Honor Harrington stories I had already read and the other 3 were from storylines I had no interest in.
September 6, 2011
This is a collection of short stories from David Weber who is my favorite author. I had read two of these stories as they had previously appeared in other short story collections. It had been awhile however so I re-read them as well as reading all the other stories. Over all the entire collection was a great read as well as providing background information on one of his series. I would definitely recommend this collection to any Weber fan or anyone just looking for a good Science Fiction/Fantasy read.
March 10, 2012
I haven't read any of Weber's other books, so I have nothing to compare this to, but I just want to say that I VASTLY enjoyed this one! Weber creates many diverse worlds, from alternate histories to magical planes. I've read this book no less than three times now; it's still enjoyable even now. Weber puts a real sense of personality and life into his characters, whether they're alien or human. However, be forewarned: if you're not the patient type, this book isn't for you. The stories are fairly long, and build the action very slowly. But if you're patient, you'll enjoy this boom greatly.
November 26, 2009
"A Certain Talent" was (deliberately?) rough & primitive, but the rest all held up pretty well. "Sword Brother" was a bit silly, but may have been written more specifically for current military personnel and vets, and I cannot judge it from that perspective.
October 20, 2008
a nice collection of Weber's "shorter" fiction. Most of these stories have been published before, but not all Weber fans will have read all of them before. I loved them all.
May 31, 2023
I enjoyed flipping through this short story collection. I picked it up for the story "Sword Brother" but I enjoyed several of the others as well.
January 17, 2009
It was a marvelous introduction to the Bolo universe. I don't think any of the stories are original to this book, but I half of the stories were new to me.
April 6, 2009
meh. there were a couple decent ones, but Ms. Midshipman Harrington has been previously published and a third of the book was bolo stories. so I was interested in about 50% of it.
August 16, 2014
Really, I'm reading this book just for the story from the hradani universe. And maybe to reread the Honor Harringtons. But so far I like the others too.
October 15, 2009
Nice sample of the many worlds of David Weber. A good book to get a feel for David's style.
April 20, 2012
Miles to Go is by far my favorite story in this anthology.
April 19, 2013
As with all collections, some good, some outstanding.
September 29, 2022
As always David Weber comes through.
Very good short stories. The best are the full on stories in the Honorverse. I want more, there are more holes to fill in.
Very good short stories. The best are the full on stories in the Honorverse. I want more, there are more holes to fill in.
March 7, 2010
not as much fun as Weber is usually. maybe because I had already read 3 of these stories.
April 1, 2016
Need more early Honor
Displaying 1 - 25 of 25 reviews