Kevin B. O'Brien reviewed Dorsai! by Gordon R. Dickson
Review of 'Dorsai!' on 'Goodreads'
4 stars
This short novel is one of the classics of Military SF. It was initially published in serialized form, and you can tell because it is very episodic in form. Donal Graeme is the scion of a well-known family on the planet Dorsai, reknowned for its soldiers. He starts the book as a newly graduated cadet, but quickly rises in ability and reputation until at the end he has conquered everything. By an odd coincidence, though the novel was nominated for a Hugo for Best Novel in 1960, it lost out to Starshp Troopers by Robart A. Heinlein, which is the other great classic of Military SF. But the two books are complementary in a way. Dorsai! focuses on the role of the commander, while Starship Troopers focuses on the common soldier. I like Dorsai!, but I would have to say that Starship Troopers is the better novel. But read both …
This short novel is one of the classics of Military SF. It was initially published in serialized form, and you can tell because it is very episodic in form. Donal Graeme is the scion of a well-known family on the planet Dorsai, reknowned for its soldiers. He starts the book as a newly graduated cadet, but quickly rises in ability and reputation until at the end he has conquered everything. By an odd coincidence, though the novel was nominated for a Hugo for Best Novel in 1960, it lost out to Starshp Troopers by Robart A. Heinlein, which is the other great classic of Military SF. But the two books are complementary in a way. Dorsai! focuses on the role of the commander, while Starship Troopers focuses on the common soldier. I like Dorsai!, but I would have to say that Starship Troopers is the better novel. But read both of them, they are worth it, particularly if you have an interest in military SF.
