A Talent For War
by Jack McDevitt
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Book Reviews of A Talent For War
Book Review: Interesting Story...Interesting Backdrop
Summary: 5 Stars
A Talent for War presents an enjoyable trek through a future history...a history with it's own figure-heads and heroes, and shows us how those people actually were. McDevitt gives us the science fiction equivalent of taking us back to the American Revolution and putting us into the heads of George Washington and Thomas Jefferson. McDevitt exquisitely executes this future history through the backdrop of the protagonist, Alex Benedict, and his search for the truth about what happened to the longterm exploratory ship Tenandrome. What did the crew find that they thought they had to erase all public records of the journey, and essentially swear themselves to silence about that journey.
McDevitt's only flaw in this book is that he seems to get sidetracked a bit with minutae...who said what at this meeting or that, who did what, where...etc. Some of this was clearly needed...but he goes overboard just a bit. This detracts from the story only a little though. Mostly, I just desperately wanted to find out the answers to the mysteries McDevitt poses. A Talent for War is a really good read, McDevitt's character analyses are dead-on and consequently he does a wonderful job of making you feel what the characters feel. As long as you enjoy good storytelling this book is highly recommended to anyone, period.
Book Review: A Not-So-Good Mystery
Summary: 3 Stars
The back of this book outlines the story of a certain Alex finding clues that indicate that a interstellar hero, Christopher Sim, might not actually be what everyone thinks he is. Sounds great. I'd love to read about some of the socio-political ramifications of having someone running around trying to rewrite history based on new evidence. There might even be some cloak-and-dagger elements as Alex crosses whoever propped Sim up as a war hero.
Why was two-thirds of the book dedicated to Alex's search for this information that might prove that Sim was something other than an interstellar hero? I had already assumed he was. There's nothing really remarkable about those 200 pages. The last third of the book isn't much better. Alex eventually stumbles across the right person who tells him where is late-uncle was headed before he died (was murdered? -- it's never addressed) and the rest of the book recounts the "real" Christopher Sim.
I really wish there was something for me to sink my teeth into here. I spent a long time waiting for something to happen and I don't feel that much ever did. What's the point of a mediocre mystery novel if you've already given away the major plot point on the book jacket?
Book Review: Please welcome, Alex Benedict!
Summary: 3 Stars
In A Talent For War, author Jack McDevitt introduces antiquities dealer Alex Benedict. Alex loses a favorite relative, but inherits a mystery, a mystery that affects none other than Christopher Sims, the hero of humanity.
McDevitt continues the Alex Benedict series in Polaris (2004) and Seeker (2005). I enjoyed both Polaris and Seeker more than A Talent For War, probably because McDevitt didn't put so much attention into developing (I'd say, overdeveloping) the Benedict character. In fact, I read all of these backwards: Seeker, Polaris, and now A Talent For War. Perhaps that taints my perceptions. On a positive note, Seeker was exciting enough that I sought out the other two books, and I understand a fourth novel (The Devil's Eye) is now out. The first three are stand-alone novels, and I assume the fourth will be as well.
If you were new to this series, I'd recommend you start with this one or with Polaris, and if Polaris shows up in your library first... make it so, number one!
Book Review: A Talent For Storytelling
Summary: 4 Stars
Alex Benedict, an antiquities dealer, must solve a mystery passed on to him by his deceased uncle, an archeologist. The mystery turns into something like a treasure hunt, the treasure having been lost or hidden in an interstellar war that ended two centuries earlier. The novel follows Benedict's painstaking research, including document reviews and personal interviews, as he seeks to solve the puzzle. Painstaking research is usually of intellectual interest only to the researcher, while descriptions of the research process (as opposed to the result) are usually painfully dull to the observer. It is a measure of McDevitt's storytelling skill that the novel never drags. By mixing in enough action to maintain a steady pace (culminating in an extended action scene as the puzzle is solved), by placing smart characters in intense situations, and by creating a detailed backdrop of interstellar conflict, McDevitt maintains interest and excitement from start to finish.Book Review: Unique Sci-Fi Detective Story
Summary: 4 Stars
Art collector Alex gets a mysterious message from his long estranged Uncle Gabe. Gabe was on the trail of a story that may rewrite the history of mankind when he disappeared. Alex soon finds himself wrapped up in a investigation of his uncle's mysterious disappearance and the adventure takes him across known space.
I've read a lot of Sci-Fi over the years and I have to admit that this book is unique. Written like a detective novel, I found myself unable to guess where the story would go next. Like many great authors, McDervitt manages to sneakily lead the reader through a parable of what it means to do the right thing. It's also a wonderful little story within a story within a story. Great read.