Rating: 
Summary: An imperfect page turner
Review: The action and characters are quite compelling, particularly the quiet doubts that plague the hero. The microcosm of a single ship proves to be an ideal background for plot development, and the story is brisk.However, the author uses a number of "cheap" tricks to make the story more exciting. Amazing coincidences are heaped upon one another, combining to catapult the hero to a position of authority. Likewise, the strange and cruel decisions of the hero usually turn out to be correct in the long run. Even the hero is convinced that his wrongheaded decisions will only inconvenience and antagonize those around him. Somehow, these wrong decisions always manage to be the key to victory. Good book, but frustrating.
Rating: 
Summary: One of the True Modern Classics of Science Fiction
Review: Simply put, the Seafort series is some of the most captivating storytelling -- sci-fi or not -- I have ever read. I suggest you get the entire series when you buy the first book; you'll wish you had the continuation as you near each novel's ending. Feintuch's writing style is dynamic and inviting. It's easy to be swept up in Seafort's world, and impossible to escape it. (**POSSIBLE SPOILER***: I still remember the shock of the line -- not sure which of the series it's from -- "He must have been dead for hours.") I miss Seafort's universe (tried reading VOICES OF HOPE but couldn't finish it; not for lack of quality, but I think I don't want to see this world 'end'). I'll be getting Feintuch's next work (a fantasy, if memory serves), but I look forward to his return to science fiction.
Rating:
Summary: A wise and wonderful book about a terrible era
Review: Feeling like Nick Seafort's godmother (I edited/critiqued the book while Dave was writing the series), I am immensely proud of the manner in which he carried off not only this book but those following it. Nick is Everyman, in a way, with more than his share of doubts and insecurities. Yet he persists in doing what he thinks is right, even when convinced it will condemn him to hell for etenity. Few people, real or fictional, do this, and it is immensely satisfying to find one in this hedonistic era. Those objecting to the brutal elements of that society evidently neither know nor care about the facts of the system that caused Britannia to rule the waves (and the world) for a very long time.
Rating:
Summary: Space Opera is hard to put down
Review: I started reading Midshipman's hope and almost read it in one sitting, I was entranced by his character portrayal and I couldn't wait for Dad to finish Chalenger's Hope so that I could Continue to read the series. The entire Story is like an Opera, except there's no music.. eh.. The characterizations make you want to cheer Midshipman Nick Seafort when he wins and console him when he is faced with Greif and despair.
Rating:
Summary: Breathtaking, read it twice!
Review: Excellent, even on its own but Midshipman's Hope sets the scene for one of the best sci-fi series' that I have read in a long time. It's like Hornblower (C.S Forrester) in space as it introduces us to unwilling hero Nick Seafort and an Earth that appears to have regressed to cope with society's problems. Nick Seafort is forced to assume incredible responsibility after a series of tragic accidents places him in command of a starship, aged only 18. The characterisation, especially of Seafort, is excellent and the people fit perfectly into the society. Not only does Midshipman's Hope tell an excellent tale in itself, it introduces us to the terrible enemy that is to be the subject of an epic series.
Rating:
Summary: Buy the whole series right away.
Review: Get the whole series at once because you won't be able to stop. I bought the first book, because I was intrigued by the dust jacket comments. I finished the first book in two days, and immediately went out and purchased the whole series. I had to practically lock up the second book to keep myself away from it.
Rating:
Summary: Hull the author, beat the children with canes!
Review: I see that a handful of Navy Mid-Shippmen have written to tell how much they love reading about the future of the Navy. How ships Officers let their Jr.Officers abuse their younger shipmates with harsh beatings with turn of the 18th Century Canes.Read this book and you will understand why why our founding fathers placed the Military under the control of the civillian authorities. If our society was run like the Orwellian future the author has described we would be in society that haunted Winston in 1984. A Christian theocratic society that does not spare the rod and places the CHRUCH's philosphy of corporal punishment in the fore-front of education of our Professional Military. Heinlein/Assimov/Ellison/Clark would never embrase a society that followed the authors idea of "This is how we find out who can follow orders" "Our Captians are G*Ds, let the beatings begin" "Let the Jr. Officers fend for them selves, the strong will live to be stronger". In the middle of 1969 I finished Army OCS and was commisioned and served in SE ASIA with the 101st Airborne. Today, I still have a picture of my 1st Platoon on my desk to remind me of how great a Country we have today because of the efforts of a few. It is obivious that the author attempts to convay the Spirit of the Service, but neglects to give any of his soul like the founding fathers of Science Fiction.Mr.Feintuch paints a voyage of adventure while he shows his contempt of the disipline. Once again an Ex-Attorney/Writer, who by training feels superior to society,strikes a blow for the Heinlein-Bradbury-Assimov and Clark all served in the Service and their honor is reflected in their collected works. A young Midshipman is placed in command of a Vessel at 17 or 18 and has the intellegence and compassion to inspire loyality????? Fight the crew,hang a few bad guys, lose a little sleep,first contact with Aliens save the paying passengers,have SEX out of wedlock and get the girl in the end...Really, this concept just doesn't work. Oh,well...It's Science fiction,isn't it? To you swabbies... Would you have enjoyed a caning at the hands of some Jr.Officer....Of course you would...Its apart of the NAVAL History you embrase Give me a break.....
Rating:
Summary: Best debut novel that I have read in a long time.
Review: As a former Navy Midshipman, I wanted the story of Nick Seafort to continue forever. Once I started reading this book I couldn't put it down. One of the best books I have read, combining the best of a good naval adventure with a young man's coming of age. Must reading for every military adventure and sci-fi fan!
Rating:
Summary: OK, so I thought it was excellent!!!
Review: I hate following a crowd of 10's by giving the book a 10. The suspicion being I don't have a mind of my own and I didn't keep my mind open while reading the book. But I really did immensely enjoy this book. Why? For me it was a book about command, duty, loyalty and self sacrifice. Captain Seafort is the best commander in SF and extremely tough. He had to make difficult decisions, take risks and many times go against the majority. He is a pessimistic, paranoid person. But I believed that made him more effective as he was constantly alert for trouble. Optimists don't make effective commanders, they are just careless and sloppy. A pessimistic view of things created an inner doubt in his head that he really screwed things up or that he could have done better. Of course he hadn't, he acted superbly. I admit that reading about his self doubt was starting to bug me, but I took it as part of the author's way of describing the psychological makeup of an excellent commander. And I eventually agreed with it. I also loved the intense loyalties that were developed between the characters. Congrads Mr Feintuch on writing an excellent story. Now on to book 2, Challenger's Hope.
Rating:
Summary: A superperb story line with in-depth characters!!!!
Review: This is one of the finest series I have ever read. Even the supporting cast blends well with Nick Seafort. If you love moral dilemmas, sci-fi, and "real" people in tough situations this book is for you. If you question his decisions, put yourself in his shoes. But really it is a fantastic book. A must read.
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