What do you think?
Rate this book
JAG in Space #4
Against All Enemies
Someone onboard the USS Michaelson is selling secrets, and to uncover the traitor, legal officer Lieutenant Paul Sinclair must walk the dangerous line between duty and honor.
352 pages, Mass Market Paperback
First published December 27, 2005
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 51 reviews
January 26, 2015
Below is a review/look at the series as a whole, not just the one book!
The mission statement taken from the official website of the United States Navy Judge Advocate General’s Corps (U.S. Navy JAG):
The Navy Judge Advocate General’s Corps provides solutions, from a military perspective, to legal issues involving military operations, organization, and personnel, wherever and whenever such solutions are required, with primary focus on operations, accountability, Sailor legal readiness, and Navy legal readiness.
While this may seem like a strange place to start when talking about a Sci-Fi series set in space, in the future, it’s actually very relevant to the series in question. Not only does it give a brief and factual statement on what the JAG Corps do, the books in this series are written by a former Navy Officer, one who served on different assignments during his career, and has direct experience with legal matters in the US Navy.
The author? John G Hemry. The series? JAG in Space. The books? A Just Determination, Burden of Proof, Rule of Evidence, Against All Enemies.
The UK covers to the series, available from Titan Books
Many of you out there might recognise John G Hemry as the man behind Jack Campbell, author of the Lost Fleet series of books. Using that pen name, Hemry has been hitting the bestseller lists with his Lost Fleet series (starting with Dauntless), and with the more recent Beyond the Frontier (Dreadnaught, Invincible, Guardian, Steadfast) and Lost Stars (Tarnished Knight, Perilous Shield) series. However, before John ‘Black Jack’ Geary came into being there was another Navy Officer that Hemry was writing about: Paul Sinclair.
Ensign Paul Sinclair boards the USS Michaelson to begin his career in the US Navy, a Navy that now includes spaceships in its fleet. As humanity and its governments start to leave Earth and inhabit the solar system, the Navies of these governments find themselves in a new environment, but events are more than familiar. During his time aboard the Michaelson – which spans the four books of this series – Sinclair faces many different situations, ranging from normal day-to-day activities and duties related to his role, to the more serious and unusual tasks he comes across in his role as the ships legal officer.
I think one of the aspects that really needs to be highlighted from the get-go is the way that Hemry portrays the Navy, Officers, Enlisted, and, well, generally everything about this series. In short, the novels read as very real and very believable. Take away the sci-fi aspect and you could easily be reading about life aboard ocean going ships in the current Navy. Hemry establishes this early on, and effectively uses the current Navy structure along with his own experiences in a solid and rigid structure. I’m not a military person, I don’t know whether or not what I’m reading is fact or fiction when it comes to the regulations and behaviours of the Navy personnel, but Hemry is confident in his delivery and doesn’t contradict himself at all in the telling. I believe what I read, and that’s a huge part of a successful story.
With such a rigid structure used to tell the story you could be forgiven in thinking that the characters would be cardboard cut-outs, the generic military personnel you find in many a story. Hemry, thankfully, doesn’t fall into this trap. His characters are well defined and the majority have distinct personalities that defy convention. Of course, there are going to be the odd one or two here and there that meet expectations in that sense, but they’re few and far between. Even then, over the course of the series we become more familiar with many of the characters, enough to dispel initial impressions assigning them to certain camps.
a-just-determination
The re-issue cover of the US edition, available from ACE Books
At the heart of this series is the legal drama, it’s as simple as that. And boy, do we get our money’s worth. From early on in the first novel, A Just Determination, it’s clear that Hemry knows his stuff and plans on getting the most out of it. From ‘Captain’s Mast’ sessions, to queries Sinclair has to clarify regarding orders, to Court Martials, this series really does deliver. He builds on it from there, with each novel giving a distinct and unique look at the legal system within the Navy.
While the vast majority of the JAG in Space novels are pretty much on the ball, there is one aspect that perhaps falls short: worldbuilding. This is more relevant to the first couple of novels, with the space situation not really that clear – where is it set, how from Earth has humanity travelled, what technology is in use. As the novels progress this becomes resolved and, as a whole, the series becomes thoroughly well constructed.
While sticking to an established structure and perhaps appealing to those who like military stories, the JAG in Space series really does offer plenty for readers in general. The series is also concluded nicely by the end of Against All Enemies, but even then its open to more stories. Personally I’d like to read more about the trials and tribulations of Paul Sinclair, and I’ll hold out hope that Hemry returns to this once he’s done with the adventures of Black Jack.
In short, for intelligent and well thought out sci-fi, you shouldn’t look any further the Jag in Space. Highly recommended.
The mission statement taken from the official website of the United States Navy Judge Advocate General’s Corps (U.S. Navy JAG):
The Navy Judge Advocate General’s Corps provides solutions, from a military perspective, to legal issues involving military operations, organization, and personnel, wherever and whenever such solutions are required, with primary focus on operations, accountability, Sailor legal readiness, and Navy legal readiness.
While this may seem like a strange place to start when talking about a Sci-Fi series set in space, in the future, it’s actually very relevant to the series in question. Not only does it give a brief and factual statement on what the JAG Corps do, the books in this series are written by a former Navy Officer, one who served on different assignments during his career, and has direct experience with legal matters in the US Navy.
The author? John G Hemry. The series? JAG in Space. The books? A Just Determination, Burden of Proof, Rule of Evidence, Against All Enemies.
The UK covers to the series, available from Titan Books
Many of you out there might recognise John G Hemry as the man behind Jack Campbell, author of the Lost Fleet series of books. Using that pen name, Hemry has been hitting the bestseller lists with his Lost Fleet series (starting with Dauntless), and with the more recent Beyond the Frontier (Dreadnaught, Invincible, Guardian, Steadfast) and Lost Stars (Tarnished Knight, Perilous Shield) series. However, before John ‘Black Jack’ Geary came into being there was another Navy Officer that Hemry was writing about: Paul Sinclair.
Ensign Paul Sinclair boards the USS Michaelson to begin his career in the US Navy, a Navy that now includes spaceships in its fleet. As humanity and its governments start to leave Earth and inhabit the solar system, the Navies of these governments find themselves in a new environment, but events are more than familiar. During his time aboard the Michaelson – which spans the four books of this series – Sinclair faces many different situations, ranging from normal day-to-day activities and duties related to his role, to the more serious and unusual tasks he comes across in his role as the ships legal officer.
I think one of the aspects that really needs to be highlighted from the get-go is the way that Hemry portrays the Navy, Officers, Enlisted, and, well, generally everything about this series. In short, the novels read as very real and very believable. Take away the sci-fi aspect and you could easily be reading about life aboard ocean going ships in the current Navy. Hemry establishes this early on, and effectively uses the current Navy structure along with his own experiences in a solid and rigid structure. I’m not a military person, I don’t know whether or not what I’m reading is fact or fiction when it comes to the regulations and behaviours of the Navy personnel, but Hemry is confident in his delivery and doesn’t contradict himself at all in the telling. I believe what I read, and that’s a huge part of a successful story.
With such a rigid structure used to tell the story you could be forgiven in thinking that the characters would be cardboard cut-outs, the generic military personnel you find in many a story. Hemry, thankfully, doesn’t fall into this trap. His characters are well defined and the majority have distinct personalities that defy convention. Of course, there are going to be the odd one or two here and there that meet expectations in that sense, but they’re few and far between. Even then, over the course of the series we become more familiar with many of the characters, enough to dispel initial impressions assigning them to certain camps.
a-just-determination
The re-issue cover of the US edition, available from ACE Books
At the heart of this series is the legal drama, it’s as simple as that. And boy, do we get our money’s worth. From early on in the first novel, A Just Determination, it’s clear that Hemry knows his stuff and plans on getting the most out of it. From ‘Captain’s Mast’ sessions, to queries Sinclair has to clarify regarding orders, to Court Martials, this series really does deliver. He builds on it from there, with each novel giving a distinct and unique look at the legal system within the Navy.
While the vast majority of the JAG in Space novels are pretty much on the ball, there is one aspect that perhaps falls short: worldbuilding. This is more relevant to the first couple of novels, with the space situation not really that clear – where is it set, how from Earth has humanity travelled, what technology is in use. As the novels progress this becomes resolved and, as a whole, the series becomes thoroughly well constructed.
While sticking to an established structure and perhaps appealing to those who like military stories, the JAG in Space series really does offer plenty for readers in general. The series is also concluded nicely by the end of Against All Enemies, but even then its open to more stories. Personally I’d like to read more about the trials and tribulations of Paul Sinclair, and I’ll hold out hope that Hemry returns to this once he’s done with the adventures of Black Jack.
In short, for intelligent and well thought out sci-fi, you shouldn’t look any further the Jag in Space. Highly recommended.
September 14, 2018
Fourth and final part of this transposition of the US Navy into space, Against All enemies is in the right line of the three previous volumes. The style is limpid, fluid, the characters are very human, very endearing. With always the touch of romance that characterizes the author of the Lost Fleet.
The officers of the USS Michaelson are very well done, very alive. The conduct of the ship, its chain of command and the relations between the officers are strikingly realistic.
As usual the book is divided into two parts: a mission in space very interesting, of a beautiful intensity, which is similar to a submarine mission. As usual in the second half of the book it becomes a courtroom novel, much less interesting and almost deprived of any suspense. In the previous books there were classical but welcome twists but in this latest installment of the series it's very bland.
So we leave the now Lieutenant Paul Sinclair at the end of this fourth installment when he received a new assignment, the door being largely open to a suite that will probably never see the light of day.
JAG in Space is a very unusual SciFi series, centered on the legal functioning of the American Navy, with a very light SciFi universe.
The great talent of the author is to have managed to make novels pleasant to read with that!
The officers of the USS Michaelson are very well done, very alive. The conduct of the ship, its chain of command and the relations between the officers are strikingly realistic.
As usual the book is divided into two parts: a mission in space very interesting, of a beautiful intensity, which is similar to a submarine mission. As usual in the second half of the book it becomes a courtroom novel, much less interesting and almost deprived of any suspense. In the previous books there were classical but welcome twists but in this latest installment of the series it's very bland.
So we leave the now Lieutenant Paul Sinclair at the end of this fourth installment when he received a new assignment, the door being largely open to a suite that will probably never see the light of day.
JAG in Space is a very unusual SciFi series, centered on the legal functioning of the American Navy, with a very light SciFi universe.
The great talent of the author is to have managed to make novels pleasant to read with that!
September 10, 2018
Fourth and final part of this transposition of the US Navy into space, Against All enemies is in the right line of the three previous volumes. The style is limpid, fluid, the characters are very human, very endearing. With always the touch of romance that characterizes the author of the Lost Fleet.
The officers of the USS Michaelson are very well done, very alive. The conduct of the ship, its chain of command and the relations between the officers are strikingly realistic.
As usual the book is divided into two parts: a mission in space very interesting, of a beautiful intensity, which is similar to a submarine mission. As usual in the second half of the book it becomes a courtroom novel, much less interesting and almost deprived of any suspense. In the previous books there were classical but welcome twists but in this latest installment of the series it's very bland.
So we leave the now Lieutenant Paul Sinclair at the end of this fourth installment when he received a new assignment, the door being largely open to a suite that will probably never see the light of day.
JAG in Space is a very unusual SciFi series, centered on the legal functioning of the American Navy, with a very light SciFi universe.
The great talent of the author is to have managed to make novels pleasant to read with that!
The officers of the USS Michaelson are very well done, very alive. The conduct of the ship, its chain of command and the relations between the officers are strikingly realistic.
As usual the book is divided into two parts: a mission in space very interesting, of a beautiful intensity, which is similar to a submarine mission. As usual in the second half of the book it becomes a courtroom novel, much less interesting and almost deprived of any suspense. In the previous books there were classical but welcome twists but in this latest installment of the series it's very bland.
So we leave the now Lieutenant Paul Sinclair at the end of this fourth installment when he received a new assignment, the door being largely open to a suite that will probably never see the light of day.
JAG in Space is a very unusual SciFi series, centered on the legal functioning of the American Navy, with a very light SciFi universe.
The great talent of the author is to have managed to make novels pleasant to read with that!
February 23, 2015
Another great science fiction book by John G. Hemry a.k.a. Jack Campbell. This book is a blend of hard SF, military SF and legal drama. It describes the first tour of duty of a young Navy Ensign (Ensign Paul Sinclair) on a deep space ship. One of his side jobs is as the ships legal adviser. This final entry into the “JAG in Space” series sees Paul Sinclair, who is now a Lieutenant, caught up in an espionage investigation and trial. This is a good book but I wish Hemry had ended the series on a stronger note. I also wish he had written more books. All in all a great read which I highly recommend.
December 13, 2018
What a fantastic end to a great series. The book was gripping and gives a proper goodbye to our hero as he sails off into the sunset, married and happy for the next stage of his life. I wish we could follow him there.
October 16, 2022
The worst part about this book and series is that its done and complete. This was an addicting series for me and I was disappointed that there isn't another novel in the series. The few things I honestly was disappointed about is that Paul eventually didn't become a JAG or that in the final novel that he wasn't on trial.
I really enjoy everything about this series and Jack has a way to give brief moments of laughter and he definitely sets a scene for the reader. You can imagine yourself in this world and his best skill is fleshing out not only the main character, but the side characters.
I WANT MORE!
I will pick up Dauntless and give that series a go and if all goes well Jack Campbell will go on my list of prefered authors. My way of telling who my favorite authors are is either if 1 series is above and beyond or you enjoy multiple series/stand alones from the same author.
Take care and I am satisfied with the ending and the story and there were real consequences to his actions the previous three books and the reputation that he earned.
I really enjoy everything about this series and Jack has a way to give brief moments of laughter and he definitely sets a scene for the reader. You can imagine yourself in this world and his best skill is fleshing out not only the main character, but the side characters.
I WANT MORE!
I will pick up Dauntless and give that series a go and if all goes well Jack Campbell will go on my list of prefered authors. My way of telling who my favorite authors are is either if 1 series is above and beyond or you enjoy multiple series/stand alones from the same author.
Take care and I am satisfied with the ending and the story and there were real consequences to his actions the previous three books and the reputation that he earned.
February 22, 2016
Really enjoyed this, the fourth book in the JAG in Space series by John G. Hemry. Really enjoyed his Lost Fleet series - read them all - and loved this series too!
July 6, 2026
A disappointing end to an otherwise strong series.
The twists and turns and strong characterisation that made books 1 to 3 a pleasure to read were almost entirely missing from this 4th instalment, instead we have the protagonist spending the majority of the book being a passive fly-on-the-wall as events unfold and... go nowhere.
The Mars storyline is left unexplained and also unresolved and has no bearing on the book in any form, if it were removed it would simply mean the wedding was moved a few weeks later. Which itself was barely of any importance to the plot or character development.
Spoilers below...
The twists and turns and strong characterisation that made books 1 to 3 a pleasure to read were almost entirely missing from this 4th instalment, instead we have the protagonist spending the majority of the book being a passive fly-on-the-wall as events unfold and... go nowhere.
The Mars storyline is left unexplained and also unresolved and has no bearing on the book in any form, if it were removed it would simply mean the wedding was moved a few weeks later. Which itself was barely of any importance to the plot or character development.
Spoilers below...
December 21, 2017
If someone had told me, here's this series about military lawyers in a space SciFi env, I am not sure I'd even twitch. But, having read Hemry's other series (written as Jack Campbell) and it's awesome. Word is he switched to a pen name because the earlier series weren't well received. And having caught up with his Campbell series, I decided to try them, I mean, how bad can they be?
Well, they are very compelling reads. He's very good at believable dialog and a wide array of characters. Sure a lot of support characters are tropes, but ... they are support characters, who cares? Main characters are very well developed and well done. Then, having finished book 4, I realized he NEVER described any character physically except for gender and very occasionally height. Proving you can avoid the tedious beginnings of so many books where the author describes everything in tedious detail.
Well, they are very compelling reads. He's very good at believable dialog and a wide array of characters. Sure a lot of support characters are tropes, but ... they are support characters, who cares? Main characters are very well developed and well done. Then, having finished book 4, I realized he NEVER described any character physically except for gender and very occasionally height. Proving you can avoid the tedious beginnings of so many books where the author describes everything in tedious detail.
January 21, 2018
I am really surprised how much I enjoyed this series. I read the Lost Fleet and the other series set in that world so I am familiar with this author. Despite my trepidation at reading this series, I was impressed how this author could make a General Courts Martial interesting enough to read.
I expected that I would be skipping a lot between chapters especially when the trials started. While there is some space combat, that is not where these books really focus.
There is some foul language (they are sailors after all!) and sex is implied but not graphically discussed or described.
I hope that the author will return to this series again as it ended on a decent cliffhanger with the MC heading for the equivalent of Siberia. The author is a retired US Naval officer, so he well knows how petty and vindictive senior officers can be when they feel wronged.
I expected that I would be skipping a lot between chapters especially when the trials started. While there is some space combat, that is not where these books really focus.
There is some foul language (they are sailors after all!) and sex is implied but not graphically discussed or described.
I hope that the author will return to this series again as it ended on a decent cliffhanger with the MC heading for the equivalent of Siberia. The author is a retired US Naval officer, so he well knows how petty and vindictive senior officers can be when they feel wronged.
November 8, 2023
This last in the series is almost sentimental in character. Sinclair is now an established officer and deals well with the normal problems of his station as well as the interactions with the fellow crewmen both above and below. He now has a supportive captain and some friends elesewhere in the hierarchy. He is now engaged.
The story that unfolds has some drama and involves quite a bit of interaction with NCIS. It caps well the series of four books and sets up for a whole new series of stories in different settings that is unlikely to be written as far as I can tell. Too bad as I enjoyed these stories quite a bit.
The story that unfolds has some drama and involves quite a bit of interaction with NCIS. It caps well the series of four books and sets up for a whole new series of stories in different settings that is unlikely to be written as far as I can tell. Too bad as I enjoyed these stories quite a bit.
February 3, 2018
Summary: Really well written and thoughtful book, the plot is weak and the action thin, but the premise is excellent. Just as good as the first 3 books in the series. Quite sad that it is the last book in the series.
Plotline: Very simple plot but superbly presented. A few more minor plot holes in this one.
Premise: Totally believable, but not very far in the future
Writing: Simple, very descriptive, the detail is breathtaking. Not particularly subtle at times.
Ending: Predictable but satisfactory
Pace: Never a dull moment!
Plotline: Very simple plot but superbly presented. A few more minor plot holes in this one.
Premise: Totally believable, but not very far in the future
Writing: Simple, very descriptive, the detail is breathtaking. Not particularly subtle at times.
Ending: Predictable but satisfactory
Pace: Never a dull moment!
March 19, 2022
This world feels real to me. I don't really have a lot of care for the characters. I don't miss them when they move on. I like that the characters change because that is what it would be like on a ship which helps keep the world real. Against all enemies follows the structure of the earlier books. Characters are primarily one and two dimensional, and that's okay. This isn't a character driven story, it's about procedures. A little action at the beginning of the book sets up the courtroom drama for the last part of the book. The primary characters move forward. there were hints at future stories, but it appears those won't be told. This, like the others, was a satisfying, light read. I'm going to miss this series.
May 15, 2026
Perfectly in line with the other books in this series. Bad things happen, some people get pinned for the deed, and we're indulged with the procedure to sus it out and resolve it.
And yet, it's pretty much always entertaining.
Now, is it just me, or wasn't there enough of an audience to continue this particular series? I find myself wanting to know what happens on Mars, or if Paul joins the JAGs, or if he joins the crew of the ballbuster. There ARE open questions here. And while this just barely qualifies for SF, I can't deny I'm invested in our little idealist junior officer.
And yet, it's pretty much always entertaining.
Now, is it just me, or wasn't there enough of an audience to continue this particular series? I find myself wanting to know what happens on Mars, or if Paul joins the JAGs, or if he joins the crew of the ballbuster. There ARE open questions here. And while this just barely qualifies for SF, I can't deny I'm invested in our little idealist junior officer.
July 26, 2020
I read all four of the Jag in space books. I couldn't put them down.
I read all four of the Jag in space books. The plot in each one was riveting. You went with Paul Sinclair as he tried to figure out the truth. He also put his career on the line by telling the truth as he knew it. I ever had most of Jack Campbell's books and this series is as good as the others. And the others are great.
I read all four of the Jag in space books. The plot in each one was riveting. You went with Paul Sinclair as he tried to figure out the truth. He also put his career on the line by telling the truth as he knew it. I ever had most of Jack Campbell's books and this series is as good as the others. And the others are great.
November 19, 2021
Against All Enemies is brilliant cunning keeps you gussing from the start as to what Paul and Jenwill have to deal with this time! Old plot lines are carried on an new ones set up! Epic and excellent from the start! Charectirisation is spot n and we are introduced to a host of new and returning characters! The drama and action are brilliantly delivered and will keep you up late to see where things go!
Brilliant and Highly Recomended! Get if you can! :D
Brilliant and Highly Recomended! Get if you can! :D
December 29, 2025
Welp. That was an ending. Plenty of space to move forward if the author chose to. Followed the same formula as the earlier books, space adventure with captains mass during which some court worthy event happens followed by trial. While the fourth time out I was certainly getting tired of it, the quality of the writing remained high. If I were to do it again , it’s a series I would not read in one go. I wish there were more, but it won’t be on my shelf of series I feel must continue.
June 9, 2021
No aliens; just Earth alliances and agencies (such as NCIS) in space. No interesting tech; the space ships are just like ocean frigates. Disappointing, but had some interesting character relationships. Also had way too much courtroom and legal stuff.
If you like courtroom dramas and NCIS, but in a different setting, this may be for you. But if you want a space adventure, this is not that.
If you like courtroom dramas and NCIS, but in a different setting, this may be for you. But if you want a space adventure, this is not that.
December 7, 2022
I'm sad to see this series end. I'd love to see a few more from Mr. Hemry. Solid series.
This is space opera heavy with courts-martial proceedings and just a little actual space action. It may be a little cerebral for a lot of people these days, but the character-building is excellent. You really come to care about the characters.
This is space opera heavy with courts-martial proceedings and just a little actual space action. It may be a little cerebral for a lot of people these days, but the character-building is excellent. You really come to care about the characters.
April 3, 2018
I've found a good book for military sc-fi'ers to read.
Accurate military action , espionage, court room drama that WASN'T slog to read! Go ahead, spend your money and your time.... buy this book and enjoy!
Accurate military action , espionage, court room drama that WASN'T slog to read! Go ahead, spend your money and your time.... buy this book and enjoy!
March 10, 2019
This segment of Paul's career as a naval officer was as riveting as the first three books. John Hemry continues to capture the life of a junior naval officer expertly (John and I have both been there!). A terrific read for those interested in duty, honor, and the law. In space!
March 17, 2019
I've enjoyed this series and wished that there was one more book for Paul Sinclair. The author gets you to feel for the characters and to root for them. I've enjoyed rereading this series. You won't be disappointed if you read all the books in this series.
May 27, 2019
Final (so far) of the JAG novels. As per the others, a diverting and entertaining story about a future US space navy and court cases pertaining to it. Didn't really feel like the author's heart was in this one to be honest, and though interesting it doesn't hold up to the first two.
June 10, 2017
A very fine ending to a great series
November 15, 2023
Good story and last book of the series though it was open-ended enough to leave room for follow-on books. Good quick read that kept my interest.
November 21, 2023
Reasonable conclusion to the series. Leaves you wanting to find out more about where the characters go next.
March 26, 2025
A very good finish to the series, though I wish there were more.
April 9, 2025
A predictable level of not good, but not so bad as to be actively annoying.
April 14, 2025
Fantastic
All of Jack Campbell's books are well thought out and written! Thanks for showing your readers how military court Marshall's are carried out!
All of Jack Campbell's books are well thought out and written! Thanks for showing your readers how military court Marshall's are carried out!
March 23, 2017
The JAG in Space series is a welcome change from the far-too-prevalent shoot-em-up/military sci fi offerings. The legal base of these books isn't something I can comment on except to say that it always seems to make sense. The hero, however, is something of a miracle worker at times: A three week training course somehow enables him to sway judges and courts. On the other hand, the series is entertaining and competently written - as you would expect from the John G. Henry/Jack Campbell pen. As often happens with Kindle books, there are a few formatting hiccups but there are far fewer of these than I've seen in other sci fi books recently, certainly not enough to even remotely spoil the enjoyment. I'm glad I've read them and will probably reread them before too long.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 51 reviews