Courageous (The Lost Fleet, Book 3)

I enjoy a good solid sci-fi story with straight forward stories & good tech added. I'm finding that each on of the lost fleet novels is fitting my need greatly. I just about can't put the book down till i've read it from cover to cover & I'm looking forward to the next one. To me that what it's all about. Bring on the rest of the story!!

Wonderfull book, wonderfull series. Very deep and beliveble characters and very realistic space phisics, in a story arc very well planned. I didnt want reaching the end of the book because so delicious and please was the reading. Well written, tied together, lots of themes developing that will lead to future story lines, without sacrificing the current book. I have great hopes for the next one. Go Black Jack!

Courageous is the latest installment in Jack Campbell(John Hemry)'s "Lost Fleet" saga. I'm glad to know this is the third installment of six planned(so far). Having read his other series, I believe he's gotten the hang of writing episodic space-opera type sci-fi. While the tactics and logistical details may pall on some, these details are what make things happen in real warfare("For want of a nail, a rider was lost...etc.") and function as plot elements, which writers use instead of relying on explosions and other "eye candy" that visually oriented media use to hold some folk's attention. The extended battle sequences are a bit dry, but then, the books are shorter and easier reading than the Honor Harrington(Don't get me wrong, I love 'em and won't miss one)stories and establish Campbell as a notable writer in his own right. I gladly welcome any male writers of space opera-why is it that my favorite space-opera writers(Bujold, Moon, McCaffrey) are women?...especially one that's as good as this series. Actually, The writing steers between the over-written and the sparse science of other series(where plot elements sometimes supress believe-ability) quite nicely. I'd place this series in along with Hornblower, Vorkosigan, the Helmsman, Ensign Leary and both of Elizabeth Moon's space-opera series. Bravo! Keep 'em coming...

Black Jack Geary is a Hero (notice the capital). A larger than life military hero who rescued his comrades against impossible odds. And died fighting. At least, that's how the story goes until Jack is rescued from a stasis pod. And ends up in charge of a space fleet on the run (yes, there are downsides to being the oldest officer by a few centuries). Jack not only has to flee from the enemy fleet. He's also constantly on the run for the Spirit of Black Jack Geary, whispering in his ear to take control, call the shots, be the man he can be. And I'm leaving aside the aliens who're lurking backstage. Joking aside, this is an excellent book! The first two parts of 'Lost Fleet' held a lot of promise, as does this one (managing that in itself already isn't quite bad for an author). Where the previous books were perhaps a little weak, this book excels: it brings the characters to life. Vividly. In subtle shades, with believable challenges. The ending makes you long for the 4th installment. Suddenly this military SF turns into a road movie: Jack has traveled, resisting his evil twin Black Jack Geary. Then he's forced to look Black Jack in the face, to see him reflected in the eyes of the people around him. He braces himself, gets a grip and decides to face the future on his own terms. He turns around and... (Now we'll just have to wait for part 4)