Dorsai!

Dorsai Series, Book 1

By: Gordon R. Dickson

Narrated by: Stefan Rudnicki

Length: 6 hrs and 40 mins

Publisher's summary

Throughout the Fourteen Worlds of humanity, no race is as feared and respected as the Dorsai. The ultimate warriors, they are known for their deadly rages, unbreakable honor, and fierce independence. No man rules the Dorsai, but their mastery of the art of war has made them the most valuable mercenaries in the known universe. Donal Graeme is Dorsai, taller and harder than any ordinary man. But he is different as well, with talents that maze even his fellow Dorsai. And once he ventures out into the stars, the future will never be the same....

©1988 George R. Dickson (P)2010 Audible, Inc.

dorsai

Dorsai tells a story about a man is unique in his intelligence and abilities. He is from a world where people are mercenaries and have a code of honor and higher themselves to other planets as elite soldiers. By smart thinking, tactical genius, and strength, he elevates himself in power and becomes a hero. There are multiple worlds, space flight and fights, politics and power struggles. I enjoyed following the main character on his journey through his life. However, it got a little strange and hard to follow when the author went on about genes and these strange super abilities. There was a feeling of something missing at times and the book jumps around strangely. The ending lost a star for me as well. I was looking forward to the next book, but I am not sure anymore.

A Classic that still holds up well

Although a bit dated these days in terms of modern culture and technology, it is still well worth following Dickson as he explores his ideas.

Before it's time.

Would you consider the audio edition of Dorsai! to be better than the print version?

I read the book when it first came out. At that time it was cutting edge SF. Super-ior fighters, mental powers, great stuff. The listen was as good as I remember the read was.
Ive been wanting to re-visit some old time memories, this was and now IS a good one.
However, not as much action as I remembered.

Who was your favorite character and why?

When I first read it I WAS the lonely misunderstood hero . . . maybe I still am.

What about Stefan Rudnicki’s performance did you like?

The narration didn't intrude on the story. I wasn't aware of the characters more than the story.

Was there a moment in the book that particularly moved you?

I thought the part about the hero

Any additional comments?

I'm looking forward to the rest of the 'Dorsai' series.

Great story, less be than adequate narration

Great Scott, what a lousy narrator!!! My guess is he must have been an Honors grad at Pretentious U...

A sentimental favorite from childhood/adolescence.

Many elements of "Tactics of Mistake" which was my first time seeing this general plot and main character. It was a lot more profound when I was less educated in science and math. Listening to "Dorsai!" many years later, some of his technical stuff is just gobbledygook. I think I prefer "Tactics of Mistake" to this one. But I'm going to try to go thru the whole series, to see where Dickson took it. He wrote some pretty tight shorts and novellas in the Dorsai universe.

I think my first exposure to this universe were shorts/novellas in Dad's Analogs, back in the '70s.

Most enjoyable!

Excellent. Perfect reading voice for this story. Highly recommended. Class science fiction from a master.

Dorsai. Not enough "meat" to the story

I listen while working, and kept imagining that I'd zoned out and missed some key detail of the book. But when I rewound the audio, there wasn't anything I'd missed. There are HUGE leaps of faith in the tale, and the reader is expected to just accept. In the end, I wasn't sure what had happened. I don't think I'll be continuing the series.

Military sci-fi, officer class

Gordon R Dickosn's Dorsai! is the first installment in his Childe Cycle. At some future time, humanity has splintered into distinct cultures along a spectrum from conservative to exotic that occupy planets and operate through loose labor exchange contracts. Dorsai is the mercenary class. The main character is an ambitious Dorsai that slowly works his way up the military hierarchy, while at the same time, recognizing that he is something more than a normal human. He always comes back around to a particular ambitious businessman/politician. Eventually, he manages to invade and conquer a planet, which had been thought impossible. He then moves to consolidate the fractured cultures.

Dickson places heavy emphasis on the military strategy that distinguishes his main character, but from a high level, rather than lots of action. At the same time, explores the various implementations of various societal organizations as well as the delicate balance of maintaining separateness, but with a need for some interdependence. The love interest seemed a bit forced and largely a distraction.

The narration is well done with decent character distinction. Pacing is brisk for a quick listen.

50's superhero

Share's review pretty much tells it. I believe this is the kind of Sci Fi that John W. Campbell pushed back when he ruled the Sci Fi world. Our hero never ever makes a mistake. He makes all the right decisions and predicts what everyone else is always going to do before they know they are going to do it. Not once but twice the higher command is all killed off and our hero takes immediate charge. Unlike some other books of this time, he has no interest in woman. Woman fall for him, but he seems to have no hormones. The moral of the story seems to be that we all need to make the right decisions.

Story showing its age, but excellent reading

Would you recommend this audiobook to a friend? If so, why?

Sure. It's the first in a series, though when it was written I don't think a series was planned. And the story is sometimes a bit thin. But the reading by Stefan Rudnicki is excellent, and overall well worth the credit.

Have you listened to any of Stefan Rudnicki’s other performances before? How does this one compare?

I've listened to many of Mr. Rudnicki's readings, and enjoy them all. He has become the voice I want to hear when listening to science fiction/fantasy.

Was this a book you wanted to listen to all in one sitting?

No, not particularly. That's generally not an option for me regardless.

Any additional comments?

Will be trying later books in the series.