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The Uplift Saga #1-3
Uplift: The Complete Original Trilogy
WINNER OF THE HUGO, LOCUS AND NEBULA AWARDS Under the caverns of Mercury, the Sundiver Mission prepares for a momentous a journey into the blazing inferno of the sun, to seek our destiny in the cosmic order of life. For in a universe where no species can reach sentience without being 'uplifted' by a patron race, only humanity - it seems - may have climbed to the stars unaided. This is a feat that puzzles and even angers some of the ancient, mighty Galactic Clans. Now, in a saga that warps from Earth to the far-reaches of five galaxies, the greatest mystery of all may be explained . . . This omnibus contains the first three novels in David Brin's classic and award-winning science fiction series, the Uplift SUNDIVER, STARTIDE RISING and THE UPLIFT WAR.
1216 pages, Paperback
First published December 6, 2012
88 people are currently reading
479 people want to read
About the author
David Brin
320 books3,297 followersDavid Brin is a scientist, speaker, and world-known author. His novels have been New York Times Bestsellers, winning multiple Hugo, Nebula and other awards. At least a dozen have been translated into more than twenty languages.
Existence, his latest novel, offers an unusual scenario for first contact. His ecological thriller, Earth, foreshadowed global warming, cyberwarfare and near-future trends such as the World Wide Web. A movie, directed by Kevin Costner, was loosely based on his post-apocalyptic novel, The Postman. Startide Rising won the Hugo and Nebula Awards for best novel. The Uplift War also won the Hugo Award.
His non-fiction book -- The Transparent Society: Will Technology Force Us to Choose Between Freedom and Privacy? -- deals with secrecy in the modern world. It won the Freedom of Speech Prize from the American Library Association.
Brin serves on advisory committees dealing with subjects as diverse as national defense and homeland security, astronomy and space exploration, SETI, nanotechnology, and philanthropy.
David appears frequently on TV, including "The Universe" and on the History Channel's "Life After People."
Full and updated at:
http://www.davidbrin.com/biography.htm
Existence, his latest novel, offers an unusual scenario for first contact. His ecological thriller, Earth, foreshadowed global warming, cyberwarfare and near-future trends such as the World Wide Web. A movie, directed by Kevin Costner, was loosely based on his post-apocalyptic novel, The Postman. Startide Rising won the Hugo and Nebula Awards for best novel. The Uplift War also won the Hugo Award.
His non-fiction book -- The Transparent Society: Will Technology Force Us to Choose Between Freedom and Privacy? -- deals with secrecy in the modern world. It won the Freedom of Speech Prize from the American Library Association.
Brin serves on advisory committees dealing with subjects as diverse as national defense and homeland security, astronomy and space exploration, SETI, nanotechnology, and philanthropy.
David appears frequently on TV, including "The Universe" and on the History Channel's "Life After People."
Full and updated at:
http://www.davidbrin.com/biography.htm
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Displaying 1 - 27 of 27 reviews
January 1, 2015
The trilogy is excellent. The three books can be read separately, what ties them together is the world and there's a slight cause and effect between the second and the third book.
The setting is in the future, where mankind has made contact with sentient alien life, and found itself in an awkward position. Intelligent alien life has existed for billions of years (even before the solar system was formed), and sentience has a way of "Uplifting" new sentience. So, every known intelligent species in the galaxy is known to have a "patron" species, ie. the species that brought the "client" from a primitive form into a sentience and intelligence. Humanity, however, doesn't have a known patron species, and it is believed that either humanity has "grown" intelligence through evolution, or that it's patron has abandoned it before completing its Uplift. Humans are then a "wolfing" species, and has no prestige and would be expected to die out soon. Except that, when the humans first make contact, they are already in the process of "Uplifting" chimpanzees and dolphins, and this wins them great prestige among many alien species. Humanity now has to face galactic politics (some proud species don't accept humanity among them) as well as learn as much as it can from the billions of years of knowledge accumulated by the aliens in the "library".
The first book (Sundiver) is arguably the worst, but for me it is still placed high among the books I've read. It's a short mystery that occurs IIRC 200 years before the other books. As a mystery book, I didn't feel it innovative or particularly groundbreaking, but I considered it interesting and fun. The science fiction scenario is what I liked most, and it really prepares the reader for the following two books. As for the characters in the book, I found that they could have been better fleshed out, but it's not something that hurts the story.
The second book (Startide Rising) is the best (and winner of the Nebula Award). The premise is that the first space ship commanded by dolphins finds something strange that's not documented in the galactic library, and that has potential to be relevant to ancient galactic religions. This causes some fanatic alien species to chase the space ship, which ends up hit and flees to an ocean planet in which they can hide and repair their ship. War rages in space around the planet, while the dolphin crew, it's chimpanzee scientist and helper humans do what they can to try to survive, discover the secrets of the planet, fix their ship, deal with an internal rebellion, and devise a plan to escape so that they can report their findings to Earth. The story is awesome, and the characters are fun. For me what was most impressive was that it seemed extremely fast-paced, but not rushing anything.
The third book (The Uplift War) is very good, but I have a feeling it fell short of what it intended. It is an epic, being the largest book and with the most complicated arcs (there is one arc that extends almost the whole book that was a prank set up by one of the aliens). It is fun, and it touches a lot of important topics. I would give it a four and a half stars if I could.
What I would recommend, for anyone that's interested, is to read them in order if you like science fiction and is interested in the saga. Otherwise, start with Startide Rising, knowing that it's the best book. If you really enjoy it, read Sundiver, but lower your expectations. Sundiver is short, and it will help you have an idea if you want to embark in the journey of reading The Uplift War. The final book is almost as good as Startide Rising but longer and more complex, and a lot better than Sundiver.
The setting is in the future, where mankind has made contact with sentient alien life, and found itself in an awkward position. Intelligent alien life has existed for billions of years (even before the solar system was formed), and sentience has a way of "Uplifting" new sentience. So, every known intelligent species in the galaxy is known to have a "patron" species, ie. the species that brought the "client" from a primitive form into a sentience and intelligence. Humanity, however, doesn't have a known patron species, and it is believed that either humanity has "grown" intelligence through evolution, or that it's patron has abandoned it before completing its Uplift. Humans are then a "wolfing" species, and has no prestige and would be expected to die out soon. Except that, when the humans first make contact, they are already in the process of "Uplifting" chimpanzees and dolphins, and this wins them great prestige among many alien species. Humanity now has to face galactic politics (some proud species don't accept humanity among them) as well as learn as much as it can from the billions of years of knowledge accumulated by the aliens in the "library".
The first book (Sundiver) is arguably the worst, but for me it is still placed high among the books I've read. It's a short mystery that occurs IIRC 200 years before the other books. As a mystery book, I didn't feel it innovative or particularly groundbreaking, but I considered it interesting and fun. The science fiction scenario is what I liked most, and it really prepares the reader for the following two books. As for the characters in the book, I found that they could have been better fleshed out, but it's not something that hurts the story.
The second book (Startide Rising) is the best (and winner of the Nebula Award). The premise is that the first space ship commanded by dolphins finds something strange that's not documented in the galactic library, and that has potential to be relevant to ancient galactic religions. This causes some fanatic alien species to chase the space ship, which ends up hit and flees to an ocean planet in which they can hide and repair their ship. War rages in space around the planet, while the dolphin crew, it's chimpanzee scientist and helper humans do what they can to try to survive, discover the secrets of the planet, fix their ship, deal with an internal rebellion, and devise a plan to escape so that they can report their findings to Earth. The story is awesome, and the characters are fun. For me what was most impressive was that it seemed extremely fast-paced, but not rushing anything.
The third book (The Uplift War) is very good, but I have a feeling it fell short of what it intended. It is an epic, being the largest book and with the most complicated arcs (there is one arc that extends almost the whole book that was a prank set up by one of the aliens). It is fun, and it touches a lot of important topics. I would give it a four and a half stars if I could.
What I would recommend, for anyone that's interested, is to read them in order if you like science fiction and is interested in the saga. Otherwise, start with Startide Rising, knowing that it's the best book. If you really enjoy it, read Sundiver, but lower your expectations. Sundiver is short, and it will help you have an idea if you want to embark in the journey of reading The Uplift War. The final book is almost as good as Startide Rising but longer and more complex, and a lot better than Sundiver.
May 26, 2014
Having struggled just to get to the end of ‘Existence’, some aberrant force of nature made me buy this monstrous tome in the misguided hope that perhaps Brinn deserved another chance.
The central concept of uplift is original and in another author’s hands it could have given rise to an exceptional story. The Brinn treatment, however, was the kiss of death. Just like ‘Existence’, this enormous volume (1200 pages of small print) is unbelievably slow and disjointed but I struggled on manfully through the first book hoping beyond reason that it might gather some pace. It didn’t. The admittedly original and imaginative ideas just got bogged-down in a quagmire of rambling, superfluous packing. Adding to that the bizarre lack of full stops and sloppy grammar I really should have learnt my lesson but, nope, I waded into the second book. Oh dear. Silly me. The whole dolphin thing just doesn’t work – it’s totally daft & implausible and my complete failure to suspend disbelief made it even more of a slog than the first book. Hmmm, then there’s the poetry – ‘nuff said. I started on the third book but the recurrence of doggerel verse was just too much to bear.
Perhaps if I didn’t have anything else to read and I was marooned on a desert island with nothing else to do, I would finish this book. I’m more likely, however, to use it as a door stop. It is all a matter of taste, of course, and the world would be a dull place if we all liked the same things but I didn’t enjoy it at all. Thankfully I have the perfect Brinn antidote – ‘Abaddon’s Gate’ is lurking appealingly in the book case…
The central concept of uplift is original and in another author’s hands it could have given rise to an exceptional story. The Brinn treatment, however, was the kiss of death. Just like ‘Existence’, this enormous volume (1200 pages of small print) is unbelievably slow and disjointed but I struggled on manfully through the first book hoping beyond reason that it might gather some pace. It didn’t. The admittedly original and imaginative ideas just got bogged-down in a quagmire of rambling, superfluous packing. Adding to that the bizarre lack of full stops and sloppy grammar I really should have learnt my lesson but, nope, I waded into the second book. Oh dear. Silly me. The whole dolphin thing just doesn’t work – it’s totally daft & implausible and my complete failure to suspend disbelief made it even more of a slog than the first book. Hmmm, then there’s the poetry – ‘nuff said. I started on the third book but the recurrence of doggerel verse was just too much to bear.
Perhaps if I didn’t have anything else to read and I was marooned on a desert island with nothing else to do, I would finish this book. I’m more likely, however, to use it as a door stop. It is all a matter of taste, of course, and the world would be a dull place if we all liked the same things but I didn’t enjoy it at all. Thankfully I have the perfect Brinn antidote – ‘Abaddon’s Gate’ is lurking appealingly in the book case…
September 11, 2014
Sundiver: I enjoyed plunging into this mixed world of hard science and story fiction. Brin's depiction of the sun during the dives is wonderful, bringing to life a world we can only imagine. I thought the story was a little overblown, either he was trying to hard or I just wasn't keeping up as I should. Still overall a very entertaining read.
Startide Rising: A better conceived story, the dolphins are delightful characters and I think Brin has captured what we know of the animals now in their native state. However, it was another tale of paranoia and betrayal that was a little too turgid. The human characters were not filled out as well as I would have liked and I related to the dolphins better. Interesting aliens though and enough plots and subplots to fill several books.
Uplift War: This book was too much for me. Too long, plodding plot line, plastic characters. The tymbrini were obviously crafted to be likeable aliens but I tended to find them annoying, sort of likes humans but so much more so. I thought the Gubru were entertaining and could easily see them squawking and squabbling. The chimps left me flat and I kept thinking they were all from New York rather than a unique species. Overall, I feel the book would have been improved by judicious shortening, more attention to advancing the plot and less time being clever and amusing.
Startide Rising: A better conceived story, the dolphins are delightful characters and I think Brin has captured what we know of the animals now in their native state. However, it was another tale of paranoia and betrayal that was a little too turgid. The human characters were not filled out as well as I would have liked and I related to the dolphins better. Interesting aliens though and enough plots and subplots to fill several books.
Uplift War: This book was too much for me. Too long, plodding plot line, plastic characters. The tymbrini were obviously crafted to be likeable aliens but I tended to find them annoying, sort of likes humans but so much more so. I thought the Gubru were entertaining and could easily see them squawking and squabbling. The chimps left me flat and I kept thinking they were all from New York rather than a unique species. Overall, I feel the book would have been improved by judicious shortening, more attention to advancing the plot and less time being clever and amusing.
October 24, 2016
As with most of my reads this year... Pending review... but here... just some random comments off the top of my head: The general consensus regarding Sundiver is that a lot of people didn't enjoy it - I on the other hand thought it was a fair book which I found held my interest. Somehow for some strange reason it reminded me of Sierra Onlines Space Quest series... Probably just more of the feel it left me with and not any particular story, character or plot element. The remaining two books though are apparently where it's at. Humanity's patron races in all their inglorious quirkiness. Interesting stuff. Somehow I ended up enjoying the 3rd book more than the 2nd one... I felt I had a lot more fun and felt more engaged with the cast on Garth as everyone seemed to mesh more (and also probably due to the great streak of ironic humour that played a big part in the story). Then again... talking dolphin spacers! Massive space battles! Very alien aliens... What's not to like? Overall... very interesting world/galaxy society building. And yet... 1200 pages later... still no definite answer on the Progenitors. Lel. *eyes follow-up trilogy*
August 3, 2017
There are a few plot holes in these books that prevent me from giving it a 5 star. However, if there were a rating for Enjoyability, I'd give it 5. David Brin is one of my hero authors, I wish I could write plot holes the way he does. The story of the Sundiver and how Earth comes to intergalactic power... wow.
Some of my favorite parts... when they find all the derelict ships on the sub-oceanic fault line waiting to be recycled into the planet's core. That idea alone was a fantastic one. The portrayal of the gas creatures... could have been awkward but in my mind, they looked like spacesuit wearing mini-Jupiters doing stuff.
Some of my favorite parts... when they find all the derelict ships on the sub-oceanic fault line waiting to be recycled into the planet's core. That idea alone was a fantastic one. The portrayal of the gas creatures... could have been awkward but in my mind, they looked like spacesuit wearing mini-Jupiters doing stuff.
May 21, 2021
Always the shadow of Banks.......
, Robinson and Tchaikovsky.
When reading new sci-fi authors I am perhaps a little hobbled by these three greats. Do I judge other authors too harshly? Nope, I don't think so; between Banks' flawless plot development and mastery of Space Opera, Robinson's vision and scientific detail, and Tchaikovsky's amazing use of animal personas and moral questioning, they three set challenges for other sci-fi writers. Or did David Brin get there 'first'?
Before I say anything else I MUST comment negatively on Brinn's use of "Abbo" in book two. Did he not realise that in Australia "Abbo" is used as "Ni**er" is used in the US? That it has no place in the mouths of the characters in this book, who didn't treat the pre sentients in any discernibly racist way. Especially strange when his characters discourage the use of "Etees" to describe non earthlings. Or did I miss the point?
Regardless, this trilogy is excellent, if flawed by some basic missteps. In many ways each of the three books are standalone works based on the themes of galactic community and uplift. Book one leaves the 'sun dwellers' in its wake and links only directly with book two by that books mention Jacob Demwa, while book three does likewise in its scant references to Streaker. It's almost as if Brinn hadn't decided how to put together a trilogy.
In other areas he also displays a sense of amateurism in constructing his stories. He relies a little too much on weak plot infrastructure - I found his use of "the five galaxies" device disappointing in that any space civilisation that had existed for billions of years would surely have expanded to more galaxies. Additionally he doesn't do well on weaponry and sensors - relying on direct input by ship operators and not using computer/AI's to operate such systems. And most of all the laws of physics must chuckle at Streaker being able to operate so well in space while welded into an 'unprecedentedly huge' Thrennian (?) Battleship - perhaps a smaller warship with unprecedented armour might have worked better?
The resourcefulness of his Humans (and Chimps, and friendly ETs) is almost racist in that they always defeat their enemies by their intelligence and guile. And his heroes always get the girl - not even the girl getting the boy!
I could go on but already I feel curmudgeonly and nit picking. I really enjoyed all three books and highly recommend them to Hard Sci-Fi and Space Opera fans.
Now to read more of him.....
, Robinson and Tchaikovsky.
When reading new sci-fi authors I am perhaps a little hobbled by these three greats. Do I judge other authors too harshly? Nope, I don't think so; between Banks' flawless plot development and mastery of Space Opera, Robinson's vision and scientific detail, and Tchaikovsky's amazing use of animal personas and moral questioning, they three set challenges for other sci-fi writers. Or did David Brin get there 'first'?
Before I say anything else I MUST comment negatively on Brinn's use of "Abbo" in book two. Did he not realise that in Australia "Abbo" is used as "Ni**er" is used in the US? That it has no place in the mouths of the characters in this book, who didn't treat the pre sentients in any discernibly racist way. Especially strange when his characters discourage the use of "Etees" to describe non earthlings. Or did I miss the point?
Regardless, this trilogy is excellent, if flawed by some basic missteps. In many ways each of the three books are standalone works based on the themes of galactic community and uplift. Book one leaves the 'sun dwellers' in its wake and links only directly with book two by that books mention Jacob Demwa, while book three does likewise in its scant references to Streaker. It's almost as if Brinn hadn't decided how to put together a trilogy.
In other areas he also displays a sense of amateurism in constructing his stories. He relies a little too much on weak plot infrastructure - I found his use of "the five galaxies" device disappointing in that any space civilisation that had existed for billions of years would surely have expanded to more galaxies. Additionally he doesn't do well on weaponry and sensors - relying on direct input by ship operators and not using computer/AI's to operate such systems. And most of all the laws of physics must chuckle at Streaker being able to operate so well in space while welded into an 'unprecedentedly huge' Thrennian (?) Battleship - perhaps a smaller warship with unprecedented armour might have worked better?
The resourcefulness of his Humans (and Chimps, and friendly ETs) is almost racist in that they always defeat their enemies by their intelligence and guile. And his heroes always get the girl - not even the girl getting the boy!
I could go on but already I feel curmudgeonly and nit picking. I really enjoyed all three books and highly recommend them to Hard Sci-Fi and Space Opera fans.
Now to read more of him.....
April 8, 2020
É espantoso a quantidade de vezes que estes livros me foram recomendados. Completamente pulp fiction, sem grande profundidade, personagens bidimensionais, ideias vulgares e não muito inspiradas, bastante racismo e sexismo à mistura, etc etc. Nem sei bem o que dizer, há outros livros a explorar comunidades intergaláticas muito melhor que este. Há outros livros que exploram primeiro contacto melhor que este (Sparrow de Mary Doria Russel).
Como um amigo meu costuma dizer, não sinto nenhuma retórica neste livro.
Tão bom como um filme de domingo à tarde de verão. Serve para passar o tempo que estamos com ele, mas não deixa impacto nenhum (pelo menos em mim).
Como um amigo meu costuma dizer, não sinto nenhuma retórica neste livro.
Tão bom como um filme de domingo à tarde de verão. Serve para passar o tempo que estamos com ele, mas não deixa impacto nenhum (pelo menos em mim).
September 6, 2017
iI am going through the Legendary era of "1980's Hard SciFi". This is completely out of my comfort zone, as the 1950's in my favorite decade of SciFi literature, and I do not consider myself technical enough to be fully able to appreciate Hard-Scifi. I had to consult the Wiki several times to understand the nuances and overall-direction the novel was taking me.
Three-stars. This book was more a retelling of Startide Rising. The Gubru were my favorite characters. And this was a very memorable read, though not necessarily a fun read.
Three-stars. This book was more a retelling of Startide Rising. The Gubru were my favorite characters. And this was a very memorable read, though not necessarily a fun read.
May 15, 2023
Ok I quit
Its hard for me to read books from before the digital revolution, and this novel is heavy on the futuristic “science” (including fax tech) that takes me out of the narrative.
The writing is stolid and not compelling; I picked it up half a dozen times without making it through more than a few pages. I sm a binge reader, and abandoning this for something more entertaining
Its hard for me to read books from before the digital revolution, and this novel is heavy on the futuristic “science” (including fax tech) that takes me out of the narrative.
The writing is stolid and not compelling; I picked it up half a dozen times without making it through more than a few pages. I sm a binge reader, and abandoning this for something more entertaining
September 29, 2024
Overall, my main thought is that the author has some sort of animal fetish that worms its way in to normal conversation wayyy too much. That said, they're good books, proper world building and real traditional sci-fi. I think Brin hatched from an egg and never spoke to a woman but hey ho can't have it all
September 14, 2021
A classic but in a more portable format. What's not to like?A nd then I Have to add more characters
That didn't think necessary 16 more words no no no no no no no no no no more meaningful words.
That didn't think necessary 16 more words no no no no no no no no no no more meaningful words.
July 23, 2018
Great reads and really enjoyable. Of you enjoyed Iain M Banks you should enjoy this too, though it doesn't always have the same depth.
July 4, 2019
Finished Startide Rising July 2019.
June 18, 2022
I had a hard time reading this book.
I got around 850 pages and stopped.
The idea is great, and I loved it but I don't know why I had difficulty to read this book.
I got around 850 pages and stopped.
The idea is great, and I loved it but I don't know why I had difficulty to read this book.
August 26, 2016
I really enjoyed this omnibus. Many years ago I read Sundiver, but I can barely remember it. I had also started Startide Rising but just couldn't get into it. My only excuse is that I may have been too young to appreciate it. Having returned to these novels now, I am really glad I did. This is a great series with a very poignant message and a moral that is suited to today as much as it was when they were written. A science fiction series, occasionally referred to as hard sci-fi, though with such character driven stories I think that may be a misdescription, this is a beautifully developed series of novels that tells a strong story in each novel, with each story completely capable of standing on its own. This was a lovely read, with a lot to think about and a great deal to recommend it even today. I will be recommending this omnibus to several of my friends. A great read.
August 1, 2014
I'm left with mixed feelings about this series. This was not a trilogy in a normal sense but a collection of books set in the same universe. Story lines are not carried on from each book and ideas are often left hanging.
The writing was creative but I never felt glued to their pages. The author went bird walking so often with ideas that ultimately didn't contribute to the narrative or the character.
The writing was creative but I never felt glued to their pages. The author went bird walking so often with ideas that ultimately didn't contribute to the narrative or the character.
June 13, 2014
I found these books to be pretty bad. The do not deserve to be named trilogy in my opinion. The books are set in the same world, true, but the connection between them is pretty loose. None of each book's main character overlap into other books. A few are mentioned in the others and that is it. The stories themselves are not very good either. They are pretty dull and only interesting feature is the amount of different cultures and races the writer has thought of...
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February 8, 2017Good start to trilogy
After a good start things get weird. I am not sure if the world was really ready for more planet of the apes.
After a good start things get weird. I am not sure if the world was really ready for more planet of the apes.
April 6, 2014
Interesting ideas and overall a good 3 books. Like others have stated, the overall themes are much more interesting than the individual stories, but the depth of the universe in "The Five Galaxies" is extremely emmersive.
August 27, 2013
ojämn, 1:a och 3:e delen var 4 stjärnor men mittboken drar ned betyget
September 17, 2014
finished sundiver, really dont fancy Startide Rising but will get back to it
July 25, 2014
Read these long ago and really enjoyed them. Adult reading, Love it that earth's about to get its ass kicked around every corner.
November 27, 2014
The pace is not very fast. But well written mostly. Interesting ideas for sure..
January 13, 2016
I really wanted to like this. However, 18% in (kindle-speak, whatever that is in real terms) gave up. I just couldn't get past talking bushes.
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September 4, 2016Excellent trilogy of uplifting other species to full sapiency. Brilliant!
April 17, 2017
Three pretty good diverse stories about believable aliens and uplifted dolphins and chimps. Some of the story lines / twists are pretty farfetched though.
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September 18, 2018Enjoyed it. Nice concepts.
Displaying 1 - 27 of 27 reviews