Stark's War

By: Jack Campbell

Narrated by: Eric Summerer

Length: 9 hrs and 14 mins

Publisher's summary

The United States of America reigns over Earth as the last surviving superpower. To build a society free of American influence, foreign countries have inhabited the moon, taking advantage of the natural resources to earn their own riches. Now, the U.S. military has been ordered to wrest control of Earth's satellite from their rivals. Sergeant Ethan Stark must train his squadron to fight in an airless atmosphere at one-sixth normal gravity against a desperate enemy. Ensuring his team's survival means choosing between which orders to obey - and which to ignore.

BONUS AUDIO: Includes an exclusive introduction written and read by author Jack Campbell.

Stark's War was originally published as "by John G. Hemry".

Battle stations! Listen to more in the Stark's War series.

©2000 John G. Hemry (P)2009 Audible, Inc.

Bit Of A Slow Burn With A Great Ending

I came into this after finishing Leviathan from the author's Lost Fleet series, hungry for more sci-fi and a deep appreciation for the author's work. If you come from the Lost Fleet series, you can tell this piece is some of his early work since his writing style hasn't quite manifested as well as it does in his later work. A bit more focus on political turmoil and a bit less fleshing out of character's personality and day to day living. The idiocy of most of the higher up military command is well conveyed since it even made me feel frustrated as an outside observer. This builds up through out the book to a very satisfying outcome at the end which is worth the previous feelings of frustration throughout. Give this piece a shot if you like sci-fi and military/government commentary subject matter.

Enjoyable military story.

A book starting a very interesting story of how wrong can it get. It reminds me a lot of George Orwells 1984.

Too bland.

This review is about the entire series:

I am a big fan of John G. Hemry, and I realize that this is his first series. My major objection to this entire series is that the language is too clean. John is censoring the language and it takes away from the realism of the combat. Why does he do this? I do not know. I find it frustrating that language is more offensive than describing people getting their limbs torn off.

Let’s face facts. Combat is a dirty, ugly business. Combat soldiers swear, and call their enemies some of the most racist, ugly names you can imagine. This series lacked the grit that would have made it exciting and believable.

The only redeemable thing about this entire story is the underlying messages. But it is simply not worth putting up with the oatmeal blandness. I want gumbo!

Noisey Author

Who would you have cast as narrator instead of Eric Summerer?

The author wasn't bad but he kept making swallowing noises the whole time. It was very...off putting.

Not a bad first book, however way too simplistic..

In my unlearned opinion, not a bad first book. However way too simplistic characters. The generalization of Soldiers civilians corporations and they're supposed ignorance of each other was unbelievable as part of the plot. yes it's way in the future and things definitely change. I will buy the next in the series see how match the improve good job on the first run

great story

I've read and listened to this book a number of times. an amazing story and author. though the audio was rushed at times to the point I could not tell which character was talking.

Great storyline

I love this series. Ive listened to it about 5 times already & now on my 6th go round. It never gets old. Its as fresh & enjoyable now as it was the first time. Sgt Ethan Stark is a leader you can admire for his courage, character, selflessness, loyalty & willingness to do what is right regardless of the circumstances. Awesome character & story. He's a hero who doesn't think of himself as one but does what is heroic anyway. Well written. Well narrated.

A Great Idea, Message, and a Fabulous Story

Stark's War is just one reason why I am the consummate John Hemry/Jack Campbell fan. Although the Lost Fleet "launched" Hemry/Campbell, his brilliance is obvious from his first series, Stark' s War. This page turner, full of action and excitement is a story of how a military grunt preserves his honor in the face of corporate greed and abuse of the military.

Various countries fight to control territory in space, in particular, on the moon. Its all about resources, and America has the best military. But who are these soldiers fighting for? The resources are not for the a American people. Its all about corporate greed. Worse, the generals who are controlled by the corporations are not on the moon, but they insist on micromanaging every battle resulting in disaster after disaster. Are they incompetent because they lack information on the ground or do they just not care how they spend soldiers lives? Or perhaps it's a little of both.

It's time for the lower ranks who are on the scene to take not only command, but control of the objectives. And those objectives should be to protect and defend the American people.

Now comes Seargent Ethan Stark. Honor is his way of life. He won't leave another on the field of battle and he won't follow orders to sacrifice his men for unknown corporate greed. Is it mutiny or is it a coup to bring the military to the defense of people? Read Stark's War.

Note: Hemry does his character building in a kind of pre-story so it can feel a bit slow and a touch hard to follow at first. Don't give up. By the time you finish the first book, you will be oriented and well on your way in the story.

Entertaining

The author’s depiction of senior officers is harsh and sophomoric but sets the stage for Stark. A story with enduring loyalty and friendship is welcome.

Excellent listen

I had no major complaints about the book or its presentation. While not quite up to the level of the Lost Fleet series, the book is fast paced and keeps the listener interested in the story. The author does a very good job of setting the listener within the main character's perspective and allowing us to see how his decisions are shaped through respect, loyalty, and the willingness to finally question absurd orders.

I'm watching weekly for Audible to include the final two books in this series!