The just published First Command is the second omnibus volume of A. Bertram Chandler’s classic John Grimes series. BAEN Books should be praised in bringing these adventures back into print. Grimes is a young commander in the Federation’s Survey Service. These novels capture the early career where Grimes takes risks and usually his luck is good. However, Grimes’ luck runs out in The Big Black Mark as he has to deal with a mutiny. Many critics have likened the John Grimes series to “Hornblower in Space.” If you enjoy adventure fiction, you’ll enjoy these wonderful stories. This omnibus volume includes The Far Traveler, Spartan Planet, The Inheritors, and The Big Black Mark,. With 724 pages, First Command delivers a great value for about $10!
Great choice, George.
I think it’s great that BAEN Books is reprinting the Grimes Sage in these fat, inexpensive omnibus editions, Scott. I hope they continue this project and find other classic SF works to bring to a new audience.
I read THE ROAD TO THE RIM and THE HARD WAY UP on your say so, George – I read them in London in April – so will be looking out for this one too.
I find the Grimes novels entertaining reading, Jeff. It doesn’t take much effort to read them and A. Bertram Chandler knows how to tell a story.
Loved Chander when I was a kid, but I haven’t read anything lately. I guess it’s time.
Actually, you can jump in anywhere in the Grimes Saga, Bill. I’m reading the books in order, but Chandler’s story-telling doesn’t require a lot of back story.
THE BIG BLACK MARK is an interesting depiction of a dysfunctional workplace. Grimes needed a better HR department.
The thing I remember best out of all these novels are the final, bitter lines from SPARTAN PLANET. Chandler was not given to undue optimism about male/female relationships.
You are so right, Drongo. None of the male-female relationships in Chandler’s universe are very happy ones. You know from the first page of THE BIG BLACK MARK that Grimes is in trouble and his famous “luck” wasn’t going to pull him out of that doomed situation. Of course, Drongo Kane makes an appearance in THE BIG BLACK MARK and THE FAR TRAVELER.
I’ve always thought that Mr. Kane was the real hero of the series. 🙂
And I would be remiss if I didn’t give praise to Baen Books for making Chandler’s work available again. Let us hope that decision earns both Chandler’s estate and Baen Books a tidy profit.
I’m doing my best to promote the BAEN Books omnibus volumes of the A. Bertram Chandler reprints, Drongo. I think the books are great values!
I looked for this at Borders, but no dice, so I’ll be getting it elsewhere. Thanks for the review, and the reminder.
I bought my copy of FIRST COMMAND from AMAZON for less that $10, Rick. A bargain!
A Chandler novel was half of the first ACE Double I ever bought, I think The Rim of Space? With The Trouble With Tycho by Simak on the other side. I read and enjoyed a lot of his ACE stuff.
BRING BACK YESTERDAY was on the other side of THE TROUBLE WITH TYCHO, Stan. I loved that ACE Double, too!
Stan, I believe the book you’re thinking of is BRING BACK YESTERDAY. It was paired up by Ace with THE TROUBLE WITH TYCHO in the early 60’s. BBY was also my introduction to Chandler.
My first A. Bertram Chandler was the AVALON BOOKS edition of RENDEZVOUS ON A LOST WORLD, Drongo. I really liked the cover of the ACE Double edition of RENDEZVOUS ON A LOST WORLD, too.