This is the story of Donal Graeme, who is a soldier of the Dorsai world. This excellent story is set in the Childe Cycle at its peak, long after the Younger Worlds have achieved independence from Earth (Tactics of Mistake) but before the coming of the Others (The Final Encyclopedia). Donal Graeme descends from a long line of Dorsai solders, the first of whom was Cletus Grahame, the protagonist of "Tactics of Mistake." Childe Cycle fans know that the soldiers of the Dorsai are mercenaries, available to the highest bidder but efficient enough so that even the poorer of the Younger Worlds can afford to hire sufficient Dorsai to maintain their independence against stronger worlds. This is the backdrop of this novel, and Dickson's speculations in this regards are quite interesting. Incidentally, this novel is co-incident in time with "Soldier, Ask Not" which is another Dorsai novel.

This story deals with Donal's ascension to become the outstanding military general of his day. This piece features some of Dickson's best writing, and this is a fairly short, snappy novel which moves at a brisk pace towards a somewhat startling conclusion. This novel also sets the stage for The Final Encyclopedia, although this will not be evident to readers until they actually read that novel. In fact, this one ties "Necromancer" (the first "Childe Cycle" novel) and "The Final Encyclopedia" together in an interesting way.

An interesting story and satisfying read. Recommended for fans of good military SF or Dickson's Childe Cycle series.

One of the elite Dorsai mercenary officers, after a lot of successful military campaigns, and plenty of showing up both on the battlefield and in the political arena, of his opponents realises that he is definitely more than human, and growing beyond his colleagues.

He is an 'intuitive superman', with his mind working in ways that are beyond normal humans.

Dorsai! (1959) is the third SF novel in the Child Cycle, following Tactics of Mistake. In the previous volume, Cletus Grahame sent all his available troops out to protect his gains. Before leaving Dorsai, Cletus appointed Arvid Johnson as Vice-Marshall and William Athyer as Battle Op and charged them with the defense of the planet using only the civilian population. After the forces under Dow DeCastries infested the Dorsai, Cletus returned and then Johnson and Athyer took back their world from the invading troops, employing the same battle plan that Grahame himself would have used.

In this novel, one hundred and fifty years have passed since the events of the previous volume. The family name has changed somewhat -- Graeme instead of Grahame -- but Donal Graeme is a true Dorsai. His record in the academy is outstanding, but everyone says that he is a little odd. Maybe it comes from his Maran mother and Grandmother, but he doesn't look at situations in quite the same way as everybody else.

On his way to the Friendlies, Donal encounters Anea Marlivana, a Select of Kultis, in the passageways of his spaceliner and offers to help her. She wonders what he means, but Donal explains the obvious to her. She asks him to destroy her contract, but Graeme knows that such contracts are indestructible with the resources available on the liner. He introduces himself to Marshall Hendrik Galt and later asks his advice about the situation. Eventually, Donal returns the contract to the owner, Prince William of Ceta.

Putting on a veneer of venality and foolishness with William, Donal gains a position as Force Leader in the mercenaries troops on Harmony under Commandant Hugh Killien. Despite the scuttlebutt that the advance will be a cakewalk, Donal insists on maintaining tight security measures in the advance upon Faith Will Succour. He becomes thoroughly unpopular among his own troops.

However, Donal anticipates an attack by Orthodox elite troops in time to set up an ambush with his own command. The other commands, however, are severely mauled. Commandant Killien is tried and convicted under Article Four of the Mercenaries Code.

In this story, Donal goes on to become Aide to Marshall Galt, then Staff Liaison, and later Subpatrol Chief. Despite his growing friendship with Galt, Graeme continues to have differences of opinion with Anea. She is hung up on her misunderstanding of the term mercenary and uses it as a weapon against him.

The previous volume was concerned with Tactics, the actions required to gain an objective. This novel, however, is mostly about Strategy, the overall conduct of a campaign. Of course, tactics are required to implement any strategy, but strategy dictates the tactics. Of course, both Cletus and Donal consider both aspects, but Donal plans further ahead than Cletus. Neither work covers the third component of military operations: Logistics.

This novel was the last novel by internal chronology in the initial trilogy, following Necromancer and Tactics of Mistake. Yet it was actually the first one published. Others have been written since then to fill in the gaps and even extend the plotline, but the basis of the entire series is found within these three novels.

Highly recommended for Dickson fans and for anyone else who enjoy tales of military tactics, paranormal talents, and a touch of romance.

-Arthur W. Jordin

"Dorsai!", by Gordon R. Dickson, is a science fiction novel set in a future wherein humanity has spread out to inhabit many different planets in several star systems. The different branches of humanity have evolved into a diverse group of different cultures. One of these branches of humanity is the Dorsai, a formidable warrior race. This novel follows the life and career of Donal Graeme, one of the Dorsai.

The 1993 TOR edition includes an introduction by David Drake, who notes that "Dorsai!" and Robert Heinlein's "Starship Troopers" were both first published in 1959, and together form "the standard against which the subgenre of military SF must be judged." "Dorsai!" is certainly an enjoyable and well-written space adventure. Dickson effectively structures the story; we follow Donal as he rises up the military ranks from Senior Cadet to higher levels of responsibility. Dickson fills the book with fascinating details about Donal's world. It's particularly intriguing to get glimpses of the divergent human cultures and of the conflicts that exist among them.

Along the way the book addresses many significant themes, such as military tactics, the role of religion in a military organization, and leadership. At its best, "Dorsai!" goes beyond being just a solid adventure novel and can be genuinely moving and thought-provoking. Recommended companion text: Joe Haldeman's "The Forever War," another gem of military science fiction.

Rating System:
1 star = abysmal; some books deserve to be forgotten
2 star = poor; a total waste of time
3 star = good; worth the effort
4 star = very good; what writing should be
5 star = fantastic; must own it and share it with others

STORY: In a universe where the Dorsai are the most feared warriors, Donal Graeme stands out. He stands out because his oddities drive him to seek his future amongst the stars. This book is the story of his journeys.

MY FEEDBACK:
1) This book has the same feel as other classics like Asimov's Foundation series.

2) Gordon creates a great universe here that acts as the backdrop to the various adventures of Donal

3) This story has some elements of Dune in it (especially the ending) but not to the same dramatic suspense as Herbert's masterpiece.

4) I agree with other reviewers that a large part of the suspense was removed because Donal just wins every time. This was fun on the other hand because his solutions were logical and innovative.

5) I'm told this is the first of at least a 12 book series. This story can stand on its own if you don't care to read the rest of them.

6) I didn't leave the book feeling like I cared about any of the characters, even Donal. They either played such detached roles or in Donal's case, the reader has already been fed so many of his victories that there doesn't seem to be much left to strive for or challenge him.

OVERALL: Well written. Engaging. Action kept me going. Solutions to challenges didn't make me feel cheated. Very good read.