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A Talent for War (Alex Benedict, Bk 1)
A Talent for War - Alex Benedict, Bk 1
Author: Jack McDevitt
Everyone knew the legend of Christopher Sim. Fighter. Leader. An interstellar hero with a rare talent for war, Sim changed mankind's history forever when he forged a ragtag group of misfits into the weapon that broke the back of the alien Ashiyyur. — But now, Alex Benedict has found a startling bit of information, long buried in an ancient co...  more »
PBS Market Price: $8.09 or $4.19+1 credit
ISBN-13: 9780441012176
ISBN-10: 0441012175
Publication Date: 6/29/2004
Pages: 320
Rating:
  • Currently 3.5/5 Stars.
 71

3.5 stars, based on 71 ratings
Publisher: Ace
Book Type: Paperback
Other Versions: Hardcover
Members Wishing: 0
Reviews: Member | Amazon | Write a Review

Top Member Book Reviews

reviewed A Talent for War (Alex Benedict, Bk 1) on
Helpful Score: 3
McDevitt's books provide reliable entertainment for me. If you like his books, you'll like this one. Science fiction with a mystery twist, pretty much like all his books. This is the first in the Alex Benedict/Chase Kolpath series.
Bossmare avatar reviewed A Talent for War (Alex Benedict, Bk 1) on + 306 more book reviews
Helpful Score: 1
Lost interest halfway through the book and I usually like his.
jeffp avatar reviewed A Talent for War (Alex Benedict, Bk 1) on + 201 more book reviews
Helpful Score: 1
A Talent For War is pretty good science fiction. It's set in the far future, after humanity has had first contact with aliens, and fought a war with them. The story revolves around someone trying to find out what really happened to a war hero who turned the tide of that battle.

I found the characters reasonably well developed, though not perfect, the descriptions of future technology were interesting and well done, and the story moved along at a good clip, mostly without bogging down. From me, given my recent reactions to science fiction, that's high praise.

If I have a complaint it is that some of the story winds up being a bit opaque, and I am still not entirely clear on what really happened in the history being described. Then again it is, after all, history, and that may well be deliberate.

There are two more books in the series, or so I am informed: Polaris and Seeker. I will probably look them up.
Read All 12 Book Reviews of "A Talent for War Alex Benedict Bk 1"

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cyndij avatar reviewed A Talent for War (Alex Benedict, Bk 1) on + 1032 more book reviews
This is the first of the Alex Benedict novels and introduces him plus Chase Kolpath. It's a rather leisurely novel. I expected a bit more drama after the initial set-up, when someone breaks into the house and steals information, wiping the memory of the house AI along the way. But not much more happens for a long time except Alex's travels, unearthing a bit of information here and there. Nice build-up to the revelation at the end, there are multiple layers to the real story. McDevitt does a great job creating a far-future culture with all the references he gives to their art and literature.
hardtack avatar reviewed A Talent for War (Alex Benedict, Bk 1) on + 2686 more book reviews
The plot in this book seemed to drag along slowly, then quickly moved at the ending. Most of the book seemed to be an excuse for the author to present his philosophical leanings. And some reviews of the sequel help me decide to skip it. Not my cup of tea.

Yet there are others who rate this book highly.
andrewelf avatar reviewed A Talent for War (Alex Benedict, Bk 1) on + 3 more book reviews
My first McDevitt novel and I don't know if I will return to him. The central mystery was interesting enough but I found his main character lacking in personality and his world-building left much to be desired. Gave up after 80 pages.

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