Talk:The General series

Weapons innovation

The only major 'new' weapon the Civil Government produces over the course of this series is an improved Mitrailleuse with 35 barrels, nicknamed the "splat gun".

Something I find odd is that nobody, with the exception of Suzette Whitehall, uses captured enemy weapons. Messa Whitehall uses a captured Colonial repeating rifle, but there's no mention of what type of ammo it uses or where she gets it. It'd be interesting to know why the author didn't have some of his characters temporarily use captured Colonial repeaters- especially during the second battle at Sandoral. —Preceding unsigned comment added by Bizzybody (talk • contribs) 22:56, 1 November 2008 (UTC)

the milita in 'the steel' are armed with captured weapons, as are the 'military servants' in 'the forge'Jmackaerospace (talk) 01:58, 11 March 2009 (UTC)

Notability

Sadly, I am not seeing what makes this series notable. My BEFORE is not finding any sources discussiong this series (universe). ISFDb: https://www.isfdb.org/cgi-bin/pe.cgi?1877 shows zero reviews for individual books :( @Cunard @Daranios _{Piotr Konieczny aka Prokonsul Piotrus| reply here} 08:17, 19 May 2023 (UTC)

Hi Piotrus (talk · contribs). Here are some sources about the series:

1. Morrow, Christopher L. (2002). "S. M. Stirling". In Ivison, Douglas (ed.). Canadian Fantasy and Science-Fiction Writers. Detroit: Gale. pp. 269–270. ISBN 0-7876-4668-7. Retrieved 2023-05-21 – via Internet Archive.

   The book notes: "Stirling's second military science-fiction series, The General, also tells a story of world domination. In these novels Stirling and coauthor Drake make it clear that the dominators are the "good guys." Set on the planet Bellevue, the five books in the series focus on a military officer, Raj Whitehall. Like the protagonists from the Draka series, he must use ingenuity in order to lead his army to victory against larger, more powerful armies. The first novel, The Forge (1991), is set many years after an apocalyptic war resulted in a technological collapse eliminating space travel and computers on Bellevue. Adventuring in ancient catacombs under the capital city, Raj encounters a sentient computer that selects him to reunite the world under his guidance. With the computer presenting mind's-eye depictions of the possible outcomes of crucial decisions, Raj sets out to accomplish his mission. In each of the subsequent novels in the series—The Hammer (1992), The Anvil (1993), The Steel (1993), and The Sword (1995)—Raj works to conquer the Southern Territories, the Brigade, and the Colony."

   The book further notes: "Since the plot takes place over the course of the five books, the General is more like a serial novel than a series of novels. Yet, Drake and Stirling keep each novel fast paced by avoiding the repetition of strategies and tactics, thus making each military campaign distinct. The characters captivate the imagination and supplement what can be at times a predictable plot. In spite of the lack of originality in the plot, most reviewers, in light of the superb battle scenes as well as the highly detailed presentation of military tactics, say that this series will appeal to military-science buffs."

   The book discusses the series in several more paragraphs.

2. Brown, Alan (2021-09-15). "As the Computer Commands: The General, Book 1: The Forge by David Drake and S. M. Stirling". Tor.com. Archived from the original on 2023-05-21. Retrieved 2023-05-21.

   The article notes: "One of the better examples of this genre appearing in the 1990s was the General series, co-written by David Drake and S. M. Stirling. The books, loosely inspired by the adventures of the Roman general Belisarius, featured Raj Whitehall, an officer who develops a telepathic link with an ancient battle computer, and fights to restore space-faring civilization to a far-away world whose society has collapsed. The books were filled with action and adventure, and featured evocative descriptions, interesting characters and a compelling setting. There are five books in the original General series set on the planet Bellevue and featuring Raj Whitehall. [more discussion about the series' history]"

3. Jacob, Merle L.; Apple, Hope (2000). To be Continued: An Annotated Guide to Sequels (2 ed.). Phoenix: Oryx Press. p. 276. ISBN 1-57356-155-X. Retrieved 2023-05-21 – via Internet Archive.

   The book notes: "Far in the future, Raj Whitehall is a military officer on the planet Bellevue, which is now isolated and close to barbarism because of an interstellar war that has destroyed humanity's ability to travel among the stars. The war has also regressed technology to the point that remnants and artifacts of the earlier, more sophisticated civilization are viewed as holy. Aided by the only computer still in existence, Raj brings order to his own planet, works to restore space travel, and sets off to deal with cultures on other planets that have become even more violent and primitive than Bellevue."

4. Drew, Bernard A. (2009). "S. M. Stirling". 100 Most Popular Thriller and Suspense Authors: Biographical Sketches and Bibliographies. Santa Barbara, California: Libraries Unlimited. p. 381. ISBN 978-1-59158-699-9. Retrieved 2023-05-21 – via Internet Archive.

   The book notes: "The author reads a great deal of history, which gives him lots of ideas. The books in the Ra] Whitehall, or General, series, for instance, derive from the life of the Byzantine warrior Belisarius, restaged on a distant planet with only late-nineteenth-century technology. Stirling has said he finds science fiction writers are no more prescient than anyone else in anticipating future technologies. Thus he is comfortable with alternate worlds with lesser technologies, although no less conflict."

5. Stone, Susan C.; Fawcett, Bill (September 1993). Mohan, Kim (ed.). "Tomorrow's Books: October 1993 Releases". Amazing Stories. Vol. 68, no. 6. p. 72. Retrieved 2023-05-21 – via Internet Archive.

   The book notes: "David Drake & S.M. Stirling: The General #4: The Steel Baen SF, pb orig, 400 pp, $5.99. Ra Whitehal has been sent to regain lost territories for the Civil Government of Holy Federation, to reverse the fall of Civilization, and to keep the barbarians from taking over... but the barbarians aren't cooperating and they outnumber Raj's forces thirty to one." The magazine further lists The General #1: The Forge, The General #2: The Hammer, and The General #3: The Anvil.

6. The Forge reviews:
   1. Kaganoff, Penny (1991-01-18). "The Forge". Publishers Weekly. Vol. 238, no. 3. p. 55. Archived from the original on 2023-05-21. Retrieved 2023-05-21.

      The article is also available via Gale here^{Internet Archive}. The review notes: "The computer's intervention, however, confuses the story line, especially since Central gives alternate scenarios, one after the other. This novel, first in a series, may appeal to military science fiction buffs who enjoy puzzling out complicated battle scenes."

   2. Green, Roland (January 1991). "The Forge". Booklist.

      The review is mentioned in this advertisement on Science Fiction Chronicle and here in Morrow 2002. The review notes: "This first novel in a new series pairs two of military science fiction's most gifted authors with considerable success... There is plenty of fast action, intelligently conceived tactics and weaponry, and a full-blown world with a lived-in quality. A treat for military science fiction buffs."

   3. Brown 2021 discusses the book in substantial detail.
7. The Sword review:
   1. Green, Roland (1995-03-15). "The Sword". Booklist. Vol. 91, no. 14. p. 1313. Archived from the original on 2023-05-21. Retrieved 2023-05-21 – via Gale.

      The review notes: "Stirling and Drake conclude their thoroughly engrossing military sf series, the General, with hero Raj Whitehall having largely united the relatively civilized areas of the planet Bellevue."

8. The Reformer reviews:
   1. Puckett, Lynne (2000-05-07). "Latest in series makes pleasant read: The Reformer". Billings Gazette. Archived from the original on 2023-05-21. Retrieved 2023-05-21 – via Newspapers.com.

      The review notes: "Opinion: Good book. This is another in the series by the same authors that continues the saga of Raj Whitehall and the battle computer called Center. Adrian is an engaging character, as is his brother. The plot itself is rather formulaic at this point, after six previous books, but it's a fun formula if you like vivid battle scenes and coming up with variant uses for gun-powder. A pleasant evening's pastime."

   2. "The Reformer". Booklist.

      The review is mentioned in this advertisement on Science Fiction Chronicle. The review notes: "There is plenty of fast action, intelligently conceived tactics and weaponry, and a full-blown world with a lived-in quality. A treat for military science fiction buffs."

   3. "The Reformer". Publishers Weekly. Vol. 246, no. 13. 1999-03-29. p. 97. Archived from the original on 2022-01-23. Retrieved 2023-05-21.

      The review notes: "There's not much originality on display here, and the ending is indecisive, but devotees of military SF should enjoy themselves nonetheless."

9. The Tyrant reviews:
   1. "The Tyrant". Publishers Weekly. Vol. 249, no. 12. 2002-05-25. p. 47. Archived from the original on 2023-05-21. Retrieved 2023-05-21.

      The review notes: "Because the opposition is uniformly incompetent and cupidinous, the story reads at times as if it were a didactic Soviet science-fiction novel, but most military SF fans won't mind."

   2. Green, Roland (2002-04-01). "The Tyrant". Booklist. Vol. 98, no. 15. p. 1313. Archived from the original on 2023-05-21. Retrieved 2023-05-21 – via Gale.

      The review notes: "That worthy in turn helps events along with the guidance of the disembodied voices of Raj Whitehall and Center, from the Drake-Stirling collaborative series, The General, in which this book was originally planned as another Drake-Stirling joint effort. Circumstances led to Flint stepping in for Stirling, which he does very successfully, contributing his own inimitable wit. Readers who don't know the history the book is based on may find the easy switching of loyalties in it a trifle shocking, but they will eventually join the historically versed in sitting back and enjoying."

   3. Cassada, Jackie (2002-04-15). "The Tyrant". Library Journal. Vol. 127, no. 7. p. 127. Archived from the original on 2023-05-21. Retrieved 2023-05-21 – via Gale.

      The review notes: "Set in an alternate universe with connections to the world of the Belisarius series, this exercise in historical and military sf should appeal to fans of alternate history. Recommended, along with other titles in the series (e.g., The Forge, The Chosen), for most sf collections."

   4. "The Tyrant". Kirkus Reviews. Vol. 70, no. 4. 2002-02-15. p. 228. Archived from the original on 2023-05-21. Retrieved 2023-05-21.

      The review notes: "A sequel to The Reformer (not reviewed) by polycollaborative Drake and Steve Stirling. ... Large-hearted characters in Big Prose that falls into solemn mock history interrupted by the bounding cliches common to pumped-up military SF. Fans will be pleased."

10. The Heretic review:
    1. "The Fantasy/SciFi Shelf: The Heretic". California Bookwatch. Midwest Book Review. June 2013. Archived from the original on 2023-05-21. Retrieved 2023-05-21.

       The review notes: "Until this year, when the son of a military officer decides to stop the barbarians and break the computer's powers. A powerful military science fiction story evolves in this fine story, recommended for collections seeing enthusiasm for military science fiction writing."

11. The Savior reviews:
    1. "The Savior". Publishers Weekly. Vol. 261, no. 30. 2014-07-28. p. 67. Archived from the original on 2023-05-21. Retrieved 2023-05-21.

       The review notes: "The 10th installment in Daniel and Drake’s military SF series (after The Heretic) returns to the world of Duisberg ... The common troops also easily accept the use of forbidden technology, undermining the concept of the world being hamstrung by anti-tech propaganda. The result is conceptually intriguing but unrealistic."

    2. Burt, Daniel S.; D'Ammassa, Don; Hibner, Holly; Kelly, Mary; Lamb, Clair; Ramsdell, Kristin; Schab, Lynda Lee (2015). What Do I Read Next?, Volume 2: A Reader's Guide to Current Genre Fiction. Vol. 2. Farmington Hills, Michigan: Gale. pp. 444–445. ISBN 978-1-4144-9528-6. ISSN 1052-2212. Retrieved 2023-05-21 – via Internet Archive.

       The book notes: "With the Blood Winds about to blow in again, young Abel Dashian has received the means to stop them. With the aid of a great general's spirit, and his artificial intelligence ally, Abel sets out to battle the very "god" that keeps his planet from rising again. This is the 10th book in the General series."

    3. "The Fantasy/SciFi Shelf: The Savior". California Bookwatch. Midwest Book Review. November 2014. Archived from the original on 2023-05-21. Retrieved 2023-05-21.

       The review notes: "A fast-paced saga makes for an involving, different story."

Cunard (talk) 11:26, 21 May 2023 (UTC)