THE HELMSMAN: Director's Cut Edition

The Helmsman #1

by Bill Baldwin

Originally published in 1983, when the novel sold thousands of copies in its first printing, The Helmsman is the starting point for Bill Baldwin's epic, eight-part militaristic space opera - The Helmsman Saga. Using actual histories of World Wars I and II as template, the novel chronicles the adventures of StarSailor and extraordinary Helmsman Wilf Brim during an epoch of discord and outright war among various star-nations within our own galaxy.

This special, "Director's Cut" Edition is heavily re-written, a la George Lucas' rewrite of the Star Wars Trilogy, to bring it more in line with later novels in the series, as well as existing "Director's Cut" Editions of Galactic Convoy, The Trophy; the five other "Director's Cut" editions to come; and the continuation novel now in the works: The Turning Tide.

The novel begins as Brim—a 21-year-old SubLieutenant in the Imperial Fleet—arrives at the Eorean Starwharves, a maintenance complex within the planet-spanning Fleet base on watery Gimmas-Haefdon. On first assignment since receiving his commission, Brim is fresh from The Helmsman's Academy, where he weathered years of torment from wealthy classmates because of his impoverished background. Heretofore, the Academy had been a "private club" for the scions of Imperial wealth; however, enormous numbers of casualties during the present war with the League of Dark Stars has called for desperate measures to expedite replacement of these losses.

Brim's first ship is I.F.S. Truculent, a “T”-class destroyer, just the right kind of starship for the young Brim to cut his teeth on—with challenges galore to rapidly make a veteran of the young Helmsman. And even though his torments continue, in part because of long-held prejudices among the wealthy, the starship is populated with a crew largely made up from races and economic classes glad to help the young man with his career in any way they can.

As one might expect, the love interest for this poor-as-a-church mouse hero is none other than one of the Empire's most beautiful, most desirable royalty: Princess Margot of the Effer'wyck star kingdom. And though nothing goes easily for Brim—including Princess Margot herself—he acquits himself with bravery, aplomb, and daring as he begins carving a future for himself in the midst of a long, complex Galactic struggle.

Genres: Science Fiction, Fiction, Military Fiction, Science Fiction Fantasy, Adventure

320 pages, Kindle Edition

First published June 1, 1985

Reviews

[Text Addict · Rating 3 out of 5]

Of course, I also like greasy tortilla chips piled high with melted cheese and bits of sliced olives and stuff. Not as a steady diet, but now and then. You have been warned.

[D.F. Haley · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was surprisingly better than I remember it being, having read it years ago. I was amused to discover that the recent Imperials book by M. Snodgrass borrowed many of the exact same plot elements (over-achieving lower caste military hero meets imperial princess & begins hopeless relationship, for instance). However, the picaresque tale told here has more space navy substance and less political/psychological maneuvering. This is a straightforward military coming-of-age book, a genre I enjoy as a guilty pleasure. This book hits all the right notes, and I enjoyed reading it again.

[Michael · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is the first book in "The Helmsman" series by Bill Baldwin. I have had this book in my to read pile for a while now and decided to read it because I am a fan of Space Opera/Military Science Fiction. I was a little disappointed in it however. The story line was pretty standard stuff. A poor boy named Wilf Brim from a backwards planet makes it into the space academy where he is looked down upon by the higher class students. Upon graduation he is assigned to a starship where he decides to prove himself to everyone and he does! Along the way he falls in love with a pretty Lieutenant who turns out to be a princess. She is betrothed to a prince, but against all, odds she loves Wilf back. One thing I didn't like about this book was that at every meeting between the Princess and Wilf they would spout obscure poetry at each other. I have the next book in this series in my to read pile but I don't know if I will ever get around to reading it.

[Stutley Constable · Rating 4 out of 5]

While the science and the practical qualities of this book are dated, the adventure is fun. The characters are interesting if a little off the shelf. This is a very fun series of books and a good one for the younger readers transitioning from the young adults books to full fledged novels. I read it for the first time when I was in high school and have read it again twice. It still holds that youthful charm for a crusty old man in his forties.

[Steven Allen · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is my third time reading this series, but will be a first in two ways - my first time reading all eight books in succession, and my first time reading them all in electronic format.

In my late teens I discovered the Helmsman space opera series and enjoyed them. The Helmsman series, at the time, was the first space opera that I read with somewhat graphic sex (pretty mild by comparison today) and written by a history buff.

As someone interested in both World Wars and familiar with several of the naval battles used as templates for the conflicts in these books, I have enjoyed them every time I read them.

I have always thought that Wilf Brim and the Carescrian people were based on the Irish with some Welsh mixed in. The way that the author describes treatment of the Carescrian people in the mines, is similar to how the Irish and Welsh were treated in the coal mines.

As someone from a marginalized, disenfranchised segment of society to rise so quickly has always made me think "bullshit." For someone to date a royal and known to spend time in her bed, I always had to suspend some belief that a Carescrian would rise to bed a royal princess so quickly.

Granted it says a lot about Margot's character that she is able to see past Wilf's humble origins and does not let that stop her from loving him, despite her royal obligations. Thankfully the romantic aspects are few and far enough in the background that it does not read like a space romance.

Noticed a lot of typos and errors in this version, not enough to detract from reading but enough to pull me from the action for a minute. I like the expanded version but still wish there was more about some of the minor characters such as Colonel Dark.

[Thomas W Shepherd · Rating 5 out of 5]

Intense, Gritty, Magnificent

This is my third voyage through Bill Baldwin's superb Helmsman series, and I am still learning more about the craft of sci-fi writing with every page. Baldwin takes you there, from the day when Sublieutenant Wilf Brim boards the IFS Truculent until he receives the Imperial Comet decoration from the hand of Prince Onrad. The action is fast, the world building magnificent and specific, the characters unforgettable.

HIGHLY RECOMMEND.

[Don Jenkins · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great Book

Enjoyable sci-fi novel. It has it all, action, adventure, comradely, a very believable history, and an interesting science. It also touches on social injustice, class conflict, and even has a love affair. The battles are gripping and intense, the heroics believable and admirable. Overall a great military sci-fin novel.

[danno salzano · Rating 4 out of 5]

Read it back in the 80s and loved it. Almost 40 years later I'm enjoying it again. As a grown man the sex scenes are kinda graphic and gross. Bill just doesn't have erotic prose. Suppose it was a must have for the young boys who read scifi then. I'm sure i thought it was great when i read ot ad a virgin.

[Lubos Elexa · Rating 4 out of 5]

Návrat k sérii po asi 20 rokoch. V zásade trochu prostoduchý dej, priamočiary smerom k hrdinovi. Ale prekne vykreslený svet plný konfliktov, ktoré sa neopakujú. Akurát rozmýšľam, kto bol skôr, či Wilf Brim alebo Honor Harrington.
Jedna * navyše za nostalgiu.

[Steven Allen · Rating 4 out of 5]

I wanted to compare the director's cut to the old paperback version.

[Lawrence Oliver · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good solid Space Opera. The good guy is good, the ships are cool, the stories are good and the alien bears are fun too.

[Dantegideon · Rating 2 out of 5]

Tedious and silly.

[Tim Kirchhofer · Rating 5 out of 5]

I can’t say enough good things about this book. I have read this book at least 6 times. Never gets old.

[NorvinMV · Rating 4 out of 5]

I would have given it a five but I had to skip over a couple pages of smut.

[Daiva · Rating 3 out of 5]

☆3.2

[Cristian Manea · Rating 5 out of 5]

Somehow it's my new number one, I wouldn't have guessed from a book written 25 years ago.

[Kim · Rating 2 out of 5]

couldn't get into this book. I did not finish it

[Bill Barnes · Rating 3 out of 5]

Good story....but

The author is very good at story telling. Actually too good. He has a tendancy to get too verbose and wastes numerous pages with inconsequential stuff. I found myself skimming multiple pages of descriptions that were no more than page fillers. His use of extraterrestrial measurements became confusing. There was no need for it and only served to blur the mental image of what was being described. English or Metric would have been easier to imagine. Haven't yet decided to tackle another plethora of cycles, and such.

[Bryan457 · Rating 2 out of 5]

It was ok. Well, except for the poetry spouting romance scenes. I could have done without those. Actually, cutting out all the romance scenes would cut the size of the book by 1/3 & boost it to 3 stars.
The atmosphere of the book felt very British-ww2-navy.
I think in the artwork they should make him some sort of minority.
I doubt I will read anymore.
It just wasn't up to series like Sten, Honor Harrington, Lost Fleet, Lt. Leary, Star Carrier, or Old Man's War.

[Sharon Michael · Rating 3 out of 5]

Fun, although did not read as smoothly as it could have. The main characters are relatively well developed and the battle scenes read well, but the love/sex scenes felt awkward. This is one of those series I would continue with if my local library had them, but I don't think this will become a "keep to re-read" for me, so I doubt if I will purchase the next one.

[Barry · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent Space Navy Science Fiction. Main character Wilf Brim very strongly written with space and land battles galore
It having been a few years since I read this book I'd forgotten how terrific it is. Excellent Military Space Navy space opera. A strong almost believable romance and fantastic battle scenes. Great and happily I have 7 more books in the series to re read

[Dave · Rating 3 out of 5]

Fun, workmanlike, rags to riches space opera. The main character is fun, the episodes are entertaining, some of the plot twists are enjoyably improbable, and lots of spaceships blow up. Don't ask for more, and this is just the ticket.

[Gene Elig · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book although set far in the future has the feel of a tale of a Knight in shining armour. I have heard that this series is over 10 books now thogh I have read only 6. I would easily give the ones I have read 4 stars ( the first gets 5).

[Vitaliy Hristyuk · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good reading!

I still don't know if this is a space opera or a parody of one :) Stoned space Nazis, bears on troikas, hyperscreen on bridges... But this is good and action-packed story. I quite enjoyed it.

[Edward]

A very good start to a great Space Opera series and I do not like Space Opera.

[Patrick Ramsey]

Interestingly dramatized. A lot of futuristic description and dialogue, but it was able to hold my attention pretty well.

[Michael Ellefson · Rating 4 out of 5]

Excellent read

I am rereading this book after many years.
baldwin weaves an excellent tale, with believable characters. you will enjoy the read!

[Robin Halvorson · Rating 3 out of 5]

Old school science fiction - sorta like Horatio Hornblower in space but not as well done as David Weber's Honor Harrington series. A good but not great read.

[Michael T Bradley · Rating 1 out of 5]

Didn't get very far in this. Tried the "director's cut." The writing style just didn't jibe w/my sensibilities, I guess. Very, very dull to me.

[Kin Orr · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love rereading The Helmsman series. It is like visiting an old friend.