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traveller1's review
3.0
When I was much younger I read the original stories in the "War World" series, and was greatly entertained. It seemed to me, though it has been many years since I read the originals, that these tales told of a moderately complex, fictional world: the collapse of states, the forces of history, and of individual acts and deeds both great and small. Even though war and conflict was the focus of the stories, there was much more.
Now, decades later, perhaps a little more worldly, and having seen too much needless suffering and misery, I have become less fond and tolerant of war and war stories. I did buy this book from Amazon on their recommendation. After having read it, let me run through the plot.
A half millennium in the future humanity has colonised many planets in our corner of the galaxy, and is ruled by a, more or less, benign imperial government. Then, on the planet Sauron, whose hostile environment compelled its original settlers to be 'tough', the inhabitants decided to artificially evolve 'super soldiers', via genetic engineering.
Then, naturally enough, these SSs develop their own take on existence—one not filled with kittens and flowers—and decided that the imperial government and humanity, more or less, has to go. So they start a war against the Empire and most of humanity (they have a bunch of human fellow travellers). This was war proves extremely costly, in terms of lives, money, and stability. The result is the destruction of Sauron, and the collapse of the Empire, which is replaced by anarchy and a near dark age.
All great stuff.
My beef with this? I am tired of right wing, pro-war stories. Of humans 'nobly' killing each other, with a stiff upper lip, for honour and duty. Of mangled space ships, and dead men. Where is the line between terrorism and war? Is there one? How about if these Saurons said, "Well, I don't want to die today, nor kill anyone else. Let's go home and watch some tv". The subtle message conveyed in the novel is that war, death, and destruction is ok, as long as it is for a noble purpose. Also, of course, the boot was put into civilian government once or twice along the way. A conservative, military government, with lots of noble conflict is the best! Way to go.
I will not finish here, that would be unfair. It is a good novel, apart from its 'message'. The novel fleshes out a short story from the original series, describing the final battle between the Saurons and the Empire. This is well told, lots of detailed tactical and strategic thought, detailed accounts of weapons and killing, and a little philosophical musing on the part of the Sauron commander. A not half bad novel, however, what it does lack is depth. A wargame in space. Three stars for the quality of the work, if not the grim content.
Now, decades later, perhaps a little more worldly, and having seen too much needless suffering and misery, I have become less fond and tolerant of war and war stories. I did buy this book from Amazon on their recommendation. After having read it, let me run through the plot.
A half millennium in the future humanity has colonised many planets in our corner of the galaxy, and is ruled by a, more or less, benign imperial government. Then, on the planet Sauron, whose hostile environment compelled its original settlers to be 'tough', the inhabitants decided to artificially evolve 'super soldiers', via genetic engineering.
Then, naturally enough, these SSs develop their own take on existence—one not filled with kittens and flowers—and decided that the imperial government and humanity, more or less, has to go. So they start a war against the Empire and most of humanity (they have a bunch of human fellow travellers). This was war proves extremely costly, in terms of lives, money, and stability. The result is the destruction of Sauron, and the collapse of the Empire, which is replaced by anarchy and a near dark age.
All great stuff.
My beef with this? I am tired of right wing, pro-war stories. Of humans 'nobly' killing each other, with a stiff upper lip, for honour and duty. Of mangled space ships, and dead men. Where is the line between terrorism and war? Is there one? How about if these Saurons said, "Well, I don't want to die today, nor kill anyone else. Let's go home and watch some tv". The subtle message conveyed in the novel is that war, death, and destruction is ok, as long as it is for a noble purpose. Also, of course, the boot was put into civilian government once or twice along the way. A conservative, military government, with lots of noble conflict is the best! Way to go.
I will not finish here, that would be unfair. It is a good novel, apart from its 'message'. The novel fleshes out a short story from the original series, describing the final battle between the Saurons and the Empire. This is well told, lots of detailed tactical and strategic thought, detailed accounts of weapons and killing, and a little philosophical musing on the part of the Sauron commander. A not half bad novel, however, what it does lack is depth. A wargame in space. Three stars for the quality of the work, if not the grim content.
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